The directors have identified and continually monitor the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group. These
may change over time as specific new risks may emerge and others cease to be of concern. However, broadly the
principal risks to the Group are detailed below. The directors believe that the identified risks have been addressed
and where possible, and within the Group’s control, mitigating actions have been taken to ensure processes and
procedures are in place and followed to limit any impact which could arise.
Regulatory risk
The Group contains regulated entities. As such it is essential that it abides by the rules and requirements of the FSA. Failure to do so, but especially with regard to the treatment of customers and the handling of client money, could lead to sanctions and fines on entities within the Group.
Systems failure
The operations of the Group are highly dependent on technology. A failure in the Group’s core systems or customer interfaces could pose a significant risk to the business. Were it to affect the ability to reconcile accounts or maintain records this could also have regulatory implications. This would also be the case were any of the Group’s systems or processes in respect of data security to fail.
Reputational risk
The Group is continuing to spend significant sums of money on marketing and building The Share Centre’s brand to attract new customers. Were the brand to be affected in any way through bad publicity or negative associations this could impact customer confidence in that brand and damage the prospects of the business.
Investor sentiment
The Group has a diversified customer base and is not subject to any significant concentration risk. However, most revenues are derived from retail investors and were investor confidence in the stockmarket to be adversely affected or a very deep, prolonged recession with very high unemployment to reduce the ability of retail investors to undertake savings and investment activity, this could impact the performance of the Group.
Stockmarket volatility
Changes in the value of the stock market directly impact the level of ad valorem fees and therefore revenues. Sharp changes in valuations can also damage investor confidence and therefore damage the prospects of the Group more widely. The Group’s business model and split of revenues across commission, fees and interest helps mitigate exposure to any one factor. However, a combination of falling stock values and sharply reduced investor activity could have a significant impact on the performance of the Group.
Competition risk
The Group faces competition from a number of other brokers and larger financial institutions offering similar services. The Group has successfully differentiated itself by targeting investors at an earlier stage than many brokers, by offering a clear and easy to use service, through its high quality customer service and low prices. However, the Group is always susceptible to the impact of short term cut price offers from competitors who, in the case of the large financial institutions, may have substantial financial resources to support such initiatives.
Interest rate risk
The Group derives a significant proportion of its
income from interest on client and house cash it holds. This is
protected in the near term by the interest rate floor policy. However, if
interest rates remain at their currently historic levels for a prolonged
period beyond the life of the policy (1 November 2010), this could
adversely affect the performance of the business.
Source: Annual Report 2008
