Strategic Report Governance
Financial Statements
151
1.9. Employee benefits Defined contribution plans
The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Group in funds managed by a third party. Obligations for contributions to the defined contribution pension scheme are recognised as an expense in profit or loss when due. Share-based payment transactions Equity-settled share-based payments to employees are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at grant date, determined using stochastic and scenario-based modelling techniques where appropriate. The fair value of each scheme, based on the Group’s estimate of the equity instruments that will eventually vest, is expensed in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, with a corresponding credit to equity. At each balance sheet date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments that will eventually vest as a result of changes in non-market-based vesting conditions, and recognises the impact of the revision of original estimates in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income over the remaining vesting period, with a corresponding adjustment to equity. Where a leaver is entitled to their scheme benefits, this is treated as an acceleration of the vesting in the period they leave. Where a scheme is modified before it vests, any increase in fair value as a result of the modification is recognised over the remaining vesting period. Where a scheme is cancelled, this is treated as an acceleration in the period of the vesting of all remaining options. 1.10. Intangible assets Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net assets of the acquired subsidiary and represents the future economic benefit arising from assets that are not capable of being individually identified and separately recognised. Goodwill is measured at initial value less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is not amortised but assessed for impairment annually or when circumstances or events indicate there may be uncertainty over the carrying value. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill has been allocated to cash-generating units and an impairment is recognised when the carrying value of the cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised directly in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income and are not subsequently reversed. Other intangible assets are recognised if it is probable that future economic benefits attributable to the asset will flow to the Group, and are measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and any impairment losses. For intangible assets with finite useful lives, impairment testing is performed where there is an indication that the carrying value of the assets may be subject to an impairment. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying value of an intangible asset exceeds its recoverable amount. Costs that are directly associated with the production of identifiable and unique software products controlled by the Group are capitalised and recognised as an intangible asset. Direct costs include the incremental software development team’s employee costs. All other costs associated with researching or maintaining computer software programmes are recognised as an expense as incurred. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful lives, up to 15 years. The useful lives are determined by considering relevant factors, such as usage of the asset, potential obsolescence, competitive position and stability of the industry. The useful economic life and the method used to determine the cost of intangible assets acquired in a business combination is as follows:
Intangible asset
Estimated useful economic life
Valuation method
Intellectual property
12–15 years
Estimated replacement cost
The useful economic lives of intangible assets recognised by the Group other than those acquired in a business combination are as follows:
Intangible asset PrognoSys™ ,1
Estimated useful economic life
12 years 3 years
Software
1 PrognoSys™ is the Group’s proprietary underwriting engine; see note 12. 1.11. Property and equipment
Land and buildings are measured at their revalued amounts less any subsequent depreciation, and impairment losses. Valuations are performed periodically but at least triennially to ensure that the fair value of the revalued asset does not differ materially from its carrying value. A revaluation surplus is recognised in other comprehensive income and credited to the revaluation reserve in equity. A revaluation deficit is recognised in profit or loss, except to the extent that it offsets an existing surplus on the same asset recognised in the revaluation reserve. Reversals of revaluation deficits follow the original classification of the deficit in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income. All other property and equipment is measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to write down the cost to residual value over the estimated useful lives.
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