20 NOVEMBER 2025 NORTHERN VENTURE TRUST PLC UNAUDITED HALF-YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORTFOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 Northern Venture Trust PLC is a Venture Capital Trust (VCT) whose investment adviser is Mercia Fund Management Limited. The trust was one of the first VCTs launched on the London Stock Exchange, in 1995. It invests mainly in unquoted venture capital holdings and aims to provide long-term tax-free returns to shareholders through a combination of dividend yield and capital growth. Finan ...

Core Viewpoint - The company has faced challenges in the past year but believes that strategic measures, including a merger with Thames Ventures VCT 2 plc, have strengthened its foundations and positioned it for long-term value creation for shareholders [3][4][5]. Financial Highlights - The company reported a net asset value (NAV) per share of 90.1p as of 31 March 2025, a decrease of 16.7% from the previous year [6]. - Total dividends paid during the year amounted to 4.6p per share, equivalent to 4.3% of the opening net assets of the previous financial year [7]. - The company raised £0.9 million through an offer for subscription during the year, with an additional £2.5 million raised post year-end [10]. Investment Performance and Portfolio Activity - The company invested £4.9 million in eight Unquoted Growth companies during the year, with two new investments totaling £1.6 million and six follow-on investments costing £3.3 million [11][39]. - The overall investment portfolio experienced a net valuation loss of £14.3 million, with £7.1 million attributed to Quoted Growth investments and £7.2 million from unquoted investments [12][14]. - Significant losses were noted in Maestro Media Limited (£2.0 million) and Cambridge Touch Technologies Ltd (£1.5 million), while positive performances were seen in Ayar Labs Inc and Rated People Limited, with valuation increases of £2.5 million and £1.6 million respectively [14]. Share Buybacks - The company has adopted a policy of buying back its own shares at a 2.5% discount to NAV, purchasing and cancelling 13,072,899 shares at an average discount of 3.9% during the year [21]. Management Charges and Performance Incentive - The annual management fee for the year ended 31 March 2025 was £1.8 million, equating to 2.0% of net assets [23]. - A new performance incentive scheme was approved as part of the merger, which will motivate the manager to enhance shareholder value [25][26]. Board Composition - The board has undergone changes, with Andrew Mackintosh joining from Thames Ventures VCT 2 plc and Barry Dean set to retire [27][29]. VCT Sunset Clause - New regulations have extended the UK's VCT scheme by ten years to April 2035, providing clarity and support for further investments in early-stage companies [30]. Outlook - The company is cautiously optimistic about 2025, anticipating improved conditions for portfolio companies due to decreasing inflation and interest rates, which may encourage increased deal activity in the UK [32][33].

Core Viewpoint - Octopus Titan VCT plc reported a disappointing total return of -14.1% for the year ending December 31, 2024, with net assets decreasing to £831 million, primarily due to company-specific performance issues and challenging market conditions [3][4][27]. Financial Summary - Net assets decreased from £993.74 million in 2023 to £831.358 million in 2024 [2]. - Loss after tax for the year was £147.649 million, slightly improved from £149.499 million in the previous year [2]. - NAV per share fell from 62.4p in 2023 to 50.5p in 2024, reflecting a decrease of 8.8p per share [2][3]. - Total value per share decreased from 164.4p in 2023 to 155.6p in 2024 [2][7]. - Total return per share was -8.8p, translating to a total return percentage of -14.1% for the year [2][7]. - Dividends paid in 2024 totaled 3.1p, down from 5.0p in 2023, resulting in a dividend yield of 5.0% [2][13]. Performance Analysis - The decline in NAV was attributed to underperformance of portfolio companies, particularly Pelago, Many Pets, and Big Health, which collectively accounted for about one-third of the total NAV decline [4][48][49]. - The five-year tax-free annual compound return for shareholders is now -3.5%, and since the high watermark at December 31, 2021, the total return per share has decreased by 39.8% [5][27]. - The company utilized £137 million of cash resources during the year, with £30 million allocated to new and follow-on investments [6]. Strategic Review - A strategic review was initiated in September 2024 to address performance challenges and develop a plan for future sustainability and improved performance [10][30]. - The review includes an analysis of historical investment performance, sustainability, future investment strategy, and team structure [10][34]. - The Board is considering feedback from a shareholder survey indicating significant dissatisfaction with past performance and capital growth opportunities [10][71]. Portfolio Management - The portfolio consists of over 135 companies, with 42% not expecting further funding needs, increasing to 67% when including those with more than 12 months' cash runway [29]. - In 2024, Titan completed 8 new investments and 14 follow-on investments totaling £30 million [68]. - The company returned £29 million in cash proceeds from exits during the year, which was below the level achieved in 2023 [28][56]. Governance and Management Changes - Erin Platts was appointed as the new CEO of Octopus Ventures in January 2025, bringing extensive experience from her previous role at HSBC Innovation Banking UK [41][42]. - The Board has acknowledged the turnover in the Octopus Ventures team and is assessing the team structure and culture as part of the ongoing strategic review [23][30].