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AVEVA

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FY2018 Annual Report · AVEVA
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www.aveva.com

GLOBAL LEADER  
IN ENGINEERING  
& INDUSTRIAL  
SOFTWARE

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018

AVEVA IS A GLOBAL LEADER  
IN ENGINEERING & INDUSTRIAL 
SOFTWARE FOR PROCESS  
AND HYBRID INDUSTRIES

We give customers the power to create, visualise and manage their assets 
digitally, which significantly lowers their total cost of ownership throughout  
the asset life cycle.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018

08

Our Expanded Product Offerings

A GLOBAL LEADER  
IN ENGINEERING &  
INDUSTRIAL SOFTWARE

The enlarged Group has a comprehensive product portfolio offering an unmatched set of solutions, covering all aspects of the asset 
life cycle, from conceptual modelling and 3D design, to process simulation, optimisation and manufacturing operations management. 
We generate revenue by selling software licences and from maintenance, support and services associated with the software that  
we sell. 

Strategic Report 

Governance Report 

Financial Statements

09

Technology
Our broad product range serves customers in over a 
dozen industries and markets, from submarines and oil rigs, 
to power stations and airports.

Customers
Our 16,000+ customers rely on our service teams and 
highly specialised software all over the world every day.

Our people
Our 4,400 employees and extensive partner network 
around the world support our customers with our highly 
skilled sales and support staff.

R&D investments
Our annual R&D investment of around £100m 
our products are always ready to serve our customers’  
latest needs.

 means  

Our software

Our core strengths within heritage AVEVA lie in providing software to support customers in the capital expenditure phase of the asset 
life cycle, from conception, schematics, detailed design and build through to asset decommissioning.

Our enlarged portfolio helps our customers to reduce downtime, increase safety and improve returns through efficiency optimisations, 
machine learning and by lowering operating costs.

Conceptual design

Basic engineering

Detailed design

Construction & 
commissioning

Operations

SimSci 
ePLMS

AVEVA E3D

AVEVA NET

AVEVA Engineering

AVEVA Electrical

AVEVA ERM

Avantis

Wonderware Citect, 
Clear SCADA 
OASyS

Wonderware

Spiral

Wonderware

Avantis

Ampla, Aquis

SimSci

Creates value for...

AVEVA Instrumentation

Investors
Through the combination with 
Schneider Electric Software, 
the Group generated 
considerable value for 
shareholders.

Adjusted profit 
before tax 

+6.8%  

Customers
Our software and solutions 
create huge efficiencies for 
our customers, which is why 
we are the global leader in 
engineering and industrial 
software.

Customer deployments

100,000 

Pre-combination AVEVA solutions

Additional post-combination solutions

Community
Local communities are 
important to our workforce, 
and this year we made 
donations as well as provided 
matched funding to a number 
of successful personal 
employee challenges.

Charitable donations

+10%  

Employees
Following the combination, 
and recognising the need to 
create a new, inclusive and 
diverse organisation, we are 
redefining our culture and 
values.

Increase in headcount

+160%  

Our Expanded 
Product Offerings 
see pages 8–9

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018

10

Our Expanded Market Diversification

INCREASED DIVERSIFICATION 
DRIVING THE DIGITALISATION 
OF INDUSTRY

Our software is supplied both to companies that operate 
in a number of end market sectors, such as OOs and 
EPCs, as well as companies in specific end markets,  
such as shipbuilding and city infrastructure. While overall 
demand for our products is growing as industry 
continues the trend of moving towards digitalisation, end 

market conditions impact AVEVA’s revenue in a given 
year. For the end market sectors that we serve, the broad 
market dynamics are outlined below. In addition to the 
primary market verticals described below, we also have a 
small presence in Paper & Pulp, Water and Utilities, which 
together comprise < 10% of the enlarged Group revenue.

Upstream  
Oil & Gas
15–20%

of revenue

Midstream  
Oil & Gas
5–10%

of revenue

Our activity in the midstream 
Oil & Gas market is primarily 
around monitoring and 
control systems for major 
pipeline operators. Over 2015 
and 2016, many of our 
existing customers undertook 
large upgrades of existing 
monitoring and control 
systems, which drove project 
volume in this segment over 
that period. Much of this 
upgrade activity completed in 
early 2017, resulting in a 
reduction in project volume. 
However, this market now 
represents a significant 
installed base opportunity for 
us to sell advanced 
applications for asset integrity 
and risk management, 
pipeline operations 
management and operator 
training systems.

In line with market forecasts, 
global upstream industry 
capital expenditure began to 
recover in calendar year 2017, 
growing at a low single-digit 
rate. This followed a fall of 
over 40% between 2014 and 
calendar 2016 (Sources: 
Barclays, Bank of America 
Merrill Lynch). This market 
stabilisation and the 
improving oil price trend had 
a positive effect on the 
workloads of our EPC 
customers, who had been 
squeezed during the 
downturn by a sharp 
reduction in design-intensive 
upstream and offshore 
projects, which were most 
heavily impacted by the lower 
oil prices.

This recovery assisted 
demand for our design 
products, because EPC 
customers tend to favour a 
rental model for software, 
meaning that their spend with 
AVEVA adjusts to market 
demand relatively quickly.

Food & Beverage 
and Pharma
10–15%

of revenue

Our technology for this 
market has traditionally served 
large global companies 
operating multiple high-
volume production facilities 
and traditionally using 
technology for automation 
and operations management. 
This segment has been 
impacted by a significant shift 
in consumer consumption 
patterns. This in turn 
translated to re-evaluations of 
traditional operational 
technology investments, 
further motivated by the 
emergence of digitalisation as 
a business imperative. We 
have seen a reduction in the 
volume of the monitoring and 
control and operations 
management portfolio areas 
and an increase in demand for 
solutions related to operational 
performance visibility and 
asset performance 
management, which is where 
digitalisation investments are 
primarily being targeted.

Downstream  
Oil & Gas
15–20%

of revenue

The downstream Oil & Gas 
market, having rationalised 
and established a baseline for 
capital expenditure between 
2014 and 2016, also recently 
started to resume capital 
expenditure growth, primarily 
around upgrading existing 
assets and improving 
operational efficiency. The 
primary driver for demand for 
our technology was based on 
digitalisation initiatives, 
targeted at improving 
operational visibility across 
geographically distributed 
assets, enabling predictive 
performance and reliability 
management of assets, 
enabling better planning and 
scheduling, and enabling 
workforce productivity 
through tools such as 
augmented reality based 
assistance, virtual reality based 
simulation and advanced 
decision support systems.

In the process design and 
simulation offering we saw a 
similar increase in momentum 
with EPC customers as with 
our plant design technology, 
as capital project activity 
started to resume.

Strategic Report 

Governance Report 

Financial Statements

11

Power

Marine

10–15%

of revenue

10–15%

of revenue

Buildings & 
Infrastructure
5–10%

of revenue

Mining

<5%

of revenue

Trends in Power are positive 
as the world’s emerging 
economies invest in their 
power generation 
requirements and the ageing 
infrastructure of the 
developed world is 
maintained or replaced. There 
is also an ongoing trend 
towards digitalisation as 
operators in the sector make 
greater use of both design 
and information management 
tools, as they seek to improve 
asset efficiency. We saw 
continued growth in the 
Power market which included 
the benefit of fees from an 
enlarged customer base 
following wins in the previous 
year. Our offerings related to 
asset performance 
management based on 
predictive analytics continued 
to see strong demand and 
growth in this sector.

As expected, the cyclical 
Marine market showed some 
signs of improvement during 
calendar year 2017, with new 
ship orders increasing, albeit 
from a very low base versus 
historical standards in the 
previous year (Source: 
Clarksons Research). AVEVA 
demonstrated good sales 
execution, achieving a number 
of order wins, particularly in 
Asia. These were achieved 
through market share gains 
and also finding pockets of 
growth, for example around 
cruise ships.

Conditions in the Mining sector 
were broadly positive in the last 
financial year, supported by 
stable to improving commodity 
prices, following a period of 
reduced capital spend. 
Digitalisation initiatives have 
ramped up in this segment, 
with customers managing 
geographically dispersed 
and highly complex assets. 
The focus on value chain 
optimisation has driven 
demand for our offerings 
around operations planning 
and execution management, 
asset performance 
management and monitoring 
and control.

Our offerings to our customers 
enable better digitalisation of 
their businesses through our 
monitoring and control 
portfolio. With a broad-based 
recovery in the global industrial 
manufacturing market, our 
business in this market showed 
corresponding recovery.

With the development of smart 
city infrastructure projects in 
several locations around the 
world, we have started to see 
increased demand for our 
technology to enable the 
visualisation and monitoring of 
smart facilities and assets. In 
addition, specific solutions 
related to sustainability goals 
of smart infrastructure, such as 
energy monitoring and 
management, have started to 
gain traction in this segment 
and also in data centres.

Pre-combination markets

Additional post-combination markets

Our Expanded Market 
Diversification Review
see pages 10–11

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018

46

Strategic Report 

Governance Report 

Financial Statements

47

Chairman's Introduction to Corporate Governance

Corporate Governance Report

The Company is committed to robust principles  
of corporate governance and risk management.

I am pleased to introduce the 2018 
Corporate Governance statement. The 
merger with the Schneider Electric 
Industrial Software Business has been a 
central area of focus for the Board this year. 
This year has seen considerable changes 
in the composition of the Board and we are 
grateful for the tremendous contribution of 
the retiring Directors and, equally, look 
forward to the valued contributions that the 
experience and skills of the newly 
appointed Directors bring to the Company.

In accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the duties of the three 
Committees are set out in formal terms of 
reference. They are available on request 
from the Company’s registered office 
during normal business hours and are 
available on the Company’s website at 
www.aveva.com. Each Committee has its 
own report on its activities in the year, and 
I encourage you to refer to these for a 
more comprehensive review of each 
Committee’s activities in the year. 

The Nomination Committee led the 
nomination, selection and appointment of 
the Executive and Non-Executive 
Directors made within the year, and the 
Remuneration Committee ensured that 
appropriate levels of reward were set to 
attract and retain top talent. The Audit 
Committee has also been heavily 
involved in identifying risks and managing 
Company advisers to ensure risks were 
identified and mitigated or managed.

“This year has seen considerable changes 
in composition of the Board. The Board’s 
Nomination Committee led the nomination, 
selection and appointment of the Executive 
Directors and Non-Executive Directors made 
within the year. We are grateful for the tremendous 
contribution of the retiring Directors and, equally, 
look forward to the valued contributions that the 
experience and skills of the newly appointed 
Directors bring to the Company.”

Philip Aiken
Chairman

The Company is committed to the 
principles of Corporate Governance 
contained in the April 2016 UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the “Code”) provided 
by the Financial Reporting Council and for 
which the Board is accountable to 
shareholders. As detailed in the 
Prospectus issued in September, there 
are some provisions of the Code that 
have not been complied with. Further 
explanation of how the principles have 
been applied is set out here and, in 
connection with Directors’ remuneration, 
in the Remuneration Committee Report 
on pages 56 to 77.

In compliance with the provisions of the 
Code, specifically where a listed company 
has a controlling shareholder, we have put 
in place a Relationship Agreement with 
Schneider Electric SE, our new majority 
shareholder. This is a legally binding 
agreement to ensure Schneider Electric 
allows AVEVA to act in compliance with 
the provisions of the Code, and a 
constitution that allows for the election 
and re-election of independent Directors.

The provisions of the Code which have 
not been complied with and which were 
stated in the Prospectus, Part XII, 
paragraph 3.6.3 are (a) that the 
Remuneration Committee will not consist 
of solely independent Non-Executive 
Directors; (b) after the initial period of two 
years following the completion of the 
merger, the Chairman may not be 
independent upon replacement; and 
(c) until the Company appoints an 
additional independent Non-Executive 
Director, at least half the Board (excluding 
the Chairman) shall not be represented by 
independent Non-Executive Directors.

Group structure chart

Group Structure Chart

Board
Provides strategic leadership  
to the Group

Additionally, the Code provides that notice 
of an Annual General Meeting should be 
given 20 working days (28 calendar days) 
in advance, but the longer year end 
reporting process resulting from the 
combination with SES, together with 
constraints over AGM dates, means that 
we shall only be able to provide notice 23 
calendar days in advance, which is within 
the statutory minimum period.

Finally, under the current Code, the 
independence of the Chairman is not 
taken into account under the rule requiring 
a majority of members of the Nomination 
Committee to be independent Non-
Executive Directors. However, as this will 
be permitted under the proposed 
revisions to the Code published by the 
FRC in December 2017, no changes are 
proposed pending publication by the FRC 
of the final version of these revisions, 
expected in early summer of this year.

Composition of the Board
The composition of the Board is the 
Chairman, two Executive Directors and 
five Non-Executive Directors, three of 
whom are independent. In the course of 
the year ended 31 March 2018 and as 
announced by the Company, the Board 
has undergone several significant, 
planned changes to refresh and 
strengthen the Board, including the 
appointment of a new Chief Executive, a 
new Chief Financial Officer and two new 
Non-Executive Directors (see more in the 
Nomination Committee Report provided 
on page 51). 

Brief biographical details of all Board 
members are set out on pages 44 
and 45. The chairmanship, membership 
and attendance record of all Board 
Committees is set out on page 48.

Executive Leadership Team
Management Committee chaired  
by the Chief Executive, setting  
Group strategy and reviewing  
the operational performance  
of the Group

Nomination Committee
Reviews Board composition  
and succession planning

Read more on 
page 51

Audit Committee
Monitors and oversees risk 
management and control

Read more on 
pages 52–55

Remuneration Committee
Reviews Board and senior 
management remuneration

Read more on 
pages 56–77

Governance Report 
see pages 43–81

Strategic Report
01  Highlights
02  Financial Results and Summary results
03  Explanation of reported, pro forma and 

heritage results
04  Chairman's Statement
06  Our Expanded Global Footprint
08  Our Expanded Product Offerings
10  Our Expanded Market Diversif ication
12  Chief Executive Off icer's Review
16  Chief Executive Off icer's Q&A
18  Strategic Framework
20  Technology Review
22  Finance Review
31  Principal Risks, Viability and Going Concern
35  Key Performance Indicators
36  Corporate Social Responsibility

Governance Report
44  Board of Directors
46  Chairman’s Introduction to Corporate 

Governance

47  Corporate Governance Report
51  Nomination Committee Report
52  Audit Committee Report
56  Remuneration Committee Report
78  Other statutory information

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Financial Statements
84 
93  Consolidated income statement
 Consolidated statement of   
94 
comprehensive income
95  Consolidated balance sheet
96 

97 
98 

 Consolidated statement of changes   
in shareholders’ equity
 Consolidated cash f low statement
 Notes to the consolidated  
f inancial statements
129  Company balance sheet
130   Company statement of changes  

in shareholders’ equity
 Notes to the Company f inancial statements

131 
135   Statement of Group accounting policies
140  Unaudited pro forma combined   

income statement

141  Unaudited pro forma combined   

cash f low statement

142  Notes to the unaudited pro forma  

f inancial statements

145  Full list of addresses and subsidiaries
 Company information and advisers
ibc 

To find out more, please visit our website
www.aveva.com

“The last 12 months have been 
transformational for AVEVA. 
The combined Group is optimally 
placed to deliver value to our 
customers over the whole life cycle 
of their assets, from design through 
to operations. I am pleased with 
the results that we have announced, 
which are a credit to the AVEVA 
team in what has been a very 
busy year. I’m excited about the 
opportunities ahead of us and will be 
focused on driving profitable growth.”

Craig Hayman
Chief Executive Officer

 
 
01

Highlights

COMBINATION WITH SCHNEIDER 
ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL 
SOFTWARE BUSINESS

On 1 March 2018, AVEVA Group plc combined with the Schneider Electric 
Industrial Software Business (SES) to create a global leader in industrial software 
for process and hybrid industries. 

Number of employees 

Number of customers 

Number of office locations 

>4,400

Pre-merger: 1,700

>16,000

Pre-merger: >4,000

80

Pre-merger: 50

Countries where we 
employ AVEVA staff

40

Pre-merger: 30

Annual R&D investment

Partner network

Number of R&D staff

Customer deployments

£100M

Pre-merger: £30m

>4,000

Pre-merger: <100

>1,600

Pre-merger: 705

>100,000

Around the world

Revenue

Adjusted profit before tax

Profit before tax

Adjusted diluted EPS

£704.6M

Pre-merger: £248.2m

£162.8M

Pre-merger: £67.8m

£64.6M

Pre-merger: £32.8m

75.6P

2017 – 67.6p



  We are supplementing our Reported results this year with pro forma results that management believe best represent the effect of the combination,  

as they show the full year effect of the combination. For more information, please see overleaf.

The combination is transformational for AVEVA and supports all of our strategic objectives.  
It also advances our vision for the widespread adoption of constantly evolving Digital Assets  
by the capital-intensive industries that we serve. By adding new capabilities to AVEVA’s engineering, 
design and 3D visualisation technologies, the combination will enable the Group to offer customers 
Digital Twins of their physical assets throughout their whole life cycle.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements02

Financial Highlights

AVEVA GROUP PRODUCES 
STRONG RESULTS

In this Annual Report, the statutory 
(“reported”) results for AVEVA Group plc 
are prepared on a reverse acquisition 
basis and reflect 12 months of results for 
the heritage Schneider Electric Software 
business and one month of results for  
the heritage AVEVA business, with none 
of the heritage AVEVA business results 
being included in the comparative period.

Accordingly, to get a better understanding 
of the trading performance of the 
combined business, ‘pro forma’ results 
are also shown for the enlarged Group, 
which include full-year results for both 
parts of the new business combined. 
The pro forma basis is used throughout 
the Annual Report, and where used,  
is indicated with the following symbol: 

Summary results
Year ended 31 March 2018

Heritage AVEVA

Heritage SES

Reported

Pro forma 
(enlarged Group) 

Revenue £248.2m
+15.0%

2017 – £215.8m

£456.4m
+5.4%

2017 – £432.8m

£499.1m
+15.3%

2017 – £432.8m

£704.6m
+8.6%

2017 – £648.7m

Profit  
before  
tax

£32.8m
-30.0%

2017 – £46.9m

£31.8m
-38.1%

2017 – £51.4m

£46.9m
-8.8%

2017 – £51.4m

£64.6m
-34.3%

2017 – £98.3m

Adjusted  
profit  
before  
tax1

£67.8m
+23.3%

2017 – £55.0m

£95.0m
-2.5%

2017 – £97.4m

£117.2m
+20.3%

2017 – £97.4m

£162.8m
+6.8%

2017 – £152.4m

1 

 Adjusted profit before tax is calculated before amortisation of intangible assets (excluding other software), share-based payments, gain/loss on fair value of 
forward foreign exchange contracts and exceptional items. 

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201803

Explanation of reported, pro forma and heritage results

Summary of the different numbers

Following the merger of AVEVA and SES, there are several different sets of results that have been disclosed and  
reported on. The graph below indicatively shows the revenue of the heritage AVEVA business, the heritage SES business, 
the reported results that we are obliged to present, as well as what the performance of the enlarged Group would have  
been for the current year and the comparative period, as if the combination had occurred on 1 April 2016.

Statutory and pro forma numbers

AVEVA

SES

m
£
e
u
n
e
v
e
R

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

FY17

FY18

FY17

FY18

Heritage 
AVEVA

Heritage 
SES

FY17

FY18

Reported 

FY17

FY18

Pro forma 

(enlarged Group) 

Heritage AVEVA  
and heritage SES 

The heritage AVEVA results are 
almost entirely lost under reverse 
acquisition accounting. For 
transparency, a summary income 
statement of heritage AVEVA is 
included in a table and discussed 
within the Finance Review. 

Whilst the SES results are closely 
aligned with the reported results, 
these also include heritage AVEVA’s 
results for the month of March, the 
largest month of the trading year. 
A summary of the key income 
statement results for SES are 
also given and explained in the 
Finance Review. 

These two sets of figures can be 
found on pages 25 to 27.

Reported

As stated above, the result of the 
reverse acquisition accounting is that 
from the date of completion (1 March 
2018) the results of both entities are 
combined, but everything prior to 
this date, including comparatives, 
contain numbers only from SES. 

Although these numbers are what 
is required under the accounting 
reporting standards and therefore 
what make up the financial 
statements, they are less helpful 
in terms of understanding the 
performance of either the enlarged 
Group or of the individual parts of 
the business. 

Therefore, more emphasis and focus 
is placed on the pro forma results in 
the Strategic Report, which will 
provide a much clearer picture of the 
performance of the enlarged Group.

What is a reverse acquisition?
AVEVA Group plc is the legal acquirer 
of SES as it will exercise control over 
the enlarged Group.

Schneider Electric Group, the former 
shareholders of the acquired entity 
(SES), now own the majority of the 
shares in the enlarged AVEVA Group.

This means that for accounting 
purposes, the acquired company (SES) 
is treated as the acquirer, and so the 
accounting treatment is the reverse of 
the legal position.

Pro forma  
(enlarged Group)

The enlarged Group pro forma 
shows what the results in both years 
would have been had the business 
combination occurred at the start of 
the comparative period (1 April 2016). 

This therefore shows 12 months of 
trading of heritage AVEVA, plus 12 
months of trading of SES, for both 
years shown. This allows for a more 
meaningful analysis of the 2018 
performance of the enlarged Group. 

An abbreviated set of accounts, 
comprising the income statement 
and associated notes, have been 
included as a pro forma on pages 141 
to 144.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
04

Chairman’s statement

DELIVERING ON 
OUR STRATEGY

The year to 31 March 2018 was transformational for AVEVA,  
and we were delighted to appoint Craig Hayman as AVEVA’s  
new CEO in February 2018.

Delivering on our strategy
AVEVA’s strategy has been to increase 
revenue by growing more markets 
for its products as the concept of 
the digitalisation of industry is more 
widely adopted; to sell a wider range 
of products; and to grow in industry 
verticals and geographies where the 
Group’s market share is underweight.

We made significant progress against 
this strategy during the year on an 
organic basis and the combination 
with SES also advanced all of these 
objectives. The Group now has an 
unmatched set of solutions and is 
optimally placed to advance the 
digitalisation of the industrial world. 

Overview
The year to 31 March 2018 was 
transformational for AVEVA. We 
delivered a significantly improved 
trading performance during the year 
and at the same time combined the 
Group with the Schneider Electric 
Industrial Software business (SES), 
creating a new global leader in 
engineering and industrial software.

Trading for the heritage AVEVA Group 
was strong during the year. A sharp 
focus on sales execution, combined with 
a stabilisation of conditions in our Oil 
& Gas and Marine end markets drove 
good growth in revenue and profitability. 
SES also delivered a solid performance, 
such that the combined Group achieved 
a return to growth on a pro forma basis.

We are proposing to maintain the final 
dividend at 27.0 pence per share, in line 
with last year, following the £650 million 
(£10.15 per share) cash return of value to 
AVEVA shareholders in March 2018.

“We delivered a significantly improved 
trading performance during the year.”

Philip Aiken
Chairman

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201805

By adding new capabilities to AVEVA’s 
engineering design and 3D visualisation 
technologies, the combination 
enables us to offer customers 
Digital Twins of their physical assets 
throughout their entire life cycle.

The combination has also improved 
AVEVA’s end market and geographic 
balance, significantly increasing our 
presence in the key North American 
market and reducing our exposure to the 
cyclical upstream Oil & Gas end market.

Board developments
There were several changes to the 
Board during the year associated with 
AVEVA’s combination with SES. 

The Board and I were delighted to 
appoint Craig Hayman as AVEVA’s 
new CEO in February 2018. Craig has 
more than 30 years of transformational 
product and sales leadership experience 
in enterprise software to draw upon 

in leading AVEVA in its next phase 
of growth having held senior global 
leadership roles at PTC, eBay and IBM.

On Craig’s appointment, James Kidd 
stepped down as CEO and became 
Deputy CEO and CFO. James 
demonstrated strong leadership as 
CEO, being instrumental in returning 
AVEVA to growth and in executing the 
transformational combination with SES. 

On James’ appointment as Deputy 
CEO and CFO, David Ward stepped 
down from the Board as CFO, to 
become Deputy CFO and Company 
Secretary of the combined Group. David 
has made a significant contribution 
to AVEVA’s success. Both James 
and David will continue to play vital 
roles in the enlarged Group.

We welcomed Emmanuel Babeau and 
Peter Herweck to the Board in March 
as Non-Executive Directors, with 
Emmanuel also assuming the role of 
Vice-Chairman. Both are employees 
of Schneider Electric; Emmanuel 
is Deputy CEO and Chief Financial 
Officer, and Peter is Executive Vice 
President – Industry. They have added 
significant management and industrial 
experience to the existing AVEVA Board.

Also, earlier in the year, having 
reached his nine year tenure, Philip 
Dayer stepped down from the 
Board at the AGM in July 2017. 

In order for the Board of the enlarged 
AVEVA Group to comprise a majority of 
independent Non-Executive Directors, 
an additional independent Non-Executive 
Director will be appointed in due course.

Summary
The last financial year was one of the 
most significant years of progress in 
AVEVA’s 50 year history. This progress 
would not have been possible without 
the hard work and dedication of all 
our employees, including the 2,700 
new colleagues that we welcomed to 
the Group in March as a result of the 
combination. The Board would like to 
express its sincere thanks for the team’s 
considerable efforts in both completing 
a transformational business combination 
and in delivering a revitalised trading 
performance. We would also like to thank 
our customers, shareholders and other 
stakeholders for their continued support.

Philip Aiken AM
Chairman
14 June 2018

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial StatementsNorth America 
Number of employees

105
1,213

06

Our Expanded Global Footprint

CONNECTING WITH OUR 
CUSTOMERS GLOBALLY

AVEVA operates in over 40 countries, enabling us to support  
customers locally across all of the world’s major economies.

We have a balanced global presence, with 
sales offices in every major economy in 
the world and a global partner distribution 
network comprising some 4,000 
systems integrators. The enlarged Group 
has a significantly stronger position in the 
key North American market than the 
heritage AVEVA, which has a larger 
concentration of business in Europe.

The enlarged Group now has 
approximately 4,400 employees, 
including approximately 1,000 in 
Research & Development.

Map key

Post-combination  
office locations

Pre-combination
Post-combination

South America 
Number of employees

34
219

Number of customers worldwide

>16,000

Number of worldwide 
office locations

>80

Countries where  
we employ staff

>40

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Europe 
Number of employees

791
1,230

Middle East & Africa 
Number of employees

31
87

07

Asia Pacific 
Number of employees

769
1,507

Australasia 
Number of employees

17
205

Revenue by region

Graph key

1. Americas | 2. EMEA | 3. APAC 

Heritage AVEVA
1
£34.9m

2

SES

1

Enlarged Group
1

3

£126.4m

£86.9m

2

£220.0m

3

£145.1m

£91.3m

2

£254.9m

3

£271.5m

Total £704.6m

£178.2m

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements08

Our Expanded Product Offerings

A GLOBAL LEADER  
IN ENGINEERING &  
INDUSTRIAL SOFTWARE

The enlarged Group has a comprehensive product portfolio offering an unmatched set of solutions, covering all aspects of the asset 
life cycle, from conceptual modelling and 3D design, to process simulation, optimisation and manufacturing operations management. 
We generate revenue by selling software licences and from maintenance, support and services associated with the software that  
we sell. 

Technology
Our broad product range serves customers in over a 
dozen industries and markets, from submarines and oil rigs, 
to power stations and airports.

Customers
Our 16,000+ customers rely on our service teams and 
highly specialised software all over the world every day.

Our software

Our core strengths within heritage AVEVA lie in providing software to support customers in the capital expenditure phase of the asset 
life cycle, from conception, schematics, detailed design and build through to asset decommissioning.

Conceptual design

Basic engineering

Detailed design

Construction & 
commissioning

SimSci 
ePLMS

AVEVA E3D

AVEVA NET

AVEVA Engineering

AVEVA Electrical

AVEVA ERM

Creates value for...

AVEVA Instrumentation

Investors
Through the combination with 
Schneider Electric Software, 
the Group generated 
considerable value for 
shareholders.

Adjusted profit 
before tax 

+6.8%  

Customers
Our software and solutions 
create huge efficiencies for 
our customers, which is why 
we are the global leader in 
engineering and industrial 
software.

Customer deployments

100,000 

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201809

Our people
Our 4,400 employees and extensive partner network 
around the world support our customers with our highly 
skilled sales and support staff.

R&D investments
Our annual R&D investment of around £100m 
our products are always ready to serve our customers’  
latest needs.

 means  

Our enlarged portfolio helps our customers to reduce downtime, increase safety and improve returns through efficiency optimisations, 
machine learning and by lowering operating costs.

Operations

Avantis

Wonderware Citect, 
Clear SCADA 
OASyS

Wonderware

Spiral

Wonderware

Avantis

Ampla, Aquis

SimSci

Pre-combination AVEVA solutions

Additional post-combination solutions

Community
Local communities are 
important to our workforce, 
and this year we made 
donations as well as provided 
matched funding to a number 
of successful personal 
employee challenges.

Charitable donations

+10%  

Employees
Following the combination, 
and recognising the need to 
create a new, inclusive and 
diverse organisation, we are 
redefining our culture and 
values.

Increase in headcount

+160%  

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements10

Our Expanded Market Diversification

INCREASED DIVERSIFICATION 
DRIVING THE DIGITALISATION 
OF INDUSTRY

Our software is supplied both to companies that operate 
in a number of end market sectors, such as OOs and 
EPCs, as well as companies in specific end markets,  
such as shipbuilding and city infrastructure. While overall 
demand for our products is growing as industry 
continues the trend of moving towards digitalisation, end 

market conditions impact AVEVA’s revenue in a given 
year. For the end market sectors that we serve, the broad 
market dynamics are outlined below. In addition to the 
primary market verticals described below, we also have a 
small presence in Paper & Pulp, Water and Utilities, which 
together comprise < 10% of the enlarged Group revenue.

Upstream  
Oil & Gas
15–20%

of revenue

Midstream  
Oil & Gas
5–10%

of revenue

Our activity in the midstream 
Oil & Gas market is primarily 
around monitoring and 
control systems for major 
pipeline operators. Over 2015 
and 2016, many of our 
existing customers undertook 
large upgrades of existing 
monitoring and control 
systems, which drove project 
volume in this segment over 
that period. Much of this 
upgrade activity completed in 
early 2017, resulting in a 
reduction in project volume. 
However, this market now 
represents a significant 
installed base opportunity for 
us to sell advanced 
applications for asset integrity 
and risk management, 
pipeline operations 
management and operator 
training systems.

In line with market forecasts, 
global upstream industry 
capital expenditure began to 
recover in calendar year 2017, 
growing at a low single-digit 
rate. This followed a fall of 
over 40% between 2014 and 
calendar 2016 (Sources: 
Barclays, Bank of America 
Merrill Lynch). This market 
stabilisation and the 
improving oil price trend had 
a positive effect on the 
workloads of our EPC 
customers, who had been 
squeezed during the 
downturn by a sharp 
reduction in design-intensive 
upstream and offshore 
projects, which were most 
heavily impacted by the lower 
oil prices.

This recovery assisted 
demand for our design 
products, because EPC 
customers tend to favour a 
rental model for software, 
meaning that their spend with 
AVEVA adjusts to market 
demand relatively quickly.

Food & Beverage 
and Pharma
10–15%

of revenue

Our technology for this 
market has traditionally served 
large global companies 
operating multiple high-
volume production facilities 
and traditionally using 
technology for automation 
and operations management. 
This segment has been 
impacted by a significant shift 
in consumer consumption 
patterns. This in turn 
translated to re-evaluations of 
traditional operational 
technology investments, 
further motivated by the 
emergence of digitalisation as 
a business imperative. We 
have seen a reduction in the 
volume of the monitoring and 
control and operations 
management portfolio areas 
and an increase in demand for 
solutions related to operational 
performance visibility and 
asset performance 
management, which is where 
digitalisation investments are 
primarily being targeted.

Downstream  
Oil & Gas
15–20%

of revenue

The downstream Oil & Gas 
market, having rationalised 
and established a baseline for 
capital expenditure between 
2014 and 2016, also recently 
started to resume capital 
expenditure growth, primarily 
around upgrading existing 
assets and improving 
operational efficiency. The 
primary driver for demand for 
our technology was based on 
digitalisation initiatives, 
targeted at improving 
operational visibility across 
geographically distributed 
assets, enabling predictive 
performance and reliability 
management of assets, 
enabling better planning and 
scheduling, and enabling 
workforce productivity 
through tools such as 
augmented reality based 
assistance, virtual reality based 
simulation and advanced 
decision support systems.

In the process design and 
simulation offering we saw a 
similar increase in momentum 
with EPC customers as with 
our plant design technology, 
as capital project activity 
started to resume.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
11

Power

Marine

10–15%

of revenue

10–15%

of revenue

Buildings & 
Infrastructure
5–10%

of revenue

Mining

<5%

of revenue

Trends in Power are positive 
as the world’s emerging 
economies invest in their 
power generation 
requirements and the ageing 
infrastructure of the 
developed world is 
maintained or replaced. There 
is also an ongoing trend 
towards digitalisation as 
operators in the sector make 
greater use of both design 
and information management 
tools, as they seek to improve 
asset efficiency. We saw 
continued growth in the 
Power market which included 
the benefit of fees from an 
enlarged customer base 
following wins in the previous 
year. Our offerings related to 
asset performance 
management based on 
predictive analytics continued 
to see strong demand and 
growth in this sector.

As expected, the cyclical 
Marine market showed some 
signs of improvement during 
calendar year 2017, with new 
ship orders increasing, albeit 
from a very low base versus 
historical standards in the 
previous year (Source: 
Clarksons Research). AVEVA 
demonstrated good sales 
execution, achieving a number 
of order wins, particularly in 
Asia. These were achieved 
through market share gains 
and also finding pockets of 
growth, for example around 
cruise ships.

Conditions in the Mining sector 
were broadly positive in the last 
financial year, supported by 
stable to improving commodity 
prices, following a period of 
reduced capital spend. 
Digitalisation initiatives have 
ramped up in this segment, 
with customers managing 
geographically dispersed 
and highly complex assets. 
The focus on value chain 
optimisation has driven 
demand for our offerings 
around operations planning 
and execution management, 
asset performance 
management and monitoring 
and control.

Our offerings to our customers 
enable better digitalisation of 
their businesses through our 
monitoring and control 
portfolio. With a broad-based 
recovery in the global industrial 
manufacturing market, our 
business in this market showed 
corresponding recovery.

With the development of smart 
city infrastructure projects in 
several locations around the 
world, we have started to see 
increased demand for our 
technology to enable the 
visualisation and monitoring of 
smart facilities and assets. In 
addition, specific solutions 
related to sustainability goals 
of smart infrastructure, such as 
energy monitoring and 
management, have started to 
gain traction in this segment 
and also in data centres.

Pre-combination markets

Additional post-combination markets

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements12

Chief Executive Officer’s Review

A COMBINATION BRINGING 
TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE

I joined AVEVA in February 2018 at an exciting time as the industrial sector  
seeks new approaches to increase safety and efficiency, while reducing  
operational and capital expense. AVEVA is at the forefront of industrial  
digitalisation and continues to deliver innovative and proven solutions  
to customers.

Summary
My initial focus has been ensuring we 
remain on track with the integration of 
the two businesses while spending time 
with customers, investors and employees 
around the world. I’ve established new 
leadership teams to drive the business 
including an Executive Leadership Team 
and Strategy Leadership Team, which 
work hand-in-hand with the regional 
sales teams and the business units.

AVEVA had a successful year as it was 
transformed through the combination with 
SES, improved its operational execution 
and delivered financial growth. On a 
statutory basis revenue was up 15.3% to 
£499.1 million (2017 – £432.8 million) and 
adjusted profit before tax was up 20.3% 
to £117.2 million (2017 – £97.4 million). 
This reflects organic growth in SES and 
the inclusion of the strong trading results 
of AVEVA for the month of March 2018.

On a 12 month pro forma basis the 
enlarged Group achieved revenue 
growth of 8.6% to £704.6 million 
(2017 – £648.7 million) and growth in 
adjusted profit before tax of 6.8% to 
£162.8 million (2017 – £152.4 million). 

Combination with the Schneider 
Electric Industrial Software 
Business
On 5 September 2017, AVEVA and 
Schneider Electric announced an 
agreement to combine AVEVA and SES 
to create a global leader in industrial 
software for process and hybrid 
industries. This proposed combination 
received shareholder approval on 
29 September 2017 and following 
regulatory approvals, completed on 
1 March 2018. The combination saw 
Schneider Electric contribute certain 
software assets to AVEVA and make a 
£550 million cash payment to AVEVA 
shareholders in exchange for a 60% 
shareholding in the combined Group.

“AVEVA had a successful year as it was 
transformed through the combination with 
SES, improving its operational execution 
and delivering financial growth.”

Craig Hayman
Chief Executive Officer

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201813

the Industrial Internet of Things, Artificial 
Intelligence and the availability of ever 
more powerful and mobile computing.

The combination also gives AVEVA a 
more balanced geographic profile, with 
in particular a much stronger market 
position in North America and a more 
balanced end market profile. The Group’s 
exposure to the cyclical upstream Oil 
& Gas market has been reduced and 
diversification into downstream Oil & 
Gas and markets in batch and hybrid 
industries, such as Food, Beverages 
and Pharmaceuticals, has increased.

After completion of the combination, 
the £550 million of cash contributed 
by Schneider Electric and £100 million 
of excess cash on AVEVA’s existing 
balance sheet was distributed to existing 
AVEVA shareholders. Together this 
represented £10.15 per AVEVA share. 

The combination advances our vision for 
the widespread adoption of constantly-
evolving Digital Twins and positions 
AVEVA as a global leader in engineering 
and industrial software, ready to drive the 
digitalisation of the industrial world. By 
adding a software portfolio focused on 
the operational lifecycle, including market 
leading products such as Wonderware, 
to AVEVA’s engineering design and 
3D visualisation technologies, such as 
AVEVA Everything3D, the combination 
enables the Group to offer customers 
Digital Twins of their physical assets 
throughout their whole life cycle.

The AVEVA software portfolio now offers 
customers an entire end-to-end solution, 
covering the whole asset life cycle from 
the engineering, procurement and 
construction phase through to managing 
and controlling operations and optimising 
performance and maintenance. This is 
a continuous process as existing plants 
are constantly optimised, upgraded and 
modified to drive improved performance.

A Digital Twin is a virtual replica of a 
physical asset, an evolving, digital model 
that updates and changes as its physical 
counterpart changes. Digital Twins that 
incorporate all aspects of digital asset 
management from process simulation, 
to design engineering, through to the 
optimisation of production operations and 
ensuring the reliable operation of assets, 
help our customers increase their returns 
on capital by reducing both the build 
and operating costs of their industrial 
assets. We expect both the power of the 
Digital Twin and the pace of digitalisation 
of the industrial world to increase, 
enabled by technology trends such as 

ASSET 
Value chain

Complete digital definition across all elements of design,  
engineering, construction and production operations

Asset
performance

Engineer 
Procure
Construct

Monitor
and control

Operate and 
optimise

Plan and  
schedule

Complete digital definition and orchestration  
of all elements across production operations

OPERATIONS 
Value chain

£650m

Returned to shareholders

Representing

£10.15

per share

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements14

Chief Executive Officer’s Review continued

Trading and market trends
The heritage AVEVA and SES businesses 
were run separately during the financial 
year, with the combination taking place 
on 1 March, shortly before the year end.

More customer-facing leaders were 
added to the Executive team, including 
a new Head of Sales, with overall 
responsibility for leading Global Sales, 
Partnership Management and Marketing.

The performance of the heritage 
AVEVA business improved significantly 
during the 12 months to 31 March 
2018. Revenue increased 15.0% to 
£248.2 million (2017 – £215.8 million), 
on a constant currency basis revenue 
increased 13.5%, and adjusting for the 
effect of a large individual contract in 
the year, underlying revenue growth 
for heritage AVEVA was circa 10%.

This improved performance was driven 
by a sharp focus on execution and 
getting closer to our customers. This 
followed simplification of AVEVA’s 
management structure with greater 
decision-making capabilities and 
direct accountability for performance 
being allocated to our regions. 

SES revenue increased 5.4% to 
£456.4 million (2017 – £432.8 million) 
and on a constant currency basis 
revenue increased 5.6%. The business 
experienced continued growth in its 
Licencing and Maintenance revenue 
streams, partly offset by a decline 
in Projects revenue. This mainly 
related to the mid-stream Oil & Gas 
business area, where as previously 
communicated, there has been a 
reduction in project volume, related 
to the large asset upgrade programs 
of major customers that the business 
delivered in the previous two years.

Revenue growth also benefited from 
changes in commercial agreements 
between the businesses and Schneider 
Electric, which moved the relationship 
between these businesses to 
commercial trading terms in preparation 
for the separation of the business 
from Schneider Electric. These 
changes accounted for approximately 
3% of the revenue growth.

Pro forma revenue 

£704.6m

+8.6%

Heritage AVEVA revenue

£248.2m

+15.0%

Heritage SES revenue

£456.4m

+5.4%

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201815

The exceptional cash costs associated 
with achieving these synergies are 
expected to be approximately the 
same as the annualised saving.

Revenue synergies are expected to be 
achieved through cross selling between 
the combined businesses; the leveraging 
of Schneider Electric’s multiple go-to-
market channels; the implementation 
of sales effectiveness and best practice 
initiatives; greater pricing discipline with 
an increase in subscription licensing; and 
product and platform development.

From a sales perspective, we held our 
annual sales conference for the combined 
Group in mid-April, bringing the two 
teams together to share knowledge 
on their respective businesses and 
help drive short-term performance.

Outlook 
In the current year, we are focused 
on integrating the businesses whilst 
driving performance through improved 
execution. In the medium-term we 
expect to drive stronger growth 
assisted by the positive trend of the 
ongoing digitalisation of industry, an 
optimisation of our products and go-
to-market strategies and capitalising 
on the synergies outlined above.

Craig Hayman
Chief Executive Officer
14 June 2018

In terms of our largest end markets, 
in upstream Oil & Gas we saw capital 
expenditure levels begin to recover 
with growth of some 4% in calendar 
2017, supported by an improved oil 
price (Source: Barclays). Similarly in 
downstream Oil & Gas we saw some 
capex growth driven by upgrading 
existing assets and improving operational 
efficiency. In the Marine market we saw 
an increase in new ship orders, albeit from 
a low base. Our key markets, such as 
Power and Food, Beverage & Packaged 
goods are less cyclical and continue to 
benefit from ongoing digitalisation.

Update on integration
Given the size and complexity of the 
business that we have brought together, 
there is significant management focus 
on the integration of the two businesses 
in order to establish a firm platform 
for growth in the coming years.

Good progress has already been made: 
a new Executive Leadership Team, 
comprising key people from each of 
the two combined businesses was 
put in place in March. An integration 
management office has been 
established with focus on synergy 
programmes and back office integration 
supported by an external consultant.

We are targeting annualised cost 
synergies of approximately 5% 
of total FY18 costs, representing 
some £25 million, which will be fully 
implemented by the end of the 2020 
financial year. Approximately half of 
these are expected to be implemented 
by the end of the current financial year.

Cost synergies are expected to be 
achieved through a rationalisation of 
duplicated functions; the implementation 
of shared services for back office 
functions; real estate consolidation; 
and enhanced R&D effectiveness.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements16

Chief Executive Officer’s

Q&A

Craig Hayman joined AVEVA in February 2018, and is an 
experienced software professional with over 30 years’ experience 
in the industry. We are delighted that he has joined the Company 
and we’ve asked for his initial thoughts on the business and his 
priorities for this year.

Prior to joining PTC, Craig was 
president of eBay’s enterprise 
business, where he led the 
transformation of its retail-
optimised omni-channel 
commerce business prior to its 
sale. He also served more than 
15 years in senior leadership 
positions at IBM, including as 
worldwide general manager of 
the SaaS portfolio.

Craig shares what inspired him 
to join AVEVA and his vision for 
the enlarged Group.

Q
What attracted you to AVEVA? 
A
The industrial sector is being transformed 
by software designed to increase safety 
and efficiency while reducing operational 
and capital expense. Digital Twins of the 
physical world, the internet-of-things 
and machine learning are accelerating 
that change. 

It’s an exciting time where best practices 
have emerged to help customers move 
more quickly. Against this backdrop the 
combination of AVEVA and Schneider 
Electric Software brings together many 
years of innovation, customer proof 
points and two great teams. The 
formation of one company committed 
to take all that we’ve learned out to 
the world is exciting. Exciting for me, 
exciting for the team and exciting 
for our customers.

“We help our customers connect disparate 
industrial assets from different companies 
at different stages of their life cycle.”

Craig Hayman
Chief Executive Officer

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201817

Q
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and 
what you enjoy doing outside work?
A
I’m married with two daughters who are 
now enjoying life at university while my 
wife and I are enjoying life in London. 
This is my first time back living in London 
since I was a student at the University 
of London and it has been great 
reconnecting with old friends. I’m an 
occasional but enthusiastic snowboarder 
and look forward to a few European 
ski trips.

Q
With the combination and the change in 
leadership, should one expect a change in 
the culture of the business?
A
Culture is an important topic and one that 
has my attention. We are capturing stories 
from our employees around the world on 
how they experience aspects of the 
combined Company. Within these stories, 
I believe are the raw elements of the core 
values of the new Company. Customer 
focus and innovation are a recurring 
theme. The culture of the Company will 
be new but it will be based on the values 
and behaviours that are already core to 
who we are. You can read more about this 
on page 36 of this Annual Report.
Q
What can employees do to help drive 
long-term growth?
A
What has struck me as I have travelled to 
our offices around the world is how 
passionate and proud everyone is of our 
history, while being so focused on our 
future and our customers’ future. I remind 
my colleagues that a company succeeds 
by serving its employees, its customers 
and its shareholders and we will do this 
together. 

Q
How do AVEVA’s solutions help 
customers? 
A
We connect disparate industrial assets 
from different companies at different 
stages of their life cycle. We use 
information and insights about those 
assets to accelerate a company’s digital 
agenda - from digital asset management 
to design engineering to process 
simulation, optimisation and 
manufacturing operations management. 
These solutions help increase safety, 
reduce downtime and improve returns 
on capital by reducing both capital 
expenditure and operating costs. AVEVA 
provides a comprehensive product 
portfolio offering an unrivalled set of 
solutions for the industrial world.
Q
What are your top priorities for your first 
few months in office? 
A
My focus has been ensuring we remain 
on track with the integration of the two 
businesses while spending time with 
customers and employees around the 
world to listen and learn. I’ve established 
new leadership teams to drive the 
business including the Executive 
Leadership Team (ELT) and the Strategy 
Leadership Team (SLT) which work 
hand-in-hand with the business units and 
the geographical sales teams. The talent 
from both companies comes together 
through these teams.

Together with the wider team, I have also 
been working on the longer-term strategy 
of the Company and I look forward to 
updating you on our progress at AVEVA’s 
capital markets day in September 2018.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements18

Strategic Framework

AVEVA has seen excellent progress against key strategic objectives in the year, 
and the combination with SES brings a step change in the business, delivering 
digitalisation solutions across the asset life cycle.

For over 50 years, we’ve enabled some of the world’s largest 
industries to work more safely, efficiently and sustainably. 
Following the successful completion of the combination with the 
Schneider Electric industrial software business (SES), our global 
reach, end-to-end software capabilities and the diversity of 
industries we serve have all been enhanced, reinforcing our 
position as the global leader in engineering and industrial 

software, driving digital transformation across the entire asset 
and operational life cycle of capital-intensive industries. 

Detailed below are our five strategic priorities during the 2017/18 
financial year, outlining AVEVA’s recent progress as well as how 
the combination is a good fit for each. 

AVEVA’s product portfolio has historically been focused on creating and managing 

the engineering data in the capital expenditure (build) phase of the asset life cycle. The 

combination with SES is very complementary, bringing a world leader with a broad 

software portfolio used to simulate, manage and control the operations phase of the asset 

life cycle. By combining the behavioural information from this phase with the structural 

information and asset visualisation capabilities from the heritage AVEVA business, we are 

now able to offer customers an integrated, end-to-end product portfolio and true Digital 

Twin through the whole asset life cycle, with substantial cross-selling opportunities.

3D design tools as a proportion of 

revenue:

 71% 

 25%

Most of the revenue from SES comes from OOs, given their focus on the operational 

phase of the asset life cycle. This will benefit AVEVA in providing access to these 

customers and the ability to offer a unique, unrivalled combined offering, helping OOs 

realise the vision of the Digital Twin. The combination also provides us the ability to 

cross-sell the engineering and design tools and to secure more service offerings. OO 

revenue for the enlarged Group now accounts for 63%, compared to 16% of heritage 

AVEVA revenue last year. For more detail on the asset life cycle, see pages 8 to 9.

OOs as a proportion of revenue:

16%   63%

Strategic priority

Progress made pre-combination

Effect of the combination

Heritage 

AVEVA

enlarged Group 

12-month pro forma

1  MT3D (More than 3D)

AVEVA’s core business has historically been in the 3D arena for 
both Plant and Marine with our best-in-class design tools, which 
together have typically accounted for approximately 75% of revenue. 
The MT3D initiative aims to grow sales through focusing on our 
other excellent complementary tools used in the engineering 
and design process, such as AVEVA Instrumentation, as well as 
information management applications such as AVEVA NET. 

We have steadily seen the proportion of MT3D sales grow 
over the last three years and this now represents 29% of 
revenue for heritage AVEVA with particularly strong growth in 
the year from Schematics, Engineering, Enterprise Resource 
Management (ERM) and ProCon. This has come from leveraging 
our installed base as well as from sales to new customers.

2  Owner Operators (OOs)

OOs are some of the largest multi-national companies in 
the world, ultimately responsible for owning and operating 
industrial assets. AVEVA’s historical strength has been with the 
Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) customers 
who are contracted by the OOs. As OOs seek to take control 
of their engineering data as part of the journey of digitalisation, 
the opportunity with the OOs is two-fold. Firstly, OOs have 
the ability to mandate the use of our products throughout their 
supply chain, and secondly, OOs themselves are demanding 
engineering and management tools for brownfield projects 
and to maintain their engineering data in operations.

3  Growth Markets

A key market for AVEVA is defined as one that is experiencing 
high economic growth, or one with strategic significance due 
to its potential for increasing market share. These regions 
are China, India, the Middle East and North America.

4  Broadening Market Exposure

AVEVA’s heritage market is Oil & Gas, particularly upstream 
and offshore. However, our technology is well suited to a wide 
range of industries, offering exciting growth opportunities.

5  SaaS and the Cloud

We intend to unify all of our applications onto a 
common Cloud platform to enhance ease of customer 
adoption and address a wider customer base.

We have steadily seen the proportion of OO sales grow 
over the last three years, accounting for 16% of standalone 
AVEVA revenue for FY18. We won several new customer 
logos in the year, representing strong progress in this area. 

The heritage AVEVA business has in recent years generated 
almost half of its revenue from Europe, with an underweight 
presence in some high-growth emerging economies, and 
low market share in the North American market. Specific 
focus on North America in FY18 saw us grow revenue 
by a record 30% in the heritage AVEVA business.

The combination means we now have a large North American presence with 1,213 

employees and many key US customer relationships which brings a significant 

opportunity for growing our revenue base and cross-selling. In addition, our 

presence in China, India and the Middle East is also expanded through the 

combination allowing us the opportunity to grow our revenue in these markets.

Americas revenue:

14%   36%

Oil & Gas has typically represented 40-45% of the heritage 
AVEVA revenue in the last few years with the majority focused on 
upstream capital projects. This proportion has been falling each 
year as we focus our efforts on diversifying into other end markets 
such as Power, Mining, Chemicals and other process industries. 

Whilst Oil & Gas also represented some 40% of the heritage SES revenue, this primarily 

related to downstream and midstream end markets, thus diversifying the enlarged 

Group away from upstream (extraction). Furthermore, SES operates in many industries 

where AVEVA has had little or no market presence, such as Pharmaceutical, Food & 

Beverage and Infrastructure. For more details on our markets, see pages 10 to 11.

Upstream Oil & Gas revenue:

40%   15%

Over the last two years, AVEVA has started on its Cloud journey, 
first releasing AVEVA Experience™, a Cloud-based trial version 
of AVEVA E3D™ for prospective customers, and subsequently 
our own SaaS platform, AVEVA Connect™, through which an 
increasing number of our products are becoming available 
for commercial use. Customer take-up for SaaS is still in its 
infancy but we are seeing increasing demand for Cloud-hosted 
offerings, particularly from North American companies. With 
ERM and ProCon on AVEVA Connect delivered to a number 
of customers we are looking forward to seeing a positive effect 
on Cloud demand from both existing and new customers.

The heritage SES business had been following a similar Cloud journey to 

AVEVA. The combination offers the opportunity and brings the ability to 

scale our SaaS and Cloud offerings faster in a more cost-effective manner, 

allowing us to develop integrated solutions from both portfolios. 

Number of cloud-based customers:

60   100

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201819

Strategic priority

Progress made pre-combination

Effect of the combination

Heritage 
AVEVA

enlarged Group 
12-month pro forma

Our strategy for long-term growth centres around five strategic 
priorities, and the combination with SES is a key strategic fit for 
AVEVA, impacting positively on all of these priorities, which are 
discussed in more detail below.

The current focus for the Board, management and employees is 
to ensure the success of the integration, capitalising on the 

positive revenue synergies that will result from combining 
product portfolios and sales teams around the world, providing 
greater access to particular high-value and high-growth markets, 
and capturing cost-saving opportunities. A new strategy is being 
formulated for the enlarged Group and is planned to be finalised 
ahead of the capital markets day in September 2018.

AVEVA’s product portfolio has historically been focused on creating and managing 
the engineering data in the capital expenditure (build) phase of the asset life cycle. The 
combination with SES is very complementary, bringing a world leader with a broad 
software portfolio used to simulate, manage and control the operations phase of the asset 
life cycle. By combining the behavioural information from this phase with the structural 
information and asset visualisation capabilities from the heritage AVEVA business, we are 
now able to offer customers an integrated, end-to-end product portfolio and true Digital 
Twin through the whole asset life cycle, with substantial cross-selling opportunities.

3D design tools as a proportion of 
revenue:

 71% 

 25%

Most of the revenue from SES comes from OOs, given their focus on the operational 
phase of the asset life cycle. This will benefit AVEVA in providing access to these 
customers and the ability to offer a unique, unrivalled combined offering, helping OOs 
realise the vision of the Digital Twin. The combination also provides us the ability to 
cross-sell the engineering and design tools and to secure more service offerings. OO 
revenue for the enlarged Group now accounts for 63%, compared to 16% of heritage 
AVEVA revenue last year. For more detail on the asset life cycle, see pages 8 to 9.

OOs as a proportion of revenue:

16%   63%

A key market for AVEVA is defined as one that is experiencing 

The heritage AVEVA business has in recent years generated 

high economic growth, or one with strategic significance due 

almost half of its revenue from Europe, with an underweight 

presence in some high-growth emerging economies, and 

low market share in the North American market. Specific 

focus on North America in FY18 saw us grow revenue 

by a record 30% in the heritage AVEVA business.

The combination means we now have a large North American presence with 1,213 
employees and many key US customer relationships which brings a significant 
opportunity for growing our revenue base and cross-selling. In addition, our 
presence in China, India and the Middle East is also expanded through the 
combination allowing us the opportunity to grow our revenue in these markets.

Americas revenue:

14%   36%

4  Broadening Market Exposure

AVEVA’s heritage market is Oil & Gas, particularly upstream 

range of industries, offering exciting growth opportunities.

and offshore. However, our technology is well suited to a wide 

AVEVA revenue in the last few years with the majority focused on 

Oil & Gas has typically represented 40-45% of the heritage 

upstream capital projects. This proportion has been falling each 

year as we focus our efforts on diversifying into other end markets 

such as Power, Mining, Chemicals and other process industries. 

Whilst Oil & Gas also represented some 40% of the heritage SES revenue, this primarily 
related to downstream and midstream end markets, thus diversifying the enlarged 
Group away from upstream (extraction). Furthermore, SES operates in many industries 
where AVEVA has had little or no market presence, such as Pharmaceutical, Food & 
Beverage and Infrastructure. For more details on our markets, see pages 10 to 11.

Upstream Oil & Gas revenue:

40%   15%

The heritage SES business had been following a similar Cloud journey to 
AVEVA. The combination offers the opportunity and brings the ability to 
scale our SaaS and Cloud offerings faster in a more cost-effective manner, 
allowing us to develop integrated solutions from both portfolios. 

Number of cloud-based customers:

60   100

1  MT3D (More than 3D)

AVEVA’s core business has historically been in the 3D arena for 

We have steadily seen the proportion of MT3D sales grow 

both Plant and Marine with our best-in-class design tools, which 

over the last three years and this now represents 29% of 

together have typically accounted for approximately 75% of revenue. 

revenue for heritage AVEVA with particularly strong growth in 

The MT3D initiative aims to grow sales through focusing on our 

the year from Schematics, Engineering, Enterprise Resource 

other excellent complementary tools used in the engineering 

Management (ERM) and ProCon. This has come from leveraging 

and design process, such as AVEVA Instrumentation, as well as 

our installed base as well as from sales to new customers.

information management applications such as AVEVA NET. 

industrial assets. AVEVA’s historical strength has been with the 

AVEVA revenue for FY18. We won several new customer 

We have steadily seen the proportion of OO sales grow 

over the last three years, accounting for 16% of standalone 

logos in the year, representing strong progress in this area. 

2  Owner Operators (OOs)

OOs are some of the largest multi-national companies in 

the world, ultimately responsible for owning and operating 

Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) customers 

who are contracted by the OOs. As OOs seek to take control 

of their engineering data as part of the journey of digitalisation, 

the opportunity with the OOs is two-fold. Firstly, OOs have 

the ability to mandate the use of our products throughout their 

supply chain, and secondly, OOs themselves are demanding 

engineering and management tools for brownfield projects 

and to maintain their engineering data in operations.

3  Growth Markets

to its potential for increasing market share. These regions 

are China, India, the Middle East and North America.

5  SaaS and the Cloud

We intend to unify all of our applications onto a 

common Cloud platform to enhance ease of customer 

adoption and address a wider customer base.

Over the last two years, AVEVA has started on its Cloud journey, 

first releasing AVEVA Experience™, a Cloud-based trial version 

of AVEVA E3D™ for prospective customers, and subsequently 

our own SaaS platform, AVEVA Connect™, through which an 

increasing number of our products are becoming available 

for commercial use. Customer take-up for SaaS is still in its 

infancy but we are seeing increasing demand for Cloud-hosted 

offerings, particularly from North American companies. With 

ERM and ProCon on AVEVA Connect delivered to a number 

of customers we are looking forward to seeing a positive effect 

on Cloud demand from both existing and new customers.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements20

Technology Review

AN UNMATCHED PORTFOLIO 
FOLLOWING THE COMBINATION

In 2017, AVEVA celebrated 50 years of research and innovation 
together with customers and partners at the AVEVA World Summit 
in Cambridge, UK, where it all started. 

For the last five decades, AVEVA has 
enabled customers to create a digital 
representation of the physical world with 
engineering information. With a 
continuous commitment to 3D, our 
portfolio of products has expanded to 
enable customers to improve efficiency 
across the asset’s complete lifecycle, from 
conceptual design and build into 
operations, and through to 
decommissioning.

AVEVA’s philosophy of having a digital 
representation of every physical item on 
the asset, has become ever more relevant 
to its customers on their digitalisation 
journeys. The data-centric approach has 
enabled AVEVA to become a strategic 
partner on the customer’s Industry 4.0 
initiatives and Digital Transformation 
programmes.

In today’s digitised world, our customers 
are increasing the use of connected 
assets and operational awareness so that 
even more data can be gathered and 
processed, with analytics and machine 
learning applied, to achieve increased 
efficiency and productivity through 
smarter maintenance and operational 
decisions, all whilst protecting the safety 
of personnel and the environment in new 
and expanded ways. Our broader 
software portfolio as a result of the recent 
merger with SES makes AVEVA 
unmatched in this full asset and 
operations life cycles and well poised for 
another 50 years of innovation and high 
customer value.

This life cycle starts with a new way of 
designing and constructing assets. In 
2016, AVEVA started a complete 
redesign of its AVEVA Electrical and 
AVEVA Instrumentation products that is 
seeing great take-up from our customers 
today. A major driver was to enable a new 
level of user experience as well as 
improved collaboration and connectivity 
with flagship products like AVEVA 
Everything3D (AVEVA E3D), AVEVA 

Marine and AVEVA Engineering. This 
expands the reach of AVEVA’s data-
centric Dabacon platform, improving the 
design and construction processes of 
smart assets. 

With the addition of advanced process 
design and simulation capabilities through 
the aforementioned combination, AVEVA 
is uniquely situated to provide a seamless 
Unified Engineering experience for its 
customers. This will take the Digital Twin 
concept to an expanded level of useful 
application by enabling our customers to 
gain better and immediate insight on how 
a physical design change affects the 
continuous manufacturing outcome.

Also expanded through our ongoing 
development is the asset visualisation 
capability within AVEVA Engage and 
AVEVA NET, which underpins the 
digitalisation trend. The capability to 
combine engineering information with 
as-built laser scans, managed and 
visualised through AVEVA products, 
supports our customers’ strategies for 
remote and unmanned operation. This 
becomes even more powerful and 
valuable for our customers when it is 
combined with the market-leading 
Monitoring and Control software and 
Asset Performance software from SES 

“AVEVA’s 50 years of pioneering 
experience in Engineering 
Information software helps us  
to be optimally placed to help  
our customers accelerate their 
journeys towards digitalisation.”

Andrew McCloskey
Head of R&D

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201821

and the associated asset and operational 
information provided within. This will soon 
be fully integrated to enable asset owners 
and operators to seamlessly combine 
design data from the EPC (Engineering, 
Procurement and Construction) phase 
together with maintenance and real-time 
operations information – all in pursuit of 
the full life cycle Digital Twin and the 
enormous benefits unmanned operations 
will bring to customers in terms of safety, 
uptime and reduced cost. The Statoil 
example at the bottom of the page is an 
excellent case study.

The new AVEVA is also further diversified 
in the industries we serve. While we 
continue to serve the Oil & Gas and 
Chemicals industry in a leadership role, 
our products are very adaptable and 
industry agnostic, allowing us to 
additionally and significantly serve a 
number of other markets, as discussed 
on pages 10 and 11. This combines well 
with our efforts to expand our role in the 
Marine sphere, which we have steadily 
grown for almost 15 years for AVEVA. In 
2007 we brought our ship design 
solution, AVEVA Marine, to the same 
Integrated Engineering and Design (IE&D) 
platform as our plant design products. In 
addition to increasing productivity, it 
provided our customers with more 
flexibility and productivity in creating new 
asset types like Floating Production, 
Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Units. In 

recent years, our Enterprise Resource 
Management suite (AVEVA ERM) has 
taken a similar journey. AVEVA ERM has 
enjoyed a strong track record in the 
Marine market, with continual investment 
in the product suite in fiscal year 2018.

Both SES and heritage AVEVA 
significantly advanced their respective 
Cloud offerings and overall SaaS 
capability in fiscal year 2018. We are 
active in combining these respective 
efforts to advance even faster to ensure 
our new Cloud offerings of AVEVA E3D, 
AVEVA ERM, AVEVA LFM, AVEVA NET, 
AVEVA ProCon and AVEVA ISM are on 
the same robust, scalable and secure 
platform as the existing SES Cloud 
offerings of Operator Training, Online 
Information and Analytics, Manufacturing 
Execution Systems, Monitoring and 
Control Visualization, Predictive 
Maintenance, InStudio and more. Our 
customers will see amazing continued 
value in this area as we further our 
investment and leverage the unique 
strengths and intellectual property that 
each half of the enlarged AVEVA brings 
to Cloud development.

In addition to Cloud, we continue to make 
strong investment and deliver enhanced 
value for our customers in Augmented 
and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) and Artificial 
Intelligence (AI). In AR/VR, both SES and 
heritage AVEVA developed 

complementary intellectual property 
applied towards Plant Design and 
Operator Training that when combined, 
will directly provide additional high 
customer value to the operations space. 
In AI, we are investigating means to 
leverage the capabilities delivered by SES 
in predictive, performance, prescriptive 
and prognostic AI to determine the best 
means of providing customer value to our 
Unified Engineering efforts, as well as 
further developing these capabilities 
throughout the customer value chain 
we serve.

The merger with SES marks a new era for 
AVEVA and a new era for Global R&D 
within AVEVA. AVEVA now has over 
1,600 of the brightest engineers and 
computer scientists within its global 
development centres. We are taking a 
federated model approach to ensure we 
move quickly to emerging customer 
needs whilst relying on common and 
rigorous application of Lean-Agile based 
methodologies to ensure we reach high 
productivity with a continuous customer 
focus, built-in quality and security, and a 
delightful user experience. This will enable 
us to build upon the many successes 
delivered in fiscal year 2018 in a powerful 
manner. AVEVA customers and its 
shareholders will see amazing outcomes 
from these efforts.

£100m

The combined AVEVA and Schneider 
Electric Software generates annual R&D 
investments of around £100 million, and a 
partner network with more than 5,700 
certified developers

1,000,000

Over the last year heritage AVEVA 
invested more than one million 
engineering hours in R&D

Strategy in Action case study

Statoil ASA is a Norwegian multinational 
Oil & Gas company headquartered in 
Stavanger, Norway. It is a fully integrated 
petroleum company with operations in  
36 countries.

Statoil is investing over NOK 1 billion 
(£100 million) between now and 2020  
on digitising their assets. They are 
intending to operate 40 offshore assets 
and installations from onshore, generating 

estimated savings of around NOK 15 
billion (£1.5 billion) in savings over the  
next five years.

They have chosen to maintain a digital 
representation of all their assets in 3D, using 
AVEVA E3D. This enables them to provide 
project and operations teams with an 
accurate digital representation of their 
assets, through the use of AVEVA Engage 
for Asset Visualisation and decision support.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements22

Finance Review

A STRONG PERFORMANCE 
FROM THE ENLARGED GROUP

The combination with Schneider Electric Software creates  
a strong platform from which we can grow

Statutory results for the year ended 31 March 2018
The statutory results are summarised below:

£m

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit

Operating expenses*
Adjusted EBIT
Net interest and other income

Adjusted PBT
Normalised adjustments

Reported PBT

Adjusted PBT margin

Year ended 31 March

2018

2017

Reported
change

15.3%
10.0%

17.8%

14.6%
24.4%
–

20.3%
52.8%

432.8
(137.1)

295.7

(199.7)
96.0
1.4

97.4
(46.0)

499.1
(150.8)

348.3

(228.9)
119.4
(2.2)

117.2
(70.3)

46.9

51.4

(8.8)%

23.5%

22.5% (100bps)

*  Operating expenses adjusted to exclude amortisation of intangible assets (excluding other software), 
share-based payments, gain/loss on forward foreign exchange contracts and exceptional items.

Overview
The statutory results for the year ended  
31 March 2018 are stated under reverse 
acquisition accounting principles and 
therefore include the results for heritage 
SES for the 12 months to 31 March 2018 
and results for heritage AVEVA for 
1 month from 1 March to 31 March 2018. 
The comparative statutory results include 
the results for heritage SES only for the 
12 months to 31 March 2017.

On a statutory reverse acquisition 
accounting basis, revenue for the period 
was £499.1 million which was up 15.3% 
compared to the previous year (2017 – 
£432.8 million). 

“I am pleased with the results for the 
year, with an excellent performance 
from the heritage AVEVA business 
and a robust result from SES”

James Kidd 
Deputy CEO and CFO

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201823

Pro forma revenue

£m

Support and maintenance
Rental and subscriptions
Initial fees and perpetuals
Training and services

Total

Change

Asia Pacific

EMEA

Americas

Total

47.8
32.6
68.4
29.4

178.2

12.6%

67.9
93.3
65.6
44.7

271.5

11.5%

91.1
31.9
71.3
60.6

254.9

3.2%

206.8
157.8
205.3
134.7

704.6

8.6%

Reported 
change

10.6%
11.8%
17.8%
(7.9)%

% of total

29.3%
22.4%
29.1%
19.2%

As a result, the recurring revenue for the 
Group is now 51.7% compared to 74.2% 
for heritage AVEVA in FY18 and one of 
the key objectives is to increase the level 
of recurring revenue.

The revenue mix for the combined Group 
is shown above.

3. Margin profile
The SES business has a lower margin 
profile compared to the heritage AVEVA 
business and for the year ended 31 March 
2018 reported an adjusted profit before 
tax margin of 20.8%. This is mainly due 
to the higher services revenue within the 
overall revenue mix. The margin for the 
combined Group was 23.1% which is 
lower than the historical margin achieved 
by AVEVA.

In order to improve profitability within the 
SES business, we are aiming to enhance 
licence revenue, drive higher project 
services margins and increasingly 
leverage already established offshore 
Research & Development and project 
delivery teams and facilities in order to 
reduce costs.

This change was primarily due to the 
combination creating a larger business 
and the inclusion of the trading results of 
the heritage AVEVA business for the one 
month of March 2018.

Financial impact of the 
Combination
The combination with SES has 
changed the financial profile of the 
Group as follows:

1. Scale
The combination of SES and AVEVA has 
more than doubled the revenue of the 
Group to over £700 million for the year 
ended 31 March 2018 on a pro forma 
basis. In addition, the profits of the 
Group have more than doubled to over 
£160 million on an adjusted basis. 
The combined business is present in 
over 40 countries and has more than 
80 offices providing us with true global 
scale. Furthermore, our revenue is 
more balanced between Asia Pacific, 
Europe and Americas with a much 
bigger presence in the important 
North America market.

2. Revenue mix
The SES business has a higher services 
mix which increased Group training and 
services revenue to approximately 19% of 
total revenue for the year ended 31 March 
2018. These services relate to project 
implementations and training. Included 
within services revenue is an immaterial 
amount related to hardware that is resold 
as part of project implementations.

In addition, the SES business has a higher 
proportion of perpetual licences which 
mainly relate to the Monitoring and 
Control portfolio. Initial fees and perpetual 
licences represented approximately 35% 
of total revenue for the year ended 
31 March 2018.

The Group made a profit before tax of 
£46.9 million (2017 – £51.4 million) and on 
an adjusted basis, the Group made an 
adjusted profit before tax of £117.2 million 
(2017 – £97.4 million). 

Statutory revenue increase

15.3%
8.6%

Pro forma revenue increase

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements24

Finance Review continued

4. Capital structure
The structure of the combination resulted 
in AVEVA returning £100 million of 
excess cash as part of the overall £650 
million (£10.15 per share) return of value 
that was paid to shareholders in March 
2018. In order to provide funding for 
general corporate and working capital 
purposes, the Group signed a three year 
revolving credit facility for £100 million.  
At 31 March 2018 the Group had drawn 
down £10 million and had gross cash and 
treasury deposits on the balance sheet of 
£105.9 million. The completion accounts 
for SES and the net working capital 
statement which are required to be drawn 
up under the terms of the merger 
agreement have not been finalised as at 
the date of this report. Therefore, there 
may be further cash outflows as part of 
the completion mechanics.

5. Balance sheet
The combination between AVEVA 
Group plc and SES completed on 1 
March 2018. For accounting purposes 
this has been accounted for as a reverse 
acquisition being the acquisition of 
AVEVA Group plc by SES. The fair value 
of the consideration paid is determined 
based on the published share price of 
AVEVA Group plc on 1 March 2018 
of £18.71 per share. This resulted in 
consideration paid of £1,752 million 
with goodwill of £1,260 million arising. 
Furthermore, the preliminary purchase 
price allocation exercise resulted in 

intangible assets of £526.0 million 
being separately identified as £151.5 
million for customer relationships, £46.3 
million for the AVEVA brand, £309.0 
million for the intellectual property and 
£19.2 million for contract assets.

Pro forma results for the year 
ended 31 March 2018
In order to enhance understanding of 
these results and improve transparency, 
non-statutory summary results are also 
discussed for the combined AVEVA 
Group on a 12-month pro forma basis.  
To help explain the drivers behind the 
Group’s pro forma results, we have also 
shown standalone results for heritage 
AVEVA and heritage SES.

Revenue for the pro forma combined 
AVEVA Group on a 12-month basis 
was £704.6 million which was up 8.6% 
compared to the previous year (2017 – 
£648.7 million). Adjusted EBIT for the 
pro forma combined Group was £165.6 
million (2017 – 152.0 million). Profit 
before tax for the pro forma combined 
Group was £64.6 million (2017 – £98.3 
million). Adjusted profit before tax for 
the enlarged Group was £162.8 million 
(2017 – £152.4 million), an increase 
of 6.8% due to a strong performance 
from the heritage AVEVA business.

Results for the pro forma combined 
AVEVA Group on a 12-month basis are 
summarised below.

Heritage AVEVA
The heritage AVEVA business performed 
very strongly during the year with revenue 
growing 15.0% (13.5% constant currency) 
to a record level of £248.2 million (2017 
- £215.8 million). This included a benefit 
of 3% from a large contract renewal with 
one of our Global Account EPC 
customers. The strong revenue 
performance resulted in adjusted profit 
before tax increasing 23.3% to £67.8 
million representing a margin of 27.3% 
(2017 – 25.5%). A sharp focus on sales 
execution, combined with a stabilisation 
of conditions in our Oil & Gas and Marine 
end markets helped drive the strong 
performance in the year. Statutory profit 
before tax for the heritage AVEVA 
business was £32.8 million (2017 – £46.9 
million) primarily due to the exceptional 
transaction and integration costs of £24.9 
million incurred in relation to the 
combination with SES.

AVEVA Everything3DTM (AVEVA E3DTM) 
grew strongly during the period as 
existing customers continued to migrate 
and new contracts were won. It 
contributed around 17% of total revenue, 
up from approximately 13% in the prior 
year, representing revenue growth of 
some 55%.

MT3D sales, which include areas 
such as Information Management 
and Schematics, also grew strongly 
during the year increasing 27% to 
account for some 29% of revenue.

Pro forma results

£m

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
R&D
Selling & admin

Operating expenses*
Adjusted EBIT
Adjusted EBIT margin
Net interest and other income

Adjusted PBT
Normalised adjustments

Reported PBT

Adjusted PBT margin

Year ended 31 March

2018

2017

Reported 
change

8.6%
7.1%

9.2%
1.6%
12.4%

9.2%
8.9%
10bps
–

6.8%
81.5%

648.7
(165.9)

482.8
(97.5)
(233.3)

(330.8)
152.0
23.4%
0.4

152.4
(54.1)

98.3

(34.3%)

23.5%

(40bps)

704.6
(177.6)

527.0
(99.1)
(262.3)

(361.4)
165.6
23.5%
(2.8)

162.8
(98.2)

64.6

23.1%

*    Operating expenses adjusted to exclude amortisation of intangible assets (excluding other software), 

share-based payments, gain/loss on forward foreign exchange contracts and exceptional items.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018The results for the heritage AVEVA Group for the year ended 31 March 2018 are 
summarised below.

Heritage AVEVA results

Year ended 31 March

 £m

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
R&D
Selling & admin

Operating expenses*
Adjusted EBIT
Adjusted EBIT margin
Net interest

Adjusted PBT
Normalised adjustments

Reported PBT

Adjusted PBT margin

2017

215.8
(29.1)

186.7
(27.2)
(104.9)

(132.1)
54.6
25.3%
0.4

55.0
(8.1)

Reported 
change

15.0%
4.8%

16.6%
18.7%
12.3%

13.6%
23.8%
190bps
(50.0)%

23.3%
332.1%

2018

248.2
(30.5)

217.7
(32.3)
(117.8)

(150.1)
67.6
27.2%
0.2

67.8
(35.0)

32.8

46.9

(30.0)%

27.3%

25.5%

180bps

The analysis of the heritage AVEVA revenue is set out below:

Heritage AVEVA revenue

£m

Asia Pacific

EMEA

Americas

Total

Reported 
change

Constant 
currency 
change

Support and 

maintenance

Rental and 

subscriptions
Initial fees and 
perpetuals
Training and 
services

Total

Change
Constant currency 

change

35.3

18.9

27.5

5.2

86.9

13.9%

30.7

74.3

9.2

12.2

126.4

18.5%

8.5

74.5

3.8%

2.1%

16.5

109.7

16.5%

14.9%

5.4

4.5

34.9

6.1%

42.1

30.7%

29.9%

21.9

24.4%

22.5%

248.2

15.0%

13.8%

15.2%

7.3%

13.5%

25

Support and maintenance grew 3.8% to 
£74.5 million (2017 – £71.8 million) and 
was up 2.1% in constant currency terms. 
This was primarily due to strong sales of 
initial licence fees in Asia Pacific and in 
North America, offset by some churn in 
annual fees in EMEA and Latin America.

Rentals and subscriptions grew 16.5% to 
£109.7 million (2017 – £94.2 million) 
(constant currency growth 14.9%) driven 
by a strong performance in EMEA which 
was up 25.5% in constant currency 
benefiting from increased renewals 
including the impact of a substantial 
three-year contract renewal with one of 
our key Global Account EPC customers 
which accounted for 3% of AVEVA’s 
revenue growth. Generally we saw market 
conditions stabilise which helped drive the 
growth in rental fees and it was pleasing 
that we closed our first cloud deal for 
asset visualisation with one of the major 
oil companies in North America. 

Initial fees and perpetual licences grew 
30.7% to £42.1 million (2017 – £32.2 
million) and were up 29.9% in constant 
currency terms. This primarily reflected 
the strong growth in Asia Pacific which 
was driven by the Marine market where 
we signed three significant initial licence 
deals with shipyards in Korea and Japan, 
as well as seeing strong growth in China, 
and some new customer wins in North 
America.

Training and services revenue was £21.9 
million (2017 – £17.6 million), up 24.4% on 
the previous year (constant currency 
growth of 22.5%). The increase was 
driven by increased projects in the 
Americas and EMEA.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements26

Finance Review continued

Heritage AVEVA operating expenses

£m

Including normalised items
Amortisation
Share based payments
Gain on FX contracts
Exceptional items

Normalised costs

2017
Change
Constant currency change

Cost management –  
heritage AVEVA
Adjusted total costs were £180.6 million 
(2017 – £161.2 million), an increase of 
12.0% over the previous year.

An analysis of total expenses for 
the heritage AVEVA business is 
summarised above.

On a normalised basis, Research & 
Development costs were £32.3 million 
(2017 – £27.2 million) representing an 
increase of 17.2% on a constant currency 
basis. The increase was due to salary 
inflation, increased expansion in 
Hyderabad, India in R&D in products such 
as Enterprise Resource Management, 
Instrumentation and Electrical, together 
with higher bonus costs due to the strong 
performance, offset by higher R&D 
tax credits.

Cost of sales

Research & 
Development

Selling and 
distribution

Administrative 
expenses

30.5
–
–
–
–

30.5

29.1
4.8%
4.1%

Selling and distribution expenses were 
£79.1 million (2017 – £74.4 million), an 
increase of 5.2% in constant currency due 
to salary inflation, increased bonus and 
commission due to the strong sales 
performance and hiring of additional pre 
sales technical staff.

Administrative expenses were £38.7 
million (2017 – £30.5 million). On a 
constant currency basis the increase was 
16.5% due to salary inflation, investment 
in IT in cyber security and business 
systems, investment in HR, higher 
National Insurance charges on share 
options and higher bonus payments due 
to the strong performance.

Heritage SES results

£m

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
R&D
Selling & admin

Operating expenses*
Adjusted EBIT 
Net interest

Adjusted PBT
Normalised adjustments

Reported PBT

Adjusted EBIT margin

39.4
(7.1)
–
–
–

32.3

82.0
(2.8)
–
–
(0.1)

79.1

63.7
–
(3.9)
0.7
(21.8)

38.7

Total

215.6
(9.9)
(3.9)
0.7
(21.9)

180.6

27.2
18.7%
17.2%

74.4
6.3%
5.2%

30.5
26.9%
16.5%

161.2
12.0%
9.2%

Heritage SES
The heritage SES business performed 
well in the year with revenue growth of 
5.4% to £456.4 million (2017 – £432.8 
million). Constant currency growth was 
5.6%. The growth included a one-off 
benefit of approximately 3% from new 
inter-company commercial agreements 
with Schneider Electric which were put in 
place in the year.

Adjusted EBIT was up 0.7% to £98.0 
million (2017 – £97.3 million) principally 
due to higher selling and distribution 
costs as explained below. Statutory 
profit before tax was £31.8 million 
(2017 – £51.4 million).

The results for the heritage SES business 
for the year ended 31 March 2018 are 
summarised below.

Year ended 31 March

2018

2017

Reported
change

5.4%
7.5%

4.5%
(5.0)%
12.5%

6.3%
0.7%
–

(2.5)%
37.4%

432.8
(136.8)

296.0
(70.3)
(128.4)

(198.7)
97.3
0.1

97.4
(46.0)

456.4
(147.1)

309.3
(66.8)
(144.5)

(211.3)
98.0
(3.0)

95.0
(63.2)

31.8

51.4

(38.1)%

20.8%

22.5%

(170bps)

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
27

The analysis of the heritage SES revenue by category is set out below:

Heritage SES revenue

£m

Support and maintenance
Rental and subscriptions
Initial fees and perpetuals
Training and services

Total

Change

Asia Pacific

EMEA

Americas

Total

12.5
13.7
40.9
24.2

91.3

11.3%

37.3
18.9
56.4
32.5

145.1

6.0%

82.7
15.3
65.9
56.1

220.0

2.8%

132.5
47.9
163.2
112.8

456.4

5.4%

Reported 
change

15.2%
1.9%
14.8%
(12.4)%

Support and maintenance grew 15.2% to 
£132.5 million (2017 – £115.0 million) with 
strong growth across each of the regions 
with particularly strong performance from 
the monitoring and control portfolio.

Rentals and subscription grew 1.9% to 
£47.9 million (2017 – £47.0 million) with 
strong growth from EMEA offset by a 
small reduction in the Americas. Revenue 
was mostly from existing customers in 
the process engineering area. There was 
growth from the Trading, Planning and 
Scheduling business addressing the 
downstream Oil & Gas market which 
benefited EMEA and Asia Pacific. 

There was a small amount of churn in 
North America in the Oil & Gas industry. 
The Design, Simulation and Optimisation 
business has predominantly rental 
licences together with the Trading, 
Planning and Scheduling portfolio which 
has largely transitioned to subscription.

Initial fees and perpetual licences grew 
14.8% to £163.2 million (2017 – £142.1 
million). This was driven by strong growth 
from the sale of HMI/SCADA licences in 
the Monitoring and Control business 
through the indirect channel which 
benefited the Americas and Asia Pacific.

Training and services revenue was £112.8 
million (2017 – £128.7 million). The 
reduction predominantly related to the 
mid-stream Oil & Gas business area, 
where there has been a reduction in 
project volume, related to the asset 
upgrade cycles of major customers. 
This predominantly impacted North 
American and China. In addition there 
was a decline in the number of Operator 
Training Simulation projects typically 
associated with new capital project 
commissioning, and Manufacturing 
Execution projects, particularly in the 
food and beverage industry.

Asia Pacific revenue 

£178.2m

+12.6%

EMEA revenue 

£271.5m

+11.5%

Americas revenue 

£254.9m

+3.2%

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements28

Finance Review continued

Statutory adjusted  
diluted EPS

78.4p

+14.0%

Pro forma adjusted  
diluted EPS 

75.6p

+11.8%

Cost management – heritage SES
Adjusted total operating costs for the 
heritage SES business were £358.4 
million (2017 – £335.5 million), an 
increase of 6.8% due to increased selling 
and distribution and administrative costs 
as noted below.

arrangements with Schneider Electric.
Research & Development costs fell by 
5.0% to £66.8 million (2017 – £70.3 
million). This was due to savings from 
the restructuring during the year and 
reduced outsourced costs, partly offset 
by salary inflation.

An analysis of operating expenses for 
heritage SES business basis is below.

The gross margin for the SES business 
was 67.8% which was broadly flat 
compared to 68.4% for the previous year. 
Cost of sales increased by 7.5% to £147.1 
million (2017 – £136.8 million) mainly due 
to salary inflation, foreign exchange 
impact and increased costs due to the 
new inter-company transfer pricing 

Selling and distribution costs increased 
12.5% to £101.0 million (2017 – £89.8 
million) due to salary inflation, additional 
sales resources in EMEA and Asia Pacific 
and FX impact.

Administrative expenses increased by 
12.7% to £43.5 million (2017 – £38.6 
million) due to salary inflation, additional 
accounting and consulting fees and 
additional costs arising from the legal 
reorganisation.

SES operating expenses

£m

Including normalised items
Amortisation
Exceptional items

Normalised costs

Cost of sales

Research & 
Development

Selling and 
distribution

Administrative 
expenses

147.5
–
(0.4)

147.1

109.5
(27.1)
(15.6)

116.7
(13.5)
(2.2)

66.8

101.0

48.8
–
(5.3)

43.5

Total

422.5
(40.6)
(23.5)

358.4

2017
Change

136.8
7.5%

70.3
(5.0)%

89.8
12.5%

38.6
12.7%

335.5
6.8%

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201829

Normalised items
Included in the pro forma results are exceptional and other normalised items which were incurred during the year as follows:

Year ended 31 March 2018

Year ended 31 March 2017

AVEVA

SES

Total

AVEVA

SES

Total

24.9
–
–
(3.0)
–

21.9

–

21.9

9.9
3.8
(0.6)

35.0

4.6
3.9
–
–
15.0

23.5

(1.0)

22.5

40.6
0.1
–

63.2

29.5
3.9
–
(3.0)
15.0

45.4

(1.0)

44.4

50.5
3.9
(0.6)

98.2

–
4.2
(1.8)
(0.5)
–

1.9

–

1.9

5.8
1.1
(0.7)

8.1

0.6
3.4
–
–
–

4.0

(1.2)

2.8

41.9
1.3
–

46.0

0.6
7.6
(1.8)
(0.5)
–

5.9

(1.2)

4.7

47.7
2.4
(0.7)

54.1

On a pro forma basis the combined  
tax rate was minus 2% (2017 - 22.2%)  
for the reasons explained above. The pro 
forma tax rate on an underlying basis, i.e. 
excluding exceptional and normalised 
items and excluding adjustments in 
respect of prior periods, was 29%. Going 
forward we expect the Group tax rate to 
be approximately 25% in FY19.

Taxation
The statutory tax charge was minus 1.7% 
(2017 - 25.3%). This is lower than the UK 
rate of corporation because of the benefit 
of the reduction in the US tax rate.

On a standalone basis, the SES tax rate 
was minus 7% (2017 - 25.3%) and the 
AVEVA tax rate was 9% (2017 - 22.1%). 
The reduction in the SES tax rate was 
largely due to the benefit of the reduction 
in the rate of US Federal tax from 35% to 
21% which came into effect in January 
2018. US deferred tax liabilities have been 
calculated at the lower rate. The reduction 
in the AVEVA tax rate was assisted by 
increased benefit from the Patent Box tax 
regime and the benefit from the release 
of overseas tax provisions following a 
successful tribunal hearing.

£m

Exceptional items:
Acquisition and integration activities
Restructuring costs
Indemnified receivable
Provision for sales taxes 
Impairment of capitalised R&D

Total exceptional costs

Other income

Total exceptional items

Amortisation
Share based payments
Gain on FX contracts

Total normalised items

Exceptional items
The acquisition and integration fees for 
the year ended 31 March 2018 relates to 
fees paid to professional advisers primarily 
for legal and financial due diligence services 
related to the combination of AVEVA Group 
plc and the Schneider Electric software 
business plus other consultancy costs paid 
to advisors in relation to the integration.

The restructuring costs related to severance 
payments within the Schneider Electric 
software business in a number of global 
office locations prior to the combination.

The impairment of capitalised R&D 
related to a development project that was 
ceased, prior to completion, following 
a divestment of a Schneider Electric 
Software joint venture operation with 
a third party. Also included are the 
previously capitalised development 
costs related to a project. Further to a 
commercial review of the project and the 
financial prospects for the developed 
technology, it was concluded that the 
carrying value of the development 
costs should be fully impaired.

Other income relates to a divestment 
made by the Schneider Electric 
software business in China resulted in 
an exceptional write off, offset by an 
exceptional gain made by selling the 
property relating to the same write off.

Net cash paid out during the year 
in respect of exceptional items was 
£25.0 million.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
30

Finance Review continued

Earnings per share (EPS)
Statutory diluted EPS was 46.73 pence 
(2017 – 39.82 pence). On an adjusted 
diluted basis EPS was 78.43 pence (2017 
– 68.80 pence).

Pro forma adjusted diluted EPS for the 
enlarged Group on a 12 month basis was 
75.59 pence (2017 – 67.57 pence), an 
increase of 11.8%.

Dividends
The Board is proposing to pay a final 
dividend of 27.0 pence per share (2017 
– 27.0 pence for the heritage AVEVA) at a 
cost of £43.5 million (2017 – £17.3 million 
for the heritage AVEVA). The increased 
cost is due to the greater number of shares 
in issue following the combination with the 
Schneider Electric industrial software 
business. The final dividend will be payable 
on 3 August 2018 to shareholders on the 
register on 6 July 2018.

An interim dividend was not paid in 
respect of the 2018 financial year due to 
the return of value of £10.15 per share in 
March 2018.

AVEVA intends to maintain its existing 
progressive dividend policy, taking 
account of the earnings profile of the 
enlarged AVEVA Group.

Balance sheet
The Group balance sheet presented as at 
31 March 2018 reflects the goodwill and 
intangible assets that arose from the 
combination resulting in non-current 
assets of £1,982.4 million. The intangible 
assets are being amortised over a range 
of 8–30 years.

Trade receivables at 31 March 2018 were 
£146.9 million, net of the provision for 
impairment of £1.8 million. Deferred 
revenue at 31 March 2018 was £166.3 
million. At 31 March 2018, the Group was 
owed £43.1 million of trade receivables by 
Schneider Electric, had £8.9 million of 
trade payables to Schneider Electric and 
had non-trade receivables of £9.4 million 
owing from Schneider Electric.

Cash flows
Cash generated from operating activities 
before tax on a statutory basis was £91.2 
million compared to £106,2 million in the 
previous year.

Pro forma cash generated from operating 
activities before tax for the enlarged 
Group on a 12 month basis was £118.8 
million (2017 – £163.4 million). However, 
changes in reported working capital were 
distorted by inter-company movements 
as a result of the carve-out of the new 
legal entities.

At 31 March 2018 net cash (including 
treasury deposits) was £95.9 million, net 
of £10.0 million drawn down under the 
revolving credit facility.

The completion accounts for SES and the 
net working capital statement which are 
required to be drawn up under the terms 
of the merger agreement have not been 
finalised as at the date of this report. 
Therefore, there may be further cash 
outflows as part of the completion 
mechanics.

James Kidd 
Deputy CEO and CFO

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201831

Principal Risks, Viability and Going Concern

AVEVA faces a number of potential risks and uncertainties which could have a 
material impact on the Group’s long-term performance. The Board is responsible  
for determining the nature of these risks and ensuring appropriate mitigating actions 
are in place to manage them effectively.

Risk management process
The Board retains ultimate responsibility 
for the Group’s risk management and, as 
part of this, regularly reviews the Group’s 
Risk Register and makes an assessment 
of the adequacy of the mitigating controls 
identified by management. To aid this 
process, a Risk Committee, chaired by 
the Deputy CFO and Company Secretary 
and comprising senior management from 
each function of the business, met twice 
during the year to March 2018. The Risk 
Committee reports jointly to the Board 
and the Executive Leadership Team.

The Risk Committee has responsibility 
for considering risk appetite, risk 
identification, risk quantification/
qualification and the determination of 
mitigating internal controls. The Risk 
Register was compiled after considering 
three main risk characteristics – likelihood, 
size of impact and timeframe for when 
the risk may impact the Group. Likelihood 
was assessed on a net risk basis (i.e. after 
the operation of mitigating activities) as 
the Risk Committee considered this gave 
a more robust view of the risks currently 
faced by AVEVA. 

The updated Group Risk Register was 
ultimately reviewed and approved by the 
Board and in the context of the 
assessment of viability the Board 
considered which risks, and combination 
of risks, would threaten the viability of 
the Company. 

Given the combination of the heritage 
AVEVA business with the heritage 
Schneider Electric Software business on 
1 March 2018, the Committee, with 
oversight from the Board, will be 
reviewing and refreshing its enterprise risk 
management processes throughout the 
remainder of 2018 and 2019 to ensure 
that the enlarged Group will be effective in 
managing risk within the new 
organisation, that the new Executive 
Leadership Team is fully engaged with 
risk and that the Board’s risk 
management expectations are fully met. 
A Head of Internal Audit and Risk was 
recruited in April 2018 and it will be part of 
their responsibilities to lead this process 
with the sponsorship of the Executive 
Leadership Team and the Board.

The principal risks faced by the Group are 
set out on pages 32 to 34, and include 

indicators of the financial impact and 
likelihood, whether the risk has increased 
or decreased in significance since the last 
review, and which risks were included in 
the viability statement workings. 
Additionally, each risk is linked back to the 
relevant part of the Group’s strategy, 
which can be found on pages 18 to 19.

cost saving initiatives implemented in the 
third year) the Group is still projected to 
generate profits in each year. The Group 
has cash reserves of £105.6million and 
access to a large revolving credit facility 
and consequently the Directors did not 
consider this combination of scenarios to 
present a threat to the Group’s liquidity. 

Viability statement
The Group assesses its prospects 
primarily through its three-year strategic 
planning cycle and annual budgeting 
process. This process is led by the 
Executive Directors, with responsibility for 
business functions and the regions 
delegated to the appropriate senior 
management. The Board reviews the 
business plans and annual budget each 
year to determine whether the plans 
continue to be appropriate in the light of 
market conditions and recent technological 
changes.

In line with the Group’s strategic planning 
cycle, the Directors have assessed the 
Group’s prospects and viability over a 
three-year period. The Directors 
determine three years to be an 
appropriate time horizon, aligned to both 
the period covered by the Group’s 
business planning cycle, as well as the 
length over which the long-term incentive 
plan performance is measured. Whilst the 
Directors have no reason to believe that 
the Group would not be viable over a 
longer period, a shorter timeframe 
provides greater certainty and reliability 
over the forecasts and stress-testing used 
to assess the Group’s viability.

The Directors considered the principal 
risks in plausible but severe scenarios and 
assessed the potential impact of a 
reduction in the Group’s revenue caused 
by a combination of a period of sustained 
low economic growth in key end markets, 
increasing competition, and operational 
disruption in the first year of the 
combination, together with large 
integration costs, supplemented by cost 
increases resulting from key employees 
leaving the Group, resulting in large 
consultancy costs for the next two years. 
The results of this stress testing showed 
that despite combining a cumulative drop 
in gross revenue of nearly £500m with 
incrementally increasing operating costs 
by £55m over the first two years, (followed 
by a drop in costs in year 3 resulting from 

The Directors have identified a number of 
factors which support their assessment:

• the Group operates in a number of 

diverse industries, in locations all 
around the world;

a robust control framework; and 

• the Group has strong governance and 
• there is considerable headroom 

available to us in our cash balances 
and revolving credit facility.

Based on this assessment, the Directors 
have considered the Group’s current 
position and principal risks, and have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group will 
be able to continue in operation and meet 
its liabilities as they fall due over the three-
year period to 31 March 2021.

In making this statement, the Directors 
have also made the following 
assumptions:

next three years before recovering;

• oil prices will stay relatively flat for the 
• the integration activities relating to the 

combination will not materially distract 
the combined sales force; and 

• our internal controls in mitigation of a 

significant proportion of the risks on 
the register continue to operate 
effectively.

Going concern statement
The Group has significant financial 
resources, is profitable, has high levels of 
recurring revenue and has a strong position 
in the markets it serves. At 31 March 2018, 
following a £100.0 million return of cash to 
shareholders, the Group had cash and 
treasury deposit balances of £105.6 million 
(2017 – £130.9 million) and short-term 
debt of £10.0 million (2017 – nil). Therefore, 
after making enquiries and considering 
the cash flow forecasts for the Group, the 
Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group has adequate resources 
to continue in operational existence for 
the foreseeable future. For this reason 
they continue to adopt the going concern 
basis of accounting in preparing the 
financial statements. 

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements32

Principal Risks

Strategies

1

 MT3D (More than 3D)

2  Owner Operators (OOs) 

3  Growth Markets

4  Broadening Market Exposure

5  SaaS and the Cloud

Integration risks

Risk level 

Risk change from 2017

Low

Medium

High

No change

Risk decreased

Risk increased

New

Risk included in Viability Statement workings

Risk

Likelihood Impact

Change Mitigation

Strategy

Integration and Synergies
The Group may fail to efficiently and effectively integrate 
the heritage AVEVA and Schneider Electric Software 
businesses and/or fail to fully realise the anticipated 
synergies from the merger.

There are many areas that the Group must carefully manage 
so that a successful integration takes place throughout 2018 
and beyond including management of costs, integration of 
systems, controls, processes and management reporting.

Should these areas fail to be adequately managed, this 
could lead to financial or reputational impact for the Group.

1

2

3

4

AVEVA has appointed a senior executive 
as an Integration Director who leads the 
integration management office which 
is supported by external integration 
consultants who have been engaged 
throughout the integration process.

In addition, there are a number of 
workstreams in progress which are 
managing day-to-day integration activities 
including HR, Finance, IT, Marketing, 
Legal, Real Estate and Communications.

There are specific workstreams focused 
on realising the synergy benefits from the 
merger. These are regularly monitored 
and reported upon to the Executive 
Leadership Team and the Board.

Strategic and market risks

Risk

Likelihood Impact

Change Mitigation

Strategy

Dependency on key markets
AVEVA generates a substantial amount of its income from 
customers whose main business is derived from capital 
projects in the Oil & Gas, Power and Marine markets. Recent 
world economic conditions have reduced available funding 
for new capital projects, particularly in the Oil & Gas market, 
and currently, some of AVEVA’s vertical end markets are 
under pressure with lower oil prices. As the availability of 
capital expenditure returns to our key markets, particularly 
Oil & Gas, the balance may shift away from our traditional 
core sector of complex offshore projects, towards simpler 
onshore projects, such as shale gas extraction, that may 
not require as much use of AVEVA software. The risk of 
this further reinforces our need for market diversification.

Competition
AVEVA operates in highly competitive markets, but 
our 3D design tools are well established in our markets 
and we believe that there are a relatively small number 
of significant competitors. However, some of these 
competitors could, in the future, pose a greater competitive 
threat to AVEVA’s revenue, particularly if they consolidate 
or form strategic or commercial relationships among 
themselves or with larger, well-capitalised companies. 

Further threats are posed by the entrance, into AVEVA’s 
markets, of a much larger technology competitor or 
transformational technology, such as Cloud-based 
solutions. The risk of competition has heightened 
following the combination with SES as the proportion of 
our revenue that comes from services has increased.

The Group’s strategy to extend into the digitalised world 
is key to ensuring that our customer penetration is broad 
and that AVEVA’s sources of revenue are diversified.

1

2

4

1

2

5

The combination with SES diversifies our 
over-reliance on upstream Oil & Gas into 
midstream and downstream, as well as 
to a number of other industry verticals.

AVEVA is now present in many market 
segments such as Mining, Petrochemicals, 
Power, Utilities, Food & Beverage and 
Infrastructure, which helps reduce 
our dependency on Oil & Gas. In 
addition, our extensive global presence 
provides some mitigation from over-
reliance on key geographic markets.

We carefully monitor customers and other 
suppliers operating within our chosen 
markets. We stay close to our customers 
and ensure we have a strong understanding 
of their needs and their expectations from 
the AVEVA product development roadmap.

We expect that the customers we serve 
will, over the next three to five years, 
show an increased appetite or insistence 
on their software needs being delivered 
with more flexibility. AVEVA is already 
well progressed with its Cloud strategy 
and expects to be able to meet these 
customer demands as they develop.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk change from 2017

No change

Risk decreased

Risk increased

New

Risk included in Viability Statement workings

Strategic and market risks continued

Risk

Likelihood Impact

Change Mitigation

Professional services
Where AVEVA assists customers with the deployment 
of a solution this involves some degree of consulting 
and/or implementation work. This requires specialist 
knowledge to be available and well managed potentially 
in many geographic locations. There is a risk that the 
services provided do not meet the customer’s expectations 
or that technical difficulties are encountered. 

In some instances we may opt to partner with a third party 
for this work and this relationship also requires careful 
management and maintenance to ensure that AVEVA’s 
strong reputation with our customers is not damaged. 

The risk is higher than in 2017 due to higher 
professional services revenue streams within the 
heritage Schneider Electric Software business.

Operational risks

Recruitment and retention of employees
AVEVA’s success has been built on the quality and 
reputation of its products and services, which rely almost 
entirely on the quality of the people developing and 
delivering them. Managing this pool of highly skilled 
and motivated individuals across all disciplines and 
geographies remains key to our ongoing success. 

Protection of intellectual property
The Group’s success has been built upon the 
development of its substantial intellectual property 
rights and the future growth of the business requires 
the continual protection of these tools. 

The protection of the Group’s proprietary software products 
is achieved by licensing rights to use the application, rather 
than selling or licensing the computer source code.

Research & Development
The Group makes substantial investments in Research & 
Development in enhancing existing products and introducing 
new products and must effectively appraise its investment 
decisions and ensure that we continue to provide class-
leading solutions that meet the needs of our markets. 

Our software products are complex and new 
products or enhancements may contain undetected 
errors, failures, performance problems or defects 
which may impact our strong reputation with our 
customers or create financial implications.

33

Strategy

2

5

We employ experienced industry 
professionals within our professional 
services team and continue to build 
commercial partnerships with third 
party systems integrators.

We have rigorous processes and 
controls for the appraisal of potential 
commercial opportunities prior to any 
bid being submitted. Bids are appraised 
on grounds of technical complexity as 
well as financial and commercial risk.

1

2

3

4

5

1

5

1

5

The Group endeavours to ensure that 
employees are motivated in their work 
and there are regular appraisals, with staff 
encouraged to develop their skills. Annually 
there is a Group-wide salary review that 
rewards strong performance and ensures 
salaries remain competitive. Commission 
and bonus schemes help to ensure the 
success of the Group and individual 
achievement is appropriately rewarded.

The Group uses third party technology 
to encrypt, protect and restrict access 
to its products. Access limitations and 
rights are also defined within the terms 
of the software licence agreement. 

The Group seeks to ensure that its 
intellectual property rights are 
appropriately protected by law 
and seeks to vigorously assert its 
proprietary rights wherever possible. 

AVEVA continually reviews the alignment 
of the activities of our Research & 
Development teams to ensure that they 
remain focused on areas that will meet the 
demands of our customers and deliver 
appropriate financial returns. This process 
is managed by developing a product 
roadmap that identifies the schedule for 
new products and the enhancements that 
will be made to successive versions of 
existing products. Products are extensively 
tested prior to commercial launch.

In addition, AVEVA has a robust Security 
Development Lifecycle as a key component 
of our overall software development 
process and has created formal and 
collaborative relationships with third 
party security researchers and security 
organisations to proactively ensure our 
software is as secure as possible.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
34

Principal Risks continued

Strategies

1

 MT3D (More than 3D)

2  Owner Operators (OOs) 

3  Growth Markets

4  Broadening Market Exposure

5  SaaS and the Cloud

Risk level 

Risk change from 2017

Low

Medium

High

No change

Risk decreased

Risk increased

New

Risk included in Viability Statement workings

Operational risks continued

Risk

Likelihood Impact

Change Mitigation

International operations
The Group must determine how best to utilise its 
resources across many diverse markets. Where necessary, 
the business must adapt its market approach to best 
capitalise on local market opportunities, particularly 
in the strategically key growth economies.

Whilst the likelihood and impact remain unchanged, 
the overall risk is considered slightly higher now the 
enlarged Group employs staff in over 40 countries 
globally following the combination with SES.

Regulation & compliance
The Group is required to comply with both international 
and local laws, regulations and tax legislation in each of the 
jurisdictions in which it operates. Significant changes in these 
laws and regulations or failure to comply with them could 
lead to liabilities or reputational damage. A recent example 
is GDPR, and the large regulatory fines that could apply.

Cyber attack
The Group depends on its IT systems. Should AVEVA be 
specifically targeted by a cyber attack or be impacted by 
a general global cyber incident, this could potentially lead 
to suspension of some operations, regulatory breaches 
and fines, reputational damage, loss of customer and 
employee information and loss of customer confidence. 

Strategy

3

The Group manages its overseas 
operations by employing locally 
qualified personnel who are able to 
provide expertise in the appropriate 
language and an understanding of 
local culture, custom and practice. 

Local management are supported by 
local professional advisers and further 
oversight is maintained from the Group’s 
corporate legal and finance functions.

In addition, the Group uses compliance 
policies and guidance materials, 
communications & training platforms for 
its employees and external partners.

The Group utilises multiple layers 
of cyber security threat defences 
including perimeter, network, endpoint, 
application and data security controls.

A dedicated Security team monitors threats 
and targets investment in appropriate 
controls such as penetration testing, 
phishing and malware protection.

3

1

5

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk change from 2017

No change

Risk decreased

Risk increased

New

Risk included in Viability Statement workings

35

Key Performance Indicators

We aim to deliver good sustainable growth, balanced by our 
need to continue to invest in innovation, sales and marketing in 
order to achieve this. The goal is to deliver profitable growth as 
the business expands, whilst maintaining a healthy balance sheet. 
We have set out a range of the financial key performance 
indicators (KPIs) that help to present a meaningful picture of how 

AVEVA is performing. Taken overall, we believe that this range of 
KPIs – which offers insights into our revenue, investment, 
profitability, and cash generation – illustrates the high levels of 
recurring revenue, strong margins and ability to convert profits to 
cash effectively that are features of our business. The results 
presented are on a pro forma basis (see page 2 for details).

Revenue (£m)
Growth in Group revenue

£704.6m 

+8.6%

Recurring revenue (£m)
Provides visibility

£364.6m 

+11.1%
Strong performance

Adjusted profit before tax (£m)
We adjust to exclude non-operating items

£162.8m 

+6.8%
Due to a strong performance from 
heritage AVEVA

Operating cash flow (£m)
AVEVA remains highly cash generative 

Employee numbers
We aim to deliver profitable growth

Adjusted profit before tax margin (%)
We aim to deliver profitable growth

£85.2m 

-42.6%

R&D expenses (£m)
Investment in innovation

£99.1m 

+1.6%

4,400

(2017 – 1,707)
A stable workforce

23.1% 

(2017 – 23.5%)
Remains highly profitable

Adjusted diluted EPS (p)
We adjust to exclude certain non-cash  
and exceptional items

Adjusted effective tax rate (%)
Higher than the UK rate of 19% due to 
overseas operations

75.6p 

+11.8%
Higher profit in year

25.0% 

(2017 – 28.4%)

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
36

Corporate Social Responsibility

GROWING THE NEW 
AVEVA TOGETHER

AVEVA, as a global company, understands the  
impact that we can have on our stakeholders,  
on our communities and on our environment. 

Preparing for growth
This past year, through the combination 
of AVEVA and the Schneider Electric 
industrial software business (SES), 
we have merged together two 
outstanding software companies, 
to create a new global leader in 
engineering and industrial software.

Through this combination we have grown 
substantially, bringing our employee 
numbers to over 4,400, spread across 
over 80 locations in more than 40 
countries. Our people are critical to our 
business success, and we have worked 
hard to engage and communicate 
essential information to all our 
stakeholders around the future growth of 
our business. 

Throughout the integration planning of 
the combination of the companies, we 
worked together to develop 
communications that welcomed, 
explained to, and supported all employees 
as they joined the new combined AVEVA, 
helping everyone understand what would 
happen and when.

This of course continues as we operate as 
one organisation – through a combined 
change management strategy we will 
continue to develop and support our 
employees so they understand clearly our 
business strategy, their role and how they 
contribute to our success.

Engaging with our employees 
through effective communication 
The way our employees communicate 
outside of work has changed over recent 
years at a great pace with the 
development of social media, and we 
recognise that some traditional methods 
of communications are now no longer 
relevant. We are reflecting this change in 
the way employees receive information 
when they come into the workplace. This  
is critically important through periods of 
change, so we have developed our 
strategy to make sure that we provide 
quick and easy access to tools that  
engage our employees.

We have moved our intranet to a 
Cloud-based tool, providing access when 
on the move or working away from the 
office. The functionality is based on  
social media tools, providing the option 
for employees to comment, like, blog  
and collaborate with each other,  
wherever they are located. 

“We are looking to create a culture where 
our great people can do their best work.”

Mark Cooper
Chief Human Resources Officer

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201837

“A big welcome to all our new colleagues,  
very excited and looking forward to taking  
the Power of One to a new level. Together  
we are strong indeed!”

David Toh
Marketing Director, Asia Pacific

“Welcome to AVEVA, let’s create  
brilliancy together!” 

Min Du 
Specialist, Legal & Commercial

“I’m super excited to be part of this new  
family. Looking forward to working with  
new colleagues on exciting stuff to make  
this world a better place.” 

Laxmikanth Anuga 
Senior Software Developer

As the tool is Cloud-based, employees 
joining AVEVA as part of the combination 
were able to access the intranet on their 
first day, with many sending welcome 
messages to each other. 

40%

of our graduate  
intake were female

48%

of recruits to manager  
roles were female

27%

of technical new starters 
were female

Through the intranet and the well-
established network of Global 
Communications Ambassadors across 
AVEVA, the communications team 
continues to encourage articles where 
employees can share stories of where 
they have supported each other, raised 
funds or supported their local community, 
as well as to recognise successes. 

develop. Culture is the knowledge, 
mindset and behaviours of our 
employees that uniquely define the ‘new’ 
AVEVA. We are working across the 
organisation, bringing teams together to 
help us answer the question of what we 
want our culture, our values and our 
customer and employee experiences 
to be.

The new tool is proving to be a more 
collaborative environment in which to 
communicate, as well as enhancing 
employee engagement, providing 
more opportunity for two-way dialogue, 
particularly with the Executive 
Leadership Team. 

Feedback is something we ask for 
regularly, with the use of the pulse survey 
tool and through other mechanisms. 
We asked for our employees’ views on 
the plans for the combination leading 
up to the close of the transaction, 
using the feedback to provide relevant 
updates. We have continued to ask 
for feedback, either through the online 
tool or our ambassadors, so we 
can take the appropriate action and 
provide regular integration updates. 
We also ask our ambassadors to 
provide comments and suggestions 
from within the regions on the topics 
people want to hear more about.

Developing AVEVA’s ‘new’ culture
AVEVA has undergone a transformational 
change in the past 12 months, combining 
two globally recognised and successful 
organisations to create one inclusive and 
diverse organisation.

As part of the overall project to integrate 
the two businesses, the culture of our new 
organisation is an important element to 

Through the sharing of stories of what is 
great about each organisation and by 
collating ideas and thoughts, we will 
develop a culture that our people will want 
to both own and believe in, so we can 
better serve our customers and 
shareholders to reflect the way we work. 
The work has begun and we will be 
engaging employees in the outcomes and 
how they can get involved over the 
coming months.

Supporting women in our industry
As an engineering and technology 
organisation, we understand the 
challenges faced in hiring women into 
technical roles across our industry. To 
address this, we launched AVEVA’s 
Women in Science and Engineering 
(WISE) programme during the year.

WISE is a UK campaign for gender 
balance in science, technology and 
engineering. Our involvement with 
WISE will support us with best practice 
and the opportunity to learn from other 
Science, Technology, Engineering 
and Maths (STEM) organisations 
facing similar challenges.

As a global organisation we are looking to 
apply the approach across all our regions, 
and we have a vision to raise the number 
of women in technical roles from the 
existing level of 20% to 30% by 2020.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements38

Corporate Social Responsibility continued

Spotlight: International Women’s Day

AVEVA celebrated International Women’s Day on 8 March 2018 
by holding events across the globe, taking the opportunity to 
hold joint events between heritage AVEVA and SES just a week 
following the completion of the transaction.

In Cambridge we held unconscious bias training sessions, as we 
recognise the importance of empowering individuals to understand 
their behaviours and the impact it has on our ability to create an open, 
fair and inclusive workplace culture for all.

Senior Software Engineer Katie Hannaford, who joined AVEVA as 
a graduate back in 2013, spoke openly about being the only female 
in one of her school technology classes, and ignoring doubters to 
pursue a career she is passionate about.

AVEVA’s gender equality strategy is global. In India, our colleagues took 
part in a week of activities in early March. Jennifer Allerton, one of our 
Non-Executive Directors, joined colleagues in the Hyderabad office to 
discuss her career and the journey it took her on. Our Indian team have 
their own WISE plans and will host a women-only Hackathon this year 
and a software bootcamp to encourage women back into the workplace, 
and have held unconscious bias training for the wider office.

“It was great to see the spotlight  
on gender equality and learn of  
AVEVA’s initiatives in this regard.  
A well-organised event and a good  
opportunity to mingle with employees.”

Stefan Haller
VP Platform Development, Cambridge UK

“What an inspiring event! Beginning with  
Jennifer Allerton’s inspiring words right up  
to the launch of the WISE India Chapter,  
the whole event was fantastic and informative.

The event made it evident that AVEVA is  
certainly a place for women pursuing excellence.”

Humayun Khan Pathan
Senior Software Engineer, India

“International Women’s Day and WISE lunch was  
a fantastic day to have interactions and understand  
two cultures on first day at new AVEVA, wonderfully 
organised, showcasing the true Diversity & Inclusion  
spirits and commitments.”

Basant Tripathi 
HR Business Partner, India

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201839

In recognition of our commitment and 
changes we have made on the journey so 
far, the WISE Campaign named us 
Employer of the Year in 2017. 

We have made progress in our 
commitment to WISE and with the 
continued support of our Board of 
Directors and Executive Leadership 
Team, we will continue to drive the 
changes required.

This year we published our Gender Pay 
Gap Report, covering employees in the 
UK. The full report is available on our 
website at http://www.aveva.com/en/
Investors/Corporate_Governance/
Corporate_Responsibility/

On average, women were paid 26% less 
than men. AVEVA, like many other 
engineering-led organisations, have more 
men within the organisation, with a 
disproportionate representation in senior 
roles. In the UK, particularly in our 
Research & Development function, we 
have a high concentration of engineering 
roles. Our WISE initiative will help us to 
redress the balance, along with our 
continued investment in both graduate 
and apprenticeship programmes. 

Whilst we recognise it will take time to 
deliver our vision, we are making changes 
now, to see a positive impact later. Our 
global graduate and apprenticeship 
schemes continue to grow, covering both 
technical and business-based disciplines. 
Many of our candidates go on to enjoy 
successful careers with AVEVA. This is 
something we look forward to expanding 
over the coming years.

Advancing our talent at AVEVA
During the year we invested more into our 
Talent Acquisition team as we continue to 
seek the highest calibre employees to join 
our team. Our Learning and Development 
team continues to offer employees 
tailored programmes and a range of 
opportunities for both career progression 
and personal development, as well as for 
rolling out mandatory refresher training 
on areas such as IT security. 

Other areas where we mandate 
e-learning, alongside updates to 
corporate policies, include Anti-Bribery 
and Corruption, Whistleblowing, 
Corporate Gifts & Hospitality and 
Export Compliance.

With the introduction of the new GDPR 
guidelines in May, we conducted local 
training and communicated via our 
internal channels, to support our 
employees and managers in 
understanding their responsibilities and 
actions required. 

Science, Technology,  
Engineering and Mathematics 
(STEM) ambassadors
Linked to our vision to develop our 
recruitment of talent, AVEVA has a 
number of STEM ambassadors across 
the organisation who dedicate time to 
speak with and mentor school and 
university students about the benefits  
of a STEM career choice. 

AVEVA continues to build strong 
relationships with local schools. As well as 
its sponsorship of the Engineering and 
Maths courses through the provision of 
AVEVA employees’ time and support at 
Villiers Park Educational Trust, based in 
Cambridge, AVEVA has also helped 
students at the Netherthorpe School in 
Chesterfield, UK, to develop a STEM 
project as part of the Go4SET initiative. It 
aims to encourage young students aged 
12-14 to get involved with STEM-related 
activities and demonstrate how they can 
be applied in a real-world setting. We 
work with an organisation called ‘Form 
the Future’, whose mission is to empower 
young people in their career choices and 
prepare them for the future, and to enable 
businesses to safeguard and build their 
talent pipeline. Through Form the Future 
we work with 11-18 year olds, to give them 
essential skills for their future careers and 
inspire their interest in STEM.

Relationships like this are a great example 
of our outreach agenda supporting our 
WISE strategy. We want to encourage 
more students, especially females, to take 
up STEM subjects at GCSE level.

Gender mix 

•Male •Female

Directors 

13%

Executive Leadership Team

0%

Strategic Leadership Team

17%

Employees 

24%

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements 
 
40

Corporate Social Responsibility continued

Academic initiatives 
AVEVA has continued to work with local 
vocational training centres, universities 
and further education establishments to 
donate software and training for the use 
on engineering and Computer-Aided 
Design (CAD) degree courses. It benefits 
students, employers, and the global 
engineering economy in developing 
engineering skills, understanding 
engineering concepts and industry-ready 
knowledge, which can be applied directly 
to capital-intensive industries. During the 
year we donated or subsidised software 
to educational establishments in Vietnam, 
Indonesia, India and South Korea.

Colleagues in India visited the Sridevi 
Women’s Engineering College in 
Hyderabad, where our volunteers 
mentored the MBA students on skills 
such as CV writing, group discussions, 
and personal interviews.

AVEVA presented its first University 
award in 2018, when Technical University 
(TU) Dortmund and West Virginia 
University received funding for research 
programmes tied to engineering design 
and simulation. Winners were selected 
from 20 submissions, and funds will be 
used for research that provides proof of 
concepts, demonstrations of feasibility 
and related activities. Selection criteria 
were based on a number of factors, 
including how the Research & 
Development grant might drive future 
innovation across industrial operations, 
how it could be completed through the 
use of existing resources, and how the 
output could be incorporated into future 
software offerings.

Supporting our local communities 
through charitable giving and 
volunteering
Corporate Social Responsibility is a great 
way for us to engage with our local 
communities and understand their needs 
better. It’s also a way for our employees to 
express their interests, by supporting 
charitable causes closer to their hearts. 

Throughout the year, AVEVA continued to 
build close relationships with local 
communities by both volunteering and 
fundraising, and has donated nearly 
£50,000 to charities and good causes. 
Recipients include the British Red Cross, 

Arthur Rankin Hospice, Guide Dogs for 
the Blind, and the Alzheimer’s Society. 
News of Hurricane Harvey that affected 
the Texas area back in August 2017 was 
very close to our hearts. AVEVA’s 
Houston office was closed for a period of 
time, and some employees were 
displaced from their homes. AVEVA 
donated $15,000 to a local charity, the JJ 
Watt Foundation, to support the provision 
of help on the ground during what was a 
devastating time for the community. 
Employees in Houston volunteered at the 
local foodbank, providing people with 
much-needed provisions. 

AVEVA also supports employees who 
take on personal challenges to raise 
money for charities of their choice by 
matching the funding raised. Charities that 
benefited during the year included 
Sarcoma UK, Macmillan Cancer Support 
and East Anglia Children’s Hospice. 

Across the globe, AVEVA employees 
continued to give time and help fundraise 
for their local communities. In India, 
AVEVA employees were involved in 
clothes drives, donating items to 
underprivileged families; they also gave 
numerous blood donations in conjunction 
with local blood banks to support medical 
emergencies and care for sufferers of the 
disease Thalassemia. Colleagues in 
Japan helped to raise money for vaccines, 
improvements to health facilities and 
manpower training in Asia and Africa. 

Our policies – supporting 
our people
As a global organisation, we recognise 
that our business has the responsibility to 
respect and to contribute positively to 
human rights. We are committed to 
improving our practices for a number of 
mandated and monitored policies and 
training. Policies are there to ensure that 
the Company understands its role in 
making sure we are a compliant 
organisation, and are committed to acting 
ethically and with integrity in all business 
matters. These are reviewed on an annual 
basis and cover Anti-Bribery and 
Corruption, Respect for Human Rights, 
Social matters, Employees, and 
Environmental matters. 

In the last 12 months, following the most 
recent policy reviews, AVEVA has 
updated and improved its employee 
policies in a range of areas, including paid 
parental leave, and in recognition of the 
gender imbalance driven by the recent 
gender pay gap requirements outlined 
above, on setting aspirational targets for 
the number of women both invited to 
interview as well as employed by the 
Group, particularly in senior management 
roles. AVEVA has an equal opportunities 
policy, covering everyone working in or 
for the Company. The policy is designed 
to tackle all forms of discrimination and 
celebrate diversity in the workplace. 
AVEVA is committed to improving its 
practices to combat slavery and human 
trafficking and to ensuring that there is no 
modern slavery in any part of its supply 
chain. AVEVA has a very clear stance on 
Anti-Bribery and Corruption. We have a 
robust policy in place and, as a global 
business, have defined what constitutes a 
breach of the policy. We mandate the 
completion of e-Learning modules for 
Anti-Bribery and Corruption for all 
employees, to ensure that everybody is 
aware of both AVEVA’s and their own 
obligations.

Transparency and disclosure are 
fundamental to our relationships with 
customers, partners and suppliers. We 
maintain open, honest and fair 
discussions with each of our stakeholders 
to reinforce our reputation as a trusted 
and ethical organisation. 

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201841

Tonnes of CO2e

Emissions from:

Scope 1 – Combustion of fuel and operation of facilities
Scope 2 – Electricity, heat, steam and cooling purchased  

for own use

Scope 3 – Transmission and distribution losses

Intensity measurement (Scopes 1 and 2)
– Tonnes CO2e/£m revenue

2018

938

5,876
1,323

8,137

2017

1,046

2,223
501

3,769

13.65

15.14

Tonnes of CO2e by region

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

Americas Asia Pacific EMEA Greater China

Scope 1

Scope 2

Scope 3

Tonnes of CO2e equivalent

Scope 1
Combustion of fuel and 
operation of facilities

Scope 2
Electricity, heat, steam  
and cooling purchased  
for own use

Scope 3
Transmission and  
distribution losses

• Scope 1
• Scope 2 
• Scope 3

938
5,876 
1,323

Carbon Emissions
AVEVA is committed to minimising its 
carbon emissions, increasing the use of 
recycling opportunities and reducing the 
use of valuable natural resources. We are 
continually improving the way in which we 
capture and record our emissions data.

For the purposes of this report, the 
emissions have been calculated 
according to the ‘Environmental 
Reporting Guidelines: Including 
mandatory greenhouse gas emissions 
reporting guidance’ issued by the 
Department for Environment, Food 
and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and by 
applying DEFRA’s conversion factors. 

We have aimed for the greenhouse 
gas (GHG) emissions to be captured 
for all of our UK and overseas offices 
between April 2017 and March 2018, but 
unfortunately it has not been possible 
to collect carbon emission information 
from all of our heritage SES offices, so 
instead we have estimated emissions 
data based on headcount information 
of heritage AVEVA and SES, using data 
from our heritage AVEVA offices. The 
data presented is consistent with the 
Reported numbers (i.e. on a reverse 
acquisition basis). Due to the complexities 
of collecting carbon emission data from 
the SES business, the comparative 
data presented is for heritage AVEVA 
only. We have put processes in place to 
be able to capture this information for 
the SES entities for FY19 onwards.

The 2017 financial year serves as the 
baseline for our targets. For our carbon 
intensity ratio we have measured 
our carbon usage as it relates to our 
business performance, citing tonnes 
of CO2e/£ million of revenue. In 2018 
this intensity ratio reduced to 13.65 
tonnes CO2e/£ million (2017 – 15.14).

This Strategic Report has been 
approved by the Board of Directors 
and is signed on its behalf by:

Philip Aiken
Chairman
14 June 2018

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements42

Governance Report

STRENGTH IN OUR 
LEADERSHIP TEAM

Governance Report
44  Board of Directors
46  Chairman’s Introduction to   
Corporate Governance

47  Corporate Governance Report
51  Nomination Committee Report
52  Audit Committee Report
56  Remuneration Committee Report
78  Other statutory information

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201843

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements44

Board of Directors

The Board has seen significant changes in the past  
12 months, with a number of new members bringing  
a different mix of experiences, ensuring the Board 
continues to operate effectively and provides  
strong leadership.

Philip Aiken
Chairman

Craig Hayman
Chief Executive Officer

James Kidd
Deputy CEO and CFO

Christopher Humphrey
Senior Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Emmanuel Babeau

Non-Executive Director  

and Vice Chairman

Ron Mobed

Independent  

Jennifer Allerton

Independent  

Peter Herweck

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Nationality: Australian

Nationality: British

Nationality: British

Nationality: British

Nationality: French

Nationality: British

Nationality: British

Nationality: German

Time on Board: 6 years 1 month 
(appointed 1 May 2012)

Time on Board: 4 months  
(appointed 19 February 2018)

Time on Board: 7 years 5 months 
(appointed 1 January 2011)

Time on Board: 1 year 11 months 
(appointed 1 July 2016)

Committees: 
Nomination Committee (Chair)

Committees: 
None

Committees: 
None

Committees: 
Audit Committee (Chair),  
Nomination Committee

Time on Board: 3 months  

(appointed 1 March 2018)

Committees: 

Remuneration Committee

Time on Board: 1 year 3 months 

Time on Board: 4 years 11 months 

Time on Board: 3 months  

(appointed 1 March 2017)

(appointed 9 July 2013)

(appointed 1 March 2018)

Committees:  

Audit Committee,  

Committees: 

Committees: 

Remuneration Committee (Chair),  

Nomination Committee

Remuneration Committee 

Audit Committee 

Craig joined AVEVA in February 
2018 as Chief Executive 
Officer. Previously he was Chief 
Operating Officer at PTC Inc, 
where he had responsibility for 
engineering, marketing and sales. 
He also served as President of 
the Solutions Group. At PTC, he 
returned the digital engineering 
business to growth, revitalised the 
partner network, and successfully 
introduced a new generation 
of Industry 4.0 connected 
manufacturing applications.

Prior to joining PTC, he was 
president of eBay's enterprise 
business and served more than 
15 years in senior leadership 
positions at IBM. He holds a 
BSc. in Computer Science and 
Electronics from the University of 
London.

James is a Chartered Accountant 
and joined AVEVA in 2004 at 
the time of the Tribon acquisition. 
Prior to his appointment to the 
Board, James held several senior 
finance roles within the Group 
and was Head of Finance from 
2006 until 2011, when he was 
appointed CFO. James was 
Chief Executive from January 
2017 to February 2018, leading 
the merger with the Schneider 
Electric Software Business before 
being appointed Deputy CEO 
and Chief Financial Officer of the 
enlarged Group. Prior to joining 
AVEVA James worked for both 
Arthur Andersen and Deloitte, 
serving technology clients in 
both transactional and audit 
engagements.

Christopher is a qualified 
accountant and has over 25 
years’ experience managing 
engineering and technology 
companies. He was formerly 
Group Chief Executive Officer 
of Anite plc, from 2008 until 
2015, joining Anite in 2003 
as Group Finance Director. 
Previously he was Group 
Finance Director at Critchley 
Group plc and held senior 
positions in finance at Conoco 
and Eurotherm International 
plc. He has a BA, MBA and is 
a Fellow of CIMA. Christopher 
has held Non-Executive Director 
roles since 2011 and is currently 
Senior Independent Director 
and Chairman of the Audit 
Committee of Vitec Group plc, 
Non-Executive Chairman of 
Eckoh plc and a Non-Executive 
Director of SDL plc.

Phil has over 45 years of 
experience in industry and 
commerce having been, from 
1997 to 2006, President of 
BHP Petroleum and then 
Group President Energy of 
BHP Billiton, and prior to that 
he held senior positions with 
BTR plc (1995 to 1997) and 
BOC Group (1970 to 1995). 
Other roles have included Non-
Executive Director of National 
Grid plc, Chairman of Robert 
Walters plc, Senior Independent 
Director of Kazakymys plc, 
Senior Independent Director of 
Essar Energy plc, Senior Adviser 
for Macquarie Capital Europe, 
Chairman of the 2004 World 
Energy Congress and serving 
on the Boards of the Governor 
of Guangdong International 
Council, World Energy Council 
and Monash Mt Eliza Business 
School. 

He is the Non-Executive 
Chairman of Balfour Beatty plc 
and Non-Executive Director of 
Newcrest Mining Limited.

Emmanuel has been Schneider 

Ron has a broad range of 

Jennifer has over 40 years’ 

Peter has been employed by 

Electric’s Deputy Chief Executive 

global experience in electronic 

experience in technology working 

Schneider Electric since late 

Officer, in charge of Finance 

& Legal Affairs, since 2013, 

after joining Schneider Electric 

in 2009 as Executive Vice 

President Finance and as a 

information businesses across a 

in multinational companies in 

2016 and is a member of 

number of sectors and regions. 

He is Chief Executive Officer of 

the Elsevier business of RELX 

the UK, the US, Brazil, Asia and 

their Executive Committee. As 

Switzerland. She was latterly a 

Executive Vice President he 

member of the Pharma Executive 

heads the Industry Business for 

Plc and has also held Executive 

Committee and Chief Information 

the company. 

Member of the Management 

positions with Cengage Learning, 

Officer of F. Hoffmann-La 

Board.

IHS and Schlumberger. 

He began his career at Arthur 

Andersen in 1990. In 1993, he 

He is a Fellow of the Institute 

of Directors and of the Energy 

joined Pernod Ricard where he 

Institute. He holds a Bachelor’s 

held several senior finance roles 

degree in Engineering from 

and executive positions. In 2001, 

Trinity College, University of 

Emmanuel was appointed Vice 

Cambridge and a Master’s 

President of Development. He 

degree in Petroleum Engineering 

was appointed CFO in 2003 and 

from Imperial College, University 

Roche, with responsibility for IT 

strategy and operations for the 

Pharma division and all Group 

IT operations. Prior to that, she 

served as Technology Director 

at Barclaycard with responsibility 

for Fraud Operations and IT and 

held senior positions in IT at 

Unilever and BOC.

Peter began his career at 

Mitsubishi Electric as a software 

development engineer in Japan 

before joining Siemens in 

1993, where he held a variety of 

positions in Germany and the 

US. In 2004, Peter served as a 

member of the Managing Board 

at Siemens Ltd in China and later 

North-East Asia. In 2011 he was 

Group Deputy Managing Director 

of London. Ron was previously a 

Other Board roles have included 

appointed Head of Corporate 

of Finance in 2006, supervising 

Non-Executive Director of Argus 

Non-Executive Director of Oxford 

Strategy and Corporate Vice 

Finance, Information Systems 

and Industry Administrations.

Media from 2009 until 2011 and 

Instruments plc and Paysafe 

President. In 2014, he became 

currently holds no other Non-

Group plc. She is Non-Executive 

Chief Executive Officer of the 

Executive Director appointments.

Director of Iron Mountain Inc. and 

Process Industries & Drives 

Emmanuel graduated from École 

Supérieure de Commerce de 

Paris (ESCP) in 1989 and holds a 

degree in finance and accounting 

(DESCF). His other Non-

Executive Director appointments 

include Sodexo S.A. and Sanofi.

Sandvik AB and serves on the 

division. 

Advisory Board of the University 

of Bath Management School. 

She has degrees in Mathematics, 

Geosciences and Physics and 

speaks several languages.

Peter studied automation 

technology at Saarland University 

of Applied Sciences, Germany, 

and received a Master’s degree 

in electrical engineering from 

Université de Metz, France. He 

holds an MBA and completed 

the Advanced Management 

Program at Harvard Business 

School.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201845

Tenure of the Board 

< 1 year

1-3 years

3-6 years

6+ years

1

2

2

Gender of the Board 

• Male • Female

3

12.5%

Sector experience of the Board 

Power 
Construction 
Engineering 
Oil & Gas 
Software 
Technology 
Construction 

25% 
25% 
50% 
25% 
50% 
50% 
38%

Philip Aiken

Chairman

Craig Hayman

Chief Executive Officer

James Kidd

Deputy CEO and CFO

Christopher Humphrey

Senior Independent  

Non-Executive Director

Emmanuel Babeau
Non-Executive Director  
and Vice Chairman

Ron Mobed
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Jennifer Allerton
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Peter Herweck
Non-Executive Director

Nationality: Australian

Nationality: British

Nationality: British

Nationality: British

Nationality: French

Nationality: British

Nationality: British

Nationality: German

Time on Board: 6 years 1 month 

(appointed 1 May 2012)

Time on Board: 4 months  

(appointed 19 February 2018)

Time on Board: 7 years 5 months 

Time on Board: 1 year 11 months 

(appointed 1 January 2011)

(appointed 1 July 2016)

Committees: 

Committees: 

Nomination Committee (Chair)

None

Committees: 

None

Committees: 

Audit Committee (Chair),  

Nomination Committee

Time on Board: 3 months  
(appointed 1 March 2018)

Committees: 
Remuneration Committee

Time on Board: 1 year 3 months 
(appointed 1 March 2017)

Time on Board: 4 years 11 months 
(appointed 9 July 2013)

Time on Board: 3 months  
(appointed 1 March 2018)

Committees:  
Audit Committee,  
Remuneration Committee 

Committees: 
Remuneration Committee (Chair),  
Audit Committee 

Committees: 
Nomination Committee

Phil has over 45 years of 

experience in industry and 

Craig joined AVEVA in February 

James is a Chartered Accountant 

Christopher is a qualified 

2018 as Chief Executive 

and joined AVEVA in 2004 at 

accountant and has over 25 

commerce having been, from 

Officer. Previously he was Chief 

the time of the Tribon acquisition. 

years’ experience managing 

1997 to 2006, President of 

BHP Petroleum and then 

Group President Energy of 

BHP Billiton, and prior to that 

he held senior positions with 

BTR plc (1995 to 1997) and 

BOC Group (1970 to 1995). 

Operating Officer at PTC Inc, 

Prior to his appointment to the 

engineering and technology 

where he had responsibility for 

Board, James held several senior 

companies. He was formerly 

engineering, marketing and sales. 

finance roles within the Group 

Group Chief Executive Officer 

He also served as President of 

and was Head of Finance from 

of Anite plc, from 2008 until 

the Solutions Group. At PTC, he 

2006 until 2011, when he was 

returned the digital engineering 

appointed CFO. James was 

2015, joining Anite in 2003 

as Group Finance Director. 

business to growth, revitalised the 

Chief Executive from January 

Previously he was Group 

Other roles have included Non-

partner network, and successfully 

2017 to February 2018, leading 

Finance Director at Critchley 

Executive Director of National 

Grid plc, Chairman of Robert 

introduced a new generation 

of Industry 4.0 connected 

the merger with the Schneider 

Group plc and held senior 

Electric Software Business before 

positions in finance at Conoco 

Walters plc, Senior Independent 

manufacturing applications.

being appointed Deputy CEO 

and Eurotherm International 

and Chief Financial Officer of the 

plc. He has a BA, MBA and is 

Prior to joining PTC, he was 

president of eBay's enterprise 

business and served more than 

15 years in senior leadership 

positions at IBM. He holds a 

BSc. in Computer Science and 

Electronics from the University of 

London.

enlarged Group. Prior to joining 

AVEVA James worked for both 

Arthur Andersen and Deloitte, 

serving technology clients in 

both transactional and audit 

engagements.

a Fellow of CIMA. Christopher 

has held Non-Executive Director 

roles since 2011 and is currently 

Senior Independent Director 

and Chairman of the Audit 

Committee of Vitec Group plc, 

Non-Executive Chairman of 

Eckoh plc and a Non-Executive 

Director of SDL plc.

Director of Kazakymys plc, 

Senior Independent Director of 

Essar Energy plc, Senior Adviser 

for Macquarie Capital Europe, 

Chairman of the 2004 World 

Energy Congress and serving 

on the Boards of the Governor 

of Guangdong International 

Council, World Energy Council 

and Monash Mt Eliza Business 

School. 

He is the Non-Executive 

Chairman of Balfour Beatty plc 

and Non-Executive Director of 

Newcrest Mining Limited.

Emmanuel has been Schneider 
Electric’s Deputy Chief Executive 
Officer, in charge of Finance 
& Legal Affairs, since 2013, 
after joining Schneider Electric 
in 2009 as Executive Vice 
President Finance and as a 
Member of the Management 
Board.

Ron has a broad range of 
global experience in electronic 
information businesses across a 
number of sectors and regions. 
He is Chief Executive Officer of 
the Elsevier business of RELX 
Plc and has also held Executive 
positions with Cengage Learning, 
IHS and Schlumberger. 

He is a Fellow of the Institute 
of Directors and of the Energy 
Institute. He holds a Bachelor’s 
degree in Engineering from 
Trinity College, University of 
Cambridge and a Master’s 
degree in Petroleum Engineering 
from Imperial College, University 
of London. Ron was previously a 
Non-Executive Director of Argus 
Media from 2009 until 2011 and 
currently holds no other Non-
Executive Director appointments.

He began his career at Arthur 
Andersen in 1990. In 1993, he 
joined Pernod Ricard where he 
held several senior finance roles 
and executive positions. In 2001, 
Emmanuel was appointed Vice 
President of Development. He 
was appointed CFO in 2003 and 
Group Deputy Managing Director 
of Finance in 2006, supervising 
Finance, Information Systems 
and Industry Administrations.

Emmanuel graduated from École 
Supérieure de Commerce de 
Paris (ESCP) in 1989 and holds a 
degree in finance and accounting 
(DESCF). His other Non-
Executive Director appointments 
include Sodexo S.A. and Sanofi.

Jennifer has over 40 years’ 
experience in technology working 
in multinational companies in 
the UK, the US, Brazil, Asia and 
Switzerland. She was latterly a 
member of the Pharma Executive 
Committee and Chief Information 
Officer of F. Hoffmann-La 
Roche, with responsibility for IT 
strategy and operations for the 
Pharma division and all Group 
IT operations. Prior to that, she 
served as Technology Director 
at Barclaycard with responsibility 
for Fraud Operations and IT and 
held senior positions in IT at 
Unilever and BOC.

Other Board roles have included 
Non-Executive Director of Oxford 
Instruments plc and Paysafe 
Group plc. She is Non-Executive 
Director of Iron Mountain Inc. and 
Sandvik AB and serves on the 
Advisory Board of the University 
of Bath Management School. 
She has degrees in Mathematics, 
Geosciences and Physics and 
speaks several languages.

Peter has been employed by 
Schneider Electric since late 
2016 and is a member of 
their Executive Committee. As 
Executive Vice President he 
heads the Industry Business for 
the company. 

Peter began his career at 
Mitsubishi Electric as a software 
development engineer in Japan 
before joining Siemens in 
1993, where he held a variety of 
positions in Germany and the 
US. In 2004, Peter served as a 
member of the Managing Board 
at Siemens Ltd in China and later 
North-East Asia. In 2011 he was 
appointed Head of Corporate 
Strategy and Corporate Vice 
President. In 2014, he became 
Chief Executive Officer of the 
Process Industries & Drives 
division. 

Peter studied automation 
technology at Saarland University 
of Applied Sciences, Germany, 
and received a Master’s degree 
in electrical engineering from 
Université de Metz, France. He 
holds an MBA and completed 
the Advanced Management 
Program at Harvard Business 
School.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements46

Chairman's Introduction to Corporate Governance

The Company is committed to robust principles  
of corporate governance and risk management.

I am pleased to introduce the 2018 
Corporate Governance statement. The 
merger with the Schneider Electric 
Industrial Software Business has been a 
central area of focus for the Board this year. 
This year has seen considerable changes 
in the composition of the Board and we are 
grateful for the tremendous contribution of 
the retiring Directors and, equally, look 
forward to the valued contributions that the 
experience and skills of the newly 
appointed Directors bring to the Company.

In accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the duties of the three 
Committees are set out in formal terms of 
reference. They are available on request 
from the Company’s registered office 
during normal business hours and are 
available on the Company’s website at 
www.aveva.com. Each Committee has its 
own report on its activities in the year, and 
I encourage you to refer to these for a 
more comprehensive review of each 
Committee’s activities in the year. 

The Nomination Committee led the 
nomination, selection and appointment of 
the Executive and Non-Executive 
Directors made within the year, and the 
Remuneration Committee ensured that 
appropriate levels of reward were set to 
attract and retain top talent. The Audit 
Committee has also been heavily 
involved in identifying risks and managing 
Company advisers to ensure risks were 
identified and mitigated or managed.

“This year has seen considerable changes 
in composition of the Board. The Board’s 
Nomination Committee led the nomination, 
selection and appointment of the Executive 
Directors and Non-Executive Directors made 
within the year. We are grateful for the tremendous 
contribution of the retiring Directors and, equally, 
look forward to the valued contributions that the 
experience and skills of the newly appointed 
Directors bring to the Company.”

Philip Aiken
Chairman

The Company is committed to the 
principles of Corporate Governance 
contained in the April 2016 UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the “Code”) provided 
by the Financial Reporting Council and for 
which the Board is accountable to 
shareholders. As detailed in the 
Prospectus issued in September, there 
are some provisions of the Code that 
have not been complied with. Further 
explanation of how the principles have 
been applied is set out here and, in 
connection with Directors’ remuneration, 
in the Remuneration Committee Report 
on pages 56 to 77.

In compliance with the provisions of the 
Code, specifically where a listed company 
has a controlling shareholder, we have put 
in place a Relationship Agreement with 
Schneider Electric SE, our new majority 
shareholder. This is a legally binding 
agreement to ensure Schneider Electric 
allows AVEVA to act in compliance with 
the provisions of the Code, and a 
constitution that allows for the election 
and re-election of independent Directors.

The provisions of the Code which have 
not been complied with and which were 
stated in the Prospectus, Part XII, 
paragraph 3.6.3 are (a) that the 
Remuneration Committee will not consist 
of solely independent Non-Executive 
Directors; (b) after the initial period of two 
years following the completion of the 
merger, the Chairman may not be 
independent upon replacement; and 
(c) until the Company appoints an 
additional independent Non-Executive 
Director, at least half the Board (excluding 
the Chairman) shall not be represented by 
independent Non-Executive Directors.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
Corporate Governance Report

47

Group structure chart

Group Structure Chart

Board
Provides strategic leadership  
to the Group

Additionally, the Code provides that notice 
of an Annual General Meeting should be 
given 20 working days (28 calendar days) 
in advance, but the longer year end 
reporting process resulting from the 
combination with SES, together with 
constraints over AGM dates, means that 
we shall only be able to provide notice 23 
calendar days in advance, which is within 
the statutory minimum period.

Finally, under the current Code, the 
independence of the Chairman is not 
taken into account under the rule requiring 
a majority of members of the Nomination 
Committee to be independent Non-
Executive Directors. However, as this will 
be permitted under the proposed 
revisions to the Code published by the 
FRC in December 2017, no changes are 
proposed pending publication by the FRC 
of the final version of these revisions, 
expected in early summer of this year.

Composition of the Board
The composition of the Board is the 
Chairman, two Executive Directors and 
five Non-Executive Directors, three of 
whom are independent. In the course of 
the year ended 31 March 2018 and as 
announced by the Company, the Board 
has undergone several significant, 
planned changes to refresh and 
strengthen the Board, including the 
appointment of a new Chief Executive, a 
new Chief Financial Officer and two new 
Non-Executive Directors (see more in the 
Nomination Committee Report provided 
on page 51). 

Brief biographical details of all Board 
members are set out on pages 44 
and 45. The chairmanship, membership 
and attendance record of all Board 
Committees is set out on page 48.

Executive Leadership Team
Management Committee chaired  
by the Chief Executive, setting  
Group strategy and reviewing  
the operational performance  
of the Group

Nomination Committee
Reviews Board composition  
and succession planning

Read more on 
page 51

Audit Committee
Monitors and oversees risk 
management and control

Read more on 
pages 52–55

Remuneration Committee
Reviews Board and senior 
management remuneration

Read more on 
pages 56–77

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements48

Corporate Governance Report continued

Meetings attended:

Philip Aiken 
Craig Hayman (appointed 19 February 2018)
James Kidd
David Ward (resigned 19 February 2018)
Jennifer Allerton
Chris Humphrey
Ron Mobed
Phil Dayer (resigned 7 July 2017)
Emmanuel Babeau (appointed 1 March 2018) 
Peter Herweck (appointed 1 March 2018)

Board  
meetings

Audit  
Committee 

Remuneration 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

7/7
1/1
7/7
6/6
7/7
7/7
7/7
2/2
1/1
1/1

–
–
–
–
5/5
(Chair) 5/5
5/5
1/1
–
–

–
–
–
–
(Chair) 6/6
5/5
6/6
1/1
1/1
–

(Chair) 3/3
–
–
–
2/2
3/3
2/2
–
–
1/1

Operation of the Board
The Chairman, supported by the 
Company Secretary, ensures that the 
Board functions effectively and has 
established Board processes designed  
to maximise its performance and 
effectiveness. Key aspects of these 
processes are: 

• Senior management are frequently 

invited to attend AVEVA Group Board 
meetings, ensuring the Board is well 
informed on technical and market 
factors driving the Group’s 
performance, as well as on financial 
outcomes.

• The Board had seven scheduled 

meetings during the year. These 
meetings, together with any 
Committee meetings, are generally 
held at the Group’s Head Office in 
Cambridge or in our London office 
and are approximately one day in 
duration. 

• Each scheduled Board meeting has 

an over-arching theme. These include 
an annual technology review, business 
plan/strategy day, succession planning, 
annual budget, presentations from 
Executive management, and interim 
and final results. The Board aims that 
Directors visit an AVEVA office or 
business event outside of the UK at 
least once per year. During the year the 
Chairman and other Non-Executive 
Directors visited offices in Hyderabad, 
Houston and California. Further, three 
of the Non-Executive Directors also 
attended the AVEVA World Summit in 
October 2017, which this year took 
place in Cambridge, meeting with staff 
and customers throughout the event. 
The Executive Directors visit non-UK 
AVEVA offices on a regular basis. 

• In addition, the Board holds a full-day 

strategy meeting every year at which 

Executive Directors and members of 
the senior management team make 
presentations covering progress 
against current strategy and objectives 
and ideas for future investment. 

• This year the Board also held a 

number of additional unscheduled 
meetings throughout the due diligence 
phase of the combination, to offer 
support, guidance and appropriate 
challenge to management.

• The Board delegates the day-to-day 

responsibility for managing the Group 
to the Executive Directors. 

• To enable the Board to discharge its 

duties, all Directors receive appropriate 
and timely information. Briefing papers 
are distributed by the Company 
Secretary to all Directors, usually 
seven days in advance of Board and 
Committee meetings.

• A monthly reporting pack containing 

management accounts with 
commentary and reports from each 
member of the Executive team is 
distributed to the Board on a monthly 
basis.

• Meetings were held between the 

Chairman and the Non-Executive 
Directors during the year, without the 
Executives being present, to discuss 
appropriate matters as necessary. 

• The Chairman ensures that the 

Directors take independent 
professional advice where they judge it 
necessary to discharge their 
responsibilities as Directors at the 
Group’s expense. All members of the 
Board have access to the advice of the 
Company Secretary. 

• Non-Executive Directors and 

Executive Directors are encouraged 
annually to undertake training in 
furtherance of their specific roles and 
general duties as a Director.

Matters reserved for the Board
The Board is responsible to shareholders 
for the proper management of the Group. 
There is a formal schedule of matters 
specifically reserved for the Board’s 
decision and this was updated following 
completion of the combination with the 
software business of Schneider Electric. 
The schedule covers key areas of the 
Group’s affairs, which include:

forecasts;

of the Group; 

• overall responsibility for the strategy 
• corporate governance;
• review of trading performance and 
• risk management;
• Board membership; 
• communications with shareholders;
• approval of major transactions, 

including mergers and acquisitions; 
and 

• approval of the financial statements 

and annual operating and capital 
expenditure budgets.

Independence of Non-Executive 
Directors and segregation 
of duties
The Board has considered the 
independence of the Non-Executive 
Directors and believes that, with the 
exception of the two newly appointed 
Non-Executive Directors, all are currently 
independent of management and free 
from any material business or other 
relationships that could materially interfere 
with the exercise of their independent 
judgement. Their biographies on pages 
44 and 45 demonstrate a range of 
experience and sufficient calibre to bring 
independent judgement on issues of 
strategy, performance, resources and 
standards of conduct which is vital to 
the Group.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018The roles of the Chairman and the Chief 
Executive are distinct and the division of 
responsibility between these roles has 
been clearly established, set out in writing 
and agreed by the Board. The Chairman 
is responsible for the effectiveness of the 
Board and ensuring that it meets its 
obligations and responsibilities. The Chief 
Executive is responsible to the Board for 
the day-to-day management of the 
business, leadership of the Executive 
team and execution of the Group’s 
strategic and operating plans. The 
Chairman and Chief Executive meet 
regularly to discuss any issues pertaining 
to the Company’s performance, 
reputation and organisation.

Performance evaluation
The Board undertakes a formal and 
rigorous review of its performance and 
that of its Committees and Directors each 
financial year. In December 2017, an 
extensive review was externally facilitated 
by The Effective Board LLP, the 
independent board performance 
consultants, who also facilitated an 
extensive review in 2014. The review was 
carried out following one-on-one 
interviews with each Director, the General 
Counsel and the Deputy CFO and 
Company Secretary, following which an 
extensive report covering the operation of 
the Board as well as each Committee was 
prepared. One advantage of using the 
same consultants as in 2014 was that a 
comparison of matters was possible and 
progress against previous objectives 
could be tracked. The exercise also 
resulted in individual feedback for each 
Director as to areas of strength amongst 
the Board collective as well as comments 
where effectiveness might be improved. 
The final report was presented by The 
Effective Board LLP to the January 2018 
Board meeting.

Overall, the review concluded that the 
Board and its Committees had 
demonstrated a high degree of 
effectiveness. 

The review highlighted that many of the 
recommendations of the 2014 report had 
been implemented prior to this latest 
review and this demonstrated strong 
signs of effectiveness. In particular, it was 
recognised that the Board’s response 
to the strategic changes required,  
as the profitability of the Company  
had declined since 2014, had been 
successful. The Board had also pursued  
a transformational deal with Schneider 
Electric which has the potential to meet 
the strategic objectives of the Company. 

It was recommended that the Board 
review strategic objectives to redefine 
success for the new organisation 
following the appointment of the new 
CEO and completion of the integration 
plan. An induction programme for the 
Board in relation to the new SES business 
was also recommended to be undertaken.

Internal control and risk 
management
The Board has overall responsibility for 
the Group’s system of internal control and 
for monitoring its effectiveness. However, 
such a system is designed to manage 
rather than eliminate the risk of failure and 
by its very nature can only provide 
reasonable and not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss. 
The principal risks and uncertainties the 
Group faces are set out on pages 32 to 
34. There were no significant control 
failures during the year.

The Board has established a continuous 
process for identifying, evaluating and 
managing the significant risks the Group 
faces. The Board regularly reviews the 
effectiveness of the Group’s internal 
controls, which have been in place from 
the start of the year to the date of 
approval of this report, and believes that it 
is in accordance with the September 2014 
Financial Reporting Council Guidance on 
Risk Management, Internal Control and 
Related Financial and Business 
Reporting.

49

The key elements of the system of 
internal controls currently include:

• each member of the Executive team 

has responsibility for specific aspects 
of the Group’s operations. They meet 
on a regular basis and are responsible 
for the operational strategy, reviewing 
operating results, identification and 
mitigation of risks and communication 
and application of the Group’s policies 
and procedures. Where appropriate, 
matters are reported to the Board;

• regular reports to the Board from the 

Executive team on key developments, 
financial performance and operational 
issues in the business;

• operational and financial controls and 

procedures which include authorisation 
limits for expenditure, sales contracts 
and capital expenditure, signing 
authorities, IT application controls, 
organisation structure, Group policies, 
segregation of duties and reviews by 
management; 

• an annual budget process which is 

reviewed, monitored and approved by 
the Board; 

• regular meetings between the 

Executive team, regional sales teams 
and key functional managers to 
discuss actual performance against 
forecast, budget and prior years. The 
operating results are reported on a 
monthly basis to the Board and 
compared to the budget and the latest 
forecast as appropriate;

• targeted internal audit reviews which 

focus on confirming the operation 
of controls in key process areas; and

• maintenance of insurance cover to 

insure all major risk areas of the 
Group based on the scale of the risk 
and availability of the cover in the 
external market.

The Board’s monitoring covers all 
material controls, including financial, 
non-financial, operational and compliance 
controls and risk management. It is based 
principally on reviewing reports from 
management to consider whether 
significant risks are identified, evaluated, 
managed and controlled and whether any 
significant weaknesses are promptly 
remedied and indicate a need for more 
extensive monitoring. The Board 
periodically carries out visits to the 
Group’s subsidiaries and receives 
presentations from local management on 
their operations.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements 
Constructive use of the Annual 
General Meeting
The Board seeks to use the Annual 
General Meeting to communicate with 
investors and all shareholders are 
encouraged to participate. The Chairmen 
of the Audit, Remuneration and 
Nomination Committees will be available 
at the Annual General Meeting to answer 
any questions.

Philip Aiken
Chairman
14 June 2018

50

Corporate Governance Report continued

The Board also twice annually undertakes 
a specific risk assessment which involves 
reviewing the Group’s risk matrix that is 
owned and maintained by the Group’s 
Risk Committee, with representatives 
involved from the Executive team and 
senior managers. These assessments 
consider all significant aspects of internal 
control necessary for the Company to 
successfully carry out the key business 
strategies of the Group, together with 
more generic inherent risks of the Group’s 
operations. The Audit Committee assists 
the Board in discharging its review 
responsibilities.

Indemnities to Directors
In accordance with the Company’s 
Articles of Association, Directors are 
granted an indemnity from the Company 
to the extent permitted by law in respect 
of liabilities incurred as a result of the 
performance of their duties in their 
capacity as Directors to the Company. 
The indemnity would not provide any 
coverage to the extent the Director is 
proven to have acted fraudulently or 
dishonestly. The Company has 
maintained Directors’ and Officers’ 
liability insurance cover throughout 
the year.

Policy on appointment and 
reappointment
In accordance with the Articles of 
Association, all Directors are required to 
retire and submit themselves for re-
election at least every three years by 
rotation and also following their 
appointment. In addition, as in the prior 
year and in accordance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code, all of the 
Board members are offering themselves 
for re-election at the Annual General 
Meeting (unless retiring). 

Non-Executive Directors are appointed 
for a term of three years. The terms and 
conditions of appointment of Non-
Executive Directors are available for 
inspection at the Company’s registered 
office during normal business hours 
and will be available for inspection on 
the day of the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting. 

Dialogue with institutional 
shareholders
Communication with shareholders is 
given high priority by the Board. The 
CEO, Deputy CEO and CFO and Head 
of Investor Relations have meetings 
with representatives of institutional 
shareholders and hold analyst briefings 
at least twice a year, following the 
announcement of the interim and full-year 
results, but also at other times during the 
year as necessary. Senior managers from 
Product Development, Business Strategy 
and Finance also attended analyst and 
shareholder meetings during the year to 
assist in providing more detail as to the 
business strategy and key areas of focus. 

All of these meetings seek to build a 
mutual understanding of objectives with 
major shareholders by discussing 
long-term strategy and obtaining 
feedback. 

The Board also receives formal 
feedback from analysts and institutional 
shareholders through the Company’s 
financial PR adviser and financial 
advisers. The Board is appraised of 
discussions with major shareholders to 
ensure that Executive and Non-Executive 
Directors consider any matter raised by 
shareholders and to enable all Directors to 
understand shareholder views. In addition, 
when necessary, the Group consults with 
shareholders in respect of proposals for 
the remuneration of Executive Directors. 
The Senior Independent Non-Executive 
Director, Chris Humphrey, is available to 
shareholders if they have concerns which 
contact through the normal channels of 
Chairman, CEO or Deputy CEO and CFO 
has failed to resolve or if such contact 
would be inappropriate. The Chairman, 
Senior Independent and Non-Executive 
Directors are available for dialogue with 
shareholders at any time and attend 
(together with the other members of 
the Board) the Annual General Meeting, 
but are not routinely involved in investor 
relations or shareholder communications. 
Corporate information is also available on 
the Company’s website, www.aveva.com.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Nomination Committee Report

51

Membership and attendance

Chair

Philip Aiken

Committee members

Christopher Humphrey
Peter Herweck1
Jennifer Allerton2
Ron Mobed2

1 Appointed 1 March 2018
2 Resigned 1 March 2018

3/3

3/3
1/1
2/2
2/2

For the majority of the financial year, until 
the completion of the combination with 
SES, the Nomination Committee 
comprised a majority of independent 
Non-Executive Directors, chaired by Philip 
Aiken. Following completion of the 
combination, the Nomination Committee 
comprised three Non-Executive Directors, 
one of which was a Schneider Electric 
appointee, Peter Herweck, and the 
Committee was still chaired by Philip Aiken.

The Committee has responsibility for 
Board and Committee composition, 
particularly in relation to the diversity of 
background, skills and experience. The 
Committee oversees the nomination, 
selection and appointment of Non-
Executive and Executive Directors and 
monitors succession planning for the 
Board and senior management roles.
Effective succession planning is vital for 
the long-term success of the Company. 
There have been considerable changes 
to the composition of the Board during 
the financial year and the Committee 
has taken a lead role in the process for 
the appointment of both Executive and 
Non-Executive Directors and senior 
management. A key requirement of 
the succession planning and Board 
evaluation has been to ensure a balance 
of skills, experience, independence 
and knowledge that is appropriate 
to manage future growth and the 
strategic plans of the Company. 

In 2017/18, the Committee met three 
times and the main areas that it 
concentrated on were the changes 
described here.

Details of Board changes
As a result of the combination and the 
Company now having significantly 
increased scale and greater complexity, 
Board changes were considered 
important for the furtherance of the 
Company’s strategic success. 

The Committee appointed from outside 
the Company a new Chief Executive and 
two Non-Executive Directors in the year, 
bringing to AVEVA a greater breadth of 
complementary skills, experience and 
knowledge that will enable future growth 
and fulfilment of the strategic plans of 
the Company. 

On 19 February, Craig Hayman was 
appointed CEO of the enlarged AVEVA 
Group, with James Kidd appointed 
Deputy CEO and CFO. David Ward, who 
previously held the position of CFO, 
resigned as an Executive Director and 
member of the Board, taking on the role 
of Deputy CFO and Company Secretary. 

In relation to Craig’s appointment, the 
Company consulted with a number of 
search firms, and retained the services of 
Spencer Stuart, an independent executive 
search and leadership consulting firm, to 
provide suitable candidates for 
consideration by the Nomination 
Committee. Shortlisted candidates were 
interviewed by the Chairman and the 
other Non-Executive and Executive 
Directors.

It was agreed as part of the combination 
that Schneider Electric, as the majority 
shareholder, would appoint two Non-
Executive Directors to the Board. 
Emmanuel Babeau holds the role of 
Vice Chairman of the Board in addition 
to being a Non-Executive Director, 
and is also employed by Schneider 
Electric as Deputy Chief Executive and 
CFO. Peter Herweck is employed by 
Schneider Electric as an Executive Vice 
President. Both appointments will add 
significant management and industrial 
experience to the existing AVEVA Board.

On appointment, all Directors are asked 
to confirm that they have sufficient 
time to devote to the role, which is 
confirmed together with details of their 
duties in the letter of appointment. All 
Directors undergo an induction as soon 
as practical following their appointment. 
As part of the induction process, 
Directors are provided with background 
information on the Group and attend 
the Group’s headquarters in Cambridge 
for meetings and presentations from 
senior management. In addition, 
where appropriate, meetings are also 
arranged with the Group’s advisers. 

The two new Non-Executive Directors are 
appointed by Schneider Electric and are 
therefore not independent; consequently, 
and in order for the Board of the enlarged 
Group to comprise a majority of 
independent Non-Executive Directors 
(including the Chairman), one additional 
independent Non-Executive Director is 
expected to be appointed. Recruitment 
for this position is underway, and the 
resulting Board will total nine members, 
comprising the Chairman, two Executive 
Directors, two Non-Executive Directors 
and four independent Non-Executive 
Directors.

Diversity policy
The Board considers that diversity, 
including diversity of gender, is 
very important when reviewing the 
composition of the Board and possible 
new appointments. That said, whilst 
the Board notes the 2016 Hampton/
Alexander report on FTSE women 
leaders, it has not set targets on gender 
balance. The Board considers that 
the most important consideration is 
to appoint people based on merit, 
skills and relevant experience with 
a view to enhancing the balance 
and effectiveness of the Board.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements52

Audit Committee Report

We are committed to ensuring the integrity of the 
Group’s financial reporting, audit process, key risk 
management and internal control.

Membership and attendance

Chair

Christopher Humphrey

Committee members

Jennifer Allerton
Ron Mobed

Attending by invitation

Chairman
CEO
Deputy CEO and CFO
Deputy CFO and Company 

Secretary

Group General Counsel
Head of Internal Audit & Risk
Other senior members of the 

Group Finance team
External audit partner

5/5

5/5
5/5

The Audit Committee is appointed by the 
Board. The members are Christopher 
Humphrey (Chair), Jennifer Allerton and 
Ron Mobed. All the Committee members 
are regarded by the Board as independent 
Non-Executive Directors. Committee 
meetings are also regularly attended by 
other Board members and relevant senior 
management at the invitation of the Chair, 
to provide company insight, advice and 
reports to help the Committee consider the 
Company’s approach to its primary 
responsibilities. In addition, the external 
audit partner is invited to attend all 
meetings.

The Committee’s primary responsibilities 
are as follows:

Group’s financial performance;

• to undertake regular scrutiny of the 
• ensuring the financial integrity of the 
• ensuring the Group has the 

appropriate risk management 
processes and internal controls; and

Group is effective; 

• ensuring that the internal and external 

audit processes are robust.

Committee membership and skills
I was appointed Chairman of the 
Committee in November 2016. The 
Board believes I have the necessary 
recent and relevant financial experience 
as required by the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the “Code”), as I am a 
Chartered Management Accountant and 
a Fellow of CIMA, and have most recently 
held the role of Chief Executive Officer 
and previously Group Finance Director of 
Anite plc, a UK-listed company, and 
previously senior positions in finance at 
Conoco, Eurotherm International plc and 
Critchley Group plc. I have maintained an 
up-to-date understanding of financial and 
corporate governance best practice by 
attending many training sessions and 
updates presented by the major 
accounting firms. 

Christopher Humphrey
Audit Committee Chairman
14 June 2018

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201853

Spotlight
Areas of Focus
In addition to its prescribed duties, the Audit Committee undertook several additional projects during the year.

Project

Activity in the year

Combination  
with SES

The Committee played a very important part in, and spent considerable time throughout the due diligence phase 
of, the combination, specifically around assessing risks, reviewing working capital forecasts and understanding the 
financial reporting complexities of combining the businesses.

GDPR

The new EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) represent a significant overhaul to existing data 
protection regulations and requirements, and the financial and reputational consequences of non-compliance could 
have a very serious impact on the Group. Accordingly, the Committee has been working closely with the Legal, HR 
and IT teams within the Group, overseeing a risk-based approach to the assessment of the use and processing 
of personal data, and the key business functions and systems impacted. As a result of these efforts, key remedial 
actions, policies and training are presently being finalised to ensure Group-wide GDPR compliance. Management 
will be held accountable for any remedial actions required to ensure effective GDPR compliance.

GDPR compliance was, and remains, a particular area of focus in the meetings of the Committee held towards the 
end of the financial year, with the effective date of the regulations being 25 May 2018.

Audit of the  
enlarged Group

The Audit Committee has worked closely with the external auditors in agreeing the scope and level of assurance to 
be provided on the Schneider Electric Software business, given the complexities involved. 

In addition, the Committee made the decision to instruct our auditors to perform a full scope audit over the heritage 
AVEVA business.

The Board also considers that the 
other members of the Committee 
have a broad range of appropriate 
skills and strong experiences covering 
financial, commercial and operational 
matters. Brief biographical details for 
all the members of the Committee 
are included on pages 44 and 45.

The Audit Committee provides effective 
governance over external financial 
reporting, risk management and internal 
controls and reports its findings and 
recommendations to the Board. In 
my capacity as Chairman of the Audit 
Committee, I am pleased to report on 
the operations of the Committee during 
the past year, with emphasis on the 
specific matters we have considered, 
including compliance with the Code 
and associated Guidance on Audit 
Committees. I confirm that, save for the 
areas of non-compliance outlined on 
page 46, we have fully complied with the 
requirements of the Code as issued in 
April 2016 and which applies to financial 
years beginning on or after 17 June 2016.

The Committee usually meets four times 
a year; an extra formal meeting was held 
this year for the purposes of considering 
the combination with the Schneider 
Electric software business and the 
associated financial and risk matters. 
Additionally, the Committee spent a 

considerable amount of time in regular 
unscheduled meetings throughout the 
due diligence phase of the combination.

Audit Committee terms  
of reference
The role of the Committee is set out  
in its terms of reference which are 
available on the company’s website at 
www.aveva.com. The terms of reference 
have been fully reviewed and amended 
following the combination and the 
new governance agenda. The Audit 
Committee monitors the integrity of 
the financial statements of the Group 
and the Committee members (as part 
of the full Board) review all proposed 
regulatory announcements to be made 
by the Group, with consideration given 
to any significant financial reporting 
judgements included or required. 

The Committee considers the 
effectiveness of financial reporting and 
internal controls, compliance with legal 
requirements, accounting standards and 
the Listing, Disclosure and Transparency 
Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority. 
We also review any proposed change in 
accounting policies and any 
recommendations from the Group’s 
auditor regarding improvements to 
internal controls and the adequacy of 
resources within the Group’s finance 
function. The Committee also assesses 

the process that has been established to 
ensure that the Annual Report is fair, 
balanced and understandable, reporting 
to the Board on their findings.

Risk and internal controls
The key elements of the Group’s internal 
control framework and procedures are 
set out on page 31. The principal risks 
the Group faces are set out on pages 32 
to 34. At least on an annual basis, the 
Audit Committee considers the Group 
risk register and related management 
controls. Throughout the process, 
the Board or the Audit Committee:

• Gives consideration to whether areas 

should be looked at more closely 
through specific control reviews;

internal controls is required; and

• Identifies areas where enhancement of 
• Agrees action plans to deliver the 

necessary or recommended 
enhancements.

The Audit Committee has developed a 
framework to gain assurance over the 
system of internal financial and 
operational controls. This comprises: 

• A risk assessment performed by 

operational management and the 
Board to identify key areas for 
assurance. 

• Peer and Head Office reviews of key 

risk areas of financial internal control. 
During the year, a subsidiary company 
control visit was undertaken in Norway.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements54

Audit Committee Report continued

Audit Committee objectives
The Audit Committee agreed a number of objectives at the start of the financial year. 

Objectives

Activity in the year

Progress

Complete induction  
of new Committee 
member

Ron Mobed joined the Board and Audit Committee in March 2017. It is important that Ron 
is suitably briefed on all matters concerning the business of the Audit Committee.

As part of the main Board induction, Ron attended the Cambridge office for two days in 
April 2017 for meetings with key management. As part of this visit, Ron met with the CFO 
and was introduced to AVEVA’s revenue recognition policy.

An additional Audit Committee meeting was held as a result of the combination, and was 
attended by Ron.

IFRS 15 (revenue 
recognition)  
conversion

The new revenue recognition standard will be fully implemented for the 2018/19 financial 
year, and a large amount of material has been prepared to determine, and have audited, 
the opening position as at 1 April 2017 as well as the quantitative impact on the 2017/18 
financial year. 

The accounting policy change to revenue recognition is the biggest accounting policy 
change seen in many years, and the magnitude of this task is not to be underestimated. 
The Corporate Finance team have been working on this project for over 18 months, with 
one member of the team having worked full time on this project for nine months. The Audit 
Committee continually reviews progress of this project and has offered regular guidance 
and advice throughout this period.

Good progress has been made in determining the impact upon the pre-merger AVEVA. 
Given the timing of completion of the combination with Schneider Electric Software, the 
project of conversion to IFRS 15 for this component began late but a thorough impact 
assessment is substantially complete, with the audit of this underway.

Product  
Development  
reporting

At the start of the year, the Board and Audit Committee requested improvements in the 
reporting of progress and risk of key Product Development projects, to include metrics, 
profitability and progress against the roadmap.

Improvements in reporting were implemented during the year, which covered key 
development projects as well as more general project governance metrics. The project for 
further enhancements was put on hold and will now form part of the integration project 
following completion of the combination with the Schneider Electric Software business as 
processes and systems are harmonised.

Completion of  
Minimum Controls 
Framework

In 2016/17, the Committee undertook a review of the Group’s position on internal audit. An 
outline proposal was considered in November 2016 to create an internal audit programme, 
and the level of assurance that such a programme would provide. The proposal was approved 
by the Committee and incorporated the establishment of a Minimum Controls Framework, 
against which internal audit testing would be focused. 

Continued 
development of 
AVEVA’s internal  
audit function

The drafting of the Minimum Controls Framework was completed, with input from the 
Group’s internal audit co-source partner, PwC, in September 2017.

At the start of the year, the Audit Committee agreed an internal audit plan for the year 
which included three subsidiary audits as well as a specialist review of cyber security and IT 
penetration testing. The plan was successfully delivered using a mix of resources from the 
Corporate Finance team as well as our internal audit co-source partner, PwC. The Committee 
selected Deloitte to undertake the IT security review, as they had undertaken a similar review 
in 2015.

Following completion of the combination, which has led to the Group having significantly 
greater scale and complexity, the Audit Committee endorsed management’s plans to recruit 
a dedicated, experienced Head of Audit and Risk. This new role was filled in April 2018, 
enabling a greater and broader scope of internal audit in future periods.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201855

and were £1,236k for non-audit work. 
The Committee continues to keep 
under review the cost effectiveness 
and quality of the audit service. 

The Committee meets quarterly with 
the auditor without any members of the 
Executive team being present. I also meet 
with the external auditor from time to time 
away from the Company’s offices.

Audit planning and main audit issues
At the November 2017 meeting of the 
Committee, the auditor presented their 
audit plan for 2017/18. This included a 
summary of the proposed audit scopes 
for the year for each of the Group’s 
subsidiaries and a summary of what 
the auditor considered to be the most 
significant financial reporting risks facing 
the Group, together with the auditor’s 
proposed audit approach to these 
significant risk areas. The main area of 
audit focus for the year is the significant 
judgement surrounding revenue 
recognition.

Committee objectives for 2018/19
In March 2018, the Committee 
considered the objectives for the year 
ahead and it was agreed the following 
would be prioritised:

• Understanding and assessing financial 

risks resulting from the integration of 
heritage AVEVA and Schneider 
Electric software

• Induction of a fourth independent 

Non-Executive Director to the Board 
and Audit Committee

• A complete review of the enterprise 

risk management process for the 
enlarged Group

audit function

• Development of AVEVA’s new internal 
• Continued focus on improvements to 

R&D reporting

Christopher Humphrey
Audit Committee Chairman
14 June 2018

• The use of qualified third parties to 

undertake specialist reviews in more 
technical areas. During 2017/18, PwC 
performed an internal audit of our 
Moscow and Houston offices. 

• An annual assessment by the Audit 

Committee of the whole system of 
internal financial and operational 
controls. 

There is a formal whistle-blowing 
policy which has been communicated 
to employees. This policy provides 
information on the process to follow 
in the event that any employee feels 
it is appropriate to make a disclosure. 
The Audit Committee is satisfied that 
the process is effective and reviews 
key issues which are reported.

Key estimates and judgments
The Audit Committee discusses with 
management and the auditor the 
approach that has been taken in 
assessing all key estimates. These include 
revenue recognition, provisions for 
impairment of receivables, the valuation 
of retirement benefit obligations and the 
uncertainty of tax treatments in certain 
jurisdictions. Annually, the Committee 
considers the going concern principle 
upon which the financial statements are 
prepared and also the Group’s viability 
statement disclosures. 

Internal audit
As outlined in the previous year, the 
Company has established an internal 
audit function which is co-resourced 
using Company employees as well as 
third party specialists. This was further 
strengthened by an experienced hire of a 
Head of Audit & Risk in April 2018. As a 
Committee, we believe this resourcing 
model will provide the most effective 
approach, with some audit reviews 
requiring internal Company knowledge 
and for other audit review areas specialist 
input from an independent third party will 
be optimal. The Company has initially 
chosen PwC for its internal audit partner, 
although this appointment is not 
contractual or for any fixed term.

The Group’s operations are 
geographically widely spread, which 
means that in some instances where 
assurance over the operation of internal 
control is considered valuable, there is a 
clear advantage in such reviews of 
controls being undertaken by teams with 
specific local regulatory knowledge and 

without any local language barrier. 
Further, the Committee believes that 
such instances favour the provision of 
assurance from external sources, which 
is considered to be both more efficient 
and effective. This will be reviewed on a 
case-by-case basis, with PwC performing 
these visits as necessary.

External audit
Ernst & Young (EY) have been our auditor 
since 2003 and following a successful 
audit tender process in the previous year 
shall remain our auditor until no later than 
2023, at which point a change shall have 
to be made. During the year, we complied 
with the Statutory Audit Services for 
Large Companies Market Investigation 
(Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender 
Processes and Audit Committee 
Responsibilities) Order 2014.

The effectiveness of the external audit 
process is dependent on appropriate 
audit risk identification and a robust 
assessment of key estimates and 
judgments at the start of the audit cycle. 
We challenge the auditor regarding their 
test of management's assumptions each 
audit cycle and also request feedback 
from management on their assessment 
of auditor effectiveness. Overall, both 
management and the Committee are 
satisfied at the quality and effectiveness 
of the external audit process.

Audit partners are rotated every five years 
and a formal statement of independence 
is received from the auditor each year. 
The Board and the Audit Committee are 
satisfied that the independence of the 
auditor has been maintained. The current 
audit partner, Marcus Butler, will complete 
his third year with the Group this year.

The Committee also advises the Board 
on the auditor’s remuneration both for 
audit and non-audit work and discusses 
the nature, scope and results of the 
audit with the external auditor. Tighter 
legislation on non-audit services provided 
by the external auditor came into force last 
year, and we successfully transitioned all 
non-audit services away from EY before 
the year started. However, we required 
use of EY’s services for elements of 
the accountants’ report in relation to the 
combination. The Committee considered 
that the independence and objectivity 
of the EY audit would not be impaired 
by this work. The audit fees paid to EY 
for the statutory audit were £1,723k, 

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements56

Remuneration Committee Report

This year has been one of unprecedented change for 
AVEVA, during which we have more than doubled our 
size. We will be seeking shareholder approval to amend 
our policy to bring it into line with other companies of  
a similar size and complexity.

Table of contents

Annual statement
57  Letter from the Remuneration Committee Chair

Remuneration at a Glance
58 

 A two-page summary of the amounts paid in the  
last two years 

Directors' Remuneration Policy (Part A) 
60  Policy table 
66  Remuneration outcomes in different performance scenarios 
67  Remuneration policy for Non-Executive Directors

Summary of annual incentive awards made in the year

Implementation report (Part B) 
68  Membership and attendance 
70  Single figure of total remuneration 
71 
72  Performance and Retention Awards
72  Directors' share interests
74  Buy-out awards for Craig Hayman
75  CEO single figure history
76  Relative importance of spend on pay
76  Remuneration of Non-Executive Directors

“I am pleased to introduce the Directors' 
Remuneration Report at the end of 
a very successful and busy year at 
AVEVA in the run-up to and following 
the completion of the merger with 
Schneider Electric Software on 1 March. 
It is the start of a transformational 
period for AVEVA.”
Jennifer Allerton
Remuneration Committee Chair

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Annual statement
Dear Fellow Shareholder

I am pleased to present my first Directors' 
Remuneration Report as Chair, following 
my appointment last July at the 2017 
AGM. I took over from my predecessor 
Philip Dayer, whom I would like to thank 
for his work over many years. 

As a summary, this Report contains the 
following sections:

• This Annual Statement 
• A new “at a glance” section
• The amended Policy (Part A)
• The Annual Report on Remuneration 

(Part B)

Introduction
The Group has performed well overall, 
despite the inevitable distractions 
to management of performing the 
due diligence on and completing the 
combination in the year. The Directors' 
Remuneration in the year was tied 
to the performance of the heritage 
AVEVA business, which saw excellent 
performance against our key metrics. 

Despite receiving considerable support 
for AVEVA's 2017 Remuneration 
Policy during an extensive shareholder 
consultation exercise, we received a 
significant number of votes against it 
at the AGM last July. We had already 
decided ahead of the AGM to withdraw 
Resolution 19 which proposed 
amendments to the rules of the well-
established “AVEVA Group Senior 
Employee Restricted Share Plan 2015” to 
allow awards to be granted to Executive 
Directors of the Company. Having 
analysed the feedback from shareholders 
and proxy voting agencies, we believe 
that the primary concern around the 
Remuneration Policy related to the single 
issue of granting Restricted Share Plan 
(RSP) awards to Executive Directors. 
Whilst we will watch market developments 
around the use of these plans, we accept 
the experience from the 2017 AGM and 
will not re-submit proposals for the award 
of Restricted Shares to the 2018 AGM.

With the combination of AVEVA 
and the Schneider Electric industrial 
software business, we have reviewed the 
Remuneration Policy that was approved 
by shareholders last year, to ensure that 
it continues to be appropriate for the 
enlarged business. The Remuneration 
Committee determined that, for the 
most part, the current policy remains 
suitable for the Company over its next 
stage of development. In addition to the 
removal of the RSP from the Policy, we 
propose increasing the maximum salary 
cap from £600,000 to £900,000, in 
order to have the flexibility to award pay 
rises, if appropriate, over the life of the 
policy. Whilst this figure is a cap and 
does not reflect any form of aspiration, 

the CEO role has dramatically increased 
in scope following the completion of the 
transaction. The transformed AVEVA 
Group has many more product offerings 
across a wider range of markets, a larger 
global footprint and increased revenues. 
We also face a significant challenge 
over the next two years combining and 
integrating the two businesses. The 
sections on Pensions, Benefits, Annual 
Incentive and Long-Term Incentive 
Plans remain unchanged, save for any 
amendments made to remove reference 
to the RSP. We have again consulted 
extensively with shareholders about 
these adjustments and are confident 
that they are in their best interests.

As a result, we are proposing a new 
binding shareholder vote on this revised 
Policy, to be voted on at the 2018 AGM, 
and it is designed to be effective for a 
further three years. As per last year's 
Remuneration Report, the Policy comprises 
Part A of this Report. The Implementation 
Report comprises Part B and contains full 
details of how the Policy was implemented 
in 2017/18, together with an outline of our 
intentions for 2018/19. 

Board changes during the year
As announced, Craig Hayman has joined 
AVEVA from PTC Inc. where he was most 
recently Chief Operating Officer. He was 
based in the US and will now relocate to 
the UK. Craig's remuneration package has 
been structured to comply with AVEVA's 
shareholder-approved remuneration 
policy and comprises a base salary of 
£700,000, a maximum bonus 
opportunity of 125% of salary, an annual 
performance-related LTIP award over 
shares worth up to a maximum of 250% 
of salary, a pension equal to 10% of salary, 
and standard benefits including a car 
allowance and relocation benefits. 

In order to secure Craig’s services the 
Company had to commit to compensate 
him by way of a “buy-out” for the loss 
of significant outstanding equity awards 
on leaving PTC, which had a maximum 
potential value of over £9 million. Craig, 
upon his appointment, received by way 
of “buy-out”, a one-off grant of nil-cost 
options over AVEVA shares worth, at 
grant, £5.5 million, subject to a vesting 
schedule and other conditions. In 
structuring these buy-out awards, AVEVA 
has followed the best practice principles 
of offering a total potential buy-out of less 
value on grant than the current expected 
value of the awards lost, ensuring that 
those elements subject to pre-vesting 
performance conditions remain subject 
to conditions which are intended to be no 
less challenging and that no element of 
the buy-out is realised early. In addition, 
the awards will be subject to an additional 
requirement that Craig will normally 
be required to pay back any amounts 
vesting (net of tax) should he resign within 
2.5 years of joining (or be dismissed 

57

for gross misconduct or under one of 
the summary termination provisions in 
his service agreement within 3 years of 
joining). For more details, see page 74. 

Following Craig's appointment to the 
Board of AVEVA on 19 February, James 
Kidd moved to become Deputy CEO 
and CFO, while David Ward became 
Deputy CFO and Company Secretary 
and stepped down from the Board. 
James and David will continue to play 
vital roles in the enlarged Group, and 
as explained in the September 2017 
circular, subject to and conditional upon 
a shareholder vote both will receive a 
one-off performance and retention award, 
with an initial value of £1,500,000 and 
£850,000 respectively. The awards will 
be paid in cash, subject to a requirement 
that 50% of the net cash received is 
invested in AVEVA shares. The awards 
are subject to continued employment 
and a performance underpin, with half of 
the award value also subject to meeting 
challenging and stretching business and 
integration related targets. This half of 
the performance award can vary from 
75% to 125% of the initial award value. 

Finally, the Board has proposed that the 
Company seeks to increase the cap on 
total Non-Executive Director fees under 
the Company’s Articles of Association at 
the AGM from the current level of 
£550,000 to £700,000, recognising the 
enlarged Board. 

Other Committee activities during 
the year 
The Committee undertook a number of 
other activities during and relating to 
2017/18, including:

• Agreement of the packages for Craig, 

James and David following their 
respective changes in role

• Setting the 2017/18 bonus targets and 

determining the ultimate bonus outturn 
(see page 71)

• Granting the 2017 LTIP awards, and
• Determining the vesting of the 2015 

LTIP awards (see page 73)

In conclusion 
I hope you find the contents of this Report 
clear and are supportive of the 
approaches and amendments proposed. 

As we have made changes to the Policy, 
we are publishing it in full, as per last year. 
The Implementation Report contains full 
details of how the Policy was implemented 
in 2017/18, together with an outline of our 
intentions for 2018/19. 

Finally, immediately prior to the Policy, 
overleaf, you will find a double spread, 
clearly outlining the 2017/18 remuneration 
arrangements. 

Jennifer Allerton
Remuneration Committee Chair

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements58

Remuneration at a Glance

Key elements of the Directors' Remuneration Policy and payments made 
in accordance with the Policy are summarised below:

Directors' Remuneration policy

Key elements

Applies to

2017/18

Salary
(annual base)

Craig Hayman

£700k (from Feb 2018)

£450k

£300k

2018/19

£700k

£500k

n/a

y
a
p
d
e
x
F

i

s
u
n
o
B

l

a
u
n
n
A

s
e
v
i
t
n
e
c
n

i

m
r
e
t
g
n
o
L

Pension allowance

Benefits

Performance period

James Kidd

David Ward

All EDs

All EDs

Applies to

All EDs

Maximum opportunity

All EDs

Opportunity applied

KPIs

Payable

Performance period

All EDs

All EDs

Craig Hayman 

James Kidd 

David Ward

Applies to

All EDs

Maximum opportunity

Craig Hayman 

James Kidd 

David Ward

Opportunity applied

Craig Hayman 

Time horizon

Criteria

James Kidd 

David Ward

All EDs

All EDs

10% of salary

Car allowance, fuel allowance and £600 of flexible benefits

Paid in June 2017

2016/17

125% of salary 

125% of salary

Paid in June 2018

2017/18

125% of salary 

125% of salary

Discretionary Remuneration Committee 
assessment against individual strategic 
performance objectives

Discretionary Remuneration Committee 
assessment against individual strategic 
performance objectives

n/a

£63k (11% of maximum) 
£31k (11% of maximum)1

£48k (48% of maximum)2 
£563k (100% of maximum) 
£332k (100% of maximum)3

2017 award

2018 award

1 April 2017 – 31 March 2020

1 April 2018 - 31 March 2021

250% of salary 

250% of salary 

250% of salary

250% of salary2 
150% of salary 

150% of salary

250% of salary 

250% of salary 

n/a

250% of salary 

175% of salary 

–

3 year performance period, followed by a 2 year holding period.

EPS growth 50%
Relative TSR performance 25%
Strategic objectives 25%

EPS growth 50%
Relative TSR performance 25%
Strategic objectives 25%

i

guidelines

p Share ownership 
h
s
r
e
n
w
O

Applies to

Craig Hayman

Current requirement

200% of salary

Position at 31 March 2018

0% of salary

James Kidd

200% of salary

86% of salary

s CEO pay compared to median  
o
i
t
a
r

employee pay

O
E
C

2016/17

33:1

2018/19

55:1

1   Outcome applied to pro rated salary from 8 July 2016 for David Ward
2  Outcome applied to pro rated salary from 19 February 2018 for Craig Hayman
3   Outcome applied to pro rated salary until 19 February 2018 for David Ward

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
59

The charts below for the annual incentive scheme set out the performance achieved compared to the maximum opportunity for each 
of the components of the scheme, for each of the Executive Directors who served during the year. The maximum and outcome for 
Craig and David have been pro rated to reflect their appointment and retirement dates from the Board respectively.

Annual incentive scheme

James Kidd 
% of salary

 David Ward 
% of salary

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

125%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

125%

150%

175%

200%

225%

Maximum

Outcome

Maximum

Outcome

£0k            £100k            £200k            £300k            £400k           £500k           £600k

£0k            £100k            £200k            £300k            £400k           £500k           £600k

 Recurring revenue   

 Full year adjusted profit   

 Personal objectives

 Recurring revenue   

 Full year adjusted profit   

 Personal objectives

 Craig Hayman 
% of salary

Long-term incentive scheme

0%

100%

200%

300%

400%

500%

600%

700%

Nil payout for any Executive Director.

Maximum

Outcome

£0k            £100k            £200k            £300k            £400k           £500k           £600k

 Recurring revenue   

 Full year adjusted profit   

 Personal objectives

Maximum total remuneration opportunity compared to actual remuneration received for the year  
ending March 2018 

Craig Hayman 

Full year opportunity

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Pro-rated opportunity

Actual

James Kidd

Full year opportunity

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Actual

David Ward

Full year opportunity

Minimum On-target Maximum

Pro-rated opportunity

Actual

 Fixed   

 Bonus   

 LTIP

£0.0m              £0.5m              £1.0m              £1.5m              £2.0m             £2.5m             £3.0m              £3.5m              £4.0m

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements60

Remuneration Committee Report continued

Part A: the Directors’ Remuneration Policy

This report sets out the information required by Part 4 of Schedule 8 to the Large and Medium-Sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (as amended) (the “Regulations”). The report also satisfies the relevant requirements of the 
Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, and describes how the Board has applied the principles and complied with the 
provisions relating to Directors’ remuneration in the UK Corporate Governance Code.

The table below summarises the Committee’s future policy on the remuneration of Executive Directors which, if approved by 
shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting on 11 July 2018, will replace the existing policy for which shareholder 
approval was obtained at the 2017 Annual General Meeting, and will become binding immediately thereafter. The material differences 
between the existing and proposed new policy (which has also been designed with due account taken of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code) are explained in the statement by the Committee Chair and also in the table below. It is currently intended that the 
policy will remain valid until the 2021 Annual General Meeting.

The Remuneration Committee aims to ensure that: the Executive Directors are provided with appropriate incentives to align them with 
the achievement of the Company’s long-term strategy and the future creation of shareholder value; enhanced performance is 
encouraged; and, the Executive Directors are, in a fair and responsible manner, rewarded for their individual contributions to the 
success of the Group. Excessive risk-taking is neither encouraged nor rewarded.

It also aims for a combination of fixed and variable payments, benefits and share-based awards that will achieve a balance in 
incentives to deliver short and long-term goals. The Company’s policy is that a substantial proportion of remuneration of Executive 
Directors should be performance-related and should be delivered in shares to create alignment with shareholders’ interests. 
Remuneration for Executive Directors is set in the context of the economic environment in which the Group operates, the outcome of 
the wider pay review for all Group employees as well as the financial performance of the Group. When determining remuneration 
arrangements, the Committee takes into consideration relevant external considerations as well as the remuneration for employees of 
the Group generally.

Remuneration commitments made which were consistent with the approved Remuneration Policy in force at that time shall be 
honoured, even if they would not otherwise be consistent with the policy prevailing when the commitment is fulfilled.

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance measures

None

Base salary

employees

• Helps recruit and retain  
• Reflects experience and role

• Base salary is normally 

reviewed annually with changes 
effective from 1 April, although 
salaries may be reviewed more 
frequently or at different times 
of the year if the Committee 
determines this is appropriate.

• The Committee determines 

base salary taking into account 
factors including, but not 
limited to:

• The individual’s role, 

experience and performance 
in achieving financial and 
non-financial goals within 
his areas of responsibility.

• Salaries at other companies 

of a similar size and 
complexity as well as global 
technology peers.

groups of employees within 
the Company.

• Remuneration of different 
• Total organisational salary 
• The Committee takes a 
• Paid in cash.

phased approach to new 
salaries where appropriate.

budgets.

• In determining salary increases 

the Committee generally 
considers the factors outlined 
in the ‘operation’ column. 

• Salary increases will normally 

be in line with the range of 
increases in the broader 
workforce salary, although 
higher increases can be made 
in certain circumstances, for 
example:

scope of responsibilities; 

• an increase in the individual’s 
• in the case of Executive 

Directors who are positioned 
on a lower initial salary while 
they gain experience in the 
role; or

• where the Committee 

considers that salary is 
behind appropriate market 
positioning for a company of 
AVEVA’s size and 
complexity.

• However, no salary increase 

will be paid to an incumbent to 
the extent that this increases 
the salary beyond £900,000.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201861

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance measures

Pensions

• Provides a competitive 

retirement benefit in a way that 
is cost effective to the 
Company

Benefits

employees

• Help recruit and retain 
• Provide a competitive range of 
• Assist toward early return to 

work in the event of illness or 
injury

valued benefits

• 10% of base salary (pension 

contribution and/or cash 
alternative).

None

None

• The cost of benefit provision 

will depend on the cost to the 
Company of providing 
individual items and the 
individual’s circumstances.

• However, the addition of 

further benefits to those 
already provided (excluding 
relocation/recruitment-related 
benefits and participation in 
any all-employee share plan) 
will not result in the aggregate 
benefit provision for any 
Executive Director increasing 
to over £50,000.

• The CEO and CFO are 

members of the AVEVA Group 
Personal Pension Plan (a 
defined contribution scheme).

• The intention is that new 

appointments to the Board 
would also participate in the 
AVEVA Group Personal 
Pension Plan or receive an 
equivalent cash payment. 
However, if appropriate the 
Committee may determine that 
alternative arrangements for 
the provision of retirement 
benefit may apply. When 
determining pension 
arrangements for new 
appointments the Board will 
give regard to the cost of the 
arrangements, market practice 
and the pension arrangements 
received elsewhere in the 
Group. 

• The benefit policy is to provide 

an appropriate level of benefit 
taking into account market 
practice at other companies of 
similar size and complexity and 
the level of benefits provided 
for other employees in the 
Group.

• In line with benefits provided 

for other senior employees in 
the Group, Executive Directors 
currently receive a mobility 
allowance or company car, a 
fuel allowance and an annual 
allowance toward a range of 
benefits.

• In the event that an Executive 

Director was required to 
re-locate to undertake their 
role, the Committee may 
provide additional benefits to 
reflect the relevant 
circumstances (on a one-off or 
ongoing basis).

• Benefits are reviewed by the 

Committee in the context of 
market practice from time to 
time and the Committee may 
introduce or remove particular 
benefits if it is considered 
appropriate to do so. 

• If the Company were to 

operate an all-employee share 
plan in the future, Executive 
Directors would be entitled to 
participate in the plan on the 
same terms as other 
employees.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements62

Remuneration Committee Report continued

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance measures

Annual Incentive Scheme 

• Incentivises and rewards the 

achievement of annual 
financial and strategic business 
targets and delivery of 
personal objectives

• Deferred element encourages 

long-term shareholding, helps 
retention and discourages 
excessive risk-taking

• The Committee determines an 

individual’s maximum incentive 
opportunity taking into account 
the responsibilities of the role 
and market practice at 
comparable companies. 

• Performance targets are set by 

the Committee on an annual 
basis and ordinarily disclosed 
retrospectively.

• The Committee determines 

the level of bonus paid taking 
into account performance 
against targets, the underlying 
performance of the business 
and Executive Directors’ 
performance during the year.

• 40% of any bonus earned is 

deferred into shares under the 
Deferred Share Scheme1, to 
which malus/clawback 
provisions apply2 

The AVEVA Group Long-Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP) 

• Establishes a motivational and 

performance-orientated 
structure to incentivise 
Directors to focus on the 
creation of shareholder value 
aligned with the longer term 
strategy for the Group

• Awards vest based on 

performance over a period  
of three years and are subject 
to a subsequent two-year 
holding period. 

• Awards under the LTIP may be 

granted in the form of 
conditional awards or nominal 
cost options or phantom 
options which will be settled 
in cash.

• Dividends and any other 

income or capital distribution 
can accrue on shares during 
the vesting period.

• The Committee determines 

targets each year to ensure that 
targets are stretching and 
represent value creation for 
shareholders while remaining 
motivational for management. 

• The Committee shall 

determine the extent to which 
the awards will vest based on 
performance against targets 
and taking into consideration 
the wider. performance of 
the Group. 

• Malus/clawback provisions 

apply2

• The maximum bonus 

opportunity is 125% of 
base salary.

• Awards over shares worth no 

more than 250% of salary may 
be made each year. 

• The performance measures 

applied may be financial or 
non-financial and corporate, 
divisional or individual and in 
such proportions as the 
Committee considers 
appropriate.

• Where a sliding scale of targets 

is used, attaining the threshold 
level of performance for any 
measure will not typically 
produce a pay-out of more than 
20% of the maximum portion of 
overall annual bonus attributable 
to that measure, with a sliding 
scale to full payout for maximum 
performance. However, the 
annual bonus plan remains a 
discretionary arrangement and 
the Committee retains a 
standard power to apply its 
judgement to adjust the 
outcome of the annual bonus 
plan for any performance 
measure should it consider that 
to be appropriate (e.g. if the 
provisional bonus outturn does 
not in the Committee’s view 
reflect overall shareholder 
expectations).

• The Committee may set such 

performance conditions on 
awards as it considers 
appropriate, whether financial or 
non-financial and whether 
corporate, divisional or 
individual.

• Performance periods may be 

over such periods as the 
Committee selects at grant, 
which will not normally be less 
than, but may be longer than, 
three years.

• Where a sliding scale of targets 

is used, attaining the threshold 
level of performance for any 
measure will not typically 
produce a vesting of more than 
25% of the maximum portion of 
overall award attributable to that 
measure, with a sliding scale to 
full payout for maximum 
performance. 

• The Committee may in its 

judgement adjust the vesting 
outturn should it consider that to 
be appropriate (e.g. if the 
provisional vesting outturn does 
not in the Committee’s view 
reflect the underlying financial 
performance of the Group over 
the performance period).

Policy table footnotes
1  Deferred awards will normally deliver the shares to participants in three equal tranches, one in each of the three years following the year in which an award is 
granted. The Committee has discretion to determine an alternative vesting profile. Dividends and any other income or capital distribution can accrue on 
deferred shares during the deferral period.

2  Awards granted under the Deferred Share Scheme and, from 2012 onwards, under the LTIP, are subject to malus and clawback provisions. Those provisions 
may apply at the discretion of the Committee if accounts are corrected or published that indicate the relevant performance was materially worse than in the 
accounts used to assess vesting. Other elements of remuneration are not subject to malus or clawback.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201863

Stating maximum amounts for the Remuneration Policy
The DRR Regulations and related investor guidance encourages companies to disclose a cap within which each element of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy will operate. Where maximum amounts for elements of remuneration have been set within the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy, these will operate simply as caps and are not indicative of any aspiration.

Travel and hospitality
While the Committee does not consider it to form part of benefits in the normal usage of that term, it has been advised that corporate 
hospitality, whether paid for by the Company or another, and business travel for Directors and in exceptional circumstances their 
families may technically come within the applicable rules and so the Committee expressly reserves the right for the Committee to 
authorise such activities within its agreed policies.

Committee discretion
The Committee reserves the right to make any remuneration payments and payments for loss of office (including the exercise of any 
discretions available to it in connection with such payments) notwithstanding that they are not in line with the Policy set out above 
where the terms of the payment were agreed (i) before the Policy came into effect or (ii) at a time when the relevant individual was not 
a Director of the Company and, in the opinion of the Committee, the payment was not in consideration for the individual becoming 
a Director of the Company. For these purposes ‘payments’ include the Committee satisfying awards of variable remuneration and an 
award over shares is ‘agreed’ at the time the award is granted. 

The Committee may operate the LTIP, the annual bonus and the Deferred Share Scheme in accordance with their terms. This includes:

• The selection of participants;
• The timing of grant of an award/bonus opportunity;
• The size of an award/bonus opportunity subject to the maximum limits set out in the policy table; 
• The determination of performance against targets and resultant vesting/bonus pay-outs;
• Discretion required when dealing with a takeover, change of control or restructuring of the group;
• Determination of the treatment of leavers based on the rules of the plan and the appropriate treatment chosen;
• Adjustments required in certain circumstances (e.g. rights issues, corporate restructuring events, distributions and special 
• The annual review of performance measures, weightings and targets from year to year. 

dividends); and 

In addition, while performance measures and targets used in the annual bonus plan and LTIP will generally remain unaltered, if events 
occur which, in the Committee’s opinion, would make a different or amended target a fairer measure of performance, the Committee 
can make such amendments to the targets as it considers appropriate. 

Any use of these discretions would, where relevant, be explained in the Directors’ Remuneration Report and may, where appropriate 
and practicable, be the subject of consultation with the Company’s major shareholders. In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, in 
approving this policy report, authority is given to the Company to honour any commitments entered into with current or former 
Directors prior to the adoption of this policy. The Committee may also make minor amendments to the policy set out above (for 
regulatory, exchange control, tax or administrative purposes or to take account of a change in legislation) without obtaining shareholder 
approval for that amendment. 

Remuneration arrangements throughout the Group 
Throughout the Group, remuneration is determined based on substantially the same principles: that remuneration arrangements 
should be appropriate for the role without paying more than is necessary and that pay should be structured to incentivise individuals to 
deliver the objectives of their role. AVEVA employs over 4,400 employees in over 80 locations with roles ranging from administrators 
to technical specialists and sales staff. The structure and level of reward therefore differs from role to role depending on skills, 
experience, level of seniority and market practice for the role. AVEVA’s sales employees participate in commission plans that are 
designed to encourage the growth objectives of the Group. More senior employees have annual bonus plans, with the Executive 
Leadership Team receiving a portion of bonus in shares which is deferred for up to three years. Senior employees within the company 
participate in the LTIP and a Restricted Share Plan.

Selection of performance measures 
The Committee’s guiding principle is that remuneration arrangements that operate throughout the Group should support the delivery 
of our long-term business strategy and therefore the creation of shareholder value. Our key long-term strategic priority is to deliver 
strong but sustainable revenue and profit growth to support the delivery of this strategic priority. The metrics used in our annual bonus 
arrangements and LTIP are chosen with this in mind, with the payment of bonuses and the vesting of long-term incentives subject to 
stretching targets established by the Committee at the beginning of each performance period. These targets are set taking account of 
internal forecasts of performance over the performance period, the markets in which the Group operates, our long-term growth 
ambitions and the expectations of the investment community on the Group’s future potential performance. 

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements64

Remuneration Committee Report continued

Remuneration Policy for new hires 
When determining the remuneration package for a newly appointed Executive Director, the Committee would seek to apply the 
following principles: 

Executive Directors.

At the same time, the Committee would intend to pay no more than it believes is necessary to secure the required talent.

• The package should be market competitive to facilitate the recruitment of an individual of sufficient calibre to lead the business. 
• The structure of the on-going remuneration package would normally include the components set out in the policy table for 
• Where an individual forfeits outstanding variable pay opportunities or contractual rights as a result of their appointment, the 

Committee may offer compensatory payments or awards, in such form as the Committee considers appropriate taking into 
account relevant factors, which may include the form of awards, expected value and vesting timeframe of forfeited opportunities. 
When determining such ‘buy-outs’ the guiding principle would be that awards would generally be on a ‘like for like’ basis to those 
forfeited unless not considered appropriate.

• To facilitate awards outlined above, in the event of recruitment, the Committee may grant awards to a new Executive Director in 

accordance with Listing Rule 9.4.2. This provision permits the granting of awards to facilitate, in unusual circumstances, the 
recruitment of an Executive Director, without seeking prior shareholder approval.

on the Company’s incentive plans as set out in the policy table. 

• The maximum level of variable remuneration which may be awarded (excluding any “buy-out” awards) is in accordance with limits 
• Where an Executive Director is required to relocate to take-up their role the Committee may provide reasonable assistance with 

relocation (either via one-off or on-going payments or benefits) taking into account the individual’s circumstances and prevailing 
market practice.

• In the event that an internal candidate is promoted to the Board, legacy terms and conditions would normally be honoured, 

including pension entitlements and any outstanding incentive awards. 

Executive Director service contracts and policy on payment for loss of office 
When determining leaving arrangements for an Executive Director the Committee takes into account any contractual agreements 
including the provisions of any incentive arrangements, typical market practice and the performance and conduct of the individual. 

The service contracts for current and non-current Executive Directors include the following terms: 

Name

Date of Contract

Date of Appointment

Continuous Service Date

Current Executive Directors
Craig Hayman

19 February 2018

19 February 2018

19 February 2018

James Kidd

17 February 2017

1 January 2017

5 January 2004

Non-current Executive Directors
David Ward

19 July 2016

8 July 2016

17 January 2011

The service agreements are available to shareholders to view on request from the Company Secretary.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201865

Notice Period

The CEO’s service contract can be terminated by the Company or the Executive Director on nine months’ notice. 
The Deputy CEO and CFO’s service contract can be terminated by the Company or the Executive Director on nine 
months’ notice. The service agreements provide for a period of garden leave. The Committee will determine the 
appropriate notice period for any new Director taking into account the circumstances of the individual and market 
practice. Any notice period will normally be no longer than 12 months. The Committee reserves the right to provide 
a longer initial notice period of up to 24 months reducing to 12 months over the first 12 months of employment if it 
considers this to be appropriate.

Payment in lieu 
of notice

In the event of termination of contract without notice, the Executive shall be entitled to a payment in respect of salary 
for the period of notice. Such payment will normally be made in instalments and subject to mitigation but the 
Committee shall have discretion to make a single payment if this is considered appropriate.

Annual Bonus

The Executive Director may, at the discretion of the Committee, remain eligible to receive an annual bonus for the 
financial year in which they ceased employment. Such Annual Bonus award will be determined by the Committee 
taking into account the circumstances for leaving, time in employment and performance.

Deferred Share 
Scheme

Death: In the event of a participant’s death unvested awards shall vest. Where awards are in the form of options they 
may be exercised for a period of up to 12 months from death. 

Good leavers: At the discretion of the Committee, leaving by reason of injury, disability, redundancy, the Company 
for which the participant works leaving the Group or any other reasons determined by the Committee. Awards shall 
continue in full and vest on the originally anticipated vesting dates. Alternatively, the Committee may determine that 
awards should vest when the participant ceases employment. Awards in the form of options may be exercised in 
accordance with the rules of the scheme.

Leavers in other circumstances: Awards will normally lapse.

Long Term 
Incentive Plan

Good leavers: At the discretion of the Committee, leaving as a result of death, injury, disability, redundancy, 
retirement, the Company for which the participant works leaving the Group or any other reason. Unvested awards 
shall continue in existence for the remainder of the performance period. At the end of the performance period, 
the awards shall normally be permitted to vest to the extent determined in accordance with the applicable 
performance conditions and, unless the Committee determines otherwise, then reduced to reflect the period that 
elapsed from the start of the performance period to the date of cessation as a proportion of the performance 
period. Alternatively, the Committee may determine that awards may vest early subject to performance and 
pro rating as described above.

Leavers in other circumstances: Awards will normally lapse. Vested but unexercised options held by participants 
who leave employment other than due to gross misconduct may be exercised for a period following cessation of 
employment.

Other 
payments

An Executive Director who joined the Company before January 2008 and who is made redundant, may receive, in 
addition to a payment in lieu of notice, any statutory redundancy payment and any other payment to which he is 
entitled, a payment under the Company’s enhanced redundancy policy. This policy applies to all employees who 
joined the Company before January 2008. Under the policy, an eligible person will receive a payment calculated by 
reference to their length of service and weekly pay (by reference to gross annual salary) as follows:
– 7 weeks’ pay for service of up to 6 years; plus
– 1.5 weeks’ pay for each completed year of service over 7 years up to 20 years; plus 
– 2 weeks’ pay for each completed year of service over 20 years. 

Under the Company’s enhanced redundancy policy, eligible participants, including Executive Directors, may also 
receive a payment in lieu of a 90 day redundancy consultation period. In the event of termination of an Executive 
Director’s employment, a payment may be made in lieu of any accrued but untaken holiday. The Remuneration 
Committee would be responsible for considering the circumstances of the early termination of an Executive 
Director’s contract and determining whether in exceptional circumstances there should be compensation payments 
in excess of the Company’s contractual obligations.

The Company has the power to enter into settlement agreements with Directors and to pay compensation to settle potential legal 
claims. In addition, and consistent with market practice, in the event of the termination of an Executive Director, the Company may 
make a contribution towards that individual’s legal fees and fees for outplacement services as part of a negotiated settlement. Any 
such fees will be disclosed as part of the detail of termination arrangements. For the avoidance of doubt, the policy does not include 
an explicit cap on the cost of termination payments.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements66

Remuneration Committee Report continued

Change of control 
In the event of a change of control or a voluntary winding-up of the Company and ultimately at the discretion of the Remuneration 
Committee: 
1.   Unvested awards under the Deferred Share Scheme will normally vest in full at the time of change of control or winding-up. 
2.  Unvested awards granted under the 2014 LTIP rules will normally vest having regard to the extent to which performance conditions 
have been met and unless the Committee determines otherwise, the proportion of the performance period that has elapsed at the 
date of the change of control or winding-up. 

Employee context
When setting Executive Directors' pay, the Committee considers the remuneration arrangement of other senior managers and 
employees in the Group more generally to ensure that Executive remuneration arrangements are appropriate in this context. AVEVA 
undertakes an annual salary review in April each year and uses this opportunity to reward strong performance and ensure salaries are 
in line with market rates. It manages this in a competitive environment particularly in the fast-growing economic areas. When 
determining salary increases for Executive Directors the Committee considers the outcome of the wider pay review for the Group. The 
Committee does not consult directly with employees regarding Executive Directors’ remuneration. However, at regular intervals the 
Company conducts a survey of the views of employees in respect of their experience of working at AVEVA including their own reward.

Dialogue with shareholders 
The views of our shareholders on remuneration matters is important to the Committee and prior to making any material changes to 
remuneration arrangements the Committee consults with major shareholders and their representative bodies to obtain their views. 
The Company remains committed to engaging with shareholders in relation to remuneration issues.

External appointments
The Board believes that accepting Non-Executive appointments with other companies enhances the experience of Executive 
Directors and therefore they are entitled to accept appointments outside of the Company provided that Board approval is sought  
prior to accepting the appointment. Whether or not the Director concerned is permitted to retain their fees is considered on a  
case-by-case basis. 

Remuneration outcomes in different performance scenarios
The remuneration package at AVEVA is structured so that the package rewards performance over both the short and long term to 
ensure that reward is aligned with shareholder value creation. 

The table and charts below show hypothetical values of the remuneration package for Executive Directors under three assumed 
performance scenarios. Note that these values do not include Craig's buy-out awards nor James's Performance and Retention Award, 
both of which are one-off in nature.

Maximum performance

Annual bonus scheme (full pay-out)
Long-term incentive plan (LTIP) (maximum vesting)
Total

On-target performance

Minimum performance

Annual bonus scheme (50% pay-out)
Long-term incentive plan (25% vesting)
Total

Annual bonus scheme (nil pay-out)
Long-term incentive plan (nil vesting)
Total

Awards as a % of salary

CEO

125%
250%

375%

62.5%
62.5%

125%

0%
0%

0%

Deputy CEO 
and CFO

125%
175%

300%

62.5%
44.8%

107.3%

0%
0%

0%

No share price growth has been assumed. Potential benefits under all employee share schemes and dividend or distribution 
equivalents have not been included.

Craig Hayman 

James Kidd 

23%

26%

51%

29%

32%

39%

Maximum performance

48%

26% 26%

On-target performance

100%

Minimum performance

Maximum performance

53%

29%

18%

On-target performance

100%

Minimum performance

£0.0m

£1.0m

£2.0m

£3.0m

£4.0m

£0.0m

£1.0m

£2.0m

£3.0m

£4.0m

 Fixed pay   

 Annual bonus   

 LTIP

 Fixed pay   

 Annual bonus   

 LTIP

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201867

Remuneration Policy for Non-Executive Directors

Approach to setting fees

Basis of fees

Other items

• Fees for the Chairman and the Non-

Executive Directors are determined 
taking account of the individual’s 
responsibilities, the expected time 
commitment for the role and prevalent 
market rates. 

• The Board is responsible for setting fees 

for the Non-Executive Directors with the 
Remuneration Committee being 
responsible for setting fees for the 
Chairman. 

• Fees are reviewed at appropriate 

intervals, usually on an annual basis.

• Basic fees are subject to the aggregate 

limit set in accordance with the 
Company’s Articles of Association. Any 
changes in this limit would be subject to 
shareholder approval.

• Non-Executive Directors are paid a basic 

fee for membership of the Board with 
additional fees being paid to Non-
Executive Directors who hold the position 
of Committee Chairman to take into 
account the additional responsibilities 
and workload. Additional fees may also 
be paid for other Board responsibilities or 
roles if this is considered appropriate.

fee for the role.

• The Chairman receives an all-inclusive 
• Fees are paid in cash.

incentive pay or share awards.

• Non-Executive Directors do not receive 
• Non-Executive Directors do not currently 

receive any benefits nor pension 
arrangements. Benefits may be provided 
in the future if, in the view of the Board (or, in 
the case of the Chairman, the Committee), 
this was considered appropriate.

• Travel and other reasonable expenses 

(including fees incurred in obtaining 
professional advice in the furtherance of 
their duties) incurred in the course of 
performing their duties are reimbursed to 
Non-Executive Directors (including any 
associated tax liability).

The Board has proposed that the Company seeks to increase the cap on total Non-Executive Director fees under the Company’s 
Articles of Association at the AGM from the current level of £550,000 to £700,000, recognising the enlarged Board. The Non-
Executive Directors have appointment letters, the terms of which recognise that their appointments are subject to the Company’s 
Articles of Association and their services are at the direction of the shareholders.

The letters of appointment for Non-Executive Directors include the following terms:

Name

Philip Aiken

Date of appointment

Date of contract

1 May 2012

1 May 2018

Expiry/review date 
of current contract

30 April 2021

Jennifer Allerton

9 July 2013

1 July 2016

30 June 2019

Christopher Humphrey

8 July 2016

27 June 2016

7 July 2019

Ron Mobed

1 March 2017

1 March 2017

29 February 2020

Emmanuel Babeau

1 March 2018

1 March 2018

28 February 2021

Peter Herweck

1 March 2018

1 March 2018

28 February 2021

Notice period 
in months

3

3

3

3

3

3

All Non-Executive Directors submit themselves for election at the Annual General Meeting following their appointment and 
subsequent intervals of no more than three years.

There are no predetermined special provisions for Non-Executive Directors with regard to compensation in the event of loss of office. 
Non-Executive Directors are not entitled to any payments in lieu of notice.

The letters of appointment are available for shareholders to view from the Company Secretary upon request. 

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements68

Remuneration Committee Report continued

Part B: the Implementation report

The Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is appointed by the Board. The current members are 
Jennifer Allerton (Chair), Ron Mobed and Emmanuel Babeau, with Christopher 
Humphrey stepping down from the Committee from 1 March 2018. All the Committee 
members except for Emmanuel are regarded by the Board as independent Non-
Executive Directors. Jennifer has been a member of the Remuneration Committee since 
2013 and succeeded Philip Dayer as Chair on 7 July 2017. Committee meetings are also 
regularly attended by the CEO, Deputy CEO and CFO, and Chief Human Resources 
Officer (CHRO) at the invitation of the Chair, to provide company insight and advice to 
help the Committee consider appropriate remuneration. No Committee member or 
invited attendee is present during the discussion of their own remuneration.

The role of the Committee is set out in its terms of reference which are available on the 
company’s website at www.aveva.com. The Committee's primary responsibility is to 
determine the remuneration package of both the Company's Executive Directors and its 
senior management within broad policies agreed with the Board.

The Principles of our Remuneration Policy
A significant part of the total reward is related to share price performance and is paid in 
shares that must be retained until the minimum shareholding requirements have been 
met. This ensures that our Executive Directors' interests are aligned with those of other 
shareholders.

6/6

6/6
1/1
5/5
1/1

Membership and attendance

Chair

Jennifer Allerton

Committee members

Ron Mobed
Philip Dayer1
Christopher Humphrey2
Emmanuel Babeau3

Attending by invitation

CEO
Deputy CEO and CFO
CHRO

1   Resigned 7 July 2017
2   Resigned 1 March 2018
3   Appointed 1 March 2018

A considerable part of the total reward is determined by the Company's success over both the short and the long term. Failure to 
achieve threshold levels of performance will result in no payout for these elements.

Advice and auditors
FIT Remuneration Consultants are the appointed advisors to the Committee. They provide independent advice on comparator 
information and general remuneration. Fees are charged on a time spent basis and the fees paid during the year to FIT Remuneration 
Consultants in relation to the advice provided to the Committee were £107,312 (2017 – £61,019). FIT provide no other services to the 
Company and so the Committee are content that their advice is objective and independent.

The auditors have reported on certain sections of Part B and stated whether, in their opinion, those parts have been properly prepared 
in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. Those sections of Part B which have been subject to audit are clearly indicated.

Shareholder voting and engagement
The table below shows the results of the most recent votes on the Policy (July 2017) and Implementation Report (July 2017).

Directors remuneration policy – AGM 2017

26,846,776

1,667,546

56.45%

20,715,431

Directors remuneration report – AGM 2017

35,968,139

734,773

74.17%

12,526,840

43.55%

25.83%

Votes for

Votes withheld

Percentage

Votes against

Percentage

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201869

Implementation of policy for the year ended March 2018 and for the forthcoming year ended March 2019
Base salary
Craig Hayman joined AVEVA as CEO on 19 February 2018 with a salary of £700,000. Ordinarily salaries are reviewed annually with 
increases effective from 1 April each year, but Craig’s salary will not be reviewed until April 2019.

Whilst James Kidd is no longer CEO, in recognition of the fact that his new role is significantly more complex following the completion 
of the combination, the Committee determined that he should remain on his existing salary for the remainder of 2017/18. From 1 April 
2018, James Kidd's salary has been £500,000. 

David Ward ceased to be an Executive Director and so his remuneration arrangements after 19 February 2018 fall outside of the 
scope of this report.

Base salary with effect from

1 April 2017

1 April 2018

Craig Hayman

Increase

James Kidd

Increase

£700,000

£700,000

£450,000

0%

£500,000

11%

Benefits
In 2017/18, Executive Directors were provided with a car and fuel allowance totalling £19,200, and a £600 annual allowance towards a 
range of flexible benefits. There is no proposed change to either the benefits structure or quantum for 2018/19. Craig will receive 
reimbursement for relocation expenses up to a maximum of £70,000.

Pension 
Craig Hayman, James Kidd and David Ward are members of the AVEVA Group Personal Pension Plan (a defined contribution 
scheme). James Kidd receives a cash in lieu allowance in line with the detail in the policy table. The Company pension contributions will 
remain at 10% of salary.

Annual Incentive Scheme
For 2017/18, the maximum opportunity for Executive Directors under the annual incentive was 125% of base salary, requiring a stretch 
level of performance for full payout. Craig received a pro-rated bonus payment for 2017/18, and will be eligible for a full year's bonus 
payment for 2018/19, subject to the restrictions and conditions outlined in the policy table.

The performance targets were based on 
(1)  Group adjusted profit before tax (PBT) targets, with a maximum weighting of 80% of salary, 
(2)  Recurring revenue, with a maximum weighting of 25% of salary, and 
(3)  Key performance objectives, with a maximum of 20% of salary available. The key individual performance objectives are agreed 

with the Remuneration Committee at the start of each financial year, although this element will be capped at a maximum 
achievement of 10% should the Group adjusted PBT target not be met. 

The performance targets for 2018/19 are based on
(1)  Group adjusted PBT targets, with a weighting of 50% of salary,
(2)  Total Group revenue, with a weighting of 50% of salary, and
(3)  Key performance objectives, with a weighting of 25% of salary. As before, this element will be capped at a maximum achievement 

of half the available amount should the Group adjusted PBT target not be met.

The Board believes that, given the annual incentive scheme rewards the achievement of the annual business plan, the targets are 
market sensitive and therefore should not be disclosed in advance, but ordinarily will be disclosed retrospectively. 

40% of any award made under the Annual Incentive Scheme, irrespective of the amount, is payable in deferred shares as per the 
policy, and is subject to a three-year vesting period, but with no further performance conditions. There is no proposed change to either 
the annual incentive scheme structure or quantum for 2018/19.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements 
 
70

Remuneration Committee Report continued

Long-Term Incentive Plan
The structure of the LTIPs issued in 2017 and intended to be issued in 2018 are as summarised below:

LTIP performance element

Weighting

Minimum performance

Mid performance

Maximum performance

EPS growth

50%

25% vesting for growth of 5% 80% pays out for growth of 10% 100% vesting for growth of 15%

Relative TSR performance 25%

25% vesting at median 
performance (50th percentile)

Linear vesting between min and 
max performance

100% vesting if in the upper 
quartile (25th percentile)

Strategic objectives

25%

25% vesting at threshold

Linear vesting between min and 
max performance

100% vesting at maximum

The Committee will maintain the previous approach of a mix of TSR, EPS and strategic measures for the 2018 awards with the 
same weighting on each element as for the 2017 grants. The TSR element will maintain the same median to upper quartile scale 
although comparison will be made against a bespoke group of 23 international software companies rather than a sub-set of the 
FTSE 250. The TSR comparator group for the 2017 LTIP will not change from what was set and disclosed in the previous year's 
Remuneration Report. 

The strategic objectives will be a sliding scale of revenue growth targets, and link directly to the Company's strategic objectives, 
which can be found on pages 18 and 19. 25% of this element will vest at threshold level of performance, with full vesting at maximum 
achievement. The sole criterion is total revenue growth. Due to commercial sensitivity, the Committee does not believe it to be in 
shareholders’ interests to prospectively disclose details of the revenue growth targets. However, they will be objectively measurable 
and significant outperformance will be required to deliver full vesting, and the targets will be disclosed retrospectively following vesting, 
with vesting only occurring if the Committee is satisfied that the Company's underlying financial performance warrants such payment. 
The strategic objectives disclosed in last year's Remuneration Report were for Owner Operator revenue growth and More than 3D 
revenue growth. Following the combination, the Committee has determined that these two strategic measures are no longer relevant, 
and the achievement made in year 1 of the three year performance period should be ignored. For the 2017 LTIPs already issued, the 
replacement strategic measure shall be measured over a two-year period, being years 2 and 3 of the three-year performance period.

The Committee is considering the appropriate EPS scale for this grant in light of the creation of the enlarged group (but confirms that 
the 2018 award will not be subject to a lower scale than that applying for the 2017 grants). The Committee will confirm the EPS range 
in next year’s report together with an indication of the strategic measures (with the actual targets being disclosed at vesting consistent 
with current practice).

Single total figure of remuneration for Executive Directors (audited)
The following table sets out the single figure of total remuneration for Executive Directors for the 2017/18 and 2016/17 financial years. 

Craig Hayman 2017/18 (from 19 February 2018)

Craig Hayman 2016/17

James Kidd 2017/18 

James Kidd 2016/17

David Ward 2017/18 (until 19 February 2018)

David Ward 2016/17

Salary1 
£'000

Benefits 
£'000

80

–

450

351

266

168

2

–

20

20

18

15

Annual 
bonus 
£'000

48

–

562

63

332

31

LTIPs 
£'000

Pension 
£'000

–

–

–

–

–

–

7

–

39

30

27

17

Total
 £'000

137

–

1,071

464

643

231

1   Calculated as 1.37 months of £700,000 for Craig, and 10.63 months of £300,000 for David. Similar calculations apply for benefits, annual bonus and 

pension figures.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201871

Elements of single figure of remuneration for the year ended March 2018
The amounts of base salary, benefits and pension are as described on the previous two pages.

Annual incentive 
This reflects the total annual incentive paid and payable in July 2018 based on performance in the year ended 31 March 2018. This 
includes both the cash element of the bonus and the portion deferred into shares under the deferred share scheme. 

Whilst the financial targets were met in full in the year, the Committee determined that as Craig only joined the Board in February, he 
would be awarded only target levels of achievement, instead of the maximum amounts payable.

Metric

Thresholds (Min), Budget (Mid) and 
Targets (Max) 

Actual

% of Max 
achieved

Craig Hayman

James Kidd

David Ward

Max

Actual

Max

Actual

Max

Actual

Group (heritage AVEVA)  

Min: £57.48m, pays out 6.25% £67.81m

100% 80%

40%

80%

80%

80%

80%

adjusted PBT

Recurring revenue (heritage 
AVEVA)

Mid: £60.50m, pays out 50%

Max: £66.55m, pays out 100%

Min: £166.0m, pays out 20%

£184.2m

100% 25%

10%

25%

25%

25%

25%

Mid: £168.4m, pays out 40%

Max: £176.9m, pays out 100%

Strategic objectives

see below

see below

100% 20%

10%

20%

20%

20%

20%

Totals as a percentage of salary

Bonus receivable

Granted in cash (60%)

Granted in shares (40%)

1   Pro rated to 1.37 months for Craig Hayman
2   Pro rated to 10.63 months for David Ward

125%

60% 125% 125% 125% 125%

£47,9231

£28,754

£19,169

£562,500

£337,500

£225,000

£332,1882

£199,313

£132,875

Group adjusted PBT

Recurring revenue

Strategic objectives

100%

75%

50%

25%

0%

56

58

60

62

64

66

68

70

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

165

170

175

180

185

100%

75%

50%

25%

0%

< base

base

mid

stretch

 Profit   

 Actual   

 Revenue   

 Actual   

 Objectives   

 Actual   

The Executive Directors were given individual strategic objectives worth 20% of salary. For James and David, these all related to 
completion of the Schneider Electric Software transaction, specifically that all work had been completed so that the transaction could 
be announced by September 2017, that all relevant competition filings and EGM had occurred by December 2017 and that the deal 
completed by May 2018. All objectives were met and the deal completed on 1 March 2018. The Committee therefore consider that the 
targets have been met in full. Craig achieved two of his three objectives in the six weeks from date of joining, specifically that he 
completed a review of the organisational structure, and announced a new operating cadence and Executive Leadership Team to 
manage the business efficiently and consistently by 31 March 2018. Delivering a new corporate strategy was not achieved.

Long-Term Incentive Plan 
This includes the LTIP awards granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan in 2015 that were capable of vesting based on 
performance in the three-year period ended 31 March 2018.

These awards were subject to the delivery of EPS growth. 0% of awards vest for diluted adjusted EPS growth of less than 12% p.a., 
with 100% of awards vesting for diluted adjusted EPS growth of 20% p.a. Average diluted EPS growth for the three-year performance 
period did not reach the minimum 12% p.a. growth needed and therefore 0% of the LTIP awards shall vest.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements72

Remuneration Committee Report continued

Other information in relation to 2017/18
Scheme interests awarded in the year (audited)
The following tables set out details of the LTIP 2014 and deferred share awards made to the Executive Directors during 2017/18:

Executive Director

Date of grant

Basis of Award

Face Value of Awards1

Performance Period

Craig Hayman

6 March 2018

250% of base salary, pro-rated for service

James Kidd

8 September 2017

150% of base salary

David Ward

8 September 2017

150% of base salary

£300,0002

£675,000

£450,000

1 April 2017– 
31 March 2020

1  To determine the number of shares over which these awards were made, a share price was used of 1,851p for Craig's March 2018 grant, and 2,240p for 

James and David's September 2017 grant, being the average share price for the three days prior to the award.

2  Craig's award was rounded up to 2 complete months, and the result (£291,667) rounded up to £300,000. 

Deferred Share Awards

Executive Director

Date of grant

Basis of Award

Face Value of Awards3

Performance Period

James Kidd
David Ward

3 July 2017
3 July 2017

Deferred element of 
2016/17 annual incentive

£24,557
£13,034

No performance period.
Awards vest in equal tranches on the 
date of announcement in June 2018, 
May 2019 and May 2020

3  This is calculated as the number of deferred shares issued in the year, multiplied by the closing share price the day before the preliminary announcement last 

year (22 May 2017) of 2,043p.

Performance and Retention Awards (PRAs)
A one-off performance and retention award has been put in place for both James Kidd and David Ward subject to, and conditional 
upon, shareholder approval at the 2018 AGM. The gross initial grant values are £1,500,000 and £850,000 respectively. The awards 
are divided into two equal parts: (i) the retention award is subject to continued employment within the AVEVA Group, as well as the 
satisfaction of a performance underpin; and (ii) the performance award is subject to the same conditions as the retention award and in 
addition, further subject to satisfaction of stretching and challenging business and integration-related targets and objectives. Subject 
to the extent to which these performance targets and objectives are satisfied, the portion of the performance award that shall vest will 
be between 75% and 125% of the initial value. Note that the performance award is also subject to a performance underpin, and the 
Remuneration Committee may in its absolute discretion reduce the amount payable if they determine that, in its opinion, the amounts 
payable do not reflect the underlying performance of the Group or the individual during the relevant vesting period.

One third of the total award will vest and become payable from the first anniversary of the date of completion (i.e. 1 March 2019) and 
the remaining two thirds shall vest and become payable from the second anniversary (i.e. 1 March 2020), subject to continued 
employment and performance conditions as described above.

50% of the net cash amounts paid under the awards are required to be reinvested by the individual into acquiring ordinary shares in 
AVEVA Group plc, at market value, from the open market. These shares must be held for at least two years from the date of the share 
purchase, save for circumstances which the Committee determines to be exceptional, or if the individual is classified as a “good leaver”. 

The awards shall be subject to clawback, which shall be operable for a period of three years of the date of payment, if it is later 
determined that there has been an overpayment as a result of a misstatement of the accounts, an error or reliance upon incorrect 
information, assumptions or facts, or the individual's misconduct. 

Shareholding guidelines and interests in shares (audited)
Executive Directors are required to build up a shareholding from vested Long-term Incentive awards. Shares are valued for these 
purposes at the year-end price, which was 1,911p at 31 March 2018.

Craig Hayman
James Kidd
David Ward

Share ownership 
guideline as 
a % of base salary

Have 
guidelines 
been met?

Actual share ownership  
(as a % of base salary)

Shares owned outright  
at end of year

2017/18

2016/17

2017/18

2016/17

No
200%
200% On-target
n/a

0%

–
86%
13%

–
85%
5%

–
20,367
2,081

–
17,468
555

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201873

Outstanding scheme interests (audited)

Craig Hayman
LTIP
Deferred shares

James Kidd
LTIP
Deferred shares 

David Ward
LTIP
RSP2
Deferred shares 

As at 
1 April 
2017 

Normal 
grants  
during 
the year

Return of 
value and 
dividend 
equivalent

Exercised 
during
 the year1

Lapsed/ 
forfeited 
during
 the year

As at 
31 March 
2018

Exercise 
price 
(p)

Gain on 
exercise of 
share options

–
–

16,204
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

16,204
–

3.556
n/a

n/a
n/a

66,441
1,327

27,596
772

31,346
667

–
(899)

(16,550)
–

108,833
1,867

3.556
nil

n/a
22,2321

23,294
4,205
125

18,398
–
412

18,573
1,566
226

–
(1,401)
(125)

(3,584)
–
–

56,681
4,370
638

3.556
3.556
nil

n/a
33,4423
3,0911

1  Market value at exercise date was 2,473p
2  David Ward was granted Restricted Share Plan (RSP) awards in 2015 when he was part of the senior management team, prior to his Executive Director 

appointment

3  Market value at exercise date was 2,387p

Summary of LTIP targets for all LTIPs in issue
Existing AVEVA LTIPs
The following table sets out a summary of the performance targets attached to outstanding long-term incentive (LTI) awards.

Performance measures are based on diluted adjusted EPS 
compound annual growth over a three year period. 25% vests for 
diluted adjusted EPS growth of threshold, and 100% vests for diluted 
adjusted EPS growth of the maximum. For LTIs issued in 2014, 
2015 and 2016, linear interpolation applied between these points. 
For LTIs issued in 2017 and beyond, non-linear vesting will apply, as 
outlined in the table opposite. 

Adjusted EPS growth targets p.a.

Threshold

Midpoint

Maximum

Proportion of vesting

2017 LTIP 
and beyond

2016 LTIP 
and previous

25%

80%

100%

25%

62.5%

100%

Options granted 
to Executive 
Directors

Period of performance 
measurement

Diluted adjusted 
EPS1 growth 
threshold

Diluted adjusted 
EPS1 growth 
midpoint

Diluted adjusted 
EPS1 growth 
maximum

Diluted adjusted 
EPS1 growth 
achieved

Date of award

21 July 2014

49,429 2014/15 – 2016/17

21 July 2015

61,615 2015/16 – 2017/18

13 July 2016

86,712 2016/17 – 2018/19

8 September 2017 
6 March 2018

45,994 2017/18 – 2019/20
31,063

12%

12%

 5%

 5%

16%

16%

10%

10%

20%

20%

15%

15%

-9.1%

6.0%

Achievement

Target not met, 
award did not vest

Target not met, 
award did not vest

Performance period 
not yet completed

Performance period 
not yet completed

1  The definition of and figures used for diluted adjusted EPS are provided in note 13 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements on page 107. 

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements74

Remuneration Committee Report continued

Buy-out awards for new CEO
In order to secure Craig’s services the Company had to commit to compensate him by way of a “buy-out” for the loss of significant 
outstanding equity awards on leaving PTC, which had a maximum potential value of over £9 million. In structuring these buy-out 
awards we have followed best practice principles:

• the total potential buy-out is lower than the current expected value of the awards lost 
• those elements subject to pre-vesting performance conditions remain subject to conditions which are intended to be no less 
• no element of the buy-out is realised early.

challenging 

The value of the awards at grant totalled £5.5 million. Whilst this figure is significant in a UK context, the Remuneration Committee 
determined it was necessary and appropriate to make these awards. 

The structure of the awards is summarised as follows:

Award

Basis of Award

Retention

Fair value equivalence with awards 
forgone in previous employment

Sub total

Number of 
shares

104,862
66,238
22,015

Face value of
awards1

£1,945,000
£1,229,000
£408,000

193,115

£3,582,000

Percentage 
vesting at 
threshold 
performance

n/a
n/a
n/a

Vesting dates

15 November 2018
15 November 2019
15 November 2020

Performance period

AVEVA Group plc's relative TSR 

Performance

performance over a 2 or 3 year period

Sub total

Grand total

 40,766 
 31,299 
 31,299 

£756,000
£581,000
£581,000

103,364

£1,918,000

296,479

£5,500,000

25% 1 October 2015 – 30 September 2018
25% 1 October 2016 – 30 September 2018
25% 1 October 2016 – 30 September 2019

1   Shares are valued for these purposes at the date of Craig's appointment (19 February 2018).

In addition, the awards will be subject to an additional requirement that Craig would normally be required to pay back any amounts 
vesting (net of tax) if he resigned within 2.5 years of joining (or be dismissed for gross misconduct or under one of the summary 
termination provisions in his service agreement within 3 years of joining).

Dilution
The number of shares which may be allocated on exercise of any options granted under any of the Company’s share option schemes 
(including employee schemes) shall not, when aggregated with the number of shares which have been allocated in the previous ten 
years under these schemes, exceed 5% of the ordinary share capital of the Company in issue immediately prior to that date.

Payments made to past Directors (audited)
Richard Longdon received a salary of £31,250 per month for the period 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017 whilst he conducted the 
role of President. Following successful completion of his Presidential role, in December 2017 he was awarded a bonus equal in value 
to one-third of his calendar 2017 salary, or £125,000. This payment was not performance-related. LTIP awards previously granted 
shall vest as per the scheme rules, as summarised on page 65. There was no vesting of the 2015 LTIP as the target was not met.

David Ward continued on the same terms for the remainder of the year in which he served in his capacity as a Director. He ceased 
being a Director on 19 February 2018, after 10.63 months of the year. The figures disclosed in the tables in this report are pro-rated by 
this ratio. The payments made to David after this date were for 1.37 months of the year and totalled £76,900, comprising salary of 
£34,250, benefits of £2,261, pension contributions of £3,425 and bonus of £42,813.

No other payments were made during 2017/18.

Payments for loss of office (audited)
No payments were made for loss of office during 2017/18. 

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201875

Total shareholder return v. techMARK All-Share Index 2009–2018
The graph below shows performance, measured by total shareholder return, compared with the performance of the techMARK 
All-Share Index. Total shareholder return is the share price plus dividends reinvested compared against the techMARK All-Share 
Index, rebased to the start of the period.

Total shareholder return (GBP)

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0
2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

AVEVA Group

FTSE techMARK
All-Share

The Directors consider the techMARK All-Share Index to be an appropriate choice as the Index includes AVEVA Group plc.

CEO single figure nine year history
The table below shows the nine year history of the CEO single figure of total remuneration:

2009/10

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

Richard Longdon  

(to 31 December 2016)

James Kidd (1 January 2017  

to 18 February 2018)

Craig Hayman (19 February 

2018 onwards)

CEO single figure of total 
remuneration (£‘000)1

Annual incentive pay-out (% of 

maximum)

LTIP pay-out (% of maximum)

818

695

1,003

963

1,163

517

561

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

818

695

1,003

963

1,163

100%
100%

100%
0%

68%
100%

94%
33%

50%
94%

–

–

517

8%
0%

395

127

–

–

949

137

–

–

561

522

1,086

8%
0%

18%
0%

91%2
0%

1  Following the merger with SES, Craig Hayman became CEO on 19 February and James Kidd became Deputy CEO and CFO. The CEO single figure of total 
remuneration represents the sum of the total remuneration received by James for the first 10.63 months of the year and by Craig since his date of joining. 

2  Calculated as the weighted average of James receiving 100% of maximum and Craig receiving 48% of maximum.

Change in remuneration of the Director undertaking the role of CEO (audited)
The table below illustrates the percentage change in salary, benefits and annual incentive for the CEO and two selected sub-sets of 
employees (including only those employees who were employed at the start of the 2016/17 financial year through to the end of the 
2017/18 financial year on a heritage AVEVA basis). The UK employee base has been chosen because this is where the Group offices 
of heritage AVEVA are headquartered, and employed just over one-quarter of its workforce (at the date the comparison data is 
targeted, 1 April 2017). Typical salary inflation in some other AVEVA locations is materially higher than the UK, which would distort 
the comparison.

% change (2016/17 to 2017/18)

Base Salary
Benefits
Annual Bonus

Executive 
Leadership 
Team

UK 
employees

15%
0%
456%

2.5%
0%
242%

CEO

2%
0%
407%

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements76

Remuneration Committee Report continued

Relative importance of spend on pay
The chart below illustrates the year-on-year change in total remuneration for all employees in the Group compared to adjusted profit 
before tax and distributions to shareholders. The Committee determined adjusted profit before tax was an appropriate measure for 
this chart as it is one of the Group’s key performance indicators and is the primary measure for the annual incentive scheme.

Relative importance of spend on pay (GBP millions)

2017/18

2016/17

Employee
staff costs

Adjusted profit
before tax

Dividends
declared1

 223.0

 243.9 | +9.4%

97.4

 117.2 | +20.3%

17.3

 43.5 | +151%

1  Dividends declared during the year represent the sum of the interim and final dividends for the reported year.

Outside appointments
The Board believes that accepting Non-Executive appointments with other companies enhances the experience of Executive 
Directors and therefore they are entitled to accept appointments outside of the Company provided that Board approval is sought prior 
to accepting the appointment. Whether or not the Director concerned is permitted to retain their fees is considered on a case-by-case 
basis. None of Craig, James nor David held any outside appointments during the periods they acted as Directors.

Total pension entitlements 
The Company's defined benefit scheme is not open to new members, and none of the Executive Directors in the year are or have ever 
been a member. All the Executive Directors in the year were members of the AVEVA Group Personal Pension Plan, a defined 
contribution pension scheme. All Directors by virtue of their level of income are subject to a cap on pension contributions of £10,000 
per annum. David was able to utilise unused carryover from previous years, whereas James has no carryover available and thus 
elected to receive a cash alternative, as allowed under the policy. During 2017/18, David, in his capacity as a Director, received 
employer contributions of £26,575 (2016/17 – £16,794), James received cash in lieu of contributions of £38,790 (2016/17 – £30,300), 
and Craig received employer contributions of £6,885 (2016/17 - nil).

Non-Executive Directors (NEDs)
Single total figure of remuneration for Non-Executive Directors (audited)
As noted in the Policy Report, the fees for the Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors are determined taking account of the 
individuals’ responsibilities, time devoted to the role and prevalent market rates. 

The table below shows a single figure of remuneration for each of our Non-Executive Directors. 

Philip Aiken (Chairman)
Philip Dayer (resigned 7 July 2017)
Jennifer Allerton1
Christopher Humphrey (appointed 8 July 2016)2
Ron Mobed (appointed 1 March 2017)
Emmanuel Babeau (appointed 1 March 2018)3
Peter Herweck (appointed 1 March 2018)3

Jennifer was appointed Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 7 July 2017, following Philip Dayer's retirement

1 
2  Christopher was appointed Senior Independent Director on 7 July 2017, following Philip Dayer's retirement
3  Emmanuel and Peter have waived their fees for their first three-year term (1 March 2018 to 28 February 2021)

2017/18  
fees 
£

2016/17 
fees
 £

192,000
19,735
58,674
70,174
50,300
–
–

187,000
71,500
49,000
43,834
4,083
–
–

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201877

Implementation of remuneration policy for NEDs in 2018/19
NEDs do not participate in any of the company’s incentive arrangements nor do they receive any benefits. Their fees are reviewed at 
appropriately regular intervals, usually annually, against those for companies of a similar scale and complexity to AVEVA, and were last 
reviewed in February 2018 when the Board and Chairman fees were increased 19% and 41% respectively to reflect the significant 
increase in market capitalisation, company size and time commitment expected of NEDs. The increased fees were introduced with 
effect from 1 April 2018. The Chairman’s fees are set by the Committee and the Chief Executive; those for the NEDs are set by the 
Board as a whole. The table below shows the annual fees payable for each of the NED roles held in the year.

Role

Chairman
Basic Non-Executive Director fee
Vice Chairman
Committee Chairman fee (Audit and Remuneration)
Senior Independent Director

2018/19 
fees 
£

270,000
60,000
40,000
11,500
11,500

2017/18 
fees 
£

192,000
50,300
n/a
11,500
11,500

NEDs’ interests in shares (audited)
The table shows the interests in AVEVA ordinary shares of Non-Executive Directors and their connected persons.

Philip Aiken (Chairman)
Jennifer Allerton
Christopher Humphrey
Ron Mobed
Emmanuel Babeau
Peter Herweck

Shares 
owned 
outright at 
31 March 
2018

2,337
12,000
4,000
3,000
–
–

Shares 
owned 
outright at 
31 March 
2017

1,537
6,000
3,000
–
–
–

There have been no changes to Directors’ holdings between the year-end date and the publication of this report.

This Remuneration Committee report has been approved by the Board of Directors and is signed on its behalf by:

Jennifer Allerton
Remuneration Committee Chair
14 June 2018

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements78

Other statutory information

Results and dividends
The Group made a profit for the year 
after taxation of £47.7 million (2017 – 
£38.4 million). Revenue was £499.1 
million (2017 – £432.8 million) and 
comprised software licences, software 
maintenance and services.

The Directors recommend the payment 
of a final dividend of 27.0 pence per 
ordinary share (2017 – 27.0 pence). If 
approved at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting, the final dividend will be 
paid on 3 August 2018 to shareholders 
on the register at close of business on 
6 July 2018.

Business review and  
future developments
A review of the Group’s operations during 
the year and its plans for the future is 
given in the Chairman’s Statement, the 
Chief Executive’s Strategic Review and 
the Finance Review.

The Key Performance Indicators used by 
AVEVA to measure its own performance 
at the Group level include total revenue, 
recurring revenue, adjusted profit before 
tax, adjusted diluted earnings per share 
and headcount and are provided in full on 
page 35. The figures for the year ended 
31 March 2018 are set out on page 35, 
together with figures for the previous year, 
and a discussion of the principal risks and 
uncertainties facing the Group is included 
on pages 31 to 34.

Research & Development
The Group continues an active 
programme of Research & Development 
which covers the updating of, and 
extension to, the Group’s range of 
products.

Intellectual property
The Group owns intellectual property 
both in its software tools and the products 
derived from them. The Directors consider 
such properties to be of significant value 
to the business and have a comprehensive 
programme to protect it.

Financial instruments
The Group’s financial risk management 
objectives and policies are discussed 
in note 26 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Directors and their interests
The current Directors are shown, together 
with brief biographical details, on pages 
44 and 45. Resolutions will be submitted 
to the Annual General Meeting for the 
re-election of all current Directors. David 
Ward served as a Director during the year, 
holding the position of Chief Financial 
Officer until 19 February 2018.

The interests (all of which are beneficial) in 
the shares of the Company of Directors 
who held office at 31 March 2018 in 
respect of transactions notifiable under 
Disclosure and Transparency Rule 3.1.2 
that have been disclosed to the Company 
are as follows:

At 31 March 
2018 
ordinary 
shares

At 31 March 
2017 
ordinary 
shares

Philip Aiken 
Craig Hayman
James Kidd
Jennifer Allerton
Chris Humphrey
Ron Mobed
Emmanuel Babeau
Peter Herweck

2,337
–
20,367
12,000
4,000
3,000
–
–

1,537
–
17,468
6,000
3,000
–
–
–

No changes took place in the interests of 
Directors in the shares of the Company 
between 31 March 2018 and 14 June 
2018.

Directors’ share options are disclosed in 
the Remuneration Committee Report on 
pages 72 and 73.

No Director had a material interest in any 
significant contract, other than a service 
contract or contract for services, with the 
Company or any of its subsidiaries at any 
time during the year.

Conflicts of interest
Throughout the year the Company has 
operated effective procedures to deal with 
potential or actual conflicts of interest. 
During the year no conflict arose requiring 
the Board to exercise its authority or 
discretion.

Share capital
Details of the issued share capital can be 
found in note 30 to the consolidated 
financial statements. The rights attaching 
to the Company’s shares are set out in its 
Articles of Association.

Subject to any restrictions referred to in 
the next section, members may attend 
any general meeting of the Company.

There are no restrictions on the transfer of 
ordinary shares in the Company other 
than: certain restrictions which may from 
time to time be imposed by laws and 
regulations (for example, insider trading 
laws); and pursuant to the Listing Rules of 
the Financial Conduct Authority whereby 
Directors and certain employees of the 
Company require the approval of the 
Company to deal in the ordinary shares 
and pursuant to the Articles of 
Association where there is default in 
supplying the Company with information 
concerning interests in the Company’s 
shares. There are no special control rights 
in relation to the Company’s shares.

Voting rights
Subject to any restrictions below, on a 
show of hands every member who is 
present in person or by proxy at a general 
meeting has one vote on each resolution 
and, on a poll, every member who is 
present in person or by proxy has one 
vote on each resolution for every share 
of which he/she is the registered member. 
A proxy will have one vote for and one 
vote against a resolution on a show of 
hands in certain circumstances specified 
in the Articles of Association. The Notice 
of Annual General Meeting specifies 
deadlines for exercising rights.

A resolution put to the vote of a general 
meeting is decided on a show of hands, 
unless before or on the declaration of the 
result of the show of hands, a poll is 
demanded by the Chairman of the 
meeting. The Articles of the Company 
also allow members, in certain 
circumstances, to demand that a 
resolution is decided by a poll.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201879

Appointment of Directors
The Articles of Association limit the 
number of Directors to not less than two 
and not more than ten save where 
members decide otherwise. Members 
may appoint Directors by ordinary 
resolution and may remove any Director 
(subject to the giving of special notice) 
and, if desired, replace such removed 
Director by ordinary resolution. New 
Directors may be appointed by the Board 
but are subject to election by members at 
the first Annual General Meeting after 
their appointment. A Director may be 
removed from office if requested by all 
other Directors.

The Company’s Articles of Association 
require that at each AGM there shall retire 
from office (and be subject to re-election 
by members) any Director who shall have 
been a Director at the preceding two 
Annual General Meetings and who was 
not appointed or re-appointed then or 
subsequently. However, in accordance 
with the UK Corporate Governance Code, 
the Company requires all Directors who 
held office at 31 March 2018 to stand for 
re-election.

There are no agreements between 
holders of securities that are known to the 
Company which may result in restrictions 
on the transfer of securities or on voting 
rights, save as described below in relation 
to the Employee Benefit Trust.

Change of control
All of the Company’s share-based plans 
contain provisions relating to change of 
control. Outstanding awards and options 
normally vest and become exercisable on 
a change of control, subject to the 
satisfaction of any relevant performance 
conditions at that time.

There are no other significant agreements 
to which the Company is a party that take 
effect, alter or terminate upon a change of 
control of the Company following a 
takeover bid.

There are no agreements between the 
Company and its Directors or employees 
providing for compensation for loss of 
office or employment that occurs 
because of a takeover bid.

Articles of Association 
Any amendments to the Articles of 
Association of the Company may be 
made in accordance with the provisions of 
the Companies Act by way of special 
resolution.

Powers of the Directors
The business of the Company is 
managed by the Directors, who may 
exercise all powers of the Company, 
subject to the Company’s Articles of 
Association, relevant statutory law and to 
any direction that may be given by the 
Company in general meeting by special 
resolution. Subject to the Companies Act, 
shares may be issued by Board 
resolution. At the Company’s last Annual 
General Meeting, powers were granted to 
the Directors (subject to limits set out in 
the resolutions) to issue and to buy back 
its own shares; similar powers are 
proposed to be granted at the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 
The buy-back authority was limited to 
10% of the Company’s issued share 
capital. No shares have been bought back 
under this authority.

A member may vote personally or by 
proxy at a general meeting. Any form of 
proxy must be delivered to the Company 
not less than 48 hours before the time 
appointed for holding the meeting or 
adjourned meeting at which the person 
named in the appointment proposes to 
vote (for this purpose, the Directors may 
specify that no account shall be taken of 
any part of a day that is not a working 
day). A corporation which is a member of 
the Company may authorise such 
persons as it thinks fit to act as its 
representatives at any general meeting of 
the Company.

No member shall be entitled to attend or 
vote, either personally or by proxy, at a 
general meeting in respect of any share if 
any call or other sum presently payable to 
the Company in respect of such share 
remains unpaid or in certain other 
circumstances specified in the Articles of 
Association where there is default in 
supplying the Company with information 
concerning interests in the Company’s 
shares.

Dividends, distributions  
and liquidation
Members can declare final dividends by 
passing an ordinary resolution but the 
amount of the dividends cannot exceed 
the amount recommended by the Board. 
The Board can pay interim dividends 
provided the distributable profits of the 
Company justify such payment. The 
Board may, if authorised by an ordinary 
resolution of the members, offer any 
member the right to elect to receive new 
shares, which will be credited as fully paid, 
instead of their cash dividend. Any 
dividend which has not been claimed for 
12 years after it became due for payment 
will be forfeited and will then revert to the 
Company. Members may share in surplus 
assets on a liquidation.

If the Company is wound up, the liquidator 
can, with the sanction of the members by 
special resolution and any other sanction 
required by law, divide among the 
members all or any part of the assets of 
the Company and he/she can value any 
assets and determine how the divisions 
shall be carried out as between the 
members or different classes of 
members. The liquidator can also transfer 
the whole or any part of the assets to 
trustees upon any trusts for the benefit of 
the members. No members can be 
compelled to accept any asset which 
would give them any liability.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements80

Other statutory information continued

Substantial shareholdings
Interests in the ordinary share capital of 
the Company are set out in the table 
below.

Name of holder

The Company had been notified, in 
accordance with Disclosure and 
Transparency Rule 5, of the following 
interests in the ordinary share capital of  
the Company:

As at  
31 March 2018

As at  
31 May 2018

Number

Percentage 
held %

Number

Percentage 
held %

Directors’ indemnity 
The Company has granted an indemnity 
to its Directors against liability in respect 
of proceedings brought by third parties, 
subject to the conditions set out in the 
Companies Act. Such qualifying third 
party indemnity provision remains in 
force as at the date of approving the 
Directors’ report.

Greenhouse gas emissions 
reporting
The Company is required to state the 
annual quantity of emissions in tonnes of 
carbon dioxide equivalent from activities 
for which the Group is responsible, 
including the combustion of fuel, the 
operation of any facility, and resulting 
from the purchase of electricity, heat, 
steam or cooling. Details of our emissions 
are set out within the Corporate 
Responsibility section of the Strategic 
Report and form part of the Directors’ 
Report disclosures.

Auditor
A resolution to re-appoint Ernst & Young 
LLP as auditor for the ensuing year will be 
put to the members at the Annual General 
Meeting.

Schneider Electric SE

97,169,655

60.3% 97,169,655

60.3%

Aberdeen Standard Investments

6,601,779

4.1% 7,401,814

4.6%

Listing Rules disclosures
For the purpose of LR9.8.4C R, the only 
applicable information required to be 
disclosed in accordance with LR9.8.4 R 
can be found in the section below titled 
Employee Benefit Trust. The information 
concerned is in respect of shareholder 
waiver of dividends and future dividends.

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held 
on 11 July 2018 at Ashurst LLP, Broadwalk 
House, 5 Appold Street, London, EC2A 
2HA. The Notice of the Annual General 
Meeting is being sent to shareholders 
along with this Annual Report, which 
contains details of the resolutions 
proposed.

Employee Benefit Trust
The AVEVA Group Employee Benefit 
Trust 2008 was established in 2008 to 
facilitate satisfying the transfer of shares 
to employees within the Group on 
exercise of vested options under the 
various share option and deferred bonus 
share plans of the Company. The Trust 
holds a total of 14,758 ordinary shares in 
AVEVA Group plc representing 0.01% 
(2017 – 10,857 shares representing 
0.02%) of the issued share capital at the 
date of this report. Under the terms of the 
Trust deed governing the Trust, the 
trustees are required (unless the 
Company directs otherwise) to waive all 
dividends and abstain from voting in 
respect of ordinary shares in AVEVA 
Group plc held by the Trust except where 
beneficial ownership of any such ordinary 
shares was passed to a beneficiary of the 
Trust. In the same way as other 
employees, the Executive Directors of the 
Company are potential beneficiaries 
under the Trust.

Disabled employees
The Group gives full consideration to 
applications for employment from 
disabled persons where the candidate’s 
particular aptitudes and abilities are 
consistent with adequately meeting the 
requirements of the job. Opportunities are 
available to disabled employees for 
training, career development and 
promotion.

Where existing employees become 
disabled, it is the Group’s policy to provide 
continuing employment wherever 
practicable in the same or an alternative 
position and to provide appropriate 
training to achieve this aim as well as 
reasonable adjustments to the workplace 
and other support mechanisms.

Employee involvement
The Group places considerable value on 
the involvement of its employees and has 
continued to keep them informed of 
matters affecting them as employees and 
on the various factors affecting the 
performance of the Group. This is 
achieved through formal and informal 
meetings, employee newsletters, the 
Group intranet and presentations from 
senior management. All employees are 
entitled to receive an annual discretionary 
award related to the overall profitability of 
the Group subject to the performance of 
the individual and the Group. The Group 
conducts employee-wide surveys from 
time to time to gauge the success or 
otherwise of its policies and uses this 
information to improve matters as 
appropriate.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201881

Responsibility statement pursuant  
to FCA’s Disclosure and 
Transparency Rule 4 (DTR 4)
Each Director of the Company (whose 
names and functions appear on pages 44 
and 45) confirms that (solely for the 
purpose of DTR 4) to the best of their 
knowledge:

• the financial statements in this 

document, prepared in accordance 
with the applicable UK law and 
applicable accounting standards, give 
a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit 
of the Company and the undertakings 
included in the consolidation taken as 
a whole; and

• the Strategic Report and the Directors’ 

Report include a fair review of the 
development and performance of the 
business and the position of the 
Company and the undertakings 
included in the consolidation taken as 
a whole, together with a description of 
the principal risks and uncertainties 
that they face.

On behalf of the Board

Craig Hayman
Chief Executive
14 June 2018

James Kidd 
Deputy Chief Executive & Chief Financial 
Officer
14 June 2018

This Directors’ Report has been approved 
by the Board of Directors and is signed 
on its behalf by:

David Ward
Deputy CFO & Company Secretary
14 June 2018

Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities in relation  
to the financial statements
The Directors are responsible for 
preparing the Annual Report and the 
financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations.

The Directors are required to prepare 
consolidated financial statements for each 
financial year in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the 
European Union. The Directors have 
elected to prepare the parent company 
financial statements in accordance with 
United Kingdom General Accepted 
Accounting Practice (United Kingdom 
Accounting Standards and applicable law 
including FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure 
Framework”). Under company law the 
Directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that 
they give a true and fair view of the state 
of affairs of the Company and of the 
undertakings included in the consolidation 
as a whole as at the end of the financial 
year and the profit or loss of the 
undertakings included in the consolidation 
as a whole, so far as concerns members 
of the Company, for the financial year. In 
preparing those Consolidated financial 
statements, the Directors are required to:

accordance with IAS 8;

• select and apply accounting policies in 
• present information, including 

accounting policies, in a manner that 
provides relevant, reliable, comparable 
and understandable information; and

• provide additional disclosures when 

compliance with the specific 
requirements in IFRSs is insufficient to 
enable users to understand the impact 
of particular transactions, other events 
and conditions on the entity’s financial 
position and financial performance.

The Directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records which are 
sufficient to disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the financial position 
of the Company and enable them to 
ensure that the financial statements 
comply with the Companies Act 2006 
and, as regards the Group financial 
statements, Article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation. They are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the Company 
and hence for taking reasonable steps for 
the prevention and detection of fraud and 
other irregularities.

Disclosure of information 
to auditor
The Directors who were members of 
the Board at the time of approving the 
Directors’ Report are listed on pages 44 
and 45. Each of these Directors 
confirms that:

• so far as he/she is aware, there is no 

relevant audit information (as defined 
by Section 418 of the Companies Act 
2006) of which the Company’s auditor 
is unaware; and

• he/she has taken all the steps he/she 

ought to have taken as a Director in 
order to make himself/herself aware of 
any such relevant audit information 
and to establish that the Company’s 
auditor is aware of that information.

Fair and balanced reporting
Having taken advice from the Audit 
Committee, the Board considers the 
Annual Report and Accounts, taken  
as a whole, is fair, balanced and 
understandable and that it provides the 
information necessary for shareholders  
to assess the Company’s position 
and performance, business model 
and strategy.

In preparing the parent company financial 
statements, the Directors are required to:

then apply them consistently;

• select suitable accounting policies and 
• make judgments and accounting 

estimates that are reasonable and 
prudent;

• state whether applicable UK 

Accounting Standards have been 
followed, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in 
the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the 

going concern basis unless it is 
inappropriate to presume that the 
Company will continue in business.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements82

STRONG FINANCIAL 
PERFORMANCE

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Financial Statements
84 
93  Consolidated income statement
 Consolidated statement of   
94 
comprehensive income
95  Consolidated balance sheet
96 

97 
98 

 Consolidated statement of changes   
in shareholders’ equity
 Consolidated cash f low statement
 Notes to the consolidated  
f inancial statements
129  Company balance sheet
130   Company statement of changes  

in shareholders’ equity
 Notes to the Company f inancial statements

131 
135   Statement of Group accounting policies
140  Unaudited pro forma combined   

income statement

141  Unaudited pro forma combined   

cash f low statement

142  Notes to the unaudited pro forma  

f inancial statements

145  Full list of addresses and subsidiaries
 Company information and advisers
ibc 

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201883

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements84

Independent Auditor's Report  
to the Members of AVEVA Group plc

Opinion
In our opinion:
• AVEVA Group plc’s Group financial statements and parent company financial statements (the “financial statements”) give a true 

and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 March 2018 and of the group’s profit for the 
year then ended;

• the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;
• the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
• the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, and, as regards the 

Accounting Practice including FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”; and

group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

We have audited the financial statements of AVEVA Group Plc which comprise:

Group

Parent company

Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 March 2018

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2018

Consolidated income statement for the year then ended

Statement of changes in equity for the year then ended

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year 
then ended

Related notes 1 to 9 to the financial statements including a summary 
of significant accounting policies

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then 
ended

Consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended

Related notes 1 to 31 to the financial statements, including a 
summary of significant accounting policies

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the group financial statements is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. The financial reporting framework that has 
been applied in the preparation of the parent company financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards, including FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework” (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 
section of our report below. We are independent of the group and parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are 
relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest 
entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 
2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state 
to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume 
responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the 
opinions we have formed.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
85

managed or mitigated;

Conclusions relating to principal risks, going concern and viability statement
We have nothing to report in respect of the following information in the annual report, in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to 
report to you whether we have anything material to add or draw attention to:

• the disclosures in the annual report set out on pages 31–34 that describe the principal risks and explain how they are being 
• the directors’ confirmation set out on pages 31–34 in the annual report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the 
• the directors’ statement set out on pages 31–34 in the financial statements about whether they considered it appropriate to adopt 

principal risks facing the entity, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity;

the going concern basis of accounting in preparing them, and their identification of any material uncertainties to the entity’s ability to 
continue to do so over a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements;

9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or

• whether the directors’ statement in relation to going concern required under the Listing Rules in accordance with Listing Rule 
• the directors’ explanation set out on pages 31–34 in the annual report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the entity, 

over what period they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they 
have a reasonable expectation that the entity will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the 
period of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

Overview of our audit approach

Key audit matters

• Risk of inappropriate revenue recognition on software licence contracts, in particular:

–  Inappropriate application of the group revenue recognition policy and IAS 18 (Revenue) for licence revenue 
recognition, could result in, for example, revenue being recorded when performance obligations have not 
been satisfied, incorrect deferral of revenue for support and maintenance and other obligations; and

–  Inappropriate licence revenue recognition in relation to cut off, as revenue may not have been recognised in 

the correct accounting period, including the risk of possible manipulation of project margins by 
management through estimates to complete on Percentage of Completion (PoC) projects, particularly 
where progress as of year-end is greater than 10% and less than 90% complete.

• Acquisition accounting, including determining whether the transaction meets the definition of a reverse 

acquisition based upon the requirements of IFRS 3 – Business Combinations and the audit of the judgements 
and assumptions applied by management to calculate the purchase price allocation and fair value 
adjustments to identifiable assets.

Audit scope

Materiality

specific balances for a further nine components.

• We performed an audit of the complete financial information of seven components and audit procedures on 
• The components where we performed full or specific audit procedures accounted for 98% of adjusted Profit 
• Overall Group materiality of £3.5m which represents 5% of adjusted pre-tax profit.

before tax 76% of Revenue and 91% of Total assets.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) 
that we identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources 
in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 
financial statements as a whole, and in our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial StatementsKey observations communicated to 
the Audit Committee

We conclude that revenue 
recognised in the year, and 
deferred as at 31 March 
2018, is materially correct on 
the basis of our procedures 
performed both at group and 
by component audit teams.

86

Independent Auditor's Report continued

Risk

Our response to the risk

Risk of inappropriate revenue 
recognition on software licence 
contracts – £499.1m (2017 – 
£432.8m)

We have reviewed and walked through the central process over the 
approval and recognition of revenue contracts across the group.

We have walked through and assessed the design effectiveness of 
key management controls over data input and IT.

In particular, the risks are:

• Inappropriate application 

of the group revenue 
recognition policy and IAS 18 
(Revenue) for licence revenue 
recognition, could result in, 
for example, revenue being 
recorded when performance 
obligations have not been 
satisfied, incorrect deferral 
of revenue for support and 
maintenance and other 
obligations; and

• Inappropriate licence revenue 

recognition in relation to 
cut off, as revenue may not 
have been recognised in the 
correct accounting period, 
including the risk of possible 
manipulation of project 
margins by management 
through estimates to 
complete on Percentage of 
Completion (PoC) projects, 
particularly where progress 
as of year-end is greater 
than 10% and less than 90% 
complete.

Refer to the Audit Committee 
Report (page 52); Accounting 
policies (page 98); and Note 2 
of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements (page 93).

A summary of our key procedures are:

agreements;

We have performed licence revenue transaction testing at a local and 
group level to ensure that revenue has been recorded in accordance 
with the Group’s revenue recognition policy and IAS 18 and has 
been appropriately recorded in the current year income statement or 
deferred on the balance sheet as appropriate. This was achieved by 
testing a sample of contracts by:

customers and prior to revenue recognition;

• agreeing licence revenues to signed contracts or software licence 
• agreeing the revenue to subsequent payment as evidence of 
• checking evidence to support that software has been delivered to 
• reviewing contract terms for any conditions that would impact the 
• ensuring appropriate allocation of the fair value and recognition of 
• assessing whether revenue has been recognised in line with the 

timing of revenue recognition and in turn the completeness of 
deferred revenue;

revenue for other deliverables included within the contract; and

Group’s revenue recognition policy and IAS 18.

collectability;

We selected a sample of revenue journals and assessed the 
appropriateness of the journal by checking to supporting evidence 
and ensuring compliance with the Group’s revenue recognition 
policy and IAS 18. The sample selected was based on risk based 
criteria including but not limited to manual journal entries, those 
close to period end and postings that are inconsistent with roles and 
responsibilities.

We have performed an independent assessment as to whether the 
fair value rate of the support and maintenance is still applicable and 
that any non-standard contracts have an appropriate fair value rate 
applied.

To validate our understanding of contractual terms with customers 
and to identify any contractual issues or any ongoing contractual 
obligations, we made enquiries of management outside the finance 
function, including the sales team and legal counsel to ensure that 
appropriate obligations and commitments had been recorded in the 
financial statements.

We have performed a test of detail on a sample of deferred revenue 
and accrued revenue items to ensure it is in accordance with the 
revenue recognition principles.

We have performed analytical review by revenue stream and 
geography to assess unexpected trends and patterns that could be 
indicative of incorrect revenue recognition. 

We have performed cut-off testing for a sample of revenue items 
booked either side of year end to ensure that licence revenue was 
only recognised for software in the period where the contract was 
signed by both AVEVA and the customer prior to year-end and the 
software has been made available prior to the year end. For projects 
accounted for under ‘Percentage of Completion’ (PoC), we evaluated 
judgements made by the management regarding the expected costs 
to complete estimate and the timing and recognition of variation 
orders. We also tested the cut-off of project costs.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201887

Risk

Our response to the risk

Key observations communicated to 
the Audit Committee

We concluded that the 
transaction was properly 
accounted for as a reverse 
acquisition in accordance 
with IFRS 3, and fair value 
adjustments and Purchase 
Price Allocation are materially 
correct.

Acquisition accounting
On 1 March 2018, AVEVA Group 
plc acquired the Schneider 
Electric software business for 
£550m in cash, in exchange 
for 60% of its fully diluted share 
capital. Judgement is required 
in determining whether the 
transaction meets the definition 
of a reverse acquisition based 
upon the requirements of IFRS 
3 – Business Combinations.

As the acquisition accounting 
is complex and the associated 
balances are highly material, 
we have designated this as an 
audit risk in the current year. 
The Group has calculated the 
Purchase Price Allocation and 
identified fair value adjustments 
to identifiable assets. The 
identification and valuation of 
intangibles is a judgemental 
area and involves a number of 
management assumptions.

We tested management’s approach to project accounting, including 
projects acquired as a result of the Schneider transaction.

Where detailed procedures were performed by overseas teams, 
the primary team exercised oversight of the testing and performed 
additional testing of contracts over £5m or containing non-standard 
terms.

For related party transactions between Schneider Electric Software 
and the Schneider Electric Group, we obtained evidence that the 
performance obligations had been fulfilled and that they form part of 
the related party disclosures.

We performed full and specific scope audit procedures over this 
risk area in 15 locations, which covered 76% of the risk amount. As 
a primary team, we also performed specified procedures over the 
revenue in 2 locations, which covered 3% of the risk amount.

We assessed whether management’s judgement that the transaction 
was a reverse acquisition in accordance with IFRS 3, was the 
appropriate accounting treatment.

We reviewed management’s accounting paper setting out how 
the control criteria have been achieved and corroborated this to 
supporting evidence. We also obtained the Purchase Price Allocation 
(PPA) prepared by management’s experts. We read the sales and 
purchase agreement to check whether the terms and conditions 
of the transaction have accurately been reflected in the accounting 
entries and management’s Purchase Price Allocation.

We assessed the key information used in determining the purchase 
price allocation including the discount rate, cash flow forecasts and 
other prospective financial information and the useful lives assigned, 
utilising our specialist support as necessary.

As described in the ‘Other matter’ paragraph below, the comparative 
information presented in these consolidated financial statements 
is that of the acquired Schneider Electric software business. We 
obtained sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the opening 
balances, including the selection and application of accounting 
principles. This included a review of Ernst & Young Audit (France)’s 
working papers in connection with its assurance opinion on those 
balances, under the Standards for Investment Reporting issued by 
the Auditing Practices Board in the United Kingdom. In this review, 
we considered whether further procedures were required to align 
with the requirements of ISAs (UK). We also performed procedures 
to compare the application of accounting principles and presentation 
with AVEVA Group plc.

Together with our valuation specialists we corroborated material 
opening net assets, fair value adjustments, and separately identifiable 
tangible and intangible assets, including adjustments necessary to 
align the accounting policies.

We assessed the tax methodology and rates applied by 
management when calculating the associated deferred tax 
adjustments arising from the acquisition accounting.

As a primary team. we read the disclosures within the annual report 
and accounts in relation to the business combination to establish 
whether they have been prepared in accordance with applicable 
accounting standards.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements88

Independent Auditor's Report continued

Other matter
As described in note 14 to the consolidated financial statements, the Group acquired the Schneider Electric Software business in the 
year and has accounted for the business combination as a reverse acquisition under IFRS 3 Business Combinations. As a result, the 
comparative information in the consolidated financial statements is that of the Schneider Electric Software business and not of 
AVEVA Group plc. That comparative information was reported on by Ernst & Young Audit (France), under the Standards for 
Investment Reporting issued by the Auditing Practices Board in the United Kingdom, in an unqualified opinion. We describe the work 
we performed on the comparative information in the “Acquisition accounting” section of “Key audit matters” above.

An overview of the scope of our audit
Tailoring the scope
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and our allocation of performance materiality determine our audit scope for 
each entity within the Group. Taken together, this enables us to form an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We take into 
account size, risk profile, the organisation of the group and effectiveness of group-wide controls, changes in the business environment 
when assessing the level of work to be performed at each entity.

In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the Group financial statements, and to ensure we had adequate quantitative coverage 
of significant accounts in the financial statements, of the 68 reporting components of the Group, we selected 15 components covering 
entities within the UK, US, Canada, Germany, France, Korea, Brazil, China, India, Italy, and Australia which represent the principal 
business units within the Group.

Of the 15 components selected, we performed an audit of the complete financial information of seven components (“full scope 
components”) which were selected based on their size or risk characteristics. For the remaining eight components (“specific scope 
components”), we performed audit procedures on specific accounts within that component that we considered had the potential for 
the greatest impact on the significant accounts in the financial statements either because of the size of these accounts or their risk 
profile.

The reporting components where we performed audit procedures accounted for 98% (2017 – 65%) of the Group’s adjusted Profit 
before tax, 76% (2017 – 87%) of the Group’s Revenue and 91% of the Group’s Total assets. For the current year, the full scope 
components contributed 64% (2017 – 66%) of the Group’s adjusted Profit before tax, 62% (2017 – 75%) of the Group’s Revenue and 
88% of the Group’s Total assets. The specific scope component contributed 34% (2017 – 1% loss) of the Group’s adjusted Profit 
before tax, 14% (2017 – 12%) of the Group’s Revenue and 3% of the Group’s Total assets. The audit scope of these components may 
not have included testing of all significant accounts of the component but will have contributed to the coverage of significant accounts 
tested for the Group. The coverage amounts quoted for the comparative period relate to the AVEVA Group plc audit, hence does not 
include the financial reporting impact of the reverse acquisition disclosed as part of Note 2.

Of the remaining 53 components that together represent 2% of the Group’s adjusted Profit before tax, none are individually greater 
than 1% of the Group’s adjusted Profit before tax. For these components, we performed other procedures, including analytical review, 
testing of consolidation journals, intercompany elimination and foreign currency translation recalculation to respond to any potential 
risks of material misstatement to the Group financial statements. The charts below illustrate the coverage obtained from the work 
performed by our audit teams.

Revenue

Total
Assets

• Full scope components
• Specific scope components
• Other procedures

62%
14% 
24%

• Full scope components
• Specific scope components
• Other procedures

88%
3% 
9%

Changes from the prior year
Following the reverse acquisition of the Schneider Electric Software business, the latter’s businesses in USA and Canada have been 
designated full scope components for this year and Italy, Australia, UK and Germany as specific scope. For the current year we have 
designated the component in Sweden as review scope compared to specific scope in the comparative period, as part of our rotational 
scoping strategy.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
89

Involvement with component teams
In establishing our overall approach to the Group audit, we determined the type of work that needed to be undertaken at each of the 
components by us, as the primary audit engagement team, or by component auditors from other EY global network firms operating 
under our instruction. Of the seven full scope components, audit procedures were performed on two of these directly by the primary 
audit team. For the eight specific scope components, where the work was performed by component auditors, we determined the 
appropriate level of involvement to enable us to determine that sufficient audit evidence had been obtained as a basis for our opinion 
on the Group as a whole.

The Group audit team continued to follow a programme of planned visits that has been designed to ensure that the Senior Statutory 
Auditor visits at least two (2017 – two) of the components each year. During the current year’s audit cycle, visits were undertaken by the 
primary audit team to the component teams in US, Germany, France and Italy (2017 – China, US and France). These visits involved 
where appropriate, discussing the audit approach with the component team and any issues arising from their work, meeting with local 
and regional management, attending the planning meeting and closing meetings, reviewing key audit working papers on risk areas; 
and review of prior year working papers of Schneider Electric Software (France). The primary team interacted regularly with the 
component teams where appropriate during various stages of the audit, reviewed key working papers and were responsible for the 
scope and direction of the audit process. This, together with the additional procedures performed at Group level, gave us appropriate 
evidence for our opinion on the Group financial statements.

Our application of materiality
We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the audit, in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements on the 
audit and in forming our audit opinion.

Materiality
The magnitude of an omission or misstatement that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to influence the 
economic decisions of the users of the financial statements. Materiality provides a basis for determining the nature and extent of our 
audit procedures.

We determined materiality for the Group to be £3.5 million (2017 – £2.5 million), which is 5% (2017 – 5%) of adjusted profit before tax. 
We believe that materiality basis provides us with the most relevant measure of the underlying financial performance of the Group. For 
2018 we have used pre-tax profit adjusted for exceptional items (£23.6 million). For 2017 we have used pre-tax profit adjusted for 
restructuring costs (£4.2 million) and the refund on consideration on the 8over8 acquisition from shareholders (£1.8 million).

We determined materiality for the Parent Company to be £2.0 million (2017 – £1.9 million), which is 2% (2017 – 2%) of Total assets.

Starting  
basis

• Profit before tax – £46.9m

Adjustments

• Exceptional items – £23.6m

Materiality

• Adjusted pre-tax profit £70.5m
• Materiality of £3.5m (5% of materiality basis)

Performance materiality
The application of materiality at the individual account or balance level. It is set at an amount to reduce to an appropriately low level the 
probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality.

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the Group’s overall control environment, our judgement was 
that performance materiality was 75% (2017 – 75%) of our planning materiality, namely £2.6 million (2017 – £1.9 million). We have set 
performance materiality at this percentage to ensure that the total uncorrected and undetected audit differences in all accounts did not 
exceed our materiality.

Audit work at component locations for the purpose of obtaining audit coverage over significant financial statement accounts is 
undertaken based on a percentage of total performance materiality. The performance materiality set for each component is based on 
the relative scale and risk of the component to the Group as a whole and our assessment of the risk of misstatement at that 
component. In the current year, the range of performance materiality allocated to components was £0.4 million to £1.4 million (2017 – 
£0.4 million to £1 million).

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements90

Independent Auditor's Report continued

Reporting threshold
An amount below which identified misstatements are considered as being clearly trivial.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them all uncorrected audit differences in excess of £0.18 million (2017 – 
£0.12 million), which is set at 5% of planning materiality, as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting 
on qualitative grounds.

We evaluate any uncorrected misstatements against both the quantitative measures of materiality discussed above and in light of 
other relevant qualitative considerations in forming our opinion.

Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report set out on pages 1 to 81, including Strategic Report and 
Governance Report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other 
information.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this 
report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are 
required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other 
information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of the other information, we 
are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

In this context, we also have nothing to report in regard to our responsibility to specifically address the following items in the other 
information and to report as uncorrected material misstatements of the other information where we conclude that those items meet 
the following conditions:

• Fair, balanced and understandable set out on page 81 – the statement given by the directors that they consider the annual report 

and financial statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the group’s performance, business model and strategy, is materially inconsistent with our knowledge 
obtained in the audit; or

address matters communicated by us to the audit committee; or

• Audit committee reporting set out on page 52 – the section describing the work of the audit committee does not appropriately 
• Directors’ statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code set out on page 46 – the parts of the directors’ 

statement required under the Listing Rules relating to the company’s compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code 
containing provisions specified for review by the auditor in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.10R(2) do not properly disclose a 
departure from a relevant provision of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, the part of the directors’ remuneration report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the information given in the strategic report and the directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are 
• the strategic report and the directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and its environment obtained in the course of 
the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you 
if, in our opinion:

from branches not visited by us; or

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 
• the parent company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 
• certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit

with the accounting records and returns; or

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201891

Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement set out on page 81, the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors 
determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the group and parent company’s ability to continue as 
a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless 
the directors either intend to liquidate the group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to 
do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high 
level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the 
aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial 
statements.

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
The objectives of our audit, in respect to fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements 
due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, 
through designing and implementing appropriate responses; and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified 
during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those charged with 
governance of the entity and management.

Our approach was as follows:

• We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the group and determined that the 

most significant frameworks which are directly relevant to the specific assertions in the financial statements are those that relate to 
the framework (IFRS, FRS 101, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Corporate Governance Code) and the relevant tax compliance 
regulations in the jurisdictions in which the group operates. In addition, we concluded that there are certain significant laws and 
regulations which may have an effect on the determination of the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements being the 
Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority, and those laws and regulations relating to occupational health and safety and data 
protection.

• We understood how AVEVA Group plc is complying with those frameworks by making enquiries of management and legal 

counsel, oversight of those charged with governance (i.e. considering the potential for override of controls or other inappropriate 
influence over the financial reporting process, such as efforts by management to manage earnings in order to influence the 
perceptions of analysts as to the entity’s performance and profitability), the culture of honesty and ethical behaviour and whether a 
strong emphasis is placed on fraud prevention, which may reduce opportunities for fraud to take place, and fraud deterrence, which 
could persuade individuals not to commit fraud because of the likelihood of detection and punishment.

• We assessed the susceptibility of the group’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur by 

meeting with management from various parts of the business to understand where it considered there was susceptibility to fraud. 
We also considered performance targets and their influence on efforts made by management to manage earnings or influence the 
perceptions of analysts. We considered the programmes and controls that the group has established to address risks identified, or 
that otherwise prevent, deter and detect fraud; and how senior management monitors those programmes and controls. Where the 
risk was considered to be higher, we performed audit procedures to address each identified fraud risk. These procedures included 
testing manual journals and review of accounting estimates and judgements and were designed to provide reasonable assurance 
that the financial statements were free from fraud or error.

• Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations. Our 

procedures involved management enquiries, review of legal correspondences, journal entry testing and specific audit testing by full 
and specific scope teams.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s 
website at https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements92

Independent Auditor's Report continued

Other matters we are required to address
We were appointed by the company on 7 July 2017 to audit the financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2018 and 
subsequent financial periods.

The period of total uninterrupted engagement including previous renewals and reappointments is 16 years, covering the years ending 
31 March 2003 to 31 March 2018.

remain independent of the group and the parent company in conducting the audit.

• The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the group or the parent company and we 
• The audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the audit committee

Marcus Butler (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor
Reading, United Kingdom
14 June 2018

Notes:
1.  The maintenance and integrity of the AVEVA Group plc web site is the responsibility of the directors; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve 
consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements 
since they were initially presented on the web site.

2.  Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 March 2018

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Operating expenses
Research & Development costs
Selling and administrative expenses

Total operating expenses

Profit from operations
Other income
Finance revenue
Finance expense

Profit before tax
Income tax credit/(expense)

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent

  Profit before tax
  Amortisation of intangibles (excluding other software)
  Share-based payments
  Loss on fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts
  Exceptional items

  Adjusted profit before tax

  Earnings per share (pence)
  – basic
  – diluted
  Adjusted earnings per share (pence)
  – basic
  – diluted

All activities relate to continuing activities.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Consolidated income statement.

93

Notes

3, 4

5

6

8
9

11

7

13
13

13
13

2018 
£000

2017
£000

499,098
(150,815)

432,832
(137,114)

348,283

295,718

(116,314)
(182,932)

(99,463)
(146,188)

(299,246)

(245,651)

49,037
1,008
521
(3,687)

46,879
778

47,657

46,879
45,240
1,383
68
23,642

117,212

50,067
–
1,635
(278)

51,424
(13,020)

38,404

51,424
41,894
1,300
–
2,813

97,431

46.97
46.73

78.83
78.43

39.99
39.82

69.09
68.80

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements94

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 March 2018

Profit for the year
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods:
Exchange (loss)/gain arising on translation of foreign operations

Total of items that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods:
Remeasurement gain on defined benefit plans
Deferred tax effect

Total of items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Notes

2018 
£000

2017
£000

47,657

38,404

(16,734)

25,389

(16,734)

25,389

28
11(a)

(2,347)
1,479

(868)

(106)
–

(106)

30,055

63,687

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Consolidated balance sheet
31 March 2018

Non-current assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred tax assets
Other receivables
Retirement benefit surplus
Financial assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Accrued income
Treasury deposits
Cash and cash equivalents
Financial assets
Current tax assets

Total assets

Equity
Issued share capital
Share premium
Other reserves
Retained earnings

Total equity

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Deferred revenue
Loans and borrowings
Financial liabilities
Current tax liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Other liabilities
Retirement benefit obligations 

Total equity and liabilities

95

Notes

2018 
£000

2017
£000

15
16
17
27
20
28
19

20

21
21
19

1,298,323
653,403
14,832
9,051
1,201
5,563
–

42,442
199,133
8,610
2,077
–
–
1,547

1,982,373

253,809

907
230,377
40,668
226
105,649
451
11,062

964
171,386
44,681
-
22,431
–
5,222

389,340

244,684

2,371,713

498,493

30(a)

30(b)

5,732
574,543
1,178,207
167,739

2,275
27,288
(4,174)
146,567

1,926,221

171,956

22

23
24

27

28

128,788
166,319
10,000
–
12,054

129,165
117,366
–
1,929
8,624

317,161

257,084

115,412
2,125
10,794

128,331

60,804
3,489
5,160

69,453

2,371,713

498,493

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Consolidated balance sheet. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 14 June 2018. They were signed on its 
behalf by:

Philip Aiken
Chairman

Craig Hayman
Chief Executive Officer

Company number
2937296

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements96

Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity
31 March 2018

Other reserves

Merger 
reserve  
£000

Cumulative 
translation 
adjustments 
£000

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£000

Reverse 
acquisition 
reserve
£000

Treasury 
shares
£000

Total other 
reserves 
£000

Retained 
earnings 
£000

Total
equity
£000

(29,078)
–

(484)
–

(29,562)
–

205,905
38,404

205,905
38,404

Notes

Share
capital
£000

2,274
–

Share 
premium 
£000

27,288
–

–

–
1

–

–

–

30

30

31

30

–

–
–

–

–

–

2,275
–

27,288
–

–

–

–

–

At 1 April 2016
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 

income

Total comprehensive 

income

Issue of share capital
Investment in own 

shares

Transactions with 

Schneider Electric

Cost of employee 

benefit trust shares 
issued to employees

At 31 March 2017
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 

income

Total comprehensive 

income

Shares issued to 

acquire the Schneider 
Electric Software 
business

Issue and redemption 

of B shares

Recognition of reverse 
acquisition reserve on 
combination

30
30

Issue of share capital
Transaction costs
Share-based payments 29
Investment in own 

shares

Transactions with 

Schneider Electric

Cost of employee 

benefit trust shares 
issued to employees

At 31 March 2018

30

31

30

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

25,389

25,389
–

–

–

–

25,389
–

(16,734)

(16,734)

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
(1)

40

–

(296)

(29,335)
–

–

–

–

–

30

3,455 548,955

1,265,634

–

–

(649,982)

– 101,682

–

–
2
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
(1,700)
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–

– 481,860
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

(40)

–

296

(228)
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

25,389

(106)

25,283

25,389
(1)

38,298
–

63,687
–

–

–

–

–

–

(97,636)

(97,636)

–

–

(4,174)
–

146,567
47,657

171,956
47,657

(16,734)

(868)

(17,602)

(16,734)

46,789

30,055

1,265,634

– 1,818,044

(548,300)

–

(548,300)

481,860
–
–
–

–
–
–
1,230

481,860
2
(1,700)
1,230

(322)

(322)

–

(322)

–

–

(26,847)

(26,847)

243

243

–

243

5,732 574,543

615,652

8,655 101,682 452,525

(307) 1,178,207

167,739 1,926,221

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. Details of other 
reserves are contained in note 30.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Consolidated cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 March 2018

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the year
Income tax (credit)/expense
Net finance expense/(revenue)
Other income
Amortisation of intangible assets
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of intangibles
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Loss on disposal of intangible assets
Share-based payments
Difference between pension contributions paid and amounts charged to operating profit
Research & Development expenditure tax credit
Capitalisation of Research & Development costs
Changes in working capital:
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Changes to fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts

Cash generated from operating activities before tax
Income taxes paid

Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Acquisition of subsidiaries and business undertakings, net of cash acquired
Cash received on acquisition of business
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposal of intangible assets
Purchase of treasury deposits
Interest received

Net cash flows from/(used in) investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Interest paid
Proceeds from borrowings
Change in funding with related parties
Return of value to shareholders
Transaction costs on issue of shares

Net cash flows used in financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Net foreign exchange difference
Opening cash and cash equivalents

Closing cash and cash equivalents

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Consolidated cash flow statement. 

97

Notes

11(a)
8, 9

16
17
6
6
6
29

16

17
16

8

9
23
31

21

21

2018 
£000

2017
£000

47,657
(778)
3,166
622
46,300
3,158
11,227
(1,801)
3,743
1,230
(1,314)
(255)
(9,951)

57
(33,955)
22,034
68

91,208
(28,636)

38,404
13,020
(1,357)
–
42,940
2,416
–
–
–
–
613
–
(6,210)

1,600
(3,767)
19,780
(1,232)

106,207
(5,686)

65,572

100,521

(4,924)
(1,187)
–
132,156
3,306
3,144
(8)
521

(2,449)
(4,524)
(5,422)
–
–
–
–
1,093

133,008

(11,302)

(3,542)
10,000
(18,125)
(99,982)
(1,700)

–
–
(77,273)
–
–

(113,349)

(77,273)

82,231
987
22,431

11,946
(948)
11,433

105,649

22,431

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements98

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1 Corporate information
AVEVA Group plc is a public limited Company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The address of the registered 
office is given on the inside back cover. AVEVA Group plc’s shares are publicly traded on the Official List of the London Stock 
Exchange. 

2 Key accounting policies
Explained below are the key accounting policies of the Group. The full Statement of Group Accounting Policies is included on 
pages 135 to 139.

a) Basis of preparation
The accounting policies which follow, set out those policies which apply in preparing the financial statements for the year ended 
31 March 2018. The Consolidated financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling (£) and all values are rounded to the nearest 
thousand (£000) except when otherwise indicated.

The Consolidated financial statements of AVEVA Group plc and all its subsidiaries (the Group) have been prepared in accordance with 
IFRS, as adopted by the European Union, as they apply to the financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2018. 
The Group’s financial statements are also consistent with IFRSs as issued by the IASB. 

In accordance with IFRS 3, these financial statements have been prepared as a reverse acquisition of AVEVA Group by the Schneider 
Electric software business. Therefore, although these consolidated financial statements have been issued in the name of AVEVA 
Group plc, the legal acquirer, the Group’s activity is in substance, the continuation of the financial information of the Schneider 
Electric Software Business, to which the comparative financial information presented relates. For the year ended 31 March 2018, 
the consolidated financial statements comprise the results of the Schneider Electric software business for the full year, and the 
results of the AVEVA Group from 1 March 2018, the date of the reverse acquisition (hereafter referred to as the ‘Combination’).

The Schneider Electric software business previously prepared standalone combined financial information for the years ended 
31 March 2017, 2016 and 2015, which were included in the prospectus dated 5 September 2017. The Schneider Electric software 
business did not in the past form a legal group. As a result, the combined financial information was prepared by aggregating financial 
information that was prepared for the purposes of consolidation of the Schneider Electric software business. The financial information 
included as comparatives within these consolidated financial statements does not constitute statutory accounts, but has been 
prepared under IFRS and in line with the group accounting policies disclosed. 

Schneider Electric software business entities are a combination of software legal entities in certain countries and the software portion 
of other legal entities that also include non-software related businesses. The software portion of these legal entities has been carved-
out and included in this combined financial information as described in this basis of preparation. Assets and liabilities have been 
measured at the carrying amount at which they would be included in each of the combined entities separate financial statements 
(whether resulting from a carve-out from a larger legal entity or incorporated in a separate legal entity as a subsidiary), based on 
Schneider Electric Group's date of transition to IFRS as endorsed by the EU on 1 April, 2004.

Assets and liabilities of software operations carved-out from legal entities with other non-software operations have been initially 
recorded through group funding (expressed as amounts receivable from/payable to related parties) at their carrying value in the 
separate financial statements of the legal entity to which these assets and liabilities belong to as described above. Subsequently, the 
cash generated or consumed by such carved-out entities has been reflected as a debit or credit to group funding and has been 
reflected accordingly in the cash flow statement in the line “change in funding with related parties”. Last, at the time of the legal 
reorganisation of each of these carved-out operations into a separate dedicated legal entity/subsidiary, group funding has been 
recorded as equity or current account with a related party (the Schneider Electric Group).

Some of the operations of Schneider Electric software business reflected in the combined financial information have not existed as 
separate legal entities for the entire financial years for which information is presented. The revenues and costs of these operations 
have been carved-out from the legal entities in which these operations are included using historical information relating to Schneider 
Electric software business transactions included in the accounting information systems and management reporting of the Schneider 
Electric Group. 

Direct and indirect costs reflected in the combined financial statements include costs that were charged to the Schneider Electric 
software business by Schneider Electric Group related to the operations of the Schneider Electric software business. Indirect costs 
relate to certain support functions that, prior to completion of the combination, were provided on a centralised basis within Schneider 
Electric Group and Schneider Electric Group shared service centre locations. For all carved-out operations, other indirect costs incurred 
have been allocated using reasonable and consistent conventions based on the type of costs involved to provide the fairest 
approximation of the cost of services received based on amounts actually attributable to the carved-out Schneider Electric software 
business operations.

Current income tax, other than taxes owed to a tax jurisdiction (i.e. for combined entities that are not a separate tax group of their own 
but are included or consolidated in a larger tax entity), was deemed to have been settled by or to Schneider Electric and recorded 
against group funding when income tax profits/deficits continue to belong to the combined entity under applicable tax law or contract 
with their tax parent, in the year the related income tax was recorded. The current income tax charge and position included in the 
combined financial information may not be indicative of the financial position, results and cash flow that would have been presented if 
the Schneider Electric Industrial Software Business had been a standalone entity.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201899

b) Restatements and reclassifications 
From 1 April 2017, certain income statement and balance sheet lines have been reclassified, and the financial statements of the year 
ended 31 March 2017 have been restated accordingly. 

• Previously, the centralised functions of real estate and facilities were allocated by function between cost of sales, Research & 

Development costs and selling and administrative expenses. In order to align classifications with the heritage AVEVA Group, the 
presentation has been updated to present the costs of these centralised functions within selling and distribution expenses in full. 
Comparatives have been restated accordingly, resulting in an increase of £8,607,000 to selling and distribution expenses and a 
corresponding decrease of £5,164,000 to cost of sales and £3,443,000 to Research & Development costs in the year ended 
31 March 2017. There has been no impact on profit from operations. 

• Amortisation previously disclosed separately in the income statement has been allocated to the respective function. Amortisation 

in relation to purchased software rights and developed technology is recognised within Research & Development costs, and 
amortisation in relation to customer relationships and purchased brands and trademarks within selling and administrative expenses. 
Comparatives have been restated accordingly, resulting in an increase of £20,204,000 to Research & Development costs and 
£14,159,000 to selling and distribution expenses. In addition, £8,417,000 of amortisation previously recognised within cost of sales 
has been reclassified resulting in an increase to Research & Development of £7,301,000 and administrative expenses of 
£1,116,000.

• Amounts previously disclosed as other income related to share-based payments, restructuring and integration. These have been 

reclassified resulting in an increase of £3,412,000 to selling and administrative expenses, £1,625,000 to Research & Development 
costs, and £291,000 to cost of sales. 

has been reclassified to current tax liabilities.

• Amounts related to income tax payable were previously recognised within trade and other payables. The balance of £15,391,000 
• A balance of £42,145,000 has been reclassified from trade and other payables to deferred revenue.
• The classification of revenue as presented in Note 3 has been revised to present revenue within the categories of support and 

maintenance, including annual fees; rental and subscriptions; initial fees and perpetual licences; and training and services. Revenue 
has been reclassified accordingly. 

a result of an error identified in the previously reported financial statements. 

• A prior year restatement has been made resulting in a decrease to both inventories and deferred revenue of £8,115,000. This is as 
• Sales of goods and services to related parties in the year ended 31 March 2017 were previously reported as £40,332,000. During 

the financial year ended 31 March 2018, commercial agreements were signed between the Schneider Electric software business 
and the Schneider Electric Group to deliver software services relating to comingled contracts and delayed businesses, making this 
revenue related party in nature. To ensure consistency, sales of goods and services to related parties in the year ended 31 March 
2017 has been restated to £59,788,000, to also include £19,456,000 of sales relating to comingled contracts and delayed 
business.

• Amortisation of capitalised R&D has now been included within normalised adjustments, such that adjusted profit before tax is 

stated before this amortisation expense (2018 – £7,277,000, 2017 – £8,656,000).

The Directors believe that the revised presentations most appropriately and consistently reflect the nature of the enlarged Group’s 
operations.

c) Non-GAAP measures
The Group presents a non-GAAP performance measure on the face of the Consolidated income statement. The Directors believe 
that the ‘adjusted profit before tax’ and ‘adjusted diluted and basic earnings per share’ measures presented provide a reliable and 
consistent presentation of the underlying performance of the Group. Adjusted profit is not defined by IFRS and therefore may not be 
directly comparable with the ‘adjusted’ profit measures of other companies.

The business is managed and measured on a day to day basis using adjusted results. To arrive at adjusted results, certain adjustments 
are made for normalised and exceptional items that are individually important and which could, if included, distort the understanding of 
the performance for the year and the comparability between periods.

Normalised items
These are recurring items which management considers to have a distorting effect on the underlying results of the Group, and are 
non-cash items.

These items relate to amortisation of intangibles (excluding other software), share-based payment charges and fair value adjustments 
on financial derivatives, although other types of recurring items may arise. Recurring items are adjusted each year irrespective of 
materiality to ensure consistent treatment.

Exceptional items
These are items which are non-recurring and are identified by virtue of either their size or their nature. These items can include, but are 
not restricted to, the costs of significant restructuring exercises, fees associated with business combinations and costs incurred in 
integrating acquired companies. 

The parent company financial statements of AVEVA Group plc are included on pages 129 to 134.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements100

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

2 Key accounting policies continued
d) Business Combinations
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. 

Identifying the acquirer in a business combination is based on the concept of ‘control’. Normally, where an acquisition is affected by an 
exchange of equity interests, the shareholders of the entity that issues securities (the legal parent entity) retain the majority holding in 
the combined group. The positions might be reversed in certain circumstances, where it is the legal subsidiary entity’s shareholders 
who effectively control the combined group, even though the other party is the legal parent. In this case, the financial statements are a 
continuation of the accounting acquirer (Schneider Electric Industrial Software Business) and reflect the acquisition of the legal 
acquirer (AVEVA Group plc).

The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the consideration transferred, which is measured at acquisition date fair 
value. In the case of a reverse acquisition, this represents the consideration transferred by the accounting acquirer, as opposed to the 
legal acquirer. Any contingent consideration to be transferred by the acquirer will be recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. 
Contingent consideration classified as equity is not remeasured and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. 
Contingent consideration classified as an asset or liability that is a financial instrument and within the scope of IAS 39 Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, is measured at fair value with the changes in fair value recognised in the statement of 
profit or loss in accordance with IAS 39. Other contingent consideration that is not within the scope of IAS 39 is measured at fair value 
at each reporting date with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and included in administrative expenses. In the case of a reverse acquisition, the 
costs incurred by the legal acquirer (AVEVA Group plc) are considered to be pre-acquisition and are not therefore included within the 
income statement.

Goodwill is initially measured at cost (being the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred over the net identifiable assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed). In the case of a reverse acquisition, the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, are 
those of the legal acquirer (AVEVA Group plc). After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment 
losses. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each of the Group’s 
cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the 
acquiree are assigned to those units.

e) Revenue
The Group generates its revenue principally through the supply of:

• Initial and perpetual licence fees;
• Support and maintenance fees, including mandatory annual fees;
• Rental and subscription licences; and 
• Professional services.

Revenue is measured at fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents the amounts receivable for goods and 
services provided in the ordinary course of business, net of discounts and sales taxes. 

For each revenue stream, revenue is not recognised unless and until:

• a clear contractual arrangement can be evidenced;
• delivery has been made in accordance with that contract;
• if required, contractual acceptance criteria have been met; and
• the fee has been agreed and collectability is probable. Where extended payment terms beyond 90 days exist, appropriate 

approvals are obtained to ensure there is sufficient comfort that collectability is probable and the fee is determinable. If approvals 
are not obtained, revenue is deferred until payment is due.

Initial and perpetual licence agreements
Customers are charged an initial or perpetual licence fee upon installation for a set number of users. Licence fees are recognised once 
the above conditions have been met. 

Annual licence fees and support and maintenance fees
Customers that have purchased an initial licence pay obligatory annual fees each year. Annual fees consist of the continuing right to 
use, and support and maintenance, which includes core product upgrades and enhancements, and remote support services. Users 
must continue to pay annual fees in order to maintain the right to use the software.

Customers that have purchased a perpetual licence have the option to pay for support and maintenance.

Annual and support and maintenance fees are recognised on a straight-line basis over the period of the contract, which is typically 12 
months. If annual or support and maintenance fees are charged at a discount, an amount is allocated out of the initial/perpetual licence 
fee at fair market value, based on the value established when annual or support and maintenance fees are charged separately to 
customers.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018101

Rental and subscriptions
The Group also supplies its software under rental licence agreements.

Rental licence fees which are invoiced monthly and which are cancellable by the customer are recognised on a monthly basis. Other 
rental licence agreements typically cover a contract period of one year, are non-cancellable and consist of two separate components, 
the initial software delivery, and the continuing right to use with support and maintenance. Revenue in respect of the continuing right to 
use and support and maintenance element is valued at fair market value based on the value established when annual fees are charged 
separately to the customer. This component is recognised on a straight-line basis over the period of the contract. The residual amount 
representing the implied initial or perpetual fee element is recognised up front, provided all of the above criteria have been met. Where 
uncertainty exists and it is not possible to reliably determine the fair value of the support and maintenance element, all revenue is 
recognised on a straight-line basis over the period of the contract.

Services
Services consist primarily of consultancy, implementation services and training. 

Revenue from these services is recognised as the services are performed and stage of completion is determined by reference to the 
costs incurred as a proportion of the total estimated costs of the service project. If a contract cannot be reliably estimated, revenue is 
recognised only to the extent that costs have been incurred. Provision is made as soon as a loss is foreseen.

If an arrangement includes both licence and service elements, licence fee revenue is recognised upon delivery of the software, 
provided that services do not include significant customisation or modification of the base product and the payment terms for licences 
are not subject to acceptance criteria. In all other cases, revenues from both licence and service elements are recognised as services 
are performed.

When a transaction combines a supply of goods with the provision of a significant service, revenue from the provision of the service is 
recognised separately from the revenue from the sale of goods by reference to the stage of completion of the service, unless the 
service is essential to the functionality of the goods supplied, in which case the whole transaction is treated as a long-term service 
contract. Revenue from a service that is incidental to the supply of goods is recognised at the same time as the revenue from the 
supply of goods. 

For service contracts covering a specific period and providing services during that period, as and when required by the customer, 
revenue is recognised on a straight-line basis over the specified period (unless there is evidence that some other method better 
represents the stage of completion).

Revenue from short-term one-off contracts is recognised when the service is complete.

f) Significant accounting judgements
Business combinations
Acquirer
From a legal perspective AVEVA Group plc is the acquirer, however from an accounting perspective, in accordance with IFRS 3, the 
Schneider Electric software business is the acquirer. The rationale for this judgement is based on the following indicators:

• the former shareholders of the legal subsidiary as a group retain or receive the largest portion of the voting rights in the combined 
• the former shareholder of the SES companies (SE) will obtain a 60% shareholding of the combined group post merger
• the relative size (measured in, for example, assets, revenues or profit) of the Schneider Electric software business is significantly 

greater than that of the existing AVEVA business

company

Delayed interests
At the date of the completion of the combination not all the Schneider Electric software businesses had been carved out into separate 
legal entities, which were legally acquired by AVEVA Group plc. Control of these businesses has been considered in line with IFRS 10 
Consolidated Financial Statements. As set out under the merger agreement Schneider Electric Group shall act in accordance with 
lawful instructions provided to it by AVEVA Group plc in relation to the conduct of these businesses, from the point of Completion. 
Reimbursement will be made by AVEVA Group plc to the extent that funding has been provided by Schneider Electric in acting on 
those instructions. In accordance with these terms, AVEVA Group plc has power over the delayed businesses, an exposure to a 
variable return, and an ability to affect its returns, from the point of Completion. It is therefore considered that all three requirements of 
control are satisfied, and as such the delayed entities have been consolidated in full in these financial statements.

Earnings per share
Due to the combination being accounted for as a reverse acquisition and also due to the financial statements of the Schneider Electric 
Software business being a carve-out from the Schneider Electric Group, the financial statements present Earnings per share 
calculated on the following basis:

shares multiplied by the exchange ratio established in the combination, and the weighted average total actual shares of the legal 
parent in issue after the date of acquisition.

• The weighted average number of shares used reflects the legal acquirer’s (AVEVA’s) weighted average pre-combination ordinary 
• In the absence of issued ordinary shares in relation to the Schneider Electric Software Business we have used the number of 

issued ordinary shares of AVEVA Group plc as the starting point for the calculation.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements102

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

2 Key accounting policies continued
g) Significant accounting estimates
Revenue recognition
The assessments and estimates used by the Group for revenue recognition could have a significant impact on the amount and timing 
of revenue recognised.

Revenue from sales of software licences when these are combined with the delivery of significant implementation or customisation 
services is recognised in line with the delivery of the services to the customer. This policy involves the assessment of which customer 
projects include significant customisation or implementation and also an assessment of the stage of completion of such projects. 

The fair value estimate of the element of a customer rental fee attributable to the continuing right to use, and to customer support and 
maintenance, is reviewed periodically. On average, the element attributable to customer support and maintenance as a proportion of 
the initial software delivery is 17-18%.

Provision for impairment of receivables
The Group makes provision for the impairment of receivables on a customer-specific basis. The determination of the appropriate level 
of provision involves an estimate of the potential risk of default or non-payment by the Group’s customers and management consider 
a number of factors, including the financial strength of the customers, the level of default that the Group has suffered in the past, the 
age of the receivable outstanding and the Group’s trading experience with that customer. The provision for impairment of receivables 
at 31 March 2018 was £1,790,000 (2017 – £2,063,000). Details of the provision for impairment of receivables are contained in note 20.

Intangible assets
IFRS 3 requires the identification of acquired intangible assets as part of a business combination. The methods used to value such 
intangible assets require the use of estimates including forecast performance and customer attrition rates. Future results are impacted 
by the amortisation periods adopted and changes to the estimated useful lives would result in different effects on the income 
statement. Due to the completion of the combination with the Schneider Electric Industrial Software Business occurring just one 
month prior to the end of the financial year, the purchase price allocation presented in these financial statements is provisional and 
may therefore be subject to change.

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment. Tests for impairment are based on discounted cash flows and assumptions (including 
discount rates, timing and growth prospects) which are inherently subjective. Further details about the assumptions used are set out in 
note 15.

Retirement benefit obligations
The determination of the Group’s obligations and expense for defined benefit pensions is dependent on the selection, by the Board 
of Directors, of assumptions used by the pension scheme actuary in calculating these amounts. The assumptions applied, together 
with sensitivity analysis, are described in note 28 and include, amongst others, the discount rate, the inflation rate, rates of increase 
in salaries and mortality rates. While the Directors consider that the assumptions are appropriate, significant differences in the actual 
experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the reported amount of the Group’s future pension obligations, 
actuarial gains and losses included in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income in future years and the future staff costs. 
The net carrying amount of retirement benefit obligations at 31 March 2018 was £5,231,000 (2017 – £5,160,000).

h) Impairment of assets
Goodwill arising on acquisition is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the combination’s synergies and 
represents the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes and generates cash flows, which are 
independent of other cash-generating units. The recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which goodwill has been allocated 
is tested for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstance indicate that it might be impaired. The carrying values 
of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets other than goodwill are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in 
circumstance indicate the carrying value may be impaired. If any such indication exists and where the carrying values exceed the 
estimated recoverable amount, the assets or cash-generating units are written down to their recoverable amount. The recoverable 
amount is the greater of net selling price and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted 
to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks 
specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for 
the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement in the selling and 
administrative expenses line item.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20183 Revenue
An analysis of the Group’s revenue is as follows:

Support and maintenance, including annual fees
Rental and subscriptions
Initial fees and perpetual licences
Training and services

Total revenue
Finance revenue

103

2018 
£000

2017
£000

138,561
75,284
169,095
116,158

499,098
521

115,018
47,005
142,060
128,749

432,832
1,635

499,619

434,467

Training and services consists of consultancy, implementation services and training fees.

4 Segment information
The combination of the AVEVA Group plc business with the business of Schneider Electric Software was completed at 1 March 2018 
and the new Executive Leadership Team for the enlarged Group was formed shortly thereafter. The Executive Leadership Team has 
decided how it plans to monitor and appraise the business and this will be on a geographic basis with 3 operating regions: Asia Pacific; 
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA); and Americas. These three regions are the basis of the Group’s primary operating segments 
reported in the financial statements. Performance shall be evaluated based on regional contribution using the same accounting 
policies as adopted for the Group’s financial statements. There is no inter-segment revenue. Balance sheet information will not be 
included in the information provided to the Executive Leadership Team. 

However, as the Combination of the two businesses completed so close to the end of the financial year it was not possible to report 
cost data between the three regions for either the year ended 31 March 2018 or the comparative period. Neither was it possible to 
consistently report the combined business on any other segmental basis. Therefore, the segmental information provided has had to 
be limited to regional revenue only. Segmental cost data will be reported for future accounting periods.

Revenue
Support and maintenance, including annual fees
Rental and subscriptions
Initial fees and perpetual licences
Training and services

Revenue
Support and maintenance, including annual fees
Rental and subscriptions
Initial fees and perpetual licences
Training and services

Year ended 31 March 2018

Asia Pacific
£000

EMEA
£000

Americas
£000

Total
£000

15,378
19,324
44,164
24,959

39,876
35,243
57,584
34,392

83,307
20,717
67,347
56,807

138,561
75,284
169,095
116,158

103,825

167,095

228,178

499,098

Year ended 31 March 2017

Asia Pacific
£000

EMEA
£000

Americas
£000

Total
£000

9,817
12,358
32,767
27,027

32,068
17,974
55,056
31,749

73,133
16,673
54,237
69,973

115,018
47,005
142,060
128,749

81,969

136,847

214,016

432,832

Other segmental disclosures
The Company’s country of domicile is the UK. Revenue attributed to the UK and all foreign countries amounted to £12,681,000 
and £486,417,000 (2017 – £10,961,000 and £421,871,000) respectively. The USA accounted for 40.1% of the Group’s revenue  
(2017 – 37.7%). No other individual country accounted for more than 10% of the Group’s total revenue (2017 – nil). Revenue is allocated 
to countries on the basis of the location of the customer. No single external customer accounted for 10% or more of the Group’s total 
revenue (2017 – nil).

Non-current assets (excluding deferred tax assets) held in the UK and all foreign countries amounted to £1,791,148,000 and 
£182,174,000 (2017 – £1,519,000 and £250,213,000) respectively. There are material non-current assets (excluding deferred tax 
assets) located in the USA amounting to £158,096,000 (2017 – £212,381,000). There are no material non-current assets located in 
any other individual country outside of the UK.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements104

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

5 Selling and administration expenses
An analysis of selling and administration expenses is set out below:

Selling and distribution expenses
Administrative expenses

6 Profit from operations
Profit from operations is stated after charging:

Depreciation of owned property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets:
– included in Research & Development costs
– included in selling and distribution expenses
– included in administrative expenses
Staff costs
Operating lease rentals – minimum lease payments
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of intangible assets
Loss on disposal of intangible assets
Net foreign exchange losses/(gains)

2018
£000

2017
£000

127,962
54,970

105,125
41,063

182,932

146,188

2018 
£000

3,158

2017
£000

2,416

25,833
19,354
1,113
243,869
9,704
(1,801)
11,227
3,743
956

27,506
14,388
1,046
223,045
9,916
–
–
–
(739)

During the year the Group (including its subsidiaries) obtained the following services from the Group’s auditor at costs as detailed below:

Fees payable to the Company auditor for the audit of parent Company and Consolidated financial statements
Fees payable to the Company auditor and its associates for other services:
– the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation
– tax advisory services

2018 
£000

1,506

217
–

1,723

2017
£000

–

378
101

479

The comparative figures in the table above relate to the audit fees of the Schneider Electric software business. In addition, a fee was 
borne by the ultimate parent company, Schneider Electric, for the audit of the Consolidated financial statements. 

In the year to 31 March 2017, the Group of which AVEVA Group plc was the parent obtained services from the Group’s auditor at costs 
of £235,000 for the parent Company and Consolidated financial statements; £226,000 for the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries 
pursuant to legislation; £5,000 for tax compliance services, £50,000 for tax advisory services, and £30,000 for other assurance 
services pursuant to legislation. In the 11 months to 28 February 2018, the Group of which AVEVA Group plc was the parent, obtained 
services from the Group’s auditor at costs of £6,000 for tax and £30,000 for other assurance services pursuant to legislation and 
£1,200,000 for services related to the Combination. 

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20187 Exceptional items

Acquisition and integration activities
Restructuring costs
Movement in provision for sales taxes in an overseas location
Impairments and loss on sale of capitalised R&D
Other

105

2018 
£000

5,789
2,866
17
14,970
–

23,642

2017
£000

555
3,474
–
–
(1,216)

2,813

The acquisition and integration fees for the year ended 31 March 2018 relates to fees paid to professional advisers primarily for legal 
and financial due diligence services related to the combination of AVEVA Group plc and the Schneider Electric software business plus 
other consultancy costs paid to advisors in relation to the integration. 

The restructuring costs related to severance payments within the Schneider Electric software business in a number of global office 
locations. In addition, a divestment made by the Schneider Electric software business in China resulted in an exceptional write off of 
£858,000, offset by an exceptional gain of £1,866,000 made by selling the property relating to the same write off.

The impairment of capitalised R&D related to a development project that was ceased, prior to completion, following a divestment of a 
Schneider Electric Software joint venture operation with Schneider Electric. Also included are the previously capitalised development 
costs related to a project. Further to a commercial review of the project and the financial prospects for the developed technology, it 
was concluded that the carrying value of the development costs should be fully impaired.

Exceptional items were included in the Consolidated income statement as follows:

Cost of sales
Research & Development costs
Selling and distribution expenses
Administrative expenses
Other income
Finance revenue

8 Finance revenue

Bank interest receivable and other interest earned
Interest receivable from related parties

9 Finance expense

Net interest on pension scheme liabilities
Bank interest payable and similar charges
Interest payable to related parties

2018 
£000

421
15,615
2,720
5,894
(1,008)
–

23,642

2018 
£000

233
288

521

2018
£000

145
88
3,454

3,687

2017
£000

292
1,626
979
1,132
–
(1,216)

2,813

2017 
£000

355
1,280

1,635

2017
£000

24
116
138

278

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements106

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

10 Staff costs
Staff costs relating to employees (including Executive Directors) are shown below:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Share-based payments

The average number of persons (including Executive Directors) employed by the Group was as follows:

Project delivery and customer support
Research, development and product support
Sales and marketing
Administration

Directors’ remuneration
The Directors of AVEVA Group plc received remuneration as follows: 

Directors’ remuneration
Aggregate contributions to defined contribution pension scheme
Aggregate gains on the exercise of share options

Number of Directors accruing benefits under defined contributions

11 Income tax expense
a) Tax on profit
The major components of income tax expense are as follows:

Tax charged in Consolidated income statement
Current tax
UK corporation tax
Foreign tax
Adjustments in respect of prior periods

Total current tax

Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences (note 27)

Total income tax expense reported in Consolidated income statement

Tax relating to items charged directly to Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Deferred tax on actuarial remeasurements on retirement benefit obligation

Tax charge reported in Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

2018 
£000

2017
£000

209,600
23,445
9,441
1,383

192,863
21,422
7,460
1,300

243,869

223,045

2018 
Number

2017
Number

1,438
771
497
161

2,867

2018 
£000

1,824
27
59

1,910

1,447
747
473
112

2,779

2017
£000

1,110
47
–

1,157

2018 
Number

2017  

Number

2

2

2018 
£000

2017
£000

3,562
35,085
(1,057)

37,590

419
31,063
–

31,482

(38,368)

(18,462)

(778)

13,020

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

(1,479)

(1,479)

–

–

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018107

b) Reconciliation of the total tax charge
The differences between the total tax charge shown above and the amount calculated by applying the standard rate of UK corporation 
tax to the profit before tax are as follows:

2018 
£000

2017
£000

Tax on Group profit before tax at standard UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2017 – 20%)
Effects of:
– expenses not deductible for tax purposes
– US deferred tax rate benefit
– patent box
– irrecoverable withholding tax
– movement on unprovided deferred tax balances
– differing tax rates
– adjustments in respect of prior years

Income tax expense reported in Consolidated income statement

8,907

10,285

1,709
(21,985)
(893)
1,302
4,866
6,373
(1,057)

(1,877)
–
–
–
(713)
5,325
–

(778)

13,020

The Group’s effective tax rate for the year was -1.7% (2017 – 25.3%). The Group’s effective tax rate for the year before exceptional 
items was 0.9% (2017 – 25.9%). The Group’s effective tax rate before exceptional and other normalised adjustments (see note 7) was 
31.8% (2017 – 31.9%).

At this balance sheet date, the US government had substantively enacted a federal tax rate reduction from 35% to 21% from 1 January 
2018. The effect of this reduction to the US net deferred tax liability is £21,985,000.

12 Dividends paid and proposed on equity shares
No dividends are included in the consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity, as no dividends were declared and paid 
since the date of the reverse acquisition and there were no dividends relating to the Schneider Electric Industrial Software Business. 
The following dividends were declared, paid and proposed in relation to the legal entity AVEVA Group plc:

Declared and paid during the year
No interim 2017/18 dividend paid (2016/17 – interim dividend paid of 13.0 pence per ordinary share)
Final 2016/17 dividend paid of 27.0 pence (2015/16 – 30.0 pence) per ordinary share

2018 
£000

2017
£000

–
17,268

17,268

8,316
19,184

27,500

Proposed for approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting

Final proposed dividend 2017/18 of 27.0 pence (2016/17 – 27.0 pence) per ordinary share

43,576

17,271

The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 11 July 2018 and has not been 
included as a liability in these financial statements. If approved at the Annual General Meeting, the final dividend will be paid on 3 
August 2018 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 6 July 2018.

13 Earnings per share

Earnings per share for the year:
– basic
– diluted
Adjusted earnings per share for the year:
– basic
– diluted

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic earnings per share
Effect of dilution: employee share options

Weighted average number of ordinary shares adjusted for the effect of dilution

2018 
Pence

2017
Pence

46.97
46.73

78.83
78.43

2018 
Number

39.99
39.82

69.09
68.80

2017
Number

101,464,203
514,438

96,034,353
403,086

101,978,641

96,437,439

The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share are based on the net profit attributable to equity holders of the parent for the 
year of £47,657,000 (2017 – £38,404,000). Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to 
equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of AVEVA Group plc ordinary shares outstanding during the year. For 
the purpose of the calculation, the number of shares prior to the Combination is considered to be 96,034,353. This is the number of 
AVEVA Group plc ordinary shares as at 1 March 2018, adjusted by the exchange ratio of the Combination. 

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements108

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

13 Earnings per share continued
Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to equity holders of the parent by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year as described above, plus the weighted average number of ordinary 
shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the potentially dilutive share options into ordinary shares for the period from 1 
March 2018 to 31 March 2018. Details of the terms and conditions of share options are provided in note 29.

Details of the calculation of adjusted earnings per share are set out below:

Profit after tax for the year
Intangible amortisation (excluding software)
Share-based payments
Loss on fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts
Exceptional items
Tax effect on exceptional items
Tax effect on other normalised adjustments

Adjusted profit after tax

2018 
£000

2017
£000

47,657
45,240
1,383
68
23,642
(1,399)
(36,611)

38,404
41,894
1,300
–
2,813
(1,002)
(17,062)

79,980

66,347

The denominators used are the same as those detailed above for both basic and diluted earnings per share. 

The adjustment made to profit after tax in calculating adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share have been adjusted for the tax 
effects of the items adjusted.

The Directors believe that adjusted earnings per share is more representative of the underlying performance of the business.

14 Business combinations 
On 1 March 2018 AVEVA Group plc acquired the Schneider Electric software business. For accounting purposes, this has been 
treated as a reverse acquisition under IFRS 3: Business Combinations, being the acquisition of AVEVA Group plc by the Schneider 
Electric software business. The AVEVA Group is fully consolidated in the financial statements with effect from 1 March 2018, and all 
financial results prior to this date are for the Schneider Electric software business only.

As at 31 March 2018 the accounting for the business combination had been completed subject to the finalisation of the purchase price 
allocation, the final allocation of goodwill and finalisation of the completion accounts and working capital statement to be agreed with 
the Schneider Electric Group. The finalisation of the completion accounts and working capital statement could result in a change in the 
consideration paid.

A preliminary purchase price allocation has been completed and this resulted in intangible assets with a fair value of £525,981,000 
being recognised. Due to the completion of the combination occurring just one month prior to the end of the financial year, the 
purchase price allocation is provisional and may therefore be subject to change.

The following table shows the preliminary fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed of AVEVA Group at the 
acquisition date.

Carrying 
value at 
acquisition
£000

Provisional 
fair value 
adjustment
£000

Intangible assets
Property plant and equipment
Other receivables
Retirement benefit surplus
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Financial liability
Financial assets
Trade and other payables
Deferred revenue
Current tax
Deferred tax
Retirement benefit obligations

Net assets acquired
Goodwill
Total consideration

–
6,744
3,206
4,277
86,777
132,374
(99,981)
518
(43,488)
(42,250)
10,052
(381)
(3,592)

525,981
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(88,580)
–

54,256

437,401

Provisional 
fair value
£000

525,981
6,744
3,206
4,277
86,777
132,374
(99,981)
518
(43,488)
(42,250)
10,052
(88,961)
(3,592)

491,657
1,259,870
1,751,527

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018109

The equity consideration of £1,198,144,619 has been calculated by multiplying the 64,037,660 AVEVA Group plc shares deemed to 
be acquired by Schneider Electric (in exchange for £550,000,000 and the Schneider Electric Software Business) by the ex-dividend 
share price of the AVEVA Group plc ordinary shares on 28 February 2018, adjusted for the value per share of the Return of Value. In 
addition, the consideration also includes £550,000,000 payment from Schneider Electric and the fair value of the pre-acquisition 
cost relating to 697,240 outstanding share options acquired on 28 February 2018, amounting to £3,381,997.

The main factors leading to the recognition of goodwill are the value of the assembled AVEVA Group workforce and the future 
synergy benefits expected to arise from integrating of the two combined businesses.

All associated transaction costs were expensed and are included in administrative expenses and more details of these are included in 
note 7. The attributable costs of the issuance of the shares of £1,700,000 have been charged directly to equity as a reduction in share 
premium.

The revenue and profit included in the consolidated income statement since 1 March 2018 contributed by AVEVA were £42,700,000 
and £15,000,000 respectively. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 April 2017, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
would have presented revenue of £704,600,000 and profit after tax of £66,000,000 (at an effective tax rate of -2%)

15 Goodwill

At 1 April
Acquisitions
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March

2018 
£000

42,442
1,259,870
(3,989)

1,298,323

2017
£000

30,580
7,255
4,607

42,442

Goodwill impairment tests
The following table shows the allocation of the carrying value of goodwill at the end of the year by cash generating unit.

EMEA
Americas
Unallocated at 31 March

2018 
£000

7,096
31,357
1,259,870

2017
£000

7,255
35,187
–

1,298,323

42,442

Unallocated goodwill relates to goodwill arising on the reverse acquisition of AVEVA Group plc by the Schneider Electric software 
business as detailed in note 14. As the Combination of the two businesses completed so close to the end of the financial year it was not 
possible to allocate the goodwill to the cash generating units. As the initial allocation of goodwill acquired in the business combination 
cannot be completed before the end of the first annual period in which the business combination was effected, that initial allocation 
shall be completed before the end of the first annual period beginning after the acquisition date. The initial allocation will be reported in 
the annual report for the year ended 31 March 2019, being the first annual period beginning after the acquisition date.

The carrying value of goodwill allocated to the EMEA and Americas CGUs relates to acquisitions made by the Schneider Electric 
software business in previous financial years.

The Group tests goodwill annually for impairment or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired. Goodwill 
acquired in a business combination is allocated to the cash generating units (CGUs) that are expected to benefit from that business 
combination. In 2017/18 the goodwill impairment testing was carried out on a value in use (VIU) basis using the most recently 
approved management budgets for the year ended 31 March 2019 together with the most recent three-year business plan 
extrapolated to a duration of five years in total. Projected cash flows beyond five years have been assumed at the long-term growth 
rate for that region and these have been used to formulate a terminal value for the discounted cash flow calculation.  

Key assumptions
The key assumptions in the most recent annual budget on which the cash flow projections are based relate to discount rates, long-
term growth rates and operating margins.

The cash flow projections have been discounted using the Group’s pre-tax weighted average cost of capital adjusted for the country 
and market risk. Long-term growth rates used are assumed to be equal to the long-term growth rate in the gross domestic product of 
the region in which the CGU operates. CGU operating margin is based on past results.

EMEA
Americas

Discount 
Rate

Long-term 
growth rate

11.9%
11.9%

1.9%
1.9%

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements110

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

15 Goodwill continued
Summary of results
During the year all goodwill that had been allocated to CGUs was tested for impairment, with no impairment charge resulting.

As the VIU is most sensitive to a change in the discount rate and long-term growth rate, the Directors have considered combinations 
of a reduction in the long-term growth rate and an increase in the discount rate and concluded that no reasonably foreseeable 
changes in key assumptions would result in an impairment of goodwill, such is the margin by which the estimate exceeds the carrying 
value.

16 Intangible assets 

Cost
At 1 April 2016
Additions
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2017
Additions
Acquisitions
Disposals
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2018

Amortisation and impairment
At 1 April 2016
Charge for the year
Disposals
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2017
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2018

Net book value
At 31 March 2016

At 31 March 2017

At 31 March 2018

Developed 
technology 
£000

Customer 
relationships 
£000

Purchased 
brand
£000

Other 
software 
£000

Purchased 
software 
rights
£000

Contract 
Assets 
£000

Capitalised 
Research & 
Development
£000

135,584
1,669
20,425

157,678
–
–
–
(17,160)

79,410
1,068
11,964

92,442
–
151,493
–
(9,708)

25,270
417
3,808

29,495
–
46,292
–
(3,211)

5,325
1,692
802

7,819
724
–
(1,095)
(832)

11,875
1,922
1,789

15,586
463
308,950
–
(1,353)

–
–
–

–
–
19,246
–
–

38,882
6,210
5,794

50,886
9,951
–
(8,885)
(4,438)

Total
£000

296,346
12,978
44,582

353,906
11,138
525,981
(9,980)
(36,702)

140,518

234,227

72,576

6,616

323,646

19,246

47,514

844,343

38,923
17,471
–
6,682

63,076
18,555
–
–
(7,856)

25,925
10,635
–
4,406

40,966
11,123
–
–
(4,642)

6,835
3,752
–
1,206

11,793
3,718
–
–
(1,469)

3,126
1,046
–
522

4,694
1,060
–
(833)
(525)

6,119
1,380
–
985

8,484
4,513
–
–
(678)

73,775

47,447

14,042

4,396

12,319

96,661

53,485

18,435

94,602

51,476

17,702

2,199

3,125

5,756

7,102

–
–
–
–

–
54
–
–
–

54

–

–

14,512
8,656
–
2,592

25,760
7,277
11,227
(2,260)
(3,097)

95,440
42,940
–
16,393

154,773
46,300
11,227
(3,093)
(18,267)

38,907

190,940

24,370

200,906

25,126

199,133

66,743

186,780

58,534

2,220

311,327

19,192

8,607

653,403

All amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method over periods of between three and twelve years for developed technology, 
five and twenty years for customer relationships and three and ten years for purchased software rights.

For the purposes of the adjusted earnings per share calculation (note 13), intangible asset amortisation excludes the charge relating to 
other software of £1,060,000 (2017 – £1,046,000).

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201817 Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 1 April 2016
Additions
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2017
Additions
Acquisitions
Disposals
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2018

Depreciation
At 1 April 2016
Charge for the year
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2017
Charge for the year
Disposals
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2018

Net book value
At 31 March 2016

At 31 March 2017

At 31 March 2018

111

Total
£000

23,966
2,449
3,457

29,872
4,924
6,745
(5,043)
(2,796)

33,702

16,556
2,416
2,290

21,262
3,158
(3,538)
(2,012)

Long 
leasehold 
buildings and 
improvements
£000

5,985
393
707

7,085
342
2,618
(1,644)
(394)

Computer 
equipment 
£000

13,440
1,566
2,042

17,048
2,740
2,362
(3,304)
(1,685)

8,007

17,161

2,963
639
212

3,814
425
(446)
(261)

10,130
1,663
1,552

13,345
1,901
(3,034)
(1,288)

Fixtures, 
fittings 
and office 
equipment 
£000

Motor 
vehicles
£000

4,475
430
695

5,600
1,293
1,458
(95)
(659)

7,597

3,408
107
518

4,033
763
(58)
(449)

66
60
13

139
549
307
–
(58)

937

55
7
8

70
69
-
(14)

3,532

10,924

4,289

125

18,870

3,022

3,271

4,475

3,310

3,703

6,237

1,067

1,567

3,308

11

69

7,410

8,610

812

14,832

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements112

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

18 Investments
The Group consists of a parent company, AVEVA Group plc, incorporated in the UK, and a number of subsidiaries held directly or 
indirectly by AVEVA Group plc, which operate and are incorporated around the world, each contributing to the Group’s profits, assets 
and cash flows.

Unless otherwise stated, the Group’s percentage of equity capital and voting rights is 100%.

The results of all subsidiaries have been consolidated in these financial statements.

The addresses of all subsidiaries, principal or dormant, are provided on page 145 to 148.

Country of  
incorporation  
or registration

Country of  
incorporation  
or registration

United Kingdom
AVEVA Solutions Limited
United Kingdom Wonderware Italia S.P.A.
Schneider Electric Software GB Limited
Argentina
Schneider Electric Software Argentina S.A.
AVEVA Pty Limited
Australia
AVEVA Software Australia Holdings Pty Ltd Australia
Schneider Electric Software Australia Pty Ltd Australia
AVEVA do Brasil Informática Ltda
Schneider Electric Software Brasil LTDA
Schneider Electric Software Canada Inc.

Brazil
Brazil
Canada

Netherlands

Netherlands

Mexico

Schneider Electric Software Italia S.P.A Italy
Italy
AVEVA KK
Japan
Schneider Electric Software Japan Inc Japan
AVEVA Korea Limited
Korea
Schneider Electric Software Korea Ltd Korea
Malaysia
AVEVA Sendirian Berhad*
AVEVA Asia Pacific Sendirian Berhad Malaysia
Schneider Electric Software Mexico SA 
de CV
Schneider Electric Software Holdings 
Netherlands BV
Schneider Electric Software 
Netherlands BV
AVEVA AS
AVEVA OOO Limited Liability 
Company
Schneider Electric Software RU
AVEVA Pte Limited
Schneider Electric Software Holdings 
Singapore PTE Ltd
Schneider Electric Software Spain S.L. Spain
AVEVA AB
Wonderware Scandinavia AB
Schneider Electric Software (Thailand) 
Co. Ltd
Schneider Electric Software Middle 
East FZE
AVEVA Inc.

Sweden
Sweden
Thailand

Norway
Russia

Russia
Singapore
Singapore

United Arab Emirates

United States of America

Schneider Electric Software, LLC

United States of America

Schneider Electric Software Chile SpA

Chile

AVEVA (Shanghai) Consultancy Co. Limited China

AVEVA Solutions (Shanghai) Co. Limited
Telvent Control System (China) Co. Ltd

China
China

Schneider Electric Software Colombia S.A.S. Colombia
Denmark
AVEVA Denmark A/S
France
AVEVA SA

Schneider Electric Software France SAS
France
Germany
AVEVA GmbH
Schneider Electric Software Germany GmbH Germany
AVEVA East Asia Limited

Hong Kong

AVEVA Solutions India LLP

AVEVA Information Technology India Private 
Limited
Schneider Electric Software India Private 
Limited
Invensys Development Centre India Private 
Limited

India

India

India

India

*  The Group holds 49% of the ordinary shares of AVEVA Sendirian Berhad, which have been consolidated on the basis that the Group possesses power over 

the entity, has exposure to variable returns as a result of its involvement, and has the ability to affect its returns. 

19 Financial assets

Non-current
Fair value of forward exchange contracts
Current
Fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts

2018 
£000

2017
£000

–

1,547

451

–

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201820 Trade and other receivables 

Current
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade receivables
Amounts owed from related parties (note 31)
Prepayments and other receivables

113

2018 
£000

2017
£000

146,939
43,113
40,325

64,474
39,384
67,528

230,377

171,386

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and generally on terms of between 30 and 90 days. The Directors consider that the 
carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value.

Non-current
Prepayments and other receivables

2018 
£000

2017
£000

1,201

1,201

–

–

Non-current prepayments and other receivables include rental deposits for operating leases.

As at 31 March 2018, the provision for impairment of receivables was £1,790,000 (2017 – £2,063,000) and an analysis of the 
movements during the year was as follows:

At 1 April 2016
Charge for the year, net of amounts reversed
Utilised
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2017
Charge for the year, net of amounts reversed
Utilised
Exchange adjustment

As at 31 March 2018

£000

2,058
837
(1,132)
300

2,063
1,162
(1,309)
(126)

1,790

As at 31 March, the ageing analysis of trade receivables and amounts owed from related parties (net of provision for impairment) was 
as follows:

Past due not impaired

2018
Trade receivables
Amounts owed from related parties

2017
Trade receivables
Amounts owed from related parties

Neither past 
due nor 
impaired
£000

Total
£000

Less than 
four months
£000

Four to eight 
months
£000

Eight to 
twelve 
months
£000

More than 
twelve 
months 
£000

146,939
43,113

101,135
14,249

44,018
24,301

190,052

115,384

68,319

64,474
39,384

41,329
24,571

19,874
12,799

103,858

65,900

32,673

1,382
4,563

5,945

3,271
2,014

5,285

404
–

404

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

Further disclosures relating to the credit quality of trade receivables are included in note 26.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements114

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

21 Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term deposits

Net cash and cash equivalents per cash flow
Treasury deposits

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

104,530
1,119

105,649
226

105,875

22,431
–

22,431
–

22,431

Treasury deposits represent bank deposits with an original maturity of over three months. Treasury deposits held with a fixed rate of 
interest were £221,000 (2017 – £nil), with the remainder held at a floating rate.

Short-term deposits are made for varying periods of between one day and three months, depending on the immediate cash 
requirements of the Group, and earn interest at the respective short-term deposit rates. £1,022,000 (2017 – £nil) were at a fixed rate of 
interest and the remainder were held at a floating rate of interest.

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and treasury deposits is £105,875,000 (2017 – £22,431,000).

Further disclosures relating to credit quality of cash and cash equivalents and treasury deposits are included in note 26.

22 Trade and other payables 

Current
Trade payables
Amounts owed to related parties (note 31)
Social security, employee taxes and sales taxes
Accruals
Other payables

2018 
£000

2017
£000

22,877
8,865
17,371
56,509
23,166

22,256
13,768
18,778
26,726
47,637

128,788

129,165

Trade payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on terms of between 30 and 60 days. Social security, employee 
taxes and sales taxes are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on terms of between 19 and 30 days. The Directors consider 
that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates their fair value.

23 Loans and borrowings

Current
Bank loan

2018
£000

2017
£000

10,000

–

As at 31 March 2018 the Group had access to £100,000,000 under a three-year revolving credit facility. The drawings as at 31 March 
2018 totalled £10,000,000 (2017 – £nil). Drawings under these facilities have an interest rate of 1.19% and are repayable on 3 
September 2018.

The revolving credit facility permits 15 loans to be outstanding at any one time. Interest on drawings is calculated at LIBOR plus a 
margin, initially 0.5%, rising only if net leverage position deteriorates considerably. Additionally, a quarterly commitment fee is charged 
on the undrawn facility at 35% of the margin. The termination date of the facility is 28 February 2021 but is subject to an extension 
option.

24 Financial liabilities

Current
Fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts

2018 
£000

2017
£000

–

1,929

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018115

25 Obligations under leases 
As at 31 March 2018 the Group had the following future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Not later than one year
After one but not more than five years
More than five years

2018

2017

Land and 
buildings
£000

Plant and 
machinery 
£000

13,672
24,841
2,752

41,265

1,670
1,758
–

3,428

Land and 
buildings
£000

8,922
24,550
6,396

39,868

Plant and 
machinery 
£000

712
944
–

1,656

The Group has entered into commercial leases on certain properties, motor vehicles and items of equipment. These leases have a 
duration of between one and ten years. Certain property leases contain an option for renewal.

26 Financial risk management
The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise cash and short-term deposits, and forward foreign exchange contracts. The 
Group has various other financial assets and liabilities such as trade receivables, trade payables and borrowings, which arise directly 
from its operations.

The Group enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to manage currency risks arising from the Group’s operations.

It is, and has been throughout the period under review, the Group’s policy that no speculative trading in financial instruments shall be 
undertaken.

The main risks arising from the Group’s financial instruments are market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Board reviews and 
agrees policies for managing such risks on a regular basis as summarised below:

a) Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates and interest rates, will affect the Group’s income or 
the value of its holding of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk 
exposures within acceptable parameters.

Interest rate risk
The Group holds net funds and hence its interest rate risk is associated with short-term cash deposits. The Group’s overall objective 
with respect to holding these deposits is to maintain a balance between security of funds, accessibility and competitive rates of return.

For the presentation of market risks, IFRS 7 requires sensitivity analysis that show the effects of hypothetical changes of relevant risk 
variables on profit or loss and shareholders’ equity. The Group is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates on its cash and cash 
equivalents. Borrowings are at a fixed rate of interest. The impact is determined by applying sensitised interest rates to the cash and 
cash equivalents balances.

A 1% point decrease in the Sterling and US Dollar interest rates would have reduced interest income by approximately £500,000 
(2017 – £200,000) and profit after tax by £350,000 (2017 – £140,000).

Foreign currency risk
Foreign currency risk arises from the Group undertaking a significant number of foreign currency transactions in the course of 
operations. These exposures arise from sales in currencies other than the Group’s presentational currency of Sterling. 

The Group manages exchange risks, where possible, by using forward foreign exchange contracts. The Group enters into forward 
foreign exchange contracts to match forecast cash flows arising from its recurring revenue base. In addition, it enters into specific 
forward foreign exchange contracts for individually significant revenue contracts, when the timing of forecast cash flows is reasonably 
certain. Other currency exposures are harder to hedge cost effectively. At 31 March 2018, the Group had outstanding currency 
exchange contracts to sell $12.38 million and €8.15 million.

The Group has not applied hedge accounting during the current year and therefore all gains and losses on forward foreign exchange 
contracts have been included in the Consolidated income statement.

The Group has investments in foreign operations whose net assets are exposed to currency translation risk. Gains and losses arising 
from these structural currency exposures are recognised in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements116

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

26 Financial risk management continued
Foreign currency sensitivity analysis
For the presentation of market risks, IFRS 7 requires sensitivity analysis that shows the effects of hypothetical changes in the foreign 
exchange rates in profit or loss or shareholders’ equity. The impact is determined by applying the sensitised foreign exchange rate to 
the monetary assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date.

Currency risks as defined by IFRS 7 arise on account of financial instruments being denominated in a currency that is not the 
functional currency and being of a monetary nature; differences resulting from the translation of financial statements into the Group’s 
presentation currency are not taken into consideration.

A 10% change in the US Dollar against Sterling would have impacted equity and profit after tax by the amounts shown below as at the 
reporting date shown. In management’s opinion, this is a reasonably possible change given current market conditions. Our analysis 
indicates that a 10% change in other currencies would not have a significant impact. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in 
particular, interest rates and other foreign currencies, remain constant. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2016/17.

31 March 2018

US Dollar

31 March 2017

US Dollar

Increase/ 
(decrease) in 
average rate

Profit/(loss) 
£000

10%
(10%)

(1,030)
1,133

Increase/ 
(decrease) in 
average rate

Profit/(loss) 
£000

10%
(10%)

(3,325)
3,660

Equity
£000

(1,030)
1,133

Equity 
£000

(3,325)
3,660

b) Credit risk
The Group’s principal financial assets are cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, and accrued income.

Counterparties for cash and cash equivalents are governed by the treasury policy, which has been approved by the Board, and are 
limited to financial institutions which have a high credit rating assigned by international credit rating agencies. As set out in the Group’s 
treasury policy, the amount of exposure to each counterparty is subject to a specific limit, up to a maximum of 50% of the Group’s 
total counterparty risk. Within this overall limit, some counterparties are subject to more restrictive caps on counterparty exposure.

The Group trades only with recognised, creditworthy third parties and provides credit to customers in the normal course of business. 
The amounts presented in the Consolidated balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables. An allowance for impairment 
is made where there is an identified loss event, which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability 
of the cash flows. The Group has credit control functions to monitor receivable balances on an ongoing basis. Credit checks are 
performed before credit is granted to new customers. Due to the credit control procedures in place, we believe all the receivables are 
of good quality. The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of customers. The 
maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset. The exposure to credit risk is mitigated 
where necessary by either letters of credit or payments in advance.

The Group does not require collateral in respect of its financial assets.

c) Liquidity risk
The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves and by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash 
flows and matching the maturity of financial assets and liabilities. As at 31 March 2018 the Group has access to undrawn borrowing 
facilities of £90,000,000 (2017 – £nil). 

The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities, which will be settled on a net basis, into relevant maturity groupings based on 
the remaining period at the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual 
undiscounted cash flows:

As at 31 March 2018
Trade and other payables
Amounts due to related parties
Loans and borrowings

Between 
three months 
and 
six months
£000

Less than 
three months
£000

Between 
six months 
and one year
£000

Greater than 
one year
£000

45,092
6,676
–

951
2,189
10,000

51,768

13,140

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018117

Between 
three months 
and 
six months
£000

Less than 
three months
£000

Between 
six months 
and one year
£000

Greater than 
one year
£000

69,811
13,123
-

82,934

82
645
–

727

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

As at 31 March 2017
Trade and other payables
Amounts due to related parties
Loans and borrowings

The table below analyses the Group’s forward foreign exchange contracts, which will be settled on a gross basis, into relevant maturity 
groupings based on the remaining period at the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the 
table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows:

Between 
three months
and 
six months 
‘000

Less than 
three months
‘000

Between
 six months 
and one year
‘000

Greater than 
one year
‘000

As at 31 March 2018
Forward foreign exchange contracts (GBP/EUR)
Outflow
Inflow

Forward foreign exchange contracts (GBP/USD)
Outflow
Inflow

As at 31 March 2017
Forward foreign exchange contracts (EUR/CAD)
Outflow
Inflow

Forward foreign exchange contracts (USD/CAD)
Outflow
Inflow

Forward foreign exchange contracts (CAD/EUR)
Outflow
Inflow

Forward foreign exchange contracts (CAD/USD)
Outflow
Inflow

Forward foreign exchange contracts (GBP/CAD)
Outflow
Inflow

Forward foreign exchange contracts (CAD/MXN)
Outflow
Inflow

Forward foreign exchange contracts (MXN/USD)
Outflow
Inflow

Forward foreign exchange contracts (MXN/EUR)
Outflow
Inflow

Forward foreign exchange contracts (MXN/CAD)
Outflow
Inflow

€3,550
£3,169

€3,150
£2,814

€1,450
£1,287

$7,900
£5,928

$2,775
£2,035

$1,700
£1,208

–
–

–
–

Between 
three months 
and 
six months
‘000

Between 
six months 
and one year 
‘000

Greater than 
one year
‘000

Less than three 
months 
‘000

€791
C$1,136

€308
C$441

€133
C$187

–
–

$8,083

$12,711
C$10,655 C$9,992 C$10,443 C$16,887

$7,585

$7,782

C$3,118
€2,181

C$1,222
€808

–
–

–
–

C$9,025 C$3,433 C$5,560
$4,144
$2,567

$6,800

C$188
$145

£21
C$34

C$1,350
Mx22,482

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

C$9,913
–
– Mx147,525

– Mx8,564
$388
–

– Mx113,621
$5,696
–

Mx60
€3

Mx928
€39

–
–

–
–

–
–

Mx693
C$41

– Mx42,981
– C$2,580

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements118

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

26 Financial risk management continued
d) Fair values
The book values of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities consist of bank and cash balances of £105,649,000 (2017 – 
£22,431,000) and treasury deposits of £226,000 (2017 – £nil). The carrying amounts of these financial assets and liabilities in the 
Group’s financial statements approximates their fair values.

In addition, the Group’s financial assets include forward foreign exchange contracts. Financial instruments that are recognised at fair 
value subsequent to initial recognition are grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable. The 
three levels are defined as follows:

• Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
• Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable 
• Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not 

for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

At 31 March 2018, the Group had forward foreign exchange contracts which were measured at Level 2 fair value subsequent to initial 
recognition. The fair value of the asset in respect of foreign exchange contracts was £451,000 at 31 March 2018 (2017 – asset of 
£1,547,000 and liability of £1,929,000).

The resulting loss of £68,000 (2017 – £nil) on the movement of the fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is recognised in 
the Consolidated income statement within administrative expenses.

e) Capital management
The Group’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, market, creditor, customer and employee confidence 
and to sustain future development of the business. The capital structure of the Group consists of equity attributable to the equity 
holders of AVEVA Group plc comprising issued share capital, other reserves and retained earnings.

To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, return capital to shareholders 
or issue new shares. 

The Board monitors the capital structure on a regular basis and determines the level of annual dividend. The Group is not exposed to 
any externally imposed capital requirements.

27 Deferred tax
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group and the movements thereon, during the current 
and previous year:

At 1 April 2016
Credit to income statement
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2017
Acquired
Credit to income statement
Credit to other comprehensive income
Credited to equity
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2018

Retirement 
benefit 
obligations 
£000

–
–
–

–
(946)
–
1,479
–
–

Intangible 
assets
£000

(67,902)
16,478
(9,380)

(60,804)
(91,271)
33,595
–
(4,222)
5,468

Share 
options 
£000

Losses  
£000

–
–
–

–
706
–
–
–
–

706

–
–
–

–
568
–
–
–
–

568

Other 
temporary
differences*
£000

–
1,984
93

2,077
1,982
4,773
–
898
(664)

Total
£000

(67,902)
18,462
(9,287)

(58,727)
(88,961)
38,368
1,479
(3,324)
4,804

533

(117,234)

9,066

(106,361)

* Other temporary differences consist principally of deferred tax on fixed assets and timing differences in respect of revenue recognition.

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for 
financial reporting purposes:

Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred tax assets

2018 
£000

2017
£000

(115,412)
9,051

(60,804)
2,077

(106,361)

(58,727)

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018119

It is likely that the majority of the overseas earnings would qualify for the UK dividend exemption. However, £20,354,000 (2017 – 
£18,893,000) of the undistributed earnings of overseas subsidiaries may still result in a tax liability principally as a result of withholding 
taxes levied by the overseas jurisdictions in which they operate. No liability has been recognised because the Group is in a position to 
control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that such differences will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future. 

At the balance sheet date, the Group has unused tax losses of £21,570,000 (2017 – £9,237,000) available for offset against future 
profits. Of the total deferred tax asset of £9,051,000 (2017 – £2,077,000), £568,000 (2017 – £nil) has been recognised and is 
included above. Losses of £1,359,000 (2017 – £nil) expire after 5 years and losses of £7,496,000 (2017 – £9,237,000) expire after 
20 years. All other losses may be carried forward indefinitely.

28 Retirement benefit obligations
The Group operates defined benefit pension schemes in the UK, Sweden, Italy, Japan and Germany. The Group also provides certain 
post employment benefits to its South Korean employees. 

The UK defined benefit pension scheme, previously available to all UK employees, was closed to new applicants in 2002 and closed 
to future accrual from 31 March 2015. UK employees are now offered membership of a defined contribution scheme.

The German unfunded defined benefit schemes are closed to new applicants and provide benefits to nine deferred members. No 
current employees participate in the schemes.

The Group provides pension arrangements to its Swedish employees through an industry-wide defined benefit scheme. It is not 
possible to identify the share of the underlying assets and liabilities in the scheme which is attributable to the Group on a fair and 
reasonable basis. Therefore the Group has applied the provisions in IAS 19 to account for the scheme as if it was a defined 
contribution scheme.

The movement on the provision for retirement benefit obligations was as follows:

UK defined 
benefit 
scheme  
£000

German 
defined 
benefit  
schemes  
£000

South Korean 
severance 
pay  

£000

Italy plan
£000

IPS Japan 
Plan
£000

At 31 March 2016
Current service cost
Net interest on pension scheme liabilities
Actuarial remeasurements
Employer contributions
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2017
On acquisition
Current service cost
Net interest on pension scheme liabilities
Return on pension scheme assets
Actuarial remeasurements
Employer contributions
Exchange adjustment

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
(4,277)
–
171
(160)
–
(1,297)
–

1,014
88
20
136
–
136

1,394
1,899
78
18
–
(556)
–
41

At 31 March 2018

(5,563)

2,874

The following is the analysis of the retirement benefit balances:

Retirement benefit surplus
Retirement benefit liabilities

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
1,598
–
–
–
–
–
–

1,598

1,339
231
–
–
(4)
175

1,741
–
236
–
–
–
(210)
25

1,054
165
4
(30)
–
188

1,381
–
141
6
–
101
(247)
(98)

Other
£000

453
187
–
–
(54)
58

644
–
479
110
–
2,802
(494)
(295)

Total
£000

3,860
671
24
106
(58)
557

5,160
(780)
934
305
(160)
2,347
(2,248)
(327)

1,792

1,284

3,246

5,231

2018 
£000

(5,563)
10,794

5,231

2017 
£000

–
5,160

5,160

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements 
120

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

28 Retirement benefit obligations continued
The UK defined benefit scheme surplus has been recognised as a non-current asset as the Group has a right to any remaining 
surplus after all liabilities are paid. The Trustees may not distribute any surplus without the agreement of the Group. If such agreement 
is withheld, the Trustees are required to repay any remaining funds to the Group.

a) UK defined benefit scheme
The Group operates a UK defined benefit pension plan providing benefits based on final pensionable pay which is funded. This 
scheme was closed to new employees on 30 September 2002 (with the option of reopening if required) and was converted to a 
Career Average Revalued Earnings basis on 30 September 2004. The scheme closed to future benefit accrual with effect from 1 
April 2015. Pensions are also payable to dependants on death. Administration on behalf of the members is governed by a trust deed, 
and the funds are held and managed by professional investment managers who are independent of the Group.

Contributions to the scheme are made in accordance with advice from an external, professionally qualified actuary, Broadstone 
Corporate Benefits Limited, at rates which are calculated to be sufficient to meet the future liabilities of the scheme. Scheme assets 
are stated at their market values at the respective balance sheet dates.

The principal assumptions used in determining the pension valuation were as follows:

2018 
%

2017 
%

Main assumptions:
Discount rate
Inflation assumption – RPI
Rate of salary increases
Rate of increase of pensions in payment
Rate of increase of pensions in deferment
Cash Commutation

2.60
3.50
5.50
3.20
2.50
20% of pension

The duration of the scheme liabilities is estimated to be 17 years. 

For the years ended 31 March 2018 and 2017, the mortality assumptions adopted imply the following weighted average life 
expectancies at age 65:

2018 
Years

Male currently aged 65
Female currently aged 65
Male currently aged 45
Female currently aged 45

22.9
23.9
23.9
25.1

–
–
–
–
–
–

2017
Years

–
–
–
–

Company contributions were £1,297,000 (2017 – £nil), comprising deficit contributions totalling £117,000 per annum plus an 
administration charge of £180,000, and a one off additional Company contribution of £1,000,000. The total contributions in 2018/19 
and 2019/20 are expected to be approximately £1,580,000 in each year.

The PPF levy of approximately £15,854 was payable in addition (2017 – £28,000). 

The assumed discount rate, inflation rate and mortality all have a significant effect on the IAS 19 accounting valuation. The following 
table shows the sensitivity of the valuation to changes in these assumptions:

Impact on liabilities  
increase/(decrease)

0.25 percentage point increase to:
– discount rate
– inflation (including pension increases linked to inflation)
Additional one-year increase to life expectancy

The assets and liabilities of the scheme at 31 March 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

Equities
Bonds
Other

Total fair value of assets
Present value of scheme liabilities

Net pension asset 

2018 
£000

2017
£000

(3,422)
2,412
2,334

–
–
–

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

33,160
27,096
23,121

83,377
77,814

5,563

–
–
–

–
–

–

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018121

The amounts recognised in the Consolidated income statement and Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year 
are analysed as follows:

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

Finance revenue
Interest income on pension scheme assets

Finance costs
Interest on pension scheme liabilities

Taken to Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Actual return on pension scheme assets
Less: interest income on pension scheme assets

Remeasurement gain on defined benefit plan

(160)

171

160
(160)

–

–

–

–
–

–

Analysis of movements in the present value of the defined benefit pension obligations during the year are analysed as follows:

At 1 April
On acquisition
Interest on pension scheme liabilities

At 31 March

The above defined benefit obligation arises from a plan that is wholly funded. 

Changes in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

At 1 April
On acquisition
Interest income
Contributions by employer

At 31 March

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

–
77,643
171

77,814

–
–
–

–

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

–
81,920
160
1,297

83,377

–
–
–
–

–

b) German defined benefit schemes
The Group operates four defined benefit pension schemes. There are three defined benefit pension schemes in AVEVA GmbH. 
Tribon Solutions GmbH operated an unfunded defined benefit scheme that provides benefits to three deferred members following an 
acquisition in 1992. No current employees participate in the scheme and it is closed to new applicants. Benefit payments are made as 
they fall due. 

Since the acquisition of Bocad in May 2012, AVEVA Software GmbH had been responsible for the pension obligations of six former 
Bocad employees. At the time of the acquisition, the pension obligations were only partly financed via external funding vehicles. In 
March 2013, AVEVA concluded an agreement with an external insurance provider which resulted in the insurance company being 
obliged to provide all benefits as detailed in the individual pension commitments, with AVEVA only having an obligation if the external 
insurance provider defaults.

In addition, AVEVA GmbH operates a defined benefit pension scheme for one employee. This scheme is closed to new members. 

There are two unfunded defined benefit schemes in the German Schneider Electric software business. Seven current employees 
participate in the schemes, both schemes are closed to new applicants.

Details of the actuarial assumptions used to value these schemes in accordance with IAS 19 are set out below:

Rate of increase of pension in payment
Discount rate
Mortality
Rate of salary increases
Retirement age

2018

2017

1.5%-2.5%
1.2%-1.6%
13-20 years
n/a
60-63

–
–
–
–
–

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements 
122

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

28 Retirement benefit obligations continued
c) South Korean severance pay
South Korean employees are entitled to a lump sum on severance of their employment equal to one month’s salary for each year of 
service.

d) Italy plan
Certain employees in Italy have an accrued entitlement to Defined Benefit termination indemnity payments. The plan is unfunded.

e) IPS Japan plan
Employees enrolled in the IPS Japanese plan receive a lump sum payment on retirement or earlier exit. The plan is unfunded.

f) Other retirement schemes
Swedish employees employed by AVEVA AB aged 28 or over are members of the ITP, an industry scheme for salaried employees 
which provides benefits in addition to the state pension arrangements. The ITP scheme is managed by Alecta, a Swedish insurance 
company. It is a multi-employer defined benefit scheme with a supplementary defined contribution component. AVEVA AB pays 
monthly premiums to the insurers which vary by age, service and salary of the employee. AVEVA AB is unable to identify its share of 
the underlying assets and liabilities in the scheme on a fair and reasonable basis because this information is not provided by the 
scheme and therefore has accounted for the scheme as if it was a defined contribution pension scheme. At 31 March 2018, Alecta’s 
surplus in the form of collective funding level was 152% which was calculated in accordance with the Swedish Annual Accounts Act for 
Insurance Companies. The total cost charged to the income statement was £66,599.

Certain employees in Australia have a statutory right to receive a Long Service Leave payment at dates agreed with the employee 
(after the qualifying period).

Employees in UAE and Saudi Arabia are entitled to a lump sum benefit on retirement or termination. This is based on service and final 
salary and is a legal requirement in these countries.

Certain employees in India have a statutory right to receive a gratuity payment when they leave service. They also have a leave 
encashment plan (where unused annual leave can be used to purchase an additional retirement benefit).

g) Defined contribution schemes
The Group operates defined contribution retirement schemes for certain employees. The assets of the schemes are held separately 
from those of the Group. The total cost charged to income of £8,580,000 (2017 – £6,466,000) represents contributions payable to 
these schemes by the Group at the rates specified in the rules of the plans.

29 Share-based payment plans
The Group has four equity-settled share schemes: the AVEVA Group plc Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP); the AVEVA Group 
Management Bonus Deferred Share Scheme; the AVEVA Group plc Senior Employee Restricted Share Plan 2015; and the AVEVA 
Group plc Executive Share Option Scheme 2007. No grants have been made under the 2007 scheme which was approved at the 
Annual General Meeting on 12 July 2007. Details of these plans are set out below.

The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices (WAEP) of, and movements in, share options for the 
schemes during the year:

Outstanding at start of year
On acquisition
Granted during year*

Outstanding at end of year
Exercisable at end of year

2018 
Number

–
697,240
574,607

1,271,847
5,317

2018 
WAEP 
Pence

–
3.49
1.68

2.67
3.56

2017  

Number

–
–
–

–
–

20167
WAEP 
Pence

–
–
–

–
–

* 

Included within the options granted during the year are 270,384 options granted as a result of modifications to existing options (2017 – none). 

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
123

During the year, modifications occurred under the Company’s employee share plans in relation to the Return of Value to the 
Company’s shareholders, which was implemented by means of a B Share Scheme. The modifications operated to increase the 
number of Shares held under the awards by a factor of 1.53846 and rounded down to the nearest number of whole shares. 
Modifications were also made in relation to a dividend equivalent. The following modifications were made to certain of the Company’s 
vested and unvested awards. 

Date of grant

26 July 2010
6 July 2011
21 July 2015
6 August 2015
22 January 2016
13 July 2016
13 July 2016
25 July 2016
3 July 2017
9 September 2017/6 March 2018
9 September 2017

Share option plan

LTIP
LTIP
Restricted Share Plan
Deferred Share Scheme
LTIP
Restricted Share Plan
LTIP
Deferred Share Scheme
Deferred Share Scheme
LTIP
Restricted Share Plan

Share options granted under the schemes to certain employees and which remain outstanding are as follows:

Number
 of options 
granted – 
Return of 
Value

Number
 of options 
granted – 
Dividend 
equivalent

401
1,023
21,709
290
31,682
26,132
61,857
647
5,766
59,937
58,020

–
–
511
3
776
611
890
6
123
–
–

267,464

2,920

Date of grant

Share option plan

26 July 2010
6 July 2011
21 July 2015
21 July 2015
6 August 2015
22 January 2016
13 July 2016
13 July 2016
25 July 2016
3 July 2017
9 September 2017/6 March 2018
9 September 2017
6 March 2018

LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
Restricted Share Plan
Deferred Share Scheme
LTIP
Restricted Share Plan
LTIP
Deferred Share Scheme
Deferred Share Scheme
LTIP
Restricted Share Plan
LTIP

Number
 of options 
2018 

Number 
of options 
2017 

Exercise  

price
 Pence

1,145
2,924
194,866
62,038
834
90,522
74,690
176,740
1,851
16,486
187,468
165,804
296,479

1,271,847

3.56
3.56
3.56
3.56
–
3.56
3.56
3.56
–
–
3.56
3.56
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements 
124

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

29 Share-based payment plans continued
The fair value of option awards subject to EPS performance targets was measured at grant date using the Black-Scholes option 
pricing model, and the fair value of option awards subject to TSR performance targets was determined by use of Monte Carlo 
simulations, both taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the instruments were granted. As a result of the reverse 
acquisition accounting, existing share option awards were revalued using the relevant inputs as at the acquisition date, using a 
consistent methodology as outlined above. The element relating to service prior to the acquisition date has been included within 
consideration, as outlined in Note 14, with the post-acquisition element reflecting the ongoing charge in the income statement. The 
following table lists the inputs to the model used for each of the awards:

Common to all plans:
Expected volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected life of option
Weighted average share price
Dividend yield
LTIP March
Weighted average share price
Dividend yield
Return of value and Dividend equivalents 
Weighted average share price
Dividend yield

2017/18 
awards

2016/17  
awards

48%
0.54%
Remaining life of option
£18.26
2.48%

£20.34
2.22%

£18.26
2.48%

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–

The weighted average remaining contractual life for the options outstanding at 31 March 2018 is 7.12 years (2017 – nil years).

The average fair value of options granted during the year was £19.14 (2017 – nil). In calculating the fair value, the expected life of the 
options is based on historical data and is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility reflects 
the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may also not necessarily be the actual outcome.

In the year ended 31 March 2018 the Group recognised an expense of £1,230,000 related to equity-settled share-based payment 
transactions (2017 – £nil) and £153,000 related to cash-settled share-based payment transactions (2017 – £1,300,000).

Details of the share option plans are as follows:

a) Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
The following awards have been made under the LTIP. The exercise price is equal to the nominal value of the underlying shares, which 
is 3.56 pence. Options under the LTIP are normally exercisable in full or in part between the third and tenth anniversaries of the date of 
grant.

2017/18 awards
In 2017/18, a total of 127,531 share options were awarded to Executive Directors and senior management under the LTIP. The 
performance conditions attached to this award are based on EPS growth (50%), Total Shareholder Return (TSR) (25%) against a 
comparator group of the FTSE 250, Owner Operator Growth (12.5%), and More than 3D Growth (12.5%), over the three years from 
2017/18 to 2019/20. 

• If average adjusted diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) growth is more than 15% then all shares shall vest. If average adjusted diluted 

EPS growth over the same period is less than 5% then none of the shares will vest. 80% of the award shall vest if 10% average 
growth is achieved. For growth rates between 5% and 10% and between 10% and 15% the number of shares that vest will be 
determined by linear interpolation. 

• If TSR is equal to or more than the Upper Quartile ranked entity, then all shares shall vest. If TSR over the same period is below the 

Median ranked entity then none of the shares will vest. For values of TSR between the Median ranked entity and the Upper Quartile 
ranked entity, the number of shares that vest will be determined by linear interpolation between 25% and 100%. 

• If Owner Operator Growth is greater than 17% p.a., then all shares shall vest. If Owner Operator Growth over the same period is 

below 7% p.a. then none of the shares will vest. For values of Owner Operator Growth between 7% p.a. and 17.0% p.a. the number 
of shares that vest will be determined by linear interpolation between 7% p.a. and 17% p.a. 

• If More than 3D Growth is greater than 17.3% p.a., then all shares shall vest. If More than 3D Growth over the same period is below 

6.8% p.a. then none of the shares will vest. For values of More than 3D Growth between 6.8% p.a. and 17.3% p.a. the number of 
shares that vest will be determined by linear interpolation between 6.8% p.a. and 17.3% p.a. 

An additional 59,937 options were granted as a result of modifications due to the Return of Value.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018125

2016/17 awards
In 2016/17, a total of 125,559 share options were awarded to Executive Directors and senior management under the LTIP. The 
performance conditions attached to this award are based on EPS growth over the three years from 2016/17 to 2018/19. If average 
adjusted diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) growth is more than 15% then all shares shall vest. If average adjusted diluted EPS growth 
over the same period is less than 5% then none of the shares will vest. For growth rates between 5%–15% the number of shares that 
vest will be determined by linear interpolation between 25% and 100%. In 2017/18 an additional 61,857 options were granted as a 
result of modifications due to the Return of Value and 890 as a result of dividend equivalents.

2015/16 awards
In 2015/16, a total of 253,610 share options were awarded to Executive Directors and senior management under the LTIP. The 
performance conditions attached to this award are based on EPS growth over the three years from 2015/16 to 2017/18. If average 
adjusted EPS growth is more than 20% then all shares shall vest. If average adjusted diluted EPS growth over the same period is less 
than 12% then none of the shares will vest. For growth rates between 12% and 20% the number of shares that vest will be determined 
by linear interpolation between 25% and 100%. In 2017/18 an additional 31,682 options were granted as a result of modifications due 
to the Return of Value and 776 as a result of dividend equivalents.

2014/15 awards
In 2014/15, a total of 189,740 share options were awarded to Executive Directors and senior management under the LTIP. The 
performance conditions attached to this award are based on EPS growth over the three years from 2014/15 to 2016/17. If average 
adjusted diluted EPS growth is more than 20% then all shares shall vest. If average adjusted diluted EPS growth over the same period 
is less than 12% then none of the shares will vest. For growth rates between 12% and 20% the number of shares that vest will be 
determined by linear interpolation between 25% and 100%.

b) Deferred annual bonus share plan
In 2008, the Company established the AVEVA Group Management Bonus Deferred Share Scheme 2008 (the Deferred Share 
Scheme). Directors and senior management participate in the scheme. Subject to the achievement of performance conditions relating 
to a single financial year, these incentive arrangements are intended to reward the recipient partly in cash and partly in ordinary shares 
in the Company to be delivered on a deferred basis.

In July 2017, the AVEVA Group Employee Benefit Trust 2008 awarded 15,444 (2017 – 2,160) deferred shares to the Executive 
Directors and senior management in respect of the bonus earned in the year ended 31 March 2017 (2017 – bonus earned in year 
ended 31 March 2016). 

The award of deferred shares takes the form of nil-cost options exercisable by participants in three equal tranches, one in each of the 
three years following the year in which the award is made. The option may be exercised in the 42-day period beginning on the 
announcement of the financial results of the Group in each of the three calendar years after that in which the option was granted. The 
last date of the exercise is the end of the 42-day period following the announcement of the financial results of the Group in the third 
calendar year following that in which the option was granted or (if applicable) such later date as the Remuneration Committee may 
specify. These awards are made solely in respect of performance in the financial year immediately prior to their grant. Delivery of the 
deferred shares is not subject to further performance conditions but each participant is required to remain an employee or Director of 
the Group during the three-year vesting period in order to receive his deferred shares in full (except in the case of death or the 
occurrence of a takeover, reconstruction or amalgamation, or voluntary winding up of the Company). 

c) AVEVA Group plc Senior Employee Restricted Share Plan 2015
In 2015, the Company established the AVEVA Group plc Senior Employee Restricted Share Plan 2015 (the Restricted Share Plan). 
The scheme allows awards of options to be made to senior management employees and the exercise price of awards granted is 3.56 
pence, being the nominal value of the underlying shares. The right to exercise an option is subject to completion of a required period 
of continued employment within the Group, usually being three years. Options that are not exercised prior to the fifth anniversary (or, in 
the case of an award with an overall award period of more than four years, the sixth anniversary) of the date of grant shall lapse.

In September 2017 a total of 110,247 options were granted to senior management. The shares under option are exercisable three years 
after the date of award. An additional 58,020 options were granted as a result of modifications due to the Return of Value and 
dividend equivalent.

In July 2016 a total of 61,311 options were granted to senior management. The shares under option are exercisable three years after the 
date of award. In 2017/18 an additional 26,132 options were granted as a result of modifications due to the Return of Value and 611 as a 
result of dividend equivalents.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements126

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

29 Share-based payment plans continued
In July 2015 a total of 66,638 options were granted to senior management. One-third of the shares under option are exercisable two 
years after the date of award and two-thirds of the shares under option are exercisable after three years. In 2017/18 an additional 
21,709 options were granted as a result of modifications due to the Return of Value and 511 as a result of dividend equivalents.

30 Share capital and reserves
a) Share capital

Allotted, called-up and fully paid
161,207,315 (2017 – 63,975,689) ordinary shares of 3.56 pence each

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

5,732

2,275

Details of the shares issued during the year and the prior year are as follows:

2018  
Number

At 1 April
Issued as consideration for the purchase of the Schneider Electric Software business
Exercise of share options

63,975,869
97,169,655
61,791

2018 
£000

2,275
3,455
2

2017  

Number

63,961,113
–
14,756

At 31 March

161,207,315

5,732 63,975,869

2017 
£000

2,274
–
1

2,275

On 1 March 2018 the Company issued 97,169,655 (2017 – nil) consideration shares of 3.56 pence each with a nominal value of 
£3,454,921 (2017 – nil). The issue of new shares in the Company in exchange for shares in Schneider Electric Industrial Software 
Business has attracted merger relief under section 612 of the Companies Act 2006. Of the £1,818,044,245 fair value of the shares 
issued, £3,454,921 (3.56 pence per ordinary share) has been credited to share capital, £547,254,807 (after writing off certain 
transaction costs) to share premium, and the remaining £1,265,634,517 to the merger reserve within equity.

On 1 March 2018 the Company issued 64,037,660 B shares of £10.15 each paid up by capitalisation of £649,982,249 of the merger 
reserve. Later on the same date the B shares were redeemed at £10.15 per share, in part out of the fresh issue referred to above and 
£101,682,249 out of distributable reserves (which was transferred to capital redemption reserve).

During the year the Company issued 61,791 (2017 – 14,756) ordinary shares of 3.56 pence each with a nominal value of £2,197 (2017 
– £525) pursuant to the exercise of share options. The total proceeds were £2,197 (2017 – £525), which included a premium of £nil 
(2017 – £nil).

Year ended 31 March 2018

Date of issue

5 June 2017
27 June 2017
13 July 2017
10 August 2017
17 August 2017
13 September 2017
28 September 2017
18 October 2017
14 November 2017
5 December 2017
8 December 2017
18 January 2018
6 February 2018
1 March 2018

Year ended 31 March 2017

Date of issue

24 May 2016
27 May 2016
29 September 2016

Number of 
shares 
2018

325
1,194
1,694
8,626
2,276
5,392
3,324
2,169
1,334
31,871
1,714
1,063
809
97,169,655

Nominal
value 
2018 
£

Share 
premium 
2018 
£000

12
42
60
307
81
192
118
77
47
1,133
61
38
29
3,454,921

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
547,255

97,231,446

3,457,118

547,255

Number of 
shares 
2017

10,579
566
3,611

14,756

Nominal 
value 
2017 
£

Share 
premium 
2017 
£000

376
20
128

524

–
–
–

–

Market 
price 
£

19.99
20.20
20.06
19.58
19.21
23.87
24.38
24.53
25.69
25.75
27.06
28.21
28.02
18.71

Market 
price 
£

15.27
16.00
20.12

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018127

b) Other reserves
Other reserves consist of the following:

Merger reserve
The change over the year represents the difference between the equity consideration and the nominal value of shares issued in 
connection with the acquisition of Schneider Electric software business in 2018 less amounts used to pay up the B shares. The Return 
of Value to shareholders was affected through the issue and redemption of B shares which were redeemed against the merger 
reserve.

Cumulative translation adjustment reserve
The cumulative translation adjustment reserve is used to record exchange differences which arise from the translation of the financial 
statements of foreign subsidiaries.

Capital redemption reserve
This represents the Return of Value to shareholders from AVEVA Group plc plus issue costs of the consideration shares.

Reverse acquisition reserve 
This represents the difference between the consideration and the AVEVA capital equity interests on acquisition. 

Treasury shares
Treasury shares reserve represents the cost of the shares in AVEVA Group plc purchased in the open market and held by the AVEVA 
Group Employee Benefit Trust 2008 (EBT) to satisfy deferred shares under the Group’s deferred annual bonus share plan. During the 
year, 15,444 (2017 – 2,160) shares were purchased by the EBT at a price of £20.91 (2017 – £18.68) and 11,543 shares (2017 – 13,380) 
with an attributable cost of £243,462 (2017 – £296,431) were issued to employees in satisfying share options that were exercised.

At 1 April 2016
Own shares purchased 25 July 2016
Shares issued to employees

At 31 March 2017
Own shares purchased 27 June 2017
Shares issued to employees

At 31 March 2018

£000

484
40
(296)

228
322
(243)

307

31 Related party transactions
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not 
disclosed in this note.

During the year, Group companies entered into the following transactions with Schneider Electric group companies:

Sales of goods and services
Purchases of goods and services
Interest income
Interest expense
Other non trading transactions
Pre-closing management fees

As at 31 March, Group companies held the following balances with Schneider Electric group companies:

Trade receivables
Trade payables
Non-trading receivables
Non-trading payables

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

72,934
(13,141)
288
(3,454)
(7,857)
(10,962)

59,788
(11,675)
1,280
(138)
(9,973)
(14,377)

2018 
£000

43,113
(8,865)
9,413
– 

2017 
£000

39,384
(13,768)
107,156
(76,775)

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements128

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

31 Related party transactions continued
Terms and conditions of transactions with related parties
Outstanding balances at 31 March 2018 are unsecured, and settlement occurs in cash. There have been no guarantees provided or 
received for any related party receivables or payables. For the year ended 31 March 2018, the Group has not recorded any impairment 
of receivables relating to amounts owed by related parties (2017 – £nil). This assessment is undertaken each financial year through 
examining the financial position of the related party and the market in which the related party operates. 

Remuneration of key management personnel
The remuneration of the key management personnel of the Group is set out below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in 
IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures. In the year to 31 March 2018, and 11 month period to 28 February 2018, the key management 
personnel were considered to be the Chief Operating Officer and the Heads of Business of the Schneider Electric software business. 
Following the Combination, during the one month period from 1 March 2018 to 31 March 2018, the key management personnel were 
considered to be the Executive Directors and other members of the Executive team of AVEVA Group plc enlarged Group. In addition 
to their salaries, the Group also provides non-cash benefits and contributes to defined benefit or defined contribution pension 
schemes on their behalf. Members of the key management team also participate in the Group’s share option schemes and deferred 
annual bonus share plan. 

Further information about the remuneration of individual Directors is provided in the audited part of the Remuneration Committee 
report on pages 56 to 77.

Short-term employee benefits
Share-based payments

2018 
£000

2,929
410

3,339

2017 
£000

2,377
153

2,530

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Company balance sheet
31 March 2018

Non-current assets
Investments

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Equity
Issued share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Merger reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity 

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Total equity and liabilities

Profit for the year

129

Notes

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

5 1,303,745

1,303,745

32,736

32,736

6

8

7

71,592
264

125,567
11

71,856

125,578

1,375,601

158,314

5,732
574,543
101,682
619,574
73,285

2,275
27,288
–
3,921
84,748

1,374,816

118,232

785

785

40,082

40,082

1,375,601

158,314

103,671

49,050

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Company balance sheet. 

The financial statements on pages 129 to 134 were approved by the Board of Directors on 14 June 2018 and signed on its behalf by:

Philip Aiken
Chairman

Craig Hayman
Chief Executive Officer

Company number
2937296

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements130

Company statement of changes in shareholders’ equity
31 March 2018

At 1 April 2016
Profit for the year
Issue of share capital
Share-based payments
Share options granted to employees of subsidiary companies
Dividends paid

At 31 March 2017
Profit for the year
Issue of share capital 
Shares issued to acquire the Schneider Electric software business, 

net of transaction costs 

Issue and redemption of B shares
Share-based payments
Share options granted to employees of subsidiary companies
Dividends paid

Share 
capital 
£000

2,274
–
1
–
–
–

2,275
–
2

3,455
–
–
–
–

Share 
premium 
£000

27,288
–
–
–
–
–

27,288
–
–

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000

Merger 
reserve 
£000

Profit and 
loss account 
£000

Total 
shareholders’ 
funds 
£000

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

3,921
–
–
–
–
–

3,921
–
–

62,114
49,050
–
171
913
(27,500)

84,748
103,671
–

95,597
49,050
1
171
913
(27,500)

118,232
103,671
2

547,255 
–
–
–
–

– 1,265,635
(649,982)
–
–
–

101,682
–
–
–

– 1,816,345
(649,982)
852
2,964
(17,268)

(101,682)
852
2,964
(17,268)

At 31 March 2018

5,732

574,543

101,682

619,574

73,285 1,374,816

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Company statement of changes in shareholders’ equity.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018131

Notes to the Company financial statements

1 Authorisation of Financial Statements and Corporate information
The financial statements of AVEVA Group plc (the Company) for the year ended 31 March 2018 were authorised for issue by the 
Board of Directors on 14 June 2018 and the balance sheet was signed on the Board’s behalf by Philip Aiken, the Chairman, and Craig 
Hayman, the CEO. AVEVA Group plc is a limited Company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales whose shares are 
publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. The principal activity of the Company is that of a holding company.

These financial statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (FRS 
101) and in accordance with applicable accounting standards. The financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis. The 
accounting policies which follow set out those policies which apply in preparing the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 
2018. The financial statements are presented in sterling, rounded to the nearest thousand.

No income statement is presented by the Company as permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. The results of AVEVA 
Group plc are included in the Consolidated financial statements of AVEVA Group plc. 

The Directors believe that the Company is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite macroeconomic and 
geopolitical uncertainties. It has considerable financial resources and no borrowings. As a consequence of these factors and having 
reviewed the forecasts for the coming year, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that there are adequate resources to continue 
in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the 
annual financial statements. 

2 Summary of significant accounting policies
Explained below are the significant accounting policies of the Company. The full Statement of Group Accounting Policies is included 
on pages 135 to 139.

a) Basis of accounting
The Company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions under FRS 101:

• the requirements of IAS 7: Statement of Cash Flows
• the requirements of IAS 8: IFRSs issued but not effective
• the requirements of IFRS 2: Share based payments
• the requirements of IFRS 7: Financial Instruments: Disclosures
• the requirements of IFRS 13: Fair Value measurements
• the requirements of IAS 24: Related party disclosures

The basis for all of the above exemptions is because equivalent disclosures are included in the Consolidated financial statements of 
the Group in which the entity is consolidated.

b) Taxation
Corporation tax payable is provided on taxable profits using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by 
the balance sheet date. 

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date where 
transactions or events that result in an obligation to pay more, or a right to pay less, tax in the future have occurred at the balance sheet 
date. Deferred tax is measured on a non-discounted basis at the average tax rates that are expected to apply in periods in which timing 
differences reverse, based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

c) Share-based payments
The accounting policy in relation to share-based payment transactions is disclosed in full in the Consolidated financial statements. 
The Company recognises the expense relating to the Executive Directors. The Company also records a corresponding increase in its 
investments in subsidiaries with a credit to equity which is equivalent to the IFRS 2 cost in subsidiary undertakings.

d) Investments in subsidiaries
Fixed asset investments in subsidiaries are shown at cost less provision for impairment.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements132

Notes to the Company financial statements continued

3 Result for the year
AVEVA Group plc reported a profit for the financial year ended 31 March 2018 of £103,671,000 (2017 – £49,050,000).

Audit fees of £7,000 (2017 – £7,000) are borne by another Group company.

The Company employed six people in the year (2017 – nil). Directors’ emoluments are disclosed in the Remuneration Committee 
report on pages 56 to 77, and in respect of the Executive Directors were paid by a UK subsidiary company.

4 Dividends

Declared and paid during the year
No interim 2017/18 dividend paid (2016/17 – interim dividend paid of 13.0 pence) per ordinary share
Final 2016/17 dividend paid of 27.0 pence (2015/16 – 30.0 pence) per ordinary share

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

–
17,268

17,268

8,316
19,184

27,500

Proposed for approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting

Final 2017/18 proposed dividend of 27.0 pence (2016/17 – 27.0 pence) per ordinary share

43,526

17,271

The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 11 July 2018 and has not been 
included as a liability in these financial statements. If approved at the Annual General Meeting, the final dividend will be paid on 3 
August 2018 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 6 July 2018.

5 Investments

Cost and net book value
At 1 April 2017
Additions

At 31 March 2018

£000

32,736
1,271,009

1,303,745

On 1 March 2018, the Company acquired three holding companies as part of the combination with the Schneider Electric Industrial 
Software Business. These three holding companies held the share capital of all companies within the Schneider Electric Industrial 
Software Business Group.

Details of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings are set out in note 18 in the Consolidated financial statements of the Group.

6 Trade and other receivables

Amounts owed by Group undertakings
Prepayments

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

71,574
18

125,558
9

71,592

125,567

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20187 Trade and other payables

Accruals
Amounts owed to Group undertakings

8 Share capital

Allotted, called-up and fully paid
161,207,315 (2017 – 63,975,869) ordinary shares of 3.56 pence each

Details of the shares issued during the year and the prior year are as follows:

At 1 April
Issued as consideration for the purchase of the Schneider Electric software business
Exercise of share options

At 31 March

Year ended 31 March 2018

Date of issue

5 June 2017
27 June 2017
13 July 2017
10 August 2017
17 August 2017
13 September 2017
28 September 2017
18 October 2017
14 November 2017
5 December 2017
8 December 2017
18 January 2018
6 February 2018
1 March 2018

Year ended 31 March 2017

Date of issue

24 May 2016
27 May 2016
29 September 2016

133

2018 
£000

785
–

785

2017 
£000

213
39,869

40,082

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

5,732

2,275

2018 
Number

63,975,869
97,169,655
61,791

2018 
£000

2,275
3,455
2

2017  

Number

63,961,113
–
14,756

161,207,315

5,732 63,975,869

Number of 
shares 
2018

Nominal
value 
2018 
£

Share 
premium 
2018 
£000

325
1,194
1,694
8,626
2,276
5,392
3,324
2,169
1,334
31,871
1,714
1,063
809

12
42
60
307
81
192
118
77
47
1,133
61
38
29
97,169,655 3,454,921

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
547,255

97,231,446 3,457,118

547,255

Number of 
shares 
2017

10,579
566
3,611

14,756

Nominal
value 
2017 
£

Share 
premium 
2017 
£

376
20
128

524

–
–
–

–

2017 
£000

2,274
–
1

2,275

Market 
price 
£

19.99
20.20
20.06
19.58
19.21
23.87
24.38
24.53
25.69
25.75
27.06
28.21
28.02
18.71

Market 
price 
£

15.27
16.00
20.12

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements134

Notes to the Company financial statements continued

On 1 March 2018 the Company issued 97,169,655 (2017 – nil) consideration shares of 3.56 pence each with a nominal value of 
£3,454,921 (2017 – nil). The issue of new shares in the Company in exchange for shares in the Schneider Electric software business 
has attracted merger relief under section 612 of the Companies Act 2006. Of the £1,818,044,245 fair value of the shares issued, 
£3,454,921 (3.56 pence per ordinary share) has been credited to share capital, £547,254,807 (after writing off certain transaction 
costs) to share premium, and the remaining £1,265,634,517 to the merger reserve within equity.

On 1 March 2018 the Company issued 64,037,660 B shares of £10.15 each paid up by capitalisation of £649,982,249 of the merger 
reserve. Later on the same date the B shares were redeemed at £10.15 per share, in part out of the fresh issue referred to above and 
£101,682,249 out of distributable reserves (which was transferred to capital redemption reserve).

During the year the Company issued 61,791 (2017 – 14,756) ordinary shares of 3.56 pence each with a nominal value of £2,197 (2017 
– £525) pursuant to the exercise of share options. The total proceeds were £2,197 (2017 – £525), which included a premium of £nil 
(2017 – £nil).

Details of share options awarded to Executive Directors during the year are contained in the Directors’ remuneration report. Note 29 
of the Consolidated financial statements for the Group includes details of share option awards made during the year.

9 Related party transactions
There were no transactions with related parties in either the current or the preceding financial year that require disclosure within these 
financial statements.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018135

Statement of Group accounting policies

Statement of compliance
The Consolidated financial statements of AVEVA Group plc and all its subsidiaries (the Group) have been prepared in accordance with 
IFRS, as adopted by the European Union, as they apply to the financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2018. 
The Group’s financial statements are also consistent with IFRSs as issued by the IASB. 

The parent Company financial statements of AVEVA Group plc have been prepared under the FRS 101 reduced disclosure framework 
and are included on pages 129 to 139.

Basis of consolidation
The Consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of AVEVA Group plc and its subsidiaries as at 31 March each 
year. The financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared using existing GAAP for each country of operation. Adjustments are made 
to translate any differences that may exist between the respective local GAAP and IFRSs.

Inter-company balances and transactions, including unrealised profits arising from intra-Group transactions, have been eliminated in full.

Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which control is obtained by the Group and cease to be consolidated from the date on 
which control is transferred out of the Group.

On acquisition, assets and liabilities of subsidiaries are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition, with any excess of the 
cost of acquisition over this value being capitalised as goodwill.

Adoption of new and revised standards
The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial year. New standards and interpretations which 
came into force during the year did not have a significant impact on the Group’s financial statements.

New standards and interpretations not yet effective
The IASB have issued the following standards (although in some cases not yet adopted by the EU) which are expected to have 
implications for the reporting of the financial position or performance of the Group or which will require additional disclosures in 
future financial years:

Effective for periods 
commencing after

IFRS 9
IFRS 15
IFRS 16
IFRS 2
IFRS 10 and IAS 28

IFRIC Interpretation 22
IFRIC Interpretation 23

Financial Instruments
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Leases
Amendments – Classification and Measurement of Share-based payment transactions
Amendments – Sales or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or 
Joint Venture
Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration
Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatment

1 January 2018
1 January 2018
1 January 2019
1 January 2018
1 January 2019

1 January 2018
1 January 2019

The Group intends to adopt these standards in the first accounting period after the effective date. The Directors do not expect that the 
adoption of the Standards listed above will have a material impact on the financial statements of the Group in future periods, except as 
noted below:

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
IFRS 15 prescribes a principles-based approach to accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers, as well as additional 
reporting disclosures. The standard supersedes IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts and several revenue-related 
interpretations.

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers outlines a single comprehensive five-step model to account for how revenue is 
recognised as goods or services are transferred to customers. Furthermore, it provides new guidance on whether revenue should be 
recognised at a point in time or over time, and more specifically, includes guidance on revenue from licensing arrangements.

IFRS 15 must be applied for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. The Company plans to adopt IFRS 15 in its consolidated 
financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2019, using the full retrospective approach.

The Company has completed an initial assessment of the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 on its consolidated financial statements. 
The main aspects of the assessment are outlined below.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements136

Statement of Group accounting policies continued

(i) Rendering of services – transfer of control
Revenue from sales of initial licences, perpetual licences and the initial software delivery element of rental/term licences is currently 
recognised upon delivery. Delivery occurs when the customer has access to the intellectual property described in the contract. In 
some limited circumstances, under the current policy, AVEVA may recognise revenue from a rental/term licence agreement rateably 
over the contract period. This assessment is based on whether AVEVA can reliably estimate the maintenance and support element of 
the contract. 

Under IFRS 15, revenue is recognised when a customer obtains control of the services. All distinct performance obligations relating to 
licences for software are transferred to the customer at a ‘point in time’. Therefore, under IFRS 15, all revenue from software licences 
which are distinct performance obligations will be recognised at a ‘point in time’ and not ‘over time’. This results in an acceleration of 
the recognition in revenue for certain contracts and revenue streams and therefore the impact on any given financial year will depend 
upon the customer renewal cycles. 

This assessment does not affect AVEVA’s Software as a Service (“SaaS”) offerings which are recognised in line with the rendering of 
services rather than as a sale of a software licence. Revenue for SaaS offerings are predominately recognised on a straight-line basis 
over the contract period.

(ii) Providing extended payment terms to customers
Under IAS 18, where AVEVA provides a customer with extended payment terms, the revenue is deferred until the consideration is due 
in accordance with the contract. Under IFRS 15, all the contractual payments are included in the transaction price and allocated to the 
performance obligations at the start of the contract. 

The Company identified a limited number of contracts which, under IFRS 15, could be recognised in the Income Statement at an 
earlier point in time rather than deferring recognition until the stage payments are invoiced.

IFRS 9 Financial instruments
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (effective for the year ending 31 March 2019) requires the Group to record expected credit losses on all 
of its debt securities, loans and trade receivables, either on a 12-month or lifetime basis. The Group plans to adopt the new standard 
on the required effective date and will not restate comparative information. During 2017, the Group has performed a detailed impact 
assessment of all three aspects of IFRS 9. This assessment is based on currently available information and may be subject to 
changes arising from further reasonable and supportable information being made available. Overall, the Group expects no significant 
impact on its statement of financial position and equity except for the effect of applying the impairment requirements of IFRS 9. The 
Group expects an increase in the loss allowance resulting in a negative impact on equity as discussed below The Group will apply the 
simplified approach and record lifetime expected losses on all trade receivables.

IFRS 16 Leases
IFRS 16 Leases (effective for the year ending 31 March 2020) will require all leases to be recognised on the balance sheet. Currently, 
IAS 17 Leases only requires leases categorised as finance leases to be recognised on the balance sheet, with leases categorised as 
operating leases not recognised on the balance sheet. Lessees will recognise a ‘right of use’ asset and a corresponding liability on the 
balance sheet. The asset will be amortised over the length of the lease and the liability measured at amortised cost. It is currently not 
practicable to quantify the effect at the date of the publication of these financial statements. Existing operating lease commitments are 
set out in note 25 of the consolidated financial statements.

Foreign currencies
The functional and presentational currency of AVEVA Group plc is Pounds Sterling (£). Transactions in foreign currencies are initially 
recorded at the functional currency rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies are retranslated at the functional currency rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. All differences are taken to the 
Consolidated income statement.

Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate as at the 
date of the initial transaction.

The subsidiaries have a number of different functional currencies. As at the reporting date, the assets and liabilities of these overseas 
subsidiaries are translated into Pounds Sterling (£) at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date, and their income statements 
are translated at the average exchange rates for the year. Exchange differences arising on the retranslation are taken directly to the 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income. 

Goodwill
Goodwill on acquisitions is initially measured at cost, being the excess of the cost of the business combination over the acquirer’s 
interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities. Following initial recognition, goodwill is 
measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. 

Where goodwill forms part of a cash-generating unit and part of the operation within that unit is disposed of, the goodwill associated 
with the operation disposed of is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal of the 
operation. Goodwill disposed of in this circumstance is measured on the basis of the relative values of the operation disposed of and 
the portion of the cash-generating unit retained.

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018137

If the potential benefit of tax losses or other deferred tax assets does not satisfy the criteria in IFRS 3 for separate recognition when a 
business combination is initially accounted for but is subsequently realised, the Group recognises the deferred tax income in the 
Consolidated income statement.

Intangible assets
Intangible assets acquired separately are capitalised at cost and from a business acquisition are capitalised at fair value as at the date 
of acquisition. Following initial recognition, the cost model is applied to each class of intangible asset as set out below. 

Expenditure on internally developed intangible assets, excluding development costs, is taken to the Consolidated income statement in 
the year in which it is incurred. Internal software development expenditure is recognised as an intangible asset only after its technical 
feasibility and commercial viability can be demonstrated.

Useful lives are also examined on an annual basis and adjustments, where applicable, are made on a prospective basis. Amortisation 
is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful economic lives of the asset, which are as follows:

Developed technology
Customer relationships
Purchased brand and trademarks
Other software
Purchased software rights
Contract assets
Capitalised Research & Development

Research expenditure
Research expenditure is written off in the year of expenditure.

Years

3–12
5–20
5–15
3–7
3–10
Length of contract
3–5

Government grants
Grants in respect of specific Research & Development projects are recognised as receivable when there is reasonable assurance that 
they will be received and the conditions to obtain them have been complied with. They are credited to the income statement in the 
same period as the related Research & Development costs for which the grant is compensating. The grant income is presented as a 
deduction from the related expense.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. 

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to write down the assets to their estimated residual value over the useful economic 
life of the asset as follows:

Computer equipment
Fixtures, fittings and office equipment
Motor vehicles

Years

3
6–8
4

Leasehold buildings and improvements are amortised on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease (3 to 49 years) or useful 
economic life, if shorter. 

Impairment of assets
Goodwill arising on acquisition is allocated to cash-generating units expected to benefit from the combination’s synergies and 
represents the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes and generates cash flows which are 
independent of other cash-generating units. The recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which goodwill has been allocated 
is tested for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstance indicate that it might be impaired. The carrying values of 
property, plant and equipment and intangible assets other than goodwill are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in 
circumstance indicate the carrying value may be impaired. If any such indication exists and where the carrying values exceed the 
estimated recoverable amount, the assets or cash-generating units are written down to their recoverable amount. The recoverable 
amount is the greater of net selling price and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to 
their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks 
specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for 
the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. If the initial allocation of goodwill acquired in a business combination cannot be 
completed before the end of the first annual period in which the business combination is effected, that initial allocation shall be 
completed before the end of the first annual period beginning after the acquisition date. Impairment losses are recognised in the 
income statement in the administrative expenses line item.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements138

Statement of Group accounting policies continued

Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables, which generally have 30 to 90 day terms, are recognised and carried at original invoice amount less an allowance 
for any uncollectible amounts. An estimate for doubtful debts is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. Bad 
debts are written off when identified.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and short-term deposits in the Consolidated balance sheet comprise cash at bank and in hand and short-term deposits with an 
original maturity of three months or less. The carrying amount of these approximates their fair value. For the purpose of the 
Consolidated cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and cash equivalents as defined above, net of 
outstanding bank overdrafts.

Derivative financial instruments
The only derivative financial instruments the Group holds are forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce exposure to foreign 
exchange risk. The Group does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. All forward foreign 
exchange contracts have been marked-to-market and are held at fair value on the Consolidated balance sheet. The Group has not 
applied hedge accounting during the year and therefore movements in fair value are being recorded in the Consolidated income 
statement. Fair value is estimated using the settlement rates prevailing at the period end.

Leases
Leases where the lessor retains substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the asset are classified as operating leases. 
Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense in the Consolidated income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease 
term.

Taxation
The Group is subject to income tax in numerous jurisdictions. The Group recognises provisions for tax based on estimates of taxes 
that are likely to become due. Where the final tax outcome is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences 
will impact the current income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such determinations are made. 

Deferred income tax is provided, using the liability method, on all temporary differences at the balance sheet date between the tax 
bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes.

Legislation has been enacted to allow UK companies to elect for the Research & Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) on 
qualifying expenditure incurred since 1 April 2013, instead of the super-deduction rules. At the balance sheet date, management has 
concluded that the election will be made and therefore the RDEC is recorded as income included in profit before tax, netted against 
Research & Development expenses as the RDEC is of the nature of a government grant. 

Deferred income tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences:

• except where the deferred income tax liability arises from goodwill amortisation or the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a 

transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable 
profit or loss; and

• in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, except where the timing of the reversal of 

the temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable 
future. 

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, carry-forward of unused tax assets and unused 
tax losses to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences, 
carry-forward of unused tax assets and unused tax losses can be utilised:

• except where the deferred income tax asset relating to the deductible temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of an 

asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting 
profit nor taxable profit or loss; and

• in respect of deductible temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, deferred tax assets are only recognised 

to the extent that it is probable that the temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be 
available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no 
longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred income tax asset to be utilised.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the asset is realised 
or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

The income tax effects of items recorded in either other comprehensive income or equity are recognised in the Consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income or the Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity respectively. Otherwise, 
income tax is recognised in the Consolidated income statement. 

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018139

Revenue, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of sales taxes except:

sales tax is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense item as applicable; and

• where the sales tax incurred on a purchase of goods and services is not recoverable from the taxation authority, in which case the 
• receivables and payables are stated with the amount of sales taxes included.

The net amount of sales taxes recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included as part of receivables or payables in 
the Consolidated balance sheet. 

Post retirement benefits
For the defined benefit schemes, the defined benefit obligation is calculated annually for each plan by qualified external actuaries 
using the projected unit credit method which attributes entitlement to benefits to the current period (to determine current service cost) 
and to the current and prior periods (to determine the present value of defined benefit obligation). The retirement benefit liability in the 
Consolidated balance sheet represents the present value of the defined benefit obligation (using a discount rate derived from a 
published index of AA rated corporate bonds) as reduced by the fair value of plan assets out of which the obligations are to be settled 
directly. Fair value is based on market price information and in the case of quoted securities is the published bid price. The value of a 
net pension benefit asset is restricted to the present value of any amount the Group expects to recover by way of refunds from the 
plan or reductions in the future contributions. The current service cost is recognised in the Consolidated income statement as an 
employee benefit expense. The net interest element of the defined benefit cost is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net 
defined benefit liability or asset.

Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments or changes in actuarial assumptions are credited or charged in the 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income in the period in which they arise.

The Group also operates defined contribution pension schemes for a number of UK and non-UK employees. Contributions to 
defined contribution plans are charged to profit before tax as they become payable.

Share-based payments
The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to the fair value at the date at which they are granted, 
further details of which are given in note 29. 

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the 
performance conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award (vesting 
date). The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date reflects the 
extent to which the vesting period has expired and the Group’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately 
vest.

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a market 
condition, which are treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not the market condition is satisfied, provided that all other 
performance conditions are satisfied.

Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, as a minimum an expense is recognised as if the terms had not been 
modified. In addition, an expense is recognised for any increase in the value of the transaction as a result of the modification, as 
measured at the date of modification.

Where an equity-settled award is cancelled, it is treated as if it had vested on the date of cancellation and any expense not yet 
recognised for the award is recognised immediately. However, if a new award is substituted for the cancelled award, and designated as 
a replacement award on the date that it is granted, the cancelled and new awards are treated as if they were a modification of the 
original award, as described in the previous paragraph. 

The dilutive effect of outstanding options is reflected as additional share dilution in the computation of earnings per share, subject to 
an estimate of whether performance conditions will be met.

Employee benefit trust
The Group has established an employee benefit trust (AVEVA Group Employee Benefit Trust 2008), which is a separately 
administered trust and is funded by loans from Group companies. The assets of the trust comprise shares in AVEVA Group plc and 
cash balances. The Group recognises assets and liabilities of the trust in the Consolidated financial statements and shares held by the 
trust are recorded at cost as a deduction from shareholders’ equity.

Consideration received for the sale of shares held by the trust is recognised in equity, with any difference between the proceeds from 
the sale and the original cost being taken to retained earnings. 

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements140

Unaudited pro forma combined income statement

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Operating expenses
Research & Development costs
Selling and administrative expenses

Total operating expenses

Profit from operations
Other income
Finance revenue
Finance expense

Profit before tax
Income tax credit/(expense)

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent

  Profit before tax 
  Amortisation of intangibles (excluding other software)
  Share-based payments
  Gain on fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts
  Exceptional items
  Adjusted profit before tax 

  Earnings per share (pence)
  - basic
  - diluted
  Adjusted earnings per share (pence)
  - basic
  - diluted

Notes

3

5

6
6

6
6

2018 
£000

2017
£000

704,633
(178,020)

648,663
(166,231)

526,613

482,432

(148,916)
(311,221)

(131,347)
(256,252)

(460,137)

(387,599)

66,476
1,008
1,021
(3,862)

64,643
1,379

66,022

94,833
1,753
2,412
(674)

98,324
(21,854)

76,470

64,643
50,501
3,969
(646)
44,374
162,841

98,324
47,700
2,384
(669)
4,696
152,435 

40.96
40.86

75.78
75.59

47.44
47.32

67.74
67.57

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Unaudited pro forma combined cash flow statement

141

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the year
Income tax
Net finance revenue
Other income
Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of intangible assets
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Loss on disposal of intangibles
Share-based payments
Difference between pension contributions paid and amounts charged to operating profit
Research & Development expenditure tax credit
Capitalisation of Research & Development costs
Changes in working capital:
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Changes to fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts

Cash generated from operating activities before tax 
Income taxes paid

Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Acquisition of subsidiaries and business undertakings, net of cash acquired
Refund of consideration from business combinations
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposal of intangible assets
Interest received
Maturity/(purchase) of treasury deposits (net)

Net cash flows from/(used in) investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Interest paid
Drawdown of RCF
Change in funding with related parties
Proceeds from the issue of shares
Investment in own shares
Return of Value to shareholders
Issue costs
Dividends paid 

Net cash flows used in financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Net foreign exchange difference
Opening cash and cash equivalents

Closing cash and cash equivalents 

Notes

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

66,022
(1,379)
2,841
622
51,868
11,227
5,483
(1,879)
3,743
3,816
(2,813)
(2,101)
(9,951)

57
(28,155)
19,996
(646)

76,470
21,854
(1,738)
(1,753)
49,100
–
4,903
(27)
–
1,084
(523)
(1,750)
(6,210)

1,600
(1,200)
23,488
(1,901)

118,751
(33,588)

163,397
(15,018)

85,163

148,379

(6,848)
(1,879)
–
–
3,398
3,144
523
45,260

(4,868)
(6,776)
(5,422)
1,753
194
–
1,870
(2,170)

43,598

(15,419)

(3,133)
10,000
(18,125)
2
(323)
(99,982)
(1,700)
(17,268)

(58)
–
(77,313)
1
–
–
–
(27,500)

(130,529)

(104,870)

(1,768)
(476)
107,893

28,090
3,759
76,044

105,649

107,893

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements142

Notes to the unaudited pro forma combined  
financial statements

1 Basis of preparation 
The pro forma financial information of the AVEVA enlarged group which follows is unaudited and does not constitute financial 
statements within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. 

The unaudited pro forma financial information has been prepared for illustrative purposes only, and because of its nature addresses a 
hypothetical situation. It therefore does not represent the enlarged Group’s actual results, and does not purport to represent what the 
combined results would have been.

The information is presented in Pounds Sterling (£) and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand (£000) except when otherwise 
indicated. 

2 Adjustments and assumptions
The unaudited pro forma combined income statements for the years ended 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018 have been prepared 
on the following basis: 

Electric software business for the years to 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018.

• The financial information is the combination of the consolidated financial statements of AVEVA Group plc and the Schneider 
• No pro forma adjustments have been made to reflect synergies or cost savings that may be expected to occur as a result of the 
• There has been no trading between the two groups for either of the years presented. 
3 Segment information

acquisition, nor have any adjustments been made to reflect the stand alone costs expected.

Year ended 31 March 2018

Revenue
Support and maintenance 
Rental and subscriptions
Initial fees and perpetual licences
Training and services

Regional revenue total

Revenue
Support and maintenance
Rental and subscriptions
Initial fees and perpetual licences
Training and services

Regional revenue total

4 Staff costs
Staff costs relating to employees (including Executive Directors) are shown below:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs 
Share-based payments

Asia Pacific
£000

EMEA
£000

Americas
£000

Total
£000

47,782
32,567
68,434
29,434

67,870
93,273
65,686
44,657

91,135
31,869
71,335
60,591

206,787
157,709
205,455
134,682

178,217

271,486

254,930

704,633

Year ended 31 March 2017

Asia Pacific
£000

EMEA
£000

Americas
£000

Total
£000

42,813
32,051
51,455
31,940

62,521
75,881
63,656
41,468

81,529
33,261
59,163
72,925

186,863
141,193
174,274
146,333

158,259

243,526

246,878

648,663

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

298,315
34,723
17,078
3,969

280,185
32,440
14,995
2,384

354,085

330,004

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20185 Exceptional items

Acquisition and integration activities
Restructuring costs
Indemnified receivable claim for previous business combination 
Movement in provision for sales taxes in an overseas location
Other
Impairment and loss on sale of capitalised R&D

143

2018 
£000

29,530
2,866
–
(2,992)
–
14,970

44,374

2017
£000

555
7,626
(1,753)
(516)
(1,216)
–

4,696

The acquisition and integration activities charge of £29.5 million (2017 - £0.6 million) related to fees paid to professional advisors 
primarily for legal and financial due diligence services in connection with the combination plus other consultancy costs paid to 
advisors in relation to the integration. Of this, £24,954,000 was incurred by AVEVA Group and £4,576,000 by the Schneider Electric 
software business.

The restructuring costs related to severance payments within the Schneider Electric software business in a number of global office 
locations prior to the combination. In addition, a divestment made by the Schneider Electric software business in China resulted in 
an exceptional write off of £858,000, offset by an exceptional gain of £1,866,000 made by selling the property relating to the same 
write off.

The movement in the sales tax provision related to the partial release of the provision following a reassessment of the liability.

The impairment of capitalised R&D related to a development project that was ceased, prior to completion, following a divestment of a 
Schneider Electric Software joint venture operation with Schneider Electric. Also included are the previously capitalised development 
costs related to a project. Further to a commercial review of the project and the financial prospects for the developed technology, it 
was concluded that the carrying value of the development costs should be fully impaired.

Exceptional items were included in the Consolidated income statement as follows:

Cost of sales
Research & Development costs
Selling and distribution expenses
Administrative expenses
Other income

6 Earnings per share

Earnings per share for the year:
– basic
– diluted
Adjusted earnings per share for the year:
– basic
– diluted

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic earnings per share
Effect of dilution: employee share options

Weighted average number of ordinary shares adjusted for the effect of dilution

2018 
£000

422
15,633
2,248
27,079
(1,008)

44,374

2017
£000

–
492
2,190
3,767
(1,753)

4,696

2018 
Pence

2017 
Pence

40.96
40.86

75.78
75.59

47.44
47.32

67.74
67.57

2018 
Number

2017 
Number

161,192,557
403,086

161,192,557
403,086

161,595,643 161,595,643

The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share are based on the pro forma net profit attributable to equity holders of the 
parent for the year of £66,022,000 (2017 – £76,470,000). Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the pro forma 
net profit attributable to equity holders of the parent by the number of ordinary shares outstanding at 31 March 2018, adjusted for the 
weighted average of investment in own shares. Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the pro forma net profit 
attributable to equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding as described above, plus 
the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the potentially dilutive share options into 
ordinary shares as at 31 March 2018.

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements144

Notes to the unaudited pro forma combined  
financial statements continued

Details of the calculation of adjusted earnings per share are set out below:

Profit after tax for the year
Intangible amortisation (excluding software)
Share-based payments
Gain on fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts
Exceptional items
Tax effect on exceptional items
Tax effect on other normalised adjustments

Adjusted profit after tax

2018 
£000

2017 
£000

66,022
50,501
3,969
(646)
44,374
(4,019)
(38,044)

76,470
47,700
2,384
(669)
4,696
(2,992)
(18,405)

122,157

109,184

The denominators used are the same as those detailed above for both basic and diluted earnings per share.

The adjustment made to profit after tax in calculating adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share has been adjusted for the tax 

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Full list of addresses and subsidiaries

A full list of addresses of all subsidiaries and significant holdings is provided below, alphabetically by country within each region.

145

Head office

AVEVA Group plc
High Cross 
Madingley Road
Cambridge
CB3 0HB
UK

Americas

Schneider Electric Software Argentina S.A.
Suipacha 1111 
Floor 11C1008AAW Buenos Aires 
Argentina

AVEVA do Brasil Informática Ltda
Rua Lauro Muller
116 Sala 2202 Torre Rio Sul
Botaforgo – Rio de Janeiro
Cep: 22.290-160
Brazil

Schneider Electric Software Brasil Ltda. 
Rua Alves Guimaraoes 
No. 462, conj. 41/42 
Pinheiros 
Sao Paulo 
05410-000 
Brazil

Schneider Electric Software Canada Inc.
49 Quarry Park Blvd. SE 
Calgary Alberta AB T2C 5H9 
Canada

AVEVA Chile S.p.A.
Avendia Vitacura 2670
Piso 15, Ls Condes
Santiago de Chile
7550698
Chile

Schneider Electric Software Chile S.p.A.
222 Ricardo Lyon Av 
Office 501 
Providencia 
Santiago
Chile

AVEVA Colombia S.A.S
World Trade Center
Calle 100 No. 8a – 49
Torre B, PH, Oficina 22
Bogota
Colombia 

Schneider Electric Software Colombia S.A.S.
Calle 69 A No. 4-77 Bogota
Colombia

AVEVA Software and Services S.A de C.V.
AVEVA de Mexico S. de R.L.
AV. Insurgentes Sur No. 863, Piso 7
Col. Napoles, Deleg Benito Juarez
Mexico City
D.F.03810
Mexico

Schneider Electric Software Mexico SA de CV
1121-A Calzada Javier Rojo Gomez
Colonia Guadalupe Del Moral 
09300
Mexico

Schneider Electric Software, LLC
Wonderware de Mexico, Inc.
Wonderware of Venezuela, Inc.
2711 Centerville Road 
Suite 400
New Castle
Wilmington Delaware 
DE 19808
USA

AVEVA Inc.
8over8 LLC
10350 Richmond Avenue, Suite 400
Houston
TX 77042
USA

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements146

Full list of addresses and subsidiaries continued

EMEA

AVEVA Denmark A/S
Sofiendalsvej 5A
9200 Aalborg SV
Denmark

AVEVA SA
5 Square Felix Nadar 
Bat C, 94300 Vincennes
France

AVEVA GmbH
Otto-Volger-Street 7c
65843 Sulzbach (Taunus)
Germany

Schneider Electric Software Germany GmbH
Altrottstraße 31 
Walldorf 
69190 
Germany

Schneider Electric Software Italia SPA
Viale Milano no. 177 GALLARATE
Milan
Italy

Wonderware Italia S.p.A.
Gallarate (VA)
Viale, Milano 
177 CAP 
21013 Milan 
Italy

Schneider Electric Software Netherlands B.V.
Baarnsche dijk 10 B
3741LS Baarn 
Netherlands

Schneider Electric Software Holdings Netherlands B.V.
Taurusavanue 133
2132 LS Hoofddorp
Netherlands

AVEVA AS
Lysaker Torg 45 (E) 
PO Box 232
N-1326 Lysaker
Norway

AVEVA OOO Limited Liability Company
Spartakovskaya Street
PO Box 36
105066
Moscow 
Russia

Schneider Electric Software RU
Moika Embankment 58 
lit. A, of. 504 190 000 
St. Petersburg 
Russia

Schneider Electric Software Spain S.L.
Calle Valgrande 6
28108 Alcobendas
Madrid
Spain

AVEVA AB
PO Box 50555, Drottninggatan 18
SE-202 15
Malmo
Sweden

Wonderware Scandinavia AB 
Mobilvagen 10, 
223 62, Skane lan
Lund
Sweden

AVEVA Software and Services Anonim Şirketi 
Barbaros Mah
Akzambak Sok 
Varyap Meridian
A-Blok K:11 D:114
Ataşehir 34746
Istanbul
Turkey

Schneider Electric Software Middle East FZE
Plot. No. S10809
P.O. Box 61495
Jebel Ali
Dubai
UAE

AVEVA Solutions Limited
AVEVA Finance Limited
CADCentre Property Limited
FabTrol Systems, UK Limited
LFM Software Limited
AVEVA Limited
AVEVA Consulting Limited
AVEVA Engineering IT Limited
AVEVA Managed Services Limited
CadCentre Limited
CadCentre Engineering IT Limited
Cadcentre Pension Trustees Limited
Tribon Solutions (UK) Limited
High Cross 
Madingley Road
Cambridge
CB3 0HB
UK

8over8 Limited
Northern Ireland Science Park 
Fort George, Bay Road
Londonderry
BT48 7TG
UK

Schneider Electric Software GB Limited
101 Science Park
Milton Road
Cambridge
CB4 0FY
UK

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018147

Asia Pacific

AVEVA Pty Limited
Level 18
333 Ann Street 
Brisbane, Queensland 4000
Australia

8over8 Pty Limited
L29, 221 St Georges Terrace
Perth, WA 6000
Australia

Schneider Electric Software Australia Pty Ltd
Schneider Electric Software Australia Holdings Pty Ltd
78 Waterloo Road
Macquarie Park 
New South Wales 2113
Australia

AVEVA (Shanghai) Consultancy Co. Limited
AVEVA Solutions (Shanghai) Co. 
Limited
Unit 1503-1506, YouYou International Plaza
No. 76 Pu Jian Road
Shanghai 200127
China

Telvent Control Systems (China) Co. Ltd
No. 2 Liangshuihe 2nd Rd
Beijing Development Area
100176 Beijing
China

AVEVA East Asia Limited
2nd Floor, Shui On Centre
6-8 Harbour Road
Wanchai
Hong Kong

AVEVA Software India Private Limited
SS Arcade 3rd Floor
Plot No 97 & 98
Road No 9
Kakatiya Hills
Madhapur
Hyderabad- 500081
India

Schneider Electric Software India Private Limited
Invensys Development Centre India Private Limited
Salarpuria Touchstone
Survey No.15A & Portion of Survey No 14
P7, Kadubeesanahalli
Varthur Hobli 
Bangalore 
Karnataka – 560037
India 

AVEVA KK
Nisseki Yokohama Bldg
19F 1-1-8, Sakuragi-cho,
Naka-ku, Yokohama
231-0062
Japan

Schneider Electric Software Japan Inc
OASE Shibaura MJ Building
2-15-6 Shibaura 
Minato-ku 
Tokyo 
Japan

AVEVA Asia Pacific Sendirian Berhad
AVEVA Sendirian Berhad
Level 39, Menara 3 PETRONAS
Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre
50088 Kuala Lumpur 
Malaysia

AVEVA Information Technology India Private Limited
Unit No 202, Wing A, 2nd Floor
Supreme Business Park, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai
Mumbai 400 076
India

AVEVA Pte Limited
3A International Business Park
#06-06 
Singapore 609935
Singapore

AVEVA Solutions India LLP
Tower – 1, 2nd Floor, 
WaveRock
Sy.no 115 APIIC IT/ITES SEZ
Nanakramguda
Gachibowli Hyderabad – 500008
India

Strategic Report Governance Report Financial Statements148

Full list of addresses and subsidiaries continued

Asia Pacific (continued)

Schneider Electric Software Holdings Singapore Pte. Ltd.
15 Changi Business Park 
Central 1 
unit #03-01/05 
Singapore 486057 
Singapore

AVEVA Korea Limited
14th Floor, Haesung 2 Building
942-10 Daechi-dong, Kangnam-gu Seoul
135-725
South Korea

Schneider Electric Software Korea Ltd
13F, Kbiz DMC Tower
189, Seongam-ro
Mapo-gu Seoul
South Korea

Wonderware Korea Co. Ltd.
13F; 189 Seongam-ro 
(Kbiz DMC Tower, Seongam-ro); 
121-904 Seoul 
South Korea

Schneider Electric Software Thailand Co., Ltd
No. 46 Rungrojthanakul Building, 1st, 
10th-11th Floors 
Ratchadapisek Road 
Huaykwang Subdistrict 
Huaykwang District 
Bangkok Metropolis 
Bangkok 
Thailand

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018Company information and advisers

Directors
Philip Aiken 
Philip Dayer 
Christopher Humphrey 
Jennifer Allerton 
Ron Mobed 
Peter Herweck 
Emmanuel Babeau 
Craig Hayman 
James Kidd 
David Ward 

Chairman
Independent Non-Executive Director (resigned 7 July 2017)
Independent Non-Executive Director
Independent Non-Executive Director
Independent Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director (appointed 1 March 2018)
Non-Executive Director (appointed 1 March 2018)
Appointed 19 February 2018

Resigned 19 February 2018

Company Secretary
Claire Denton (resigned 19 February 2018)
David Ward (appointed 19 February 2018)

Registered Office
High Cross 
Madingley Road
Cambridge CB3 0HB

Registered Number
2937296

Auditor
Ernst & Young LLP
One Cambridge Business Park
Cambridge CB4 0WZ

Bankers
Barclays Bank plc
9–11 St Andrews Street 
Cambridge CB2 3AA

Solicitors
Ashurst LLP
Broadwalk House 
5 Appold Street 
London EC2A 2HA

Mills & Reeve LLP
Botanic House 
100 Hills Road 
Cambridge CB2 1PH

Stockbroker 
Numis Securities Limited
The London Stock Exchange Building
10 Paternoster Square 
London EC4M 7LT

Registrars
Link Asset Services
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham BR3 4TU

Financial Pr
FTI Consulting
200 Aldersgate Street 
London EC1A 4HD 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Engineering and information management  
software for the Plant and Marine industries

WWW.AVEVA.COM

AVEVA Group plc 
High Cross, Madingley Road, 
Cambridge CB3 0HB, UK