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AVEVA

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FY2020 Annual Report · AVEVA
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AVEVA Group plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2020
Governance Report and Financial Statements

Governance  
Report and  
Financial  
Statements

Online Annual Report
To view our interactive Online Annual Report, and 
to download sections of, or the full report, please 
scan the QR code above or visit our website: 

https://investors.aveva.com/annualreport.html

57

Governance Report and 
Financial Statements
This is part two of our Annual Report 
and Accounts. Part one consists of 
the Strategic Report, and covers 
who we are, how we create value, 
and how we run our business.

Governance Report
Chairman’s Introduction to Governance  58
60 
Corporate Governance At a Glance 
62
Board of Directors’ Biographies 
64
Division of Board Responsibilities 
Areas of Focus for the Board 
66 
Board Leadership, Purpose and Culture  67 
68
Workforce Engagement 
70
Nomination Committee Report 
74
Audit Committee Report 
80
Remuneration Committee Report 
109
Other Statutory Information 

Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report 
Consolidated Income Statement 
Consolidated Statement of  
Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Balance Sheet 
Consolidated Statement of Changes  

in Shareholders’ Equity 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial 

Statements 

Company Balance Sheet 
Company Statement of Changes  
in Shareholders’ Equity 
Notes to the Company Financial  

Statements  

116
123

124
125

126
127

128
159

160

161

Statement of Group Accounting  

Policies 

164
Full List of Addresses and Subsidiaries  169
172
Company Information and Advisers 
173
Glossary 

What’s inside 
our report

Structure and 
statistics At  
a Glance

Pages 60–61

Audit Committee 
Report

Pages 74–79

Board of Directors’ 
Biographies

Pages 62–63

Remuneration 
Committee Report

Pages 80–108

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements 
58

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Chairman’s Introduction to Governance

The Board’s aim is to create robust foundations 
for sustainable future success, delivering value 
for our employees and shareholders.

Philip Aiken AM
Chairman

“The world is changing and AVEVA is changing 
and adapting with it. Never has it been more 
important that the Board take long-term 
decisions to protect and drive the future 
creation of value for all its stakeholders.”

Highlights of the year

 – Refining processes to support compliance 

with the Code

 – Completion of an external Board 

evaluation

 – Welcoming Olivier Blum to the Board

 – Approval of an all-employee share scheme

 – Introduction of a new Remuneration Policy

 – Focus on Company culture and workforce 

engagement

AVEVA is increasingly adopting 
technology in a complex world that 
is changing at an accelerating rate. 
Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic is 
causing economic uncertainty for all 
businesses, we are an organisation 
with a long-term vision and, as such, 
we continuously develop and review 
strategies to deliver real sustainable 
value for all our stakeholders. This 
will be of even greater importance in 
an environment where the certainties 
are shifting and the risks are great. 

During the past year the Board met 
many of our people working at different 
levels throughout the Company. This 
has informed our assessment of the 
internal talent pool, allowed us to gauge 
corporate culture and we gained a greater 
depth of insight into the challenges and 
opportunities affecting the Company 
as a whole. These engagements leave 
us in no doubt about the strength of 
AVEVA and its ability to continue to 
adapt to fast-changing conditions. 

A resilient Board to steer AVEVA 
towards success
Our Board composition provides  
clear leadership, strong governance  
and effective decision-making to 
achieve our strategic goals. It includes 
international business leaders and 
industry professionals and brings 
together a wide range of backgrounds, 
skills, experience and perspectives. 
Its composition is in line with our 
strategy of having a strong and robust 
Board ensuring that it is equipped 
to effectively address the changes, 
opportunities and risks in our business. 

In March 2020 we announced that 
Emmanuel Babeau would step down as 
Non-Executive Director, Vice Chairman 
of the Board and member of the 
Remuneration Committee, following 
his resignation from Schneider Electric. 
In accordance with the terms of the 
Relationship Agreement, Schneider 
Electric appointed Olivier Blum to the 
Board. Olivier is a highly accomplished 
executive and has in-depth knowledge 
and experience gained from his various 
strategic and operational roles within 
HR and Strategy. His appointment has 
already proven to be of great benefit to the 
Board and the Remuneration Committee. 
Peter Herweck took over as Vice Chairman 

suppliers. In this regard, many of our 
employees have enjoyed taking part in 
our Action for Good activities by going 
out into the communities in which we 
operate to provide direct tangible help 
to those individuals and organisations 
in most need. For more information 
on this and our impact on wider 
communities, please see pages 36–37. 

Board evaluation
During the year our Nomination 
Committee oversaw an externally 
facilitated review of the effectiveness 
of the Board. Although under the 
Code we were not required to have an 
externally-facilitated evaluation this 
year, the Board was eager to understand 
the effectiveness of the Board post the 
combination with the Schneider Electric 
industrial software business and to 
address any areas of development. 
A full report on the outcomes of the 
evaluation can be found on pages 70–71.

The past year has proven to the Board 
the resilience of AVEVA, the dedication 
and motivation of its Executive 
Leadership Team (ELT), and the abilities 
of its employees. On behalf of my 
Board colleagues I would like to extend 
my sincere thanks to all of them.

Philip Aiken AM
Chairman
9 June 2020

of the Board and I thank him for taking on 
these additional responsibilities. On behalf 
of the Board, I would like to reiterate our 
thanks to Emmanuel for his commitment 
and support during his tenure, in 
particular, he was instrumental in bringing 
about the combination of heritage AVEVA 
and the Schneider Electric industrial 
software business and has made a 
significant contribution to the subsequent 
successful integration programme.

Governance developments
Throughout the year the Board has 
been mindful of the new 2018 Corporate 
Governance Code (the Code) and the 
FRC’s Guidance on Board Effectiveness 
and it continues to keep under review 
implementation of best practice processes. 
In this Report we describe how the Board 
and its Committees worked on behalf 
of all stakeholders, driving the culture 
necessary for AVEVA to achieve its 
strategic goals, and how we discharged 
our statutory duties and oversight 
functions. I hope this section of the report 
will help you gain a better understanding 
of the effectiveness of our Board and 
how we apply the principles of the Code. 

As a result of the Code, the Board’s 
corporate calendar has been updated and 
we focused on refining our purpose and 
values, embedding our preferred culture, 
engaging with stakeholders and aligning 
all these activities with our strategic 
goals. We also continued to evolve 
our corporate governance reporting to 
respond to changing requirements in the 
UK, driven not only by the Code but also 
by other legislative requirements which 
now apply to large UK companies. The 
Board has been supported throughout 
the year by its Committees which have 
also taken on new responsibilities under 
the Code. A summary of how each 
Committee has approached these can be 
found in the specific Committee reports. 

A key consideration during the past year, 
as part of our enhanced stakeholder 
engagement activity, has been the 
long-term social and economic benefits 
that we bring to local communities. We 
recognise that our long-term, sustainable 
success depends upon attracting and 
developing the best talent to manage 
the ever-increasing complexity of 
our business, and forming long-term 
relationships with our customers and 

59

Statement of Compliance
We have prepared this Annual Report 
with reference to the Code. The Board 
considers that the Company has 
complied with the provisions of the 
Code with the following exceptions: 

 – The Nomination Committee’s 

membership does not consist of 
a majority of independent Non-
Executive Directors if the 
independence of the Chairman 
is excluded. In accordance with 
the Relationship Agreement with 
Schneider Electric, Peter Herweck 
is the Schneider Electric-appointed 
member of the Nomination 
Committee. Peter is an experienced 
executive and brings diversity in 
thought and insight to the 
Committee’s activities. The Board 
sees great benefit in having him 
as a Committee member. 

 – Similarly, Olivier Blum, appointed 

by Schneider Electric in accordance 
with the Relationship Agreement, 
is a member of the Remuneration 
Committee and the Committee 
therefore does not consist entirely of 
independent Non-Executive Directors. 
Given Olivier’s senior executive 
strategic and operational roles in HR 
and remuneration, the Committee 
values his insight and technical 
expertise and his Committee 
membership bolsters the 
effectiveness of the Committee. 

An explanation of how the Company has 
complied with the Code is given on the 
following pages:

Board Leadership, Purpose and Culture 
– page 67

Division of Responsibilities 
– pages 64–65

Composition, Succession and Evaluation 
–  pages 70–73 (Nomination Committee 

Report)

Audit, Risk and internal control 
– pages 74–79 (Audit Committee Report)

Remuneration of Directors
–  pages 80–108 (Remuneration 

Committee Report)

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is 
responsible for the publication and periodic 
review of the UK Corporate Governance Code. 
This can be found on the FRC website: 
www.frc.org.uk

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements60

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Corporate Governance

At a 
Glance

The Board has been supported throughout 
the year by its Committees which have also 
taken on new responsibilities under the Code. 
A summary of how each Committee has 
approached these can be found in the 
specific Committee reports. 

Group  
Structure  
Chart

The Board’s 
responsibility for 
leading the Company 
towards achievement of 
its purpose continues to 
be supported by a 
robust governance 
structure.

Board
Provides strategic 
 leadership to  
the Group

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

Nomination 
Committee
Reviews Board 
composition  
and succession  
planning

Audit  
Committee
Monitors and oversees  
risk management  
and control

Remuneration  
Committee
Reviews Board and 
 senior management 
remuneration

Read more on
pages 70–73

Read more on
pages 74–79 

Read more on
pages 80–108 

61

Tenure, gender, independence 
and attendance statistics

Board tenure
5+ years 3

Gender split
Female 2

Independence split
Independent 
Non-Executive Directors 4

3–5 years 2

0–3 years 4

Male 7

Executive Directors 2

Non-Executive 
Directors 2

Chairman 1

Meeting attendance

Director 

Philip Aiken 
Craig Hayman 
James Kidd
Chris Humphrey
Jennifer Allerton
Ron Mobed
Paula Dowdy
Peter Herweck
Emmanuel Babeau1
Olivier Blum2 

Board  

meetings

Nomination 
Committee

Audit  
Committee 

Remuneration 
Committee

3(3)

3(3)

3(3)

3(3)

7(7)
7(7)
7(7)
7(7)
7(7)
7(7)
7(7)
7(7)
7(7)
0(0)

4(4)
4(4)
4(4)

6(6)
6(6)
6(6)

6(6)
0(0)

1  Emmanuel Babeau resigned as Non-Executive Director and as member of the Remuneration Committee on 30 April 2020.
2  Olivier Blum was appointed as a Non-Executive Director and also as member of the Remuneration Committee on 30 April 2020. He did not attend 

any Board meetings for the year under review.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements62

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Board of Directors’ Biographies

Strong and Effective Leadership

Philip Aiken
Chairman

Craig Hayman
Chief Executive Officer

James Kidd
Deputy CEO and CFO

Christopher Humphrey
Senior Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Jennifer Allerton

Independent  

Ron Mobed

Independent  

Paula Dowdy

Independent  

Peter Herweck

Olivier Blum

Non-Executive Director 

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

and Vice Chairman

Tenure: 8 years and 1 month

Tenure: 2 years and 3 months

Tenure: 9 years 5 months

Tenure: 3 years 11 months 

Tenure: 6 years 11 months 

Tenure: 3 years 3 months 

Tenure: 1 year 4 months

Tenure: 2 years 3 months 

Tenure: 1 month

Appointed: 1 May 2012

Nationality: Australian

Appointed: 19 Feb 2018

Appointed: 1 Jan 2011

Nationality: British 
and American

Nationality: British

Appointed: 1 Jul 2016

Nationality: British

Appointed: 9 Jul 2013

Appointed: 1 Mar 2017

Appointed: 1 Feb 2019

Appointed: 1 Mar 2018

Appointed: 30 Apr 2020

Nationality: British 

Nationality: British

Nationality: American 

Nationality: German

Nationality: French

and Swiss

and British

Skills and Experience
Phil has just under 50 years 
of experience in industry and 
commerce. From 1997 to 2006 he 
was President of BHP Petroleum 
and then Group President of 
Energy of BHP Billiton. He has 
been Managing Director of BOC/ 
CIG, Chief Executive of BTR Nylex, 
Senior Advisor of Macquarie Bank 
(Europe), Chairman of Robert 
Walters plc, Senior Independent 
Director of Kazakhmys plc and 
Essar Energy plc and Director of 
Essar Oil Limited. Other previous 
roles include: Director of National 
Grid plc from 2008 to 2015, 
Director of Miclyn Express Offshore, 
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.

Skills and Experience
Craig joined AVEVA as CEO in 
February 2018, bringing more 
than 30 years of technology 
industry leadership and executive 
management experience. 
Previously he was Chief Operating 
Officer at software company PTC 
Inc, where he had responsibility for 
sales, marketing and development. 
He also served as President of 
the PTC Solutions Group. Prior to 
joining PTC, Craig was President 
of eBay’s enterprise business and 
served more than 15 years in senior 
leadership positions at IBM. At IBM 
he created and grew IBM’s SaaS 
business and initiated and led 18 
high-performing acquisitions.

Skills and Experience
James is a Chartered Accountant 
and joined AVEVA in 2004. 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 interim Chief 
Executive from January 2017 
to February 2018, leading the 
merger with SES before being 
appointed Deputy CEO and Chief 
Financial Officer of the enlarged 
Group. Prior to joining AVEVA, 
James worked for Arthur Andersen 
and Deloitte, serving technology 
clients in both transactional 
and audit engagements.

Skills and Experience
Chris is a qualified accountant 
and has over 25 years’ experience 
managing engineering and 
technology companies. From 2008 
until 2015 he was Group Chief 
Executive Officer of Anite plc, after 
having joined Anite in 2003 as 
Group Finance Director. Prior to this 
he was Group Finance Director at 
Critchley Group plc and held senior 
positions in finance at Conoco 
and Eurotherm International plc. 

Chris has a BA (Hons) in Economics, 
is a Chartered Management 
Accountant, a Fellow of CIMA 
and has an MBA from Cranfield 
School of Management.

Current External Appointments
Chairman of Balfour Beatty plc

Current External Appointments
None

Current External Appointments
None

Non-Executive Director of Newcrest 
Mining Limited

Chairman of Australia Day Foundation

Director of Gammon China Limited

Current External Appointments
Senior Independent Director and 
Chairman of the Audit Committee 
of Vitec Group plc

Non-Executive Chairman of Eckoh plc 

Non-Executive Director of SDL plc

Skills and Experience

Jennifer has more than 

40 years’ experience in 

technology working in 

multinational companies 

in the UK, the US, Brazil, 

Skills and Experience

Ron has a broad range 

of global experience in 

electronic information 

businesses across a 

number of sectors and 

Skills and Experience

Paula is the Senior Vice 

President & General 

Skills and Experience

Skills and Experience

Peter has been a member 

Olivier began his career 

of Schneider Electric’s 

Manager EMEA for Illumina 

Executive Committee 

Inc., the global leader in 

since 2016 and leads 

DNA sequencing and array-

their global Industrial 

at Schneider Electric (SE) 

in 1993 in Sales, and has 

subsequently held various 

senior and Executive roles 

in SE, including positions in 

China, India and Hong Kong.

Asia and Switzerland and 

regions. Most recently, he 

based technologies. Prior to 

Automation Business. 

speaks several languages. 

was Chief Executive Officer 

her appointment to Illumina 

He brings to the Board a 

Notably, she was a member 

of the Elsevier business 

in 2016, Paula worked for 

wealth of experience in 

of RELX plc and has also 

held Executive positions 

with Cengage Learning, 

IHS and Schlumberger.

Cisco in a variety of senior 

Automation, Digitisation 

sales, services and strategy 

and Industrial Software. 

Positions he has held in 

SE include Secretary of 

roles, notably as Senior 

Vice President for Cloud, 

Software and Managed 

Peter started his career at 

the Executive Committee, 

Mitsubishi in Japan, later 

Regional Head of Strategy 

joining Siemens where 

and Marketing Director 

strategy and operations for 

He is a Fellow of the 

Services. Paula also led the 

he held several Executive 

(China), Regional Managing 

Institute of Directors and 

integration of the analytics 

positions in Factory and 

Director (India), Executive 

of the Energy Institute. 

He holds a Bachelor’s 

degree in Engineering 

from Trinity College, 

University of Cambridge 

and a Master’s degree in 

and automation software 

Process Automation along 

Vice President of Retail 

acquisitions into the larger 

with leading Corporate 

(Hong Kong) and, since 2014, 

Strategy as Chief Strategy 

Chief Human Resources 

Cisco salesforce and was 

a Board observer for one 

of Cisco’s investments.

of the Pharma Executive 

Committee and Chief 

Information Officer of 

F. Hoffmann-La Roche, 

with responsibility for IT 

the Pharma division and 

all Group IT operations. 

She has been a Non-

Executive Director of 

Oxford Instruments 

plc and Paysafe plc.

She has degrees in 

Petroleum Engineering from 

She holds an MBA from 

Mathematics, Geosciences 

Imperial College, University 

Pepperdine University 

and Physics and is an 

of London. Ron was 

and a Bachelor of Arts 

Associate of the Chartered 

previously a Non-Executive 

degree from the University 

Peter holds an MBA from 

Institute of Management 

Director of Argus Media 

of California, Berkeley.

Accountants.

from 2009 until 2011.

Officer. He has a global 

and extensive Executive 

and senior management 

background in Germany, 

China, the US and Japan.

Wake Forest University 

School of Business and 

Engineering degrees 

from Metz University 

and Saarland University. 

He is also a Harvard 

Officer and member of the 

Executive team. 

Olivier became SE’s Chief 

Strategy and Sustainability 

Officer on 1 April 2020 and 

is in charge of developing 

and deploying strategic, 

sustainability and quality 

initiatives, while steering 

all Mergers & Acquisitions 

and Divestment activities 

globally. Olivier graduated 

Business School Advanced 

from Grenoble École de 

Management Alumni.

Management (GEM), France.

Current External 

Appointments

Current External 

Appointments

Current External 

Appointments

Current External 

Appointments

Current External 

Appointments

Non-Executive Director of 

Supervisory Board Member 

None

Non-Executive Director of 

None

the supervisory Board of 

Rudolf GmbH

Iron Mountain Inc

of Fugro N.V.

Non-Executive Director of 

Sandvik AB

Non-Executive Director of 

Barclays Bank Ireland plc

 
 
 
 
 
 
63

Committees: 

  Audit Committee 
  Nomination Committee 
  Remuneration Committee 
  Chair

Philip Aiken

Chairman

Craig Hayman

James Kidd

Chief Executive Officer

Deputy CEO and CFO

Christopher Humphrey

Senior Independent  

Non-Executive Director

Jennifer Allerton
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Ron Mobed
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Paula Dowdy
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Peter Herweck
Non-Executive Director 
and Vice Chairman

Olivier Blum
Non-Executive Director

Tenure: 8 years and 1 month

Tenure: 2 years and 3 months

Tenure: 9 years 5 months

Tenure: 3 years 11 months 

Tenure: 6 years 11 months 

Tenure: 3 years 3 months 

Tenure: 1 year 4 months

Tenure: 2 years 3 months 

Tenure: 1 month

Appointed: 1 May 2012

Nationality: Australian

Appointed: 19 Feb 2018

Appointed: 1 Jan 2011

Nationality: British 

and American

Nationality: British

Appointed: 1 Jul 2016

Nationality: British

Appointed: 9 Jul 2013

Appointed: 1 Mar 2017

Appointed: 1 Feb 2019

Appointed: 1 Mar 2018

Appointed: 30 Apr 2020

Nationality: British 
and Swiss

Nationality: British

Nationality: American 
and British

Nationality: German

Nationality: French

Skills and Experience

Phil has just under 50 years 

of experience in industry and 

Skills and Experience

Craig joined AVEVA as CEO in 

February 2018, bringing more 

Skills and Experience

Skills and Experience

James is a Chartered Accountant 

Chris is a qualified accountant 

and joined AVEVA in 2004. Prior 

and has over 25 years’ experience 

commerce. From 1997 to 2006 he 

than 30 years of technology 

to his appointment to the Board, 

managing engineering and 

was President of BHP Petroleum 

industry leadership and executive 

James held several senior finance 

technology companies. From 2008 

and then Group President of 

Energy of BHP Billiton. He has 

management experience. 

roles within the Group and was 

until 2015 he was Group Chief 

Previously he was Chief Operating 

Head of Finance from 2006 until 

Executive Officer of Anite plc, after 

been Managing Director of BOC/ 

Officer at software company PTC 

2011, when he was appointed 

having joined Anite in 2003 as 

CIG, Chief Executive of BTR Nylex, 

Inc, where he had responsibility for 

CFO. James was interim Chief 

Senior Advisor of Macquarie Bank 

sales, marketing and development. 

Executive from January 2017 

(Europe), Chairman of Robert 

He also served as President of 

to February 2018, leading the 

Group Finance Director. Prior to this 

he was Group Finance Director at 

Critchley Group plc and held senior 

Walters plc, Senior Independent 

the PTC Solutions Group. Prior to 

merger with SES before being 

positions in finance at Conoco 

Director of Kazakhmys plc and 

joining PTC, Craig was President 

appointed Deputy CEO and Chief 

and Eurotherm International plc. 

Essar Energy plc and Director of 

of eBay’s enterprise business and 

Financial Officer of the enlarged 

Essar Oil Limited. Other previous 

served more than 15 years in senior 

Group. Prior to joining AVEVA, 

Chris has a BA (Hons) in Economics, 

roles include: Director of National 

leadership positions at IBM. At IBM 

James worked for Arthur Andersen 

is a Chartered Management 

Grid plc from 2008 to 2015, 

he created and grew IBM’s SaaS 

and Deloitte, serving technology 

Accountant, a Fellow of CIMA 

Director of Miclyn Express Offshore, 

business and initiated and led 18 

clients in both transactional 

and has an MBA from Cranfield 

high-performing acquisitions.

and audit engagements.

School of Management.

Skills and Experience
Jennifer has more than 
40 years’ experience in 
technology working in 
multinational companies 
in the UK, the US, Brazil, 
Asia and Switzerland and 
speaks several languages. 
Notably, she was 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. 
She has been a Non-
Executive Director of 
Oxford Instruments 
plc and Paysafe plc.

She has degrees in 
Mathematics, Geosciences 
and Physics and is an 
Associate of the Chartered 
Institute of Management 
Accountants.

Skills and Experience
Ron has a broad range 
of global experience in 
electronic information 
businesses across a 
number of sectors and 
regions. Most recently, he 
was 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.

Skills and Experience
Paula is the Senior Vice 
President & General 
Manager EMEA for Illumina 
Inc., the global leader in 
DNA sequencing and array-
based technologies. Prior to 
her appointment to Illumina 
in 2016, Paula worked for 
Cisco in a variety of senior 
sales, services and strategy 
roles, notably as Senior 
Vice President for Cloud, 
Software and Managed 
Services. Paula also led the 
integration of the analytics 
and automation software 
acquisitions into the larger 
Cisco salesforce and was 
a Board observer for one 
of Cisco’s investments.

She holds an MBA from 
Pepperdine University 
and a Bachelor of Arts 
degree from the University 
of California, Berkeley.

Current External Appointments

Current External Appointments

Current External Appointments

Current External Appointments

Chairman of Balfour Beatty plc

None

None

Senior Independent Director and 

Chairman of the Audit Committee 

of Vitec Group plc

Non-Executive Chairman of Eckoh plc 

Non-Executive Director of SDL plc

Current External 
Appointments
Supervisory Board Member 
of Fugro N.V.

Current External 
Appointments
None

Current External 
Appointments
Non-Executive Director of 
Iron Mountain Inc

Non-Executive Director of 
Sandvik AB

Non-Executive Director of 
Barclays Bank Ireland plc

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.

Non-Executive Director of Newcrest 

Mining Limited

Chairman of Australia Day Foundation

Director of Gammon China Limited

Skills and Experience
Peter has been a member 
of Schneider Electric’s 
Executive Committee 
since 2016 and leads 
their global Industrial 
Automation Business. 
He brings to the Board a 
wealth of experience in 
Automation, Digitisation 
and Industrial Software. 
Peter started his career at 
Mitsubishi in Japan, later 
joining Siemens where 
he held several Executive 
positions in Factory and 
Process Automation along 
with leading Corporate 
Strategy as Chief Strategy 
Officer. He has a global 
and extensive Executive 
and senior management 
background in Germany, 
China, the US and Japan.

Peter holds an MBA from 
Wake Forest University 
School of Business and 
Engineering degrees 
from Metz University 
and Saarland University. 
He is also a Harvard 
Business School Advanced 
Management Alumni.

Current External 
Appointments
Non-Executive Director of 
the supervisory Board of 
Rudolf GmbH

Skills and Experience
Olivier began his career 
at Schneider Electric (SE) 
in 1993 in Sales, and has 
subsequently held various 
senior and Executive roles 
in SE, including positions in 
China, India and Hong Kong.

Positions he has held in 
SE include Secretary of 
the Executive Committee, 
Regional Head of Strategy 
and Marketing Director 
(China), Regional Managing 
Director (India), Executive 
Vice President of Retail 
(Hong Kong) and, since 2014, 
Chief Human Resources 
Officer and member of the 
Executive team. 

Olivier became SE’s Chief 
Strategy and Sustainability 
Officer on 1 April 2020 and 
is in charge of developing 
and deploying strategic, 
sustainability and quality 
initiatives, while steering 
all Mergers & Acquisitions 
and Divestment activities 
globally. Olivier graduated 
from Grenoble École de 
Management (GEM), France.

Current External 
Appointments
None

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
64

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Division of Board Responsibilities

Our Board shares collective 
responsibility for the long-term 
sustainable success of the 
Company but individual 
members undertake additional 
clearly-defined activities on 
behalf of the Board. 

The roles and responsibilities of the Board, 
its Committees, Chairman and CEO are 
documented and regularly reviewed. The 
Board is assisted by the Nomination, 
Remuneration and Audit Committees. 
Certain powers have been delegated to 
these Committees and each Committee 
has its own Terms of Reference which can 

be found at www.aveva.com. The Board 
also maintains a list of Matters Reserved 
for the Board which can be consulted 
at www.aveva.com/investors. When 
necessary, the Board may delegate very 
specific matters to ad hoc subcommittees 
with a clearly defined remit and for a 
limited period of time. 

Role

Chairman
Philip Aiken

Chief Executive Officer
Craig Hayman

Senior Independent NED 
Christopher Humphrey

Responsibilities

Phil’s primary responsibility is to lead and direct the Board and to facilitate effective 
communication between Board members and senior management. He creates focused agendas 
to guide deliberations and to ensure that sufficient time is spent on consideration of stakeholder 
interests in all decision-making. He creates a culture of openness to promote efficient discussion, 
challenge and debate in the boardroom. 

Craig is responsible for proposing and implementing Company strategy, managing day-to-day 
operations and leading the Executive Leadership Team. He takes the lead in engaging with all our 
various stakeholders and providing regular feedback to the Board, not only on stakeholder views, 
but on all matters affecting the business.

Chris acts as a sounding board for the Chairman and acts as an intermediary for the other Directors 
and shareholders. He is available to address shareholders’ concerns that have not been resolved 
through the usual channels of communication. He also meets with Non-Executive Directors (without 
the Chairman present) on an annual basis to lead the review of the Chairman’s performance.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer 
and Chief Financial Officer 
James Kidd 

James works closely with Craig to help drive forward implementation of strategy. He assesses and 
evaluates the financial performance of the organisation with regards to its long-term operational 
goals, forecasts and budgets. He ensures the integrity of financial information that is presented and 
reported to the Board and the market. Furthermore, James is responsible for all treasury matters 
and the implementation and maintenance of robust accounting systems and internal controls.

Independent NEDs
Christopher Humphrey
Jennifer Allerton 
Ron Mobed 
Paula Dowdy 

Non-independent NEDs
Peter Herweck
Olivier Blum

With their diverse range of backgrounds, skills, knowledge and expertise, the independent NEDs 
provide constructive challenge during deliberations, offer strategic guidance to the Board and 
are proactive in providing their different perspectives. They take responsibility for monitoring 
the performance of Executive Directors and achievement of agreed objectives.

Peter and Olivier add unique and valuable insight and constructive challenge to Board 
proceedings. With appropriate management of conflicts, they can constructively scrutinise the 
performance of management in meeting agreed goals and objectives which adds an extra layer 
of challenge to that of the independent Non-Executive Directors.

Company Secretary & Finance 
Director
David Ward

David assists the Chairman with meeting preparation, induction of new Board members and 
provides corporate governance guidance and advice to the Board. He further ensures good 
governance practices throughout the Company.

Independence and Commitment
The Nomination Committee and the 
Board consider Jennifer Allerton, 
Christopher Humphrey, Ron Mobed 
and Paula Dowdy to be independent in 
character and judgement and free from 
conflicting business or other interests 
that could interfere with the exercise 
of their independent judgement. In 
accordance with the Code, the four 
independent Non-Executive Directors 
comprise half of the Board if the 
Chairman is excluded. All Directors, 
independent and non-independent, 
act with integrity, lead by example and 
promote the desired AVEVA culture.

Conflicts of interests are fully disclosed 
by Board members upon appointment 
and are reviewed on a regular 
basis throughout the year. External 
appointments of current Directors are 
not undertaken without approval being 
granted by the Board beforehand.

The Conflicts of Interest Register is 
maintained by the Company Secretary 
and sets out any actual or potential 
conflict of interest situations which a 
Director has disclosed to the Board in 
line with their statutory duties. In order 
to form a view surrounding Director 
independence, consideration was 
given to other appointments held by 

each Director as well as the relevant 
outcomes of the annual individual 
Director and Board evaluations.

All newly-appointed Non-Executive 
Directors receive a formal letter of 
appointment setting out clearly what 
is expected of the individual in terms of 
time commitment, Committee service and 
responsibilities outside Board meetings. It 
is understood and anticipated, however, 
that the time required by Directors will 
fluctuate depending on the demands 
of the business and other events. This 
has certainly been the case with the 
outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and 
the Board’s responsibility in steering 
AVEVA through the current challenges. 

Our Board members share a deep sense 
of responsibility and, in practice, Board 
members’ time commitment exceeds 
the minimum requirements set out in 
their letters of appointment, particularly 
in the case of the Chairman of the 
Board and the Chairs of Committees. 
Furthermore, the Non-Executive Directors 
regularly have meetings with Executive 
management and incorporate visits to 
our global office locations when travelling 
in order to meet with local management 
and gain first-hand information from 
different levels of employees. 

65

On an annual basis, the Nomination 
Committee considers the time required 
from each Non-Executive Director against 
their total workload, their effectiveness 
and the experience they bring to the 
Board. The Committee believes that the 
Directors continued to contribute the time, 
as well as the focus, care and quality of 
attention to fulfilling their duties to the 
Company and its stakeholders during 
the year and therefore recommended 
that all Directors be re-elected and 
Olivier Blum be elected at the AGM. 

Conscious of the Code requirements 
on tenure, the Committee is mindful 
that the Chairman of the Board will 
have completed just over eight years as 
Chairman if re-elected at this year’s AGM. 
Following discussions with the Board, 
the Company Secretary and our majority 
shareholder, it has been decided that the 
process for identifying a new Chairman 
will actively begin after this year’s AGM. 
An external search consultant will be 
engaged in due course and it is anticipated 
that an independent Non-Executive 
Director who is not a candidate for the 
role will lead the process. The Chairman 
has not and will not be involved in 
deliberations of the Board on this matter. 
Similarly, any current Directors that are 
identified as possible candidates will also 
not be involved in any Board deliberations. 

The Directors believe that it is in the 
interests of AVEVA’s shareholders and 
other stakeholders that the Board should 
continue to benefit from the current 
Chairman’s expertise, industry knowledge 
and skills until such time that a suitably 
qualified new Chairman is appointed. 
Re-electing Phil Aiken as Chairman will 
enable effective succession plans to be 
implemented and allow a thorough and 
successful handover to a new Chairman 
to lead the Board and AVEVA. 

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements66

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Areas of Focus for the Board

Since the merger with SES, the 
Company’s purpose has been to drive the 
digitalisation of the industrial world and 
we aim to create long-term sustainable 
value for shareholders while contributing 
meaningfully to wider society and 
our stakeholder groups. Our business 
model and strategic priorities can be 
found in the Strategic Report on pages 
18–19, and our work on stakeholder 
engagement can be found on pages 
20–21. Our purpose, strategic priorities, 
values and culture are inextricably 
linked and this linkage is continuously 
evaluated to ensure alignment. 

Much of our work over the year has been 
focused on strategy including considering 
potential growth options and future 
partnerships. At the same time, the 
Board has increased its engagement 
with the workforce, customers and with 
suppliers as part of a new programme 
of stakeholder engagement. We 
have also considered Group culture, 
behaviour and values while maintaining 
a disciplined oversight of the operational 
performance of our core assets and 
significant investment decisions.

During the year, the Board focused on 
the matters summarised in the below 
table. These areas of focus include 
the monitoring of past performance 
but also drive forward thinking. 

Area of focus

Finance and risk management

Strategy

Investor relations

Culture 

The CFO presents a comprehensive report at each Board meeting and discussions focus on the 
current financial position, budgets and forecasts. The Board also reviews investment opportunities, 
capital allocation, the internal control framework and risk register, including specific consideration 
of Brexit, IT and cybersecurity issues.

The Board periodically reviews and approves its strategy for the next three years which underpins 
the values and behaviours that help to shape the Group’s culture and includes the consideration 
of AVEVA’s principal risks and uncertainties. 

Regular feedback is presented by the CEO following shareholder meetings, roadshows and 
results presentations.

The Board worked with the Executive Leadership Team to set the tone and direction for the next stage 
of embedding the AVEVA LIFE values and building out the work from the culture workshops that have 
been and are currently being held with as many teams as possible throughout the business. 

Engagement with workforce 

The Board has worked with the Executive Leadership Team to enhance its workforce engagement 
mechanisms and our work in this regard is further detailed on pages 68–69. 

Governance and reporting 
regulations 

Cyberthreats

Finance ERP system 

During the year, the Board reviewed the changes to the Code and new reporting regulations and 
established necessary processes to ensure that the Group meets the requirements of the Code. An 
annual review of the effectiveness of the Board collectively as well as its individual members was 
undertaken. The evaluation was externally facilitated this year and details of the evaluation can 
be found on pages 70–72.

The Board received regular updates regarding cyber-risks, IT breaches and regulatory compliance 
and also reviewed the Company’s risk appetite. 

The Board continues to monitor the remaining integration activity related to the integration of the 
Schneider Electric industrial software business. A key remaining project is the roll-out of a new 
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system across all our legal entities, scheduled for completion  
in 2021.

Board Leadership, Purpose and Culture

The Board recognises the important 
role it plays in modelling the values and 
behaviours that it wishes to see embedded 
across AVEVA and in promoting a 
culture of openness, inclusion and 
diversity. Following the in-depth work on 
articulating and rolling out the AVEVA LIFE 
values last year, this year the Board began 
to review how we live those values in our 
everyday activities. The Board recognises 
that the correct tone needs to be set from 
the top with the Directors leading by 
example to ensure that good standards 
of behaviour permeate throughout all 
levels of the Company. The way we live 
and breathe our culture can be seen by the 
way in which our AVEVA LIFE values are 
becoming increasingly embedded across 
our business and how they underpin 
our business model and strategy of 
delivering long-term shareholder value.

Our culture is a key strength of our 
business and we see the benefits of 
this in our employee engagement and 
retention. One way that the Board 
monitors and assesses the culture of 
the Group is by spending a considerable 
amount of time meeting with employees 
operating at various levels of the 
business. The Board, supported by 
the Executive Leadership Team, sets 
the Group’s culture, and facilitates 
embedding supporting policies, processes 
and training throughout the Group.

Following assessment by the Board of 
the Code requirements in relation to 
workforce engagement, it was decided 
to enhance and leverage the existing 
mechanisms that are in place to engage 
with our employees. We continuously 
work to enhance these mechanisms and 
the employee engagement survey that 
was launched earlier this year is part of 
the enhancement activity. The Board 
is looking forward to receiving the final 
results of the employee engagement 
survey and taking forward any required 
actions based on employee feedback.

During the year, we also rolled out our 
Business Conduct Guidelines which 
clearly sets out the standards expected 
of Directors and employees. The Board 
receives regular updates from the 
Chief Human Resources Officer on the 
alignment between the Group’s culture 
and values, and how these support its 
strategy and performance. These updates 
included a summary of the metrics used 
to monitor culture. For a more detailed 
discussion of initiatives related to our 
culture and values, please refer to page 32. 

The relative stability of the Board during 
the past year has been a cornerstone of its 
flexibility to continue operating effectively 
in the current challenging environment. 
AVEVA’s Executive Leadership Team, 
led by Craig Hayman as CEO, comprises 
the Executive Directors and other 
key Executives within the Group.

During the year under review, the 
Board held seven scheduled meetings 
and several unscheduled meetings. 
Six of the scheduled meetings were 
held in the UK and one was held in 
Lake Forest, California where a large 
number of our workforce is based. 

The Board agenda has strong links to the 
strategic objectives for the business and 
is set via a collaborative process between 
the Chair, the CEO and the Company 
Secretary. This ensures adequate 
time is allocated to allow for detailed 
discussion where required. Internal and 
external experts are regularly invited to 
present at Board meetings on specific 
topics in order to enhance the Board’s 
knowledge about the business but also 
about external factors affecting it. 

Board members are required to attend 
all scheduled meetings and as many 
unscheduled meetings as possible. In 
the exceptional circumstances that 
attendance is not possible, the Director 
would be encouraged to submit feedback 
on the Board papers to the Chairman so 
that these can be shared with the wider 
Board at the meeting. This situation did 
not arise during the year under review.

Induction and Training 
Upon joining the Board, all Directors 
receive a formal induction to the 
Group which is designed to enable 
them to understand AVEVA’s core 
purpose and values, the key business 
segments, products and the markets it 
operates in so that they can be effective 
Board members from the outset. 

The induction programme for new 
members is put together following 
discussions between the Chairman 
and Company Secretary. It takes into 
consideration the individuals’ existing 
knowledge and experience and also 
includes details of any Committees 
that the new member will join. The 
programme includes training on Director 
duties, AVEVA policies, meetings with 
management and external advisors, site 
visits, briefings and reading material. 

67

The various elements of the induction 
programme are phased over a reasonable 
period. The induction programme is 
usually reviewed mid-way through the 
programme and adjusted as necessary. 

AVEVA encourages all Directors and 
employees to attend internal or external 
facilitated training sessions and briefings 
which are of interest and those which will 
help further enhance their knowledge. 
Directors are able to receive training or 
additional information on any specific 
subject pertinent to their role as a Director 
that they request or require. All Directors 
have access to the advice and services of 
the Company Secretary and a procedure 
is in place for them to take independent 
professional advice at the Company’s 
expense should this be required.

For our full Section 172(1) Statement  
please refer to the Strategic Report
See page 55 

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AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Workforce Engagement

Direct engagement
Direct engagement between the Board 
and workforce provides the Board 
with insight into AVEVA’s culture and 
opportunity to gauge perspectives at 
different levels across the business. 
It also provides a good opportunity 
to meet with high potential talent 
to inform succession planning. 

Management regularly engages with 
all employees through a range of formal 
and informal channels, including via 
emails from the Chief Executive Officer 
and other ELT members, a CEO podcast, 
townhalls, face-to-face gatherings and 
online publications via our intranet which 
encourages discussion and comment.

The Board calendar includes a minimum 
of one formal meeting per year in a 
non-UK office location. This year’s 
meeting was held in Lake Forest, 
California and the Board’s activities 
included a townhall, meetings with 
various function representatives, 

a sales presentation, a presentation on 
succession planning within the wider 
organisation and a technology review. 

The Executive Directors travel extensively 
to AVEVA office locations to keep in 
touch with employees based across 
the globe and to understand local 
challenges and opportunities first-hand. 
Feedback following such office visits 
is provided to the Board and further 
actions are undertaken if necessary. 

During the year, the independent Non-
Executive Directors undertook a number of 
individual site visits to our global locations 
where they interacted with a wide range 
of managers and employees across 
many functions including Sales, Finance, 
Marketing, R&D and HR, providing an 
opportunity to exchange ideas on areas 
relevant to the Board. Board members 
proactively inform the Company Secretary 
when they are travelling to locations 
where AVEVA has offices so that 
informal office visits can be arranged. 

Following assessment by the Board of 
the Code requirements in relation to 
workforce engagement, it was decided 
to enhance and leverage the existing 
mechanisms that are in place to engage 
with our employees. The Board’s decision 
was based on the size and structure of 
the business, the international locations 
of employees, local culture and current 
channels of engagement. This was, 
however, not a static assessment and 
the Board continuously work with the 
ELT to enhance these mechanisms. 

Since the combination with SES, 
workforce engagement has enjoyed 
increased focus by the Board given the 
inherent uncertainties brought about by 
business combinations, the increased 
global footprint of the business and 
the significant increase in number of 
employees. Workforce engagement is 
especially important during the current 
uncertainty brought about by Covid-19. 
AVEVA’s workforce looks to its Board and 
ELT to provide guidance and assurance 
during such times. The ELT, with support 
from the Board, has followed a broad 
all-employee engagement programme 
using different communication channels 
such as manager briefing calls, all-
employee calls, creation of a Covid-19 
intranet hub and email communications. 

The Board considers the current 
workforce engagement mechanisms to 
be effective and in compliance with the 
Code. Further examples of the Board’s 
workforce engagement activity are 
summarised on the page opposite.

 
69

Examples of office visits by the Non-Executive Directors during the past year include:

Board   member

Location

Activity

Phil Aiken

Singapore 
and Tokyo

Office walkabout, APAC business update, meetings 
with various office functions and a customer visit

Ron Mobed

Cambridge Product portfolio update link to AVEVA’s strategy, 
meetings with various functions which included an 
update on the various channels AVEVA uses to engage 
with employees

Peter Herweck

Hyderabad Overview of the India business, product 

demonstrations, focus on R&D, update on AVEVA 
Action for Good

Chris Humphrey

Lake Forest Lunch and roundtable discussion with local  

senior leaders

Cambridge Met with Group Finance leaders and discussed the 

finance transformation and ERP project

Jennifer Allerton 
and Paula Dowdy

Lake Forest Lunch and discussions about diversity and inclusion 

within AVEVA, supporting International Women’s  
Day panel

Succession planning
During the year the Board was presented 
with a review of succession planning 
outcomes for senior managers which 
highlighted the depth and diversity of 
the talent pipeline. The Board keeps 
abreast of how high potential individuals 
are developed and how diversity and 
inclusion is incorporated in succession 
planning at levels below Executive level. 

Speak Up 
The Board has approved a comprehensive 
Speak Up policy which provides various 
channels for reporting concerns and 
encourages staff to report behaviours 
or incidents in good faith. The Audit 
Committee takes responsibility for  
Speak Up procedures and is kept  
updated when significant matters  
are raised by employees. 

Through its direct engagement activity, 
the Board is able to deepen their 
understanding of how the Company’s 
purpose, strategy and values are 
embedded in particular sites and 
countries. Conversely, employees are 
also given the opportunity to get to 
know the Board and provide direct 
feedback on topics of importance to 
them and their business or function. 

Engagement through reporting
Employee engagement survey and 
culture workshops
The March 2020 employee engagement 
survey covered a broad range of subjects 
including leadership, collaboration, 
working conditions, personal development, 
environmental issues and benefits and 
rewards. The Board has reviewed the 
results of the survey and is looking 
forward to taking forward any required 
actions based on employee feedback. 
For further information on the employee 
engagement survey please refer to  
page 33.

Numerous culture workshops have been 
held with employees in different countries 
and with different function groups. The 
Board is pleased to see AVEVA’s LIFE 
Values embedding throughout all layers of 
the business and all employees embracing 
our Business Conduct Guidelines. 

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements70

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Nomination Committee Report

As we transform our business it is of vital 
importance that our Board and Executive 
Leadership Team have the right balance of 
diversity, skills, experience and knowledge.

Philip Aiken AM
Chairman of the Nomination 
Committee

“Ensuring that our Board and Committee 
composition is effective, resilient and robust 
now and in the future, is critical to supporting 
the long-term success of AVEVA.”

Independence split

Chair 1

Membership and attendance

Chair
Philip Aiken
Committee members
Ron Mobed
Chris Humphrey
Peter Herweck
Attending by invitation
Finance Director and Company Secretary
Other members of the Board
Advisors

The Committee usually meets three times a year.

Non-Independent 1

Independent 2

3/3

3/3
3/3
3/3

Highlights  
of the year

 – Appointment of Olivier Blum 

to the Board

 – Board evaluation completed

 – Succession planning

We are pleased to present our report on 
the Nomination Committee’s activities 
for the past financial year focusing on the 
key highlights of the Committee’s work. 
For a full overview of the Committee’s 
responsibilities, please refer to its Terms of 
Reference at www.aveva.com/investors.

During the last year, the Committee had 
a small number of key areas of focus;
 – Oversight of Emmanuel Babeau’s 
retirement from the Board and his 
succession by Olivier Blum. Both 
Directors are nominated 
representatives of the Company’s 
majority shareholder, Schneider 
Electric.

 – Completion of an externally facilitated 

Board evaluation, including the 
selection of a new external party to 
undertake this review.

 – A thorough succession planning 

discussion was undertaken which 
covered Board and Executive 
leadership positions.

71

The Board Evaluation process

Selection of external 
provider

Evaluation process

Conclusions

The Committee supervised the process for the selection 
of the external Board evaluation provider. The Chairman 
and Company Secretary interviewed and considered 
three independent shortlisted providers prior to selecting 
Better Boards to undertake this year’s evaluation. 
Using corporate information and briefing sessions with 
the Chairman and Company Secretary, Better Boards 
tailored a methodology that was customised to AVEVA. 
Once the scope and methodology was agreed, Better 
Boards attended a Board meeting to introduce the 
evaluation team and explain their approach.

The evaluation was designed to a) assess how the Board 
functions as a whole, and b) to provide individual Board 
members with insights about themselves. This type of 
evaluation provided a foundation upon which individuals 
could increase their personal impact, which in turn 
could increase the overall effectiveness of the Board. 
The evaluation process consisted of discussions with 
each individual Director and the Company Secretary. 
In addition to the individual discussions, Better Boards 
developed a bespoke confidential questionnaire for 
Directors to complete. The effectiveness of each of 
the Board Committees was taken into account in the 
evaluation. All Board members (including those who did 
not sit on all Committees) were asked for feedback on the 
effectiveness of the Committees.

Initial findings and a draft of the evaluation report were 
discussed with the Chairman and Company Secretary 
prior to the finalised report being presented to the Board. 
Individual feedback reports were also provided to each 
Director and the Company Secretary. Confidential 
individual feedback sessions were held between 
Better Board and each Director and with the Company 
Secretary in order to develop a personal action plan.

Board evaluation 
The Board is committed to regular, 
independent assessments of its own 
effectiveness and that of its Committees. 
The Board engages an independent 
external evaluation provider every 
three years to evaluate performance 
of the Board and its Committees and 
to identify areas of challenges and 
opportunities for improvement. The last 
external evaluation was undertaken in 
2018. Following consideration by the 
Nomination Committee and the Board, 
it was decided to bring forward the 
external evaluation and have it completed 
a year earlier than general practice. The 
Committee was of the view that the 
post-combination Board and Committees 
have embedded sufficiently and that an 
external evaluation would provide an 
independent assessment of the post-
combination effectiveness of the Board. 

Conclusions and actions
The Board evaluation process found that:
 – the Board has distinctive strengths: 

dedication, commitment and ambition, 
respect for each other, a collaborative 
working style and good diversity of 
experience. Such strengths can be built 
on to create an upward trajectory in 
performance; and

 – the Board has a strong collective 

memory of a series of successes and 
achievements, specifically the 
combination between AVEVA and the 
Schneider Electric industrial software 
business is regarded as a great success 
story considering the complexity of 
bringing two organisations together. It 
was also noted that the Board has risen 
to the challenge and adapted fast to 
FTSE 100 regulations.

Following constructive discussion of the 
conclusions of the evaluation, the Board 
has approved actions designed to address 
any areas of potential improvement. 
These actions will be monitored and 
addressed on an ongoing basis. 

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements72

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Nomination Committee Report continued

Outcome

Status and measures taken

Time dedicated to strategy 
discussions 

The Board is planning to have a focused day spent on 
AVEVA’s long-term strategy later in the year. This will 
be preceded by interviews between the Chairman 
and each Director to understand what Directors 
would want to achieve from such a day and to 
enhance the effectiveness of discussions. 

Increase time for NED-only 
meetings

Going forward the agenda for all scheduled Board 
meetings will include a NEDs-only session without 
the Executive Directors and management present.

Enhance Board working 
practices

Continued focus on Board and 
ELT succession planning

Some opportunities for improving information flowing 
to Directors were identified and these will be 
actioned by the Company Secretary who 
continuously reviews all processes to improve the 
quality of Board papers and implementing best 
practice processes for reporting to the Board. 

Specifically, some Directors felt that the reporting from 
Committees back to the Board could be enhanced. 

It was also noted that the process for arranging NED 
visits to Company offices could be improved.

Focus on succession planning across the Company has 
increased substantially during the past year. The 
Board and Nomination Committee will continue to 
support ELT efforts in this regard. The search for a 
new Chairman will start and both internal and 
external candidates will be considered which will bring 
fresh opportunities for the Nominations Committee to 
formulate Board and ELT succession planning.

Increase emphasis on ESG

The Directors are considering the most effective 
manner to increase the Board’s focus on ESG issues. 

Diversity and inclusion (D&I)
The Board, with the support of the 
Committee, is committed to promoting 
greater diversity not only at Board level, 
but across the whole organisation, 
particularly at senior levels. This 
commitment has led to improved gender 
diversity at all senior levels over the past 
year with the current workforce 26% 
female. AVEVA’s vision is to have 30% 
of roles filled by women by the end of 
2020 and the Company is on track to 
achieve this target. Nonetheless, a key 
feature of our D&I initiatives, is that they 
embrace all diversity, meaning that as an 
organisation we focus on inclusivity rather 
than specific gender or ethnicity activity. 
This focus is essential to our culture and 
is ingrained in the AVEVA LIFE values. 

The Committee recognises that the 
participation of women in the technology 
industry remains relatively lower than 
that of men and that this will take time 
to rectify. Our recruitment policies and 
talent management programmes are 
developed with this background in mind. 
The Company is committed to hiring and 
developing women in the STEM fields. The 
ELT plays a day-to-day role in supporting 
diversity and inclusion initiatives through 
reviewing and maintaining AVEVA’s D&I 
framework and through their continued 
work with WISE, Girls in Tech and our new 
partner Society of Women Engineers. 

The Committee’s work on D&I is closely 
aligned to its succession planning activity 
through the design and development 
of innovative and effective talent 
management processes to improve 
the depth, quality and diversity of 
talent. We discuss succession planning 
in more detail on the next page.

The Committee and the Board 
take due regard of the Hampton-
Alexander Review: FTSE Women 
Leaders and the Parker Review into 
the ethnic diversity of UK boards. 

Whilst recognising and embracing the 
benefits of having a diverse Board, 
Board appointments will continue to 
be merit-based, considering the needs 
and strategies of the business rather 
than specified quotas or targets. The 
Board believes that setting targets for 
the number of people from a particular 
background or gender when considering 
Board appointments is not the most 
effective approach to ensuring optimum 
Board composition. Furthermore, the 
Committee’s approach when considering 
the recruitment of new Board members 

73

Priorities 
for FY21:

The Committee will prioritise the 
following for the year ahead:

 – Leading the search for a new 

Chairman

 – Continued focus on diversity and 
inclusion in relation to Board 
appointments and throughout 
the organisation

 – Continued focus on Board and 
executive succession planning

 – Continued development of a 

strong talent pipeline 

 – Review of Board and Committee 
composition to ensure effective 
support of AVEVA’s strategic 
aims

Philip Aiken AM
Chairman
9 June 2020

Board and Committee composition 
The Committee is committed to ensuring 
that the Board and its Committees have 
the right balance of skills, experience 
and knowledge to help achieve its 
strategic objectives and to guarantee 
continued delivery of shareholder 
value. In this regard, it continuously 
reviews the composition of the Board 
and its Committees and the Board skills 
matrix. The framework within which the 
composition of the Board, its Committees 
and future Board appointments 
continue to be assessed, is based on the 
terms of the Relationship Agreement, 
AVEVA’s inclusion in the FTSE 100 
Index and the specific functions which 
NEDs would be required to fulfil on 
Committees. Following consideration, 
the Committee believes that, throughout 
the year, the Board composition and 
that of its Committees provided an 
appropriate balance of skills, knowledge 
and experience. The Committee will 
continue to assess composition and 
succession planning in view of both 
the results of the Board evaluation 
and the search for a new Chairman.

Annual review 
As part of the externally-facilitated Board 
and Committee evaluation, the Committee 
assessed its own performance and 
effectiveness. The Committee members 
concluded that it operates effectively 
and that the Committee has been 
strengthened by the addition of Olivier 
Blum. The annual performance evaluation 
also provided an opportunity to review 
the Committee’s Terms of Reference. The 
Committee undertook a comprehensive 
review and update of its Terms of 
Reference following the introduction 
of the 2018 Code during the previous 
financial year. This year’s review focused 
on whether these updated Terms remain 
fit for purpose and the outcome was that 
no immediate changes are required. 

involves the adoption of a formal and 
transparent procedure with due regard 
to the skills, knowledge and level of 
experience required, as well as diversity 
and soft skills. Nevertheless, it will 
continue to keep the gender and ethnic 
balance of the Board as a key factor when 
considering future Board appointments. 

For further information on the 
Company’s D&I framework and 
initiatives, please refer to page 34.

Succession planning 
As anticipated, succession planning 
was central to the Committee’s agenda 
in 2019. The Committee oversees the 
development of an inclusive and diverse 
talent pipeline through a number of 
Company-wide initiatives. Currently 
these initiatives are targeted mainly 
towards two groups of employees – 
potential future members of the ELT 
and a broader leadership talent pool.

Against this background, the ELT 
implemented an extensive talent mapping 
exercise taking into consideration AVEVA’s 
current needs, its growth aspirations 
and its long-term strategies. The review 
identified key employees who have the 
potential to be critical to the success of the 
Company and results were shared with 
the Committee and the Board. Appropriate 
steps were then taken to ensure that 
effective plans are in place to develop 
a mix of potential senior managers and 
employees within the Group who could 
fill key roles in the short, medium and 
longer term. The review also took into 
consideration the Group’s objectives 
on diversity and inclusion. Training and 
leadership programmes for all employees 
emphasises the Company’s commitment 
to promoting and supporting in-house 
talent. These programmes support the 
Committee’s responsibility of ensuring a 
sufficient talent pipeline exists to meet the 
ever-changing needs of the Company. 

Talent mapping exercises will continue 
to be performed annually and progress 
on diversity and succession planning 
initiatives are reviewed regularly by 
the Committee and the Board.

In accordance with its responsibilities, 
the Committee undertakes contingency 
planning for unexpected Board changes 
and unforeseen departures, medium-
term planning and long-term planning. 
As part of this planning, the Committee 
assess the skills and expertise required 
on the Board and considers current and 
future challenges facing the Company.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements 
74

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Audit Committee Report

Our focus is the integrity of the Group’s financial 
reporting, audit processes, key risk management 
and internal controls

Christopher Humphrey
Audit Committee Chairman

Independence split

Independent 3

4/4

4/4
4/4

Membership and attendance

Chair
Christopher Humphrey
Committee members
Jennifer Allerton
Ron Mobed
Attending by invitation
Chairman
CEO
Deputy CEO and CFO
Finance Director and Company Secretary
Group General Counsel
Head of Internal Audit & Risk
Other senior members of the Group Finance team
External audit partner

The Committee usually meets four times a year.

The Audit Committee (the Committee) 
is appointed by the Board. The 
members are Christopher Humphrey 
(Chairman), 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.

Role of the Committee
The Committee is appointed by the 
Board to monitor the financial integrity 
of the Group. It confirms to the Board 
that the financial statements within the 
Annual Report are fair, balanced and 
understandable and comply with all 
applicable legislation and regulation. It 
also reviews the Groups risk management 
processes and internal controls; 
including maintaining oversight of the 
internal audit function. Further, the 
Committee manages the relationship 
with the external auditor, reviews the 
scope and terms of its engagement, 
and monitors its performance through 
regular effectiveness reviews.

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 previously held 
the role of Chief Executive Officer and 
previously Group Finance Director of 
Anite plc, a UK-listed company, and 
prior to that senior positions in finance 
at Conoco, Eurotherm International plc 

75

and Critchley Group plc. I am also Chair 
of the Audit Committee of Vitec Group 
plc and 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.

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 62–63.

The 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 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 we 
have fully complied with the requirements 
of the Code as issued in July 2018.

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 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.

Significant accounting issues
Significant accounting issues and 
judgements are identified by the Group 
finance function and via the external 
audit process and are reviewed by the 
Committee. Significant issues considered 
by the Committee in respect of the year 
ended 31 March 2020 are set out in the 
following table:

Significant issue How it was addressed

Covid-19

Revenue 
recognition

Pensions

The Committee have carefully considered the various potential 
impacts of Covid-19 on accounting judgements. This includes 
reviews of forecasts, asset impairments, share-based payments 
vesting and impairment review. In addition, the Committee have 
overseen the preparation of both Going Concern and Long-Term 
Viability Statements, paying attention to modelling, scenarios, 
liquidity positions and covenants.

The external auditor presented their findings regarding key revenue 
recognition testing and associated risks. The Committee reviewed and 
concluded that revenue recognised in the year is materially correct.

The UK defined benefit pension scheme remains the most significant 
to the Group and is an area of focus. The Committee satisfied itself 
that the valuation of the pension liabilities is within an acceptable 
range and that the assumptions have been updated to reflect market 
conditions as at the year end. 

Share-based 
payments

The Group recognised a share-based payment charge of £12 million 
during the year ended 31 March 2020. Two key areas of judgement for 
management are the fair value of new options granted in the period 
and the vesting assumptions made on all open option grants. The 
Committee reviewed and satisfied itself that the fair value of the LTIPs 
granted in the year is appropriate and in line with vesting assumptions.

Disposals

Bonuses

IFRS 16

During the year, management disposed of the three remaining 
entities which served as Wonderware distributors, with the 
counterparties being other existing Wonderware distributors across 
Europe. The Committee has maintained oversight of these disposals 
and has concluded that the associated accounting is accurate.

During the year, the harmonisation of bonus schemes has been 
completed for the majority of heritage AVEVA and heritage SES 
employees. The Committee has maintained oversight of external 
auditor review and testing in this area to ensure it is comfortable with 
stated bonus provisions.

This is the first period in which IFRS 16 is applicable for the Group. 
The Committee has focussed upon any changes made to 
management’s transition adjustments, the appropriate disclosure of 
the new policy and any new leases entered during the year. No issues 
arose from these procedures.

Acquisition 
accounting

The Committee has maintained oversight of the MaxGrip and 
ErrorSolver acquisitions during the year and satisfied itself that the 
acquisition accounting has been performed using appropriate 
methodologies and is recorded correctly.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial StatementsThe Company has complied with the 
Statutory Audit Services for Large 
Companies Market Investigation 
(Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender 
Processes and Audit Committee 
Responsibilities) Order 2014 issued 
by the Competition and Markets 
Authority. A plan to identify successor 
firms to ensure that there is sufficient 
time for an orderly transition and to 
safeguard independence was considered 
and agreed by the Committee.

A formal statement of independence is 
received from the auditor each year. The 
Board and the Committee are satisfied 
that the independence and objectivity 
of the auditor has been maintained.

76

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Audit Committee Report continued

Risk and internal controls
The principal risks that the Group faces 
are set out on pages 40 to 47. On at least 
an annual basis, the Committee considers 
the Group risk register and related 
management controls. Throughout the 
process, the Board or the Committee:
 – considers whether areas should be 

looked at more closely through specific 
control reviews;

 – identifies areas where enhancement of 

internal controls is required; and
 – agrees action plans to deliver the 

necessary or recommended 
enhancements.

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

Committee receives regular updates 
from the internal audit function on the 
outcomes of agreed reviews;

 – the use of qualified third parties to 

undertake specialist reviews in more 
technical areas; and

 – an annual assessment by the 

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

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

In relation to Covid-19 disruption and 
remote working requirements, the internal 
control framework has been assessed for 
continued suitability during lockdown and 
is considered robust.

Key estimates and judgements
The 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 identification 
of acquired intangibles. Annually, the 
Committee considers the going concern 
principle upon which the financial 
statements are prepared and the Group’s 
viability statement disclosures.

Internal audit
The Company established an in-house 
internal audit function during 2018. 
This has included the agreement and 
successful execution of annual internal 
audit plans, providing the Committee 
with an independent view on the strength 
of internal controls. Where some audit 
reviews require specialist resource 
or capacity then independent third 
parties may be used. As a Committee, 
we believe this resourcing model 
provides the most effective approach.

External audit
The Committee acknowledges the 
provisions contained in the Code in respect 
of audit tendering, along with European 
rules on mandatory audit rotation and 
audit tendering. Ernst & Young (EY) 
have been our auditor since the financial 
year ended in March 2003 and cannot 
therefore remain our auditor beyond 2023 
(note that EY were retained following 
an audit tender process in 2016). 

Audit partners are rotated every five 
years and the current audit partner, 
Marcus Butler, will complete his fifth 
year with the Group this year.

The Committee has considered its 
approach to audit tendering with reference 
to the mandatory rotation period, the 
rotation of the current audit partner and 
proposals from the current reviews into the 
audit profession. In addition, EY are joint 
auditors to Schneider Electric along with 
Mazars. Schneider Electric are required to 
rotate EY after the December 2021 year 
end and the Committee has considered the 
implications of this for the AVEVA audit. 

The Committee has concluded that it 
would be appropriate to commence a 
competitive tender for the March 2023 
year-end audit. The tender will commence 
after the 2020 results are announced 
and is expected to conclude before the 
end of the year. The suggested timeline 
will enable the Company to conclude the 
tender in line with Schneider Electric’s 
timeline to ensure that any independence 
threats relating to services provided by 
the incoming auditor can be addressed. 
It should also enable the Committee to 
take into account any proposals arising 
from the current reviews of the auditing 
profession. The timing remains subject 
to the Committee’s normal annual 
review of auditor performance and 
recommendation to shareholders. 

77

Audit Committee objectives for FY20
The Committee agreed several objectives at the start of the financial year.

Objectives

Integration

Refresh Enterprise Risk 
Management for the enlarged 
Group

Development of in-house internal 
audit function

IT strategy & processes

Fixed price projects

Activity in the year

Progress

The combination of the AVEVA and Schneider 
Electric Software businesses created a 
much larger Group and one with a different 
financial risk profile. The Committee sought 
to continuously understand the integration 
process and specifically understand how this 
would change financial processes and financial 
reporting as well as any new financial risks 
faced by the Group.

For risk management processes to provide the 
required value, continued executive support 
has been required with the Audit Committee 
holding management to account on risk 
management, challenging their involvement 
and progress. This includes embedding 
effective risk management into business units 
and functions so that risk covers the entire 
organisation. Good progress was made in 2018 
and momentum was required to be maintained 
in 2019 to be successful.

2018 saw the introduction of an in-house 
internal audit function for the enlarged Group. 
The Committee have been focused on directing 
and supporting this function and ensuring that 
it provides an adequate level of coverage and 
assurance to meet the Committee’s needs. 
The FY20 Internal Audit Plan was successfully 
achieved and included balanced geographical 
coverage of the Group’s operations.

Throughout 2019 the Audit Committee were 
committed to ensuring that the Group’s IT 
strategy, processes and systems are fit for 
purpose for a group of AVEVA’s size and 
operations. This included a focus on the ERP 
implementation programme, understanding 
the Group’s cyber-risks and computer and 
social media policies.

The Committee requested a better 
understanding of the control environment  
in place to manage fixed-price long-term 
services projects, including for bids and  
project delivery, predominantly via 
presentations from management and  
through the work of Internal Audit.

Finance transformation updates were presented 
to the Committee in July and October 2019 
with a further update provided to the Board in 
September 2019.

Further detail on the progress of this objective is 
included on pages 40–41. Further progress has 
been made with the Committee overseeing the 
introduction of a new AVEVA risk governance 
structure that involves the Board, the Executive 
Leadership Team, business units and functions. 
The Audit Committee continue to receive regular 
updates on the progress of risk management 
processes within AVEVA to enable the required 
challenge to management.

In 2019, the internal audit function;

 – Continued to focus on the establishment 
and testing of minimum internal control 
requirements for the enlarged Group.

 – Executed a risk-based focus to internal audit 
allowing the Audit Committee to receive 
outcomes and assurance levels from higher 
risk areas of the business such as principal 
risk areas, weaker controlled subsidiaries and 
processes.

A transformation update was presented to the 
Committee in July 2019, which included new ERP 
system implementation progress. A cyber update 
was provided at the same time and again to the 
Board in October 2019.

In May 2019, a presentation to the Board was 
provided by the Chief Operating Officer and this 
included controls in place for project life cycles. 
Further, an independent internal audit review 
of this area was performed and reported to the 
Committee during 2019.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements78

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Audit Committee Report continued

The Committee advises the Board 
on the auditor’s remuneration and 
discusses the nature, scope and results 
of the audit with the external auditor. 

In compliance with legislation on non-
audit services provided by the external 
auditor EY do not perform any non-
audit services work for the Company.

The effectiveness of the external audit 
process is dependent on appropriate 
audit risk identification and a robust 
assessment of key estimates and 
judgements at the start of the audit cycle. 
We challenge the auditor regarding 
their test of management’s assumptions 
each audit cycle and 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.

The audit fees paid to EY for the 
statutory audit were £1.0 million. 
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 Leadership Team being 
present. I also meet with the external 
auditor from time to time away from the 
Company’s offices and also individually 
with the Head of Internal Audit and Risk, 
Chief Financial Officer, Finance Director 
and other senior finance team members.

Audit planning and main audit issues
At the September 2019 meeting of the 
Committee, the auditor presented their 
audit plan for FY20. 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 following specific business was dealt with at each meeting during FY20:

May 2019
 – Review of Committee objectives
 – Year-end reporting; including:
–  Review of draft accounts
–  Accounting judgements
–  Tax update
–  Going Concern & Viability
–  External auditor’s reports

 – Internal Audit update
 – Update on finance transformation project
 – Private meeting between Chairman and external auditor

September 2019
 – Internal Audit update
 – External auditor planning
 – Risk management governance update
 – Group accounting updates
 – Cyber update
 – Auditor rotation update

October 2019
 – Review of Committee objectives
 – Interim reporting; including:

–  Accounting update report from management
–  Tax update
–  Treasury update
– 
–  Review of draft interim financial statements

Interim report from external auditors

 – Internal Audit update
 – Update on finance transformation project
 – General management updates including data protection  

and cybersecurity

 – Private meeting between Chairman and external auditor

March 2020
 – Review and approval of terms of reference 
 – Review of Audit Committee objectives 
 – External auditor year-end planning 
 – Update on finance transformation project
 – Update on risk management 
 – Internal Audit update including FY21 Internal Audit Plan 
 – Treasury update 
 – Tax update
 – Cyber update
 – Covid-19 considerations
 – Update on auditor rotation
 – Results of AQRT review

79

Committee activities in FY20
I chaired four scheduled meetings 
of the Committee in FY20, working 
closely with management to ensure 
that the Committee is provided with 
the comprehensive information 
and support that it requires.

Committee 
objectives for 
FY21:

Agendas included annual reporting 
requirements, risk assurance processes 
and other ad-hoc matters which arose and 
required robust review and challenge.

In March 2020, the Committee 
considered the objectives for the 
year ahead and it was agreed the 
following would be prioritised:

 – Continued focus on integration 
and transformation progress 
 – Focus on cybersecurity threats
 – Audit firm rotation
 – Continued development of 

Internal Audit with focus on risk-
based reviews

 – Regular updates on tax 

strategies

 – Monitor risk environment in 

relation to Covid-19 pandemic

Christopher Humphrey
Audit Committee Chairman
9 June 2020

FRC reviews
EY’s external audit of the Company 
for the year ending March 2019 was 
subject to an FRC Audit Quality Review 
during the year. The Committee have 
been kept fully informed of the progress 
and conclusions of the review which 
are that the audit work within scope 
required limited improvements. EY have 
kept the Committee fully updated with 
the actions taken to address the limited 
findings of the FRC. Should any further 
reviews occur, we will advise shareholders 
in the subsequent Annual Report.

Assessing the content of the Annual 
Report 
The Board takes responsibility for 
determining that the whole Annual Report 
is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the necessary information 
for shareholders. The Committee 
concentrates its review on the financial 
statements only and the process which 
underpins the Long-Term Viability 
Statement. The Committee recommended 
to the Board the adoption of the financial 
statements as at 31 March 2020.

Committee performance in the 
annual evaluation
The Committee’s effectiveness was 
assessed as part of the external 
evaluation as further explained in the 
Nomination Committee Report on 
pages 70–73. The evaluation concluded 
that it operates effectively and that no 
immediate changes to its composition 
are required. The Board, however, will 
continue to review actions flowing from 
the results of the evaluation and the 
Committee will assess and implement any 
actions that might be required. Further, 
we set and measure our performance 
against specific objectives every year. 
These objectives are set annually and the 
details of our objectives for FY20 and the 
progress made is summarised below.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements80

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report

As AVEVA continues its growth journey, the 
Remuneration Committee wants to ensure that 
our Remuneration Policy continues to support 
our growth strategy, promoting the long-term 
sustainability of what is now a larger scale, more 
complex business. As such, we will be seeking 
shareholder approval to refresh the Policy to 
align with investor expectations whilst ensuring 
we remain competitive in the global market.

Annual Statement
Letter from the Remuneration  

Committee Chair 

Remuneration at a Glance
A four-page summary of the details of the  
new Remuneration Policy, the amounts  
paid in FY20 and the proposals for  
amounts to be paid in FY21 

The Directors’ Remuneration Policy (Part A)
Proposed remuneration policy changes 
Remuneration outcomes in different 

performance scenarios 

80

82

87

94

The Implementation Report (Part B)
96
Membership and attendance 
97
Shareholder voting and engagement 
Single figure of total remuneration 
97
Legacy performance and retention  awards  100
104
Directors’ share interests 
106
CEO single figure history 
Relative importance of spend on pay 
107
Remuneration and share interests of  

Non-Executive Directors 

108

Jennifer Allerton
Remuneration 
Committee Chair

“I am proud to present the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report for the year ended March 
2020 which has seen further significant 
transformational work undertaken by AVEVA to 
continue its successful growth journey.”

Highlights  
of the year

 – New Remuneration Policy

 – A single global bonus scheme

 – A strong result for the year

ANNUAL STATEMENT

Dear Fellow Shareholder,

I am pleased to present the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the 
year ended 31 March 2020 which we have prepared in compliance 
with the revised 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code.

As a summary, this report is divided into four key sections:
 – This Annual Statement
 – The ‘Remuneration at a Glance’ section
 – The Directors’ Remuneration Policy (Part A)
 – The Implementation Report (Part B)

Introduction
The year ending March 2020 was a year of substantial change 
and continued growth for AVEVA. This year we committed 
ourselves to being a leader in industrial software for a 
sustainable future working with our employees, our customers 
and our shareholders. We aspire to a world where economic 
growth supports environmental sustainability with better living 
standards for the communities where we and our customers 
operate. Our purpose, values and strategy create long-term value 
for customers, employees and shareholders.

The merger of AVEVA with SES in March 2018 was one of the 
largest business combinations that has occurred in the UK for 
many years. Management focus on integration and operational 
excellence has been a success, yielding a unique, best-in-class 
and highly competitive global technology company based in 
Cambridge and listed on the London Stock Exchange. 

Our current Remuneration Policy was approved by over 96% of 
shareholders at the 2018 AGM when AVEVA was a member of 
the FTSE 250 and with a market capitalisation of £4.1 billion.  
We are presenting a new policy to shareholders at the 2020  
AGM, one year earlier than required. This is due to the fact that 
we are now a very different business, post-merger, in terms  
of size, geographic coverage, complexity, scale and as a  
FTSE 100 company. 

The Remuneration Policy we are proposing continues to build 
on the policy approved in 2018, supporting our growing global 
software business. We are proactive in ensuring that we 
understand the expectations of our investors and the policy being 

proposed will ensure management reward 
is well aligned with our shared objectives. 
The proposed policy is also reflective of the 
changes and broader scope of the new UK 
Code. We have sought to incorporate both 
investor expectations and market practice, 
taking into consideration that we are now a 
FTSE 100 company and have significantly 
increased our market capitalisation over 
recent years. 

Board changes during the year
There were no changes in membership 
of the Remuneration Committee during 
the year. However, since the year end, 
Emmanuel Babeau retired from the Board 
effective 30 April 2020. We are very 
pleased to welcome Olivier Blum, formerly 
CHRO of Schneider Electric and now Chief 
Strategy & Sustainability Officer, who will 
bring a wealth of executive pay experience 
to the Board.

Context for FY20 incentive outcomes 
The Company has delivered another 
very strong set of results against the 
background of mixed macroeconomic 
and market conditions. Positive top 
line revenue growth of 8.8% coupled 
with an increase in margin to 26% has 
demonstrated the ongoing synergies 
post-merger and as the Company shifts 
towards more of a subscription model the 
proportion of recurring revenue exceeded 
the three year target of 60% delivering 
an impressive 62% of recurring revenue 
within the year.

For FY20 the annual bonus award was 
based on financial and strategic measures. 
As a result of a strong performance and 
achievement of strategic measures, 
the Executive Directors received 
an outcome of 71% of maximum. In 
line with policy, 40% of the bonus 
earned is deferred into shares. 

Over the three-year performance 
period of the 2017 LTIP, AVEVA has 
performed exceptionally well. We have 
seen growth in our share price of circa 
175% over this period combined with 
EPS growth of more than 15% p.a. 
and strong total revenue performance. 
Accordingly, all three performance 
metrics were outperformed for the 
2017 LTIP, resulting in both Executive 
Directors achieving 100% of maximum.

The Committee is satisfied that the annual 
bonus and LTIP targets were sufficiently 
stretching and that the resulting outcomes 
are appropriate in light of AVEVA’s 
performance. The Committee, therefore, 
decided not to apply any discretion to the 
incentive outcomes.

We have included a double page 
spread, clearly describing remuneration 
arrangements and outturns in FY20 and 
FY21 on pages 84–85.

Shareholder engagement 
We were naturally disappointed with the 
result of our 2019 AGM, where we received 
a vote of 79% for our Remuneration Report. 
In light of this, we have actively engaged 
with our shareholder base and have sought 
to fully understand their views and the 
rationale behind the voting outcome. 

Ahead of the 2020 AGM, we have listened 
to feedback and made changes where 
appropriate to do so. We have expanded 
the disclosure around our incentive 
objectives, particularly the strategic 
elements of both the annual bonus and 
LTIP award. We have also sought to 
address concerns raised around the legacy 
use of retention arrangements which were 
related to the successful completion of a 
transformational merger that has driven 
exceptional returns for shareholders. 
Whilst this is a historic issue, we note 
shareholders’ strong views and for the 
final tranche of the retention payment, we 
have expanded disclosure in this report.

Regarding the proposed policy, we have 
again been receptive to shareholders and 
their feedback. For the incentive awards, 
we are not implementing maximum 
opportunities for either annual bonus or 
LTIP, and for FY21 we will not increase LTIP 
opportunity for either Executive Director. 
We have also introduced a formal two year 
post-employment shareholding guideline.

Policy review 
The Committee undertook an extensive 
review of our Remuneration Policy in FY20. 
We are proposing a number of changes 
to ensure we are both competitive in 
the global markets where we operate 
and aligned with investor expectations. 
We have taken into account the current 
Covid-19 crisis and the views of our 
shareholders. An ‘At a Glance’ summary 
of the proposed changes to the policy are 
set out on pages 82–83. Outlined below 
are some of the key decisions regarding 
implementation of the FY21 policy:
 – Salary: for FY21, the Directors will not 

receive a salary increase in line with the 
wider workforce. 

 – Pension: the Directors remain aligned 
to the wider workforce and receive a 
pension contribution of 10% of salary.
 – Bonus: maximum opportunity will be 
increased from 125% to 200% for the 
CEO and 175% for the CFO. However, for 
FY21, the CEO is to receive a maximum 
opportunity of 165% and the CFO 150%. 
Deferral is to be increased from 40% to 
50% of the award. 

 – LTIP: maximum opportunity will be 

increased from 250% to 300% for the 
CEO, and from 175% to 250% for the 
CFO. However, for FY21, the increased 
maximums will not be utilised and both 
Executive Directors will remain on their 
current maximum LTIP opportunities. 

81

 – In-employment shareholding 

requirement: increased to market-leading 
levels from 200% of annual salary to the 
variable pay opportunity (415% for the 
CEO and 325% for the CFO in FY21).

 – Post-employment shareholding 

requirement: a formal post-employment 
shareholding guideline has been 
introduced. 

Other Committee activities during 
FY20 
We have continued to work hard 
to transform from a remuneration 
perspective both the heritage AVEVA 
and Schneider Electric industrial software 
businesses. Key deliverables this year 
have included:
 – harmonising nine variable bonus plans 
globally into one uniform AVEVA global 
bonus plan for approximately 4,000 
employees;

 – rolling out job levels to ensure 

consistency and equality globally;

 – designing and building a proposed new 
Global Employee Share Scheme; and

 – revising the Remuneration Report, 
taking into account market data, 
investor expectations and global 
technology trends.

In addition to the transformational work 
undertaken this year, we also appointed 
new remuneration advisors and are 
pleased to have partnered with Deloitte.

The Board has continued its internal 
dialogue with employees during the 
year which has again seen us meeting 
business leaders and employees. In 
January, we held our first meeting at our 
newly-opened London offices in Cannon 
Street and met many of the London-
based employees. The office provides a 
useful central London hub for AVEVA. We 
continue to value these direct face-to-face 
discussions with employees. As with many 
companies, we have adapted our working 
style during the Covid-19 global lockdown 
and in March conducted our first fully 
virtual Remuneration Committee meeting. 
As we globally assess the new ways of 
working we will also be looking at how 
virtual employee representation can be 
incorporated into the Committee’s ways 
of working to provide greater internal 
transparency and accountability.

In conclusion 
I hope you find the contents of this 
report clear and transparent and the 
reasoning for our proposed revisions to the 
Remuneration Policy sensible. 

Jennifer Allerton
Remuneration Committee Chair
9 June 2020

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements82

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration

At a Glance

Proposed changes to the current policy
The table below summarises the key differences between the 
proposed policy and the current policy. The proposed policy will 
be put to a binding shareholder vote at the 2020 AGM and is set 
out on pages 87 to 95.

Existing policy

Proposed policy

No change to current policy.

No proposed changes to Executive Directors’ base salaries in FY21.

Our market positioning on salaries remains competitive based upon our 
company size when compared with the FTSE 31–100 peer group.

No change to current policy.

No change to current policy.

Base salary

Benefits

y
a
p
d
e
x
F

i

Pensions

Salaries are reviewed annually although 
there is no automatic entitlement to 
an increase.

Base salary increases are normally in line 
with the wider UK workforce.

On occasion we may need to recognise 
an increase in scope, size or responsibility 
of the role and/or developments in the 
wider market.

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 line with best practice, pensions for 
Executive Directors have been aligned to 
the wider UK workforce for a number of 
years with no additional benefits being 
offered to Executive Directors. 

Both Executive Directors are members of 
the AVEVA Group Personal Pension Plan 
(a defined contribution scheme). Executive 
Directors receive a cash in lieu allowance 
equivalent to 10% of salary, reduced 
for the effect of employers’ National 
Insurance contributions.

The focus of our new policy is to address the variable and performance-related elements of the packages as discussed below. This 
will ensure alignment to shareholders’ objectives. The proposed increase in incentive opportunities requires additional stretch in the 
performance delivered so that more pay is delivered only for more performance. This is totally aligned with the philosophy of the 
Company and with the changes we have made to the broader workforce.

Existing policy

Proposed policy

Annual Bonus opportunity The maximum bonus opportunity is 125% 

of base salary.

l

y
a
p
e
b
a
i
r
a
V

The maximum bonus opportunity is proposed to increase from 125% of 
salary for both Directors to 200% for the CEO and 175% for the CFO. 

Reflects the fact that we are a very different business post the merger of 
AVEVA with the Schneider Electric industrial software business in March 
2018, in terms of size, geographic coverage, complexity and scale. 
Current maximum award level is uncompetitive in the market against 
the FTSE 31–100 and AVEVA’s US peers. 

In FY21, we propose an increase from 125% of salary for both Directors 
to 165% for the CEO and 150% for the CFO.

The Committee acknowledges that increased quantum requires 
additional stretch so that more pay is delivered only for the achievement 
of more stretching performance targets. 

Annual Bonus deferral 

40% of any bonus earned is deferred into 
shares under the Deferred Share Scheme.

The amount of bonus deferral is proposed to increase from 40% of any 
bonus earned to 50% of any bonus earned.

Once the increased shareholding guidelines set out below are met the 
bonus deferral will be relaxed to half the usual amount i.e. 25% of any 
bonus to be deferred but will continue to be subjected to the existing 
three year bonus deferral holding period.

 
 
83

Existing policy

Proposed policy

Long-term incentive 

opportunity

Awards over shares worth no more than 
250% of salary may be made each year 
for the CEO and 175% for the CFO.

The maximum LTIP opportunity to increase from 250% of salary to 
300% of salary for the CEO. For the CFO, the policy maximum will 
increase from 175% to 250% of salary. 

l

y
a
p
e
b
a
i
r
a
V

Long-term incentive 
threshold vesting 

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.

The overall incentive opportunity remains within market competitive 
ranges for the UK but below the US market and below competitive 
technology companies outside the UK. 

We strongly believe that it is important to have the additional flexibility 
in the Policy to ensure we can retain and recruit increasing numbers 
of employees and leadership positions in niche technical skills areas, 
which are highly competitive. Use of this additional headroom will not 
be automatic. 

This increased headroom will be balanced with the Policy changes 
noted below (reduction in threshold vesting level and market leading 
shareholding guidelines). Increased quantum will also require additional 
stretch on performance to ensure we pay for more performance only. 

There are no proposed increases in LTIP opportunity for FY21 for the 
CEO or CFO. The maximum LTIP award will remain unchanged at 250% 
of base salary for the CEO and 175% of salary for the CFO. No changes 
are proposed to the structure or performance measures. 

In the event of an increase in LTIP quantum above 250% of salary for the 
CEO and 175% of salary for the CFO the LTIP vesting at threshold would 
be reduced from 25% of maximum to 20% of maximum.

Existing policy

Proposed policy

Shareholding  
requirements 

In-employment

Shareholding requirement of 200% of 
salary for both Executive Directors. 

Shareholding  
requirements 

Post-employment 

No formal post-employment shareholding 
policy in place.

The shareholding guidelines are being increased to market leading 
levels. The level of shareholding required shall be the total of both 
annual bonus and annual LTIP opportunity maxima. The increased 
shareholding requirements will apply to any newly issued deferred 
bonus award and LTIPs granted in respect of FY21 and later years.

In FY21: 

For the CEO this will be 165% for annual bonus and 250% for LTIPs 
giving a new increased shareholding requirement of 415% of salary.

For the CFO an annual bonus opportunity of 150% and 175% LTIP 
opportunity equates to a new increased shareholding of 325% of salary.

A new two-year post-employment shareholding guideline is being 
introduced, following feedback from major investors, which will apply 
to shares acquired through awards granted under the new Policy. With 
100% of the increased shareholding guidelines (or actual shareholding, 
if lower) retained for the first-year post employment and 50% for the 
second-year post employment. 

Existing policy

Proposed policy

Malus and clawback 

The provisions apply to the annual bonus, 
deferred bonus scheme and LTIPs.

Strengthened provisions

We have formally enshrined within the Policy a strengthening of the 
malus and clawback provisions and discretion to override formulaic 
outturns on variable pay, in each case to take account of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code.

For further details 
see page 90 

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements 
84

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration At a Glance continued

How we performed in FY20

Revenue growth

Recurring revenue

Adjusted EBIT

+8.8%  
to £833.8m

+840 bps  
to 62.2%

+23.3%  
to £216.8m

Adjusted diluted EPS

+24.9%  
to 108.15p

Remuneration of our Executive Directors in FY20
The table below summarises how Executive Directors were remunerated for FY20, alongside how the proposed policy will be 
implemented for FY21. 

Key elements

Applies to

How we paid our Executive Directors in FY20

Implementation of our proposed policy for FY21

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

Base salary

Craig Hayman

Pensions

Benefits

James Kidd

Both EDs

Craig Hayman

James Kidd

Performance period

Both EDs

Opportunity applied

Craig Hayman

Criteria

James Kidd

Both EDs

£718k

£513k

£718k
(0% salary increase)

£513k
(0% salary increase)

10% of salary

Mobility allowance, US and UK medical cover

Car allowance, fuel allowance and £600 of flexible benefits

How we paid our Executive Directors in FY20

Implementation of our proposed policy for FY21

FY20

125% of salary

125% of salary

FY21

165% of salary

150% of salary

Group revenue 10%
Recurring revenue 30%
Group adjusted EBIT 40%
Strategic objectives 20%

Short-term financial measures 30%
Recurring revenue 25%
Group adjusted EBIT 25%
Strategic objectives 20%

Payable

Craig Hayman

£635k (71% of maximum)

James Kidd

£454k (71% of maximum)

n/a

n/a

Performance period

Both EDs

1 April 2017 – 31 March 2020

1 April 2020 – 31 March 2023

2017 award

2020 award

Opportunity applied

Craig Hayman

Time horizon

Criteria

James Kidd

Both EDs

Both EDs

250% of salary
Pro-rated for service

150% of salary

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%

Payable

Craig Hayman

£581k (100% of maximum)

James Kidd

£1,521k (100% of maximum)

FY19

n/a

n/a

FY20

  CEO pay compared 
s
to UK employee pay
o
i
t
a
r

O
E
C

75th percentile

50th percentile

25th percentile

Using the 
single figure table

Excluding effect of 
buy-out awards

Using the 
single figure table

Excluding effect of 
buy-out awards

87:1
118:1
163:1

19:1
26:1
36:1

62:1
85:1
119:1

23:1
32:1
44:1

1  The CEO pay ratio has been calculated by comparing the single figure of remuneration of the CEO to the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile UK employees. Remuneration 

includes salary, benefits, pension, bonuses and share awards. All amounts are on a full time equivalent basis. 

 
 
 
 
85

Annual Bonus

Craig Hayman

% of salary

James Kidd

% of salary

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

125%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

125%

150%

175%

Maximum

Outcome

Maximum

Outcome

£0k

£100k £200k £300k £400k £500k £600k £700k £800k £900k

£0k

£100k £200k £300k £400k £500k £600k £700k £800k £900k

 Revenue metrics   

 Adjusted profit   

 Personal objectives

 Revenue metrics   

 Adjusted profit   

 Personal objectives

Long-term Incentive Scheme

Craig Hayman

% of salary

James Kidd

% of salary

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

250%

300%

Fair value at date of grant

Fair value at date of grant

Opportunity inclusive of share price appreciation

Opportunity inclusive of share price appreciation

Outcome (100%)

Outcome (100%)

£0k

£200k

£400k

£600k

£800k £1,000k £1200k £1,400k £1,600k

£0k

£200k

£400k

£600k

£800k £1,000k £1200k £1,400k £1,600k

 EBIT   

 TSR   

 Revenue   

 EBIT   

 TSR   

 Revenue   

The 2017 LTIP awards granted to Craig Hayman were pro-rated in the 
year of his joining AVEVA.

Maximum total remuneration opportunity compared to actual remuneration received for the year ending 31 March 2020

Craig Hayman

Opportunity

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Actual

James Kidd

Opportunity

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Actual

 Fixed   

 Bonus   

 LTIP

 One-off awards1

£0.0m

£1.0m

£2.0m

£3.0m

£4.0m

£5.0m

£6.0m

1  For Craig Hayman these relate to his buy-out awards (see page 100). For James Kidd these relate to his Performance and Retention Awards (see page 100).

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements86

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Our approach to setting pay 

AVEVA operates in the ‘UK plc’ executive remuneration environment but needs to attract and retain talent from a technology sector 
with a high US influence. Half of our leadership team are based outside of the UK and the majority of senior technology positions (R&D, 
Business Unit, Portfolio heads) are based in the US. We need to recruit increasing numbers of employees and leadership positions in 
niche technical skill areas, which are highly competitive.

The Remuneration Committee undertook a thorough benchmarking exercise in FY20 to support the revisions to the Remuneration 
Policy. Based upon the market capitalisation of the Company we selected the FTSE 31–100 companies to provide an initial comparison 
for remuneration. Specifically, the company also identified a UK and US peer group of technology and software companies to provide 
further comparisons before deciding upon the proposed remuneration approach. 

UK Comparison Peer Group

US Comparison Peer Group

 – Avast Software s.r.o.
 – Micro Focus International
 – Ocado Group plc
 – The Sage Group plc
 – Smiths Group plc
 – Sophos Group plc

 – Ansys Inc
 – Aspen Technology Inc
 – Autodesk Inc
 – Cadence Design Systems Inc
 – Honeywell International Inc
 – PTC Inc
 – Rockwell Automation Inc

Whilst market data provides a valuable insight into pay levels and structures, the Committee recognises that benchmarking should not 
be the sole determinant when considering Executive Directors’ remuneration. In line with AVEVA’s general approach to setting pay, the 
Committee considered many factors alongside benchmarking when reviewing the proposed revisions to the Remuneration Policy. 

How the new policy aligns with the UK Corporate Governance Code

Clarity

 – The Committee welcomes open dialogue with shareholders on any aspect of the Company’s remuneration. 
As part of the recent review of our Remuneration Policy during FY20 shareholders were consulted which 
provided valuable insights into their views on the proposed changes.

 – A key principle of the Committee is to ensure consistency across the Company from the Executive 

Directors down through the entire organisation. In FY20 we conducted an extensive bonus harmonisation 
programme which consolidated nine bonus plans into one global bonus plan for all non-sales employees. 
This change ensures all employees are measured and remunerated in the same way, on the same plan 
using the same metrics in a clear and transparent manner.

Simplicity

 – Each component of our Remuneration Policy is clearly laid out and explained in a clear and simple manner.
 – Across the Company we ensure our remuneration arrangements are simple by design, communicated 

clearly and understood by all participants.

 – Although the quantum will vary, the policies and practices of remuneration are consistently applied across 

all levels of the Company.

Risk

 – When determining award outcomes the Committee assesses the performance of the Company and the 
individual in order to ensure sound judgement and appropriate risk management are applied so that 
excessive rewards do not take place, reputational risk is protected and behavioural risks are identified and 
mitigated.

 – The Remuneration Policy includes a two year holding period on LTIPs and the proposed changes increase 

the level of risk management by increasing the annual bonus deferral, increasing the in-employment 
shareholding guidelines and introducing post-employment shareholding guidelines.

 – As a final safeguard our robust malus and clawback provisions apply to both the annual bonus and the 

long-term incentive programme.

Predictability

 – The Remuneration Policy clearly states the threshold, on-target and stretch levels of performance 

opportunity required, with achievement being measured against pre-determined targets defined in 
advance of the programme launch.

 – Targets and measures are not altered or amended mid-programme to ensure performance achievement is 

aligned to original goals and objectives at all times.

Proportionality

 – The annual bonus programme rewards achievement against annual operating growth targets of the 

Company together with personal objectives for the individual whilst the long-term incentive plan rewards 
long-term achievement of goals and the creation of shareholder value both of which are aligned to the 
overall Company strategy.

 – The Committee has the ability to apply discretion to reduce outcomes of both the annual bonus and long-

term incentive scheme if needed for both Company and individual performance.

Alignment to culture

 – When reviewing the annual bonus programme performance, the Committee assesses performance 

against a range of objectives including those related to AVEVA customers, AVEVA employees and the 
Company culture, strategy and risk to ensure incentive outcomes are aligned to the values and purpose. 

87

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Part A: The Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Introduction
The Directors’ Remuneration Policy below 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’). 

If approved by shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting on 21 July 2020, the Directors’ Remuneration Policy set out 
below will replace the existing policy for which shareholder approval was obtained at the 2018 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 2018) are explained on pages 82–83. It is currently intended 
that the policy will remain valid until the 2023 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.

The Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance measures

Purpose and link 
to strategy

Base salary

 – Helps recruit and 
retain employees

 – 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.

–  Salaries at other companies of 

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

–  Remuneration of different 

 – In determining salary 

None

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 (in 
percentage terms), although 
higher increases can be made 
in appropriate circumstances, 
for example:
–  an increase in the 

groups of employees within the 
Company.

– 

–  Total organisational salary 

budgets.

 – The Committee takes a phased 

approach to new salaries where 
appropriate.
 – Paid in cash.

individual’s scope of 
responsibilities;
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.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements88

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Part A: The Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Purpose and link 
to strategy

Pensions

 – Provides a 

competitive 
means of saving 
for retirement in 
a way that is cost 
effective to the 
Company

Benefits

 – Help recruit and 
retain employees

 – Provide a 

competitive range 
of valued benefits
 – Assist toward early 
return to work in 
the event of illness 
or injury

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance measures

None

None

 – The maximum employer 
contribution (which may 
be provided as a pension 
contribution or cash 
alternative or a combination 
thereof) is 10% of base 
salary which is aligned with 
the employer contribution 
available to the wider 
workforce; this limit may 
be increased to reflect 
any increase in the level of 
employer contribution for the 
wider workforce.

 – If an alternative pension 

arrangement were 
introduced as referred to in 
the ‘Operation’ column, the 
maximum opportunity would 
not exceed the maximum 
opportunity for members 
of the wider workforce 
who participate in such an 
arrangement.

 – 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 other 
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 
a defined contribution scheme.

 – The intention is that new 

appointments to the Board would 
also participate in a defined 
contribution pension scheme 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 
by the wider workforce.

 – 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, dental and 
medical cover, life assurance cover, 
and an annual allowance toward a 
range of benefits.

 – If 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 a 
share plan in the future in which 
participation was open to the wider 
workforce, Executive Directors 
would be entitled to participate in 
the plan on the same terms as other 
employees.

89

Purpose and link 
to strategy

Operation

Annual Incentive Scheme

Maximum opportunity

Performance measures

 – Incentivises and 
rewards the 
achievement 
of targets and 
objectives aligned 
with AVEVA’s 
strategy

 – Deferred element 
encourages long-
term shareholding, 
helps retention 
and discourages 
excessive risk-
taking

 – 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 payout 
of more than 20% of the 
maximum portion of overall 
annual bonus attributable to 
that measure, with a sliding 
scale usually up to 50% for 
on-target performance and 
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 determines an 

 – The maximum bonus 

opportunity is 200% of base 
salary in the case of the CEO 
and 175% of base salary 
in the case of any other 
Executive Director.
 – However, for FY21, the 

maximum bonus opportunity 
will be 165% of base salary 
in the case of the CEO and 
150% of base salary in the 
case of the CFO. 

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.
 – A portion of any bonus earned is 

deferred into shares for three years, 
with the portion being:
–  25% of the bonus earned if 

the Executive Director meets 
or exceeds the applicable 
shareholding requirement set out 
below; or

–  50% of the bonus earned if the 

Executive Director does not meet 
the applicable Shareholding 
Requirement set out below.
 – Deferred awards will normally vest 
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.

 – Deferred share awards can take the 
form either of the Executive Director 
being required to invest the after tax 
amount of the relevant portion of the 
bonus in shares, or the grant to the 
Executive Director of a share award 
in respect of such number of shares 
as have a value equal to the relevant 
portion of the bonus.

 – Deferred awards are subject to 

malus and clawback provisions as 
noted at the end of this table. 

 – Dividends and any other income or 
capital distribution can accrue on 
deferred shares up until the point 
at which the Executive Director is 
entitled to acquire the shares.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements90

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Part A: The Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Purpose and link 
to strategy

Operation

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.

 – The holding period can take the 

form either of the Executive Director 
being required to retain the vested 
shares for the holding period (other 
than shares they may dispose of to 
cover tax liabilities), or the Executive 
Director not being able to acquire 
the vested shares until the end of 
the holding period.

 – Awards under the LTIP may be 

granted in the form of conditional 
awards or nominal cost options.
 – Dividends and any other income or 
capital distribution can accrue on 
shares up until the point at which 
the Executive Director is entitled to 
acquire the shares.

 – 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.

 – LTIP awards are subject to malus 

and clawback provisions as noted at 
the end of this table.

Maximum opportunity

Performance measures

 – Awards over shares worth no 
more than 300% of salary in 
the case of the CEO or 250% 
of salary in the case of any 
other Executive Director may 
be made in respect of any 
year.

 – The Committee may set such 

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

 – However, for FY21, the 

 – Performance periods will be at 

maximum award will be 
250% of base salary in the 
case of the CEO and 175% 
of base salary in the case of 
the CFO. 

least three years long.
 – 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 (or not more 
than 20% in respect of any 
award granted in excess of 
the proposed awards for 
FY21), 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).

Malus and clawback provisions
The annual bonus (including any deferred bonus award) and the LTIP are subject to malus and clawback provisions. These may be 
applied in the event of:
 – Material misstatement of audited Group results; 
 – Payments made based on erroneous or misleading data; 
 – Calculation error; 
 – Fraud and/or gross misconduct; 
 – Group reputational damage and/or financial loss; 
 – Risk management failure resulting in serious harm to reputation or financial loss to the Group; and
 – Corporate failure.

The provisions can be applied until the date that falls three years from payment in the case of the cash bonus, until the date that falls 
three years after grant in the case of the deferred bonus, and until the date that falls two years after the end of the performance period 
in the case of LTIP awards. 

Shareholding Requirement
In-Service Shareholding Requirement 
The Company has adopted an In-Service Shareholding Requirement pursuant to which a serving Executive Director must build up and 
maintain a holding of AVEVA shares with a value (as determined by the Committee) at least equal to the aggregate of their variable 
remuneration opportunity (being 415% of salary in the case of the CEO and 325% of salary in the case of the CFO in FY21). Shares 
subject to deferred bonus arrangements, shares subject to LTIP awards which are in a holding period, and shares subject to other 
share awards which are no longer subject to any performance condition (including any exercisable but unexercised deferred bonus 
awards and LTIP awards) count towards the requirement, on a net of assumed tax basis where relevant. This is a change from FY19, 
where only shares owned outright were counted towards the shareholding guidelines.

91

There is no specified time period within which an Executive Director must achieve the Shareholding Requirement, but Executive 
Directors will be required to retain half of the after-tax shares acquired pursuant to the LTIP and deferred bonus arrangements:
 – in respect of years up to and including FY20 until a holding of 200% of salary is achieved; and
 – granted in respect of FY21 and later years until the higher Shareholding Requirement is achieved.

The Committee retains discretion to vary the In-Service Shareholding Requirement to take account of compassionate circumstances. 

Post-employment Shareholding Requirement 
The Company has adopted a post-employment Shareholding Requirement pursuant to which an Executive Director must retain for 12 
months following cessation of employment such of their ‘relevant shares’ as have a value (as determined by the Committee) equal to 
the In-Service Shareholding Requirement most recently applicable to them, and for a further 12 months such of their ‘relevant shares’ 
as have a value (as determined by the Committee) equal to 50% of the In-Service Shareholding Requirement most recently applicable 
to them.

Shares which the Executive Director has purchased or which they acquire pursuant to share plan awards granted before this Policy 
came into effect are not “relevant shares” for these purposes. The Committee retains discretion to vary the In-Service Shareholding 
Requirement to take account of compassionate circumstances. 

Stating maximum amounts for the Remuneration Policy
The 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, provided that the terms of the payment 
were consistent with any applicable shareholder-approved Directors’ Remuneration Policy in force at the time they were agreed or 
were otherwise approved by shareholders or (ii) at a time when the relevant individual was not a Director of the Company (or other 
person to whom the Policy set out above applies) 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. For the avoidance of doubt, this discretion 
includes the settlement of the ‘buy-out’ award granted to Craig Hayman in respect of his appointment.

The Committee may operate the LTIP, the annual bonus and the deferred bonus arrangements 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 payouts;
 – 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 

dividends);

 – The annual review of performance measures, weightings and targets from year to year; and
 – The ability to settle awards in part or in whole in cash (or to grant awards as cash based ‘phantom’ awards), although the 

Committee would only settle an Executive Director’s award in cash (or grant an Executive Director a phantom award) in exceptional 
circumstances, such as where there is a regulatory restriction on the grant of a share award.

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. 

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements92

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Part A: The Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

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 4,600 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 sales incentive 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.

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:
 – The package should be market competitive to facilitate the recruitment of an individual of sufficient calibre to lead the business. 

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

 – The structure of the ongoing remuneration package would normally include the components set out in the policy table for Executive 

Directors. Circumstances in which other elements of remuneration may be awarded include:
–  an interim appointment being made to fill an Executive Director role on a short-term basis; 
– 

– 

if exceptional circumstances require that the Chairman or a Non-Executive Director takes on an executive function on a short-
term basis; 
if an Executive Director is recruited at a time in the year when it would be inappropriate to provide a bonus or LTIP award for that 
year as there would not be sufficient time to assess performance; subject to the limit on variable remuneration set out below, 
the quantum in respect of the months employed during the year may be transferred to the subsequent year so that reward is 
provided on a fair and appropriate basis. 

 – 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.

 – The maximum level of variable remuneration which may be awarded (excluding any ‘buy-out’ awards) is 500% of base salary in the 

case of a CEO and 425% of base salary in the case of any other Executive Director.

 – 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.

 – If 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

James Kidd

19 February 2018

17 February 2017

19 February 2018

19 February 2018

1 January 2017

5 January 2004

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

93

Notice period

The CEO’s service contract can be terminated by the Company or the Executive Director on nine months’ notice. 
The 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 gardening 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. 

Payment in lieu  
of notice

In the event of termination of contract without notice, the Executive Director 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. Any such bonus will 
ordinarily be paid at the same time and in the same way as for a continuing Executive Director. The Committee 
retains discretion to pay the bonus early and not to apply deferral where it would otherwise apply, but would do so 
only in compassionate circumstances. 

Deferred bonus 
arrangements

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 applicable 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 ordinarily continue in existence for the remainder of the performance period, following 

Other payments

which they will vest subject to the satisfaction of the 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. Any holding period will ordinarily continue 
to apply. The Committee retains discretion to vest the award before the end of the originally anticipated 
performance period, and to assess performance accordingly, and to waive the continuation of the holding 
period or to shorten its application, but would do so only in compassionate circumstances. 

 – Vested awards which are subject to a holding period will ordinarily continue to be subject to the holding period, 

although the Committee retains discretion to waive the continuation of the holding period or to shorten its 
application but would do so only in compassionate circumstances. 

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.

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94

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Part A: The Directors’ Remuneration Policy 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 deferred bonus awards 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 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 are 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. We consulted with shareholders 
and discussed the proposed Policy before finalising it, and there was widespread general support for our proposals. We made changes 
to the proposed Policy having regard to the feedback received, in particular in relation to our phased approach to increases in incentive 
opportunities, as further described on page 89.

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 and opposite show hypothetical values of the remuneration package for the current Executive Directors 
under four assumed performance scenarios. 

In each scenario, fixed remuneration is the most recently known salary (£718,200 in the case of the CEO and £513,000 in the case of 
the CFO), the value of benefits included in the single total figure of remuneration table for FY20, and a pension contribution based on 
10% of the most recently known salary.

Other than in the “Maximum performance plus share price” scenario, no share price growth has been assumed. Potential benefits 
under all employee share schemes and dividend or distribution equivalents have not been included for any scenario.

Maximum performance plus share price

Annual bonus scheme (full pay-out)
LTIP (maximum vesting plus assumed 50% share price growth)
Total

Maximum performance

On-target performance

Minimum performance

Annual bonus scheme (full pay-out)
LTIP (maximum vesting)
Total

Annual bonus scheme (50% pay-out)
LTIP (25% vesting)
Total

Annual bonus scheme (nil pay-out)
LTIP (nil vesting)
Total

Awards as a % of salary

CEO

CFO

165%
375%
540%

165%
250%
415%

150%
262.5%
412.5%

150%
175%
325%

75%
82.5%
62.5%
43.75%
145% 118.75%

0%
0%
0%

0%
0%
0%

95

Craig Hayman

17%

Max + 50% growth

21%
Maximum

26%

31%

44%

32%

24%

On-target

100%

Minimum

James Kidd

38%

19%

21%

29%

33% 17%

48%

Max + 50% growth

26%
Maximum

34%

40%

49% 32%

19%

On-target

100%

Minimum

£0m

£1m

£2m

£3m

£4m

£5m

£0m

£1m

£2m

£3m

£4m

£5m

 Fixed pay   

 Annual bonus   

 LTIP

 LTIP + 50% share price growth

 Fixed pay   

 Annual bonus   

 LTIP

 LTIP + 50% share price growth

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 

 – Non-Executive Directors do not receive 

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.
 – Fees are normally paid in cash.

incentive pay or share awards.
 – Non-Executive Directors do not 

currently receive any benefits or 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 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

Jennifer Allerton

Date of appointment

Date of contract

Expiry/review date of 
current contract

Notice period 
in months

1 May 2012

9 July 2013

1 May 2018

30 April 2021

1 July 2019

30 June 2022

Christopher Humphrey

8 July 2016

27 June 2019

26 June 2022

Ron Mobed

Peter Herweck

Paula Dowdy

Olivier Blum

1 March 2017

1 March 2020

28 February 2023

1 March 2018

1 March 2018

28 February 2021

1 February 2019

1 February 2019

31 January 2022

24 April 2020

30 April 2020

29 April 2023

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

All Non-Executive Directors submit themselves for re-election at each Annual General Meeting.

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96

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Part B: The Implementation Report

The Remuneration Committee 
membership, role and remit
The Remuneration Committee is 
appointed by the Board. The current 
members are Jennifer Allerton (Chair), Ron 
Mobed, Paula Dowdy and Olivier Blum. 
Emmanuel Babeau served during the year 
and resigned on 30 April 2020. All the 
Committee members except for Olivier are 
regarded by the Board as independent 
Non-Executive Directors. Jennifer has 
been a member of the Remuneration 
Committee since 2013 and became 
Chair in July 2017. Committee meetings 
are also regularly attended by the CEO, 
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 develop and 
determine the remuneration framework, 
policy and pay levels for the Executive 
Directors, the Chair and the Executive 
Leadership Team in overall alignment with 
the general workforce. The Committee 
also has visibility of our employee 
engagement activities and overall Human 
Resource strategy which affects all 
AVEVA employees.

The remuneration framework includes 
establishing stretching performance-
related targets for rewards to support 
AVEVA’s long-term growth strategy in 
alignment with the Company’s purpose, 
values and culture. This has been  
achieved by:
 – Determining the remuneration and 
benefits of the Executive Directors, 
including fixed pay, annual bonus, long-
term incentives and pensions 
 – Determining the remuneration for 

Executive Leadership below Board level

 – Reviewing the wider workforce 

remuneration and related policies 
and taking these into account when 
setting the policy for Executive Director 
remuneration

 – Providing remuneration 

recommendations to the Board based 
upon AVEVA’s remuneration framework

 – Approving share awards

Jennifer Allerton
Remuneration 
Committee Chair

Independence split

Non-Independent 1

Independent 3

Membership and attendance

Chair
Jennifer Allerton
Committee members
Ron Mobed
Paula Dowdy 
Emmanuel Babeau1
Olivier Blum2
Attending by invitation
CEO
CFO
CHRO

The Committee usually meets six times a year.

1  Resigned 30 April 2020.
2  Appointed 30 April 2020.

6/6

6/6
6/6
6/6
0/0

97

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

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 results in no payout for these elements. A key focus of the Committee is to ensure a suitable 
level of stretched performance is determined in order to align with maximum levels of potential rewards.

Advice and auditors
In FY20 the Committee conducted a market review of our remuneration advisors and after assessing a number of firms we are pleased 
to have partnered with Deloitte from 1 October 2019. Advice up until this date was provided by FIT Remuneration Consultants. 
Deloitte’s role is to provide the Committee with independent advice on comparator information and general remuneration trends and, 
most recently, to advise on the new Remuneration Policy which shareholders will be asked to approve at the 2020 AGM including 
engagement with shareholders. Fees are charged on a time spent basis and the fees paid during the year to Deloitte and FIT in relation 
to the advice provided to the Committee were £60,710 and £18,060 respectively (FY19 fees to FIT: £39,685). In addition, Deloitte also 
provide tax advisory, due diligence and other consultancy services to the company. The Committee are content that their advice is 
objective and independent. Deloitte is a founding member of the Remuneration Consultants Group and adheres to its Code of Conduct 
in relation to Executive remuneration consulting in the UK.

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 2018) and Implementation Report (July 2019).

Directors Remuneration Policy – 2018 AGM

140,852,022

96.31

5,402,475

3.69

2,247,992

Directors Remuneration Report – 2019 AGM

117,496,525

78.97

31,296,986

21.03

1,002,830

Votes for

Percentage

Votes against

Percentage

Votes withheld

The Committee was disappointed with the vote against the Directors’ Remuneration Report (‘DRR’) in FY19 and undertook an 
engagement exercise with shareholders to understand their views, for the Committee to listen and address their concerns, which 
in turn provides an opportunity for actions to be taken in the formation of the FY20 revised DRR. The feedback provided from 
shareholders detailed key concerns falling into two main categories:
 – Legacy use of retention arrangements, which were related to the successful completion of a transformational merger that has 

driven exceptional returns for shareholders. This is now an historical item and the Committee is aware of investors’ strong views 
in this area should similar circumstances arise again. Having said that, we have the larger final tranche of retention payments due 
to vest this year. We acknowledge the need for increased transparency on the payout, but would like to highlight that the retention 
payments were approved in advance by the shareholders as part of approving the merger in 2017, and also that they have been 
successful in retaining key executives who have been instrumental in driving the growth of the business over the last two years.

 – Disclosure and increased transparency. We are committed to providing more detail on the strategic objectives and Total 

Shareholder Return comparators under both our short-term and long-term incentives. This will be evidenced by enhanced 
disclosures in this year’s FY20 DRR.

Implementation of policy for the year ended March 2020
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 current and previous financial years. 

Craig Hayman FY20

Craig Hayman FY19

James Kidd FY20 

James Kidd FY19

Salary  
£’000

718

700

513

500

Taxable 
benefits1 
£’000

Pension2 
£’000

14

20

20

20

62

60

44

43

Annual 
bonus 
£’000

635

857

454

613

LTIPs3
£’000

581

—

1,521

1,651

One-off 
awards4 
£’000

Non-taxable 
benefits1 
£’000

3,408

5,708

1,038

550

9

—

—

—

Total 
£’000

5,427

7,345

3,590

3,377

1  Craig Hayman changed tax jurisdiction in the year and his benefits altered on 1 September. From this date he is in receipt of a (taxable) mobility allowance of £10,000 per 

annum and (non-taxable) US family medical cover. For more information please see page 98. 

2  See page 98 for further information on pensions. 
3  For FY20, the 2017 LTIP has been valued based on the number of options (Craig 16,621; James 43,550) multiplied by the closing share price at 31 March 2020 of 3,494p 
and a vesting outcome of 100%, as referred to on page 100. Of the estimated vested amount of £1,521k, 44% (£675k) relates to a 100% performance achievement, 24% 
(£364k) relates to the return of value adjustment, and 32% (£482k) relates to share price appreciation over the performance period. The 2016 LTIP value for FY19 has been 
restated from the year-end share price at 31 March 2019 of 3,226p to reflect the share price at the date of vesting of 3,954p, and a vesting outcome of 89.9%. This increased 
the single figure of total remuneration for James Kidd by £304k. Of the vested amount of £1,651k, 29% (£472k) relates to a 89.9% performance achievement, 15% (£255k) 
relates to the return of value adjustment, and 56% (£924k) relates to share price appreciation over the performance period. The Committee did not exercise any discretion 
in relation to share price changes for the 2016 LTIP or the 2017 LTIP. The 2016 award is due to be released at the end of the two year holding period on 13 July 2021. Craig 
Hayman’s FY20 LTIPs were awarded in FY18, and pro-rated for his term of service in that year.

4  For Craig Hayman, these are the value of his buy-out awards. 97,537 options vested, and have been valued using the year end share price of 3,494p. For James Kidd, these 

are the value of his performance and retention awards, calculated as £500k for the retention element and £538k for the performance element (see page 101).

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements98

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Part B: The Implementation Report continued

Additional information on the amounts which make up the Single Total Figure of Remuneration 
Base salary 
As set out in the DRR last year, Craig Hayman joined AVEVA as CEO on 19 February 2018 with a salary of £700,000 and his salary 
remained unchanged for FY19. James Kidd’s salary was £500,000 for FY19. Salaries for Craig Hayman and James Kidd were increased 
by 2.6% in line with the UK workforce average on 1 April for FY20.

Benefits 
In FY20, Executive Directors were provided with a car and fuel allowance totalling £19,200, and a £600 annual allowance towards a 
range of flexible benefits. In September 2019, the payroll for Craig Hayman was agreed to be split between the UK and the US. This 
was created to better reflect the travel patterns and time spent in both jurisdictions. Included in the change was the inclusion of a US 
medical plan. Craig Hayman agreed to relinquish the UK car and fuel allowance in return for a new mobility allowance of £10,000 per 
annum and US medical coverage for himself and US-based family totalling £15,500 per annum. 

Pension 
The Company’s defined benefit scheme is not open to new members, and neither of the Executive Directors in the year are or have 
ever been a member. Craig Hayman and James Kidd are members of the AVEVA Group Personal Pension Plan (a defined contribution 
scheme). Both Directors receive a cash in lieu allowance equivalent to 10% of salary, reduced for the effect of employers’ National 
Insurance contributions. During FY20, James Kidd received cash in lieu of contributions of £44,221 (FY19: £43,100), and Craig Hayman 
received cash in lieu of contributions of £61,909 (FY19: £60,340). 

How is pay linked to performance for the year ended 31 March 2020 
Annual Incentive Scheme 
For FY20, the maximum opportunity for Executive Directors under the annual incentive was 125% of base salary, requiring a stretch 
level of performance for full payout. 

The performance targets were based on: 
(1) adjusted Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) targets, with a maximum weighting of 50% of salary; 
(2) total revenue, with a maximum weighting of 12.5% of salary;
(3) recurring revenue, with a maximum weighting of 37.5% of salary; and 
(4) key performance objectives, with a maximum of 25% 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 
12.5% of salary should the Group adjusted EBIT target not be met. 

In line with best practice, 50% of the maximum bonus is payable for delivering an on-target level of performance. 

For FY20, 40% of any award made under the Annual Incentive Scheme, irrespective of the amount, is payable in deferred shares, 
and is subject to a three-year vesting period, but with no further performance conditions. Deferred awards 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. 

Performance against the targets set and the total annual incentive earned based on performance for the year ended 31 March 2020 is set 
out below. This includes both the cash element of the bonus and the portion deferred into shares under the deferred share scheme. 

Metric

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

Actual

% of Max 
achieved

Max

Craig Hayman

James Kidd

Actual

12.5%

Max

12.5%

Actual

12.5%

Group revenue

Min: £800.0m

£833.8m

100%

12.5%

Mid: £821.5m

Max: £821.5m

Recurring revenue 

proportion

Group adjusted EBIT

Min: 54.0%

62.2%

100%

37.5%

37.5%

37.5%

37.5%

Mid: 56.0%

Max: 58.0%

Min: £200m

Mid: £213.5m

Max: 26% margin

£216.8m
26.0%

26.9%1

50.0%

13.5%

50.0%

13.5%

Strategic objectives

see opposite

see opposite

100%

25.0%

Totals as a % of salary

Bonus receivable

Granted in cash (60%)

Granted in shares (40%)

1  The 26% margin underpin must be maintained net of paying all bonuses.

125.0%

25.0%

88.5%

£635,320

£381,192

£254,128

25.0%

125.0%

25.0%

88.5%

£453,800

£272,280

£181,520

 
99

Further details on the key individual and strategic objectives and performance outcomes for both Directors are detailed below:

Craig Hayman

Objective

Evaluation

1.  Establish a baseline for employee engagement and deliver increases across the Company, by:

a.  Delivery of new employee engagement 

baseline.

 All employee engagement survey implemented across 4,708 employees. Over 30,000 
comments made by employees and over 5,000 interactions with line managers. Baseline 
engagement score established.

b.  Greater than 10x improvement in AVEVA 

Action for Good program employee 
participation (disclosed in annual report)

AVEVA Action for Good employee participation across 1,546 employees (34%) vs 44 
employees (1%) in FY19. Represents one day of charitable work by each participating 
employee together with AVEVA financial support aligned around UN SDGs.

c.  Lead evolution of company culture with 

an increased focus on learning.

 Lead cultural transformation across the Group, establishing baseline and change 
management to drive increased focus on learning. Reinforced across facilitated culture 
cafe workshops across the company by team and by location, eight in person meet and 
greet sessions around the world, six videos/podcasts, two ELT live session, press 
releases and customer wins.

2.  Deliver a competitively compelling Cloud portfolio with customer verification and market traction plus establish a Cloud 

‘heatmap’ and demonstrate clear momentum covering:

a. Product portfolio.

Established a new Cloud business unit, and a new Cloud product portfolio launched: 
https://sw.aveva.com/cloud-computing.

b. Development operations capacity.

Development operations capacity in place and publicly reported: 
https://status.connect.aveva.com/.

c.  New customer wins and substantial 

growth in orders.

Three-fold increase in Cloud Total Contract Value (TCV), including 14 deals over 
£1 million. Cloud customer demonstrations were delivered at our new 30 Cannon Street, 
London customer centre.

James Kidd

Objective

Evaluation

1. Value creation programme:

a.  Ensure that the value creation projects 

are on track vs plan and deliver value as 
planned.

The value creation programme is on plan and has generated revenue from the initiatives 
in excess of the in-year target. These initiatives are aligned to the overall company 
strategy and included customer care, channel excellence, pricing, global services 
transformation and the company’s transition to subscription.

b.  Communication to ELT, Board and 

investors (as appropriate).

These initiatives have been reported monthly to the ELT and Board as required. Progress 
against plan has been tracked by the integration organisation, working with the functional 
leaders with updates and actions at the monthly steering committee meetings.

2.  Establish M&A process. Includes process from target identification to assessment and execution including:

 – Approvals process;
 – Minimum criteria to assess candidates;
 – Stage gates;
 – Business case template;
 – Valuation methodology; and
 – Diligence checklists.

3. Performance metrics for the business:

Develop metrics for the business which are 
aligned with our strategic objectives which 
measure progress against those objectives 
and underlying performance. Help improve 
ELT, Board and investors’ understanding 
of the underlying past and future 
performance, including subscription 
transition, Cloud, services, customer 
growth, and market share.

In the first half following the appointment the Head of Strategy, the M&A process was 
updated to reflect the structure and operations of the enlarged AVEVA. This has been 
used during the course of the second half of the year to screen and select targets. There 
is consistent reporting of the status of the pipeline to the Board and the ELT. 

Business cases have been brought to the Board for various projects during the year.

From an internal perspective, Annualised Recurring Revenue (ARR), TCV, and Annual 
Contract Value have begun to be reported during the year and are included in the 
relevant monthly report pack. Analysis of the impact of multi-year contracts has also 
been included in the Board papers in October 2019 and March 2020, and factored into 
the budget for FY21.

Net Retention Rate (NRR) is reported each month to the ELT as part of the Global 
Customer Support review. 

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements100

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Part B: The Implementation Report continued

Long-Term Incentives vesting in respect of the year ended 31 March 2020
The LTIP awards granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan in 2017 that were capable of vesting based on performance over the 
three-year period ended 31 March 2020 were subject to the following performance targets:
 – delivery of diluted adjusted EPS growth performance targets (50% of maximum);
 – relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) against the comparator group as detailed below (25% of maximum); and
 – strategic objectives – Total Revenue Growth (25% of maximum).

A summary of the LTIP targets and actual performance is provided below:

LTIP performance element

Diluted EPS (CAGR)1

TSR vs peer group2

Total revenue growth3

Overall % vesting

Weighting

50%

25%

25%

Actual 
performance

Vesting 
(% of maximum)

Threshold

5% p.a.

Maximum

15% p.a.

17.4%

Median

Upper quartile Upper quartile

£735m

£794m

£834m

100%

100%

100%

100%

1  For LTIPs granted in 2017 and beyond, non-linear vesting applies: threshold (25% vesting), mid (80% vesting for 10% p.a. EPS growth) and maximum (100% vesting).
2  Straight-line vesting applies between threshold (25% vesting) and maximum (100% vesting). The TSR comparator group for these awards was the FTSE 250 (excluding 

Investment Trusts, Financial Services and Real Estate sector companies).

3  Straight-line vesting applies between threshold (25% vesting) and maximum (100% vesting).

Buy-out awards for Craig Hayman
As disclosed in previous Annual Reports, in order to secure Craig Hayman as CEO 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. The maximum value of the awards granted to Craig Hayman was £5.5 million, using the share price on his date of 
appointment, and the structure of the awards was detailed in the FY19 Remuneration Report. The table below summarises the awards 
vesting for FY20 as disclosed in the single figure table.

Basis of award

Retention award:
Fair value equivalence with awards forgone in previous employment.
Subject to continued employment to 15 November 2019.

Performance  
outturn

Number of shares 
vesting

Value of award 
vesting1

n/a

66,238

£2,314,356

Performance award:
AVEVA Group plc’s relative TSR performance is measured against the ‘modified’ 
FTSE 250 index as used for the 2017 LTIP grant. It is measured over the 
performance period 1 October 2016 to 30 September 2019.

Upper quartile 
performance: 
100% vesting

31,299

£1,093,587

25% vesting for median performance increasing to 100% vesting for upper  
quartile performance).

Overall vesting FY20

1  Based on the year end share price of 3,494p.

97,537

£3,407,943

The awards are subject to an additional requirement that Craig Hayman would normally be required to pay back any amounts vesting 
(net of tax) if he resigns 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).

Revaluing the awards using the year-end share price of 3,494p, the total value of the awards is estimated at £10.3 million, with 
£3.4 million (FY19: £5.7 million) having vested in FY20. None of the vested awards were exercised in the year.

Performance and Retention Awards (PRAs) for James Kidd
As noted above, the value of the PRA awards included in the single figure for James Kidd relates to the final tranche of legacy retention 
arrangements approved by shareholders at the 2018 AGM. A one-off performance and retention award was put in place for James 
Kidd relating to the successful completion of a transformational merger that has driven exceptional returns for shareholders. This is 
now an historic item and the Committee is aware of its investors’ strong views in this area should similar circumstances arise again. 

As previously disclosed, the gross initial grant value was £1.5 million. The award was divided into two equal parts: (i) the retention 
award, subject to continued employment within AVEVA Group, as well as the satisfaction of a performance underpin; and (ii) the 
performance award, 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 was also subject to a performance underpin, and the Remuneration Committee could, at its 
absolute discretion, reduce the amount payable if it determined that, in its opinion, the amounts payable did not reflect the underlying 
performance of the Group or of James Kidd during the relevant vesting period.

101

One-third of the total award vested and became payable from the first anniversary of the date of completion (i.e. 1 March 2019) and 
the remaining two-thirds vested and became payable on the second anniversary (i.e. 1 March 2020). 

We acknowledge the need for increased transparency on the payout and accordingly further details on the payout and performance 
measures and achievements for the awards vesting on the second anniversary of completion (1 March 2020) are detailed below.

Retention award 
(50%)

Performance measures

Performance evaluation over the period to 1 March 2020 

Value vested

Performance underpin 
– based on assessment 
of personal KPIs (see 
below) and the underlying 
performance of the Group.

The Committee reviewed performance against the personal 
KPIs outlined below and took into account the strong 
underlying performance of the Group and concluded the 
retention award would vest in full.

£500,000

Performance award 
(50%)

APM Revenue  
(40% of the award)

Cost synergies 
(40% of the award) 

Personal KPIs 
(20% of the award)

£172,000
(i.e. £500,000 x 
40% x 86%) 

£250,000
(i.e. £500,000 x 
40% x 125%) 

£116,000

(i.e. £500,000 x 
20% x 116%) 

APM Revenue: targets:
Base: £115m
Stretch: £132.5m
Actual: £118.8m
Vesting level: Between base and target: 86%

Cumulative cost saving targets:
Base: £18.75m
Stretch: £31.25m
Actual: £32.9m
Vesting level: Above stretch: 125%

The progress against, and details of, the integration-related 
metrics are as follows:
 – Delivery of a clear and integrated technology strategy. 
Implementation on track and costs in line with forecast 
for entire project. Overall on-target performance, 
 – Communication of our strategic plan for the enlarged 
Group, second highest performing stock in FTSE All 
Share during 2019. Entered FTSE 100 in June 2019 
and retained position between 60 and 70 in the Index. 
Overall stretch performance.

 – Real estate strategy plan. Executed successfully, FY20 

costs below budget. Overall stretch performance.

Overall vesting level: Above stretch: 116%

Overall value

£1,038,000

In the DRR last year, the revenue synergy targets and the cost synergy targets for the awards vesting on the first anniversary of 
completion (1 March 2019) were regarded as commercially sensitive. Further details of these targets and performance evaluation are 
set out below.

Revenue synergies,  
valued (40% of the award)

Cost synergies  
(40% of the award) 

Revenue synergy: targets:
Base: £3.75m
Stretch: £6.25m
Actual: £10.2m
Vesting level: Above stretch: 125%

Cost saving targets:
Base: £5.625m
Stretch: £9.375m
Actual: £19.8m
Vesting level: Above stretch: 125%

50% of the net cash amounts paid under the awards are required to be invested 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.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements102

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Part B: The Implementation Report continued

Other information in relation to FY20
Scheme interests awarded in the year (audited)
The following tables set out details of the LTIP and deferred share awards made to the Executive Directors during FY20:

Executive Director

Craig Hayman
James Kidd

Date of grant

Basis of award

Face value of awards1

Performance period

19 July 2019 250% of base salary
19 July 2019 175% of base salary

£1,795,500
£897,750

1 April 2019 –
31 March 2022

1  To determine the number of shares over which these awards were made, a share price was used of 3,980p for Craig Hayman and James Kidd’s July 2019 grant, being the 

average share price of the five days prior to the award.

The structure of the LTIP granted during the year are as summarised below:

LTIP performance element

Weighting

Minimum performance

Mid performance

Maximum performance

EPS growth

50%

25% vesting for growth of 
5% p.a.

80% pays out for growth of 
10% p.a.

100% vesting for growth of 
15% p.a.

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 (75th percentile)

Total revenue growth

25%

25% vesting at threshold

Linear vesting between min 
and max performance

100% vesting at maximum

For the 2018 LTIP awards, the relative TSR comparison group is a combination of the FTSE 350 Technology Sector and the S&P Mid 
Cap 400 Software companies. This group has been chosen to provide alignment with technology companies and to better reflect the 
global scale of the company. For the 2019 award, this resulted in a group of 25 companies, 16 of which are based in the UK, and 9 of 
which in the USA. Of the TSR element, 25% of this element will vest at median, with 100% vesting at the upper quartile.

Name

Country

Sector

Subsector

Alfa Financial Software Holdings
Avast
Batm Advanced Communications
Computacenter
Fdm Group
Funding Circle Holdings
Kainos Group
Micro Focus Intl
Aptitude Software Group
Nanoco Group
NCC Group
Sage Group
SDL
Softcat
Sophos Group
Spirent Communications
ACI Worldwide
Blackbaud
CDK Global
Commvault Systems
Fortinet
J2 Global
Manhattan Associates
PTC 
Ultimate Software Group 

UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US

Technology
Technology
Telecommunications
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Telecommunications
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology
Technology

Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Telecommunications Equipment
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Technology Hardware & Equipment
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Telecommunications Equipment
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services
Software & Computer Services

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 over a three-year period, significant outperformance will 
be required to deliver full vesting, the targets will be disclosed retrospectively following vesting, and vesting will only occur if the 
Committee is satisfied that the Company’s underlying financial performance warrants such payment.

103

Deferred Share Awards

Executive Director

Date of grant

Basis of award

Face value
of awards1 Performance period

Craig Hayman

26 July 2019

James Kidd

26 July 2019

Deferred element of FY19 
annual bonus

£301,986 No performance period. Awards vest in equal tranches  

£215,685

on the date of announcement in May 2020, May 2021  
and May 2022

1  This is calculated as the amount of deferred annual bonus divided by year end share price (3,494 pence)

Remuneration policy implementation for the year ended 31 March 2021
As referred to in the statement from the Remuneration Committee’s Chairman on page 80, in accordance with applicable legislation 
we are seeking shareholder approval for a new Directors’ Remuneration Policy at the 2020 Annual General Meeting. We intend to 
implement the 2020 policy as follows.

Base salary FY21
In line with the wider UK workforce, there are no proposed increases to the base salaries of either Craig Hayman or James Kidd for 
FY21.

Base salary with effect from

Craig Hayman

Increase

James Kidd

Increase

1 April 2019

1 April 2020

£718,200

£718,200

£513,000

0.0%

£513,000

0.0%

Our market positioning on salaries remains modest compared to the size of the Company we have become (in particular for our CEO). 
We recognise that we may need to address this competitiveness in future cycles if our significant growth and strong performance 
continues to be sustained. However, the focus of our new policy is to address the variable and performance-related elements of the 
packages as discussed below. This will ensure alignment to shareholders’ objectives. 

Benefits and pension FY21
As part of the harmonisation of both heritage AVEVA and Schneider Electric industrial software business employees in the UK, 
employees have been offered a revised set of terms and conditions which contain key changes to their employee benefits. All UK 
employees (including Executive Directors) received an invitation to update their terms and conditions. Part of the change included a 
maximum 9% pension contribution being applied from 1 April 2020 with an increase in flexible benefits from £600 to £1,080 plus three 
additional vacation days. Acceptance of the new terms and conditions is voluntary. Both Executive Directors have chosen to remain on 
the existing terms and conditions and therefore there will be no changes to either the benefits structure or quantum for FY21. 

In line with best practice, as we have aligned the terms and conditions of AVEVA and SES in the UK, the pension benefits for both 
Executive Directors are now aligned to all other UK employees who remained on existing terms and conditions.

Annual incentive scheme FY21
Under the proposed changes to the Remuneration Policy there is a proposed change to the annual bonus quantum for FY21 from 
125% of base salary for both Executive Directors to 165% of base salary for the CEO and 150% of base salary for the CFO. As 
described in more detail on page 81, this reflects the fact that we are a very different business post the combination of AVEVA with 
the Schneider Electric industrial software business in March 2018, in terms of size, geographic coverage, complexity and scale. The 
Committee considers that this increase is essential to ensuring appropriate internal relativities across all levels and to maintaining our 
market competitiveness against the FTSE 31–100 and AVEVA’s US peers. 

The level of deferred bonus is also being increased from 40% to 50%, although per the new Policy this will immediately fall to 25% for 
both Directors as the shareholding guidelines are met. This means that the increase in the cash value of the CEO’s on-target annual 
bonus for FY21 would be £175,000 (£350,000 at maximum) and the value of the deferred shares would fall by £31,000 (£62,000 at 
maximum). For the CFO, the result of increasing the CFO opportunity to 150% of salary would be an increase in on-target cash bonus 
for FY21 of £96,000 (£192,000 at maximum), and the value of the deferred shares would fall by £32,000 (£64,000 at maximum). 
Alignment with shareholders’ interests is considered met given the significant shareholding held by both Directors.

The Committee also acknowledges that increased quantum requires additional stretch so that more pay is delivered only for the 
achievement of more stretching performance targets taking into account our internal budgets, forecasts and external market 
conditions. This will be borne out in the targets set and disclosed and is totally aligned with the philosophy of the Company and with 
the changes we have made to the broader workforce annual bonus plans. For FY21, despite the uncertain economic backdrop the 
proposed targets reflect absolute growth and improved business quality. The maximum bonus will only be earned for materially 
improved year-on-year performance.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements104

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Part B: The Implementation Report continued

The Committee has reviewed the performance measures for FY21 to ensure they are appropriately aligned with the Group’s strategic 
plan for the coming year. It is proposed that performance for FY21 will be measured against the following performance measures.

Measure

Short-term financial measures (including operating cash flow before tax)
Adjusted EBIT
Recurring revenue
Personal KPIs

Weight  
(% of maximum)

30%
25%
25%
20%

For the short-term financial measures it is proposed that H1 and H2 half year targets will be set focused on priorities for those periods. 
The H1 target will be based on operating cash flow before tax. As the position regarding Covid-19 develops further consideration 
to the H2 target will be given to ensure that the measures and targets are appropriate in the context of all relevant factors. 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 12.5% of salary should the Group adjusted EBIT target not be met. At year end, 
when we determine the performance outcomes for the year, we will be thoughtful in our assessment of results, balanced with the 
shareholder and workforce experience.

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

Long-term incentive plan FY21
There are no proposed increases in LTIP opportunity for FY21 for the CEO or CFO. The maximum LTIP award will remain unchanged at 
250% of base salary for the CEO and 175% of salary for the CFO. No changes are proposed to the structure or performance measures 
which will remain as set out on page 102 for the 2020 LTIP awards.

Shareholding guidelines 
The shareholding guidelines are being increased to market leading levels to flexibly and directly include both annual bonus and LTIPs 
and are proposed to increase from 200% of annual salary to 415% for the CEO (FY21 annual bonus opportunity of 165% plus 250% 
LTIP opportunity) and from 200% of annual salary to 325% for the CFO (FY21 annual bonus opportunity of 150% plus 175% LTIP 
opportunity). The increased shareholding requirements will apply to any deferred bonus awards and newly-issued LTIPs granted in 
respect of FY21 and later years. Once these increased shareholding guidelines are met, as is the case with both Executive Directors, 
the bonus deferral will be relaxed to half the usual amount i.e. 25%. The deferral will continue to be subject to the existing three-year 
holding period.

A new two year post-employment shareholding guideline is being introduced, following feedback from investors, which will apply 
to shares acquired through awards granted under the new Policy. With 100% of the increased shareholding guidelines (or actual 
shareholding, if lower) retained for the first year post employment and 50% for the second year post employment.

Shareholding guidelines and interests in shares (audited)
Executive Director share ownership guidelines are set out in the Remuneration Policy on page 90. The interests of the Executive 
Directors in office at 31 March 2020 in the share capital of the Company as a percentage of base salary were as follows. Shares are 
valued for these purposes at the financial year-end price, which was 3,494p at 31 March 2020.

Craig Hayman
James Kidd

Share ownership 
guideline as a % 
of base salary

Have guidelines 
been met?

200%
200%

Yes
Yes

Actual share ownership  
(as a % of base salary)

Shareholding for the purposes of 
meeting guidelines1

FY20

845%
523%

FY19

0%
154%

FY20

FY19

173,791
76,847

–
23,809

1  Shares subject to deferred bonus arrangements, shares subject to LTIP awards which are in a holding period, and shares subject to other share awards which are no longer 

subject to any performance condition (including any exercisable but unexercised deferred bonus awards and LTIP awards) count towards the requirement, on a net of assumed 
tax basis of 45% income tax and 2% national insurance. Methodology amended from FY19, which only counted shares owned outright towards the shareholding guidelines.

Interests in shares (audited)
The interests (both beneficial and their connected person) of the Executive Directors in office at the date of this report in the share 
capital of the Company as at 31 March 2020 were as follows:

Shares owned 
outright at 
31 March 
2020

Shares owned 
outright at 
31 March 
2019

LTIP unvested and 
subject to 
performance 
conditions

Deferred bonus 
unvested and 
subject to holding 
period

Buy-out retention 
awards unvested 
and subject to 
continued 
employment

Vested and not 
exercised

Craig Hayman
James Kidd

–
47,056

–
23,809

110,293
54,936

9,414
12,660

22,433
–

296,061
43,550

Total interests

438,201
158,202

105

Gain on  
exercise  
of share  
options

n/a
n/a
n/a

Outstanding scheme interests (audited)

Craig Hayman
LTIP
Deferred shares
Buy-out awards2

James Kidd
LTIP
Deferred shares 

As at  
1 April  
2019
Number1

Normal 
grants  
during  
the year

Dividend 
equivalent

Exercised 
during the 
year

Lapsed/ 
forfeited 
during the 
year

As at  
31 March  

2020

Exercise  
price  
(p)

80,413
767
300,990

45,113
8,618
–

971
29
1,300

–
–
–

–
–
–

126,497
9,414
302,290

3.556
nil
nil

121,762
10,080

22,556
6,155

848
84

(41,982)
(3,659)3

(4,698)
–

98,486
12,660

3.556
nil

n/a
147,0193

1  Opening balances adjusted to reflect dividend equivalents granted in February 2019.
2  During the year, 97,537 shares vested.
3  Market value at exercise date was 4,018p.

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 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 2016, linear 
interpolation applied between these points. For LTIs issued in 2017 and beyond, non-linear vesting applies, as outlined in the table below.

Adjusted EPS growth targets p.a.

Threshold

Midpoint

Maximum

Date of award

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  
EPS growth 

achieved Achievement

13 July 2016

86,712

FY17 – FY19

5%

10%

15%

13.7%

Target partially met; 
89.9% of award vested

8 September 2017 

43,550

(James Kidd)
6 March 2018  

(Craig Hayman)

16,621

FY18 – FY20

5%

10%

15%

17.4% 100% of award vested

28 September 2018

95,454

FY19 – FY21

31 July 2019

67,669

FY20 – FY22

5%

5%

10%

15%

10%

15%

Performance period  
not yet completed

Performance period  
not yet completed

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

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 exercised vested shares granted in a previous period, which vested as per the scheme rules in the outgoing 
Remuneration Policy.

Consistent with the PRA calculation on page 96 for the CFO James Kidd, David Ward received the final element of the 2019 PRA 
award in FY20 – a £283,333 retention award and a £300,333 performance award totalling £583,666. David Ward continues to be 
employed with the Group and was rewarded in line with the terms and conditions of his employment. 

No other payments were made during FY20.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements106

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Part B: The Implementation Report continued

Payments for loss of office (audited)
No payments were made for loss of office during FY20. 

Total shareholder return vs. techMARK All-Share Index 2010–2020
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. The Directors consider this index to be an appropriate choice as it includes AVEVA Group plc.

Total shareholder return (GBP)

1,100

900

700

500

300

100

0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

CEO single figure ten-year history
The table below shows the ten year history of the CEO single figure of total remuneration:

£000

FY11

FY12

FY13

FY14

FY15

695

1,003

963

1,163

517

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

–
–
695

–
–
1,003

Annual incentive pay-out (% of maximum)
LTIP pay-out (% of maximum)

100%

68%
0% 100%

–
–
963

94%
33%

–
–
1,163

50%
94%

–
–
517

8%
0%

AVEVA Group, rebased

FTSE Techmark, rebased

FY16

561

–
–
561

8%
0%

FY17

395

127
–
522

18%
0%

FY18

FY19

FY20

–

–

–

949
137
1,086

91%
0%

–
7,346
7,346

–
5,427
5,427

98%
n/a1

71%
100%

1  The relevant payout for LTIPs vesting in FY19 was 90%, but Craig Hayman had no LTIPs that vested in the year.

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 Group CEO and two selected sub-
sets of employees (including only those employees who were employed at the start of FY19 through to the end of FY20). The UK and 
US employee base have been chosen because the Group offices of heritage AVEVA and SES are headquartered in these countries 
respectively, and together employ approximately one-third of its workforce. Typical salary inflation in some other AVEVA locations is 
materially higher than the UK and US, which would distort the comparison.

% change (FY19 to FY20)

Base salary
Benefits
Annual bonus

CEO

ELT

3%
17%1
(28)%

4%
0%
(28)%

UK & USA 
employees

3%
0%
(33)%

1  From 1 September 2019, the payroll for Craig Hayman was agreed to be split between the UK and the US. This was created to better reflect the travel patterns and time 

spent in both jurisdictions. Included in the change was the inclusion of a US medical plan. Craig Hayman agreed to relinquish the (taxable) UK car and fuel allowance worth 
£19,800 in return for a new (taxable) mobility allowance of £10,000 per annum and (non-taxable) US medical coverage for himself and US-based family totalling £15,500 
per annum. For more information please see page 98.

107

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 total revenue, 
adjusted EBIT and distributions to shareholders. The Committee determined total revenue and adjusted EBIT were appropriate 
measures for this chart as they are the primary measures for the annual incentive scheme.

Relative importance of spend on pay (GBP millions)

Employee
staff costs

Total
revenue

Adjusted
EBIT

Dividends
paid

2018/19
2019/20

396.3

 410.8 | +4%

766.6

 833.8 | +9%

175.9

 216.8 | +23%

46.8

 46.8 | +0%

CEO pay ratio
The table below discloses the ratio of the Chief Executive Officer’s pay for FY20. The CEO total remuneration is his FY20 total single 
figure as disclosed on page 84. The calculation uses total remuneration on a consistent basis for the 25th (lower), 50th (median) and 
75th (upper) percentiles against the UK employee total remuneration (calculated on a full-time equivalent basis). The 25th, 50th and 
75th UK employees were selected from the UK employee population as at 31 March 2020. The employees identified were subsequently 
reviewed and deemed to be a true reflection of the UK workforce. The total pay, benefits and salary of each employee who is the best 
equivalent of the 25th, 50th, and 75th ranked employee is as follows:

Total pay and benefits
As above, excluding buy-out awards
Salary only

Year

Method

FY20 Option A

25th 
percentile 
pay ratio

50th 
percentile 
pay ratio

75th 
percentile 
pay ratio

119:1
44:1
18:1

85:1
32:1
13:1

62:1
23:1
10:1

Movements in ratio from FY19 are mainly due to the vesting of the buy-out awards granted to the CEO on joining as well as the 
inclusion and performance of the LTIPs which are offered to senior executives within the business. As performance fluctuates 
between years the level of performance-linked remuneration becomes a larger factor in the movements of the ratio and impacts 
those employees with higher proportions of performance-linked pay. The employment model and proportion of ‘employed’ versus 
‘contracted’ has remained consistent and is not a significant factor in the ratio movement. 

We chose Option A as it is felt this is the most accurate, consistent and robust method to identify the 25th, 50th and 75th ranked UK 
employee. In line with this Option, the ratios are calculated using single figure valuation methodology. The company applied the same 
Option A calculation as FY19.

The total remuneration in respect of FY20 for the employees identified at 25th, 50th and 75th is £45k, £64k, and £87k, respectively. 
The base salary in respect of FY20 for the employees identified at 25th, 50th and 75th is £40k, £56k, and £72k, respectively.

The Committee has reviewed the FY20 pay ratios and is satisfied that the overall picture is consistent with the remuneration policies of 
the Group’s UK employees.
 – Salaries are set annually using a range of factors including role scope, experience, market benchmarks, impact of role (including the 

Executive Directors).

 – Benefit entitlement and level of benefit depending upon role and level of seniority is consistently applied.
 – Participation in the annual bonus scheme and level of opportunity varies by level of seniority with all participants measured against 

the same strategically-aligned financial metrics together with personal KPI achievement.

 – None of the comparator employees participated in the 2019 long-term incentive scheme. Executive Directors and senior executives 
receive a greater proportion of performance related variable pay plus share-based awards reflecting their greater influence over 
performance outcomes.

Whilst the CEO is based in the UK, AVEVA is a global company with the UK representing less than 15% of the entire workforce. 

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. Neither Craig Hayman nor James Kidd held any outside appointments during the year.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements108

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Remuneration Committee Report continued
Part B: The Implementation Report continued

Non-Executive Directors
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)
Jennifer Allerton
Christopher Humphrey 
Ron Mobed 
Paula Dowdy1
Emmanuel Babeau2
Peter Herweck2
Olivier Blum2

FY20 
fees  
£

FY19  
fees  
£

277,000
73,750
85,550
61,500
61,500
–
–
–

270,000
71,500
83,000
60,000
10,000
–
–
n/a

1  Paula Dowdy was appointed on 1 February 2019. FY19 fees were pro-rated for period of service.
2  Emmanuel Babeau, Peter Herweck and Olivier Blum have waived their fees for their first three-year term.

Implementation of Remuneration Policy for NEDs in FY21
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. 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. For FY21, it has 
been decided not to increase the fees of the Chairman or NEDs at this point but we reserve the right to review them later in the year, 
once the impact of Covid-19 is clearer. 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

NEDs’ interests in shares (audited)
The table shows the interests in AVEVA ordinary shares of Non-Executive Directors and their connected persons.

FY21  
fees 
£

FY20  
fees  
£

277,000
61,500
40,000
12,250
11,800

277,000
61,500
40,000
12,250
11,800

Philip Aiken (Chairman)
Jennifer Allerton
Christopher Humphrey
Ron Mobed
Paula Dowdy
Olivier Blum
Peter Herweck

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
9 June 2020

Shares 
owned 
outright at  
31 March  

2020

Shares  
owned 
outright at  
31 March  

2019

2,337
6,000
4,000
3,000
–
–
2,500

2,337
10,300
4,000
3,000
–
–
–

109

Other Statutory Information

Results and dividends
The Directors’ Report for the year ended 
31 March 2020 comprises pages 1 to 
113 of this report, together with the 
other sections of the Annual Report 
incorporated by reference to page 
numbers referred to below. As permitted 
by legislation, some of the matters 
required to be included in the Directors’ 
Report have instead been included in the 
Strategic Report, as the Board considers 
them to be of strategic importance. 
Specifically, these are:
 – operations during the year and future 

business developments (throughout the 
Strategic Report); and

 – risk management and internal control 

on pages 40 to 47.

The Group made a profit for the year after 
taxation of £69.8 million (FY19: £33.8 
million). Revenue was £833.8 million 
(FY19: £766.6 million) and comprised 
software licences, software maintenance 
and services.

The Directors recommend the payment  
of a final dividend of 29.0 pence per 
ordinary share (FY19: 29.0 pence). If 
approved at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting, the final dividend will be 
paid on 11 August 2020 to shareholders 
on the register at close of business on 
10 July 2020.

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 Review and the 
Finance Review.

The financial KPIs used by AVEVA to 
measure its own performance at the 
Group level include total revenue, recurring 
revenue, adjusted EBIT margin, adjusted 
diluted earnings per share and cash 
conversion. The figures for the year ended 
31 March 2020 are set out on pages 22 to 
23, together with figures for the previous 
year, and a discussion of the principal 
risks and uncertainties facing the Group 
is included on pages 40 to 47.

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 25 to the consolidated financial 
statements.

Directors and their interests
Directors’ share and share option holdings 
are disclosed in the Remuneration 
Committee Report on pages 104 and 105.

No Director had a material interest 
in any contract of significance, 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 had 
effective procedures in place to deal  
with conflict situations and these have 
been operated effectively. During the  
year no conflicts arose which would 
require the Board to exercise its  
authority or discretion.

Share capital
Details of the issued share capital can 
be found in note 29 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 Market Abuse 
Regulation and the Company’s own rules 
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 
voting 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.

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.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements110

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Other Statutory Information continued

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.

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 
and long-term incentive schemes contain 
provisions relating to change of control. 
Outstanding awards and options normally 
vest and become exercisable or payable 
on or following a change of control 
arising as a result of an offer or the court 
sanctioning a compromise or arrangement 
under the Companies Act 2006, subject 
to the satisfaction of any relevant 
performance conditions at that time.

The £100 million revolving credit facility 
with Barclays Bank plc as agent dated 
5 September 2017 states that upon any 
person or group of persons acting in 
concert gaining control, and following 
a negotiation period if no agreement 
is reached, a lender may cancel its 
commitment and declare all outstanding 
loans immediately due and payable. The 
Relationship Agreement referred to below 
will terminate (amongst other events) 
upon listing of the Company’s shares 
being cancelled.

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.

Name of holder

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 2006 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 2006, 
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.

Substantial shareholdings
Interests in the ordinary share capital 
of the Company are set out in the table 
below.

The Company had been notified, in 
accordance with Disclosure Guidance 
and Transparency Rule 5, of the following 
interests in the ordinary share capital of 
the Company:

As at 31 March 2020

As at 30 April 2020

Number

Percentage 
held %

Number

Percentage 
held %

Schneider Electric SE
Aberdeen Standard Investments
Artisan Partners
BlackRock

97,169,655
 7,126,338
5,444,669
5,064,014

60.2 97,169,655
4.4 7,360,274
3.4 5,498,960
3.1 5,064,014

60.2
4.6
3.4
3.1

111

 – so long as Schneider Electric is entitled 
to appoint at least one Non-Executive 
Director, each of the Remuneration 
Committee and Nomination Committee 
will comprise a total of three members, 
one of whom will be the (or a) Non-
Executive Director appointed by 
Schneider Electric and the other two 
members will be independent Non-
Executive Directors; and

 – for the period of five years from 

completion of the combination and 
provided Schneider Electric holds 
more than 50% of the voting rights in 
AVEVA, AVEVA shall give Schneider 
Electric reasonable notice of certain 
specified transactions.

The Relationship Agreement also provides 
that, (i) for so long as Schneider Electric 
remains a ‘controlling shareholder’ 
of AVEVA within the meaning of 
LR6.1.2AR; or (ii) the Schneider Electric 
Group holds 25% or more of the voting 
rights or economic interest in AVEVA, 
it agrees to undertake, and procure 
that its Associates (as defined in the 
Listing Rules) undertake, that:
(a) all transactions, agreements and 

arrangements between the Schneider 
Electric Group and any member of the 
enlarged AVEVA Group are conducted 
at arms’ length basis and on normal 
commercial terms;

(b) neither Schneider Electric nor any of its 
Associates will propose or procure the 
proposal of a shareholder resolution 
which is intended or appears to be 
intended to circumvent the proper 
application of the Listing Rules;

(c) neither Schneider Electric nor any of 

its Associates will take any action that 
would have the effect of preventing 
AVEVA from complying with its 
obligations under the Listing Rules 
or the terms of the Relationship 
Agreement; and

(d) it will abstain and will cause its 

Associates to abstain from voting on 
any resolution to approve a ‘related 
party transaction’ (as defined in the 
Listing Rules) involving Schneider 
Electric or any of its Associates as the 
related party.

In the period from 1 May 2020 to the date 
of this report, we have received no further 
notifications of any changes to holdings in 
accordance with the DTR 5.

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 each of 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 2020 to stand for 
re-election.

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’ (in respect of shareholder 
waiver of dividends and future 
dividends);

 – the section below titled ‘Majority 
Shareholder and the Relationship 
Agreement’ (in respect of a statement 
by the Board in respect of the 
Relationship Agreement with the 
controlling shareholder); and

 – the Remuneration Committee Report in 
relation to Craig Hayman (in respect of 
details of long-term incentive schemes 
as required by the Listing Rules).

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held 
on 21 July 2020 at AVEVA, 30 Cannon 
Street, London EC4M 6AH. 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 421,054 ordinary shares in AVEVA 
Group plc representing 0.26% (FY19: 
350,270 shares representing 0.22%) 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.

Majority shareholder and the 
Relationship Agreement
The Company entered into a relationship 
agreement with Schneider Electric SE, its 
majority shareholder, on 1 March 2018 
(the ‘Relationship Agreement’).

The Relationship Agreement will 
remain in force until (i) AVEVA ceases 
to be listed or (ii) the Schneider Electric 
Group ceases to be a shareholder or 
(iii) if earlier, by agreement between 
Schneider Electric and AVEVA (subject 
always to the Listing Rules).

The Relationship Agreement contains 
provisions relating to the ongoing 
relationship between AVEVA and 
Schneider Electric, including:
 – Schneider Electric may appoint up 
to two Non-Executive Directors 
(depending on the level of its 
shareholding);

 – after a period of two years from 

completion of the combination, for so 
long as Schneider Electric has the right 
to appoint at least one Non-Executive 
Director, it will have the right (but not 
the obligation) to appoint such Non-
Executive Director as the Chairman;

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements112

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Other Statutory Information continued

There is no restriction on disposals of 
shares in AVEVA by Schneider Electric. 
For two years following completion of 
the combination, without the approval of 
the majority of the independent Non-
Executive Directors, Schneider Electric  
will not:
(a) announce or make a general offer under 
the Takeover Code for the remaining 
shares in the Company;

(b) vote in favour of a delisting of the 

Company; or

(c) increase the aggregate shareholding 

of Schneider Electric and its Associates 
above its percentage shareholding 
immediately after completion.

For 18 months after the end of the two-
year period, the restrictions outlined 
above regarding making an offer for 
the Company or acquiring further 
shares in the Company shall continue 
to apply save that Schneider Electric 
and its Associates will be permitted, 
without any need for independent 
Non-Executive Director approval:
(a) to announce or make a general offer 
under the Takeover Code for the 
remaining shares in the Company 
(subject to certain requirements as to 
the offer price and to recommendation 
by a majority of the independent Non-
Executive Directors); and

(b) otherwise to acquire additional 

shares in the Company in the market 
or otherwise, up to an aggregate 
shareholding below 75% of AVEVA’s 
issued share capital.

After this further 18-month period, 
Schneider Electric will be under no 
restrictions as to further acquisitions of 
shares or making offers. Further details of 
the Relationship Agreement are set out in 
the Prospectus published on 5 September 
2017, Part XII, paragraph 3.7.

AVEVA has and, in so far as it is aware, 
Schneider Electric and its Associates 
have complied with the independence 
provisions in the Relationship Agreement 
during the period under review.

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. There is an 
employee representative committee 
which meets on a regular basis to discuss 
a wide range of matters affecting 
their current and future interests. 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.

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 2006. 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 on page 38 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.

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 Generally 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:
 – select and apply accounting policies in 

accordance with IAS 8;

 – present information, including 

accounting policies, in a manner that 

113

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.

Responsibility statement pursuant 
to FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and 
Transparency Rule 4 (DTR 4)
Each Director of the Company (whose 
names and functions appear on pages 
62–63) confirms that (solely for the 
purpose of DTR 4) to the best of his or her 
knowledge:
 – the financial statements in this 

document, prepared in accordance 
with English 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.

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

David Ward
Finance Director and Company Secretary
9 June 2020

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.

In preparing the parent company financial 
statements, the Directors are required to:
 – select suitable accounting policies and 

then apply them consistently;
 – make judgements 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.

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 62–
63. 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.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements114

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Financial  
Statements

Strong financial

115

116
123

124
125

126
127

128
159

160

161

164

169
172
173

Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report 
Consolidated Income Statement 
Consolidated Statement of  
Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Balance Sheet 
Consolidated Statement of Changes  

in Shareholders’ Equity 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial 

Statements 

Company Balance Sheet 
Company Statement of Changes  

in Shareholders’ Equity 

Notes to the Company Financial  

Statements  

Statement of Group Accounting  

Policies 

Full List of Addresses and  

Subsidiaries 

Company Information and Advisers 
Glossary 

per formance

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements116

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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 2020 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 

Accounting Practice including FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’; and

 – the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, and, as regards the 

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 2020

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2020

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 32 to the financial statements, including a summary 

of significant accounting policies

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their 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.

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 40–49 that describe the principal risks and explain how they are being 

managed or mitigated;

 – the Directors’ confirmation set out on pages 40–49 in the annual report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the 

emerging and principal risks facing the entity, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or 
liquidity;

 – the Directors’ statement set out on page 40–49 in the financial statements about whether they considered it appropriate to adopt 
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;

 – whether the Directors’ statement in relation to going concern required under the Listing Rules in accordance with Listing Rule 

9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or 

 – the Directors’ explanation set out on page 40–49 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

 – Impact of Covid-19
 – Revenue recognition

Audit scope

procedures on specific balances for a further twelve (2019: ten) components.

 – We performed an audit of the complete financial information of four (2019: four) components and audit 

 – The components where we performed full or specific audit procedures accounted for 91% of adjusted Profit 

before tax, 75% of Revenue and 84% of Total assets.

Materiality

 – Overall Group materiality of £5.5 million which represents 5% of adjusted Profit before tax.

117

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, 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.

Key observations 
communicated to  
the Audit Committee 

We reported to the 
Audit Committee that, 
based on the testing 
performed, we 
believed that the 
going concern 
assumption adopted 
in the 2020 financial 
statements remains 
appropriate based 
upon management’s 
Covid-19 base case 
forecast.

We confirmed that 
management’s 
disclosure 
appropriately 
describes the risks 
associated with 
AVEVA’s ability to 
continue to operate  
as a going concern.

Other areas

We agree that the  
key other areas of 
accounting impact of 
Covid-19 have been 
appropriately 
disclosed in the 
financial statements 
and accounting 
entries recorded 
accordingly.

Risk

Our response to the risk

We have confirmed our understanding and walked through the process followed by 
management to prepare the revised forecasts. We assessed the reasonableness of all key 
assumptions, namely revenue performance per revenue stream, adjusted EBIT margin and 
working capital collection. This has been performed by: 

 –

checking the arithmetical accuracy of management’s model;

 – assessing the historical forecasting accuracy of the group by comparing actual revenue 

and adjusted EBIT to forecast for the previous five accounting periods;

 –

comparing the revenue forecasts to the revenue backlog and revenue pipeline against the 
forecast and previous conversion rates;

 – assessing the feasibility of cost reductions assumed within the model, including the timing 

and quantum, by comparing them to operational actions taken by management;

 –

 –

reconciling the working capital assumptions with the risk assumed within the expected 
credit loss calculation; and 

checked for consistency of the forecasts with other areas of the audit including impairment 
assessment.

Compared the reduction in revenues assumed in the most severe scenario presented by 
management, to the revenue declines demonstrated during recent economic crises. We have 
also compared the forecast result to reports from analysts and expected revenue trends to 
industry forecasts for industrial software including the impact of Covid-19;

Confirmed the availability of the RCF by comparing to the underlying agreement and reperformed 
management’s forecast covenant ratio compliance calculations to check for breaches of each 
covenant ratio throughout the going concern period under each scenario presented by 
management;

Compared current trading performance to management’s Covid-19 forecast by obtaining the 
latest available management accounts and latest available weekly Group cash report to 
identify any issues with current trading and cashflows;

Recalculated the results of the sensitivity testing performed by management to determine the 
impact of reasonably possibly fluctuations in key assumptions on the Group’s available 
liquidity and covenant compliance;

Performed reverse stress testing to establish the level of change in revenue and adjusted EBIT 
margin necessary to cause a liquidity or financial covenant breach and considered the 
likelihood of such a change;

Considered the further mitigating actions available to the Group, such as not paying the 
interim dividend, and further cost mitigations, and the feasibility of management being able to 
execute such mitigating actions, when considering the likelihood of the reverse stress testing 
scenario; and

Reviewed the appropriateness of management’s going concern disclosure in describing the 
risks associated with its ability to continue to operate as a going concern for a period of at 
least 12 months from the date of our Auditor’s Report.

Other areas
We read management’s paper outlining the potential accounting implications of the Covid-19 
impact and assessed the completeness of areas identified using our understanding of the 
business and broader industry knowledge, prior year audit conclusions and results-to-date.

We audited management’s impairment of assets analysis, confirming that the forecasts were 
consistent with those audited as part of the going concern assessment. We performed 
additional sensitivity testing using the sensitivity analysis performed in the going concern 
assessment, when determining whether a reasonably possible change could give rise to an 
impairment adjustment.

We compared the forward looking information used by management to calculate the risk 
matrix overlay, in their provision for impairment of financial assets, to changes in economic 
data since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The remainder of our planned audit procedures prior to the outbreak of Covid-19, were 
executed as intended in these areas.

Impact of Covid-19

Refer to Financial Review (pages 
50–54); Refer to the Audit 
Committee Report (pages 74–79); 
Accounting policies; and note 2a 
of the Consolidated financial 
statements (pages 128–129)

Going concern

Note 2a in the financial 
statements outlines the 
uncertainties arising from the 
recent Covid-19 outbreak and 
their impact on the Group’s 
ability to continue as a going 
concern.

Given the unprecedented impact 
of Covid-19 on all businesses and 
the macro-economic 
environment, accurate 
forecasting of prospective 
financial information and the 
development of credible future 
scenarios is challenging and may 
have a wide range of potential 
impacts on the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern. 

Management have revised their 
forecasts to reflect the impact of 
Covid-19, which serves as the 
base case for the going concern 
assessment. Further severe but 
plausible scenarios have been 
run based on the principal risks 
and uncertainties facing the 
Group and their potential impact 
on revenue, profitability and 
cashflows. The results of this 
analysis has been compared to 
the available liquidity and 
financial covenant compliance, 
during the going concern period. 
Based upon this assessment 
management consider the going 
concern assumption remains 
appropriate.

Other areas

Given the significance of 
Covid-19 on the economy, 
management’s impact 
assessment was expanded to 
consider other accounting 
implications. Note 2 of the 
financial statements includes 
significant accounting estimates 
relating to the impairment of 
assets and provision for 
impairment of financial assets, 
where the level of estimation 
uncertainty has increased as a 
result of the Covid-19 pandemic. 
There is a risk that given the 
current challenges in 
establishing accurate forecasts, 
as a result of Covid-19, asset 
impairments are not identified 
and recorded in a timely manner.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial StatementsKey observations 
communicated to  
the Audit Committee 

Based on our 
procedures 
performed both at 
group and by 
component audit 
teams, we conclude 
that revenue 
recognised in the 
year, and revenue 
deferred as at 31 
March 2020, is 
materially correct.

118

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Independent Auditor’s Report continued

To the Members of AVEVA Group plc

Risk

Our response to the risk

Risk of inappropriate revenue 
recognition – £833.8 million 
(2019: £766.6 million)

We performed walkthroughs of significant classes of revenue transactions to understand 
significant processes, including the central group revenue approval process, and to identify 
and assess the design effectiveness of key management controls over data input and IT.

Refer to the Audit Committee 
Report (pages 74–79); 
Accounting policies (pages 
164–168); and note 2b of the 
Consolidated Financial 
Statements (page 129–130)

In particular, the risks are:

 –

 –

Inappropriate application of 
the group revenue 
recognition policy and IFRS 
15 ‘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. 

A summary of our key procedures performed are:

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 IFRS 
15 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 and:

 – agreeing licence revenues to signed contracts or software licence agreements;

 – agreeing the revenue to subsequent payment as evidence of collectability;

 –

 –

 –

checking evidence such as licence keys to support that software has been delivered to 
customers prior to revenue recognition;

reviewing contract terms to establish whether all performance obligations have been 
identified and for any conditions that would impact the timing of revenue recognition and 
in turn the completeness of contract liabilities; 

ensuring appropriate allocation of the fair value and recognition of revenue for other 
deliverables included within the contract; and

 – We selected a sample of revenue journals and assessed the appropriateness of the journal 
by checking to supporting evidence such as revenue contracts and ensuring compliance 
with the Group’s revenue recognition policy and IFRS 15. 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 appeared inconsistent with roles and responsibilities.

We have performed an independent assessment using our industry knowledge to establish 
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 including reviewing the terms and conditions of the 
contract and recalculating the amount of revenue to be recognised in comparison to amounts 
billed, for a sample of contract liability and contract asset revenue items to ensure it is in 
accordance with the revenue recognition principles. 

We have performed analytical review by revenue stream and geography in comparison to the 
prior year 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 by agreeing to supporting documentation 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 management regarding the expected costs to complete and the timing and 
recognition of variation orders. We also tested the cut-off of project costs. This testing 
focussed on: 

 –

Low margin/loss making projects, including ensuring losses are appropriately recognised;

 – Risk reserves included in the project accounting, including enquiring of the operational 
status of the project to establish whether an additional reserve is required/existing risk 
reserves should be released;

 – Change requests issued by the customer and the impact on the project accounting;

 – The estimated costs to complete, including changes during the life of the project and 

historical forecast accuracy; and

 – The status of billings, achievement of milestones and the recoverability of contract assets/

shipped not billed balances.

Where detailed procedures were performed by component teams, the primary team exercised 
oversight of the testing and performed additional testing of contracts over £1.8 million or 
containing non-standard terms.

For related party transactions between AVEVA and the Schneider Electric business, 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 13 locations, 
which covered 75% of the risk amount.

119

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 
and other factors such as recent Internal audit results 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 100 reporting components of the Group, we selected 16 
components covering entities within the Group in the following countries: UK, US, Canada, Germany, France, Korea, China, India, 
Japan, Netherlands and Malaysia, which represent the principal business units within the Group.

Of the 16 components selected, we performed an audit of the complete financial information of four components (‘full scope 
components’) which were selected based on their size or risk characteristics. For the remaining 12 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 91% (2019: 86%) of the Group’s adjusted Profit before 
tax, 75% (2019: 70%) of the Group’s Revenue and 84% (2019: 84%) of the Group’s Total assets. For the current year, the full scope 
components contributed 67% (2019: 71%) of the Group’s adjusted Profit before tax, 48% (2019: 48%) of the Group’s Revenue and 
79% (2019: 78%) of the Group’s Total assets. The specific scope components contributed 24% (2019: 15%) of the Group’s adjusted 
Profit before tax, 27% (2019: 22%) of the Group’s Revenue and 5% (2019: 6%) 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 tested for the Group.

Of the remaining 84 components that together represent 9% 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.

Changes from the prior year 
For the current year we have designated the components in Netherlands, Malaysia, and Japan as specific scope compared to review 
scope in the comparative period, as part of our rotational audit scoping strategy. We have designated Australia as review scope 
compared to specific scope in the comparative period, as part of this rotational audit scoping strategy. 

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 four full scope components, audit procedures were performed on two of these directly by the primary 
audit team. For the 12 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 or senior members of the audit team visits at least two (2019: 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 the US and Netherlands (2019: US, Canada, 
China and Germany). 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, and reviewing key audit working papers on risk areas. 
One planned visit to the US was cancelled due to the travel restrictions associated with Covid-19, however the primary audit team, 
including the Senior Statutory Auditor, had already performed one visit during the year and were able to perform the planned 
procedures remotely, including remote review of working papers and attendance at key meetings. 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. In addition, the Senior Statutory Auditor attended each of the component 
closing meetings via video conference. In concluding on the appropriateness of the level of involvement with component teams during 
the Covid-19 pandemic, the Senior Statutory Auditor has also considered the consistency of key team members at component team 
locations, the results of rotational site visits performed in recent years and the quality of key audit working paper reviews performed 
remotely in the current year. This, together with the 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.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements120

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Independent Auditor’s Report continued

To the Members of AVEVA Group plc

We determined materiality for the Group to be £5.5 million (2019: £3.8 million), which is 5% (2019: 5%) of adjusted Profit before tax 
We believe that adjusted Profit before tax provides us with the most relevant measure of the underlying financial performance of 
the Group, as it removes the impact of one-off transactions. For both years, we have used Profit before tax adjusted for exceptional 
items as reported in note 7, however have not made adjustment for recurring items, such as amortisation of intangibles, share-based 
payments and gain/loss on forward exchange contracts.

We determined materiality for the Parent Company to be £29 million (2019: £26.7 million), which is 2% (2019: 2%) of total assets.  
We believe that total assets is the most relevant measure, given the primary activity of the Parent Company is to hold investments  
in subsidiaries.

Starting 
basis

Adjustments

– Profit before tax – £92.0m

– Exceptional items (note 7) – £18.8m

Materiality

– Totals £110.8m
– Materiality of £5.5m (5% of materaility basis)

During the course of our audit, we reassessed initial materiality and updated for the final profit shown above.

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% (2019: 75%) of our planning materiality, namely £4.1 million (2019: £2.9 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 £0.8 million to £2.2 million 
(2019: £0.5 million to £1.6 million).

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 £0.3 million 
(2019: £0.2million), 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 1–113, including the Strategic Report 
and the Corporate 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.

121

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 113 – 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

 – Audit Committee reporting set out on pages 74–79 – the section describing the work of the Audit Committee does not 

appropriately address matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee; or 

 – Directors’ statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code set out on page 59 – 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:
 – the information given in the strategic report and the Directors Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the financial statements and those reports have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal 
requirements;

 – the information about internal control and risk management systems in relation to financial reporting processes and about share 
capital structures, given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 and 7.2.6 in the Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules sourcebook 
made by the Financial Conduct Authority (the FCA Rules), is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in 
accordance with applicable legal requirements; and

 – information about the company’s corporate governance code and practices and about its administrative, management and 

supervisory bodies and their committees complies with rules 7.2.2, 7.2.3 and 7.2.7 of the FCA Rules.

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; or
 – the information about internal control and risk management systems in relation to financial reporting processes and about share 

capital structures, given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 and 7.2.6 of the FCA Rules.

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:
 – adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 

from branches not visited by us; or

 – the parent company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 

with the accounting records and returns; or

 – 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; or
 – a Corporate Governance Statement has not been prepared by the company.

Responsibilities of Directors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement set out on pages 112–113, 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.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements122

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Independent Auditor’s Report continued

To the Members of AVEVA Group plc

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 are those which are directly relevant to the specific assertions in the financial statements (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 programs 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 programs 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 full and specific scope 
management. Our audit procedures were communicated to and performed by our component 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.

Other matters we are required to address
We were appointed by the company on 25 September 2019 to audit the financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2020 and 
subsequent financial periods.

The period of total uninterrupted engagement including previous renewals and reappointments is 18 years, covering the years ending 
31 March 2003 to 31 March 2020.

The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the group or the parent company and we remain 
independent of the group and the parent company in conducting the audit. 

The audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the Audit Committee.

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.

Marcus Butler (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP
Statutory Auditor
London
9 June 2020

Notes: 
1.  The maintenance and integrity of the AVEVA Group plc website 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 website. 

2.  Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Consolidated Income Statement

for the year ended 31 March 2020

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Operating expenses
Research & Development costs
Selling and administrative expenses
Net impairment loss on financial assets
Other income

Total operating expenses

Profit from operations
Finance revenue
Finance expense

Profit before tax from continuing operations 
Income tax expense

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent

Profit from operations 
Amortisation of intangibles (excluding other software)
Share-based payments
Loss on fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts
Exceptional items

Adjusted EBIT 

Earnings per share (pence)
– basic 
– diluted

All activities relate to continuing activities.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Consolidated income statement.

123

Notes 

3,4

5

7

6
8
9

11

16
28

7

2020  
£m

833.8
(190.7)

2019  
£m

766.6
(193.2)

643.1

573.4

(184.6)
(367.8)
(7.6)
11.9

(178.0)
(341.9)
(6.3)
–

(548.1)

(526.2)

95.0
0.3
(3.3)

92.0
(22.2)

69.8

95.0
90.6
12.0
0.4
18.8

47.2
0.2
(0.7)

46.7
(12.9)

33.8

47.2
88.1
11.2
0.5
28.9

216.8

175.9

13
13

43.35
43.13

20.97
20.90

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements124

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the year ended 31 March 2020

Profit for the year
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods:
Exchange 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/(loss) 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

27
11(a)

2020 
£m

69.8

4.2

4.2

6.2
(1.2)

5.0

79.0

2019 
£m

33.8

8.4

8.4

(0.5)
(0.4)

(0.9)

41.3

Consolidated Balance Sheet

31 March 2020

Non-current assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Deferred tax assets
Trade and other receivables
Retirement benefit surplus

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Contract assets 
Treasury deposits
Cash and cash equivalents
Current tax assets

Total assets

Equity
Issued share capital
Share premium
Other reserves
Retained earnings

Total equity

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Contract liabilities
Lease liabilities
Financial liabilities
Provisions
Current tax liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Other liabilities
Provisions 
Retirement benefit obligations 

125

Notes

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

15
16
17
24
26
19
27

19
3
20
20

1,295.7
514.8
27.6
79.5
19.1
4.4
14.9

1,285.3
599.5
17.1
–
11.8
2.2
7.1

1,956.0

1,923.0

242.2
142.4
0.1
114.5
20.2

519.4

238.7
100.5
0.6
127.2
10.8

477.8

2,475.4

2,400.8

29(a)

29(b)

5.7
574.5
1,180.3
181.2

5.7
574.5
1,178.8
165.5

1,941.7

1,924.5

21
3
24
23

24
26

27

149.4
177.0
16.6
0.4
0.1
5.5

349.0

53.3
119.9
0.7
–
10.8

184.7

156.8
174.6
–
0.1
1.9
12.8

346.2

–
111.3
3.1
2.6
13.1

130.1

Total equity and liabilities

2,475.4

2,400.8

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 9 June 2020. They were signed on its 
behalf by:

Craig Hayman
Chief Executive Officer

James Kidd
Deputy CEO and CFO

Company number
2937296

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements126

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

31 March 2020

Notes

Share 
capital 
£m

5.7
–

Share 
premium 
£m

574.5
–

Other reserves

Merger 
reserve  
£m

Cumulative 
translation 
adjustments 
£m

Capital 
contribution 
reserve  
£m

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£m

Reverse 
acquisition 
reserve 
£m

Treasury 
shares 
£m

Total other 
reserves 
£m

Retained 
earnings  
£m

Total 
equity 
£m

615.6
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

9.9
–

8.4

8.4
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
0.1

–

–
–

101.7
–

452.5
–

(0.3) 1,179.4
–

–

195.1 1,954.7
33.8

33.8

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–
(9.3)
–

8.4

(0.9)

7.5

8.4
–

–
(9.3)
0.1

32.9
11.2

1.3
–
–

41.3
11.2

1.3
(9.3)
0.1

–

–

(8.8)

(8.8)

0.2
–

0.2
–

(0.2)
(66.0)

–
(66.0)

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

5.7
–

574.5
–

615.6
–

18.3
–

0.1
–

101.7
–

452.5
–

(9.4) 1,178.8
–

–

165.5 1,924.5
69.8

69.8

–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–
–

4.2

4.2
–

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
(3.1)

4.2

5.0

9.2

4.2
–

–
(3.1)

74.8
12.0

1.0
–

79.0
12.0

1.0
(3.1)

0.4
–

0.4
–

(0.4)
(71.7)

–
(71.7)

At 31 March 2018
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 

income

Total comprehensive 

income

Share-based payments
Tax arising on share 

options

Investment in own shares
Capital contribution
Transactions with 
Schneider Electric

Cost of employee benefit 
trust shares issued to 
employees

Equity dividends

At 31 March 2019
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 

income

Total comprehensive 

income

Share-based payments
Tax arising on share 

options

Investment in own shares
Cost of employee benefit 
trust shares issued to 
employees

Equity dividends

28

29

29
12

28

29

29
12

At 31 March 2020

5.7

574.5

615.6

22.5

0.1

101.7

452.5

(12.1) 1,180.3

181.2 1,941.7

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. Details of other 
reserves are contained in note 29.

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 31 March 2020

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the year
Income tax expense
Net finance expense 
Amortisation of intangible assets
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Gain on disposal of pension scheme
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries
Share-based payments
Difference between pension contributions paid and amounts charged to operating profit
Research & Development expenditure tax credit
Changes in working capital:
Trade and other receivables
Contract assets
Trade and other payables
Contract liabilities
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
Payment on disposal of pension scheme
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Consideration paid on completion of business combination
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries, net of cash
Sale/(purchase) of treasury deposits 
Interest received

Net cash flows used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Interest paid
Purchase of own shares
Repayment of borrowings
Payment of principal element of lease liability
Dividends paid to shareholders of the parent

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. 

127

2019 
£m

33.8
12.9
0.5
88.8
5.4
0.1
–
–
11.2
0.1
(2.0)

(18.6)
(32.8)
36.1
33.1
0.5

169.1
(32.4)

2020 
£m

69.8
22.2
3.0
91.7
24.4
0.7
(0.4)
(7.7)
12.0
(1.2)
(2.3)

(12.2)
(43.8)
(5.8)
10.7
0.3

161.4
(39.3)

122.1

136.7

(18.5)
(0.6)
(2.0)
(25.1)
–
5.5
0.5
0.3

(39.9)

(3.3)
(3.1)
–
(15.5)
(71.7)

(93.6)

(11.4)
(1.3)
127.2

114.5

(7.4)
(0.2)
–
–
(19.4)
–
(0.4)
0.2

(27.2)

(0.7)
(9.3)
(10.0)
–
(66.0)

(86.0)

23.5
(1.9)
105.6

127.2

Notes

11(a)
8, 9
16
17, 24
6
27
7
28
27

17
16

14
30
14

8

9
29(b)
22
24
12

20

20

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements128

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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 page 172. AVEVA Group plc’s shares are publicly traded on the Official List of the London Stock Exchange. The parent 
Company financial statements of AVEVA Group plc are included on pages 159 to 163.

2 Key accounting policies
Explained below are the key accounting policies of the AVEVA Group plc and all its subsidiaries (‘the Group’). The full Statement of 
Group accounting policies is included on pages 164 to 168.

a) Basis of preparation
The Consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as adopted by the European Union, 
and with the Companies Act 2006.

The accounting policies which follow set out those policies applied in preparing the financial statements, which have been consistently 
applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. The Group applies for the first time IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ and IFRIC interpretation 
23 ‘Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments’. Details of the impact of adoption of these standards are set out in note 32. The Consolidated 
financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling (£) and all values are rounded to the nearest £0.1 million except when otherwise stated. 

In accordance with IFRS 3, the consolidated financial information has been prepared as a reverse acquisition of the AVEVA Group by the 
Schneider Electric industrial software business (‘the Combination’), which occurred on 1 March 2018.

In adopting the going concern basis for preparing the financial statements, the Directors have considered the business activities and 
the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties in the context of the current operating environment. This includes possible impacts of the 
global Covid-19 pandemic on the Group and reviews of liquidity and covenant forecasts.

The Group’s business planning cycle has taken account of potential impacts of Covid-19 to create a base case going concern model, 
reflecting the current business disruption, deterioration in economic conditions and the resulting impact on customers and ability to 
operate effectively during a period of remote working.

The Directors have considered sensitivities in respect of potential downside scenarios over and above the Covid-19 base case going 
concern model and the mitigating actions available in concluding that the Group is able to continue in operation for a period of at least 
twelve months from the date of approving the financial statements. 

The sensitivities are designed to model potential downside scenarios relating to Covid-19, whereby the Group experiences:
 – A period of depressed economic activity across the entire going concern period, with resulting reduction in revenues as a result of 

reduced conversion of the revenue pipeline, lower new customer demand and impacts on pricing;

 – Business disruption including the impact of stay-at-home orders on the ability to operate efficiently as well as the ability to deliver 

project services and work remotely; and

 – Delays in the working capital cycle, including the impact of customer failures, credit defaults and delays in customers making 

contractual payments. 

The specific scenarios modelled are as follows:

Scenario 1 stresses the base going concern model further with materialisation of principal risks linked to continued pandemic 
disruption. 

Scenarios 2–4 also use the Covid-19 adjusted business plans as a base model, upon which further materialisation of a combination 
of various of the principal risks identified on pages 42 to 47 are considered. Each scenario assumes delays in the working capital 
cycle, including the impact of customer failures, credit defaults and delays in customers making contractual payments, as well as the 
following other assumptions:

Scenario 1: Given the current risk environment in relation to the global Covid-19 pandemic, this Scenario incorporates the impact 
of the following three principal risks as outlined on pages 46 to 47, reducing base model revenue by circa 9% across the three-year 
forecast period. 

(10) Dependency on cyclical markets;
(11) Global economic disruption and declined GDPs; and
(13) Extended period of remote working.

Scenario 2: A ‘severe but plausible’ scenario which models materialisation of all the following principal risks as outlined on pages 44 to 
45, being applied to the Covid-19 adjusted financial forecasts, reducing base model revenues by circa 15–20% across the three-year 
forecast period.

(2) Move to subscription model;
(3) Cloud; and
(5) Sustainability.

129

Scenario 3: A ‘severe but plausible’ scenario which models materialisation of all the following principal risks as outlined on paged 44 
to 46, being applied to the already Covid-19 adjusted financial forecasts, which also reduces base model revenues by circa 15–20% 
across the three-year forecast period.

(2) – Move to subscription model;
(3) – Cloud; and
(9) – Cyberattack.

Scenario 4: A further scenario was created to model circumstances required to breach AVEVA’s credit facilities. This scenario assumes 
severe cash collection delays and does not include any mitigating actions that the Group would take. It is overall considered very unlikely.

Under the base case scenario, there is no expected requirement to drawdown on the Revolving Credit Facility (‘RCF’) across the going 
concern period. Under the four downside scenarios, the Group would utilise the RCF, however within the current liquidity  
levels available. 

Throughout all the four downside scenarios, the Group continues to have liquidity headroom on existing facilities and against the 
RCF financial covenants during the period under assessment. Should a more extreme downside scenario occur, additional mitigating 
actions could be taken such as the cancellation or deferral of dividend payments and reductions in other discretionary operating costs. 
The financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 have therefore been prepared under the going concern basis of accounting.

b) Revenue 
The Group generates its revenue principally through the supply of:
 – subscription;
 – maintenance; 
 – perpetual licences; and
 – services.

Revenue is recognised upon transfer of control of the promised software and/or services to customers. The Group enters into contracts 
which can include combinations of software licences, support and maintenance fees and other professional services, each of which 
is capable of being distinct and usually accounted for as separate performance obligations. Where there are multiple performance 
obligations, revenue is measured at the value of the expected consideration received in exchange for the services, allocated by the 
relative stand-alone selling prices of each of the performance obligations.

Subscription
The Group offers a number of non-cancellable, fixed-term subscription licensing models of between one month and five years and 
include on-premise software rentals, cloud hosted software and Software as a Service (‘SaaS’).

Rentals consist of two separate components: a software licence; and support and maintenance, which are two distinct performance 
obligations. The software licence is a right to use licence which is recognised at a point in time when the contract is agreed and the 
software is made available to the customer. The support and maintenance element is recognised on a straight-line basis over the 
rental period.

SaaS subscriptions are agreements with customers to provide the right to access software. The software, maintenance and support, 
and hosting elements are not distinct performance obligations, and represent a combined service provided to the customer. Revenue is 
recognised as the service is provided to the customer on a straight-line basis over the subscription period.

Perpetual licences
Customers are charged an initial or perpetual licence fee for on-premise or hosted software which is usually limited by a set number 
of users or seats. Initial and perpetual licences provide the customer with the right to use the software and are distinct from other 
services. Revenue is recognised at a point in time when the contract is agreed and the software is made available to the customer.

Maintenance
Revenue classified as maintenance includes annual fees as well as separate support and maintenance contracts. For both, revenue 
is recognised over time on a straight-line basis over the period of the contract, which is typically 12 months. 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.

Services
Services consist primarily of consultancy, implementation services and training. Revenue from these services is recognised as the 
services are performed by reference to the costs incurred as a proportion of the total estimated costs of the service project. 

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements130

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

2 Key accounting policies continued
If an arrangement includes both licence and service elements, an assessment is made as to whether the licence element is distinct in 
the context of the contract, based on whether the services provided significantly modifies or customises the base product. Where it is 
concluded that a licence is distinct, the licence element is recognised as a separate performance obligation. In all other cases, revenue 
from both licence and service elements is recognised when control is deemed to have passed to the customer.

c) Adoption of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’
The Group adopted IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method of adoption, with the date of initial application of 1 April 2019. In 
accordance with this approach, prior year balances have not been restated and are presented as historically disclosed under IAS 17. 
Set out below are the new accounting policies of the Group: 

The Group recognises right-of-use assets at the commencement date of the lease (i.e. the date that the underlying asset is available 
for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any 
remeasurement of lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognised, initial direct 
costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received. Unless the Group 
is reasonably certain to obtain ownership of the leased asset at the end of the lease term, the recognised right-of-use assets are 
depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of its estimated useful life and the lease term. Right-of-use assets are subject to 
impairment review.

At the commencement date of the lease, the Group also recognises lease liabilities. They are measured at the present value of lease 
payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments (including in substance fixed payments) less 
any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, and amounts expected to be paid under 
residual value guarantees. The lease payments also include the exercise price of a purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised 
by the Group and payments of penalties for terminating a lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising the option to terminate. 
The variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognised as expense in the period on which the event or 
condition that triggers the payment occurs. The Group has adopted the practical expedient to view certain arrangements containing 
both lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Group uses the incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date if 
the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. 

After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for the lease 
payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, 
a change in the in-substance fixed lease payments or a change in the assessment to purchase the underlying asset. The carrying 
amount of right-of-use assets are also remeasured to reflect this change in lease liabilities.

The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases (i.e. those leases that have a lease term of 
12 months or less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase option). It also applies the lease of low-value assets 
recognition exemption to leases of assets that are considered of low value (i.e. below £5,000). Lease payments on short-term leases 
and leases of low-value assets are recognised as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Group determines the lease term as the non-cancellable term of the lease, together with any periods covered by an option to 
extend the lease if it is reasonably certain to be exercised, or any periods covered by an option to terminate the lease, if it is reasonably 
certain not to be exercised.

The effect on the income statement for the year ended 31 March 2020 was to reduce profit after tax by £1.2 million. The full impact on 
the amounts recognised in the primary statements as a result of the adoption of IFRS 16 are summarised in note 32.

d) Non-GAAP measures
The Group presents the non-GAAP performance measure ‘adjusted earnings before interest and tax (‘EBIT’)’ on the face of the 
Consolidated income statement. Adjusted EBIT is not defined by IFRS and therefore may not be directly comparable with the adjusted 
EBIT 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 significant 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.

These items relate to:
 – amortisation of intangible assets (excluding other software);
 – share-based payment charges; and 
 – fair value adjustments on financial derivatives.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued131

Other types of recurring items may arise, however no others were identified in either the current or prior year. Recurring items are 
adjusted each year irrespective of materiality to ensure consistent treatment.

Management consider these items to be distorting as they do not reflect the underlying performance of the Group.

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. Exceptional items are discussed further in note 7.

Management consider these items to be distorting by nature, as they are significant non-recurring-items that are inherently not 
reflective of the future or underlying performance of the Group.

e) Significant accounting judgements
Allocation of goodwill 
The unallocated carrying value of the goodwill arising from the reverse acquisition of the AVEVA business by the Schneider Electric 
industrial software business was allocated to the appropriate cash generating units (‘CGUs’) during the prior financial year. The two 
businesses were largely integrated on a regional basis shortly after the completion of the merger, and judgement was applied in 
the conclusion that Asia Pacific, EMEA and Americas are the smallest identifiable groups of assets that generate cash inflows that 
are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. The allocation was performed by applying the 
respective proportions of the cumulative return based on the value in use model of aggregated discounted cash flows. The Group 
applied significant judgement in forecasting future cash flows for the value in use model. The results of this allocation are set out in 
note 15. 

f) 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. Management used judgement in calculating this estimate by using a combination of historical 
data, cost to the business of providing services, and annual fees as a proportion of initials. On average, the element attributable to 
customer support and maintenance as a proportion of the initial software delivery is 17–18%.

Impairment of assets
Goodwill arising on acquisition is allocated to CGUs 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 
CGUs. The recoverable amount of the CGU 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, right-of-use assets 
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 CGUs 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 CGU to which the asset belongs. Impairment losses are 
recognised in the income statement in the selling and administrative expenses line item. Further details about the assumptions used 
and sensitivity analysis performed in the impairment review are set out in note 15.

Provision for impairment of financial assets
The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected credit loss 
allowance for all trade receivables and contract assets. 

To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables have been grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics and the days 
past due. Loss allowances are calculated using historical account payment profiles and the corresponding historical credit losses 
experienced and adjusted for forward looking factors specific to the debtor and the economic environment. In assessing the impact  
of the forward looking information available, management have considered the risk factors most likely to impact customers in light  
of the Covid-19 pandemic. Trade receivables were grouped based on industry and type of customer, and a further overlay applied to 
the risk matrix.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements132

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

2 Key accounting policies continued
Provisions for the impairment of receivables have also been made 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. In making this 
assessment, management considers 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. 

Contract assets have substantially the same risk characteristics as the trade receivables for the same types of contracts. The Group 
has therefore concluded that the expected loss rates for trade receivables are a reasonable approximation of the loss rates for the 
contract assets. Therefore, the significant estimates made relating to the provision for impairment of trade receivables are also 
applicable to impairment of contract assets.

The provision for impairment of trade receivables at 31 March 2020 was £7.6 million (2019: £7.2 million) and contract assets 
£5.4 million (2019: £0.4 million). Details of the provision for impairment of receivables are contained in note 19.

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. 

Retirement benefits
The determination of the Group’s surplus, 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 27 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 
surplus and obligations, actuarial gains and losses included in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income in future years 
and the future staff costs. In mitigation of significant changes in assumptions affecting the Group’s future pension obligations, the 
pension scheme operates a liability-driven investment strategy, which means as inflation and interest rates change, the value of 
the asset portfolio will rise and fall, offsetting the impact on the net position. The carrying amount of retirement benefit surplus at 
31 March 2020, net of obligations, was £4.1 million (2019: obligations net of surplus of £6.0 million).

3 Revenue
An analysis of the Group’s revenue is as follows:

Year ended 31 March 2020

Subscription
Maintenance
Perpetual licences
Services

Year ended 31 March 2019

Subscription
Maintenance
Perpetual licences
Services

Contract balances are as below: 

Trade receivables (non-current)
Trade receivables (current)
Contract assets 
Contract liabilities

Services 
transferred 
at a point in 
time  
£m

228.7
–
179.3
–

408.0

Services 
transferred 
over time  

£m

88.1
201.7
–
136.0

425.8

Services 
transferred 
at a point in 
time  
£m

Services 
transferred 
over time  

£m

145.7
–
211.6
–

357.3

2020  
£m

2.0
181.2
142.4
177.0

72.5
194.4
–
142.4

409.3

2019 
£m

–
174.9
100.5
174.6

Total  
£m

316.8
201.7
179.3
136.0

833.8

Total  
£m

218.2
194.4
211.6
142.4

766.6

2018 
£m

–
146.9
67.6
141.7

Contract assets have increased year-on-year predominantly due to the recognition of a number of multi-year subscription licences, 
resulting in the cumulative revenue recognised for these contracts to be greater than the cumulative amounts invoiced. Contract assets 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued133

are stated net of a provision of £5.4 million (2019: £0.4 million). The provision has increased year-on-year due to forward looking 
considerations in light of Covid-19.

Revenue for the year ended 31 March 2020 includes £157.1 million (2019: £127.6 million) which was included in contract liabilities at 
the beginning of the year. Revenue of £3.1 million recognised in the year ended 31 March 2020 related to performance obligations 
satisfied in previous years (2019: £nil).

The transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations (unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied) as at 31 March is  
as follows:

Within one year 
More than one year 

2020 
£m

323.8
178.0

2019 
£m

248.0
164.6

4 Segment information
The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) monitors and appraises the business based on the performance of three geographic 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 is evaluated based on regional contribution using the same accounting 
policies as adopted for the Group’s financial statements. There is no inter-segment revenue. Corporate costs include centralised 
functions such as Executive Management, Information Management, Finance and Legal. Balance sheet information is not included in 
the information provided to the ELT.

Year ended 31 March 2020

Asia Pacific
£m

EMEA 
£m

Americas
£m

Corporate
£m

Total
£m

Revenue
Subscription
Maintenance
Perpetual licences
Services

Regional revenue total
Cost of sales
Selling and administrative expenses
Net impairment loss on financial assets

Regional contribution
Research & Development costs

Adjusted EBIT

95.6
47.9
52.1
31.9

227.5
(27.3)
(44.7)
(0.8)

154.7

140.0
67.9
69.6
49.6

327.1
(34.6)
(72.5)
(2.7)

217.3

81.2
85.9
57.6
54.5

279.2
(49.9)
(69.4)
(4.1)

–
–
–
–

–
(78.3)
(112.0)
–

155.8

(190.3)

Exceptional items, other normalised adjustments1 and net interest

Profit before tax

1  Normalised adjustments include amortisation of intangible assets (excluding other software), share-based payments and movements on fair value of forward  

316.8
201.7
179.3
136.0

833.8
(190.1)
(298.6)
(7.6)

337.5
(120.7)

216.8

(124.8)

92.0

exchange contracts.

Revenue
Subscription
Maintenance
Perpetual licences
Services

Regional revenue total
Cost of sales
Selling and administrative expenses
Net impairment loss on financial assets

Regional contribution
Research & Development costs

Adjusted EBIT

Year ended 31 March 2019

Asia Pacific
£m

EMEA 
£m

Americas
£m

Corporate
£m

Total
£m

49.4
45.0
57.3
27.8

179.5
(28.8)
(36.6)
(4.0)

110.1

107.2
71.7
86.6
48.8

314.3
(42.6)
(65.9)
(1.6)

61.6
77.7
67.7
65.8

272.8
(66.2)
(60.9)
(0.7)

–
–
–
–

–
(53.7)
(115.2)
–

204.2

145.0

(168.9)

218.2
194.4
211.6
142.4

766.6
(191.3)
(278.6)
(6.3)

290.4
(114.5)

175.9

(129.2)

46.7

Exceptional items, other normalised adjustments1 and net interest

Profit before tax

1  Normalised adjustments include amortisation of intangible assets (excluding other software), share-based payments and movements on fair value of forward 

exchange contracts.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements134

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

4 Segment information continued
Other segmental disclosures
The Company’s country of domicile is the UK. Revenue attributed to the UK and all foreign countries amounted to £37.8 million 
and £796.0 million (2019: £31.5 million and £735.1 million) respectively. The USA accounted for 25.0% of the Group’s revenue 
(2019: 26.8%). No other individual country accounted for more than 10% of the Group’s total revenue (2019: none). 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 (2019: none).

Non-current assets (excluding deferred tax assets and retirement benefits) held in the UK and all foreign countries amounted 
to £1,702.2 million and £219.8 million (2019: £1,755.3 million and £148.8 million) respectively. There are material non-current 
assets (excluding deferred tax assets) located in the USA amounting to £128.9 million (2019: £113.7 million). There are no material 
non-current assets located in any other individual country outside of the UK (2019: none).

5 Selling and administrative expenses
An analysis of selling and administrative expenses is set out below:

Selling and distribution expenses
Administrative expenses

6 Profit from operations
Profit from operations is stated after charging:

Depreciation of right-of-use assets
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
Operating lease rentals – minimum lease payments under IAS 17
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Net foreign exchange losses

2020 
£m

240.1
127.7

367.8

2019 
£m

235.6
106.3

341.9

2020 
£m

17.1
7.3

63.5
27.1
1.1
–
0.7
1.3

2019 
£m

–
5.4

61.8
26.3
0.7
16.7
0.1
0.5

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 Group auditor for the audit of parent Company and Consolidated financial statements
Fees payable to the Group auditor and its associates for other services:
– the audit of the Group’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

7 Exceptional items

Acquisition and integration activities
Restructuring costs
Other income 

2020 
£m

1.0

0.7

1.7

2020 
£m

29.0
1.7
(11.9)

18.8

2019 
£m

0.9

0.6

1.5

2019 
£m

23.0
5.9
–

28.9

Acquisition and integration costs incurred related principally to consultancy fees paid to advisers and the costs of additional 
temporary resources required for the integration of heritage AVEVA and the Schneider Electric industrial software business (‘SES’). 
Key integration activities included work undertaken to exit the Transitional Service Agreements (‘TSA’) provided by Schneider Electric; 
costs incurred in the initial design and build phases of a new harmonised global ERP system for the enlarged Group; and assistance 
from consultants to the Group in running programmes designed to deliver revenue and cost synergies from the Combination. 
Projections relating to the TSA exits and global ERP system continue into the financial year ending 31 March 2021.

Restructuring costs related to severance payments in a number of global office locations. The costs incurred for the year ended 
31 March 2020 are a continuation of the project started in the prior year, following the Combination, which is now completed. 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued135

Other income includes a £7.7 million gain on sale of three wholly owned distributor businesses. Wonderware Italy was disposed of 
on 30 April 2019, Wonderware Scandinavia on 1 January 2020, and Schneider Electric Software Germany GmbH on 31 January 2020. 
Total consideration of £12.4 million was recognised, with £1.4 million of net assets disposed. Goodwill of £3.1 million was allocated to 
the three entities disposed of on sale. The gain on sale was recognised net of selling costs of £0.2 million.

Also included in other income is £3.8 million received from Schneider Electric in reimbursement for capital expenditure incurred as part 
of the Company’s migration from activities covered by TSAs following the Combination.

The total cash net outflow during the year as a result of exceptional items was £23.3 million (2019: £18.9 million).

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

8 Finance revenue

Bank interest receivable and other interest earned

9 Finance expense

Net interest on pension scheme liabilities
Bank interest payable and similar charges
Interest on lease liabilities

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 gains on the exercise of share options

Number of Directors accruing benefits under defined contributions

2020 
£m

0.6
0.4
3.9
25.8
(11.9)

18.8

2020 
£m

0.3

2020 
£m

0.2
0.6
2.5

3.3

2020 
£m

350.9
28.7
19.2
12.0

410.8

2019 
£m

1.9
1.7
12.6
12.7
–

28.9

2019 
£m

0.2

2019 
£m

0.2
0.5
–

0.7

2019 
£m

339.5
28.1
17.5
11.2

396.3

2020 
Number

2019 
Number

1,678
1,336
1,018
523

4,555

2020 
£m

9.0
0.2

9.2

1,780
1,329
1,001
481

4,591

2019 
£m

10.4
–

10.4

2020 
Number

2019 
Number

2

2

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements136

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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

Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences (note 26)
Adjustments in respect of prior periods

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 benefits

Tax charge reported in Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

11.1
26.3
(9.6)

27.8

(9.9)
4.3

(5.6)

22.2

2020 
£m

1.2

1.2

5.8
29.8
(0.5)

35.1

(22.0)
(0.2)

(22.2)

12.9

2019 
£m

0.4

0.4

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 US (2019: US) 
corporation tax to the profit before tax are as follows:

Tax on Group profit before tax at standard US (2019: US) corporation tax rate of 24% (2019: 24%)
Effects of:
– expenses not deductible for tax purposes
– Research & Development incentives
– UK rate change impact on deferred tax
– irrecoverable withholding tax
– movement on unprovided deferred tax balances
– differing tax rates
– adjustments in respect of prior years

2020 
£m

22.1

2.0
(5.8)
8.9
1.2
(1.1)
0.2
(5.3)

2019 
£m

11.2

1.9
(4.1)
–
0.7
1.4
2.5
(0.7)

Income tax expense reported in Consolidated income statement

22.2

12.9

The Group’s effective tax rate for the year was: 24.1% (2019: 27.6%). The Group’s effective tax rate for the year before exceptional 
items was 24.2% (2019: 22.9%). The Group’s effective tax rate before exceptional and other normalised adjustments was 18.1% 
(2019: 20.2%).

12 Dividends paid and proposed on equity shares
The following dividends were declared, paid and proposed in relation to the legal entity AVEVA Group plc:

Declared and paid during the year
Interim 2019/20 dividend paid of 15.5 pence (2018/19: 14.0 pence) per ordinary share
Final 2018/19 dividend paid of 29.0 pence (2017/18: 27.0 pence) per ordinary share

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

25.0
46.7

71.7

22.5
43.5

66.0

Proposed for approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting

Final proposed dividend 2019/20 of 29.0 pence (2018/19: 29.0 pence) per ordinary share

46.8

46.8

The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 21 July 2020 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 
11 August 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 10 July 2020.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued13 Earnings per share

Earnings per share for the year:
– basic
– diluted
Adjusted earnings per share for the year:
– basic
– diluted

137

2020 
Pence

2019 
Pence

43.35
43.13

108.70
108.15

2020 
Number

20.97
20.90

86.91
86.60

2019 
Number

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic earnings per share
Effect of dilution: employee share options

161,046,059 161,081,559
589,978

826,621

Weighted average number of ordinary shares adjusted for the effect of dilution

161,872,680

161,671,537

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 £69.8 million (2019: £33.8 million). 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.

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. Details of the 
terms and conditions of share options are provided in note 28.

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 (excluding net finance expense)

Adjusted profit after tax

2020 
£m

69.8
90.6
12.0
0.4
18.8
(4.6)
(12.0)

2019 
£m

33.8
88.1
11.2
0.5
28.9
(4.4)
(18.1)

175.0

140.0

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 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 
Acquisition of AssetPlus 
On 17 April 2019, the Group acquired 100% of the voting shares of AssetPlus. This represented the software assets of MaxGrip, 
a pioneer in optimising asset performance with Reliability Centred Maintenance (‘RCM’) solutions. This acquisition enhances the 
Group’s Asset Performance Management (‘APM’) offering by providing a templated approach to asset strategy optimisation and 
RCM software for risk-based maintenance. Additionally, MaxGrip’s rich library of asset fault codes and remediations strengthens the 
Group’s predictive asset analytics capabilities and accelerates the deployment of artificial intelligence for prescriptive maintenance. 

AssetPlus revenues are predominantly subscription fees, recognised in the EMEA operating segment. 

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements138

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

14 Business combinations continued
The fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities of AssetPlus as at the date of acquisition were:

Intangible assets
Trade receivables
Contract assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other payables
Contract liabilities
Deferred tax 

Net assets acquired
Goodwill

Total consideration

Carrying 
value at 
acquisition 
£m

Fair value 
adjustment 
£m

Fair value 
£m

2.4
1.4
0.2
(0.6)
(0.9)
(0.6)
–

1.9

11.5
–
–
–
–
0.3
(3.4)

8.4

13.9
1.4
0.2
(0.6)
(0.9)
(0.3)
(3.4)

10.3
11.3

21.6

The goodwill recognised is primarily attributed to the expected synergies and other benefits from combining the assets and activities 
of AssetPlus with those of the Group.

The consideration of £21.6 million was settled in cash. The associated transaction costs of £0.3 million were expensed and are 
included in Selling and administrative expenses.

Revenue and contributed net profit before tax from the date of acquisition are immaterial to the Group. If the acquisition had taken 
place at the beginning of the year, revenue and contributed net profit before tax would also be immaterial. 

Acquisition of ErrorSolver assets
In January 2020, the Group completed the acquisition of the trade and assets of MESEnter Co. Ltd. The acquisition included the 
software and IP pertaining to ErrorSolver, a production accounting and hydrocarbon loss management tool developed by MESEnter 
Co. Ltd. The total consideration of £2.9 million was settled in cash, and allocated to intangibles in full, as there were no other 
separately identifiable assets nor goodwill. 

Disposal of Wonderware distributor businesses
During the year, the Group disposed of three wholly owned distributor businesses, recognising a gain on sale of £7.7 million. Further 
details are included in note 7.

15 Goodwill

At 1 April
Acquisitions1
Disposals1
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

1,285.3
11.3
(3.1)
2.2

1,283.5
–
–
1.8

1,295.7

1,285.3

1  Acquisitions and disposals have been allocated to the EMEA CGU. 

Goodwill and indefinite life intangible asset impairment review
The following table shows the allocation of the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets (purchased brands) at 
the end of the year by CGU.

Asia Pacific
EMEA
Americas

Goodwill

Purchased brands

2020 
£m

283.4
624.2
388.1

2019 
£m

282.9
615.1
387.3

1,295.7

1,285.3

2020 
£m

16.0
34.7
25.3

76.0

2019 
£m

16.0
34.7
25.3

76.0

The Group tests goodwill and purchased brands 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 CGUs that are expected to benefit from that 
business combination. In 2019/20 the goodwill impairment testing was carried out on a VIU basis using the most recently approved 
management budgets for the year ending 31 March 2021 together with the most recent three-year business plan extrapolated to a 
duration of five years in total by applying medium-term growth rates to year three forecasts.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued139

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 in perpetuity. 

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.

Discount rates: 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: 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.

Operating margin: Operating margins are based upon past results. These are increased over the forecast period for planned 
improvements in gross margin, driven by a changing sales mix towards more profitable product streams. In addition, cost 
management strategies are assumed to be implemented that limit operating expense increases to on or around inflation.

Covid-19
The full impact of Covid-19 on the Group’s future cash flows and the global economy is still uncertain. In response, management 
budgets and three-year business plans were revised. Future revenue growth was reduced by over 50% and improvements in operating 
margins decreased. This revision assumes a significant, ongoing economic impact from the pandemic, and that this impact is spread 
proportional to revenue in the year ending 31 March 2020 across all CGUs. The cash flows used in the VIU model represent the Group’s 
best estimate using the information available as at 31 March 2020.

Medium and long-term growth rates are obtained from the OECD, an independent intergovernmental economic organisation. These 
growth rates had not been revised for the potential impact of Covid-19 as at 31 March 2020. No evidence was identified to support a 
longer term, sustained decline in GDP growth. It was concluded these growth rates still represented the best estimate of medium and 
long-term economic performance, based on the information available. 

The key assumptions used in the VIU model were as follows: 

Discount rate

Long-term growth rate

Average operating margin

2020

2019

Break-even1

2020

2019

Break-even1

2020

2019

Break-even1

Asia Pacific
EMEA
Americas

15.4%
12.6%
11.7%

16.3%
12.9%
13.1%

21.4%
15.9%
14.5%

1.9%
1.9%
1.9%

1.7%
1.9%
1.9%

(10.3%)
(3.6%)
(2.5%)

31.0%
30.3%
25.6%

32.6%
35.2%
24.0%

21.7%
23.4%
20.2%

1  The break-even rate is the rate at which headroom within the CGU is reduced to nil, if all other assumptions remain unchanged. This is included for illustrative purposes, and 

does not reflect a reasonably foreseeable change in assumptions.

Summary of results
During the year all goodwill and purchased brands were tested for impairment, with no impairment charge resulting. 

Sensitivity to changes in key assumptions 
The Group has considered the impact of changes in future cash flows and key assumptions on the base case VIU model, to create a 
sensitised VIU model. In response to a potentially more severe impact from Covid-19 than presented in the base case, future revenue 
and operating margins were significantly reduced. This represents a ‘worst case’ scenario, and is based upon Scenario 1 as presented 
in the Group’s going concern statement in note 2a. The considerations in creating this scenario included:
 – severe business disruption as a result of stay-at-home orders being in place almost globally for 12–18 months;
 – the global economy suffering a major recession; and
 – oil prices remaining depressed for the next financial year.

In addition, long-term growth rates were decreased to model a potential long-term impact upon GDP growth.

It was concluded that even the sensitised VIU model does not result in an impairment. 

The headroom (i.e. the excess of the value of discounted future cash flows over the carrying amount of the CGU) under both the base 
case and worst case scenario is below:

Asia Pacific
EMEA
Americas

1  The excess of the recoverable amount over the carrying amount of the CGU before applying sensitivities.
2  Headroom after adjusting future cash flows and key assumptions to create a sensitised ‘worst case’ VIU model. 

2020

2019

Base case1

Sensitised2

Base case1

Sensitised2

44%
31%
28%

17%
6%
3%

57%
56%
23%

43%
40%
11%

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements140

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

16 Intangible assets 

Cost
At 1 April 2018
Additions
Disposals
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2019
Reclassification to right-of-use asset1

At 1 April 2019
Additions
Acquisition of business
Disposals
Transfer2
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2020

Amortisation and impairment
At 1 April 2018
Charge for the year
Disposals
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2019
Reclassification to right-of-use asset1

At 1 April 2019
Charge for the year
Disposals
Transfer2
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2020

Net book value
At 31 March 2018

At 31 March 2019

At 1 April 2019

At 31 March 2020

Developed 
technology 
£m

Customer 
relationships 
£m

Purchased 
brand and 
trademarks 
£m

Other 
software  
£m

Purchased 
software 
rights 
£m

Favourable 
lease 
£m

Capitalised 
Research & 
Development 
£m

234.2
–
(0.3)
6.2

240.1
–

240.1
–
0.6
–
–
4.7

102.3
–
–
2.0

104.3
–

104.3
–
–
–
–
1.5

245.4

105.8

140.5
–
–
10.6

151.1
–

151.1
–
16.2
–
308.9
8.2

484.4

73.8
18.7
–
5.7

98.2
–

98.2
59.7
–
41.9
5.7

47.4
22.5
(0.3)
3.8

73.4
–

73.4
23.5
–
–
3.5

205.5 

100.4

66.7

52.9

52.9

278.9 

186.8

166.7

166.7

145.0

14.0
3.3
–
1.1

18.4
–

18.4
3.6
–
–
1.1

23.1

88.3

85.9

85.9

82.7

6.7
0.2
–
0.1

7.0
–

7.0
0.6
–
(0.5)
–
0.3

7.4

4.4
0.7
–
0.1

5.2
–

5.2
1.1
(0.5)
–
0.2

6.0

2.3

1.8

1.8

1.4

323.6
–
(0.3)
1.1

324.4
–

324.4
–
–
(0.2)
(308.9)
0.8

16.1

12.3
39.5
(0.3)
0.3

51.8
–

51.8
1.6
(0.2)
(41.9)
1.0

12.3

311.3

272.6

272.6

3.8

14.9
–
–
–

14.9
(14.9)

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

0.1
0.5
–
–

0.6
(0.6)

–
–
–
–
–

–

14.8

14.3

–

–

47.5
–
(11.4)
1.8

37.9
–

37.9
–
–
–
–
(0.1)

37.8

38.9
3.6
(11.4)
1.5

32.6
–

32.6
2.2
–
–
–

34.8

8.6

5.3

5.3

3.0

Total 
£m

869.7
0.2
(12.0)
21.8

879.7
(14.9)

864.8
0.6
16.8
(0.7)
–
15.4

896.9

190.9
88.8
(12.0)
12.5

280.2
(0.6)

279.6
91.7
(0.7)
–
11.5

382.1

678.8

599.5

585.2

514.8

1  The Group adopted the modified retrospective approach on the transition to IFRS 16 on 1 April 2019. Under this methodology opening balances as at 1 April 2019 are 

adjusted to reflect IFRS 16, whilst prior year numbers are not restated and are as historically presented under IAS 17. Consequently, the favourable lease asset has been 
added to the value of its respective right-of-use asset at the transition date. 

2  During the year assets with a cost of £308.9 million, accumulated amortisation of £41.9 million and net book value of £267.0 million were transferred from purchased 

software rights to developed technology, which is considered to better represent the nature of the assets. 

For the purposes of the adjusted earnings per share calculation (note 13), intangible asset amortisation excludes the charge relating to 
other software of £1.1 million (2019: £0.7 million).

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued141

Total 
£m

33.7
7.4
(1.4)
1.3

41.0
18.5
(5.9)
0.5

54.1

18.9
5.4
(1.3)
0.9

23.9
7.3
(5.2)
0.5

26.5

14.8

17.1

27.6

Long 
leasehold 
buildings and 
improvements 
£m

Fixtures, 
fittings and 
office 
equipment 
£m

Computer 
equipment 
£m

Motor 
vehicles 
£m

8.0
1.6
–
0.2

9.8
6.5
(1.0)
–

15.3

3.5
1.0
–
0.1

4.6
1.6
(1.0)
0.1

5.3

4.5

5.2

10.0

17.2
4.9
(1.1)
0.7

21.7
6.8
(2.6)
0.3

26.2

10.9
3.2
(1.0)
0.5

13.6
4.4
(2.3)
0.2

15.9

6.3

8.1

10.3

7.6
0.6
(0.2)
0.4

8.4
5.2
(1.6)
0.3

12.3

4.3
0.9
(0.2)
0.3

5.3
1.0
(1.5)
0.2

5.0

3.3

3.1

7.3

0.9
0.3
(0.1)
–

1.1
–
(0.7)
(0.1)

0.3

0.2
0.3
(0.1)
–

0.4
0.3
(0.4)
–

0.3

0.7

0.7

–

17 Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 1 April 2018
Additions
Disposals
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2019
Additions
Disposals
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2020

Depreciation
At 1 April 2018
Charge for the year
Disposals
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2019
Charge for the year
Disposals
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2020

Net book value
At 31 March 2018

At 31 March 2019

At 31 March 2020

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.

The Group’s percentage of equity capital and voting rights is 100%.

The results of all subsidiaries have been consolidated in these financial statements.

At 31 March 2020, the Group held the following principal investments. The addresses of all subsidiaries, principal or dormant, are 
provided on pages 169 to 171.

Country of  
incorporation  
or registration

United Kingdom Schneider Electric Software Italia S.p.A
AVEVA Financing Limited
United Kingdom AVEVA KK
AVEVA Solutions Limited
United Kingdom Schneider Electric Software Japan Inc
Schneider Electric Software GB Limited
AVEVA Korea Limited
Argentina
Schneider Electric Software Argentina S.A.
Schneider Electric Software Korea Ltd
AVEVA Pty Ltd
Australia
AVEVA Sendirian Berhad
AVEVA Software Australia Holdings Pty Ltd Australia
AVEVA Asia Pacific Sendirian Berhad
Schneider Electric Software Australia Pty Ltd Australia
Schneider Electric Software Mexico SA de CV
AVEVA do Brasil Informática Ltda.
Asset+ Solutions BV
Schneider Electric Software Brasil Ltda.
Schneider Electric Software Holdings Netherlands 
Schneider Electric Software Canada Inc.

Brazil
Brazil
Canada

BV

Schneider Electric Software Chile SpA
AVEVA (Shanghai) Consultancy Co. Limited
AVEVA Solutions (Shanghai) Co. Limited
Telvent Control System (China) Co. Limited
Schneider Electric Software Colombia S.A.S. Colombia

Chile
China
China
China

Schneider Electric Software Netherlands BV
AVEVA AS
AVEVA Limited Liability Company
Schneider Electric Software RU
AVEVA Pte Limited

Country of  
incorporation  
or registration

Italy
Japan
Japan
Korea
Korea
Malaysia
Malaysia
Mexico
Netherlands
Netherlands

Netherlands
Norway
Russia
Russia
Singapore

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements142

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

18 Investments continued

Country of  
incorporation  
or registration

AVEVA Denmark A/S

Denmark

Schneider Electric Software Holdings  

Singapore PTE Ltd

AVEVA SA
Schneider Electric Software France SAS
AVEVA GmbH
AVEVA East Asia Limited

France
France
Germany
Hong Kong

Schneider Electric Software Spain S.L.
AVEVA AB
Schneider Electric Software (Thailand) Co. Ltd
Schneider Electric Software Middle East FZE

AVEVA Inc.

AVEVA Software, LLC

AVEVA Solutions India LLP

AVEVA Information Technology India  

Private Limited

Schneider Electric Software India 

Private Limited

19 Trade and other receivables

India

India

India

Current
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade receivables
Amounts owed from related parties (note 30)
Prepayments and other receivables

Country of  
incorporation  
or registration

Singapore

Spain
Sweden
Thailand
United Arab 
Emirates

United States 
of America
United States 
of America

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

181.2
28.4
32.6

242.2

174.9
35.5
28.3

238.7

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
Trade and other receivables

2020 
£m

4.4

4.4

As at 31 March 2020, the provision for impairment of receivables was £7.6 million (2019: £7.2 million) and an analysis of the 
movements during the year was as follows:

At 1 April 2018
Charge for the year
Utilised
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2019
Charge for the year
Utilised
Disposals

As at 31 March 2020

2019 
£m

2.2

2.2

£m

1.8
6.3
(0.7)
(0.2)

7.2
2.9
(2.2)
(0.3)

7.6

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued143

As at 31 March, the ageing analysis of trade receivables and amounts owed from related parties (net of provision for impairment) was 
as follows:

2020
Trade receivables
Amounts owed from related parties

2019
Trade receivables
Amounts owed from related parties

Past due not impaired

Neither past 
due nor 
impaired 
£m

Total 
£m

Less than 
four months 
£m

Four to eight 
months 
£m

Eight to 
twelve 
months 
£m

More than 
twelve 
months  
£m

181.2
28.4

209.6

174.9
35.5

210.4

121.1
18.1

139.2

122.4
29.0

151.4

52.5
5.8

58.3

45.6
4.5

50.1

3.0
1.5

4.5

5.1
0.5

5.6

4.6
0.4

5.0

1.8
1.5

3.3

–
2.6

2.6

–
–

–

Further disclosures relating to the credit quality of trade receivables are included in note 25.

20 Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term deposits

Net cash and cash equivalents per cash flow
Treasury deposits

2020 
£m

112.8
1.7

114.5
0.1

114.6

2019 
£m

126.5
0.7

127.2
0.6

127.8

Treasury deposits represent bank deposits with an original maturity of over three months and are held with a fixed rate of interest.

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 fixed short-term deposit rates. 

Further disclosures relating to credit quality of cash and cash equivalents and treasury deposits are included in note 25.

21 Trade and other payables 

Current
Trade payables
Amounts owed to related parties (note 30)
Social security, employee taxes and sales taxes
Accruals
Other payables

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

20.1
7.6
18.5
99.1
4.1

149.4

20.3
10.5
22.6
100.5
2.9

156.8

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.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements144

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

22 Loans and borrowings
As at 31 March 2020 the Group had access to £100.0 million under a revolving credit facility (2019: £100.0 million), of which none was 
drawn down (2019: none). 

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 three-year revolving credit facility was entered into in March 2018. During the 
second half of the year, the option to extend on the same terms was exercised. The facility expires on 1 March 2023. 

23 Financial liabilities

Current
Fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

0.4

0.1

24 Leases
a) Background
As at 31 March 2020, the Group was entered into lease contracts as a lessee for various properties, vehicles, and items of office 
equipment for use in its operations. The Group does not operate as a lessor. For details of accounting policies refer to note 2c, and note 
32 for the transitional impact of the change from IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 to IFRS 16.

b) Right-of-use assets
Set out below are the carrying amounts of the Group’s right-of-use assets and the movements during the period: 

As at 1 April 2019
Additions
Remeasurement1
Depreciation expense
Exchange adjustment
Disposal of subsidiary

As at 31 March 2020

Long 
leasehold 
buildings
£m

73.2
18.6
(0.3)
(15.4)
0.4
(0.1)

76.4

Office 
equipment 
£m

Motor 
vehicles
£m

0.2
0.2
–
(0.1)
–
–

0.3

2.7
2.4
(0.2)
(1.6)
–
(0.5)

2.8

Total
£m

76.1
21.2
(0.5)
(17.1)
0.4
(0.6)

79.5

1  Lease liabilities are remeasured when a change to future contractual cash flows is identified. Remeasurements were made in the year based upon changes in indexation  
and rates on variable lease payments, and changes in the lease term. The carrying value of the corresponding right-of-use asset is also remeasured to reflect this change  
in lease liabilities.

c) Lease liabilities
Set out below for the Group’s lease liabilities are the carrying amounts and movements during the period:

As at 1 April 2019
Additions
Remeasurement1
Accretion of interest
Payments
Exchange adjustment
Disposal of subsidiary

As at 31 March 2020

Current
Non-current

Long 
leasehold 
buildings
£m

Office 
equipment 
£m

Motor 
vehicles
£m

62.0
18.6
(0.3)
2.4
(16.2)
0.4
(0.1)

66.8

15.1
51.7

0.2
0.2
–
–
(0.1)
–
–

0.3

0.1
0.2

2.7
2.4
(0.2)
0.1
(1.7)
–
(0.5)

2.8

1.4
1.4

Total
£m

64.9
21.2
(0.5)
2.5
(18.0)
0.4
(0.6)

69.9

16.6
53.3

1  Lease liabilities are remeasured when a change to future contractual cash flows is identified. Remeasurements were made in the year based upon changes in indexation and 

rates on variable lease payments, and changes in the lease term.

The potential impact of lease covenants is considered to be immaterial.

A maturity analysis of lease liabilities is included within note 25c.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedd) Income statement impact
The following items have been recognised in the Consolidated income statement:

Depreciation expense on right-of-use assets
Interest on lease liabilities
Expense relating to short-term leases
Expense relating to leases of low-value assets

145

2020 
£m

17.1
2.5
5.4
–

25.0

Following the combination with SES in 2018, the Group entered into TSAs with Schneider Electric for central support services and 
office sharing. These were scheduled to end in February 2020, and were accounted for as short-term leases on transition to IFRS 16. 
A total expense in the year ended 31 March 2020 of £1.9 million was recognised within short-term leases.

These leases were reassessed in early 2020, and it was determined several of these TSAs would require extending into the year ending 
31 March 2021. It is expected that an additional £0.1 million will be incurred. The remaining short-term lease portfolio is expected to 
remain consistent year-on-year.

The Group had total cash outflows for leases of £23.4 million. 

25 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% decrease in the Sterling and US Dollar interest rates would not have had any impact on interest income (2019: no impact) or 
profit after tax (2019: no impact).

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 2020, the Group had outstanding currency 
exchange contracts to sell of $21.9 million (2019: $8.2 million) and €5.6 million (2019: €3.1 million).

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements146

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

25 Financial risk management continued
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.

Foreign currency sensitivity analysis
For the presentation of market risks, IFRS 7 requires sensitivity analysis that shows the effect 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 and Euro 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 
2018/19.

31 March 2020

US Dollar

Euro 

31 March 2019

US Dollar

Euro 

Increase/
(decrease) in 
average rate

Profit/(loss) 
£m

Equity  

£m

10%
(10%)

10%
(10%)

(5.8)
5.4

(0.7)
0.6

Increase/
(decrease) in 
average rate

Profit/(loss) 
£m

10%
(10%)

10%
(10%)

(2.2)
2.4

(2.4)
2.6

(5.8)
5.4

(0.7)
0.6

Equity  
£m

(2.2)
2.4

(2.4)
2.6

b) Credit risk
The Group’s principal financial assets are cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, and contract assets.

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. Expected credit loss 
allowances are made against trade receivables based on credit risk characteristics. 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.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued147

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 2020 the Group has access to undrawn borrowing 
facilities of £100.0 million (2019: £100.0 million). 

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 2020

Trade and other payables
Amounts owed to related parties
Lease liabilities

As at 31 March 2019

Trade and other payables
Amounts owed to related parties

Between 
three months 
and six 
months  

£m

1.1
0.9
4.9

6.9

Less than 
three months 
£m

20.2
5.7
5.1

31.0

Between six 
months and 
one year 
£m

Greater than 
one year 
£m

0.4
0.6
8.8

9.8

2.5
0.4
59.3

62.2

Between 
three months 
and six 
months 
£m

Less than 
three months 
£m

Between six 
months and 
one year 
£m

Greater than 
one year 
£m

19.0
5.6

24.6

0.4
3.0

3.4

1.2
1.6

2.8

2.6
0.3

2.9

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:

As at 31 March 2020

Forward foreign exchange contracts (GBP/EUR)
Outflow
Inflow

Forward foreign exchange contracts (GBP/USD)
Outflow
Inflow

As at 31 March 2019

Forward foreign exchange contracts (GBP/EUR)
Outflow
Inflow

Forward foreign exchange contracts (GBP/USD)
Outflow
Inflow

Between 
three months 
and six 
months  

‘m

Less than 
three months 
‘m

Between six 
months and 
one year 
‘m

Greater than 
one year 
‘m

€2.5
£2.2

$10.9
£8.4

€2.1
£1.9

$3.0
£2.3

€1.0
£0.9

$8.0
£6.6

–
–

–
–

Between 
three months 
and six 
months  
‘m

Less than 
three months 
‘m

Between six 
months and 
one year 
‘m

Greater than 
one year 
‘m

€1.6
£1.4

$3.2
£2.4

€1.0
£0.9

$4.0
£3.0

€0.5
£0.4

$1.0
£0.7

–
–

–
–

d) Fair values
The book values of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities consist of bank and cash balances of £114.5 million (2019: £127.2 million) 
and treasury deposits of £0.1 million (2019: £0.6 million). The carrying amounts of these financial assets and liabilities in the Group’s 
financial statements approximates their fair values.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements 
148

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

25 Financial risk management continued
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 

for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

 – Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not 

based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

At 31 March 2020, the Group had forward foreign exchange contracts which were measured at Level 2 fair value subsequent to 
initial recognition. The fair value of the liability in respect of foreign exchange contracts was £0.4 million at 31 March 2020 (2019: 
£0.1 million).

The resulting loss of £0.4 million (2019: loss of £0.5 million) 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.

26 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:

Retirement 
benefit
£m

Intangible 
assets  

£m

Share  
options  
£m

Other 
temporary 
differences1
£m

Losses  

£m

At 1 April 2018
Credit to income statement
Charge to other comprehensive income
Credited to equity
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2019
Acquired
Credit to income statement
Charge to other comprehensive income
Credited to equity
Exchange adjustment

0.6
(0.4)
(0.4)
–
–

(0.2)
–
(0.4)
(1.2)
–
–

(120.8)
15.9
–
–
(2.0)

(106.9)
(3.4)
9.8
–
–
(1.4)

At 31 March 2020

(1.8)

(101.9)

0.7
1.3
–
1.2
–

3.2
–
1.2
–
0.2
–

4.6

0.6
(0.6)
–
–
–

–
–
1.5
–
–
(0.2)

1.3

Total 
£m

(121.5)
22.2
(0.4)
1.2
(1.0)

(99.5)
(3.4)
5.6
(1.2)
0.2
(2.5)

(2.6)
6.0
–
–
1.0

4.4
–
(6.5)
–
–
(0.9)

(3.0)

(100.8)

1  Other temporary differences consist principally of deferred tax on fixed assets, expenses deductible in future 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

2020 
£m

(119.9)
19.1

2019 
£m

(111.3)
11.8

(100.8)

(99.5)

At the balance sheet date, the Group has unused tax losses of £45.4 million (2019: £28.3 million) available for offset against future 
profits. Losses of £1.9 million (2019: no losses) expire after ten years and losses of £9.4 million (2019: £9.5 million) expire after 20 
years. All other losses may be carried forward indefinitely.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued149

It is likely that the majority of the overseas earnings would qualify for the UK dividend exemption. However, £48.3 million (2019: £39.5 
million) 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. A deferred tax liability of £0.5 million (2019: £nil) has been provided 
for withholding tax that is expected to be incurred on the payment of intra-Group dividends. No liability has been recognised for the 
remaining overseas earnings 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.

27 Retirement benefits
The Group operates defined benefit pension schemes in the UK, Germany, Italy and Sweden. The Group also provides certain post-
retirement benefits to employees in Australia, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia and UAE. 

The movement on the retirement benefit surplus and obligations was as follows:

At 31 March 2018
Current service cost
Past service cost
Net interest on pension scheme liabilities
Return on pension scheme assets 
Actuarial remeasurements
Employer contributions
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2019
Additions 
Current service cost
Net interest on pension scheme liabilities
Return on pension scheme assets 
Actuarial remeasurements
Employer contributions
Disposal 
Exchange adjustment

At 31 March 2020

UK  
£m

Germany  
£m

(5.6)
–
0.8
2.0
(1.9)
(0.8)
(1.6)
–

(7.1)
–
–
1.9
(1.8)
(6.3)
(1.6)
–
–

(14.9)

2.9
0.1
–
–
–
–
(0.1)
–

2.9
–
0.3
–
–
(0.1)
(0.1)
–
0.1

3.1

Italy  
£m

1.8
0.3
–
–
–
0.7
(0.2)
–

2.6
0.3
0.2
–
–
(0.2)
(0.4)
(0.8)
0.1

1.8

South Korea  

£m

1.6
0.2
0.3
–
–
0.4
(0.1)
–

2.4
–
0.2
–
–
–
(0.1)
(2.4)
(0.1)

–

Other 
£m

4.5
1.1
–
0.2
–
0.2
(0.9)
0.1

5.2
–
1.0
0.2
(0.1)
0.4
(0.7)
–
(0.1)

5.9

Total 
£m

5.2
1.7
1.1
2.2
(1.9)
0.5
(2.9)
0.1

6.0
0.3
1.7
2.1
(1.9)
(6.2)
(2.9)
(3.2)
–

(4.1)

During the year to 31 March 2020, the defined benefit scheme operated in South Korea was converted to a defined contribution 
scheme. A gain on disposal of £0.4 million is recognised in other income. A retirement benefit scheme held in Italy was disposed of on 
sale of the Wonderware Italy subsidiary.

The 2018/19 past service cost recognised in the UK defined benefit scheme relates to the amendment of certain historical pension 
schemes to equalise benefits for men and women. This adjustment was made as a result of the judgement issued by the High Court of 
Justice of England and Wales on 26 October 2018 regarding the rights of female members of certain pension schemes to equality of 
treatment in relation to pension benefits. 

The following is the analysis of the retirement benefit balances:

Retirement benefit surplus
Retirement benefit obligations

2020 
£m

(14.9)
10.8

(4.1)

2019 
£m

(7.1)
13.1

6.0

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. The most recent completed triennial actuarial assessment of the Scheme was performed on 31 March 2020.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements150

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

27 Retirement benefit obligations continued
The principal assumptions used in determining the pension valuation were as follows:

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

2020 
%

2019 
%

2.2
2.9
4.9
2.8
2.2
20% of pension

2.5
3.6
5.6
3.3
2.6
20% of pension

The duration of the scheme liabilities is estimated to be 16 years.

For the years ended 31 March 2020 and 2019, the mortality assumptions adopted imply the following weighted average life 
expectancies at age 65:

Male currently aged 65
Female currently aged 65
Male currently aged 45
Female currently aged 45

2020 
Years

22.6
23.7
23.6
24.9

2019 
Years

22.5
23.5
23.5
24.7

Company contributions were £1.6 million (2019: £1.6 million), comprising deficit contributions totalling £1.4 million (2019: £1.4 million) 
per annum plus an administration charge of £0.2 million (2019: £0.2 million). The total contributions in 2020/21 is expected to be 
approximately £0.2 million.

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:

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 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

Equities
Bonds
Other

Total fair value of assets
Present value of scheme liabilities

Net pension asset 

Impact on liabilities  
increase/(decrease)

2020 
£m

(2.9)
2.0
3.0

2020 
£m

18.5
28.2
43.3

90.0
(75.1)

14.9

2019 
£m

(3.2)
2.3
3.2

2019 
£m

31.0
28.7
25.1

84.8
(77.7)

7.1

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued151

The amounts recognised in the Consolidated income statement and Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year are 
analysed as follows:

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

–

0.8

(1.9)

(1.9)

1.9

2.0

5.4
(1.9)

3.5
2.7

6.2

3.7
(1.9)

1.8
(1.0)

0.8

2019 
£m

77.8
2.0
(3.9)
0.1
2.2
(1.3)
0.8

77.7

2019 
£m

83.4
1.9
1.6
(3.9)
1.8

84.8

Selling and administrative expenses
Past service cost 

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

Changes in assumptions and experience adjustments on liabilities

Remeasurement gain on defined benefit plan

Analysis of movements in the present value of the defined benefit pension obligations during the year are analysed as follows:

At 1 April 
Interest on pension scheme liabilities
Benefits paid
Actuarial loss due to experience
Actuarial loss due to changes in the economic assumptions 
Actuarial gain due to changes in the demographic assumptions
Past service cost

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
Interest income
Contributions by employer
Benefits paid
Actual return less interest in income

At 31 March

2020 
£m

77.7
1.9
(1.8)
(1.7)
(1.2)
0.2
–

75.1

2020 
£m

84.8
1.9
1.6
(1.8)
3.5

90.0

b) German defined benefit schemes
The Group operates five schemes in Germany that are accounted for under IAS 19. All are unfunded, with benefits paid as they 
become due.

Scheme type

Schemes

Payable on

Status

Defined benefit
Anniversary payments

4
1

Throughout retirement
Achievement of service milestones

Closed to new applicants
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
Retirement age

2020

2019

1.8–2.5%
0.2–1.8%
13–20 years
60–63

1.8–2.5%
1.3%
13–20 years
60–63

The Group is also responsible for the pension obligations of six former Bocad employees. This liability is covered by an external 
insurance provider, with the Group being liable only if the external insurance provider defaults.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements152

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

27 Retirement benefit obligations continued
c) Italy defined benefit scheme
Several employees have an accrued entitlement to a defined benefit termination indemnity payment (‘TFR’). The plan is unfunded.

Details of the actuarial assumptions used to value this scheme in accordance with IAS 19 are set out below:

Discount rate
Inflation rate
Rate of salary increases

2020

1.6%
0.8%
1.3%

2019

1.2%
1.3%
1.8%

Some employees have chosen to have some (or all) of their benefit externally funded through the Italian Social Security (‘INPS’). Where 
this is the case, these benefits are accounted for on a defined contribution basis.

d) Other retirement and employee benefit schemes
The Group operates additional retirement and employee benefit schemes in several of its overseas businesses, none of which are 
considered to be individually material:

Location

Scheme type

Funding status

Payable on

Australia
India
India
Japan
Saudi Arabia
Sweden
United Arab Emirates

Long service leave payments
Leave encashment plan1
Lump sum payment
Lump sum payment
Lump sum payment
ITP scheme2
Lump sum payment

Unfunded
Unfunded
Funded
Unfunded
Unfunded
Funded
Unfunded

Qualifying dates during employment
Retirement
Severance of employment
Retirement or earlier exit
Retirement or termination
Throughout retirement
Retirement or termination

1  Unused annual leave can be used to purchase an additional retirement benefit.
2  Multi-employer, industry defined benefit scheme providing benefits above the state pension. Accounted for as a defined contribution scheme.

e) Defined contribution schemes
The Group also operates defined contribution retirement schemes. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the 
Group. The total cost charged to the income statement of £18.2 million (2019: £15.6 million) represents contributions payable to these 
schemes by the Group at the rates specified in the rules of the plans.

28 Share-based payment plans
The Group has three active equity-settled share schemes: the AVEVA Group plc Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’); the AVEVA Group 
Management Bonus Deferred Share Scheme; and the AVEVA Group plc Senior Employee Restricted Share Plan 2015.

The following table illustrates the number, and movements in, share options for the schemes during the year:

Outstanding at 1 April 2018
Exercisable at 1 April 2018

Granted during year
Forfeited during the year
Exercised during the year

Outstanding at 31 March 2019
Exercisable at 31 March 2019

Granted during year
Forfeited during the year
Exercised during the year

Outstanding at 31 March 2020

Exercisable at 31 March 2020

LTIP

950,144
4,069

358,111
(299,258)
(1,145)

1,007,852
2,924

301,748
(29,100)
(157,414)

Restricted  
share plan

Deferred  

share scheme

302,532
1,248

122,156
(32,390)
(79,237)

313,061
6,212

166,059
(6,225)
(67,108)

19,171
–

44,620
–
(7,262)

56,529
–

85,358
–
(21,162)

Total

1,271,847
5,317

524,887
(331,648)
(87,644)

1,377,442
9,136

553,165
(35,325)
(245,684)

1,123,086

405,787

120,725

1,649,598

250,355

3,870

257

254,482

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued153

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. The following table lists the 
inputs to the model used for each of the awards:

Year ended 31 March 2020

Weighted average exercise price 
Expected volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected life of option
Weighted average share price
Valuation type 

Year ended 31 March 2019

Weighted average exercise price 
Expected volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected life of option
Weighted average share price
Valuation type 

LTIP

Restricted  
share plan

Deferred  

share scheme

0.00 – 3.56p
27%
0.4%
3 to 5 years
37.94
Black-Scholes and Monte Carlo

0.00 – 3.56p
27%
0.4%
3 years
39.94
Black-Scholes

–
32%
0.6%
2 to 4 years
32.20
Black-Scholes

LTIP

Restricted  
share plan

Deferred  

share scheme

0.00 – 3.56p
32%
0.8% to 0.9%
3 to 5 years
27.58
Black-Scholes and Monte Carlo

0.00 – 3.56p
32%
0.8% to 0.9%
3 years
26.51
Black-Scholes

–
32%
0.8%
3 years
25.71
Black-Scholes

The weighted average remaining contractual life for the options outstanding at 31 March 2020 is 6.7 years (2019: 7.3 years).

The average fair value of options granted during the year was £37.61 (2019: £25.31). 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 2020 the Group recognised an expense of £12.0 million related to equity-settled share-based payment 
transactions (2019: £11.2 million).

Details of the share option plans are as follows:

a) Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
The performance conditions attached to the options awarded in 2019/20, 2018/19 and 2017/18 are based on EPS growth (50%), Total 
Shareholder Return (TSR) (25%) against a comparator group combining the FTSE 350 Technology Sector and the S&P Mid Cap 400 
Software companies, and strategic objectives (25%), with the precise measures to be set and measured by the Remuneration Committee. 

Further information about the performance conditions are provided in the Remuneration Committee report on page 102.

b) Deferred annual bonus share plan
The AVEVA Group Management Bonus Deferred Share Scheme 2008 (the Deferred Share Scheme) is participated in by Directors 
and senior management. 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.

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 their 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
The AVEVA Group plc Senior Employee Restricted Share Plan 2015 (the Restricted Share Plan) allows awards of options to be made to 
senior management employees. 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.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements154

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

29 Share capital and reserves
a) Share capital

Allotted, called-up and fully paid
161,512,219 (2019: 161,287,697) 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
Exercise of share options

At 31 March

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

5.7

5.7

2020  

Number

161,287,697
224,522

161,512,219

2020  
£m

5.7
–

5.7

2019  

Number

161,207,315
80,382

161,287,697

2019  
£m

5.7
–

5.7

During the year the Company issued 224,522 (2019: 80,382) ordinary shares of 3.56 pence each with a nominal value of £7,968 (2019: 
£2,858) pursuant to the exercise of share options. The total proceeds were £7,968 (2019: £2,858), which included a premium of £nil 
(2019: £nil).

b) Other reserves
Other reserves consist of the following:

Merger reserve
This represents the difference between the equity consideration and the nominal value of shares issued in connection with the 
acquisition of SES in 2018, less amounts used to pay up the B shares. The return of value to shareholders was effected through the 
issue and redemption of B shares which were paid up out of 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 contribution reserve
Capital contributions represent the reimbursement by Schneider Electric Group of capital expenditure incurred in relation to the carve 
out of SES following the Combination. 

Capital redemption reserve
This represents the return of value to shareholders from AVEVA Group plc insofar as made out of distributable reserves. 

Reverse acquisition reserve 
On 1 March 2018, AVEVA Group plc acquired SES as part of a reverse acquisition. AVEVA Group plc was the legal acquirer, as it 
exercised control over the enlarged Group. For accounting purposes SES was treated as the acquirer, as the former shareholders of 
SES (Schneider Electric) obtained the majority of shares in the enlarged AVEVA Group. The reverse acquisition reserve represents the 
difference between the consideration and the AVEVA capital equity interests on this acquisition. 

Treasury shares
Treasury share 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, and options 
granted after 1 April 2018 under the Group’s Long-Term Incentive Plan and Restricted Share Plan. During the year, 85,127 
(2019: 342,774) shares were purchased by the EBT at a price of £36.13 (2019: £27.07) and 21,162 shares (2019: 7,262) with an 
attributable cost of £468,499 (2019: £150,028) were issued to employees in satisfying share options that were exercised.

At 1 April 2018
Own shares purchased 
Shares issued to employees

At 31 March 2019
Own shares purchased
Shares issued to employees

At 31 March 2020

£m

0.3
9.3
(0.2)

9.4
3.1
(0.4)

12.1

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued155

30 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
Completion accounts adjustment
Other non-trading transactions 

2020 
£m

69.1
(11.2)
–
13.4

2019 
£m

80.1
(19.7)
(19.4)
4.3

Other non-trading transactions related to amounts received from Schneider Electric in reimbursement for expenditure incurred as part 
of the Company’s migration from activities covered by TSAs following the Combination. Of these transactions, £9.6 million 
(2019: £4.3 million) related to operating expenses incurred, and £3.8 million (2019: £nil) to capital expenditure.

During the year ended 31 March 2019, the Group paid £17.4 million to Schneider Electric SE, the parent company of the Schneider 
Electric Group. All other transactions were with subsidiary companies within the Schneider Electric Group. 

As at 31 March, Group companies held the following balances with Schneider Electric group companies:

Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Non-trading receivables

2020 
£m

23.6
(7.6)
4.8

2019 
£m

34.1
(10.5)
1.4

All balances held were with subsidiary companies within the Schneider Electric Group. 

Terms and conditions of transactions with related parties
Outstanding balances at 31 March 2020 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 2020, the Group has not recorded any impairment 
of receivables relating to amounts owed by related parties (2019: £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’. Key management personnel are considered to be the Board and the ELT of AVEVA Group plc. In 
addition to their salaries, the Group also provides non-cash benefits and contributes to defined contribution pension schemes on their 
behalf. Key management personnel 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 80 to 108.

Short-term employee benefits
Share-based payments

31 Commitments and contingencies

Guarantees

2020 
£m

7.9
6.0

13.9

2020 
£m

8.0

2019 
£m

7.2
8.2

15.4

2019 
£m

5.0

The Group provides a number of guarantees for obligations to complete and deliver projects. These include bid, performance and 
warranty bonds, and guarantees against advance payments, all of which arise in the ordinary course of business. The amounts 
disclosed above represent the Group’s contractual exposure at the balance sheet date.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements156

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

32 Changes in accounting policies
a) Background
The Group adopted IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ using the modified retrospective method of adoption with the date of initial application of 1 April 
2019. IFRS 16 replaces IAS 17 ‘Leases’ and related interpretations.

The Group has lease contracts for various items of property, computer equipment and motor vehicles. Before the adoption of IFRS 16, 
the Group classified each of its leases (as lessee) at the inception date as either a finance lease or an operating lease. At the date of 
transition, no finance leases were held, and all leases were classified as operating. Leased property was not capitalised and the lease 
payments were recognised as rent expense in the statement of profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Any prepaid 
rent and accrued rent were recognised under prepayments and accruals, respectively.

b) Transition
Upon adoption of IFRS 16, the Group applied a single recognition and measurement approach for all leases that it is the lessee, 
except for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets. Right-of-use assets were recognised based on the amount equal to the 
lease liabilities, adjusted for any related prepaid, accrued lease payments and onerous lease provision previously recognised. Lease 
liabilities were recognised based on the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the incremental borrowing 
rate at the date of initial application. The weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied to the lease liabilities was 3.6%. 

In accordance with the modified retrospective method of adoption, the Group has restated the opening balances as at 1 April 2019. 
Comparative financial information has not been restated.

c) Practical expedients and exemptions
The Group has elected to use the following practical expedients and recognition exemptions available under IFRS 16:
 – the recognition exemption for lease contracts that, at their commencement date, have a lease term of 12 months or less and do not 

contain a purchase option (short-term leases); 

 – accounting for leases ending within 12 months of the date of transition as short-term leases;
 – the recognition exemption for lease contracts for which the underlying asset is of low value (low-value assets);
 – reliance on the previous assessment of a lease, when applying IAS 17 and IFRIC 14, for all contracts that existed on the date of 

initial application;

 – to use hindsight in determining the lease term where contracts contained options to extend or terminate the lease;
 – exclusion of initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use asset recognised on initial adoption of the standard;
 – adjustment of the right-of-use asset on transition by the amount of any previously recognised onerous lease provision, as an 

alternative to performing an impairment review;

 – where appropriate, and by class of underlying asset, arrangements containing both lease and non-lease components being 

accounted for as though they comprise a single lease component; and

 – application of a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with reasonably similar characteristics. This principally applies to  

motor vehicles.

d) Financial impact
Impact on the Consolidated balance sheet (increase/(decrease)) as at 1 April 2019:

Other intangible assets
Right-of-use assets 

Non-current assets 

Lease liabilities 
Provisions

Current liabilities 

Lease liabilities 
Provisions

Non-current liabilities

31 March 2019 
£m

IFRS 16 
£m

1 April 2019 
£m

599.5
–

(14.3)
76.1

585.2
76.1

1,923.0

61.8

1,984.8

–
1.9

346.2

–
2.6

130.1

15.0
(0.5)

14.5

49.9
(2.6)

47.3

15.0
1.4

360.7

49.9
–

177.4

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedThe impact of the transition on the Consolidated income statement (increase/(decrease)) is:

Selling and administrative expenses

Total operating expenses

Profit from operations
Finance expense

Profit before tax from continuing operations
Income tax (expense)/credit

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent

Adjusted earnings
Profit from operations
Amortisation of intangibles (excluding other software)
Exceptional items

Adjusted EBIT 

Earnings per share (pence)
Earnings per share for the year

 – basic
 – diluted

Adjusted earnings per share for the year

 – basic
 – diluted

Impact on Consolidated statement of cash flows (increase/(decrease)):

Cash flows from operating activities:
Profit for the year 
Income tax expense 
Net finance expense 
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets 
Changes in working capital: 
Trade and other payables

Cash generated from operating activities before tax

Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash flows from financing activities:
Interest paid
Payment on principal element of lease liability

Net cash used in financing activities

Closing cash and cash equivalents

157

2020
Per IAS 17
£m

(368.7)

(549.0)

94.1
(0.8)

93.6
(22.6)

71.0

94.1
91.0
19.1

216.6

IFRS 16 
£m

2020
As reported 
£m

0.9

0.9

0.9
(2.5)

(1.6)
0.4

(1.2)

0.9
(0.4)
(0.3)

0.2

(367.8)

(548.1)

95.0
(3.3)

92.0
(22.2)

69.8

95.0
90.6
18.8

216.8

44.09
43.87

109.86
109.31

(0.74)
(0.74)

(1.16)
(1.16)

43.35
43.13

108.70
108.15

2020
Per IAS 17
£m

IFRS 16 
£m

2020
As reported 
£m

71.0
22.6
0.5
92.1
7.3

(6.2)

143.4

104.1

(0.8)
–

(75.6)

114.5

(1.2)
(0.4)
2.5
(0.4)
17.1

0.4

18.0

18.0

(2.5)
(15.5)

(18.0)

69.8
22.2
3.0
91.7
24.4

(5.8)

161.4

122.1

(3.3)
(15.5)

(93.6)

–

114.5

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements158

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

32 Changes in accounting policies continued
The lease liabilities as at 1 April 2019 can be reconciled to the operating lease commitments as of 31 March 2019 as follows: 

Operating lease commitments as at 31 March 2019 
Less: 
Impact of discounting1

Discounted operating lease commitments as at 31 March 2019

Commitments relating to short-term leases2
Commitments relating to leases of low-value assets2
Add:
Service charges3
Payments in optional extension periods not recognised as at 31 March 20194

Lease liabilities as at 1 April 2019

£m

46.3

(5.9)

40.4

(3.3)
(0.1)

5.7
22.2

64.9

1  Previously disclosed lease commitments were undiscounted, whilst IFRS 16 obligations are discounted based on the incremental borrowing rate at the transition date.
2  Under IAS 17 lease commitments included short-term leases and leases where the value of the underlying asset was low. The Group has taken the recognition exemptions 

available relating to these leases under IFRS 16, and has consequently not recognised a lease liability.

3  As the Group has elected to use the practical expedient to view certain arrangements containing both lease and non-lease components as a single lease component, service 

charges are included within the assessment of lease liability under IFRS 16. Under IAS 17, only rental expense was included within operating lease commitments.
4  Under IAS 17 lease commitments included non-cancellable periods in the lease agreement only. Under IFRS 16 the lease term includes periods covered by an option to 

extend the lease where the Group is reasonably certain that such options will be exercised. 

e) IFRIC interpretation 23 ’Uncertainty over income tax treatment’
The Interpretation addresses the accounting for income taxes when tax treatments involve uncertainty that affects the application 
of IAS 12 Income Taxes. It does not apply to taxes or levies outside the scope of IAS 12, nor does it specifically include requirements 
relating to interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax treatments. The Interpretation specifically addresses the following:
 – whether an entity considers uncertain tax treatments separately;
 – the assumptions an entity makes about the examination of tax treatments by taxation authorities;
 – how an entity determines taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits and tax rates; and
 – how an entity considers changes in facts and circumstances.

The Group determines whether to consider each uncertain tax treatment separately or together with one or more other uncertain tax 
treatments and uses the approach that better predicts the resolution of the uncertainty.

The adoption of this interpretation did not have a material impact on the Consolidated financial statements. 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedCompany Balance Sheet

31 March 2020

Non-current assets
Investments
Deferred tax assets

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
Current tax liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Profit for the year

159

Notes

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

5

6

8

7

1,334.1
1.7

1,325.0
1.3

1,335.8

1,326.3

130.1
–

130.1

121.0
0.2

121.2

1,465.9

1,447.5

5.7
574.5
101.7
619.6
157.4

5.7
574.5
101.7
619.6
127.9

1,458.9

1,429.4

5.3
1.7

7.0

17.0
1.1

18.1

1,465.9

1,447.5

89.0

108.8

No income statement is presented by the Company as permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. The accompanying notes 
are an integral part of this Company balance sheet. 

The financial statements on pages 159 to 163 were approved by the Board of Directors on 9 June 2020 and signed on its behalf by:

Craig Hayman
Chief Executive Officer

James Kidd
Deputy CEO and CFO

Company number
2937296

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements160

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Company Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

31 March 2020

At 1 April 2018
Profit for the year
Share-based payments
Share options granted to employees of subsidiary companies
Tax arising on share options
Dividends paid

At 31 March 2019
Profit for the year
Share-based payments
Share options granted to employees of subsidiary companies
Tax arising on share options
Dividends paid

At 31 March 2020

Share 
capital 
£m

Share 
premium 
£m

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£m

Merger 
reserve 
£m

Profit and 
loss account 
£m

Total 
shareholders’ 
funds 
£m

5.7
–
–
–
–
–

5.7
–
–
–
–
–

5.7

574.5
–
–
–
–
–

574.5
–
–
–
–
–

101.7
–
–
–
–
–

101.7
–
–
–
–
–

619.6
–
–
–
–
–

619.6
–
–
–
–
–

73.3
108.8
6.6
4.7
0.5
(66.0)

127.9
89.0
6.7
5.3
0.2
(71.7)

1,374.8
108.8
6.6
4.7
0.5
(66.0)

1,429.4
89.0
6.7
5.3
0.2
(71.7)

574.5

101.7

619.6

157.4

1,458.9

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Company statement of changes in shareholders’ equity.

161

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 2020 were authorised for issue by the 
Board of Directors on 9 June 2020 and the balance sheet was signed on the Board’s behalf by Craig Hayman, the CEO, and James 
Kidd, the Deputy CEO & CFO. 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 
2020. The financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling (£), rounded to the nearest £0.1 million except when otherwise indicated. 

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 164 to 168.

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; and
 – 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) Significant accounting estimates
Impairment of investments in subsidiaries
The carrying values of investments in subsidiaries 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 investments in subsidiaries are written down to their recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the greater of net 
selling price and VIU. In assessing VIU, 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. Impairment losses are 
recognised in the income statement. Further details about the assumptions used and sensitivity analysis performed in the impairment 
review are set out in note 5.

c) 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.

d) 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.

e) Investments in subsidiaries
Fixed asset investments in subsidiaries are shown at cost less provision for impairment.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements162

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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 2020 of £89.0 million (2019: £108.8 million).

Audit fees of £7,000 (2019: £7,000) are borne by another Group company.

The Company had an average of two employees during the year (2019: two). 

Directors’ remuneration is disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 80 to 108. The Company bears the remuneration 
expense for Executive and Non-Executive Directors.

4 Dividends

Declared and paid during the year
Interim 2019/20 dividend paid of 15.5 pence (2018/19: 14.0 pence) per ordinary share
Final 2018/19 dividend paid of 29.0 pence (2017/18: 27.0 pence) per ordinary share

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

25.0
46.7

71.7

22.5
43.5

66.0

Proposed for approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting

Final 2019/20 proposed dividend of 29.0 pence (2018/19: 29.0 pence) per ordinary share

46.8

46.8

The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 21 July 2020 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 
11 August 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 10 July 2020.

5 Investments

Cost and net book value
At 1 April 2019
Additions

At 31 March 2020

£m

1,325.0
9.1

1,334.1

The Company has identified the economic impact of Covid-19 as an event indicating that the carrying value of investments in 
subsidiaries may be impaired. Impairment testing was carried out on a VIU basis using the most recently approved management 
budgets for the year ending 31 March 2021, together with the most recent three-year business plan extrapolated to a duration of 
five years in total by applying medium-term growth rates to year three forecasts. Projected cash flows beyond five years have been 
assumed at the long-term growth rate for the region in which the subsidiary is based, and these have been used to formulate a 
terminal value for the discounted cash flow calculation in perpetuity. No impairment was identified in any investment.

This VIU model was sensitised, to create a ‘worst case’ view of the potential impact of Covid-19, resulting in significantly reduced 
revenue and cash flows. The considerations in creating this sensitised model included:
 – severe business disruptions as a result of stay-at-home orders being in place almost globally for 12–18 months;
 – oil prices remaining depressed in the next financial year; and
 – the global economy suffering a major recession.

Under the sensitised model, the recoverable amount was still sufficiently greater than the carrying value of the investments such that 
no impairment was identified.

Details of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings are set out in note 18 in the Consolidated financial statements of the Group.

163

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

130.1

121.0

2020 
£m

0.4
3.0
1.9

5.3

2020 
£m

2019 
£m

3.0
0.2
13.8

17.0

2019 
£m

5.7

5.7

2020 
Number

161,287,697
224,522

161,512,219

2020 
£m

5.7
–

5.7

2019 
Number

161,207,315
80,382

161,287,697

2019 
£m

5.7
–

5.7

6 Trade and other receivables

Amounts owed by Group undertakings

7 Trade and other payables

Social security, employee taxes and sales taxes
Accruals
Amounts owed to Group undertakings

8 Share capital

Allotted, called-up and fully paid
161,512,219 (2019: 161,287,697) 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
Exercise of share options

At 31 March

During the year the Company issued 224,522 (2019: 80,382) ordinary shares of 3.56 pence each with a nominal value of £7,968 (2019: 
£2,858) pursuant to the exercise of share options. The total proceeds were £7,968 (2019: £2,858), which included a premium of £nil 
(2019: £nil).

Details of share options awarded to Executive Directors during the year are contained in the Directors’ Remuneration Report. Note 28 
of the Consolidated financial statements for the Group includes details of share option awards made during the year.

9 Related party transactions
During the year ended 31 March 2019, the Company made a payment of £17.4 million to Schneider Electric, a related party, in relation 
to the finalised completion accounts following the acquisition of SES. 

There are no related party balances held at 31 March 2020 (2019: £nil). 

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements 
164

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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 
2020. 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 159 to 163.

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.

Business combinations
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. 

The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the consideration transferred, which is measured at acquisition date fair 
value. 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 is measured at fair value with the changes in fair value recognised in the statement of 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.

Adoption of new and revised standards
The Group has applied IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ for the first time for the annual reporting period commencing 1 April 2019. For further detail 
regarding the adoption of these accounting standards, please refer to note 32. No other standards or interpretations came into force 
during the year which had a significant impact on the Group’s financial statements.

New standards and interpretations not yet effective
Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for the current reporting period, 
and have not been early adopted by the Group. These standards are not expected to have a material impact on the entity in the 
current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions. 

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 on a monthly basis, using an average periodic rate for each month. Exchange differences arising on the 
retranslation are taken directly to the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income. 

165

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. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business 
combination is allocated to each of the Group’s CGUs that are expected to benefit from the combination, irrespective of whether other 
assets or liabilities of the acquiree are assigned to those units.

Where goodwill forms part of a CGU 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 CGU retained.

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 brands1
Trademarks 
Other software
Purchased software rights
Favourable leases
Capitalised Research & Development 

1  Brands held are considered to have indefinite lives, therefore no amortisation is charged. 

Research expenditure
Research expenditure is written off in the year of expenditure.

Years

3–12
5–20
n/a
5–15
3–7
3–10
Length of lease
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

3–5
6–8
4

Leasehold buildings and improvements are amortised on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease, or useful economic life,  
if shorter. 

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements166

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Statement of Group Accounting Policies continued

Impairment of assets
Goodwill arising on acquisition is allocated to CGUs 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 
CGUs. The recoverable amount of the CGU 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 CGUs are written 
down to their recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the greater of net selling price and VIU. In assessing VIU, 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 CGU 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.

Contract assets and liabilities
A contract asset is recognised when revenue recognised in respect of a customer contract exceeds amounts received or receivable 
from the customer. This situation arises when the software licence performance obligation, from a multi-year rental contract, has 
been delivered to a customer and the revenue recognised at a point in time and invoicing is conditional on further performance. Also, 
from the recognition of revenue from service projects on a percentage of completion basis that is greater than amounts invoiced to the 
customer and invoicing is conditional on further performance. The carrying amount is reduced by allowances for expected credit losses 
under IFRS 9. When the invoices are raised the contract asset values are reclassified to trade receivables.

Contract liabilities comprise the Group’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the Group has received 
payment from the customer in advance of revenue recognition. This situation arises when the customer is invoiced in advance of the 
transfer and recognition of maintenance and subscriptions. Also, when the revenue recognised from services projects on a percentage 
of completion basis is lower than the amounts invoiced to the customer.

Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables, which generally have 30 to 90 day terms, are typically held within a business model with the objective to hold in 
order to collect contractual cash flows. As such, trade receivables are recorded initially at fair value, and at amortised cost thereafter. 
This results in their recognition and subsequent measurement 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. 

Trade receivables and contract assets are written off where there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. Indicators that there is no 
reasonable expectation of recovery include, amongst others:
 – the debtor entering bankruptcy or administration; and 
 – the outcome of legal proceedings. 

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 – IAS 17
Comparative balances are presented as historically disclosed under IAS 17.

Under IAS 17, 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.

167

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.

The UK Research & Development Credit (RDEC) is recognised in the income statement and netted off 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. 

Revenue, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of sales taxes except:
 – where the sales tax incurred on a purchase of goods and services is not recoverable from the taxation authority, in which case the 

sales tax is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense item as applicable; and

 – 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 the Consolidated income statement as they become payable.

Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements168

AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Statement of Group Accounting Policies continued

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 28 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

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. 

169

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.

Head office
AVEVA Group plc
High Cross 
Madingley Road
Cambridge
CB3 0HB
UK

EMEA
AVEVA Denmark A/S
Sofiendalsvej 5A
9200 Aalborg SV
Denmark

AVEVA SA
Schneider Electric Software France SAS
5 Square Felix Nadar 
Bat C, 94300 Vincennes
France

AVEVA GmbH
Otto-Volger-Street 7c
65843 Sulzbach (Taunus)
Germany

Schneider Electric Software Italia S.p.A
Viale Milano no. 177 
Gallarate
Milan
Italy

Asset+ Holding BV
Asset+ RDS BV
Asset+ Solutions BV
Asset+ Solutions IP BV
Papendorpseweg 100
3528BJ
Utrecht
Netherlands

AVEVA (The Netherlands) BV
Schneider Electric Software Holdings Netherlands BV
Schneider Electric Software Netherlands BV
Baarnsche dijk 10 B
3741LS 
Baarn 
Netherlands

AVEVA AS
Golf Tower
Kanalsletta 2
N-4033 Stavanger
Norway

AVEVA Limited Liability Company
3rd Floor, Office 9, Lit 4
Pavlovskaya Street 7
115093
Moscow
Russia

Schneider Electric Software RU
Moika Embankment 58 
lit. A, of. 504 190 000 
St. Petersburg 
Russia

Schneider Electric Software Spain S.L.
Avda Manoteras, Num 44
Puerta 1
28050
Madrid
Spain

AVEVA AB
PO Box 50555, Drottninggatan 18
SE-202 15
Malmo
Sweden

AVEVA Yazilim VE Hizmetleri A.S.
Kurtköy Aeropark, Yenişehir Mahallesi, Osmanlı Bulvarı
No:11 Kat 5 A/28
Pendik
İstanbul
34912
Turkey

Schneider Electric Software Middle East FZE
Plot. No. S10809
P.O. Box 61495
Jebel Ali
Dubai
UAE

8over8 Limited (in liquidation)
Northern Ireland Science Park 
Fort George, Bay Road
Derry
BT48 7TG
UK

AVEVA Consulting Limited
AVEVA Engineering IT Limited
AVEVA Finance Limited
AVEVA Financing Limited
AVEVA Limited
AVEVA Managed Services Limited
AVEVA Solutions Limited
CadCentre Engineering IT Limited
CadCentre Limited
CadCentre Pension Trustees Limited
CadCentre Property Limited
Fabtrol Systems, UK Limited (in liquidation)
LFM Software Limited
Tribon Solutions (UK) Limited
High Cross 
Madingley Road
Cambridge
CB3 0HB
UK

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AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Full List of Addresses and Subsidiaries continued

Schneider Electric Software GB Limited
101 Science Park
Milton Road
Cambridge
CB4 0FY
UK

Americas
Schneider Electric Software Argentina S.A.
Suipacha 1111, Floor 11
Buenos Aires
C1008AAW
Argentina

AVEVA do Brasil Informática Ltda.
Edificio Internacional Rio
Praia do Flamengo 154
Rio de Janeiro
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.
Schneider Electric Software Chile S.p.A.
Avda. Andres Bello
No 2711 Of. 1701
Las Condes
Santiago
Chile

AVEVA Colombia S.A.S
Schneider Electric Software Colombia S.A.S.
Cento Empresarial Colpatria 
Torre 3, Piso 6
Calle 127A 53A-45
Bogota 
Colombia 

AVEVA Software and Services S.A de C.V.
AVEVA de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.
AV. Insurgentes Sur No. 863, Piso 7
Col. Napoles, Deleg Benito Juarez
D.F. CP 06600
Mexico

Schneider Electric Software Mexico SA de C.V.
111 Presidente Masarik
Polanco
Miguel Hidalgo
11560 Ciudad de México
Mexico 

AVEVA Inc.
10350 Richmond Avenue, Suite 400
Houston
77042
USA

AVEVA Software, LLC
Wonderware de Mexico, Inc.
Wonderware of Venezuela, Inc.
251 Little Falls Drive
Wilmington
DE 19808
USA

Asia Pacific
8over8 Pty Ltd
L25, 108 St Georges Terrace
Perth
WA 6000
Australia

AVEVA Pty Ltd
The Forrest Centre
Suite 5, Level 29
221 St Georges Terrace
Perth
WA 6000
Australia

AVEVA Software Australia Holdings Pty Ltd
Schneider Electric Software Australia Pty Ltd
78 Waterloo Road
Macquarie Park 
New South Wales 2113
Australia

AVEVA (Shanghai) Consultancy Co. Limited
AVEVA Solutions (Shanghai) Co. Limited
37F, 88 Yincheng Rd
Pudong
Shanghai 
China

Telvent Control Systems (China) Co. Limited
Middle Zone, 2/F, No.1 Building
No. 2, 2nd Liangshuihe River Street 
Beijing Economic & Technological Development Area
100176 Beijing
China

AVEVA East Asia Limited
Room 1501
Grand Millennium Plaza (lower block)
181 Queens Road
Central Hong Kong
Hong Kong

AVEVA Information Technology India Private Limited
Unit No 202, Wing A, 2nd Floor
Supreme Business Park, Supreme City, Powai
Mumbai – 400 076
India

171

AVEVA Asia Pacific Sendirian Berhad
AVEVA Sendirian Berhad
Level 7, Menara Milenium 
Jalan Damanlela, Pusat Bandar
Damansara Heights
50490, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

AVEVA Korea Limited
Schneider Electric Software Korea Limited
25 F, West Tower 
Mirae Asset Center 1 Building
26 Eulji-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu
Seoul
Republic of Korea

AVEVA Pte. Ltd
Schneider Electric Software Holdings Singapore Pte. Ltd
15 Changi Business Park 
Central 1 
#03-01/05 
Singapore 486057 
Singapore

Schneider Electric Software (Thailand) Co., Ltd
No. 46 Rungrojthanakul Building
1st, 10th – 11th Floors
Ratchadapisek Road 
Huaykwang Subdistrict 
Huaykwang District 
Bangkok
Thailand

AVEVA Software India Private Limited
Plot Nos. 488 and 489 1st Floor Sai Ganesh Towers
Y.S.R. Hills,Sro Swamy Ayyappa Society
Madhapur
Hyderabad
Telangana – 500081
India

AVEVA Solutions India LLP
Tower 2.1, 2nd/4th Floor, WaveRock
Sy.no 115 APIIC IT/ITE SEZ
Nanakramguda
Gachibowli
Hyderabad – 50008
India

Schneider Electric Software 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

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AVEVA Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Company Information and Advisers

Chairman
Chief Executive
Deputy CEO and CFO
Senior Independent Non-Executive Director
Independent Non-Executive Director
Independent Non-Executive Director
Independent Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director 
Non-Executive Director (appointed 30 April 2020) 
Non-Executive Director (resigned 30 April 2020)

Directors
Philip Aiken 
Craig Hayman 
James Kidd 
Christopher Humphrey 
Jennifer Allerton 
Ron Mobed 
Paula Dowdy 
Peter Herweck 
Olivier Blum  
Emmanuel Babeau  

Company secretary
David Ward 

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
London Fruit & Wool Exchange
1 Duval Square
London, E1 6PW 

Mills & Reeve LLP
Botanic House 
100 Hills Road 
Cambridge, CB2 1PH

Stockbrokers 
Numis Securities Limited
The London Stock Exchange Building
10 Paternoster Square 
London, EC4M 7LT

J.P. Morgan Cazenove
25 Bank Street 
Canary Wharf
London, E14 5JP

Registrars
Link Asset Services
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham, BR3 4TU

Financial PR
FTI Consulting
200 Aldersgate Street
London, EC1A 4HD

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report | Governance Report | Financial Statements 173

NED

NRR

PRA

R&D

RCF

RDEC

SaaS

SDGs

SES

STEM

TCV

TSA

TSR

VIU

WISE

Non-Executive Director

Net Retention Rate

Performance & Retention Awards

Research & Development

Revolving Credit Facility

Research & Development Expenditure 
Credit

Software as a Service

Sustainable Development Goals

Schneider Electric industrial software 
business

Science, Technology, Engineering and 
Mathematics

Total Contract Value

Transitional Services Agreement. An 
arrangement where Schneider Electric 
continues to provide infrastructure 
support and back office resource for 
legal entities transferred in the sale to 
AVEVA for a monthly fee, for an agreed 
time period

Total Shareholder Return

Value in Use

Women in Science and Engineering

Glossary

AGM

APM

AQR

ARR

Annual General Meeting

Asset Performance Management

Audit Quality Review

Annualised Recurring Revenue

AVEVA LIFE

AVEVA’s values

CEO

CFO

CGU

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Cash Generating Unit

CHRO

Chief Human Resources Officer

DRR

EBIT

EBT

ED

ELT

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Earnings Before Interest and Taxes

Employee Benefit Trust

Executive Director

Executive Leadership Team

EMEA

Europe, Middle East and Africa

EPS

ERP

ESG

EY

FCA

FRC

GAAP

IFRSs

Earnings Per Share

Enterprise Resource Planning

Environmental, Social and Governance

Ernst & Young

Financial Conduct Authority

Financial Reporting Council

Generally Accepted Accounting Practice

International Financial Reporting 
Standards

ISAs (UK)

International Standards on Auditing 
(UK)

KPI

LTIP

Key Performance Indicator

Long-Term Incentive Plan

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