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Balfour Beatty

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FY2016 Annual Report · Balfour Beatty
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Build to Last
Annual Report and Accounts 2016

Contents

The transformation of 
Balfour Beatty is well 
underway

Group Chief 
Executive’s review
p04

Performance review  
by segment

What we have been 
doing in 2016
p18

Acting responsibly to 
protect and enhance 
the physical and social 
environment

Building a  
sustainable business
p33

Strategic Report

Chairman’s introduction 

Group Chief Executive’s review 

Group at a glance 

Market review 

Business model 

Our priorities 

Performance review 

Directors’ valuation of the 
Investments portfolio 

Building a sustainable business 

Measuring our performance 

Chief Financial Officer’s review 

Risk management framework 

Principal risks 

Governance

Chairman’s introduction 

Leadership 

Effectiveness 

Accountability 

Directors’ report – other disclosures 

Remuneration report 

Financial Statements

Independent auditor’s report 

Financial statements 

Notes to the financial statements 

Other Information

Unaudited Group five-year summary 

Shareholder information 

02

04

06

08

10

12

18

30

33

44

49

53

56

66

68

71

75

80

84

100

104

112

185

186

Front cover image: The Lighthouse
We transformed the historic Lighthouse building in 
London into a modern office space, preserving a range 
of important architectural features that included the 
original façade and the iconic lighthouse itself.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
 
 
01

2016 progress

Build to Last

“ The transformation of Balfour Beatty 
is well underway. We have returned 
the Group to profit and significantly 
exceeded our Build to Last Phase One 
targets. We have upgraded leadership, 
processes and controls while continuing 
to invest in the Group’s unique strengths. 
As a result, we have improved not just 
the quality of our order book but our 
customer satisfaction scores.” 

Leo Quinn, Group Chief Executive

Highlights

The Group has presented financial performance measures which 
are considered most relevant to the Group and used to manage 
the Group’s performance. An explanation of these measures and 
appropriate reconciliations to statutory measures are provided on 
pages 44 to 48.

Lean

Expert

Deliver value to our 
customers by improving 
operational efficiency and 
eliminating waste right 
through the supply chain.

Ensure we have the best 
engineering, design and 
project management  
capabilities.

£173m

58%

Net cash excluding  
non-recourse borrowings2

Average employee  
satisfaction

Trusted

Safe

Be the construction 
partner of choice for our 
customers and supply 
chain by delivering on 
our promises.

We must ensure the 
health and safety of 
everyone who comes into 
contact with our activities.

91%

0.22

Average customer  
satisfaction rating

Lost Time Injury Rate,  
excluding international JVs

Continuing underlying 
revenue1 £m

0
4
4
,
8

5
3
2
,
8

0
3
5
,
8

Continuing underlying 
(loss)/profit from 
operations (PFO) £m

Continuing underlying 
(loss)/earnings 
per share (EPS) Pence

Order book1
£bn

7
6

0
.
7

4
.
1
1

7
.
2
0 1
.
1
1

)
8
5
(

)
6
0
1
(

)
5
.
1
1
(

)
7
.
9
1
(

2014 2015 2016

2014 2015 2016

2014 2015 2016

2014 2015 2016

Statutory revenue
£m

4
6
2
,
7

5
5
9
,
6

3
2
9
,
6

Statutory (loss)/profit 
for the year £m

Statutory EPS
Pence

Dividends per share
Pence

4
2

5
.
3

6
.
5

)
9
5
(

)
6
0
2
(

)
6
.
8
(

)
1
.
0
3
(

2014 2015 2016

2014 2015 2016

2014 2015 2016

1 Including share of joint ventures and associates.
2 A reconciliation of the Group’s net cash measure to the statutory measure is provided on page 47.

7
.
2

Nil

2014 2015 2016

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report02

Chairman’s introduction

Restoring Balfour Beatty to strength

The 2016 results demonstrate that the Build to 
Last transformation programme is delivering 
positive change and we now have a solid 
foundation for future profitable growth. 

By focusing on our selected markets, we have 
been winning new business on improved 
terms, the legacy issues which have held back 
the Group are being steadily worked through 
and we have maintained one of the strongest 
balance sheets in the sector. Importantly, for 
many shareholders, we reinstated payment of 
a dividend.

The UK and US Governments have both stated 
their commitment to significant additional 
improvements to core infrastructure; our 
clients are supportive of our transformation 
and we have a talented and dedicated 
workforce. We also have the confidence that 
our strengths are now underpinned by the 
improved governance and controls which  
have been put in place during the first phase  
of Build to Last.

Performance
Balfour Beatty has maintained its disciplined 
approach to bidding for, and winning, new 
business. This involves ensuring that work 
we take on is of the type we want to do, 
in the geographies that we have chosen to 
concentrate. In short, this is about bidding for 
long-term profitable work rather than chasing 
revenue growth.

As a result – underlying revenue for 2016 
is up 4% in absolute terms, at constant 
exchange rates (CER) there is a 3% reduction. 
Nevertheless, the year-end order book stands 
at £12.7 billion – a rise of 15% (4% at CER) over 
the course of the year. 

The year also saw the business return 
to profit after two years of heavy losses. 
Underlying profit from operations was 
£67 million (statutory profit from operations 
£15 million). Whilst the UK construction 
business made a loss for the full year, the 
division made a modest profit in the second 
half, demonstrating the positive trend required 
as we enter 2017.

Once again, our Investments portfolio 
continued to perform strongly, delivering both 
cash and profit to the Group, whilst maintaining 
the value of the asset portfolio.

The benefits of the Build to Last transformation 
programme are visible in the financial 
performance of the Group. As the benefits 
of the simplified structure, upgraded 
management and improved systems and 
controls continue to work through, I am 
confident that the performance of the Group 
will continue on this trajectory.

Philip Aiken AMChairmanBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201603

“By focusing on our selected 

markets, we have been winning 
new business on improved  
terms, the legacy issues which 
have held back the Group are 
being steadily worked through 
and we have maintained one  
of the strongest balance sheets 
in the sector. 
Philip Aiken AM
Chairman

Markets
The strengthening of Balfour Beatty’s 
operational processes coincides with the 
governments in our core markets, the UK and 
US, laying out plans for wide-scale investment 
in improved infrastructure.

The UK Government has reaffirmed its 
commitment to HS2 and new nuclear power 
stations in addition to a general increase in 
infrastructure spending announced in the 
Autumn Statement. The Group is working 
constructively with industry bodies and the 
UK Government to identify and manage any 
direct challenges caused by the UK’s exit from 
the European Union. At this stage we have 
not seen an impact on the building market; 
however we remain vigilant to respond to any 
changes in market conditions.

In the US, the new administration has highlighted 
infrastructure repairs and improvements as one 
of its priorities, building on the US$305bn of 
spending authorised by the Fixing America’s 
Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.

In both the UK and the US, we continue to 
see growing opportunities for our Investments 
business to finance and deliver projects both in 
the private and public sectors.

The Board
It is with great sadness that I report, Graham 
Roberts, who had served on the Board since 
2009, passed away in July. Graham was a 
highly valued colleague and I would like to 
place on record my thanks to him and our 
condolences to his family.

Maureen Kempston Darkes will be retiring 
from the Board at the AGM. Maureen has 
served since July 2012 and chairs our Safety 
and Sustainability Committee and I thank her 
for her service.

We are in the middle of our Board renewal 
phase and are looking in the coming months 
to the appointment of up to three new non-
executive Directors. I consider the balance of 
the disciplines and diversity on the Board to be 
most important and believe a well-structured 
Board is essential in setting the agenda for the 
Group’s future.

Our people
As we have seen from the progress that has 
been made by Balfour Beatty during 2016, 
this is a period of immense change within the 
business. This can only be achieved due to the 
hard work and dedication of so many of our 
colleagues. As I visit sites in the UK and US, I 
am continually delighted to see the enthusiasm 
and dedication of our team as they strive 
to deliver amazing projects for our clients. 

On behalf of the Board I would like to thank all 
of our employees for the commitment they 
have again shown this year.

Much of the work that Balfour Beatty 
undertakes is inherently dangerous. So it 
is crucial that at every level in our business 
we look to understand and mitigate the 
risks. Our objective is to reduce accidents 
to zero. Where incidents occur they are 
fully investigated and steps are taken to 
avoid repetition. We understand our safety 
responsibilities to everyone that Balfour 
Beatty comes into contact with – workers, 
subcontractors, suppliers, clients and 
members of the public. We do all we can to 
ensure that everyone is kept safe.

During the year, five people were killed whilst 
working on Balfour Beatty’s projects: one 
in each of the UK and US and three in the 
Far East. I use this letter to formally send 
condolences to their families on behalf of the 
Board. However, I recognise that words are 
inadequate to express our regret that five 
families are living with the consequences 
of bereavements. Each of these deaths is a 
reminder as to why we must never cease to 
make our industry safer.

Dividend
This year has demonstrated continued 
progress in restoring Balfour Beatty to financial 
strength. The Build to Last Phase One targets 
of £200 million cash in and £100 million 
cost out have been comfortably exceeded. 
In addition we have a growing order book. 
As a result the Board were able to reinstate 
a dividend at the half year and commit to 
a progressive dividend policy. We have 
recommended a final dividend of 1.8p, 
bringing the total dividend for the year to 2.7p. 

Conclusion
As you read this Annual Report, you will be 
able to see evidence of the positive change 
which is happening across the Group. 
Whilst there remains much to be done in order 
to get Balfour Beatty to its full potential and to 
finally put all the legacy challenges behind us, 
your company enters 2017 better positioned 
than has been the case for many years.

Philip Aiken AM
Chairman

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report04

Group Chief Executive’s review

Transforming the business

“The Group’s results for 

2016 demonstrate that the 
fundamental changes made 
under Build to Last are driving 
positive and sustainable 
improvements. 
Leo Quinn
Group Chief Executive

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201605

The Group’s results for 2016 demonstrate 
that the fundamental changes made 
under Build to Last are driving positive and 
sustainable improvements. Balfour Beatty 
has returned to profit, while increasing both 
the value and the quality of its order book 
through disciplined bidding. The £200 million 
cash in and £100 million cost out targets 
have been delivered – enabling the Board 
to reinstate the dividend as promised – and 
were significantly exceeded by the end of 
Phase One.

The Build to Last transformation programme 
launched at the start of 2015 addresses 
Balfour Beatty’s performance with all 
stakeholders – customers and suppliers, 
employees and subcontractors, investors and 
communities. Targets were set against four 
objectives: building a business which is Lean, 
Expert, Trusted and Safe. The first phase – a 
24-month self-help plan – has just delivered 
its goals, tackling the root causes of previous 
poor performance in order to provide a strong 
platform for future profitable growth.

In UK construction, the Group met its year-
end target, with 90% of the legacy projects 
having reached practical completion and over 
70% having reached financial completion. 
Importantly, the UK construction business 
reported an underlying profit from operations 
in the second half of the year. 

By 2014 Balfour Beatty had become overly 
complex following more than a decade of 
acquisition-led forced growth. There was 
an overall lack of leadership and strategic 
direction. Operationally, project bidding and 
delivery lacked standard processes and 
internal systems and controls were weak with 
little focus on cash management. A federated 
culture had resulted in layers of unnecessary 
cost and a tendency for elements of the 
business to compete with one another. 
Inevitably, performance had deteriorated not 
only financially but in terms of customer and 
employee satisfaction.

The decisions and actions taken under Build 
to Last were often, in themselves, simple and 
straightforward. However, taken early and 
in combination, they are now transforming 
Balfour Beatty. The introduction of new 
standardised disciplines has strengthened 
governance and transparency. The upgrade 
in leadership and the Group’s simplified 
structure, with shared back office functions, 
have enabled the business units to focus on 
their core markets while benefiting from a 
more competitive cost base. Stronger finance 
and IT systems have helped drive leaner 
management of cash and spending, and 
better project visibility. Overall, the ability to 
forecast, manage and control performance 
has been greatly enhanced and customer 
satisfaction has risen significantly. A more 
unified culture is beginning to develop, with 
increased collaboration starting to leverage 
the Group’s strengths.

Strategically, this provides the framework 
for the Group to enter its second two-year 
phase of Build to Last with confidence. 
In each business we will build carefully on 
the positive trajectory to date. The Group 
will apply appropriate criteria to invest in 
people and capabilities of our Construction 
Services and Support Services businesses 
to grow earnings, and in the assets of our 
Investments portfolio to grow overall returns. 
In this way the Group intends to drive value, 
achieving industry-standard margins by the 
end of 2018 and thereafter market-leading 
performance in its third phase of Build to Last. 

Leo Quinn
Group Chief Executive

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report06

Group at a glance

Building the essentials of everyday life

Infrastructure is the backbone 
of the economy and society. 
Everyone relies on energy, 
water, communications, 
transport and buildings.

Balfour Beatty finances, develops, builds and 
maintains the infrastructure that underpins 
daily life, supports communities and enables 
economic growth.

Together with our partners and supply chain 
of small and large firms, we know how 
to deliver innovative, efficient and highly 
complex infrastructure projects with the 
highest levels of quality, safety and technical 
expertise. We integrate with customers 
and local supply chains, and work with 
local communities.

Throughout this report, the Group has 
presented performance measures which 
are considered most relevant to the Group 
and are used to measure the Group’s 
performance on a day-to-day basis. 
These measures are chosen to provide a 
balanced view of the Group’s operations and 
are considered useful to investors as these 
measures provide relevant information on the 
Group’s past or future performance, position 
or cash flows. These measures are also used 
internally to assess business performance in 
its budgeting process and when determining 
compensation. An explanation of the Group’s 
performance measures and appropriate 
reconciliations to its statutory measures is 
provided on pages 44 to 48. 

Readers of the Annual Report and Accounts 
are encouraged to review the Group’s 
Financial Statements in their entirety.

^ From continuing operations including share of joint 

ventures and associates, before non-underlying items.
* Balfour Beatty sold its interests in Dutco Balfour Beatty 
and BK Gulf to its joint venture partner on 1 March 2017.

Construction Services
The Construction businesses in the UK and 
the US, and joint ventures (JV) in the Middle 
East* and Far East, are top tier and all operate 
across the infrastructure and building sectors.

Support Services
Support Services manages, upgrades and 
maintains critical national infrastructure, and 
its capabilities complement both Construction 
Services and Infrastructure Investments.

80%

13%

Total revenue^

Total revenue^

£9.6bn

2015: £7.9bn

Order book^

£6,852m

2015: £6,388m

Underlying revenue^

£(23)m

2015: £(229)m

£3.1bn

2015: £3.1bn

Order book^

£1,103m

2015: £1,259m

Underlying revenue^

£34m

2015: £24m

Underlying loss from operations^

Underlying profit from operations^

£(57)m

2015: £(280)m

£22m

2015: £11m

Statutory loss from operations

Statutory profit from operations

What we do
 – Building
 – Civil engineering
 – Ground engineering
 – Mechanical and electrical services
 – Rail engineering
 – Refurbishment and fit-out

What we do
 – Install, upgrade and maintain water, gas 

and electricity networks

 – Highways network management, operation 

and maintenance

 – Rail renewals

 Construction Services p18

 Support Services p24

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201607

Portfolio valuation
The Group continued to make substantial investments into the portfolio, with £65 million  
of cash invested into projects in 2016.

  Directors’ valuation of the Investments portfolio p30

Portfolio valuation December 2016
Value by sector

Sector
Roads
Healthcare
Schools
Student accommodation
OFTOs
Waste & biomass
Other 
UK total
US military housing
Healthcare & other PPP
Student accommodation
Residential housing
North America total
BBIP fund
Total

2016 (2015)  
No. projects
(13)
  13 
(4)
  4 
(7)
  – 
(5)
  4 
(3)
  3 
(4)
  4 
(4)
  5 
(40)
  33 
(21)
  21 
(2)
  3 
(6)
  6 
(4)
  6 
(33)
  36 

  69 

(73)

2016 
£m
 366 
 140 
–
 63 
 46 
 57 
 35 
 707 
 438 
 9 
 38 
 28 
 513 
–
 1,220 

2015 
£m
 412 
 137 
 76 
 69 
 40 
 40 
 28 
 802 
 355 
 5 
 26 
 18 
 404 
 38 
 1,244

£8,530m

2015: £8,235m

Revenue including share of joint 
ventures and associates^

£6,923m

2015: £6,955m

Statutory revenue

Revenue by region including share of joint 
ventures and associates^

  Major operations 
  Other significant operations 
  Joint ventures

Employees worldwide  
(Group + 100% 
overseas JVs)
43,000
2015: 45,000

Infrastructure Investments
The Investments business is a recognised 
leader in public private partnerships (PPP) 
and other developments in both the UK and 
the US and its activities generate additional 
construction and service work for other parts 
of the Group.

7%

Total revenue^

£1.22bn

2015: £1.24bn

Directors’ valuation

£575m

2015: £588m

Underlying revenue^

£115m

2015: £161m

Underlying profit before tax^

£109m

2015: £151m

Statutory profit before tax

What we do
 – Develop and finance both public and private 

infrastructure projects around the world

 – Operate a portfolio of long-term 

infrastructure projects

 Infrastructure Investments p27

North America
£3,692m 
43%

UK
£3,462m
41%

Rest of the world
£1,376m
16%

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report08

Market review
Positive infrastructure drivers  
across key markets

Medium-term outlook

2016 market  
growth

Infrastructure

Flat – some growth
Flatter market after strong growth in 2015.

Medium-term  
market outlook

Balfour Beatty 
prospects

Building

Flat – some decline
Flat overall but uncertainty caused some 
sectors to slow.

Infrastructure

Strong growth
Large pipeline of major infrastructure projects – 
timing of these is key.

Infrastructure spend may be used as 
economic stimulus. 

Building

Flat
Building market will correlate with 
economic growth. 

Some risk from Brexit.

Infrastructure

Flat – some growth
Gradual pick up of activity as funding 
environment seemed clearer.

Building

Growth
Growth in several sectors, tempered  
by election uncertainty.

Infrastructure

Growth
Federal funding certainty, local bonds  
and new administration pledges point  
to increased activity. 

Building

Growth
Particular hotspots expected in commercial 
and office construction.

Risk from global or US specific 
economic slowdown.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure

Balfour Beatty’s construction, services and 
investments businesses are well positioned for 
major schemes, regulatory spending uplift and 
the potential revival in Private Finance Initiative 
(PFI) activity.

Building

Increased selectivity in regional business to 
drive higher quality project portfolio.

Leading position in rail transit and target states. 
Able to capitalise on trend to design/build and 
increasing use of public-private partnerships 
(PPP).

Building

Increased selectivity to drive higher quality 
project portfolio.

UKUSBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201609

Highlights

Positive infrastructure drivers remain  
in all key markets:

–  population growth (especially in 

areas such as US sunbelt)

– urbanisation

– ageing infrastructure

– historical underinvestment

Some risk to UK building market post  
EU referendum 
 See principal risk p60 

Increased selectivity in growing markets will 
enable Balfour Beatty to drive performance 
improvement

Building and infrastructure

Flat
Delays in infrastructure spending offset  
by building market in Hong Kong.

Building and infrastructure

Growth
Strong infrastructure pipeline and residential 
drivers in Hong Kong.

Risks of further delays to infrastructure 
projects and the effect of China slow down. 

Building and infrastructure

Well positioned for next batch of major 
infrastructure projects in Hong Kong.

Far Eastbalfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report 
 
 
 
10

Business model

How we create value

The environment we operate in

How our Group works together

External market
 – Infrastructure markets in the 
UK and US are buoyant with 
positive drivers

/ See Market review p08-09

Internal performance
 – Operational recovery is well 
underway. Build to Last 
is gaining traction and has 
delivered Phase One targets

/ See Our priorities p12-17

 – Our key value lever remains 

increasing margins to 
industry standard and 
then leveraging our 
scale to achieve market-
leading margins

 – The current portfolio is 
well positioned in the 
right markets and with 
real synergies between 
business units

Favourable working capital 
from construction business 
funds investment projects, 
which generate a return  
in their own right.

We develop and structure 
finance to enable our 
customers to achieve their 
infrastructure ambitions. 
We also invest directly 
in infrastructure assets, 
particularly when there are 
opportunities to manage the 
project on completion.

Infrastructure 
Investments
 p27-29

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Construction 
Services
 p18-23

Support 
Services
 p24-26

Cross-selling across c u s t o m e r   b

e

s

a

Knowledge tran s f e r

Represents 80% of our 
revenue, and is responsible for 
the design, engineering and 
construction across the most 
complex infrastructure and 
building projects.

Our services activities 
manage, upgrade and 
maintain critical infrastructure. 
They complement both 
Construction Services and 
Infrastructure Investments.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
 
 
 
11

Why our customers choose us

Output for stakeholders

Investors
Return on investment 
through share price growth 
and dividends.

Customers
Value delivered to customers 
through disciplined contracting 
processes whilst leading 
in innovation and always 
operating safely.

Employees
A safe and inspiring place 
to work for employees 
and subcontractors.

Supply chain
Partnership opportunities 
to contribute to and share in 
our success.

Community
Productivity benefits from 
enhanced infrastructure; jobs 
and other societal benefits from 
projects being delivered.

Safety, sustainability and ethics
Safety, sustainability and ethics are the bedrock  
of our business and our licence to operate.
/ Read more on p36, p39-41

People and knowledge
Engineering expertise and project management 
capabilities enable us to deliver industry-leading 
infrastructure to customers.
/ Read more on p37-38

Supply chain relationships
Fostering strong relationships with both suppliers 
and key subcontractors to deliver value to customers 
through disciplined contracting processes.
/ Read more on p14

Innovation
Creative solutions on projects and services allows 
us to increase productivity, resulting in savings 
and benefits.
/ Read more on p33-35

Financial strength
We need a strong balance sheet and sufficient cash 
to fund our operations and ensure our customers feel 
confident that we are here for the long term.
/ Read more on p104-184

Whole asset-life capabilities
Expertise across the full life of an asset (finance, 
design build, operate and maintain) enables the 
highest quality and best value infrastructure solutions.

Major project capabilities
We have the necessary expertise and credentials 
in successfully delivering the largest projects in 
infrastructure and buildings.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report12

Our priorities

Build to Last

A transformation programme 
returning Balfour Beatty 
to strength

When we deliver buildings and 
infrastructure, we expect them to survive 
the test of time. For Balfour Beatty to 
remain at the forefront of our industry we 
need to continuously improve efficiency, 
lead innovation and always operate 
safely. These are the drivers of value for 
our customers.

Improved efficiency means smarter 
working, elimination of waste and creating 
a Lean supply chain to deliver better value 
for our customers. This allows us to invest 
in developing our expertise. Having the 
finest Experts allows us to extend what 
we are capable of building and drives 
improvements in everything we do; this 
means our customers can Trust us to 
deliver on all that we promise, including 
safety. Safety is never compromised.  
We Build to Last.

Lean

Deliver value to our 
customers by improving 
operational efficiency and 
eliminating waste right 
through the supply chain.

Why is it important?
We want to make sure that our 
customers get the best value for their 
money; we need to be relentless in 
driving out unnecessary costs and 
work with our customers to ensure 
their money is spent in the best way 
possible. Providing customers with 
better value for their money drives our 
competitiveness and provides Balfour 
Beatty with the capital to invest 
back into developing our expertise. 
Lean is measured against our financial 
returns: cash flow performance and 
profit from operations.

 Read more on p14-15

Our KPIs

£173m

2015: £163m

Net cash excluding 
non-recourse borrowings 

£67m

2015: £(106)m

Underlying profit/(loss)  
from operations

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201613

Expert

Trusted

Safe

Ensure we have the 
best engineering, 
design and project 
management capabilities.

Be the construction partner 
of choice for our customers 
and supply chain by 
delivering on our promises.

We must ensure the health 
and safety of everyone 
who comes into contact 
with our activities.

Why is it important?
We deliver world-class buildings 
and infrastructure for our customers 
by constantly driving innovation. 
Our strongest differentiator is our 
engineering and project management 
capabilities. Having the best 
talent supported by the strongest 
supply chain creates a virtuous 
circle that ensures we win the 
best and most exciting projects to 
deliver. Expert is measured against 
employee satisfaction.

 Read more on p15-16

Why is it important?
Customers must have confidence 
in our ability to deliver and to do 
what we say we will do. A robust 
risk framework ensures that 
challenges are mitigated and projects 
are delivered in the right way. 
Satisfied customers provide us with 
the opportunities and projects for the 
future. Trusted is measured against 
customer satisfaction.

 Read more on p16-17

Why is it important?
Health and safety is at the heart of 
everything we do – we must protect 
our employees, our supply chain 
partners, our customers and the 
public. Construction is an inherently 
dangerous business and without the 
highest standards of safety we don’t 
have a licence to operate. A safe and 
healthy workplace is also happier, 
more motivated and more efficient. 
Safe is measured against our 
commitment to Zero Harm.

 Read more on p17

Our KPI

Our KPI

Our KPI

58%

2015: 60%

Average employee  
satisfaction

91%

2015: 82%

Average customer  
satisfaction rating

0.22

2015: 0.24

Lost Time Injury Rate,  
excluding international JVs

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report14

Our priorities
Build to Last continued

Balfour Beatty launched its 
Build to Last transformation 
programme in early 2015 
as a framework to drive 
continuous improvement for 
all stakeholders against four 
goals – Lean, Expert, Trusted 
and Safe – as measured 
by cash flow and profits 
from operations, employee 
engagement, customer 
satisfaction and Zero Harm. 

Phase One consisted of 24 months self-
help. Rapid action was taken to remove 
management layers, upgrade leadership 
and strengthen governance within a 
simplified Group structure. In Phase Two 
(2017-2018) Balfour Beatty will return to 
industry-standard margins and in Phase 
Three deliver a Group with market-leading 
strengths and performance.

During Phase One, Balfour Beatty made 
significant progress on its four goals:

Lean

 – Deliver value to customers by improving 
operational efficiency and eliminating 
waste right through the supply chain.

 – The Group metric is cash flow and 

underlying profit from operations – in 
Phase One, delivering £200 million of 
cash in and £100 million of cost out in 
the first 24 months.

Group net cash at 31 December 2016 was 
£173 million, a £10 million improvement 
on 2015.

Overall in Phase One the Group exceeded 
the £200 million cash in target: cash flow in 
2016 was £439 million better than in 2014, 
excluding the proceeds from the sale of 
Parsons Brinckerhoff. This is the result of 
the continuing focus on tight management 
of cash and working capital, improvements 
to financial systems and controls, 
employee training and aligning incentives to 
deliver better performance. 

A new Group financial consolidation 
system has been introduced and the 
process to transfer data from the ERP 
system to the consolidation system has 
been automated, building on the progress 
made in 2015. Improved weekly cash flow 
performance reconciliations are leading to 
significant improvement in the business’ 
ability to forecast cash flow, enabling more 
effective management of draw-down of 
the Company’s debt facility.

Further progress was made on the 
£60 million of annualised cost savings 
achieved in 2015. By the end of 2016, 
£123 million of annualised savings 
(compared to 2014) had been achieved, 
exceeding the £100 million target. 
The business continues to exploit 
opportunities to make further savings 
through standardisation and leaning 
out processes.

Savings have been driven by simplifying 
the business, including creating unified 
back office operations, eliminating waste, 
standardising working practices and 
moving the culture of the organisation to 
encourage and reward efficient practices. 
During 2016:

 – The US construction and infrastructure 
businesses have been brought together 
under a single leader with back office 
functions (IT, legal, finance etc.) unified 
to provide high-quality, efficient support 

(in a similar model to that deployed in the 
UK during 2015) and leadership across 
the business has been upgraded;
 – The IT service which had previously 

been delivered through a sub-optimal 
outsourcing agreement was successfully 
brought back in-house. This continues to 
deliver a more responsive and efficient 
IT operation with annualised savings of 
approximately £5 million;

 – The Site Mobilisation Hub was 

introduced for all UK contract start-ups 
in the summer. By centralising and 
standardising this process, resources can 
be efficiently redeployed from one job 
to the next. This reduces wastage, cost 
and delays caused by sites not being 
operationally ready. At the same time, 
project managers are freed up to focus 
on their project rather than site set-up. 
The Hub has engaged with 445 projects, 
of which 45 mobilisations have now 
been delivered, all on time and to budget 
or better, achieving significant savings;

 – Framework agreements have been 

developed with a shortlist of preferred 
design consultants with the express 
aims of strengthening business 
relationships and providing greater 
consistency in the way that design 
services are provided, reducing cost and 
delivering greater value to customers;
 – The US strategic procurement group 

established over 40 national agreements 
with suppliers selected on their ability to 
deliver superior products and services to 
all major US geographies, as well as offer 
highly competitive pricing; and

 – Further progress has been made in 
rationalising the property portfolio, 
bringing business units together in 
shared offices, thus aiding collaboration, 
reducing floor space requirements by 
35% and providing more productive 
working environments. Over the 
first two years of Build to Last, UK 
property costs have been cut by 
approximately 25%. 

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Lean

15

The Group has made considerable 
progress in simplifying its portfolio with 
the disposal of non-strategic businesses, in 
order to focus on its core markets:

 – Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Partners, an 
independently managed infrastructure 
fund business focusing on secondary 
opportunities, was disposed of to Wafra 
Investment Advisory Group, Inc; 

 – Balfour Beatty Investments’ sole project 
in Australia was sold and Balfour Beatty 
staff and pipeline transferred to Infrared; 

 – Balfour Resource Group, a healthcare 
facilities planning consultancy that 
became part of Balfour Beatty through 
the Centex acquisition, was sold 
to management; 

 – The sale of Balfour Beatty’s share of its 
Indonesian joint venture, Balfour Beatty 
Sakti, to its joint venture partner; 
 – In early 2017, Balfour Beatty’s entire 
share of its Middle Eastern joint 
ventures, Dutco Balfour Beatty and 
BK Gulf, were sold to its joint venture 
partner; and

 – Following completion of the sole 
rail maintenance contract in Chile, 
the decision was taken to wind up 
that business.

Expert

 – Ensure that Balfour Beatty is attracting, 
retaining and motivating employees 
to enable it to offer customers the 
best engineering, design, project 
management and delivery capabilities.

 – The Group metric is average 

employee satisfaction.

Quality of leadership is the number one 
factor in driving a world-class organisation. 
During 2016, the Group built on its 
progress in 2015 by further upgrading the 
quality of senior management, particularly 
through promotion. 

In addition to the unification of the US 
businesses described in the previous 
section: in the UK, Engineering Services 
and Engineering Construction were 
brought together under the banner of 
Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick and a unified 
leadership; and a new leadership team was 
put in place in the UK Power business.

The model of centralised support functions 
(HR, IT, finance etc) as first rolled out 
in the UK continues to provide higher 
service levels to the business compared 
to the previous devolved model, whilst 
continuing to outperform with respect to 
re-engineering process and reducing cost.

During the year, further work has been 
completed to build communities of 
practice for key skills across the business. 
These communities allow the sharing of 
best practice across the Group and provide 
opportunities for career development to the 
staff involved.

 – A Group-level Project Management 

Academy has been developed, aligned 
to international standards through 
an accredited training programme, 
to provide a common approach to 
professional development and practice. 
This initiative provides clarity on the 
competence level required for each 
project manager (PM) role and provides 
an Assignment Database to match 
PM competence to contract risk and 
complexity, greatly enhancing the 
probability of a successful outcome 
for customers.

 – Building on the success of the Project 

Management Competency Assessment 
carried out across all levels of Balfour 
Beatty’s project management 
employees, work is underway to extend 
the assessment process into several 
key Alliances.

 – A new strategic approach to bidding 
and winning key business has been 
introduced to co-ordinate major 
opportunities which straddle business 
units, in order to ensure that Balfour 
Beatty has a unified and compelling 
offer. Business Acquisition Method 
training has been rolled out to 200 
employees across the UK and US 
businesses, introducing a common 
and systematic approach to winning 
business. The new training programme 
boosts estimating skills and improves 
the quality of proposals, reducing the risk 
of underbidding. 

 – A similar focus on the commercial 
expertise within the business has 
enabled better sharing of best practice 
and a forum for senior commercial 
professionals to identify training and 
development opportunities. As a result 
an extensive programme of training has 
commenced to give the Commercial 
team the skills to work more productively 
with customers on more collaborative 
forms of contract.

During 2016, Balfour Beatty made 
significant progress towards becoming 
a digitally empowered business. 
Development of staff capabilities such as 
the training of six new drone pilots, a digital 
surveying team with full laser scanning 
service, a high-end visualisation team and 
a significant increase in BIM support have 
all led to an increase in quality, a leaner 
approach and a safer working environment. 
As a result of Balfour Beatty’s investment 
in BIM, in 2016 it became one of the first 
companies to receive the British Standards 
Institute’s BIM Kitemark, an accolade only 
three other companies have achieved. 
The Group also achieved another first 
during the year by winning the V3 Digital 
Technology Leaders Award for best 
Public Sector Project in partnership with 
Southampton Council.

2016 also saw global collaboration in the 
fields of Virtual Reality and construction 
robotics, utilising skills from the UK, US 
and Hong Kong. Both technologies are 
vital to the future of Balfour Beatty as an 
industry leader.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report16

Our priorities
Build to Last continued

Expert continued

Training and retaining staff remain critical 
to the long-term success of Balfour 
Beatty and is therefore a central tenet 
of Build to Last. A new redeployment 
tool was introduced during the year 
to identify appropriate opportunities 
for staff when their current project 
concludes, keeping skilled workers in the 
business and reducing redundancy and 
recruitment costs.

Two leadership development programmes 
have been launched, with 50 delegates 
in 2016. One works with the leadership 
teams to actively improve and measure 
the culture and climate they create in their 
business. The second identifies high-
potential employees to join a 12-month 
programme to develop their management 
skills and capabilities and their transition to 
leadership roles.

Skills shortages within construction 
have been a challenge for several years. 
The UK’s decision to leave the European 
Union with the potential for reduction 
in free movement of people is likely to 
exacerbate the situation at a time when 
demand for skilled workers will increase 
given the pipeline of projects due to start in 
the coming years. 

Balfour Beatty believes that employers are 
best placed to determine and train their 
required future capabilities and therefore 
must take the lead by making a long-
term commitment to invest in the next 
generation workforce. 

For this reason, Balfour Beatty belongs 
to and is sponsoring The 5% Club, an 
employer-led organisation whose members 
commit to striving to achieve 5% of their 
UK workforce in ‘earn and learn’ positions 
within five years of joining. 

During 2016 Balfour Beatty recruited 114 
apprentices and 110 graduate trainees. 
The percentage of the workforce in ‘earn 
and learn’ positions at year end stood 
at 4.3%, a slight reduction on the 2015 
number as a result of an unusually high 
level of recruitment to these positions in 
the previous two years, where participants 
have now been appointed into mainstream 
roles. Balfour Beatty’s aspiration remains to 
reach 5% or above.

My Contribution is the mechanism which 
directly engages all staff in Build to Last by 
enabling employees to suggest and drive 
changes in the business to help deliver 
on Build to Last’s Lean, Expert, Trusted 
and Safe goals. In 2016, 3,114 ideas for 
business benefits were logged by Balfour 
Beatty employees, of which 417 were 
progressed as projects and delivered with 
financial savings of £19 million and over 
230,000 hours of time savings.

For the second year a company-wide 
employee engagement survey was 
carried out. This is the first time that 
all the necessary questions have been 
asked which allows for Balfour Beatty’s 
performance to be benchmarked against 
other businesses by Best Companies. 
Balfour Beatty’s employee engagement 
score was 626.4, which is regarded 
by Best Companies as demonstrating 
good levels of employee engagement. 
Response rate for the survey at 67% was 
up on the 2015 survey (61%). The Group 
employee satisfaction score for 2016 was 
58% (2015: 60%).

People
Balfour Beatty’s strategic priority is to 
invest to attract, retain and develop 
the best employee and subcontractor 
talent.

Trusted

 – Be the construction partner of choice for 
customers and supply chain by delivering 
on promises.

 – The Group metric is customer 

satisfaction.

Customer satisfaction is achieved by doing 
what we say we will do. Balfour Beatty 
continued to win landmark contracts in all 
its selected markets with the order book up 
15% (4% at CER) at £12.7 billion.

During 2015, the 8-Gated Lifecycle was 
introduced across Balfour Beatty. In 2016, 
the framework has been further refined 
with the addition of a ‘make or buy’ 
decision step to promote greater use of 
internal capabilities. Internal reviews of the 
bidding Gates (1-4) across all UK and US 
business units demonstrate compliance 
with all new processes. As a result of the 
early qualification Gates (1-2) there has 
been a sharp reduction in the value of work 
tendered and lost. The UK win rate for 2016 
was almost double that of 2015. 

To further enhance the control and rigour 
of the Gated Lifecycle, a secure web-
based platform effectively digitises the 
governance and document control through 
all stages and gates of acquiring contracts 
and delivering projects. This Digital 
Briefcase was released at the end of 
2016 and is now installed across UK 
business units with over 500 key users 
and approvers trained and utilising the 
functionality successfully.

Within the industry there continues to be 
a strong dependence on joint ventures 
to execute major projects. A key area of 
focus going forward will be to ensure the 
Group can exercise the same degree of 
governance and control in these instances 
as it is gaining through its Build to Last 
transformation on sole projects.

The rationalisation, upgrade and 
standardisation of the ERP systems 
continues. The use of data analytics 
and automated risk scoring is now 
fully embedded in both UK Regional 
Construction and Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick 
where the majority of legacy losses have 
previously been recorded. Following a 
successful pilot in 2016 this is now being 
rolled out across buildings and civils in the 
US in conjunction with a simplification of 
their associated legacy system architecture. 
This now provides management with 
consistent and timely information in 

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201617

Trusted

regards to project performance (Project 
on a Page) based on an increasingly 
broadening balanced scorecard of metrics. 
Looking forwards, with further planned 
improvements and development, it is 
expected that integrating multiple key 
operational data sources in 2017 will 
maximise the ability to influence project 
performance at the earliest possible stage.

A major review of the Business 
Management System (BMS) was 
undertaken in 2016 to create a single 
refreshed and improved system across 
all UK businesses. The BMS provides 
guidance and rules about how Balfour 
Beatty delivers tasks. The new system 
includes offline access and simplified 
access to information. The BMS will 
continue to be improved throughout 
the year and will define how the Group 
manages and delivers activities.

During the year 2,107 customer satisfaction 
reviews were carried out, primarily in the 
UK. The Group customer satisfaction 
average was 91% (2015: 82%). Scores in 
the UK were generally significantly higher 
than those in the US. 

Safe

 – Ensure the health and safety of everyone 
who comes into contact with Balfour 
Beatty’s activities.

 – The Group metric is Zero Harm.
Many of the activities carried out by Balfour 
Beatty can be, by their nature, potentially 
dangerous. It is therefore essential that 
the health, both physical and mental, and 
safety of employees, and those who come 
into contact with Balfour Beatty, including 
subcontractors and the general public, are 
always Balfour Beatty’s first priority.

Health and Safety takes a risk-based 
approach to identify and prioritise action 
plans, focused on communicating the 
Zero Harm vision, leadership, learning and 
sharing, clear co-ordinated governance, 
supply chain engagement, health and 
safety by design (including offsite modular 
assembly), simplifying and improving 
management systems and processes, 
training and competence, behavioural 
safety, innovation, recognition and reward, 
clear performance indicators and locally 
sponsored initiatives. Group initiatives 
are proactive and evidence-based and 
include quarterly campaigns and Group-
wide stand downs. In 2016 fatal risk 
groups were reviewed with leadership at 
managing director level and initiatives taken 
to increase skills and awareness, improve 
performance and promote employee and 
supply chain engagement. 

Each week senior management report 
and consider any accident or near misses 
that have occurred and a weekly report, 
available to all employees, shares safety 
best practice as well as reporting on 
significant incidents and learning which can 
be drawn from Balfour Beatty or elsewhere 
in the industry.

In May 2016, a Balfour Beatty company 
was sentenced in connection with its 
conviction and guilty plea to breaches of 
Section 3 of the Health & Safety at Work 
Act 1974 and related health and safety 
regulations. The HSE prosecution was 
in relation to a fatality on the Heysham 
Power Station project in Lancashire on 
14 April 2010. Balfour Beatty received a 
fine of £2.6 million. The fine was judged 
on the basis of the new sentencing 
guidelines published by the Department of 
Justice and demonstrates the increasingly 
heavy financial consequences for failures 
to meet the necessary safety and 
environmental standards. 

Safety is monitored through a combination 
of leading and lagging performance 
indicators. The Group Lost Time Incident 
Rate excluding international joint ventures 
fell to 0.22 (2015: 0.24), however, very 
regrettably there were a number of serious 
incidents which resulted in a total of five 
fatalities, one in each of the UK and US and 
three in the Far East. 

Chamberlain Halls 
of Residence, 
Birmingham, UK
This £42 million contract 
for the University of 
Birmingham delivered 
the new ‘Chamberlain 
Halls’ halls of residence. 
Works involved the 
demolition of the 
Eden Tower and the 
construction of a 
new 20-storey tower, 
together with three 
linear ‘finger’ buildings 
situated along Church 
Road in Edgbaston. 
Modular systems, 
ground engineering and 
BIM modelling were all 
provided by in-house 
Balfour Beatty teams.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report18

What we have been doing in 2016

Construction Services

80%

Total revenue^

£9.6bn

2015: £7.9bn

Order book^

£6,852m

2015: £6,388m

Underlying revenue^

£5,612m

2015: £5,411m

Statutory revenue

£(23)m

2015: £(229)m

Underlying loss from operations^

£(57)m

2015: £(280)m

Statutory loss from operations

^ From continuing operations including 

share of joint ventures and associates, 
before non-underlying items.

Eastwick and Sweetwater housing 
development, London, UK
The Eastwick and Sweetwater housing 
development will deliver 1,500 homes and 
supporting infrastructure.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201619

Financial review

Construction Services made significant 
progress in 2016. The order book 
increased from £7.9 billion to £9.6 billion. 
Underlying revenue increased from 
£6.4 billion to £6.9 billion, and although 
the business still reported underlying 
losses from operations of £23 million the 
trajectory is positive.

Progress continued to be made on 
returning the business to profitability, 
with the second half seeing a £37 million 
underlying profit, after the loss of 
£60 million in the first half. Included within 
the £37 million profit in the second half, 
UK construction continued its recovery as 
it returned to a £2 million underlying profit 
from operations. 

Despite the increase in order book, the 
construction business continued to be 
more selective in the work that it bid, 
through increased bid margin thresholds, 
improved risk frameworks and better 
contract governance. Following the 
introduction of the Gated Lifecycle there 
has been a much narrower range of 
outcomes as a direct result of the tighter, 
more effective control environment. 
In addition, there has also been a shift 
towards a lower risk contract portfolio. 
Approximately 45% of the value of new  
UK regional orders won in 2016 were 
two-stage tender projects. This represented 
a material increase on 2015 with two-stage 
tenders generally replacing standard 
project contracts.

Underlying revenue increased by 7% to 
£6,852 million (2015: £6,388 million), 1% 
decrease at CER. Underlying revenues in 
the UK fell by 6% as forecast, as improved 
bidding disciplines and selectivity adopted 
in 2015 resulted in lower levels of contracts 
in previous problem areas. This was more 
than offset by an underlying revenue 
increase of 11% in the US (2% decrease 
at CER) and a 21% increase in the Far East 
(8% increase at CER).

The underlying loss was £23 million 
(2015: £229 million) as underlying profits in 
the US (£33 million) were offset by losses 
in the UK (£64 million). The losses in the 
UK, caused by historical contracts which 
are still being traded through to completion, 
are substantially lower than the prior 
year, and in the second half of 2016, UK 
construction continued its positive trajectory 
as it delivered an underlying profit from 
operations of £2 million. 

The order book increased by 22% (5% 
at CER) due to growth in both the UK 
and the US core markets. The UK order 
book increased by 11% to £2.1 billion, 
despite the more disciplined and selective 
approach to bidding. The US order book 
increased by 34% (10% at CER) due to 
strong levels of order intake, such as the 
Caltrain rail corridor electrification contract. 
The Far East order book increased by 
25% (14% at CER) with a number of 
notable awards during the year including 
the redevelopment of Somerset House, 
Hong Kong.

Across the construction portfolio there 
remain a small number of long-term and 
complex projects where the Group has 
incorporated significant judgements 

Construction Services
US
UK
Rail 
Overseas JVs
– Far East 
– Middle East
Underlying
Non-underlying3
Total

Rev1,2
£m
3,427
1,894
249

967
315
6,852
153
7,005

PFO2
£m
33
(64)
(1)

11
(2)
(23)
(34)
(57)

2016
Order 
book1,2
£bn
5.5
2.1
0.2

1.5
0.3
9.6
0.0
9.6

Rev1,2
£m
3,097
2,024
274

796
197
6,388
209
6,597

PFO2
£m
(22)
(187)
(5)

19
(34)
(229)
(51)
(280)

2015
Order 
book1,2
£bn
4.1
1.9
0.2

1.2
0.5
7.9
0.2
8.1

1 Including share of joint ventures and associates.
2 From continuing operations.
3 Non-underlying items (Note 10).
A reconciliation of the Group’s performance measures to its statutory results is provided in the  
Measuring Our Performance section.

over contractual entitlements. The range 
of potential outcomes could result in 
a materially positive or negative swing 
to profitability and cash flow. In the 
UK, the majority of these contracts are 
within the Major Projects business unit. 
Outside the UK, the Group still has a 
number of significant contracts in Hong 
Kong where the range of potential 
outcomes could result in a materially 
positive or negative swing to profitability. 

Operational review

UK
£1,894m underlying revenue^
£2.1bn order book^

The UK construction business is organised 
into two business units consisting of:

 – Major Projects: focused on complex 
projects and ground engineering 
services in key market sectors such 
as transportation, heavy infrastructure 
and energy.

 – Regional: private and public, civil 

engineering, mechanical and electrical 
engineering and building, providing 
customers with locally delivered, 
flexible and fully integrated civil and 
building services. 

During the year, the business continued 
to simplify. Engineering Construction and 
Engineering Services (mechanical and 
electrical engineering) merged in August 
2016, with the new business rebranded 
as Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick, led by a new 
managing director and standardised on a 
single ERP system. Within Regional, the 
number of live projects continued to fall 
from around 400 at December 2015 to 
around 250 by December 2016. Over  
150 of the current live projects have been 
through the Gated Lifecycle process. 

Underlying revenue in the UK fell by 6% 
to £1,894 million (2015: £2,024 million), 
predominantly due to a decline in the 
Regional construction business. The UK 
business continued to be more selective 
in the work that it bid, through increased 
bid margin thresholds, improved 
risk frameworks and better contract 
governance. The Group qualified out nearly 
£7 billion worth of projects in 2016, whilst 
at the same time almost doubling the 
win rate. 

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report20

What we have been doing in 2016
Construction Services continued

Thames Tideway, 
London, UK
Balfour Beatty is 
working in a three-way 
joint venture on the 
£416 million West 
section of the Thames 
Tideway Tunnel project. 
Two new tug boats are 
being used to haul barges 
up and down the Thames 
carrying materials to 
the work sites and will 
assist with the removal 
of spoil from the tunnel 
excavation. 

Despite the focus on improving the quality 
of new orders, the UK order book increased 
by 11% to £2.1 billion (2015: £1.9 billion) 
following a number of notable awards 
including: a contract to widen a 10-mile 
stretch of the existing A14; a contract to 
upgrade baggage screening and handling 
systems for Heathrow airport; the main 
construction works for The Madison Tower, 
a 53-storey residential building in Canary 
Wharf; and construction of engineering and 
training facilities at RAF Marham in Norfolk.

The underlying loss from the UK 
construction business was £64 million 
(2015: £187 million), representing an 
improvement from the prior year. The loss 
in the period was caused by three main 
factors: additional losses incurred on 
historical contracts; lower overhead 
absorption due to the lower revenue base; 
and newer projects not being progressed 
to a stage where it is appropriate to begin 
to recognise gross margin. 

There is a positive trajectory, with the 
£64 million underlying loss from operations 
in 2016 split between a £66 million loss in 
the first half and a £2 million profit in the 
second half of the year. 

The business is continuing to manage 
historical problem contracts through to 
completion. At the 2015 half year 89 
historical contracts were identified that had 
a material negative impact on profitability 
and cash. As at the end of December 2016, 
and in line with previous guidance given, 
90% of these projects were at practical 
completion (60% at end December 2015) 
with over 70% at financial completion. 
Four of the remaining nine contracts are 
expected to reach practical completion in 
2017, with the remainder in 2018. 

The Group is working constructively with 
industry bodies and the UK Government to 
identify and manage any direct challenges 
caused by the UK’s exit from the European 
Union. At this stage Balfour Beatty 
has not seen an impact on the building 
market; however the Group remains 
vigilant to respond to any changes in 
market conditions.

In 2016, the Major Projects business 
successfully completed the complex 
engineering transformation of the former 
London Olympic stadium, to allow West 
Ham United FC to start using the multi-
purpose venue in time for the new football 
season. Work was also completed on 
the upgrade to Junction 30 of the M25 
in Essex. 

On Crossrail, Balfour Beatty’s three 
major projects: C510 (Liverpool Street 
and Whitechapel Station tunnels); 
C512 (Whitechapel Station); and C530 
(Woolwich Station) all made significant 
progress during the year. At the Thames 
Tideway Tunnel work has commenced on 
the 6-kilometre ‘West’ section which runs 
from Acton to Wandsworth. In Highways, 
material ongoing work includes the 
conversion of the M3 Motorway  
(J2–J4) into a Smart Motorway and the 
construction of dual carriageways for the 
A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury, the 
Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and 
the Norwich Northern Distributor Road. 

Notable new contract awards in the 
period include a £146 million construction 
package to widen a critical and complex 
10-mile stretch of the existing A14 and a 
contract to build an energy from waste 
facility for Gloucestershire County Council. 
Included within awarded but not contracted 
(ABNC), the Highways business has been 
selected to deliver a Smart Motorway 
package to upgrade sections of the M6 and 
M4 (J3–J12). Additionally, a contract from 
Highways England for the construction of 
a proposed lorry area near the M20, worth 
up to £130 million, has been awarded but is 
currently under consultation.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201621

The Major Projects business continues to 
pursue a number of major infrastructure 
opportunities across core transportation 
and energy markets. Over the next 
few years High Speed 2 (HS2) rail, new 
nuclear power stations at Hinkley Point C 
and Wylfa and the third runway at 
Heathrow airport will all contribute to the 
Government’s investment in infrastructure 
target, which is forecast to rise to over 1% 
of GDP by 2020-21.

The proposed HS2 rail route will connect 
London, Birmingham, Leeds and 
Manchester with total estimated costs 
of over £50 billion. Balfour Beatty and 
VINCI are in a joint venture pursuing work 
on HS2, utilising the expertise acquired 
by both companies on High Speed 1, 
VINCI’s involvement on the €8 billion 
Tours-Bordeaux high-speed rail project 
in France, and Balfour Beatty’s extensive 
work on transport networks across the 
UK and overseas. Balfour Beatty VINCI 
were unsuccessful in tendering for the 
enabling works packages during the year, 
but the joint venture has recently tendered 
for four major civil engineering works 
packages (two in the Central section, two 
in the North section), with contract awards 
expected in 2017. In addition, the highways 
market continues to provide good growth 

opportunities following the Government’s 
commitment of £15 billion to Highways 
England in order to deliver the first Roads 
Investment Strategy.

400 at December 2015 to approximately 
250 at December 2016. Over 150 of the 
current live projects have been through the 
Gated Lifecycle process. 

The Regional business is organised into 
four regions and Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick, 
following the merger of Engineering 
Construction and Engineering Services in 
August 2016.

 – Regional Construction: four regions 

(Scotland, North & Midlands, South and 
London) providing public and private 
customers with locally delivered, 
flexible and fully integrated civil and 
building services. 

 – Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick: heavy 
mechanical and electrical (M&E) 
installations and building services.
As a result of the focus on bidding for 
contracts with increased margins and 
more favourable contract terms, the 
Regional business is now focused on 
fewer, larger contracts and continues to 
reduce its exposure to contracts under 
£5 million. This allows the business to 
focus on projects with better pricing and 
risk dynamics, but also improves the span 
of control as it operates fewer sites. As a 
result, the total number of live jobs in the 
Regional business has reduced from over 

In 2016, the Regional business successfully 
completed the A1 improvement scheme 
where lane capacity was increased from 
two lanes to three lanes in each direction 
from the Metro Centre to Coal House 
junction. Other key milestones included the 
completion of the Kent bound platform at 
the new Abbey Wood Crossrail station and 
the North Ayrshire community hospital. 
Material ongoing projects include the 
Kennedy Street student accommodation 
project in Glasgow, Clyde and Pen y 
Cymoedd windfarms, Redwood luxury 
retirement village for Audley and the 
renovation and new build scheme at No. 
1 Palace Street in St James’, London.

The Regional business had a number of 
landmark successes in 2016. Notable new 
contract awards in the period included: 

 – £170 million contract to upgrade 
baggage screening and handling 
systems for Heathrow airport; 

 – £150 million contract to deliver the main 
construction works of The Madison 
Tower, a 53-storey residential building in 
Canary Wharf, London;

Madison Tower, 
London, UK
Balfour Beatty has 
been awarded a 
£150 million contract by 
LBS Properties to deliver 
the main construction 
works of The Madison 
Tower in Canary Wharf, 
London. Following 
its initial £1 million 
pre-construction services 
agreement in 2016, 
the main construction 
contract will see Balfour 
Beatty deliver this 
53-storey landmark 
tower to include 423 
residential apartments, 
residents’ lounge and 
business facilities.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report22

What we have been doing in 2016
Construction Services continued

 – £82 million contract to build engineering 
and training facilities at RAF Marham in 
Norfolk, in readiness for the arrival of the 
UK’s first F-35 Lightning aircraft in 2018;

 – £47 million contract to deliver a 1,350 
pupil academy on behalf of Hub North 
Scotland and Aberdeen City Council; and
 – Having previously delivered 2,520 units 
across five Central London student 
accommodation schemes, the latest 
contract with Urbanest is a £42 million 
development in Vauxhall, London. 

Following its reorganisation, Balfour Beatty 
Kilpatrick has been awarded a contract in 
excess of £20 million for the mechanical 
and electrical services for a pharmaceutical 
research and innovation facility being built 
in Hull. The Government’s approval for 
Hinkley Point C formalised the selection 
of a 50:50 joint venture between Balfour 
Beatty and NG Bailey for the £460 million 
power station electrical package. The work 
will deliver the critical infrastructure to 
power the station, including cabling totalling 
over 3,000 kilometres in length, fire and 
environmental sealing and specialist 
packages associated with data acquisition 
and plant control. 

The Regional business also continues to 
secure a number of significant projects 
operated by Scape Group, which is open 
to all public sector bodies in the UK and 
covers projects ranging from road repairs, 
new bridges and coastal defence works 
to light rail schemes and major road 

projects. In 2016, the Group was awarded 
a £35 million contract to deliver the first 
phase of the Perth Transport futures 
project and a £14 million contract to deliver 
the second phase of the Almond Bank 
flood defence scheme. 

Included within ‘awarded but not 
contracted’, Balfour Beatty has been 
selected as construction partner on 
Manchester University’s flagship project, 
the £350 million Engineering Campus 
development and has also been awarded 
the Eastwick and Sweetwater residential 
development project.

The Regional business continues to pursue 
a number of opportunities across its core 
defence, education, health, residential-led 
neighbourhoods, student accommodation 
and transportation markets. 

US
£3,427m underlying revenue^
£5.5bn order book^

Underlying revenues in the US grew by 
11% in the period (2% decline at CER) and 
the order book increased by 34% (10% 
increase at CER). The business reported 
an underlying profit from operations for the 
year of £33 million (2015: £22 million loss), 
as the US returned to profitability following 
a number of write-downs in the prior year. 

The underlying operating profit margin at 
1.0% is at the low end of the Group’s Build 
to Last Phase Two target of 1%-2% for 
US construction, as the effects of legacy 
contracts trade out, but the trajectory 
is positive and market conditions are 
considered favourable. 

The US business continued to drive 
operational focus and business 
simplification. The general building 
business and the infrastructure business 
have now been united under a single 
leader, which further develops and 
complements the move to a leaner 
organisational structure. The business has 
been refocused on certain geographies, 
known as ‘The Southern Smile’. This starts 
in the Pacific North West, runs through 
California, Texas, Florida and up through 
Georgia and the Carolinas to Washington 
DC. In the US approximately 85% of 
revenues are generated from the general 
building market, with the infrastructure 
market (rail, road and water) accounting for 
the remaining 15%. 

In the building business, underlying 
revenues were up 12% (stable at CER). 
The order book increased by 30% (5% at 
CER), as the business continued to see 
strong order intake, notwithstanding the 
improved bidding disciplines. The business 
remains focused on working with repeat 
customers, in known geographies where 
it can deliver value. It has therefore 
intentionally withdrawn from bidding on 

Caltrain, US
Balfour Beatty was 
awarded a $697 million 
contract to undertake 
electrification of the  
52-mile Caltrain rail 
corridor between San 
Francisco and San Jose, 
laying the foundations 
for the future operation 
of high speed trains. 
This is the largest contract 
secured by Balfour Beatty 
in the US.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201623

The order book grew by 25% (14% at 
CER), following the award of a number 
of notable major building projects: a 
HK$4 billion contract for the redevelopment 
of Somerset House into a 48-storey 
office building; a HK$2.6 billion contract 
for a residential development project for 
12 residential towers and five four-storey 
houses, which together will provide 
857 new homes; and a HK$1.6 billion 
contract for the construction of the Lee 
Garden Three Project, which will include 
20 floors of office space atop a five-level 
retail podium. 

In the Middle East, underlying 
revenue increased to £315 million 
(2015: £197 million). However, the business 
continued to make underlying losses, 
£2 million in the year (2015: £34 million), 
reflecting the challenging nature of the 
region. In early 2017, Balfour Beatty sold 
the Group’s entire share in Dutco Balfour 
Beatty and BK Gulf, for a total cash 
consideration of £11 million, to its joint 
venture partner. As part of the transaction, 
the local partner assumed responsibility 
for Balfour Beatty’s guarantees of bonding 
obligations in the joint ventures. 

Since the start of 2015, Balfour Beatty 
has exited the Middle East, Indonesia and 
Australia in order to focus on its chosen 
markets, in the UK, US and Far East. 

most stick frame multi-family housing, 
in order to switch to better quality revenues 
in core markets such as office, education, 
hospitality, residential and healthcare. 

Notable awards in the period included a 
US$276 million contract for a 42-storey 
mixed-use residential project in downtown 
San Francisco; a US$199 million contract 
for a mixed-used development in Dallas, 
comprising a 20-storey office tower 
and a second 34-storey tower with 253 
residential units; a US$196 million contract 
in Washington for the construction of two 
12-storey office towers to be built on top 
of an existing platform; a US$126 million 
contract for Ohlone College, in California, 
for the development of three new 
multi-storey academic core buildings 
that will house classrooms, laboratories, 
offices, conference rooms and a library; a 
US$110 million contract to construct four 
new elementary schools and renovate 
a fifth school for the Highland Park 
Independent School District in Texas; a 
US$99 million contract for the BPM Real 
Estate Group in downtown Portland to 
construct a 19-storey office and hotel 
development; and a US$84 million contract 
to build a luxury mixed-use residential 
tower in midtown Atlanta. 

In the infrastructure business, underlying 
revenues were up 4% (8% down at 
CER). The order book increased 38% 
(12% up at CER) following the notable 
award of a US$697 million contract for 
the electrification of the 52-mile Caltrain 
rail corridor between San Francisco and 
San Jose, laying the foundations for 
the operation of high-speed trains from 
2020. This award leverages expertise 
demonstrated in constructing the extension 
of Regional Transport District’s light-rail line 
across Denver’s south-east suburbs, which 
was successfully opened in April 2016.

The infrastructure business continues to 
pursue design-build and alternative delivery 
projects in its key rail, highway and water 
markets to reflect ongoing changes in 
procurement trends in the marketplace. 

Even before the election of the new 
President, there was a strong market 
outlook for construction in the US. 
In December 2015, the FAST Act (Fixing 
America’s Surface Transportation), a 
US$305 billion transportation bill was 

signed, providing guaranteed funding for 
a five-year period. This bill permits longer 
term project planning horizons in the 
public market and is leading to improved 
visibility for public funded projects that had 
been slow to come to market. There are 
further opportunities being created with 
the number of state backed infrastructure 
bonds (US$30 billion of education 
bonds in California, US$190 billion 
multi-state transportation bonds), and 
potentially an increase in US private public 
partnership schemes. 

Rail
£249m underlying revenue^
£0.2bn order book^

Underlying revenue in the rail business 
fell by £25 million to £249 million 
(2015: £274 million). Underlying losses in 
the year were £1 million (2015: £5 million) 
as the business continued to be impacted 
by poor contract performance on a small 
number of historical rail projects. The order 
book was stable at £0.2 billion. Given the 
materiality of the segment, future reports 
will include Rail within UK construction. 

International
£1,282m underlying revenue^
£1.8bn order book^

Underlying revenue in the Group’s Hong 
Kong and Singapore joint venture, Gammon 
Construction, increased by 21% (8% at 
CER), due to growth in major building 
projects including the construction of seven 
towers at the TW5 Cityside residential 
property development, 33 Tong Yin Street 
(residential towers and retail areas) and the 
conversion of the ex-government Murray 
building into a hotel.

Underlying profit from operations 
in the region reduced to £11 million 
(2015: £19 million) as new contracts are yet 
to meet the required revenue recognition 
milestones. In Hong Kong there are a 
number of significant contracts where the 
range of potential outcomes could result 
in a materially positive or negative swing 
to profitability.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report24

What we have been doing in 2016

Support Services

13%

Total revenue^

£3.1bn

2015: £3.1bn

Order book^

£1,103m

2015: £1,259m

Underlying revenue^

£1,076m

2015: £1,234m

Statutory revenue

£34m

2015: £24m

Underlying profit from operations^

£22m

2015: £11m

Statutory profit from operations

^ From continuing operations including 

share of joint ventures and associates, 
before non‑underlying items.

Windfarm, Scotland, UK
Balfour Beatty has more than a century’s 
worth of experience in delivering 
challenging infrastructure projects in 
Scotland, such as the Whitelee windfarm. 

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201625

Financial review

The Support Services segment comprises 
utilities and transportation businesses. 
Utilities operates across power transmission 
and distribution and the gas and water 
sectors. Transportation operates across rail, 
highways and managed road schemes for 
local authorities.

Underlying revenue for the division 
reduced by 12% to £1,103 million 
(2015: £1,259 million), due to the phasing 
of contract and regulatory cycles. However, 
underlying profit from operations increased 
to £34 million (2015: £24 million), as the 
3.1% (2015: 1.9%) underlying profit from 
operations margin in 2016 returned Support 
Services to the bottom end of the Build to 
Last Phase Two industry‑standard margin 
target of 3%‑5%.

Support Services 
Order book1 (£bn) 
Revenue1 (£m)
Profit from operations2 (£m) 
Non‑underlying items (£m)
Statutory profit from operations (£m)
Margin1,2 (%)

The order book was stable at £3.1 billion 
(2015: £3.1 billion) as growth in transportation 
was largely offset by a decline in utilities. 

Operational review

Underlying utilities revenue reduced by 6% 
to £590 million, with power transmission 
and distribution down 10% and gas and 
water down 3%. The utilities order book 
reduced by 10%, with power transmission 
and distribution down 13% and gas and 
water down 9%. 

Volumes in power transmission and 
distribution saw a decline in cabling and 
distribution network operator works, with 
2015 also having significant one‑off repair 
works in offshore transmission.

2016 
3.1 
1,103
34 
(12)
22

2015
3.1
1,259
24
(13)
11
3.1% 1.9%

1 Including share of joint ventures and associates.
2 Before non‑underlying items (Note 10).
A reconciliation of the Group’s performance measures to its statutory results is provided in the  
Measuring Our Performance section.

The power business has undertaken a 
significant restructure and cost removal 
during 2016, including the internal 
appointment of a new managing director, 
along with several other senior changes. 
The business has also focused on qualifying 
out low‑value works and areas which do not 
align to its risk profile, including significantly 
reducing its reliance on volume‑based and 
second‑tier subcontracting projects.

In March 2016, power transmission and 
distribution was awarded contracts worth 
£35 million by Scottish Hydro Electric for the 
design and construction of the Bhlaraidh and 
Beinnuen wind farms connections project 
near Fort Augustus, in Scotland. Most of 
the project was successfully delivered 
during 2016.

In November 2016, the power business was 
awarded a £120 million contract by ElecLink 
Ltd to install two 50‑kilometre electricity 
cables between France and Great Britain 
through the Channel Tunnel. This will be the 
first ever installation of a High Voltage Direct 
Current (HVDC) interconnector in a live rail 
tunnel environment. 

Track partnership
The Rail business was awarded a £170 million two‑year extension to its 
Track Partnership contract with London Underground, to deliver essential 
track renewal work across the London Underground network.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report26

What we have been doing in 2016
Support Services continued

to continue its highways maintenance 
and improvement scheme works and 
Connect Roads signed a £36 million, 
10‑year extension to its Balfour Beatty 
Major Projects Highway Services contract 
to deliver the essential maintenance 
works on the A50. The contract covers a 
56‑kilometre section of the A50 between 
Stoke and Derby which acts as a strategic 
east to west link between the M1 and M6. 

In September, the Group acquired 
Omnicom Engineering Ltd. Omnicom 
complements Balfour Beatty’s existing rail 
technology business by bringing remote 
surveying hardware and software to 
enhance the Group’s Digital Rail strategy. 

The slight reduction in gas and water 
underlying revenue was caused by the dip 
in the UK water regulatory cycle between 
the completion of Asset Management 
Period 2010‑2015 (AMP5) and new 
contracts continuing to mature under 
AMP6 (2015‑2020). The reduction in the 
order book was as expected, given the 
progress of the AMP6 delivery cycle. 
Many water contracts are extended over 
multiple AMP periods and the Group has 
already started to engage on the AMP7 
planning cycle. 

In 2016, gas and water secured an 
extension, through to 2020, to the gas 
transmission and distribution contract 
worth £130 million for Bord Gais, in 
Ireland, and also won a £38 million water 
treatment scheme for South West Water. 
The delivery of key and complex schemes 
remains on track. Gas and water expect a 
peak volume year in 2017, as it represents 
the middle of the current AMP6 cycle.

Underlying transportation revenues 
reduced by 18% to £513 million, due 
to expected volume declines from rail 
and highways. Underlying rail revenues 
were lower following the completion of 
a rail grinding contract in the prior year. 
Underlying highways revenues declined 
due to lower capital spend on a number 
of contracts for Highways England and 
completion of the contract for Area 4 during 
the period. 

The transportation order book grew by 
14%, due to strong order intake in rail and 
from local authorities. The rail business 
was awarded a £170 million two‑year 
extension to its Track Partnership contract 
with London Underground, to deliver 
essential track renewal work across the 
network. In local authorities Balfour Beatty 
was awarded a £245 million seven‑year 
highways maintenance contract for 
Coventry City Council, Solihull Metropolitan 
Borough Council and Warwickshire 
County Council. This unique collaborative 
arrangement will deliver better value for 
money, improved service resilience and 
flexibility in services. Additionally the 
Group was awarded a £55 million two‑year 
extension by West Sussex County Council 

West Sussex 
County Council
Balfour Beatty was 
awarded a £55 million 
two‑year extension by 
West Sussex County 
Council to continue its 
highways maintenance 
and improvement  
scheme works.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016What we have been doing in 2016

27

Infrastructure Investments

7%

Total revenue^

£1.22bn

2015: £1.24bn

Directors’ valuation

£575m

2015: £588m

Underlying revenue^

£235m

2015: £310m

Statutory revenue

£115m

2015: £161m

Underlying profit before tax^

£109m

2015: £151m

Statutory profit before tax

^ From continuing operations including 

share of joint ventures and associates, 
before non-underlying items.

Holyrood Student Accommodation, 
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Balfour Beatty delivered the £110 million 
Holyrood Student Accommodation block 
for the University of Edinburgh. The works 
comprised of eight individually designed 
buildings, eight accommodation types 
at 10 price-points. The accommodation 
types include: cluster flats, residence halls, 
twin rooms, studios, en-suite/non en-suite 
rooms, garden rooms and large rooms.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report28

What we have been doing in 2016
Infrastructure Investments continued

Infrastructure Investments
Pre-disposals operating profit1
Profit on disposals1
Profit from operations1
Net interest income from PPP concessions2
Profit before tax1
Non-underlying items 
Statutory profit before tax

2016 
£m
24
65
89
26
115
(6)
109

2015 
£m
37
95
132
29
161
(10)
151

1 Before non-underlying items (Note 10).
2 Subordinated debt interest receivable and net interest receivable on PPP financial assets and 

non-recourse borrowings. 

A reconciliation of the Group’s performance measures to its statutory results is provided in the  
Measuring Our Performance section.

Financial review

The Investments business delivered 
another strong performance, having 
continued its strategy of optimising value 
through the disposal of mature assets, 
whilst also continuing to invest in new 
opportunities and expanding the breadth 
of assets. 

During the year Investments made 
significant progress in simplifying its 
operations by exiting Balfour Beatty 
Infrastructure Partners (BBIP), an 
infrastructure fund run at arm’s length and 
focused on secondary opportunities, and 
exiting from the Australian market. In total 
16 assets were either sold or part sold in 
the period, with all transactions either at, or 
above, the Directors’ valuation.

Underlying profit from operations at 
£89 million (2015: £132 million) was 
lower than the prior year, predominantly 
due to a reduction in profit on disposals 
as a different mix of assets was sold. 
Despite an increase in proceeds to 
£189 million (2015: £145 million) the 
reduction in profit on disposals reflected 
the accounting profile of the assets 
sold in 2016. Pre-disposals underlying 
operating profit decreased to £24 million 
(2015: £37 million) due to lost income from 
previous disposals. Net interest income 
remained broadly consistent year on year 
at £26 million (2015: £29 million). The lower 
underlying profit from operations resulted 
in a lower profit before tax at £115 million 
(2015: £161 million). 

North Ayrshire Hospital, Irvine, Scotland, UKBalfour Beatty recently completed a new £46 million hospital for NHS Ayrshire & Arran in Irvine, Scotland. The local community now benefits from a 206-bed patient-centred and flexible healthcare facility.Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201629

Operational review

The Investments business continued 
to grow with four wins on new projects 
where equity will be invested, comprising: 
three private rental housing projects and 
one data centre project. In addition, the 
Investments business was appointed as 
third-party manager on two fee-based 
projects located in Pennsylvania and 
Florida. In these fee-based projects no 
equity will be invested.

In the private rented and regeneration 
sector, the North American business 
continues to expand and successfully 
acquired a stake in two private rental 
housing projects in Mobile, Alabama and 
Atlanta, Georgia. The Mobile portfolio 
consists of three properties totalling 320 
units and the Atlanta property consists of 
437 units. Balfour Beatty Communities 
will perform property management 
services for the properties, leveraging its 
existing capabilities. In the UK the business 
acquired its first private development site 
at Manchester New Cross. This project will 
provide a number of units to the private 
rented housing sector and construction 
is expected to begin following financial 
close in 2017. The Investments business 
also won a data centre project in Ontario, 
Canada. The project is located on the 
Canadian Forces Base in Borden, Ontario 
and covers the design and construction, 
financing and maintenance for a new 
10,000m2 data centre. 

Financial close was reached on seven 
projects: a primary care centres project in 
Ireland; a student accommodation project 
in Glasgow; an offshore transmission 
project in the North Sea; an energy from 
waste facility in Gloucestershire; the two 
US private rental housing projects; and the 
data centre in Canada. Five projects have 
not yet reached financial close.

The Investments business continued to 
make substantial equity investments in 
the portfolio, with £65 million invested in 
the period (2015: £102 million), of which 
£8 million was invested in the BBIP 
infrastructure fund before its sale.

Interests in 16 assets were sold in the 
period, seven of which were partial sales, 
generating total book gains on disposal 
of £65 million (2015: £95 million from 
four assets). 

The Investments business continues 
to see significant opportunities for 
future investment in its core geographic 
markets in the UK and North America, 
across its existing market sectors and as 
it continues to grow into new adjacent 
sectors. The business continues to monitor 
both the US and UK PPP markets for 
opportunities, especially following the 
recent announcements regarding PF2 in 
the UK and by the new administration in 
the US. 

Private rental housing community in Mobile, Alabama, USBalfour Beatty Communities performs property management services for its private rental housing portfolio consisting of over 5,500 units throughout the US by leveraging its existing capabilities. Windscape Apartments is one of three properties managed by Balfour Beatty Communities in the Mobile, Alabama market.balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report30

Directors’ valuation of the Investments portfolio
We continued to make substantial 
investment into the portfolio

Portfolio valuation December 2016
Value by sector

Sector
Roads
Healthcare
Schools
Student accommodation
OFTOs
Waste & biomass
Other 
UK total
US military housing
Healthcare & other PPP
Student accommodation
Residential housing
North America total
BBIP fund
Total

Portfolio valuation December 2016
Value by phase

Stage
Operations
Construction 
Preferred bidder (developer)
BBIP
Total

Portfolio valuation December 2016
Value by income type

Income type
Availability
Demand – operationally proven (2+ years)
Demand – early stage (less than 2 years)
BBIP fund
Total

2016 (2015)  
No. projects
(13)
  13 
(4)
  4 
(7)
  – 
(5)
  4 
(3)
  3 
(4)
  4 
(4)
  5 
(40)
  33 
(21)
  21 
(2)
  3 
(6)
  6 
(4)
  6 
(33)
  36 

  69 

(73)1

2016 (2015)  
No. projects
(46)
  49 
(20)
  15 
(7)
  5 

  69 

(73)1

2016 
£m
 366 
 140 
–
 63 
 46 
 57 
 35 
 707 
 438 
 9 
 38 
 28 
 513 
–
 1,220 

2016 
£m
1,059
134
27
–
1,220

2015 
£m
 412 
 137 
 76 
 69 
 40 
 40 
 28 
 802 
 355 
 5 
 26 
 18 
 404 
 38 
 1,244

2015 
£m
 952
218
 36
38
1,244

2016 (2015)  
No. projects
(30)
  25 
(31)
  32 
(12)
  12 

  69 

(73)1

2016 
£m
 572 
 498 
 150 
–
 1,220 

2015 
£m
 652 
 428 
 126 
 38 
 1,244

Overview
The Directors’ valuation was 
broadly maintained at £1,220 million 
(2015: £1,244 million) despite material 
disposals in the period, as the number of 
projects in the portfolio decreased from 
73 to 69. Two of these projects, Houston 
Baptist University in Texas and West 
Florida University, were won in previous 
years and have now been included in the 
project count at December 2015. 

The Group continued to make substantial 
investments, with £65 million invested in 
new and existing projects. This reflected 
continued success in targeted sectors with 
four new projects included in the Directors’ 
valuation for the first time.

The business continued its strategy of 
realising value through recycling equity 
from mature, operationally proven assets, 
whilst preserving interests in strategic 
projects that offer opportunities to the 
wider Group. 16 investments were sold 
or part sold during the year, including the 
Group’s interest in the fund managed by 
Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Partners 
(BBIP). In total these sales generated 
£189 million in proceeds. All sales 
were transacted either at, or above, the 
Directors’ valuation. Cash yield from 
distributions amounted to £64 million 
(2015: £82 million). The portfolio again 
generated cash flow to the Group net 
of investment.

The methodology used for the Directors’ 
valuation is unchanged, producing a 
valuation that more closely reflects market 
value and which therefore changes with 
movements in the market. Cash flows 
for each project are forecast based on 
historical and present performance, future 
risks and macroeconomic forecasts 
and which factor in current market 
assumptions. These cash flows are then 
discounted using different discount rates 
based on the risk and maturity of individual 
projects and reflecting secondary market 
transaction experience. As in previous 
years, the Directors’ valuation may 
differ significantly from the accounting 
book value of investments shown in the 
financial statements, which are produced 
in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards rather than using a 
discounted cash flow approach.

1 Two of these projects were won in previous years 
and have now been included in the project count at 
December 2015.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
31

Discount rates applied to the UK portfolio 
range between 7% and 14% depending 
on project risk and maturity. The implied 
weighted average discount rate for the UK 
portfolio is 8.3% (2015: 8.3%). The impact 
of selling mature assets has been offset 
by a number of investments moving from 
construction to operations phase. A 1% 
change in discount rate would change the 
value of the UK portfolio by approximately 
£80 million.

Consistent with other infrastructure 
funds, Balfour Beatty’s experience is that 
there is limited correlation between the 
discount rates used to value PPP (and 
similar infrastructure investments) and 
long-term interest rates. In the event that 
interest rates increased in response to 
rising inflation, the impact of any increase 
in discount rates would be mitigated by the 

positive correlation between the value of 
the UK portfolio and changes in inflation.

Following on from the OECD BEPS 
project’s recommendations on the tax 
deductibility of interest expense in 2015, 
HM Treasury and HM Revenue and 
Customs issued their consultation on policy 
design and implementation in May 2016 
and published detailed draft legislation in 
early 2017. The draft legislation preserves 
the concept of the public infrastructure 
exemption put forward by the OECD and 
also includes other helpful measures to 
protect such projects. The proposals and 
their application are complex and remain 
subject to further review, but the initial 
assessment is that the impact on the 
Directors’ valuation will not be material. 
Balfour Beatty will remain engaged with 
the UK Government to clarify and evaluate 
the impact of the draft legislation.

Valuation – The portfolio value at a range of discount rates
UK portfolio

1,400

1,200

1,000

m
£

n
o
i
t
a
u
a
v

l

’
s
r
o
t
c
e
r
i

D

800

600

400

200

840

707

755

634

945

793

+2%

+1.5%

+1%

+0.5% DV Case

-0.5%

-1%

-1.5%

-2%

■ December 2016     ■ December 2015

Discount rate

UK portfolio
In 2016 £57 million of equity investment 
was made in projects across the portfolio: 
in the student accommodation project at 
Aberystwyth University; the Ayrshire & 
Arran community hospital; the regeneration 
development at Eastwick & Sweetwater; 
and waste projects at Gloucester and 
Welland. One new project, a property 
development at New Cross in Manchester, 
has been added to the UK portfolio.

Demand for high-quality infrastructure 
investments in the secondary market 
remained strong and the Group took 
advantage of this through further sales of 
mature assets. Investor appetite for yield in 
the ongoing, low interest rate environment 
continues unabated and pricing in the 
secondary market is therefore expected to 
remain strong for the foreseeable future. 

Interests in 16 assets were sold in the 
period, seven of which were partial sales, 
generating total proceeds of £189 million. 
The business sold its entire 50% interest 
in the Wollongong project in Australia, a 
30% interest in the M1/A1 project (where 
the Group retains a 20% interest), a 40% 
interest in the Humber Gateway OFTO 
(where the Group retains a 20% interest), 
its entire interest in the BSF portfolio 
comprised of seven schools projects and 
an 80% interest in five street lighting 
projects (where the Group retains a 20% 
interest). The Group’s interest in Balfour 
Beatty Infrastructure Partners (BBIP), 
which was included in the Directors’ 
valuation but not as a line item in the 
project total, was sold during the year. 
All disposals were either at, or above, the 
Directors’ valuation.

Operational performance movements 
resulted in a £27 million reduction in value. 
The most significant components of 
this were lower inflation, lower forecast 
deposit interest rates, and an increase 
in the assumed tax burden for potential 
purchasers. The operational movement 
reflects lower inflation in 2016 followed 
by a step-up in 2017 before reaching a 3% 
long-term assumption in 2018. The change 
to interest rates incorporates a lowering of 
the long-term rate to 2% as a consequence 
of the Bank of England’s 0.25% reduction 
in base rates in the second half of 2016. 
In line with government announcements in 
the year the corporation tax rate has been 
further reduced from a long-term rate of 
18% to 17% from April 2020. 

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report 
 
 
32

Directors’ valuation of the Investments portfolio
We continued to make substantial investment into the portfolio continued

Valuation – The portfolio value at a range of discount rates
North American portfolio

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

m
£

n
o
i
t
a
u
a
v

l

’
s
r
o
t
c
e
r
i

D

593

468

513

404

450

353

+2%

+1.5%

+1%

+0.5% DV Case

-0.5%

-1%

-1.5%

-2%

■ December 2016     ■ December 2015

Discount rate

North American portfolio
In 2016, the business won three projects, 
two investments in residential housing 
developments at Mobile in Alabama and 
Atlanta in Georgia and a PPP data centre 
in Borden, Canada. In addition, a second 
phase of the project at University of Texas, 
Dallas has been included in the Directors’ 
valuation.

Operational performance movements 
resulted in an £88 million increase in the 
value of the portfolio, of which £85 million 
was due to the fall in the value of sterling. 

Discount rates applied to the North 
American portfolio range between 7.5% 
and 10%. The implied weighted average 
discount rate is 8.2% (2015: 8.2%) and a 
1% change in the discount would change 
the value of the North American portfolio 
by approximately £72 million.

Movement in value 2015-2016 £m

UK
North America
Total

2015
840
404
1,244

Equity 
invested
57
8
65

Distributions 
received
 (40)
 (24)
 (64)

Sales 
proceeds
 (189)
–
 (189)

Unwind of 
discount
59
31
90

New project 
wins
–
6
6

Gain on 
sales
7
–
7

Portfolio investment, sales and distributions since 2007
£m

1,500

1,000

500

m
£

l

n
o
i
t
a
u
a
v
’
s
r
o
t
c
e
r
i

D

0

(500)

Operational 
performance 
gains (inc. FX 
movements)
 (27)
88
61

2016
707
513
1,220

200

150

100

m
£

i

s
n
o
i
t
u
b
i
r
t
s
d
d
n
a
s
e
a
s
,
t
n
e
m
t
s
e
v
n
I

l

50

0

(50)

(100)

(150)

(1,000)

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

■ Distributions     ■ Investment     ■ Sales     – Directors’ valuation

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
33

Building a sustainable business
Creative solutions  
driven by innovation

A value-led business that 
operates safely and ethically. 
Balfour Beatty acts responsibly 
to protect and enhance the 
physical and social environment 
in which it operates.

Innovation, research and 
development

Innovation plays an important role in 
creating additional value for Balfour 
Beatty’s customers and ultimately the 
Group. Innovation is driven by Balfour 
Beatty people, working in collaboration 
with customers, joint ventures and the 
supply chain, and internally across the 
business. The examples below illustrate 
how the Group has used creative solutions 
on its projects and services, to deliver 
savings and benefits to customers.

My Contribution – ideas from 
our people
As a specific stream of the Build to 
Last programme the Group-wide My 
Contribution initiative was launched in 
H2 2015 and is now embedded in the 
business. My Contribution encourages 
staff to share ideas and solutions. 

Integration of the EZiCat cable avoidance 
tool was initiated through My Contribution 
to avoid service strikes. Improved safety 
and savings of £250,000 resulted in 
our Area 10 contract being awarded 
the Chartered Institution of Highways 
& Transportation NW 2016 Safety 
Project of the Year and it is now used by 
other contractors. 

Digital Balfour Beatty
The Group is integrating and combining 
digital technologies to create a Digital 
Balfour Beatty which results in better 
project outcomes throughout the 
project lifecycle.

Applications have been developed both 
in-house and with small and medium-
sized enterprises (SMEs) which work in 
other sectors: 

 – A mobile application that allows safety 
observations to be made on site using 
any mobile device. This also allows the 
recording and disseminating of best 
practice and areas of improvement. 
It is accessible on all mobile platforms 
and is being adopted across the 
whole business. 

 – Current roll-out of an application that 

captures all utility service mapping from 
all the different providers at the touch of 
a button.

The Group is improving the capture, 
storage, accessibility and distribution 
of information, at bid stage, throughout 
project delivery and into the asset 
lifecycle. Expert knowledge of information 
sharing and database configuration is 
a differentiator, as evidenced by the 
adoption of Balfour Beatty information 
management systems on the wider A14 
Cambridge to Huntingdon programme. 
The vision and drive to introduce various 
mobile information sharing applications 
and contract administration software adds 
value to the business.

Collaboration has been improved by 
harnessing technology. Initiated and co-
ordinated by the US business, colleagues 
across the globe collaborated together 
during a 24-hour Virtual Reality (VR) 
‘storm’ – a rapid collaborative sharing 
session. A dozen work teams across 
multiple time zones and continents – 
including the Group’s businesses in Asia, 
Europe and North America – advanced 
their understanding of VR capabilities and 
shared their experiences with each other. 
The storm started early morning in Hong 
Kong, engaged India, then transferred to 
teammates in the UK at mid-day and ended 
in the US late in the day. In a 24-hour cycle 
it made Balfour Beatty’s large company 
feel small – the ‘perfect storm’.

People capability 
Balfour Beatty has led the delivery of 
over £2 million of Innovate UK research 
grants, delivering cutting edge technology 
that builds a competitive advantage and 
potential step change in productivity in 
design and construction. Balfour Beatty 
worked in partnership with University 
College London spin-off start-up, 3D 
Repo, to develop an open-source platform 
for managing and optimising design 
during tenders. Innovate UK feedback 
was: “Balfour Beatty delivered an 
exemplary project – a leading example 
of how large organisations collaborate 
with small enterprises to deliver cutting 
edge innovation.” 

The Group is in the final phase of delivering 
an Innovate UK project that uses machine 
learning to provide insight on the root 
causes of waste in construction and 
provides a technical solution to reducing 
waste proactively in the design phase. 

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report34

Building a sustainable business
Creative solutions driven by innovation continued

The Balfour Beatty UK Build to Last Expert 
individual winner in 2016 led the production 
of a 3D model at an early stage of the 
Aberdeen Airport Terminal Transformation 
Phase 1 project which resulted in the award 
of the £10 million Phase 1 contract, and 
negotiations are in progress for Phase 2.

The Balfour Beatty India design team has 
grown to a 55-strong technical team of 
experts. Specific specialisations include 
the production of detailed 4D visualisations 
for many different areas of the business 
worldwide to maintain programmes, 
delivery and customer satisfaction and 
engage the whole team.

Innovation
Balfour Beatty harnesses innovation that 
delivers value and efficiencies, improves 
safety, develops engineering capability and 
increases the pace of delivery. The Group 
is involved with a large number of industry 
bodies sharing knowledge and learning 
within the industry. 

Direct involvement with industry groups 
such as i3P (Infrastructure Industry 
Innovation Platform) and Crossrail’s 
Innovate18 provide a platform for Balfour 
Beatty to influence the industry and share 
knowledge with peers. 

In Hong Kong, Gammon became the 
first company to bring Exoskeleton 
technology to the Hong Kong construction 
market. Improving operative endurance 
and reducing the likelihood of injuries, 
this technology is helping to address the 
challenges of an ageing workforce and 
redefine the limits of operative capability.

On Highway projects laser scanning, 
mobile ground penetrating radar, and 
4D visualisations have been used. In the 
Highways Services sector the Group has 
developed the use of drones for bridge 
inspections and is focusing on ways to use 
them for ecological inspections. 

Balfour Beatty has developed its own in-
house laser scanning teams and capabilities 
to service the whole of the UK business. 
These teams deliver true ‘as-is’ models of 
existing infrastructure to inform the design, 
and then create the true ‘as-built’ to inform 
the asset management on completion of 
a project, integrating laser scanning with 
Building Information Modelling (BIM). 

Value engineering
We have developed a value engineering 
management system (VE) which outlines 
how we will meet the savings mandated 
by the UK Government for centrally 
procured projects.

On the Norwich Northern Distributor 
Road, we achieved nearly a 20% saving 
through our VE process. The business ran 
VE workshops jointly with the client and 
designers, and generated over 100 ideas 
which were scored against the criteria of 
viability, cost saving and schedule creating 
a shortlist of more than 20 ideas that 
were implemented.

Regular online forums across the Group’s 
business allow developments to be shared. 

Modular construction is being taken from 
one sector to another. Using the knowledge 
gained from delivering mechanical and 
electrical installations in the buildings 
sector, Balfour Beatty has developed, 
patented and fabricated modular subsurface 
roadside infrastructure pods in-house, 
and is now trialling them to speed up 
installation of technology on the UK SMART 
motorways programme.

Using 4D visualisations, a Balfour Beatty 
Manual has been created for construction: 
a full 4D visualisation of critical and repeat 
activities which has enhanced peer reviews 
of critical activities and enabled simple and 
clear communication across all stakeholders.

In Power Transmission and Distribution 
a new skycradle system has been 
developed to support cables on overhead 
powerlines when they are being replaced. 
This eliminates working at height and is a 
first in the industry.

Silver Jubilee Bridge, Halton, UKBalfour Beatty has developed its own in-house specialist scanning teams that use the latest software to capture existing historic structures for future maintenance works. Visualisations Creating a Balfour Beatty 4D Manual for construction.Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201635

Gammon has been awarded the 
Innovation and Creativity Grand Award 
at the 2016 Hong Kong Awards for 
Industries. The award attributes to the 
effective strategy of Build to Order Full 
Modular Mechanical Electrical Plant 
(MEP) Construction. Important features 
of this strategy solution include off-site 
standardisation of MEP module design, 
weldless assembly and the extensive 
specialisation possibilities offered by 
the build to order model. The concept 
is effective in increasing productivity, 
improving the work environment, raising 
general safety levels and addressing 
the labour shortage that is facing the 
construction industry.

Gammon has already used and will use this 
solution in many other high-profile projects, 
including the China Mobile Network 
Centre, the Global Switch Data Centre and 
the Murray Building.

Collaboration with universities 
Balfour Beatty continues its collaboration 
with world-leading research 
establishments, including Bristol University 
(systems engineering), Liverpool John 
Moores University (condition monitoring), 
Sheffield University (smart buildings), 
University College London (UCL; future 
leaders in infrastructure, radar and 3D 
Repo), Manchester University (overhead 
line structures and composite crossarms), 
and Loughborough University (accounting 
for whole-life carbon emissions from 
highways maintenance contracts), 
Cambridge University (e-luminate – 
merging art, music and light), and Queen’s 
University Belfast (resource efficiency 
through BIM).

Partnerships have also been established 
with UCL via an Honorary Research 
Associate post awarded to a member of 
the Digital Transformation team which 
supports the research of digital impact on 
business models in delivering social and 
economic infrastructure. A member of 
that team was invited to join the Chartered 
Institute of Building’s Innovation and 
Research Panel which sets the innovation 
and research agenda and funding focus for 
industry and academia. 

Balfour Beatty provides guest lecturers 
on BIM and Construction Economics to 
UCL, University of Middlesex, Abertay 
University and Ulster University for their 
BIM management courses.

Awards
Balfour Beatty undertakes a wide variety of 
works and is recognised by many diverse 
industry awards for the breadth of the work 
it undertakes. 

Ground Engineering was awarded 
Project of the Year at the UK Ground 
Engineering Awards 2016. The award 
was for the unique works to stabilise 
a landslide in Lyme Regis, ensuring 
the work did not impact on the area’s 
UNESCO World Heritage Site status 
and ecological requirements of Natural 
England. The £13.5 million works included 
the construction of a 400m wave wall and 
walkway built below the landslide areas, 
and the stabilisation of the major slope 
to ensure the protection of 480 homes.

Highway Services won the Best Public 
Sector Digital Project at the V3 Digital 
Technology Leaders Awards 2016. 
Working with Southampton City Council, 
Balfour Beatty used live data to analyse 
traffic flows to alleviate congestion, 
specifically around major events such 
as Southampton Football Club matches. 
Balfour Beatty’s joint submission ‘Shaping 
Southampton through Digital Excellence’ 
was the culmination of five years of 
investment and continuous improvement 
in digital technologies, in partnership with 
Southampton City Council, to drive greater 
customer satisfaction and more efficient 
operational delivery. The judges praised 
the project as: “an excellent example of 
exactly how councils should be looking 
at using technology, visualisations and 
data to improve the services they offer 
to their citizens and a model that other 
councils should look at when considering 
implementing similar strategies.”

2016 Hong Kong Awards for IndustriesKevin O’Brien (Executive Director, Gammon) receives the Innovation and Creativity Grand Award.balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report36

Building a sustainable business
Focused on a safe 
and ethical place of work

Health and safety

‘Safe’ is one of the four Build to Last 
goals and all operations must ensure the 
health and safety of everyone who comes 
into contact with the Group’s activities. 
Zero Harm is Balfour Beatty’s vision which 
means, no injury or ill health caused by 
work activities. All operations are charged 
with constantly improving performance, 
sharing learning and best practice.

The Zero Harm objective is supported 
by risk-based prioritised action plans. 
These are formed around 12 key areas: 
communicating the vision; leadership; 
learning and sharing; co-ordinated 
governance; supply chain engagement; 
health and safety by design; improving 
management systems and processes; 
training and competence; behavioural 
safety; innovation, recognition and reward; 
performance indicators; and local initiatives. 

Group initiatives, linked to the Zero Harm 
calendar are proactive and evidence-based. 
These include quarterly campaigns and 
Group-wide stand downs on key topics. 
In 2016 these included work at height, 
interfaces between people and plant and 
treating health like safety.

Many parts of Balfour Beatty’s business 
achieved millions of hours incident 
free, demonstrating that Zero Harm is 
achievable. Group-wide leading and 
lagging key performance indicators 
trended positively, with particularly strong 
performance in the UK. The Group’s Lost 
Time Injury Rate (LTIR) improved from 0.32 
to 0.31, 0.24 to 0.22 excluding the Group’s 
international joint ventures. 

Central to sustainable delivery of 
Zero Harm is Balfour Beatty’s Making 
Safety Personal (MSP) programme, 
based around four simple golden rules. 
In 2015 the focus was engagement 
through workforce observations, which 
achieved a dramatic increase and this 
trend has continued in 2016. In 2016 the 
Group piloted and launched the MSP 
1 foundation programme for everyone 
on making safe choices and an MSP 4 
leadership programme.

Balfour Beatty’s industry-leading 
commitment to treating health like safety 
focuses on eliminating occupational 
disease and ill health. In the UK, Balfour 
Beatty is a founder and active member 
of the Health in Construction Leadership 
Group (HCLG). In 2016 the HCLG 
brought industry leaders, clients and 
contractors, together in a ground-breaking 
summit – Committing Construction to a 
Healthier Future.

The business continued to win awards for 
its health and safety performance. In the 
UK, the Sellafield Silo Maintenance Facility 
team won RoSPA’s Order of Distinction 
and clients award for safety. Balfour Beatty 
won several national awards too such 
as the National Joint Utilities Group to 
support visually impaired members of the 
community navigate around utility street 
works. In the US, the Group received 
the national AGC Safety Award for its 
outstanding safety record in Highways.

Employee survey results across the 
Group rated consistently highly on health 
and safety questions, a strong indicator 
of engagement.

Sadly, despite these positive 
improvements, five workers lost their lives 
across the Group in 2016, one in the UK, 
one in the US and three in the Gammon 
joint venture in Hong Kong/Singapore. 
Three of the workers were subcontractors, 
two were direct employees. 
Each fatal accident is subject to a thorough 
investigation and a detailed review by the 
Group Chief Executive and further review 
by the Safety and Sustainability Committee 
to ensure lessons are promulgated 
across the business and wider industry. 
Lessons from the UK fatality involving 
plant have resulted in industry-wide 
improvements in the understanding and 
application of the hierarchy of risk controls.

In 2017 the Group will continue its 
relentless focus on health and safety 
within the business and working with the 
wider industry.

The Group’s Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR)

2
3
.
0

1
3
.
0

7
2
.
0

3
2
.
0

2013 2014 2015 2016

Accident Frequency Rate (AFR)

5
1
.
30
1
.
0

3
1
.
0

2
1
.
0

2013 2014 2015 2016

Major injury rate

5
0
.
0

4
0
.
0

4
0
.
0

3
0
.
0

2013 2014 2015 2016

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Building a sustainable business

37

Developing the best talent

Members pledge to work towards having 
a minimum of 5% of their employees in 
‘earn and learn’ positions – apprentices, 
sponsored students and graduate trainees 
– within five years of joining.

Balfour Beatty has been a member of The 
5% Club since December 2013, and was 
the first in the infrastructure industry to join. 

Group Chief Executive Leo Quinn has 
personally donated £40,000, equivalent 
to 5% of his salary, to secure the ongoing 
work of The 5% Club and committed to 
underwrite up to £100,000 of costs while 
wider fundraising gets underway.

The proportion of the UK workforce in ‘earn 
and learn’ positions has increased from 
3.1% in 2014, to 4.3% in 2016.

In 2016, the Group recruited 110 graduates 
and 114 apprentices across the UK, and 
current plans are seeing the business move 
towards the 5% target. 

The Group’s UK businesses are also 
supporting nearly 200 people studying part-
time at local colleges and universities. 

Balfour Beatty continues to lead a 
consortium on behalf of the sector 
to support government reforms on 
apprenticeships for the construction 
industry, gaining approval of 14 new 
Apprenticeships Standards for craft and 
technical/professional job roles and aiming 
for delivery to start in September 2017.

Emerging talent

People and leadership

In 2015 the Group set out its people 
strategy based on inspiring people to 
excel as part of the Group’s transformation 
programme – Build to Last. This delivered 
significant successful results and 
continued to be the foundation of the 2016 
people plan. As part of the Build to Last 
transformation, Balfour Beatty continues to 
improve and enhance systems, policies and 
procedures. This has included simplifying 
the number of core UK policies from 200 
down to 50 and reducing the number of 
payrolls by 60%, as well as other system 
changes such as creating an onboarding 
portal to enhance the joining experience for 
new employees.

During 2016 Balfour Beatty has invested 
in training and development of employees, 
through the Balfour Beatty Academy, and 
developed new strategic and business-
specific programmes. 

These training and development 
programmes operate within the context 
of a Group-wide talent review process, 
which ensures consistent methodology 
and visibility of talent, so that succession 
planning, leadership training and 
development interventions are applied 
in the most effective way possible by 
leveraging the Group’s scale.

The first Group-wide employee 
engagement survey was completed in 
2015 and followed up with a number 
of actions following the survey results. 
A second Group-wide survey was held in 
2016 using Best Companies again in order 
to provide consistency in measurement and 
benchmarking against other companies. 
Employee engagement remains a key 
focus, to support and enhance business 
performance and Balfour Beatty has been 
awarded ‘Ones to Watch’ status under the 
Best Companies Index.

Emerging talent
The 5% Club works with UK employers 
and key influencers to inspire, educate and 
retain a growing number of apprentices, 
sponsored students and graduates 
through ‘earn and learn’ placements. 
The goal of The 5% Club is to increase 
the employment and career prospects of 
today’s youth and equip the UK with the 
skilled workforce it needs to safeguard 
Britain’s economy.

Upskilling the UK’s infrastructure 
workforce
The Balfour Beatty Academy continues 
to provide a range of management, 
leadership and professional-level technical 
development programmes as a focus 
for the Group’s UK activities and aims to 
ensure co-ordinated and cost-effective 
development in line with its Build to 
Last goals.

During 2016: investment continued into key 
training initiatives; over 230 places were 
occupied on one of the Group’s commercial 
management modules; 70 senior win 
business staff attended the high-value 
selling programme and an additional 
35 were trained on a new programme 
of business acquisition methodology 
that the Academy is collaborating on 
with colleagues from the US business; 
another 100 people started their APM 
project management qualification journey; 
240 people attended negotiation skills 
training and over 290 people attended 
a programme to develop their people 
management skills. To complement Balfour 
Beatty’s portfolio, additional offerings 
in the project management suite were 
developed, as were programmes to 
enhance leadership, diversity and inclusion, 
and client-focused work-winning, which 
were piloted in 2016 ready for 2017 launch. 

Balfour Beatty works in partnership 
with The Prince’s Trust, which trains 
unemployed young people through its Get 
into Construction programme. Over the last 
five years, 400 young people completed 
this programme, learning while working on 
Balfour Beatty sites. About 70% of these 
people gained employment with the Group 
directly or with its supply chain.

5

4

3

2

1

0

4.6

4.3

3.1

2014

2015

2016

% of graduates, apprentices and students 
in UK workforce

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report38

Building a sustainable business
Developing the best talent continued

Diversity and inclusion
Leo Quinn, Group Chief Executive, is 
the Board-level sponsor for diversity and 
inclusion. In 2016, the Board established 
a steering committee to govern the 
strategic activities across the UK and to 
track progress against a new three-year 
blueprint. This blueprint serves to outline 
the key deliverables and metrics necessary 
to attract diverse talent and create a 
more inclusive working environment. 
Each strategic business unit produces a 
plan to align with the overarching strategy 
to ensure that diversity and inclusion 
activities are embedded to meet local 
employee and customer needs.

In 2016, four new Affinity Networks were 
launched to enable employee groups 
to network, share information and gain 
support. The aim of these networks is 
to improve individual and organisational 
understanding of the different aspects 
of diversity and inclusion, in addition to 
supporting the Group’s strategy to be 
a great place to work. In 2016, Balfour 
Beatty’s longstanding LGBT network 
secured the Civil Engineering Contractors 
Association (CECA) award for ‘Inspiring 
Change in the Workplace’ in recognition 

Group gender balance

%
3
8

%
7
1

M

ale

F

e

m

ale

Female employees across the workforce

%
7
1

%
7
1

%
6
1

2014 2015 2016

To enhance the Group’s diversity and 
inclusion offering, strategic partnerships 
are in place with WISE, the Leonard 
Cheshire Disability Society, Business in the 
Community and Stonewall. Balfour Beatty 
is also a signatory to the Armed Forces 
Corporate Covenant and progressed to 
Silver Award winners in 2016.

The Group remains committed to investing 
in industry-leading people throughout 
a period of considerable change. 
It is this commitment and the continued 
engagement of employees that will provide 
the foundations for Balfour Beatty’s 
recovery and future growth.

of their work, which offers confidential 
support to LGBT employees and their 
‘allies’. Balfour Beatty was one of the first 
infrastructure companies to set up an 
LGBT professional network and is proud 
to be represented in the 2016 Financial 
Times’ Top 50 Future LGBT Leaders 
list. The network, which has doubled 
its membership in two years, has over 
100 members spanning the UK and the 
US, ranging from senior sponsorship to 
frontline construction workers.

Given that the proportion of female 
employees has reduced in recent 
years with the disposals of Balfour 
Beatty WorkPlace in 2013 and Parsons 
Brinckerhoff in 2014, a strategic priority 
for the Group is to increase the number of 
females across the business, particularly 
in middle and senior management roles. 
The Women in Business network has 
recently developed a new three-day career 
development programme specifically 
designed to support women in accelerating 
their careers which will be rolled out 
across the organisation in 2017, following 
a successful pilot. A new Returners’ 
Programme, which provides career 
placements to women who have been 
on a career break of two years or more, 
was also launched in 2016. Through this 
programme, women will gain invaluable 
support and mentoring to support their 
pursuit of permanent employment. 

Balfour Beatty has diversified its supply 
chain, spending more than 40% of total 
spend with SMEs over each of the last four 
years. The percentage spend with Social 
Enterprises has doubled, and since 2014, a 
year-on-year increase in percentage spend 
with female-owned businesses has been 
delivered (0.11% in 2014, 2% in 2015 and 
3.37% in 2016). In recognition of delivering 
a diverse culture across its supply chain, 
Balfour Beatty was awarded Minority 
Supplier Development UK’s Inclusive 
Procurement award for 2016.

At 31 December 2016
Board
Senior management1 
Directors of subsidiaries
Group

Male
6
94
248
18,103

Female
1
25
32
3,726

Total
7
119
280
21,829

% Male % Female
14
21
11
17

86
79
89
83

1 Members of Group Head Office and divisional senior leadership teams.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Building a sustainable business

39

Driving integrity across the business

Business Integrity

Balfour Beatty has a well-developed 
Business Integrity programme which 
was originally launched in 2009. 
The programme adopts a behaviours-
based approach to ensure that the Group’s 
culture enables people to make the right 
choices and empowers them to speak 
up where others have not. In 2016, the 
whole programme and its effectiveness 
were evaluated and a number of initiatives 
updated and re-launched:

 – the Code of Conduct has been 

updated and launched as a website 
(www.balfourbeattycodeofconduct.com). 
As a result, the Code is now available on 
phones, tablets and laptops so everyone 
can access and understand what is 
expected of them

 – a new online assessment has been 

created to evaluate a person’s 
understanding of the Code of Conduct 
and what is expected of them, which will 
inform the training they receive. 
Previously a standard training programme 
was mandatory and effectiveness 
measured through completion rates
 – training for on-site operatives was 

relaunched and forms part of the Site 
Mobilisation Hub so that sites start with 
the right Business Integrity resources 
and support 

 – several manual processes are being 
automated to make better use of 
technology. This will ensure that 
processes are followed in a consistent 
manner and decisions taken will be 
documented and available in a uniform 
way. Examples include the annual 
compliance declaration and the due 
diligence process undertaken when 
working with new clients or partners. 
Technology also enables the better 
collection of data which can be shared to 
improve behaviour and mitigate risk.
All of the improvements made to the 
programme are designed to make it 
more accessible and compliance with 
it easy to understand and implement. 
The embedding of the programme through 
the usual channels of training, workshops 
and constant communication also 
continued during the year. 

In addition to improvements in the 
programme, the Business Integrity function 
also increased the team to ensure all in-
scope cases are investigated in a timely 

Speak Up Helpline cases 
Number

Speak Up Helpline cases 
(excluding HR grievances) Number

6
7
2

0
7
2

5
4
2

5
6
1

8
0
2

4
0
2

4
2
2

2
4
1

2013 2014 2015 2016

2013 2014 2015 2016

Cases per 1,000 employees 
(Balfour Beatty) Number

Cases per 1,000 employees 
(global benchmark) Number

2
.
1
1

6
.
17
.
7

3
.
5

3
1

3
1

4
1

2
1

2013 2014 2015 2016

2013 2014 2015 2016

manner. Investigating cases and taking 
appropriate action are key to reinforcing 
the behaviours expected of everyone and 
supporting those who raise concerns. 

Speak up
Balfour Beatty encourages its staff and 
wider community to report any concerns 
about unethical conduct. Trends and, where 
appropriate, details of cases raised are 
reported to the Audit and Risk Committee 
and each business unit. Whilst action is 
taken in respect of the immediate issues 
raised, this data also informs the longer 
term strategic direction of the programme. 

There has been an increase in the total 
number of reported cases in 2016 
compared with 2015, which reflects the 
benefits of reinvigorating the programme. 
There has also been an increase in the 
number of cases per 1,000 employees. 

Areas of focus in 2017
The implementation of the changes to 
the Business Integrity programme will 
continue in 2017 with a particular focus 
on technology. The benefits of the 
changes made in 2016 are borne out in 
the increased awareness of the Code 

of Conduct and the numbers feeling 
empowered to challenge. However, 
there is still a significant amount of work 
to do to ensure the programme is fully 
embedded throughout the Group in a 
consistent manner.

Modern slavery 
Modern slavery is a brutal form of 
organised crime in which people are 
treated as commodities and exploited for 
criminal gain. The International Labour 
Organisation estimates that 21 million 
men, women and children are working in 
conditions of modern slavery, including 
trafficked persons. The vast majority of 
these people are in the supply chains of 
legitimate industries. Balfour Beatty is 
committed to working within the business 
and its supply chain to ensure a proactive 
approach is taken to tackling hidden labour 
exploitation and eliminating these practices. 
Further details of the Company’s approach 
to modern slavery and its Modern Slavery 
Act transparency statement for 2016 can 
be accessed here:

  www.balfourbeatty.com/services/
modern-slavery

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report40

Building a sustainable business
Using Our Blueprint to drive  
sustainability performance

Environmental performance

The Group’s sustainability strategy, Our 
Blueprint, sets out how Balfour Beatty will 
deliver long-term economic, social and 
environmental outcomes for its employees, 
customers, society and shareholders. 
It seeks to further embed sustainability 
throughout Balfour Beatty’s operations by 
providing a robust framework. For details 
on Our Blueprint and the Group’s wider 
sustainability performance, please visit:

  www.balfourbeatty.com/sustainability/
sustainability-dashboard/

Optimising environmental performance 
forms a key component of Our Blueprint 
and is essential for driving efficiencies and 
winning work. Balfour Beatty has been 
taking steps to reduce its carbon emissions 
and mitigate against the business risks of 
climate change. 

The Group has continued to automate 
the collection of sustainability data by 
investing in software and developing 
in-house solutions. This has improved 
the completeness and accuracy of 
environmental performance data such as 
its Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

Standards
Sustainability is an integral part of 
modern infrastructure projects: public 
sector customers require conformance 
to standards such as BREEAM, LEED®, 
BEAM, ESTIDAMA, Green Mark, and 
CEEQUAL and these are important to 
planning authorities. Meeting these 
standards has resulted in a £2.2 billion 
revenue on green infrastructure projects 
in 2016. The Group’s certifications in this 
area and its technical knowledge improve 
the whole life performance of customers’ 
built assets.

Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions
The Group has seen a decrease in carbon 
emissions intensity in 2016 compared to 
2015 from 35.2 tonnes of CO2 equivalent 
(CO2e)/£m revenue to 30.1 tonnes of 
CO2e/£m revenue. Since establishing 
the baseline in 2010, tonnes of CO2e/£m 
revenue have dropped by 27% from 41.5 
tonnes of CO2e/£m revenue to 30.1 tonnes 
of CO2e/£m revenue.

The Group’s total CO2e figure for Scope 1 
and 2 emissions, has dropped by 53,841 
tonnes of CO2e (15%) from 357,983 tonnes 
of CO2e to 304,142 tonnes of CO2e over 
the same period.

Over the last year the energy management 
unit has made significant progress in 
reducing energy and fuel consumption and 
associated Scope 1 and 2 emissions. 

Balfour Beatty’s 2020 goal is to achieve 
a 50% reduction per £ million revenue of 
its Scope 1 and 2 emissions (against a 
2010 baseline). 

Achievement of this target will mean 
reduced operating costs and therefore 
improved value to customers and 
shareholders. Additionally, a number of 
customers have expressed an intention to 
prequalify contractors on the basis of their 
carbon performance in the future. 

Gammon Construction, the Group’s 
joint venture in Hong Kong/Singapore, 
accounts for approximately 37% of 
the Group’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions. 
In 2014, it became the first construction 
company in Hong Kong to be awarded 
the CarbonCare® Label that covers all of 
its operations in Hong Kong (except joint 
venture projects). This is in addition to the 
ISO 14064-1 international standard for 
quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas 
(GHG) emissions it holds. Its Scope 1 and 2 
GHG emissions are independently verified 
by SGS.

 www.balfourbeatty.com/showcase

GHG reporting and assurance
Balfour Beatty’s GHG emissions are 
reported in accordance with the UK 
Government’s GHG reporting requirements 
covering all six Kyoto gases. 

The Group uses the operational control 
approach under the GHG Protocol 
Corporate Accounting and Reporting 
Standard as at 31 December 2016 to report 
emissions from its operations around the 
world. However, Balfour Beatty has chosen 
not to report against the market-based 
approach. Even though Balfour Beatty does 
procure significant amounts of renewable 
electricity, the average DEFRA conversion 
factors have been used for carbon 
reporting purposes in order not to detract 
from reducing energy intensive operations. 

Balfour Beatty’s energy consumption in 
MWh is shown on page 41 to allow readers 
to make more informed comparisons of its 
energy use.

Although Balfour Beatty’s Scope 1 and 2 
CO2e emissions dropped by 2% (6,726 
tonnes) over the period from 2015 to 2016, 
the number of MWh of energy dropped 
by approximately 1% (10,736 MWh 
for energy).

This difference can be explained by the 
fact that different fuels have different 
carbon conversion factors, with some fuels 
attracting greater carbon conversion factors 
than others. Furthermore, the MWh table 
does not include fugitive emissions. 

The Energy Use table illustrates that there 
has been a greater switch towards biofuel 
blends for petrol and diesel accompanied 
by a reduction in both mineral petrol 
and diesel.

Balfour Beatty’s Scope 1 and 2 CO2e 
emissions include emissions from assets 
that are otherwise not referred to across 
the rest of the financial statements such as 
energy provided by landlords or clients that 
Balfour Beatty does not pay for. 

Scope 1
Scope 2
Total Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions
Total Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions per £m revenue

Base year 2010
283,821
74,162
357,983
41.5

2013
249,021
73,155
322,176
30.3

2014
221,679
71,208
292,887
30.2

Absolute tonnes of CO2e

2015
238,685
72,183
310,868
35.2

2016
222,485Δ
81,657Δ
304,142Δ
30.1

Scope 1 emissions include those resulting from the combustion of fuel and operation of facilities. 
Scope 2 emissions result from the purchase of electricity, heat, steam and cooling for own use. The full description of our definitions can be found in our reporting guidance found at 
www.balfourbeatty.com/enablon
Δ Included with KPMG’s limited assurance scope.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201641

The Group has determined and reported 
the emissions it is responsible for within 
this boundary and does not believe there 
are any material omissions. The Group uses 
the UK Government’s carbon conversion 
factors that were updated in 2016 to 
calculate its emissions into equivalent 
tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2e) and the 
IEA’s September 2016 set of international 
conversion factors for electricity (Scope 
2) except for the UK where the UK 
Government’s conversion factors were 
used as they are more up to date. 

The Group has removed the Scope 1 and 
2 data for Sakti, Dutco Balfour Beatty and 
BK Gulf from the original 2010 baseline and 
subsequent years.

KPMG were engaged to undertake 
an independent limited assurance 
engagement, reporting to Balfour Beatty 
plc, using the assurance standards ISAE 
3000 and ISAE 3410 over the GHG data 
that have been highlighted in this report 
with the symbol Δ. Their full statement is 
available at:

 www.balfourbeatty.com/IIA

The level of assurance provided for 
a limited assurance engagement is 
substantially lower than a reasonable 
assurance engagement. In order to reach 
their opinion, KPMG performed a range of 
procedures over the GHG data including:

 – interviewing management responsible 

for the data

 – agreeing a selection of the data to the 

corresponding source documentation at 
business unit level

 – performing analytical procedures over 
the aggregated data at Balfour Beatty 
Group level. 

A summary of the work they performed is 
included within their assurance opinion.

Non-financial performance information, 
GHG quantification in particular, is subject 
to more inherent limitations than financial 
information. It is important to read the 
GHG data in the context of the full limited 
assurance statement and the reporting 
criteria as set out in the Balfour Beatty 
reporting guidelines available at:

 www.balfourbeatty.com/GHSS

CDP
The Group is committed to addressing 
climate risk and reducing the lifetime 
emissions of the assets it builds, as 
evidenced by its performance in the 
global evaluation standard, the Climate 
Disclosure Project (CDP), where a B rating 
was achieved in 2016, compared to the 
Construction and Engineering average 
rating of C.

The annual rating is based on CDP’s 
evaluation of the Company’s strategy, goals 
and actual emissions reductions, as well as 
transparency and verification of reported 
data. It assesses the completeness and 
quality of Balfour Beatty’s measurement 
and management of carbon footprint, 
climate change strategy, risk management 
processes and outcomes. The score’s 
purpose is to provide a summary of the 
extent to which companies have answered 
these questions in a structured format. 
Balfour Beatty’s B rating indicates that 
its team has provided comprehensive 
information in a transparent and 
open manner.

Energy use

Fuel
Electricity
Heat and steam
5% petrol blend
Natural gas
Industrial gases
5% biodiesel blend
Gas oil (Red diesel)
100% mineral diesel
100% mineral petrol
LPG
Biodiesel
E85 petrol
CNG
Boiler fuel
Total

2014
130,597 
1,476 
32,786 
11,620 
7,014
376,807 
227,731 
85,944 
47,056
149
30
42
5 
374 
921,631 

2015
169,678 
2,603 
11,933 
18,169 
2,828 
476,488 
288,143 
20,025 
44,795
185
0
5,479
1 
921 
1,041,248 

MWh
2016
142,477
4,561
53,096
22,085
6,193
477,401
292,501
16,636
12,939
571
410
58
2
1,582
1,030,512

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report42

Building a sustainable business

Engaging local communities

Community engagement

In many markets the ability to demonstrate 
the social value of the Group’s operations 
in economic terms is vital. To benefit local 
areas, the Group uses local suppliers, 
employees and materials wherever 
possible, and invests in future talent 
through apprenticeship schemes and work 
placement opportunities.

Involved (Balfour Beatty’s community 
investment programme in the UK) was 
established in 2015 and focuses on three 
key areas where the Group can add value 
to its customers and the local community:

 – local employment and skills
 – supporting local businesses
 – community engagement through 

charitable fundraising, volunteering 
and mentoring.

Wherever the Group operates it seeks 
to integrate within the neighbourhood, 
supporting the local community, 
its businesses and its workforce. 
Involved gives Balfour Beatty the 
opportunity to work within a framework 
whereby the results of its interventions 
are captured and the benefit to society 
shared with its customers and other 
interested parties.

Community investment through 
charitable fundraising
The Balfour Beatty Building Better Futures 
Charitable Trust was formed in 2009 to 
help the most disadvantaged young people 
in society.

Through a mix of employee fundraising and 
financial support provided by the Company, 
the Trust currently supports three charities: 
Barnardo’s, Coram and The Prince’s Trust.

In 2016, employees raised over 
£66,000 through the Building Better 
Futures fundraising activity programme. 
An additional £18,000 was raised by 
employees for charities separately. 
The Company matched this funding with 
an additional contribution and donated a 
total of £100,000 to the Trust.

To help tackle youth unemployment and 
the skills gap in the construction sector, 
many of Balfour Beatty’s programmes have 
been focused on improving employment 
opportunities and employability 
of individuals. 

 – Since 2006, the Trust has helped 

transform the lives of nearly 4,000 young 
people by working together with The 
Prince’s Trust. 

 – Since 2013 the Trust has contributed 
£136,000 to support Barnardo’s work 
with unemployed young people; helping 

over 1,300 young people to gain new 
skills, qualifications and stable work.
 – Since 2010, the Trust has contributed 
over £420,000 to Coram. This has 
funded three of Coram’s vital services for 
children and young people. With Balfour 
Beatty’s support– Coram has helped 
26 children to find their ‘forever family’ 
through Coram Adoption; provided 
art and music therapy to 144 children 
helping them to overcome trauma; and 
enabled 40,138 vulnerable schoolchildren 
to experience Coram’s interactive health 
education programme.

In 2016, 48 Balfour Beatty employees took 
to the saddle and raised over £203,000 
for charitable causes, of which £86,000 
(including matched funding from the 
Company) was directed to the Balfour 
Beatty Charitable Trust. The Deloitte Ride 
Across Britain route covered an impressive 
969 miles, beginning in Land’s End and 
finishing in John O’Groats. 

Balfour Beatty completed its support 
for the London Youth Games in 2016, 
facilitating another record year of 
participation for young people in London, 
with 139,786 taking part. Balfour Beatty 
staff again played a key role among 4,173 
volunteers and supported the successful 
delivery of the Games. Since Balfour 
Beatty started sponsoring the Games 
in 2006, participant numbers have 
increased fivefold.

This has brought multiple benefits, 
including engaging employees in 
volunteering, helping customer 
relationships and supporting communities 
in and around London where Balfour 
Beatty operates.

The US construction business contributed 
over US$450,000 to charitable causes in 
2016. Some of the organisations receiving 
donations are:

 – Make-A-Wish Foundation
 – Sharefest
 – Habitat for Humanity
 – Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
 – Carpenter’s Shelter
 – Kay Yow Cancer Fund
 – United Way
 – Urban Ministry Center.

Deloitte Ride Across Britain Balfour Beatty employees took to the saddle and raised over £203,000 for charitable causes.Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201643

In California, Balfour Beatty team mates 
co-hosted the fourth annual Golf Classic 
that raised more than US$110,000 for 
the Sharefest 2016 Workday. The annual 
Sharefest event mobilises thousands of 
volunteers throughout Los Angeles County 
to complete tangible work projects that 
change the quality of life for its residents. 
Since its inception in 2013, Balfour 
Beatty’s Golf Classic outing has raised 
more than US$360,000 to support annual 
Workday activities. 

For Make-A-Wish® Foundation’s 
Walk for Wishes event in Georgia, the 
Balfour Beatty team in Atlanta raised 
over US$65,000 for children in Georgia 
who have been afflicted with life-
threatening illnesses.

In Texas, Balfour Beatty continued with 
its High School Mentoring Program 
that started in 2009. The programme 
enhances the educational and professional 
development experience of high school 
students in the Dallas/Fort Worth area 
by raising the awareness of professional 
opportunities within the construction 
industry. Through one-on-one mentoring 
relationships, Balfour Beatty facilitates 
sustainable academic enrichment, 
encourages leadership, and provides 
exposure to the construction industry. 
Since inception, the programme has hosted 
numerous High School interns, awarded 
several scholarships for students pursuing 
careers in construction management and 
sponsored college interns. Offers are 
extended to interns with successful 
internships upon graduation. 

In 2016, staff from Gammon Construction 
took part in a total of 116 community 
events in Hong Kong, mainland China and 
Singapore and raised over HK$1.9 million 
through sponsorships and charitable 
donations. Many of the community 
focused events promoted health and 
wellbeing including Gammon being the title 
sponsor of the ‘China Coast Marathon’ and 
participating in ‘Swim for a Million’, both in 
aid of the Community Chest of Hong Kong. 

Staff also participated in the Hong Kong 
Federation of Trade Unions’ Occupational 
Safety and Health walkathon for injured 
workers, and the Central Rat Race in aid of 
mental health charity, Mindset, as well as 
the annual three-day Gammon Walkathon 
2016 to raise funds for people with 
learning disabilities. In 2016, Gammon was 
recognised by the Hong Kong Council of 
Social Services as a ‘Caring Company’ for 
over 10 years.

Taxation

The Group’s tax strategy, approved by 
the Board, is to sustainably minimise 
tax cost whilst complying with the law. 
In doing so, it ensures it acts in accordance 
with Balfour Beatty’s ethics, values and 
compliance programme. 

Balfour Beatty has clear tax policies, 
procedures and controls in place which 
are overseen by the Chief Financial Officer 
and monitored and reviewed by internal 
tax specialists. 

The Group manages tax affairs in a 
proactive manner that seeks to maximise 
shareholder value. However, it does not 
enter into artificial arrangements that lack 
commercial purpose in order to secure a 
tax advantage. If a position is uncertain 
the Group may obtain third-party advice 
in order to gain clarity or support for a 
particular stance or approach. The aim is 
to ensure full compliance with all statutory 
obligations and as a consequence attempt 
to minimise risk wherever possible.

This approach is supported by an open, 
honest and positive working relationship 
with the tax authorities. Should any dispute 
arise with regard to the interpretation 
and application of tax law, the Group 
is committed to addressing the matter 
promptly and resolving it in an open and 
constructive manner.

The Group makes a major contribution to 
the tax revenues of governments in the 
numerous territories in which it operates. 
For example, the Group’s tax contribution 
extends significantly beyond corporation 
tax and the collection of substantial 
amounts of income tax and includes the 
payment of significant employer social 
security contributions.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report44

Measuring our performance
Providing clarity on the Group’s  
alternative performance measures

Following the issuance of the Guidelines 
on Alternative Performance Measures 
(APMs) by the European Securities and 
Markets Authorities (ESMA) in June 2015, 
the Group has included this section in its 
Annual Report with the aim of providing 
transparency and clarity on the measures 
adopted internally to assess performance. 

Throughout this report, the Group has 
presented financial performance measures 
which are considered most relevant to 
the Group and are used to manage the 
Group’s performance. 

These measures are chosen to provide a 
balanced view of the Group’s operations 
and are considered useful to investors 
as these measures provide relevant 
information on the Group’s past or future 
performance, position or cash flows. 

The APMs adopted by the Group are also 
commonly used in the sectors it operates 
in and therefore serve as a useful aid for 
investors to compare Balfour Beatty’s 
performance to its peers. 

The Board believes that disclosing 
these performance measures enhances 
investors’ ability to evaluate and assess 
the underlying financial performance of 
the Group’s continuing operations and the 
related key business drivers. 

These financial performance measures are 
also aligned to measures used internally 
to assess business performance in the 
Group’s budgeting process and when 
determining compensation. 

Equivalent information cannot be presented 
by using financial measures defined in the 
financial reporting framework alone. 

Readers of the Annual Report and 
Accounts are encouraged to review the 
financial statements in their entirety.

Performance measures used to assess 
the Group’s operations in the year 

Underlying profit from operations (PFO) 
Underlying PFO is presented before 
finance cost and interest income and is the 
key measure used to assess the Group’s 
performance in the Construction Services 
and Support Services segments. This is 
also a common measure used by the 
Group’s peers operating in these sectors. 

This measure reflects the returns to the 
Group from services provided in these 
operations that are generated from 
activities that are not financing in nature 
and therefore an underlying pre-finance 

cost measure is more suited to assessing 
underlying performance. 

Underlying profit before tax (PBT)
The Group assesses performance in its 
Infrastructure Investments segment using 
an underlying PBT measure. This differs 
from the underlying PFO measure used 
to measure the Group’s Construction 
Services and Support Services segments 
because in addition to margins generated 
from operations, there are returns to the 
Investments business which are generated 
from the financing element of its projects. 

These returns take the form of 
subordinated debt interest receivable and 
interest receivable on PPP financial assets 
which are included in the Group’s income 
statement in investment income. These are 
then offset by the finance cost incurred on 
the non-recourse debt associated with the 
underlying projects, which is included in the 
Group’s income statement in finance costs. 

Measuring the Group’s performance
The following measures are referred to 
in this Annual Report when reporting 
performance, both in absolute terms and 
also in comparison to earlier years: 

Statutory measures 
Statutory measures are derived from the 
Group’s reported financial statements, 
which are prepared in accordance with the 
International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the EU and as issued 
by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (IASB). 

Where a standard allows certain 
interpretations to be adopted, the Group 
has applied its accounting policies 
consistently. These accounting policies can 
be found on pages 112 to 118. 

The Group’s statutory measures take 
into account all of the factors, including 
those that it cannot influence (principally 
foreign currency fluctuations) and also large 
non-recurring items which do not reflect 
the ongoing underlying performance of 
the Group. 

Performance measures 
In assessing its performance, the Group 
has adopted certain non-statutory 
measures because, unlike its statutory 
measures, these cannot be derived directly 
from its financial statements. 

The Group commonly uses the following 
measures to assess its performance: 

a) Order book
The Group’s disclosure of its order book is 
aimed to provide insight into its pipeline of 
work and future performance. The Group’s 
order book is not a measure of past 
performance and therefore cannot be 
derived from its financial statements. 

The Group’s order book comprises the 
unexecuted element of orders on contracts 
that have been secured. Where contracts 
are subject to variations, only secured 
contract variations are included in the 
reported order book.

Where contracts fall under framework 
agreements, an estimate is made of orders 
to be secured under that framework 
agreement. This is based on historical 
trends from similar framework agreements 
delivered in the past and the estimate of 
orders included in the order book is that 
which is probable to be secured. 

b) Underlying performance
The Group adjusts for certain non-
underlying items which the Board 
believes assists in understanding the 
performance achieved by the Group. 
These items include: 

 – gains and losses on the disposal of 

businesses and investments, unless 
this is part of a programme of releasing 
value from the disposal of similar 
businesses or investments such as 
infrastructure concessions

 – costs of major restructuring and 

reorganisation of existing businesses
 – acquisition and similar costs related 
to business combinations such as 
transaction costs

 – impairment and amortisation charges 

on intangible assets arising on business 
combinations (amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets). These are non-
underlying costs as they do not relate 
to the underlying performance of 
the Group. 

From time to time, it may be appropriate 
to disclose further items as non-underlying 
items in order to reflect the underlying 
performance of the Group. 

The results of Rail Germany and certain 
legacy ES contracts have been treated 
as non-underlying items as the Group 
is committed to exiting these parts of 
the business. 

Further details of these non-underlying 
items are provided in Note 10.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201645

b) Underlying performance continued
A reconciliation has been provided below to show how the Group’s statutory results are adjusted to exclude significant items that are non-
recurring and their impact on its statutory financial information, both as a whole and in respect of specific line items. 

Reconciliation of 2016 statutory results to performance measures

2016
statutory
results 
£m

Build to Last 
restructuring
costs 
£m

Intangible
amortisation
£m

Provision 
increases/
(releases)
£m

Gains on 
disposal 
£m

Results 
of ES
£m

Results 
of Rail 
Germany
£m

2016 
performance
measures
£m

Other
£m

Continuing operations
Revenue including share 
of joint ventures and 
associates (performance)
Share of revenue of joint 
ventures and associates
Group revenue (statutory) 
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Gain on disposals of interests in 
investments
Amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets
Other net operating expenses
Group operating profit/(loss)
Share of results of joint 
ventures and associates
Profit/(loss) from operations
Investment income
Finance costs
Profit/(loss) before taxation
Taxation
Profit/(loss) for the year 
from continuing operations
Profit for the year from 
discontinued operations
Profit for the year

8,683

(1,760)
6,923
(6,639)
284

65

(9)
(381)
(41)

56
15
75
(82)
8
(8)

–

24
24

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
14
14

–
14
–
–
14
(4)

10

–
10

–

–
–
–
–

–

9
–
9

–
9
–
–
9
(3)

6

–
6

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
31
31

(1)
30
–
–
30
–

30

–
30

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
(8)
(8)

–
(8)
–
–
(8)
–

(8)

(24)
(32)

(3)

–
(3)
9
6

–

–
–
6

–
6
–
–
6
–

6

–
6

(150)

12
(138)
127
(11)

–

–
10
(1)

–
(1)
–
–
(1)
3

2

–
2

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
2
2

–
2
–
–
2
–

2

–
2

8,530

(1,748)
6,782
(6,503)
279

65

–
(332)
12

55
67
75
(82)
60
(12)

48

–
48

Reconciliation of 2016 statutory results to performance measures by segment 
Provision 
2016
increases/
statutory
(releases)
results
£m
£m

Build to Last 
restructuring
costs 
£m

Intangible
amortisation
£m

Gains on 
disposal 
£m

Results 
of ES
£m

Results 
of Rail 
Germany
£m

2016 
performance
measures
£m

Other
£m

Profit/(loss) from operations 
Segment 
Construction Services 
Support Services
Infrastructure Investments
Corporate activities 
Total 

(57)
22
83
(33)
15

12
1
–
1
14

3
–
6
–
9

19
11
–
–
30

(5)
–
(3)
–
(8)

6
–
–
–
6

(1)
–
–
–
(1)

–
–
3
(1)
2

(23)
34
89
(33)
67

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report46

Measuring our performance
Providing clarity on the Group’s alternative performance measures continued

Reconciliation of 2015 statutory results to performance measures

2015
statutory
results 
£m

Build  
to Last
restructuring 
costs 
£m

Intangible
amortisation
£m

Other
restructuring 
costs
£m

IT assets 
impairment
£m

Gains on 
disposal
£m

Results 
of ES
£m

Results 
of Rail 
Germany
£m 

2015 
performance 
measures
£m

Other
£m

Continuing operations

Revenue including 
share of joint ventures 
and associates 
(performance)
Share of revenue of joint 
ventures and associates
Group revenue 
(statutory)
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Gain on disposals of 
interests in investments
Amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets
Other net operating 
expenses
Group operating 
profit/(loss)
Share of results of joint 
ventures and associates
Profit/(loss) from 
operations
Investment income
Finance costs
Profit/(loss) before 
taxation
Taxation
Loss for the year from 
continuing operations
Loss for the year from 
discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the 
year

8,444

(1,489)

6,955
(6,798)
157

95

(10)

(468)

(226)

44

(182)
52
(69)

(199)
(7)

(206)

–

(206)

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

23

23

–

23
–
–

23
–

23

–

23

–

–

–
–
–

–

10

–

10

–

10
–
–

10
(4)

6

–

6

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

9

9

–

9
–
–

9
(2)

7

–

7

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

17

17

–

17
–
–

17
–

17

–

17

–

–

–

–

–

–

(16)

(16)

–

(16)
–
–

(16)
–

(16)

(1)

(17)

(30)

(179)

–

18

(30)
38
8

–

–

–

8

–

8
–
–

8
–

8

–

8

(161)
151
(10)

–

–

13

3

3

6
–
–

6
2

8

–

8

–

–

–

–

–

–

19

19

–

19
–
–

19
–

19

–

19

8,235

(1,471)

6,764
(6,609)
155

95

–

(403)

(153)

47

(106)
52
(69)

(123)
(11)

(134)

(1)

(135)

Reconciliation of 2015 statutory results to performance measures by segment 

Profit/(loss) from  
operations 
Segment 
Construction Services 
Support Services
Infrastructure Investments
Corporate activities 
Total 

2015
statutory
results
£m

Build  
to Last 
restructuring 
costs
£m

Intangible
amortisation
£m

Other
restructuring 
costs
£m

IT assets 
impairment
£m

Gains on 
disposal
£m

Results 
of ES
£m

Results 
of Rail 
Germany
£m 

2015 
performance 
measures 
£m

Other
£m

(280)
11
122
(35)
(182)

14
6
–
3
23

4
–
6
–
10

9
–
–
–
9

9
7
–
1
17

(16)
–
–
–
(16)

8
–
–
–
8

6
–
–
–
6

17
–
4
(2)
19

(229)
24
132
(33)
(106)

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201647

c) Underlying profit before tax 
As mentioned on page 44, the Group’s Infrastructure Investments segment is assessed on an underlying profit before tax (PBT) measure. 
This is calculated as follows:

Underlying profit from operations (section (b) and Note 5) 
Subordinated debt interest receivable+ 
Add: 
Interest receivable on PPP financial assets+ 

Less:  Non-recourse borrowings finance cost+
Underlying profit before tax 
Non-underlying items (section (b) and Note 5)
Statutory profit before tax

+ Refer to Note 8 and Note 9. 

2016 
£m
89
29
21
(24)
115
(6)
109

2015 
£m
132
24
24
(19)
161
(10)
151

d) Underlying earnings per share 
In line with the Group’s measurement of underlying performance, the Group also presents its earnings per share on an underlying continuing 
basis. The table below reconciles this to the statutory earnings per share. 

Reconciliation from statutory EPS to performance EPS

Statutory earnings/(loss) per ordinary share 
Less: earnings from discontinued operations 
Statutory loss per ordinary share from continuing operations
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Other non-underlying items
Underlying earnings/(loss) per ordinary share from continuing operations (performance)

2016 
Pence
3.5
(3.5)
–
0.9
6.1
7.0

2015 
Pence
(30.1)
(0.1)
(30.2)
0.8
9.7
(19.7)

e) Revenue including share of joint ventures and associates (JVAs)
The Group uses a revenue measure which is inclusive of its share of revenue generated from its JVAs. As the Group uses revenue as a 
measure of the level of activity performed by the Group during the year, the Board believes that including revenue that is earned from its 
JVAs better reflects the size of the business and the volume of work carried out and more appropriately compares to PFO. 

This differs from the statutory measure of revenue which presents Group revenue from its subsidiaries. 

A reconciliation of the statutory measure of revenue to the Group’s performance measure is shown in the tables in section (b). A comparison 
of the growth rates in statutory and performance revenue can be found in section (i).

f) Recourse net cash/borrowings
The Group also measures its performance based on its net cash/borrowings position at the period end. This is analysed using only elements 
that are recourse to the Group and excludes the liability component of the Company’s preference shares, which is debt in nature according 
to statutory measures, as this is excluded from the definition of net debt in the covenants set out in the Group’s facilities. 

Non-recourse elements are cash and debt that are ringfenced within certain infrastructure concession project companies.

Net debt/cash reconciliation

Total cash within the Group 
Cash and cash equivalents – infrastructure concessions 

– other

Total debt within the Group 
Borrowings – non-recourse loans
– other

Liability component of preference shares 
Net (debt)/cash

2016
statutory
£m
769
7
762
(929)
(240)
(589)
(100)
(160)

Adjustment
£m
(7)
(7)
–
340
240
–
100
333

2016
performance
£m
762
–
762
(589)
–
(589)
–
173

2015
statutory
£m
666
20
646
(966)
(385)
(483)
(98)
(300)

Adjustment
£m
(20)
(20)
–
483
385
–
98
463

2015
performance
£m
646
–
646
(483)
–
(483)
–
163

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report48

Measuring our performance
Providing clarity on the Group’s alternative performance measures continued

g) Average net cash/borrowings
The Group uses an average net cash/borrowings measure as this reflects its financing requirements throughout the period. The Group 
calculates its average net cash/borrowings based on the average opening and closing figures for each month through the period. 

The average net cash/borrowings measure excludes non-recourse cash and debt and the liability component of the Company’s preference 
shares, and this performance measure shows average net borrowings of £46 million for 2016. 

Using a statutory measure (inclusive of non-recourse elements and the liability component of the Company’s preference shares) gives 
average net borrowings of £230 million for 2016. 

h) Directors’ valuation of the Investments portfolio
The Group uses a different methodology to assess the value of its Investments portfolio. As described on pages 30 to 32 the Directors’ 
valuation has been undertaken using forecast cash flows for each project based on progress to date and market expectations of future 
performance. These cash flows have been discounted using different discount rates depending on project risk and maturity, reflecting 
secondary market transaction experience. As such, the Board believes that this measure better reflects the potential returns to the Group 
from this portfolio. 

The Directors have valued the Investments portfolio at £1.2 billion at the year end. The Directors’ valuation will differ from the statutory 
carrying value of these investments, which are accounted for using the relevant standards in accordance with IFRS rather than a discounted 
cash flow approach. 

i) Constant exchange rates (CER) 
The Group operates across a variety of geographic locations and in its statutory results, the results of its overseas entities are translated 
into the Group’s presentational currency at average rates of exchange for the period. The Group’s key exchange rates applied in deriving its 
statutory results are shown in Note 3. 

To measure changes in the Group’s performance compared with the previous period without the effects of foreign currency fluctuations, the 
Group provides growth rates on a CER basis. These measures remove the effects of currency movements by retranslating the prior period’s 
figures at the current period’s exchange rates, using average rates for revenue and closing rates for order book. A comparison of the Group’s 
statutory growth rate to the CER growth rate is provided in the table below: 

2016 statutory growth compared to performance growth

Construction Services

UK

US

Rail Gammon Middle East

Total 

Support 
Services

Infrastructure 
Investments

Revenue (£m)
2016 statutory
2015 statutory 
Statutory growth (%)

2016 performance+
2015 performance retranslated+
Performance CER growth (%)

Order book (£bn)
2016 
2015 
Growth (%)

2016
2015 retranslated
CER growth (%)

1,896
2,050
(8)%

1,894
2,024
(6)%

2.1
1.9
11%

2.1
1.9
11%

3,330
2,931
14%

3,427
3,500
(2)%

5.5
4.1
34%

5.5
5.0
10%

386
430
(10)%

249
276
(10)%

0.2
0.2
–

0.2
0.2
–

–
–
–

967
897
8%

1.5
1.2
25%

1.5
1.4
7%

–
–
–

315
222
42%

0.3
0.5
(40)%

0.3
0.6
(50)%

5,612
5,411
4%

6,852
6,919
(1)%

9.6
7.9
22%

9.6
9.1
5%

1,076
1,234
(13)%

1,103
1,264
(13)%

3.1
3.1
–

3.1
3.1
–

235
310
(24)%

575
616
(7)%

–
–
–

–
–
–

+ Performance revenue is underlying revenue from continuing operations including share of revenue from joint ventures and associates as set out in section (e). 

Total

6,923
6,955
–%

8,530
8,799
(3)%

12.7
11.0
15%

12.7
12.2
4%

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Chief Financial Officer’s review
Repositioning Balfour Beatty  
for profitable growth

49

Group financial summary
In 2016, the Group returned to both 
underlying and statutory profitability. 
On an underlying basis, order book, 
revenue, profit from operations, earnings 
and net cash all improved year-on-year 
as the progress made with Phase One 
of Build to Last translated into improved 
financial metrics. 

Underlying revenue increased by 4% to 
£8,530 million (2015: £8,235 million). 
Underlying revenue at constant exchange 
rates (CER) fell by 3% as the Group 
continued with its more disciplined 
and selective approach to bidding. 
Statutory revenue, which excludes 
joint ventures and associates, was 
£6,923 million (2015: £6,955 million). 

Construction Services underlying 
revenue was up 7% at £6,852 million 
(2015: £6,388 million) as growth in 
the US offset an expected decline in 
the UK; underlying revenue at CER fell 
by 1%. Support Services underlying 
revenue declined 12% at £1,103 million 
(2015: £1,259 million) due to the phasing 
of contract and regulatory cycles.

The Group returned to profitability in 2016 
with underlying profit from operations 
at £67 million (2015: £106 million loss). 
Statutory profit from operations improved 
from a loss of £182 million to a profit of 
£15 million primarily driven by the increase 
in underlying profit and a reduction in 
non-underlying costs. 

Infrastructure Investments continued to 
deliver excellent results with underlying 
profit from operations of £89 million 
(2015: £132 million), including the 
benefit of £65 million of profits from 
investment disposals (2015: £95 million). 
Support Services rebounded to more 
normal levels, compared to the prior year, 
with underlying profit from operations 
of £34 million (2015: £24 million). 
Underlying loss from operations in 
Construction Services reduced to 
£23 million (2015: £229 million loss), 
where losses in the UK of £64 million 
(2015: £187 million loss) were only partially 
offset by profits in the US of £33 million 
(2015: £22 million loss). 

Results for the year

Revenue from continuing operations
– underlying including joint ventures and associates 
– statutory 
Pre-tax profit/(loss) from continuing operations
– underlying 
– statutory 
Post-tax profit/(loss) from discontinued operations
– underlying 
– statutory 
Basic earnings/(loss) per share
– underlying 
– statutory 

2016 

2015 

£8,530m £8,235m 
£6,923m £6,955m 

£60m £(123)m 
£8m £(199)m 

£nil
£24m

£(1)m 
£nil 

7.0p
3.5p

(19.8)p 
(30.1)p 

Philip HarrisonChief Financial Officerbalfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report50

Chief Financial Officer’s review
Repositioning Balfour Beatty for profitable growth continued

“In 2016, the Group returned  

to both underlying and 
statutory profitability.
Philip Harrison
Chief Financial Officer

The half-yearly contribution of the 
Group’s £67 million underlying profit 
from operations was £5 million in the first 
half, with £62 million in the second half 
of the year. Infrastructure Investments, 
Support Services and Construction 
Services all reported underlying profit from 
operations in the second half of 2016, with 
UK construction continuing its positive 
trajectory as it returned to underlying 
profitability, a modest £2 million in the 
second half of the year. 

Net finance costs decreased to £7 million 
(2015: £17 million) predominantly due 
to a £19 million gain on foreign currency 
deposits. The taxation charge on 
underlying profits increased to £12 million 
(2015: £11 million). 

Underlying profit after tax for the year 
at £48 million (2015: £135 million loss) 
represents a material improvement over 
the previous year, primarily driven by the 
improvement in Construction Services. 
Total statutory profit after tax for the year 
was £24 million (2015: £206 million loss). 

The order book increased by 15% to 
£12.7 billion (2015: £11.0 billion), up 4% 
at CER, despite the more disciplined and 
selective approach to bidding. Additionally, 
the quality of the order book improved 
as the business increased bid margin 
thresholds and focused on jobs where the 
Group can deliver value.

The improved order book was 
predominantly due to Construction 
Services at £9.6 billion (2015: £7.9 billion), 
with increases in all material geographical 
regions: UK construction up 11%; US 
construction up 10% at CER; and Far East 
construction up 14% at CER. The Support 
Services order book was stable at 
£3.1 billion (2015: £3.1 billion). 

Non-underlying items
The Board believes non-underlying items 
should be separately identified on the 
face of the income statement to assist 
in understanding the underlying financial 
performance achieved by the Group. 

Non-underlying items from continuing 
operations before tax of £52 million were 
charged to the income statement in 2016. 
Items included £25 million of costs related 
to the reassessment of potential liabilities 
on historical health and safety breaches, 
following new sentencing guidelines, and 
£14 million of restructuring costs incurred 
relating to the Group’s Build to Last 
transformation programme which was 
launched in early 2015. 

In 2016, the Group also commissioned 
a revised independent actuarial report 
on its historical exposure to industrial 
disease related liabilities. As a result, the 
Group has increased its provision with a 
£14 million charge to the income statement 
in the year. Other non-underlying items 
included amortisation of acquired intangible 
assets of £9 million, the profits from Rail 
Germany of £1 million, and losses resulting 
from legacy ES contracts of £6 million. 
The non-underlying charges recognised in 
2016 were partially offset by a £9 million 
gain following the release of all remaining 
provisions relating to Trans4m Ltd 
(Trans4m). Trans4m went into creditors’ 
voluntary liquidation on 27 June 2016.

Taxation
The Group’s underlying profit before tax 
from continuing operations for subsidiaries 
of £5 million (2015: £170 million loss) 
resulted in an underlying tax charge of 
£12 million (2015: £11 million). The tax 
charge principally arises due to significant 
non-recognition of deferred tax assets 
on losses incurred in the year. In addition 
tax is levied at the subsidiary level for US 
and Canada joint ventures and associates, 
rather than within the share of joint 
ventures and associates. 

Discontinued operations
In 2016, Balfour Beatty reached a 
settlement with the purchaser of Parsons 
Brinckerhoff (PB), the Group’s former 
professional services business disposed 
in October 2014, in relation to outstanding 
tax matters and indemnities. The Group 
received an additional £9 million as a result 
of the settlement. Provisions in relation 
to these matters have been released, 

resulting in an overall non-underlying gain 
to the Group of £24 million.

Earnings per share
Underlying earnings per share from 
continuing operations was 7.0 pence 
(2015: 19.7 pence loss), which along 
with a non-underlying loss per share 
from continuing operations of 7.0 pence 
(2015: 10.5 pence loss) resulted in earnings 
per share from continuing operations 
of nil pence (2015: 30.2 pence loss). 
Statutory earnings per share was 3.5 pence 
(2015: 30.1 pence loss). 

Cash flow performance
The total cash movement in the period 
resulted in a £10 million increase to the 
Group’s net cash position, excluding non-
recourse net borrowings, to £173 million. 
This compares to a decrease in the 
Group’s net cash position of £56 million 
in 2015. The increase in net cash was 
driven by proceeds from investment 
disposals and favourable US dollar foreign 
exchange movements, partly offset 
by new investments in infrastructure 
assets, negative operating cash flows, 
working capital movements and pension 
deficit payments.

Operating cash flows, before movements 
in working capital and pension deficit 
payments, improved to an outflow of 
£58 million (2015: £247 million outflow). 
This reduced outflow is predominantly 
as a result of the improved financial 
performance from Construction Services. 
Working capital had an outflow of 
£48 million (2015: £178 million inflow) 
and pension deficit payments were an 
outflow of £41 million (2015: £66 million). 
Total cash used in operations before tax 
was £147 million (2015: £135 million), a 
decline of £12 million compared to the prior 
year. Currency translation differences on 
net cash generated a positive movement of 
£30 million (2015: £12 million negative).

The total cash movement in the 
period excluding Parsons Brinkerhoff 
(PB) proceeds resulted in a £1 million 
increase in the Group’s net cash position. 
This represented an £82 million 
improvement on 2015, and a £439 million 
improvement on 2014 – an excellent 
performance against the Build to Last 
Phase One target of £200 million cash flow 
improvement versus 2014. 

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201651

The Group also completed the formal 
triennial funding valuation for the Railways 
Pension Scheme carried out as at 
31 December 2013. As a result, the Group 
agreed to make ongoing fixed deficit 
contributions of £6 million per annum 
which should reduce the deficit to zero by 
2031. The triennial funding valuation as at 
31 December 2016 is now underway. 

Goodwill 
The goodwill on the Group’s balance 
sheet at 31 December 2016 increased to 
£937 million (2015: £844 million), primarily 
relating to movements in foreign exchange 
rates. Impairment reviews have been 
carried out, and none of the carrying values 
have been impaired.

In light of the significant, albeit reduced, 
losses incurred within the UK construction 
business in 2016 the Group has considered 
whether a reasonable possible change in 
assumptions would lead to an impairment 
of the goodwill in the related cash-
generating units and concluded that it is 
not the case. The stabilisation and recovery 
of the Group’s UK construction business 
to more normal levels of performance is, 
however, a key assumption underpinning 
the cash flow forecasts used to assess the 
recoverable amount of the related goodwill. 

Banking facilities
Balfour Beatty’s committed banking 
facility totals £400 million. The purpose 
of this syndicated revolving credit facility 
is to provide liquidity from a set of core 
relationship banks to support ongoing 
activities. The Company completed 
its refinancing in December 2015 with 
the facility extending through to 2018. 
In November 2016, £375 million of the 
facility was extended until December 2019. 
A further one-year extension, through to 
2020, is available, subject to bank approval. 
At 31 December 2016, £350 million of this 
facility was undrawn. 

Cash flow performance
Operating cash flows1
Working capital
Infrastructure Investments
– Disposal proceeds
– New investments
Pension deficit payments
Other
Cash inflow/(outflow)
Cash inflow/(outflow) excl. 
PB net proceeds

Opening net cash2
Movements in the year
Closing net cash2

2016
£m
(58)
(48)

189
(65)
(41)
33
10

2015
£m
(247)
178

145
(102)
(66)
36
(56)

1

(81)

163
10
173

219
(56)
163

1 Before pension deficit payments.
2 Excluding infrastructure concessions (non-recourse) 

net debt.

On statutory basis the Group reported net debt of 
£160 million at 31 December 2016 (2015: £300 million 
net debt).

Working capital
In 2015, there were large working capital 
inflows of £178 million as a result of 
the focus on all areas of working capital 
management and risk contingencies 
booked against legacy contracts. In 2016, 
the cash outflow on legacy contracts has 
been lower than anticipated, which resulted 
in a lower than expected working capital 
outflow of £48 million. The Group is still in 
a materially favourable (negative) working 
capital position following the completion of 
Build to Last Phase One.

The continued focus on reducing inventory 
and work in progress (WIP) balances 
generated a working capital inflow of 
£42 million. Movements in the Group’s 
due from / due to construction contract 
customers’ balances, which reflect the net 
unbilled contract position and traded profit 
and loss for each individual construction 
contract, generated a working capital inflow 
of £36 million. This inflow was mainly 
derived from an improvement in billing, 
offset by an outflow of cash expenditure on 
contract losses from prior years.

Trade and other payables generated a 
£60 million outflow partially as a result 
of the expected cash outflows on 
historical loss-making jobs. Trade and 
other receivables generated an outflow 
of £134 million, due to more efficient 
billing of construction contract amounts, 
an increase in mature projects leading 
to higher retentions and also a reflection 
of the large receipts into the business in 
December 2015.

Provisions generated a working capital 
inflow of £68 million primarily due to 
additional provisions taken on defects, 
health and safety breaches and industrial 
disease related liabilities. 

Including the impact of foreign exchange 
and disposals in the year, favourable 
working capital increased to £894 million at 
December 2016 (2015: £890 million).

Working capital flows
Inventory & WIP
Construction contract 
balances
Trade & other payables
Trade & other receivables
Provisions
Working capital (outflow)/
inflow1

2016
£m
42

36
(60)
(134)
68

2015
£m
27

308
(236)
74
5

(48)

178

1 Excludes impact of foreign exchange and disposals.

Pensions
The Group’s balance sheet includes 
aggregate deficits of £231 million 
(2015: £146 million) for pension schemes. 
The increase in pension deficit in the year 
is largely due to a reduction in long-term 
interest rates and a contraction in credit 
spreads. Although the scheme obligations 
increased, the hedging programmes put 
in place offset a significant element of this 
change with an increase in scheme assets.

A formal triennial funding valuation of 
the Balfour Beatty Pension Fund (BBPF) 
was carried out as at 31 March 2016. 
The Company and the trustees agreed 
the key commercial principles of the plan 
for the BBPF to reach self-sufficiency 
during 2027 (some three years earlier 
than previously planned). Balfour Beatty 
will make cash contributions totalling 
£182 million over the next eight years; 
under the previous agreement cash 
contributions totalled £376 million over 
the same period. These payments include 
contributions related to the Scottish Limited 
Partnership (SLP) structure established 
in 2015. The Company will also transfer 
additional assets into the SLP worth up 
to £87 million by 2019. The Company has 
agreed to amend the existing dividend 
sharing mechanism such that if the 
dividend cover ratio falls below 3x in 2016, 
2.5x in 2017 or 2x from 2018 onwards, 
funding to the BBPF will be accelerated. 

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report52

Chief Financial Officer’s review
Repositioning Balfour Beatty for profitable growth continued

The Group is forecasting to remain 
within its banking covenants during 2017. 
While recognising that there can be no 
absolute certainty, the Directors believe 
that these covenant tests will be met.

The Directors have acknowledged the 
guidance ‘Going Concern and Liquidity 
Risk: Guidance for Directors of UK 
Companies 2009’ published by the 
Financial Reporting Council in October 
2009. In reviewing the future prospects 
of the Group, the following factors 
are relevant:

 – the Group has a strong order backlog
 – there continues to be underlying demand 
in infrastructure markets in the countries 
in which the Group operates
 – excluding the non-recourse net 
borrowings of PPP subsidiaries, 
the Group had net cash balances of 
£173 million at 31 December 2016 
 – the Group’s committed bank facility 

totals £400 million, of which £350 million 
was undrawn at 31 December 2016. 
Based on the above, and having made 
appropriate enquiries and reviewed 
medium-term cash forecasts, the Directors 
consider it reasonable to assume that the 
Group and the Company have adequate 
resources to continue for the foreseeable 
future and, for this reason, have continued 
to adopt the going concern basis in 
preparing the financial statements.

To appreciate the prospects for the Group 
as a whole, the complete Annual Report 
and Accounts 2016 needs to be read. 

Philip Harrison
Chief Financial Officer

Net cash/borrowings
The Group’s net cash position at 
31 December 2016, excluding 
non-recourse net borrowings, was 
£173 million (2015: £163 million). 
Average net debt during the year at 
£46 million (2015: £3 million net cash), 
was ahead of expectations. Non-recourse 
net borrowings, held in wholly-owned 
infrastructure concessions, reduced 
to £233 million (2015: £365 million). 
The balance sheet also includes 
£100 million (2015: £98 million) for the 
liability component of the preference 
shares. Statutory net debt at 31 December 
2016 was £160 million (2015: £300 million).

Outlook 
Build to Last is a long-term transformation 
programme designed to deliver superior 
returns for all stakeholders from a Group 
which is Lean, Expert, Trusted and Safe. 

As a result of the actions taken during the 
24-month self-help phase, Balfour Beatty 
now has a solid platform on which to 
build. The Group exceeded its Phase One 
financial targets with £439 million cash in 
(Target: £200 million) and £123 million cost 
out (Target: £100 million). 

Over the next 24 months, Phase Two, the 
Group expects each of its Construction 
Services and Support Services businesses 
to continue their positive trajectory to reach 
industry-standard margins. 

Specifically, for these earnings-based 
businesses the underlying profit margin 
from operations targets for Build to Last 
Phase Two are as follows:
UK construction
US construction
Support Services

2%-3%
1%-2%
3%-5%

For Investments, which is an asset-based 
business, during Phase One there were 20 
partial or full disposals from the portfolio, 
all of which were at or above the Directors’ 
valuation. The liquidity which this provided to 
the Group was an integral part of the self-help 
Phase One of Build to Last. 

As Balfour Beatty’s financial performance 
continues its positive trajectory, the Group will 
have greater flexibility over the timing of the 
sale of infrastructure assets. During Phase 
Two of Build to Last, the Group will continue 
to sell these assets timed to maximise value 
to shareholders. There are not expected to be 
material disposals in the first half of 2017.

The trading environment in the Group’s core 
UK and US markets remains positive. In the 

UK, government policy is helping to drive a 
strong pipeline of major infrastructure projects 
in transport and energy. In the US, the new 
administration has made infrastructure one 
of its key priorities. This positive market 
backdrop supports the Group’s commitment 
to be more selective, targeting contracts 
with improved profitability and cash 
flow dynamics. 

By Phase Three (2019+), Balfour Beatty 
aims to command a premium to industry-
standard margins as market-leading 
strength should be matched by market-
leading performance.

Dividend
The Board took the decision to suspend 
the dividend in 2015, to ensure balance 
sheet strength was maintained during 
the initial stages of Build to Last. 
Following the demonstrable progress 
made by the Group in the first year of the 
transformation programme and in the 
expectation of further solid and measurable 
improvements, it was decided to reinstate 
the dividend at an appropriate level in 2016. 

Following the 0.9 pence per share 
dividend declared at the half year, the 
Board is recommending a final dividend 
of 1.8 pence per share, giving a total 
recommended dividend for the year of 2.7 
pence per share. The Board recognises the 
importance of dividends to shareholders 
and anticipates a progressive dividend 
policy going forward. 

Financial risk factors and going concern
The key financial risk factors for the Group 
remain largely unchanged. Some elements 
of the Group’s markets are recovering, 
and this can lead to increased risk of 
subcontractor failures, due to their cash 
requirements for increased working capital, 
and also the potential for inflationary 
pressures in some areas. On the other 
hand, this should also reduce pressure on 
bidding margins.

The Group’s US private placement and 
committed bank facilities contain certain 
financial covenants, such as the ratio of 
the Group’s EBITDA to its net debt which 
needs to be less than 3.0 and the ratio of its 
EBITA to net borrowing costs which needs 
to be in excess of 3.0. These covenants 
are tested on a rolling 12-month basis 
as at the June and December reporting 
dates. At 31 December 2016, both these 
covenants were passed as the Group had 
net cash and net interest income from a 
covenant test perspective. 

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201653

Risk management framework
Strengthening our risk  
management culture

Oversight

Audit & Risk Committee
Business environment risk

Policy tone from the top

Common risk infrastructure

Executive risk steering group

Strategic risk

Process People Technology

Governance – mitigation and controls

R

i

s

k

i

d

e

n

t
i

fi

c

a

t
i

o

n

a

n

d

e

s

c

a

l

a

t
i

o

n

Risk process

Risk management community of practice
Strategic Business Units & Enabling Functions

Operating risk

Identify  
risks

Assess & 
evaluate risks

Respond to 
risks

Design 
implement and 
test controls

Monitor, 
assure & 
escalate

The Gated Lifecycle

Key project risks assessed at each gate

Initial enquiry

Tender

Contract 
negotiations

Mobilisation

Execution

Commissioning & 
handover

Defects liability 
period

Gate 1
Initial
‘Go/No Go’
approval

Gate 2
Tender
‘Go/No Go’
approval 

Gate 3
Tender
submission
approval

Gate 4
Contract
signing
approval

Gate 5
Pre-commencement

Gate 6
Monitoring
and control

Gate 7
Project
completion

Gate 8
End of
defects
liability
period

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report 
 
 
54

Risk management framework
Strengthening our risk management culture continued

“The Group recognises that 

consistent and effective 
risk management is vital to 
the delivery of its strategic 
development and business 
objectives.

Significant steps were taken throughout 2016 to continue the evolution of the Group’s risk 
management processes. These actions included enhancements to risk assessment, leading 
to increased understanding of the principal risks and opportunities faced by the business 
and provided the context for more informed decision making across the Group.

The Group recognises that consistent and effective risk management is vital to the delivery 
of its strategic development and business objectives.

Oversight

Consistent with the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code, the 
Board has overall responsibility for risk management and determines the nature 
and extent of the principal risks to be taken as well as assessing the effectiveness 
of the risk management and internal control systems that are in place to 
mitigate impacts.

The main area of focus in 2016 was to build on the existing risk management 
framework and to increase the visibility of risk to senior leadership and the wider 
business as well as aligning the way in which assessment of risk is undertaken.

Common risk infrastructure

The Executive Risk Steering Group reports directly to the Group Chief Executive and 
has oversight of and monitors the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management 
process. Members of the steering group act as the executive sponsor for risk 
management within their business and functions and as such are in a position to 
directly influence custom and practice. In 2016 this steering group has overseen a 
comprehensive review and redrafting of the Group Risk Register which has been 
reviewed by the Audit and Risk Committee on behalf of the Board and will drive 
business improvements throughout 2017. 

Risk process

A Group-wide Risk Management Community of Practice (CoP) is in place to provide 
cross-functional and business perspective on the practical implementation of 
risk management and provide practitioner level input to the Group Risk Register. 
Additionally the CoP provides a forum for sharing best practice, knowledge and 
collaboration on risk management across the functions and businesses.

A comprehensive training programme has been undertaken throughout the UK 
business during 2016. This has raised risk consciousness across the organisation 
and allowed risk management to be built into activities from project pursuit, through 
design, delivery and completion. 

Assessment

The Gated Lifecycle remains central to Balfour Beatty’s risk management process 
with a mandatory assessment of risk and risk appetite being made at each 
review gate. 

Work continues on the roll-out of project manager training delivered through the 
Balfour Beatty Academy, increased cascade and promotion of minimal commercial 
expectations and continued adherence to Group commercial policies and process.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201655

Risk appetite

The ongoing development of Balfour Beatty’s risk management processes has included an evaluation of the Group’s willingness to take risks 
based on informed decision making in order to meet strategic priorities. 

The Group’s risk appetite has been set in the context of the interaction between risk assessment processes and Balfour Beatty’s ability to 
mitigate and exert control over existing and emerging risks. 

Risk appetite within any organisation must be dynamic. Changes to the business environment and the Group’s strategic priorities will require 
a reassessment of tolerances. The tone and direction for any such revision is led by the Board and implemented by senior leaders and 
practitioners to ensure it is embedded in critical business processes.

Strategic priority – Build to Last

Lean

Expert

Trusted

Safe

Deliver value to 
our customers 
by improving 
operational 
efficiency and 
eliminating waste 
right through the 
supply chain.

Risk appetite
Balfour Beatty is 
committed to the 
transformation programme.

In driving out unnecessary 
cost and improving 
efficiencies it is essential to 
take some operational risk.

Such risks must not be at 
the expense of achieving 
the overall lean objective. 

The Group’s risk appetite for 
efficiency is moderate.

Transformation 
programme

 Read more on p62

Supply chain

 Read more on p63

Legacy pension  
liabilities

 Read more on p65

Ensure we 
have the best 
engineering 
and project 
management 
capabilities.

Risk appetite
In order to deliver the best 
solutions to customers and 
stakeholders Balfour Beatty 
strives to remain at the 
vanguard of innovation and 
skill development.

Controlled and understood 
risks can be taken whilst 
seeking to mitigate 
significant repercussions. 

The Group has a moderate 
appetite for expert risk. 

Economic environment

 Read more on p60

People

 Read more on p61

Transformation 
programme

 Read more on p62

Be the 
construction 
partner of choice 
for our customers 
and supply chain 
by delivering on 
our promises.

Risk appetite
Balfour Beatty must 
deliver on its promises 
to stakeholders.

The Group has a low 
appetite for risks around 
customer delivery. 

Work winning

 Read more on p57

Project execution

 Read more on p58

Data governance

 Read more on p59

Transformation 
programme

 Read more on p62

Financial strength

 Read more on p62

Business conduct

 Read more on p64

Legal and regulatory

 Read more on p64

We must ensure 
the health and 
safety of everyone 
who comes into 
contact with 
our activities.

Risk appetite
Conducting business in a 
safe way and providing a 
Zero Harm environment for 
Balfour Beatty’s people and 
stakeholders is paramount.

The Group’s appetite for 
safety risk is zero.

Health and safety

 Read more on p56

Transformation 
programme

 Read more on p62

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report56

Principal risks

Assessing our risks

The Board has made a robust assessment of the principal risks which the Group faces, the controls in place to remove or mitigate these 
risks and also whether these risks represent new, increased or decreased threats. The assessment of these risks and controls is part of the 
ongoing management of the business.

The principal risks that could adversely impact the Group’s profitability and ability to achieve its strategic objectives are set out below. 
In addition, the Chief Financial Officer’s review starting on page 49 includes discussion on financial risk factors and going concern.

Risk description

What impact it might have

Failure to identify, price, and execute the right volume 

Failure to estimate accurately the risks, costs versus 

and quality of bids and investment opportunities to 

scope, time to complete, impact of inflation and 

maintain a profitable, sustainable order book and deliver 

contractual terms and how best to manage them could 

value to stakeholders. 

cause financial losses.

Health and 
safety

  No change  
to risk 

Owner: 
Safety and 
Sustainability 
Committee

Build to Last pillar: 
Safe

Risk description
The Group works on significant, complex and 
potentially hazardous projects which require continuous 
monitoring and management of health and safety risks.

Causes
Some common themes where health and safety 
risks have arisen are recognised and communicated, 
including:

 – poor risk identification/assessment
 – having processes that fail to promote risk elimination 

or mitigation

 – failure to deliver leadership
 – management of subcontractors
 – not briefing people properly before setting them  

to work

 – failure to follow procedures
 – debarment for safety failures
 – ongoing change programme and performance 

pressures, which may have an effect on people  
and their ability to remain focused on health and 
safety risks.

What impact it might have
Failure to manage these risks gives the potential for 
significant harm to, or even the death of, employees, 
subcontractor staff or members of the public, as well as 
the potential for criminal prosecutions, significant fines, 
debarment and reputational damage.

How it is mitigated
Balfour Beatty has detailed health and safety policies 
and procedures to minimise such risks. These are 
reviewed and monitored by management and external 
verification bodies.

Each business has experienced health and safety 
professionals in place who provide advice and support 
and undertake regular reviews.

The Safety and Sustainability Committee of the Board, 
as well as business-level Health and Safety executive 
leadership teams, meet regularly throughout the year 
to develop a consistent approach to health and safety 
best practice.

Training programmes (including behavioural)  
are in place.

Zero Harm action plans continue to be implemented.

Work  

winning

  Decreased 

risk 

Owner: 

Group Tender 

and Investment 

Committee

Causes

Inaccuracy in:

 – assumptions behind investment decisions 

 – costs versus scope calculations

 – project duration estimates

Build to Last pillar: 

 – assessment of the impact of inflation

Trusted

 – contract management

 – negotiation of terms

 – Quick Qualifier assumptions

 – assessment of customers’ liquidity/credit worthiness

 – assessment of joint venture partners.

In the event of disagreement with, failure of, or poor 

delivery performance by a joint venture partner, the 

Group could face financial and reputational risks.

If any of the assumptions behind investment decisions 

prove incorrect, the profitability of those investments 

could be reduced.

How it is mitigated

Consistent and shared policies and minimum 

commercial expectations including acceptable margins. 

A wide and ongoing range of training initiatives across 

all disciplines within the Group including Cash is our 

Compass and High Value Selling to drive increased 

commercial awareness and an understanding of 

expectations on margins and cost.

All bids are subject to rigorous estimating and tendering 

processes as part of the gateway review process.

Defined delegated authority levels are in place for 

approving all tenders and infrastructure investments.

Reviews are conducted following all tenders to ensure 

lessons are learnt and applied to future tenders.

Before entering into a joint venture agreement, the 

Group reviews the relevant skills, experience, resources 

and values of joint venture partners to understand how 

they complement its own.

Investment appraisals are performed and reviewed by 

experienced professionals. The Group analyses the 

risks associated with revenues and costs and, where 

appropriate, establishes contractual and other risk 

mitigations.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201657

Work  
winning

  Decreased 
risk 

Owner: 
Group Tender 
and Investment 
Committee

Build to Last pillar: 
Trusted

Risk description
Failure to identify, price, and execute the right volume 
and quality of bids and investment opportunities to 
maintain a profitable, sustainable order book and deliver 
value to stakeholders. 

What impact it might have
Failure to estimate accurately the risks, costs versus 
scope, time to complete, impact of inflation and 
contractual terms and how best to manage them could 
cause financial losses.

Causes
Inaccuracy in:

 – assumptions behind investment decisions 
 – costs versus scope calculations
 – project duration estimates
 – assessment of the impact of inflation
 – contract management
 – negotiation of terms
 – Quick Qualifier assumptions
 – assessment of customers’ liquidity/credit worthiness
 – assessment of joint venture partners.

In the event of disagreement with, failure of, or poor 
delivery performance by a joint venture partner, the 
Group could face financial and reputational risks.

If any of the assumptions behind investment decisions 
prove incorrect, the profitability of those investments 
could be reduced.

How it is mitigated
Consistent and shared policies and minimum 
commercial expectations including acceptable margins. 

A wide and ongoing range of training initiatives across 
all disciplines within the Group including Cash is our 
Compass and High Value Selling to drive increased 
commercial awareness and an understanding of 
expectations on margins and cost.

All bids are subject to rigorous estimating and tendering 
processes as part of the gateway review process.

Defined delegated authority levels are in place for 
approving all tenders and infrastructure investments.

Reviews are conducted following all tenders to ensure 
lessons are learnt and applied to future tenders.

Before entering into a joint venture agreement, the 
Group reviews the relevant skills, experience, resources 
and values of joint venture partners to understand how 
they complement its own.

Investment appraisals are performed and reviewed by 
experienced professionals. The Group analyses the 
risks associated with revenues and costs and, where 
appropriate, establishes contractual and other risk 
mitigations.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report58

Principal risks
Assessing our risks continued

Project  
execution

  No change  
to risk 

Owner: 
Group 
management

Build to Last pillar: 
Trusted

Risk description
Failure to deliver projects at the required specification 
on time and on budget to meet the expectations of 
customers and minimise the risk of defect liability.

Causes
Failure to implement, maintain and challenge 
operational and commercial controls (as detailed within 
checklists at Gate reviews (4-6)) allowing:

 – unrealistic programming targets
 – unrealistic progress assessments and cost to 

complete judgements

 – optimistic claims recovery assumptions
 – incomplete visibility and appreciation of scale  

of commercial judgements

 – inaccurate and/or incomplete cost and value data or 
failure to analyse and report correctly, which could 
arise due to poor training, lack of supervision, lack  
of accountability or fear of reporting bad news.

What impact it might have
Failure to manage or deliver against contracted 
customer requirements on time, on budget and to 
an appropriate quality could result in issues such as 
contract disputes, rejected claims, design issues, 
liquidated damages, cost overruns or failure to achieve 
customer savings – which in turn harm Balfour Beatty’s 
profitability and reputation.

The Group may also be exposed to long-term 
obligations including litigation and costs to rectify 
defective or unsafe work.

Execution failure on a high-profile project could result in 
significant reputational damage and costs.

How it is mitigated
An increased focus on identifying and reporting risks, 
including the accuracy of cost and cash forecasting.

Consistent application of strong commercial 
management and contract administration processes.

Targeted recruitment of key staff within project delivery 
teams and senior management, together with ongoing 
and focused training of staff.

Gateway process embedded within each business and 
held on the Business Management System (BMS, see 
page 17) to increase accuracy and consistency within 
project delivery.

Project delivery teams encouraged to ‘Get Left’ in 
Gated Lifecycle process to increase integration within 
the work winning strategy.

Increased rigour at Gate 5 onwards, including direct 
senior management oversight and challenge.

Site Mobilisation Hub in place to facilitate early and 
effective start-up on site.

The My Contribution initiative has delivered a significant 
number of local level improvements in project delivery 
including efficiencies in service level agreements, 
greater use of BIM technology and resource allocation. 
A strong pipeline of ideas will be assessed across 2017 
to drive further improvements.

Balfour Beatty Academy providing focused training.

Quality culture, appropriate resource, competencies 
and accountabilities to be embedded in the business to 
support drive for defect-free delivery at all levels.

Professional indemnity cover in place to provide further 
safeguards.

Balfour Beatty monitors the performance of joint 
ventures, joint venture partners, subcontractors and 
suppliers throughout the lifecycle of a project.

Data 

and 

governance 

cybersecurity

  Increased  

risk 

Owner: 

Group 

management

Build to Last pillar: 

Trusted

Risk description

What impact it might have

Breach of data protection laws and/or key company 

Crystallisation of this risk has the potential for:

data or other confidential information is lost, stolen or 

compromised.

Causes

Failure to correctly assess and prepare for:

 – the increased threat of cybercrime and/or the 

requirements of the revised Data Protection Act 

Act) 

 – malicious intent and/or targeted attack

 – breakdown of key security software or  

management system.

 – a reduction or loss of competitive advantage 

(including loss of intellectual property)

 – a negative impact on customer relationships 

including loss of confidence

 – exposure to fines or prosecution (ie Data Protection 

 – disruption to business operations

 – reputational damage in the wider marketplace

 – exclusion from bidding opportunities.

How it is mitigated

Dedicated Data Protection Officers embedded 

throughout the business to ensure pertinent 

information cascade including data classification 

guidance.

Data protection programme covering policies, 

procedures and approved access levels in place 

alongside a comprehensive training plan.

All data is stored in secure data centres with frequent 

synchronisation of data between live and standby data 

centres.

Use of up-to-date anti-virus and encryption software.

Only approved software is installed on Group hardware 

and portable data storage devices.

Regular review and communication of the ever-

changing cyber threats and how they manifest 

themselves in practical guidance that all employees and 

contractors understand.

All employees are trained in and must comply with 

information security management obligations.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Data 
governance 
and 
cybersecurity

  Increased  
risk 

Owner: 
Group 
management

Build to Last pillar: 
Trusted

Risk description
Breach of data protection laws and/or key company 
data or other confidential information is lost, stolen or 
compromised.

Causes
Failure to correctly assess and prepare for:

 – the increased threat of cybercrime and/or the 

requirements of the revised Data Protection Act 

 – malicious intent and/or targeted attack
 – breakdown of key security software or  

management system.

59

What impact it might have
Crystallisation of this risk has the potential for:

 – a reduction or loss of competitive advantage 

(including loss of intellectual property)

 – a negative impact on customer relationships 

including loss of confidence

 – exposure to fines or prosecution (ie Data Protection 

Act) 

 – disruption to business operations
 – reputational damage in the wider marketplace
 – exclusion from bidding opportunities.

How it is mitigated
Dedicated Data Protection Officers embedded 
throughout the business to ensure pertinent 
information cascade including data classification 
guidance.

Data protection programme covering policies, 
procedures and approved access levels in place 
alongside a comprehensive training plan.

All data is stored in secure data centres with frequent 
synchronisation of data between live and standby data 
centres.

Use of up-to-date anti-virus and encryption software.

Only approved software is installed on Group hardware 
and portable data storage devices.

Regular review and communication of the ever-
changing cyber threats and how they manifest 
themselves in practical guidance that all employees and 
contractors understand.

All employees are trained in and must comply with 
information security management obligations.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report60

Principal risks
Assessing our risks continued

Uncertainty 
within our 
economic 
environment

  Increased  
risk 

Owner: 
The Board

Build to Last pillar: 
Expert

Risk description
The effects of national or market trends, political 
change (including the UK’s exit from the EU and 
the change of administration in the US), or new 
developments in infrastructure expenditure or 
procurement may cause customers to re-evaluate 
existing or future projects.

Causes
The business may not be effective in managing the 
uncertainty surrounding the terms of the UK’s exit from 
the EU or anticipating or assessing broader national 
or market events and developments. Failure to plan 
for any potentially negative impacts, or to capture any 
opportunities that may be presented could lead to:

 – cash pressures for customers and suppliers
 – wider than expected fluctuations in inflation
 – increased competition (eg in the UK from foreign 

investors acquiring competitors)

 – increased supply chain risks (eg solvency, people  

and materials)

 – reduced revenue or pressure on margins.

What impact it might have
Any significant changes in the level or timing of 
customer spending or investment plans could adversely 
impact the Group’s strategy, business model, revenue 
or profitability in the short or medium term. Such 
changes could arise from changes in government policy 
or customers’ failure to secure financing for future 
projects or for future stages of existing projects.

Restrictions to the availability of skilled labour and 
competitively priced materials will lead to a loss 
of competitive advantage and a devaluation of the 
business.

Financial failure of a customer, including any 
government or public sector body, could result in not 
collecting amounts owed.

How it is mitigated
The Group’s strategy to focus on the more resilient and 
stable infrastructure markets and geographies will help 
mitigate this risk. The effect of spending changes in any 
one market is mitigated by the Group’s broad exposure 
to infrastructure markets and the continued need for 
infrastructure spending. Balfour Beatty also mitigates 
the effects of such market conditions by continuing to 
adapt its business model.

The Group is actively monitoring the potential 
impacts of the UK exiting the EU including potential 
market stimulation by the UK Government, freedom 
of movement, finance costs, exchange rates and 
commodity prices. A dedicated Group-wide forum is 
in place for this purpose and a key strategy document 
(Infrastructure 2050) has been shared with the UK 
Government and wider industry.

The financial solvency and strength of counterparties 
is always considered before contracts are signed 
and such assessments are updated and reviewed 
whenever possible during the project lifecycle. The 
business also seeks to ensure that it is not over-reliant 
on any one counterparty.

People

Risk description

What impact it might have

Inability to attract and retain required levels of skilled 

Failure to recruit and retain appropriately skilled people 

and competent staff to meet the Group’s objectives.

could harm the Group’s ability to win or perform 

  Static  

risk 

Owner: 

The Board

Build to Last pillar: 

Expert

Causes

 – Perceived limitations to internal career development

 – Lack of recognition and reward

 – Failure of businesses to promote good news stories

 – Failure to maintain a culture of pride in the workplace

 – Lack of a diverse workforce

 – Restrictions in the availability of skilled labour.

How it is mitigated

specific contracts, grow its business and meet its 

strategic objectives.

A high level of staff turnover or low employee 

engagement could result in a drop in confidence in the 

business within the market, customer relationships 

being lost and an inability to focus on business 

improvements.

Balfour Beatty Academy in place to provide 

professional development and knowledge sharing 

opportunities to ensure employees feel valued and 

specialisms are recognised.

Strengthening of the Learning and Development and 

Talent teams.

Regular reviews of remuneration arrangements to 

ensure they are appropriate to help the Group attract, 

motivate and retain key employees.

Strong employee communication channels celebrating 

individual, business and Group-level successes.

Change management initiatives are well embedded 

within the business and aligned to the Build to Last 

transformation programme.

An annual Group-wide employee engagement survey 

is undertaken to measure engagement and appropriate 

actions are developed and communicated.

Recruitment, retention and succession plans are 

measured and regularly reviewed across all parts of the 

business.

Affinity networks established to create a diverse and 

inclusive working environment.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016People

  Static  
risk 

Owner: 
The Board

Build to Last pillar: 
Expert

Risk description
Inability to attract and retain required levels of skilled 
and competent staff to meet the Group’s objectives.

Causes
 – Perceived limitations to internal career development
 – Lack of recognition and reward
 – Failure of businesses to promote good news stories
 – Failure to maintain a culture of pride in the workplace
 – Lack of a diverse workforce
 – Restrictions in the availability of skilled labour.

61

What impact it might have
Failure to recruit and retain appropriately skilled people 
could harm the Group’s ability to win or perform 
specific contracts, grow its business and meet its 
strategic objectives.

A high level of staff turnover or low employee 
engagement could result in a drop in confidence in the 
business within the market, customer relationships 
being lost and an inability to focus on business 
improvements.

How it is mitigated
Balfour Beatty Academy in place to provide 
professional development and knowledge sharing 
opportunities to ensure employees feel valued and 
specialisms are recognised.

Strengthening of the Learning and Development and 
Talent teams.

Regular reviews of remuneration arrangements to 
ensure they are appropriate to help the Group attract, 
motivate and retain key employees.

Strong employee communication channels celebrating 
individual, business and Group-level successes.

Change management initiatives are well embedded 
within the business and aligned to the Build to Last 
transformation programme.

An annual Group-wide employee engagement survey 
is undertaken to measure engagement and appropriate 
actions are developed and communicated.

Recruitment, retention and succession plans are 
measured and regularly reviewed across all parts of the 
business.

Affinity networks established to create a diverse and 
inclusive working environment.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report62

Principal risks
Assessing our risks continued

Embedding  
the 
transformation 
programme

  No change  
to risk 

Owner: 
The Board

Build to Last pillar: 
All

Risk description
The traction gained in embedding the policies, process, 
and practices of Build to Last is lost and potential 
benefits are not realised.

What impact it might have
Failure to build fully upon the foundations of Build 
to Last could result in the Group’s ability to return to 
sustained profit and viability being jeopardised.

Causes
To enable the transformation programme to succeed, a 
culture of adhering to the Build to Last principles must 
be embedded.

How it is mitigated
The success of Build to Last is a strategic priority 
for the Group and is being led by the Group Chief 
Executive.

Failing to embed this culture could result from:

 – ineffective communication plans
 – inadequate resourcing (financial, physical and people) 
 – employee fatigue with change programme and loss 
of focus owing to a perceived high number and 
frequency of new initiatives

The programme is being delivered in several phases 
and required controls and resources have been well 
considered. 

Controls include:

 – the Build to Last culture is now well embedded 

within each business unit

 – new systems and processes being used without 
appropriate controls being in place and/or tested.

 – senior leadership communication across the 

businesses is clear and frequent

Financial 
strength

  No change  
to risk 

Owner: 
The Board

Build to Last pillar: 
Trusted

Risk description
Inability of the Group to maintain the financial strength 
required to operate its business and deliver its 
objectives.

Causes
Failure to manage financial risks and the financial 
resources of the Group that underpin its ability to:

 – meet ongoing liquidity obligations so that it remains a 

going concern

 – meet financial covenants as set out in financing 

facility agreements

 – maintain the confidence of customers and key 

markets and therefore continue to win long-term 
contracts.

 – new systems and processes are deployed with 

training plans

 – employee surveys form a key part of the programme
 – leaders throughout the business frequently monitor 

the delivery and impacts of the programme

 – senior leadership is well experienced in delivering 

business transformation successfully.

What impact it might have
Failure to effectively deliver the required financial 
strength will mean the Group:

 – fails to meet financial covenant tests, as set out in 
its financing facility agreements, that would lead to 
an event of default if not remedied within a specific 
grace period

 – fails to pass the required tests that allow it to 
continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
preparing the financial statements

 – loses the ability to compete for key long-term 

contracts that are critical to the delivery of its long-
term objectives and viability. 

How it is mitigated
The Group operates with a centralised treasury function 
that is responsible for managing key financial risks, 
cash resources and the availability of liquidity and credit 
capacity. 

The Group maintains significant undrawn term 
committed bank facilities with a banking group of high 
credit-quality to underpin the liquidity requirements of 
the Group.

The Group maintains significant bank and surety 
bonding facilities to deliver trade finance requirements 
of the Group on an ongoing basis. 

Risk description

What impact it might have

Supply chain partners are not able to meet the Group’s 

Failure of a subcontractor or supplier would result in the 

operational expectations and requirements including 

Group having to find a replacement or undertaking the 

availability, financial stability, technical ability, quality, 

task itself. This could result in delays, additional costs or 

safety, environmental, social and ethical.

a reduction in quality owing to lack of expertise.

Supply  

chain

  No change  

to risk 

Owner: 

Group 

management

Build to Last pillar: 

Lean

markets

Causes

 – Supply chain failure risk, exacerbated during, and 

when emerging from, tough economic conditions

 – Over-reliance on a limited number of suppliers

 – Retention of subcontracted parties in buoyant 

 – Inadequate assessment of supply chain partner 

capabilities and process (including safety, ethics, 

quality, material stewardship, child labour, forced 

labour and modern slavery)

 – Failure to accurately assess project resource 

requirements and key deliverables

 – Unethical treatment of the supply chain.

Mistreatment of suppliers, subcontractors and their 

staff, or poor ethical standards in the supply chain, 

could lead to legal proceedings, investigations or 

disputes resulting in business disruption, losses, fines 

and penalties, reputational damage and debarment.

How it is mitigated

The Group aims to develop long-term relationships 

with key subcontractors, working closely with them to 

understand their operations and dependencies.

Contingency plans in place to address subcontractor 

failure including replacement supplier list.

A simplified but more frequent assessment of all 

suppliers and subcontractors, to ensure compliance 

with all requirements Balfour Beatty commit to, using 

Achilles and internal assessment tools.

The risk management framework and the gateway 

review process allow for early (Gates 1-4) and ongoing 

(Gate 6) assessment of the appropriateness of resource 

allocation and dependencies.

My Contribution programme to generate ideas for more 

effective procurement and resourcing.

Upgrading of skills across the procurement process.

The Group obtains project retentions, bonds and/or 

letters of credit from subcontractors, where appropriate 

to mitigate the impact of any insolvency.

Key supplier audits within projects to ensure they are in 

a position to deliver consistently against requirements.

Group-wide Code of Conduct and Supplier Code of 

Conduct, and related policies and procedures in place.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201663

Supply  
chain

  No change  
to risk 

Owner: 
Group 
management

Build to Last pillar: 
Lean

Risk description
Supply chain partners are not able to meet the Group’s 
operational expectations and requirements including 
availability, financial stability, technical ability, quality, 
safety, environmental, social and ethical.

What impact it might have
Failure of a subcontractor or supplier would result in the 
Group having to find a replacement or undertaking the 
task itself. This could result in delays, additional costs or 
a reduction in quality owing to lack of expertise.

Causes
 – Supply chain failure risk, exacerbated during, and 
when emerging from, tough economic conditions

 – Over-reliance on a limited number of suppliers
 – Retention of subcontracted parties in buoyant 

markets

 – Inadequate assessment of supply chain partner 
capabilities and process (including safety, ethics, 
quality, material stewardship, child labour, forced 
labour and modern slavery)

 – Failure to accurately assess project resource 

requirements and key deliverables

 – Unethical treatment of the supply chain.

Mistreatment of suppliers, subcontractors and their 
staff, or poor ethical standards in the supply chain, 
could lead to legal proceedings, investigations or 
disputes resulting in business disruption, losses, fines 
and penalties, reputational damage and debarment.

How it is mitigated
The Group aims to develop long-term relationships 
with key subcontractors, working closely with them to 
understand their operations and dependencies.

Contingency plans in place to address subcontractor 
failure including replacement supplier list.

A simplified but more frequent assessment of all 
suppliers and subcontractors, to ensure compliance 
with all requirements Balfour Beatty commit to, using 
Achilles and internal assessment tools.

The risk management framework and the gateway 
review process allow for early (Gates 1-4) and ongoing 
(Gate 6) assessment of the appropriateness of resource 
allocation and dependencies.

My Contribution programme to generate ideas for more 
effective procurement and resourcing.

Upgrading of skills across the procurement process.

The Group obtains project retentions, bonds and/or 
letters of credit from subcontractors, where appropriate 
to mitigate the impact of any insolvency.

Key supplier audits within projects to ensure they are in 
a position to deliver consistently against requirements.

Group-wide Code of Conduct and Supplier Code of 
Conduct, and related policies and procedures in place.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report64

Principal risks
Assessing our risks continued

Business 
conduct/
compliance

  No change  
to risk 

Owner: 
The Board

Build to Last pillar: 
Trusted

Risk description
The Group operates in various markets that present 
business conduct-related risks involving fraud, bribery 
or corruption, whether by its own staff or via third 
parties such as agents, partners or subcontractors. 
Those risks are higher in some countries and sectors. 
Overall, the construction industry has a higher risk 
profile than other industries.

Causes
 – Corruption
 – Bribery
 – Fraud/false claims
 – Unfair competition
 – Human rights abuses, such as child and other 

labour standards generally, illegal workers, human 
trafficking and modern slavery

 – Unethical treatment of and by the supply chain
 – Other emerging ethical risks
 – Risk of ethics and values being compromised when 

times are tough, not just in high-risk markets.

Legal and 
regulatory

Risk description
The Group does not comply with all legal, tax and 
regulatory requirements.

  No change  
to risk 

Owner: 
The Board

Build to Last pillar: 
Trusted

Causes
Failure to adapt to changes in applicable laws affecting 
the Group’s businesses. 

Such changes may include:

 – obligations as a result of government/regulatory 

enquiry and enforcement actions

 – adverse changes of law, including changes to tax law
 – local procurement laws
 – exclusion from bidding or blacklisting.

What impact it might have
Failure by the Group, or employees and third parties 
acting on its behalf or in partnership, to observe the 
highest standards of integrity and conduct could result 
in litigation, civil and/or criminal penalties, debarment 
and reputational damage.

How it is mitigated
Group-wide Code of Conduct and Supplier Code of 
Conduct, and related policies and procedures in place.

The Business Integrity function promotes, monitors, 
assesses awareness of and provides training on, the 
Code of Conduct. The function reports to the Audit and 
Risk Committee and has the full support of the Board.

Each business unit, supported by the Business Integrity 
function, is responsible for embedding the Code of 
Conduct. 

The Group has a range of risk assessment, due 
diligence and procurement controls that are designed to 
identify and manage risks with third parties. 

Independent third-party whistleblowing hotline and 
dedicated email are in place and actively promoted. All 
in-scope complaints are independently investigated by 
the Business Integrity function and appropriate action is 
taken, where necessary.

Balfour Beatty works with a limited number of agents, 
all of whom undergo a due diligence and approval 
process.

What impact it might have
The business could face legal proceedings, 
investigations or disputes resulting in business 
disruption, losses, fines and penalties, reputational 
damage and exclusion from bidding.

Such action could also impact upon the valuation of 
assets within that territory. 

How it is mitigated
The Group monitors and responds to tax, legal and 
regulatory developments and requirements in the 
territories in which it operates. 

Local legal and regulatory frameworks are considered 
as part of any decision to conduct business in a new 
country.

Appropriate and responsive policies, procedures, 
training and risk management processes are in place 
throughout the business.

Legacy  

pension 

liabilities

Risk description

benefit pension risks.

Causes

The Group remains exposed to significant defined 

What impact it might have

Failure to manage these risks adequately could lead 

to the Group being exposed to significant additional 

liabilities.

  No change  

The size of the Group’s legacy pension obligations is 

How it is mitigated

to risk 

largely related to the investment performance of the 

The Group constructively engages with the trustees 

Owner: 

The Board

assets held in the pension funds, net of the change in 

of the pension funds to ensure that the funds’ assets 

the value of the funds’ liabilities. The latter are typically 

and liabilities are managed in a way which reduces the 

related to changes in the long-term outlook for interest 

likelihood of an unexpected cost to the Company. 

rates, inflation and life expectancy.

Following the successful conclusion of the 2016 

Build to Last pillar: 

Lean

The size of the obligations could also be adversely 

actuarial valuation, the trustees of the Group’s main 

influenced by intervention from regulators or legislators.

UK fund have agreed to hedge in excess of 80% of its 

exposure to interest rate and inflation movements.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201665

Legacy  
pension 
liabilities

  No change  
to risk 

Owner: 
The Board

Risk description
The Group remains exposed to significant defined 
benefit pension risks.

Causes
The size of the Group’s legacy pension obligations is 
largely related to the investment performance of the 
assets held in the pension funds, net of the change in 
the value of the funds’ liabilities. The latter are typically 
related to changes in the long-term outlook for interest 
rates, inflation and life expectancy.

Build to Last pillar: 
Lean

The size of the obligations could also be adversely 
influenced by intervention from regulators or legislators.

What impact it might have
Failure to manage these risks adequately could lead 
to the Group being exposed to significant additional 
liabilities.

How it is mitigated
The Group constructively engages with the trustees 
of the pension funds to ensure that the funds’ assets 
and liabilities are managed in a way which reduces the 
likelihood of an unexpected cost to the Company. 

Following the successful conclusion of the 2016 
actuarial valuation, the trustees of the Group’s main 
UK fund have agreed to hedge in excess of 80% of its 
exposure to interest rate and inflation movements.

Balfour Beatty also faces significant risks 
and uncertainties that are common to 
many companies – including financial and 
treasury, communications and marketing, 
wider information security, business 
continuity and crisis management, and 
hazard risks.

Viability statement
In accordance with provision C.2.2 of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code 2014, 
the Directors have assessed the viability 
of the Group over a three-year period to 
31 December 2019. The Directors consider 
this period to be appropriate because this 
is the period aligned to the current order 
book or for which there is a good pipeline 
of potential new projects. This period 
also allows greater certainty over the 
forecasting assumptions used in labour 
and material pricing, skills and availability. 
Consequently, the Group performs its 
medium-term planning over three years.

In its assessment of the viability of the 
Group, the Directors have considered the 
need to be successful in implementing 
the Group’s Build to Last programme and 
focus on strategic priorities of Lean, Expert, 
Trusted and Safe detailed on pages 12 to 
17, as well as each of the Group’s principal 
risks and uncertainties detailed on pages 
56 to 65. The Directors have considered 
the impact of a number of severe but 
plausible scenarios, based on the Group’s 
principal risks, which would result in 
a reduction in revenue, a reduction in 
margin, an increase in operating costs and 
a slowdown in the Group’s investments 
disposal programme. The Directors have 
also considered the Group’s income and 
expenditure projections, the Group’s 
projected cash position, bank facilities 
and their maturity profile and covenants, 
the borrowing powers allowed under the 
Company’s Articles of Association and 
the fact that the Group’s PPP investments 
comprise reasonably realisable securities 
which can be sold to meet funding 
requirements if necessary.

Based on the Group’s processes for 
monitoring operating costs, managing 
Group performance, asset allocation, the 
portfolio risk profile, gearing, counterparty 
exposure, liquidity risk and financial 
controls, the Directors have concluded 
that there is a reasonable expectation 
that the Group will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they 
fall due over the three-year period until 
31 December 2019.

Our 2016 Strategic Report, from pages 
1 to 65, was approved by the Board on 
15 March 2017.

Philip Harrison
Chief Financial Officer

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report66

Chairman’s introduction

“Sound governance is central  

to achieving our objectives.  
The Group is on course to 
deliver on our specific targets 
for this year.
Philip Aiken AM
Chairman

Leadership

Effectiveness

Accountability

We ensure a collective 
responsibility to challenge 
strategy, performance and 
accountability to ensure 
every decision is in the 
best interests of the 
Company’s shareholders. 

We continually evaluate 
the balance of skills and 
experience of the Board 
to ensure we have the 
right people in place with 
the right induction 
programme to enable 
effective leadership. 

All decisions are discussed 
in the context of the risks 
involved, with a robust and 
dynamic process in place.

  Read more about the Board’s 
leadership p68

  Read more about the Board’s 
effectiveness p71

  Read more about the Board’s 
accountability p75

Remuneration

Our remuneration policy aims to attract, retain and motivate the right calibre of people 
to drive the performance of the business. We aim to operate this policy in a 
transparent manner.

 Read more about the Board’s remuneration policy p84

Compliance with the Code
The UK Corporate Governance Code 2014 (the Code) is the standard applying to good corporate governance practice in the UK and the 
Listing Rules require listed companies to disclose whether they have complied with the provisions of the Code (www.frc.org.uk).

The Company has complied fully with the requirements of the Code throughout the accounting period and to the date of this report.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201667

“Present a fair, balanced and 

understandable assessment  
of the Group.

Leadership
The Board is collectively responsible for 
setting and upholding high standards 
of corporate governance including the 
way the Group conducts its business, 
its approach to ethical matters, and the 
definition of acceptable risk in delivering the 
Group’s strategy and value creation for its 
shareholders. It is committed to providing 
effective leadership by ensuring that 
those governance principles are adhered 
to throughout the Group, supported by 
an effective framework of systems and 
controls which define clearly delegations of 
authority and accountabilities.

In my report last year I referred to the 
appointment of a new leadership team 
at both Board and executive level. 
The process of upgrading the executive 
leadership has continued through 2016. It is 
however with great sadness that I have to 
mention the untimely death on 1 July 2016 
of Graham Roberts who for many years 
chaired the Audit and Risk Committee. 
The breadth of skills represented on 
the Board however facilitated a smooth 
transition of responsibility for that important 
role to Stephen Billingham.

As Chairman, it is my role to ensure that 
the executive leadership and the Board 
are able to discharge their responsibilities 
effectively and, within that, I have 
responsibility to ensure that a robust 
succession plan is in place to cover 
all eventualities. 

Maureen Kempston Darkes, who has 
served as a Director since July 2012 and 
chair of the Safety and Sustainability 
Committee, will not be seeking re-election 
at the AGM this year. We are actively 
engaged in recruiting three Directors, 
two of whom will replace Maureen 
and Graham. 

Each of the Directors brings skills and 
experiences which enhance the quality 
of debate in the boardroom and in the 
case of the Directors provides additionally, 
guidance and challenge to the executive 
Directors. The Directors believe that 
the Board provides effective leadership. 
Details of the Directors are set out on 
pages 68 and 69.

Diversity
In seeking to recruit new Directors with 
relevant experience, we ask search firms to 
identify suitable female candidates. We do 
not however believe in gender quotas, 
preferring to appoint individuals based 
on merit. Diversity and inclusion are key 
components of our talent management  
and development programmes, details 
of which can be found on the website 
balfourbeatty.com.

Accountability
We believe that Balfour Beatty’s 
processes and procedures have been 
further strengthened during the year with 
the development of a single reference 
library for all aspects of UK business 
practice and ever greater harmonisation 
of HR systems and of financial reporting 
platforms, enabling the Board to present 
a fair, balanced and understandable 
assessment of the Group’s trading position 
and its prospects. We continue to keep 
under review the matters reserved to 
the Board and the terms of reference of 
its Committees. Copies can be found on 
the website.

Remuneration
The remuneration policy was last approved 
by shareholders at the 2014 AGM. 
At the AGM in May 2017, we will revert 
to shareholders with proposed changes. 
Details of the revised remuneration policy 
and how we intend to operate that policy 
in 2017 can be found in the Remuneration 
report on pages 84 to 99.

Relations with shareholders
Our investor relations programme is of 
critical importance to the Board through 
this period of transformation for Balfour 
Beatty. The Board routinely receives 
reports from the investor relations team 
and analysts, together with feedback from 
any meetings which the Directors have 
with institutional investors. As Chairman, 
I seek to meet, at least annually, with 
representatives of the UK Shareholders 
Association. We recognise the AGM as an 
important opportunity for private investors 
to engage with the Board. All resolutions 
will, however, be put to a poll rather than a 
show of hands to ensure that shareholders 
who are not able to attend the meeting 
have their votes fully taken into account.

Philip Aiken AM
Chairman

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report68

Leadership
Board of Directors

The Board comprises seven 
Directors. The names of the 
Directors serving throughout 
the year and at  
the year end are shown here.

Other than Maureen Kempston Darkes, 
all of the Directors in office on 15 March 
2017 will seek re-election at the AGM in 
accordance with the Code. 

Other Directors who held office during the 
year were:

Graham Roberts who was a 
non-executive Director until 1 July 2016.

From 13 January 2016, as part of an agreed 
review of Committee memberships:

 – Iain Ferguson rejoined the Audit and 

Risk Committee

 – Leo Quinn joined the Safety and 

Sustainability Committee

 – Maureen Kempston Darkes left the 

Nomination Committee

 – Stuart Doughty left the Remuneration 

Committee and joined the 
Nomination Committee.

From March 2016, Stephen Billingham 
was appointed acting chairman of the 
Audit and Risk Committee while Graham 
Roberts stepped back for reasons of 
health. Stephen’s appointment was made 
permanent with effect from 1 July 2016.

Joined the Board as Chairman in March 2015. 
He is non-executive chairman of Aveva Group 
plc and a non-executive director of Newcrest 
Mining Limited. He was a non-executive 
director of National Grid plc, chairman of 
Robert Walters plc and a non-executive (and 
senior independent) director of Kazakhmys 
plc and Essar Energy plc, and a senior adviser 
at Macquarie Bank Ltd. Prior to that, he was 
group president Energy BHP Billiton and 
president BHP Petroleum, chief executive 
of BTR Nylex, and held senior roles in 
BOC Group.

2

3

4

Appointed as Group Chief Executive in 
January 2015, after five years as group 
chief executive of QinetiQ Group plc and 
before that five years as CEO of De La Rue 
plc. Prior to these senior roles, he spent 
almost four years as COO of Invensys 
plc’s production management business, 
headquartered in the US, and 16 years with 
Honeywell Inc in senior management roles 
across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and 
Africa, including global president of H&BC 
Enterprise Solutions. He was a non-executive 
director of Betfair Group plc and Tomkins plc. 
He is a civil engineer, and began his career at 
Balfour Beatty. He is the founder of The 5% 
Club which encourages industry to increase 
graduate training and apprenticeships.

2

3

5

6

Appointed a Director in 2012. She joined 
General Motors Corporation in 1975 and held 
a number of progressively senior roles during 
her time with the business, culminating in 
her appointment as group vice-president 
for General Motors’ Latin America, Africa 
and Middle East operations. She retired 
from General Motors in 2009. She has a 
portfolio of non-executive directorships 
including Brookfield Asset Management, 
Canadian National Railways, Enbridge Inc, 
Irving Oil Company and Schlumberger. She is 
a member of the Canadian Government’s 
Science, Technology and Innovation Council.

2

4

Appointed a Director in June 2015. 
He is chairman of Anglian Water Group Ltd, 
chairman of Punch Taverns plc and chairman 
of Urenco Ltd. He has over three decades 
of business and management experience, 
including 11 years with the Company under its 
former name, BICC plc. He was group finance 
director (CFO) of British Energy Group plc and 
of WS Atkins plc.

1

Philip Aiken AM (68)ChairmanMaureen Kempston Darkes (68)Non-executive DirectorLeo Quinn (60)Group Chief ExecutiveDr Stephen Billingham (58)Non-executive DirectorBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201669

Board balance

■ Chairman 
■ Executive Directors 
■ Non-executive Directors 

1
2
4

Board tenure

■ 0–2 years 
■ 2–4 years 
■ 4–6 years 
■ 6+ years 

Board balance

■ Male 
■ Female 

Board geography

■ UK 
■ Americas 

4
1
1
1

6
1

6
1

Appointed as Chief Financial Officer in June 
2015. He was previously group finance 
director at Hogg Robinson Group plc, and 
before that he was group finance director at 
VT Group plc. Prior to that, he served as VP 
Finance at Hewlett-Packard Europe, Middle 
East and Africa region and was a member 
of the EMEA board. His earlier career 
included senior international finance roles at 
Compaq, Rank Xerox and Texas Instruments. 
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute 
of Management Accountants.

5

6

Appointed a Director in 2010. Until 2009, he 
was chief executive of Tate & Lyle. Prior to 
joining Tate & Lyle in 2003, he spent 26 
years at Unilever in a succession of roles 
culminating in his appointment as senior 
vice-president, corporate development. He is 
non-executive chairman of Berendsen plc and 
Stobart Group Limited. He is also chairman 
of Wilton Park, an independent and non-
profit making Executive Agency of the British 
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He was 
formerly a non-executive director of Sygen 
International and of Greggs plc.

1

2

3

4

Board Committees code:

1   Audit and Risk

2   Safety and Sustainability

3   Nomination

4   Remuneration

5   Group Tender and Investment

6   Finance and General Purposes

  Chair

Appointed a Director in April 2015. 
He has over 45 years’ experience in the civil 
engineering, construction and infrastructure 
sectors, and was chief executive of Costain 
Group PLC between 2001 and 2005. 
This followed executive positions in Welsh 
multi-utility Hyder plc, Alfred McAlpine 
plc and Tarmac Construction, where he 
represented the company on the Channel 
Tunnel board, following 20 years with John 
Laing Construction. He has also served as a 
senior non-executive director of Scott Wilson 
Group plc, and as chairman of Silverdell Plc, 
Somero Plc and Beck and Pollitzer Limited.

1

2

3

Iain Ferguson CBE (61)Non-executive Senior Independent DirectorStuart Doughty CMG (73)Non-executive DirectorPhilip Harrison (56)Chief Financial Officerbalfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report70

Leadership continued

Audit and Risk 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Monitors and reviews 
the integrity of the 
financial statements, 
the relationship with 
the external auditor, 
and the Group’s 
internal operational 
procedures and risk 
management process.

Reviews the 
composition and 
balance of the Board 
to ensure the right 
structure and skills 
are in place to deliver 
the strategy.

 Read more p75

 Read more p78

Safety and 
Sustainability 
Committee

Monitors health and safety 
practices across the 
organisation to mitigate 
against harm to employees, 
and ensures other key 
sustainability issues such 
as integrity are reviewed 
at Board level.

 Read more p78

Group Tender and 
Investment 
Committee

Assesses the viability and 
pricing of major tenders, 
and monitors and approves 
key capital expenditure to 
ensure adequate returns.

Remuneration 
Committee

Determines the pay 
of the executive 
Directors, and oversees 
overall remuneration 
policy, strategy 
and implementation.

 Read more p79

 Read more p84

Leads the business and is responsible for its day-to-day management.

Roles 
Summaries of the roles of the Chairman, the Group Chief Executive 
and the Senior Independent Director are as follows:

Chairman – Philip Aiken
 – Ensuring effective strategic planning is undertaken by the 

executive Directors

 – Ensuring corporate governance is properly maintained
 – Formally appraising the performance of the Group Chief 

Executive and reviewing with the Group Chief Executive his 
views on the performance of the other executive Directors

 – Providing leadership to the Board
 – Acting as senior ambassador for the Company 
 – Considering Board balance, composition and succession
 – Ensuring the smooth operation of the Board and its Committees
 – Providing effective communication between the Board and 

its shareholders.

Group Chief Executive – Leo Quinn
 – Strategy development and the stewardship of physical, financial 

and human resources

 – Group operational and financial performance
 – Executive leadership
 – Health, safety and environmental performance
 – Corporate values and ethics
 – Objective setting for the senior management team
 – Organisational structure, succession and talent management
 – Major capital expenditure prioritisation and allocation of resources
 – Consideration of acquisitions, disposals and financing
 – Stakeholder management.

Senior Independent Director – Iain Ferguson
 – Acting as chairman of the Board if the Chairman is conflicted
 – Acting as a conduit to the Board for the communication of 

shareholders’ concerns if other channels are not appropriate
 – Ensuring that the Chairman is provided with effective feedback 

on his performance. 

Board and Committee meetings
Procedures for Board meetings remain largely unchanged from 
previous years. The Company Secretary is responsible for advising 
the Board on appropriate governance matters and for ensuring 
a good information flow and that Board procedures are properly 
followed. He is available to individual Directors for advice on 
Board procedures.

Details of the number of meetings of the Board and its Committees 
held during the year and attendance of Directors thereat are set out 
on page 71. Outside the formal schedule of meetings, the non-
executive Directors met without the executive Directors present on 
a number of occasions. Meetings are normally held at one of the 
Company’s London offices.

All non-executive Directors receive papers for every Committee 
meeting and where not a member, have an open invitation to 
attend any Committee meeting. A number of the Directors took 
this opportunity during the year.

Board and Committee meetings typically take place over two 
consecutive days with the first day allocated to Committee 
meetings and ending with a ‘Focus’ presentation by a member 
of the leadership team. The agenda for the Board meetings will 
usually include a ‘deep dive’ presentation from one of the business 
units as well as focusing on key priorities for the Group, including:

 – progress with the Build to Last transformation programme
 – strategy and budgets
 – operating structures, processes and costs
 – the Group’s financial performance
 – legacy contract out-turns
 – annual and interim financial statements
 – health and safety performance
 – significant human resources issues, including succession 

planning and diversity

 – reports from the head of business integrity
 – consideration of issues relating to major disputes, proceedings 

or other matters of potentially adverse effect on the 
Group’s reputation

 – reports by non-executive Directors on site visits and 

project reviews.

BOARDGROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVEBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Effectiveness

71

Directors’ independence
At its meeting in January 2017, the Board considered the 
independence of the non-executive Directors against the criteria 
specified in the Code and determined that each of them continues 
to be independent.

A non-exhaustive list of the key strengths of the Directors is set out 
in the table below. Details of their service agreements, emoluments 
and share incentives are shown in the Remuneration report starting 
on page 84.

Following the performance evaluations of each of the non-executive 
Directors, it is confirmed that the performance of each continues to 
be effective and demonstrates commitment to the role.

Responsibility and delegation
The Board is responsible for the success of the Company and has a 
formal schedule of matters reserved for its decision which includes 
the matters summarised below:

 – determining the Group’s strategic direction

 – approving annual budgets and financial reporting, including the 

annual and half-year results and interim management statements

 – approving interim, and recommending final, dividends
 – approving major acquisitions, disposals and capital expenditure
 – ensuring the necessary financial and human resources 

are in place to achieve objectives and review 
management performance

 – setting the Company’s values and ethical standards
 – approving policies and systems for risk management 

and assurance.

The Board reviewed its list of reserved matters, most recently, at its 
meeting in January 2017. The full list and the terms of reference of 
the Board Committees are available on the Company’s website: 

 www.balfourbeatty.com/investors

The day-to-day management of the business is delegated to 
executive Directors and the Group’s senior management.

Directors – significant strengths

Operating 
performance
and  
delivery

Strategic 
development

Mergers 
and 
acquisitions

Business 
integration

Financial
management
and  
planning

Sector- 
specific

Experience of
international
markets

Health
and 
safety

Risk 
management 
and  
assurance

HR 
management

Stakeholder 
engagement

Ethics,  
values  
and 
culture

Director

Philip 
Aiken

Stephen 
Billingham

Stuart 
Doughty

Iain 
Ferguson

Philip 
Harrison

Maureen 
Kempston 
Darkes

Leo Quinn

Board and Committee meetings attendance
Details of the number of meetings and attendance at the Board meetings and meetings of the Audit and Risk, Safety and Sustainability, 
Nomination and Remuneration Committees during the year are set out in the table below.

Director

Philip Aiken

Stephen Billingham 

Stuart Doughty 

Iain Ferguson

Philip Harrison 

Maureen Kempston Darkes

Leo Quinn

Graham Roberts

Board
(8)

Audit and Risk
(4)

Nomination
(3)

Safety and 
Sustainability 
(3)

Remuneration
(5)

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

1

4

4

4

0

3

3

3

3

1

3

3

3

3

3

5

5

5

1

The number shown in brackets is the total number of meetings the Director could attend during the year (including as a result of changes to Committee memberships). 
Non-attendance at meetings was due to illness. In each case, where the Directors have not been able to attend a Board or Committee meeting, they have reviewed the papers 
circulated for that meeting and provided their comments directly to the Chairman, or the Committee chair, as appropriate.

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72

Effectiveness continued

Further information about the work of each of the Board’s 
Committees may be found on pages 75 to 79 and pages 84 to 99.

Board development
Induction
Directors undertake a thorough induction programme and receive 
a range of information about the Company when they join the 
Board, including access to a portal on which all Board papers are 
stored, Balfour Beatty’s Code of Conduct and processes for dealing 
in Balfour Beatty shares. In addition, they take part in a series of 
one-to-one meetings with other members of the Board, senior 
executives in the businesses and the Company’s external advisers, 
which include briefings on the Company’s business strategy, 
financial procedures, business development, legal and other 
key issues.

The Directors’ induction programme also provides the foundation 
for continuing professional development. This takes place 
throughout the year by way of a series of internal and external 
updates, including visits to operating companies to meet local 
management and visits to Balfour Beatty projects, both in the UK 
and overseas.

Professional development
In discussion with the Directors and Company Secretary, each year 
the Chairman determines whether there are any specific training 
needs identified by the Directors, which can be addressed either 
by the topic being included at a future Board meeting or on a one-
to-one basis. Directors are also enrolled in the Deloitte Academy, 
a seminar-led programme for directors of UK listed companies, 
which provides regular updates throughout the year on the principal 
governance and other matters of which directors of a listed 
company should be fully aware.

Board evaluation
Introduction
In keeping with the Code, the Board undertakes external 
evaluations, typically every three years, with internal evaluations 
in the intervening two years. The most recent external evaluation 
was carried out in early 2016, in respect of 2015, by Lintstock, an 
external facilitator. For 2016, the evaluation has been conducted 
using internal resources and considered the performance of 
the Board and its Committees, as well as the Chairman and 
individual Directors.

2016 evaluation
All Board members were requested to complete a questionnaire, 
the responses to which were reviewed and summarised by the 
Company Secretary and the Chairman. The emerging key themes 
were discussed with each Director individually, and presented to 
the Board for discussion in November 2016. 

The survey was tailored to the specific circumstances of Balfour 
Beatty and covered the composition, expertise and dynamics of 
the Board, the Board’s management of time, the support afforded 
to the Board, the Board’s oversight of strategy, risk and human 
resources, and priorities for change. The responses to the survey 
were unattributed.

Key conclusions from the evaluation
Overall ratings across most of the areas on which views were 
canvassed, showed an improvement year on year. The non-
executive Directors continue to enhance their understanding of 
the business, including by making regular visits to project sites 
throughout the UK and overseas and are individually and collectively 
involved in project reviews. An additional item has been added to 
the Board agenda to provide the non-executive Directors with an 
opportunity to give timely, verbal reports on their site visits and 
project reviews. The Board also committed to undertake at least 
one visit to the US each year, combining a series of presentations 
by the US leadership team with site visits.

National Museum of the Marine CorpsCode of ConductFor a copy see  www.balfourbeattycodeofconduct.com/Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201673

Risk management and internal control
Risk management
Effective risk management underpins the delivery of the Group’s 
objectives and is an essential element of meeting the requirements 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code. By identifying and 
managing risk, the business is better able to protect its reputation, 
ensure long-term viability and generate sustainable shareholder 
value. Balfour Beatty identifies key risks at an early stage and 
applies mitigations within a strong internal control environment 
to eliminate them or mitigate their impact and likelihood to an 
acceptable level. For more information, refer to pages 53 to 65.

The Board has applied principle C2 of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code by embedding continuous risk management 
processes throughout the Group at all levels which form an integral 
part of day-to-day business activity. 

Roles and responsibilities
The Board is responsible for the implementation and oversight of 
Balfour Beatty’s system of risk management and internal control. 
It sets the Group’s appetite for and attitude to risk in pursuit of 
its strategic objectives and therefore the level of risk that can be 
taken by Group, strategic business unit and individual business 
unit management without specific Board approval. Group policies, 
procedures and delegated authority levels set by the Board provide 
the means by which risks are reviewed and escalated to the 
appropriate level within the Group, up to and including the Board, 
for consideration and approval.

The roles and responsibilities of the Board, its Committees, 
strategic business unit and individual business unit management 
are set out below.

1. Board

 – Responsible for the Group’s 

 – Issues and reviews the Group risk 

Responsibilities

Actions undertaken

Audit and Risk Committee

systems of risk management and 
internal control

 – Determines Group appetite for 

and attitude to risk in pursuit of its 
strategic objectives.

 – Regularly reviews the effectiveness 
of Group internal controls, including 
systems to identify, assess, manage 
and monitor risks

 – Agrees the Group Internal Audit Plan.

management policy

 – Annually reviews effectiveness of 

Group risk management and internal 
control systems

 – Reviews the Group’s risk landscape, 
principal risks and risk responses.

 – Receives regular reports on internal 

and external audit and other 
assurance activities

 – Annually assesses Group risk 
management and internal 
control systems

 – Reviews effectiveness of the 

Group’s helpline and other channels 
for raising concerns about Code of 
Conduct breaches.

Group Tender and Investment Committee

 – Reviews and approves tenders 
and investments, triggered by 
certain financial thresholds or other 
risk factors.

 – Critically appraises significant tender 

proposals and investment/divestment 
opportunities, with a specific focus 
on risk.

Safety and Sustainability Committee

 – Reviews Group management of 

 – Receives regular reports on 

non-financial risks such as health and 
safety, and sustainability.

implementation of Group policies and 
procedures on non-financial risks.

2. Group management

3. Strategic business unit management

4. Business unit management

 – Strategic leadership
 – Responsible for reviewing and 
implementing the Group risk 
management policy

 – Ensures appropriate actions are taken 
to manage strategic risks and other 
key risks.

 – Responsible for risk management 
and internal control systems within 
its business

 – Ensures that business units’ 

responsibilities are discharged.

 – Maintains an effective system of risk 
management and internal control 
within its business unit and projects.

 – Strategic plan and annual budget process
 – Produces and tracks Group risk register
 – Reviews risk management and 

assurance activities and processes

 – Monthly/quarterly finance and 

performance reviews.

 – Reviews key risks and mitigation plans
 – Reviews and challenges business units’ 

internal control environment

 – Reviews results of internal control testing
 – Escalates key risks to Group 
management and the Board.

 – Maintains and regularly reviews project, 
functional and strategic risk registers

 – Reviews mitigation plans
 – Plans, executes and reports on internal 

control testing.

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Effectiveness continued

Risk management process
Balfour Beatty’s risk management policy requires that all 
business units ensure that effective controls are established and 
implemented for the management of risk.

Identified risk events, their causes and possible consequences 
are recorded in risk registers, together with assessments of their 
likelihood and potential business impact. The controls in place to 
manage each risk event are assessed for effectiveness and, if 
required, additional actions are developed to bring exposure within 
the Group’s risk appetite. Each risk is allocated to a specific risk 
owner who is given the responsibility to manage the risk and its 
controls within an agreed timeframe.

For new projects, an assessment of risk forms a key part of the 
work winning Gates (1–4) within the Gated Lifecycle process 
(page 53) and risks are continuously assessed as projects evolve 
and progress.

Additionally the Board sets and regularly reviews delegated 
authority levels which act as triggers for matters requiring senior 
management or Board approval. In relation to work winning, this 
means that projects above a certain value, or those that import 
particular uncertainties such as a move into new markets, require 
approval by the Group Tender and Investment Committee.

Reporting structures ensure that risks are monitored continually, 
mitigation plans are reviewed and significant exposures are 
escalated – from project level through the appropriate business unit 
review stages and, as appropriate, to Group senior management.

Further improvements to the risk management framework have 
been made throughout 2016 including significant strengthening 
to the process of assessing, managing and reporting risk. 
This progress is detailed on pages 53 to 55. Increased rigour within 
risk management will continue in 2017 with renewed focus on 
risk impact quantification and escalation. These enhancements 
alongside the ongoing co-ordination between project, contract 
and business level risk analysis continue to drive risk awareness 
and culture. 

Internal control
The Board has ultimate responsibility for the Group’s risk 
management systems and internal control, and regularly reviews 
their effectiveness.

The Group’s systems and controls are designed to ensure that 
the Group’s exposure to significant risk is managed appropriately. 
The Board recognises that any system of internal control is 
designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to 
achieve business objectives and can only provide reasonable 
and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or 
loss. In addition, not all the material joint ventures in which the 
Group is involved are treated, for these purposes, as part of the 
Group. Where they are not, systems of internal control and risk 
management are applied as agreed between the partners to the 
joint venture.

Central to the Group’s systems of internal control are its processes 
and framework for risk management. These align with Guidance 
on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and 
Business Reporting and were in place throughout 2016 and up to 
the date of signing this report.

Guidance and policies have been issued and are continuously 
monitored to provide an interlinked and comprehensive internal 
control environment. Such topics include but are not limited to:

 – a clear system of delegated authorities from the Board to 
management with certain matters reserved by the Board
 – the annual review of the strategy and plans of each business 
and of the Group as a whole in order to identify the risks to 
the Group’s achievement of its overall objectives and, where 
appropriate, any relevant mitigating actions

 – monthly financial reporting against budgets and the review of 

results and forecasts by executive Directors and management, 
including particular areas of business or project risk. This is used 
to update management’s understanding of the environment in 
which the Group operates and the methods used to mitigate and 
control the risks identified

 – specific policies set out in the Group Finance Manual covering 

the financial management of the Group, including arrangements 
with the Group’s bankers and bond providers, controls on 
foreign exchange dealings and management of currency and 
interest rate exposures, application of accounting policies and 
financial controls

 – Group-wide risk management standards which are embedded 

throughout the Group

 – gateway reviews requiring risk, uncertainty and control 

assessment at all stages of project development and at all levels 
of the business from business unit level to Board Committee if 
value, or perceived exposure, exceeds certain thresholds

 – reviews and tests by the internal audit function of critical business 
financial processes and controls and specific reviews in areas of 
perceived high business risk

 – reviews and authorises proposed investment, divestment 

and capital expenditure through the Board’s Committees and 
the Board

 – regular reporting, monitoring and review of the effectiveness 
of health, safety, environment and sustainability processes. 
These processes are subject to independent audit and 
certification to internationally recognised standards as appropriate

 – legal compliance risks which are addressed through specific 

policies and training on such matters as ethics, competition and 
data protection laws

 – promotion of a culture of compliance with ethics and integrity 

responsibilities to help manage legal and reputational risks across 
the Group. An ethics helpline has been established to encourage 
staff to raise concerns, in confidence, about possible breaches of 
the Code of Conduct.

These systems are extended, as soon as possible and as 
appropriate, to all businesses joining the Group.
The Group also has an independent internal audit function that 
executes a risk-based programme of audit throughout the entire 
Group. All audit reports are shared with relevant business leaders in 
addition to being scrutinised by the Audit and Risk Committee (see 
pages 75 to 77).
It is the expectation and requirement of the Board that business 
leaders ensure that this comprehensive internal control 
environment (including internal audit) is embedded within their 
business units. 
The Board continued to assess the effectiveness of the risk 
management processes and internal controls during 2016 and to 
the date of this report. Such assessment is based on reports made 
to the Board, the Audit and Risk Committee and the Safety and 
Sustainability Committee, including:
 – the results of the internal audit function’s reviews of internal 

financial controls

 – a Group-wide certification that effective internal controls had 
been maintained or, where any significant non-compliance or 
breakdown had occurred with or without loss, that appropriate 
remedial action has been or is being taken

 – a paper prepared by management on the nature, extent 
and mitigation of significant risks and on the systems of 
internal controls.

Principal risks
The principal risks that could adversely impact on the Group’s 
profitability and ability to achieve its strategic objectives are set 
out on pages 56 to 65.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Accountability

75

“

The Audit and Risk Committee plays a key role 
in overseeing the Group’s financial reporting and 
risk management processes. We are committed 
to ensuring that the Group’s financial reporting 
is accurate, high-quality and clear, to allow 
shareholders to properly understand the Group’s 
performance and financial position.
Stephen Billingham
Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee

Summary of activities in 2016
In 2016, the Committee’s work programme focused on a number 
of significant issues and other accounting judgements where 
the Committee believed the highest level of judgement was 
required and with the highest potential impact on the Group’s 
financial statements. Further information is set out on page 76. 
The Committee’s standing agenda items comprised reports on:

 – accounting, financial and regulatory issues
 – review of non-audit work carried out by the external auditors,  

and their fees

 – risk management activities and compliance
 – implementation of and progress against the Group Internal 

Audit Plan.

The Committee is able to question management at both Group and 
business unit levels to gain further insight into the issues addressed 
in these reports. 

Fair, balanced and understandable
Following the introduction of the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic 
Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013, the Board has 
been mindful of the continuing need to provide a balanced and 
comprehensive analysis of the Company’s development and 
performance during the year and the position at the year end, 
including the use of alternative performance measures. The Audit 
and Risk Committee has assisted in achieving this objective by 
reviewing proposals for the internal procedures to be applied in 
preparing the Annual Report.

Viability statement
Following the revision to the UK Corporate Governance Code 
published in September 2014, the Audit and Risk Committee has 
assisted in reviewing the viability of the Group over the longer term 
as part of its assessment of the Group’s risks.

  See page 65 for further details

Audit and Risk Committee

Main responsibilities
The terms of reference for the Committee are based on the 
Guidance on Audit Committees issued by the Financial Reporting 
Council. The main responsibilities of the Audit and Risk Committee 
are summarised below:

 – review the integrity of the financial statements of the Group 

and any formal announcements relating to the Group’s 
financial performance

 – review the Group’s internal controls established to identify, 

assess, manage and monitor risks, and receive reports from 
management on the effectiveness of the systems it has 
established and the conclusions of any testing carried out by the 
internal audit function and external auditor

 – monitor and review the effectiveness of the internal audit 

function, including its work programme

 – make recommendations to the Board in relation to the 
appointment of the external auditor and approve the 
remuneration and terms of engagement of the external auditor

 – assess the independence, objectivity and effectiveness of 

the external auditor and develop and implement policy on the 
engagement of the external auditor to supply non-audit services

 – review the integrity of the statement in the Annual Report on 

being fair, balanced and understandable, as required under the 
Companies Act 2006

 – review the procedures for the Group’s helplines and other 

mechanisms used by employees to raise concerns confidentially 
(including any whistleblowing facilities) and their effectiveness.

Dr Stephen Billingham, formerly group finance director (CFO) of 
British Energy Group plc and of WS Atkins plc, has been identified 
by the Board as having recent and relevant financial experience.

Partners from the external auditor, the Group Risk and Audit 
Director, the Group Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer 
regularly attend meetings. The Committee also invites divisional 
leaders and specialists relevant to the Committee’s agenda.

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Accountability continued

Significant issues and other accounting judgements

Revenue and margin 
recognition

Carrying value of 
goodwill and other 
intangibles

Going concern and 
viability statement

Non-underlying items 

Given the nature of the Group’s operations, these elements are central to how it values its work. 
Having reviewed detailed reports and met with management, the Committee considered contract and 
commercial issues with exposure to both revenue and margin recognition risks. As a key area of audit 
focus, the Committee also received a detailed written report from the external auditor setting out the 
results of its work in relation to key contract judgements. 

The judgement largely relates to the assumptions underlying the value in use of the cash-generating units, 
primarily the achievement of the three-year strategic plan and the macroeconomic assumptions (such as 
discount rates) underpinning the valuation process. The Committee received reports from management 
outlining the impairment model and the assumptions used; in addition, the external auditor provided 
detailed written reports in this area. 

In order to satisfy itself that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operation for the 
foreseeable future and that there are no material uncertainties that could lead to significant doubt as to the 
Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, the Committee considered the Group’s viability statement, 
cash position (both existing and projected), bank facilities and covenants (including bonding lines) and the 
borrowing powers allowed under the Company’s Articles of Association. The Committee subsequently 
recommended to the Board the adoption of the going concern statement and the viability statement for 
inclusion in the Annual Report. More details on going concern and the viability statement are contained on 
pages 52 and 65.

The key judgement is whether items relate to underlying trading or not and whether they have been 
presented in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy. The Committee conducted a review of each 
of the non-underlying items, receiving written reports from management and the external auditor as to 
their quantum and nature. 

Provisions

The Committee reviewed the significant judgements relating to provisions, including litigation and other 
risks. The Committee received detailed reports, including relevant legal advice.

Retirement benefits

The key judgement relates to the assumptions underlying the valuation of the retirement benefit 
obligations. The Committee received reports from management outlining the assumptions used, including 
input from the Group’s actuaries, in particular in relation to discount rates, inflation and mortality which 
were evaluated against external benchmarks and, in relation to which, the external auditor also provided 
reports.

Deferred tax assets

The Committee reviewed the Group’s considerations on future profitability to evaluate the judgement that 
it is probable the deferred tax assets are recoverable.

Directors’ valuation of 
the Investments portfolio

The Committee assessed the methodology used to value the assets in terms of the discount rates 
applied. It also critically appraised the output of the Directors’ valuation exercise.

Internal auditor effectiveness
The Committee reviews the effectiveness of the internal audit 
function on an ongoing basis. This is achieved, in part, by reviewing 
and discussing the reports presented to it at each meeting, setting 
out the function’s work and findings, but also through a formal 
annual assessment. An independent periodic review of the internal 
audit function, as well as a thorough self-assessment scorecard 
drawn up in accordance with best practice guidelines, also helps 
contribute to the Committee’s evaluation.

Areas of focus in 2017
In 2017, the Committee will continue to address the topics on its 
standing agenda as well as continuing to undertake reviews of the 
risk management and assurance practices across the Group on a 
rolling programme. The Committee will also continue to receive 
any necessary training in order to broaden and refresh the skills and 
knowledge of its members. The Committee will also focus on the 
Group’s progress on the implementation of IFRS 15 Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers and the impact of this new standard to 
the Group’s results.

Risk management and internal control
The risk management and internal control framework now 
comprises a number of approval and review gates that cover the 
business lifecycle from initial project pursuit through to delivery 
and completion. These processes are underpinned by common 
minimum standards in project and commercial management 
and are under constant review to ensure their effectiveness 
and compliance.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201677

External auditor independence and effectiveness
The Committee carries out a formal review each year to assess the 
independence and effectiveness of the external auditor, KPMG. 
The Committee has satisfied itself as to KPMG’s independence. 
In reaching its conclusion, the Committee took into consideration 
the following matters:

Non-audit work
The objective set out in the Company’s policy is to ensure that the 
external auditor is not placed in a position where its independence 
is, or might be seen to be, compromised. Under no circumstances 
will any assignment be given to the external auditor, when the 
result is that:

 – it audits its own work
 – it makes management decisions on behalf of the Group
 – it acts as advocate for the Group
 – a mutuality of interest is created.

The Company’s policy identifies the various types of non-audit 
services and determines the analysis to be undertaken, and level 
of authority required, before the external auditor can be considered 
to undertake such services. For any non-audit services (which are 
not excluded under the policy), the policy provides for approval 
by the Chief Financial Officer of expenditure below £250,000, 
and approval by the chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee 
of expenditure above £250,000. A report is also submitted to the 
Committee of any non-audit services carried out by the external 
auditor, irrespective of value. The aggregated spend on non-audit 
services with the external auditor will not exceed 60% of the Group 
audit fee, unless exceptional circumstances exist, with a three-year 
rolling average not exceeding 70% of the Group audit fee.

During 2016, there were fees of £0.5 million (2015: £0.7 million) 
paid to the external auditor for non-audit services. 2016 non-audit 
services primarily related to the half-year review. Audit fees for 2016 
were £2m. Further details of the 2016 amounts are included in Note 
6.2 of the accounts.

There is no inconsistency between the Financial Reporting 
Council’s ethical standards and the Company’s policy.

The Committee considers that the Company receives particular 
benefits, including those relating to cost, quality and consistency, 
from the advice provided by its external auditor, given its wide and 
detailed knowledge of the Group and its international operations. 
There can also be savings in management time and accelerated 
delivery of work in situations where rapid turnaround is required.

45% by value of non-audit related work provided by international 
accounting firms in 2016 was carried out by firms other 
than KPMG.

Annual assessment of the audit process
In addition to receiving written reports from the auditors (both 
internal and external) and management, the Committee also 
conducted separate private meetings with the external auditors 
and with management. These provide the opportunity for open 
dialogue and feedback on the audit process, the responsiveness 
of management and the effectiveness of individual internal and 
external audit teams.

A detailed assessment of the external audit process and 
the effectiveness of the external auditor, together with any 
identified improvement recommendations, is prepared each 
year. Each strategic business unit within the Group is required 
to evaluate the performance of the assigned external audit team 
and to compare that performance against the previous year. 
This assessment has taken into account the issues which have 
been raised during 2016.

The external auditor’s annual transparency report for the year ended 
31 May 2016 was reviewed. This was prepared in accordance with 
the provisions of the Statutory Auditors (Transparency) Instrument 
2008 made by the Professional Oversight Board of the Financial 
Reporting Council.

External auditor rotation
As reported last year, KPMG were selected as the Company’s 
auditor for the year ending 31 December 2016, following a 
competitive tender process, and were duly appointed at the AGM 
on 19 May 2016. The external auditors are required to rotate the 
lead partner every five years. Such changes are carefully planned 
to ensure business continuity without undue risk or inefficiency. 
KPMG’s lead partner will complete his first year in May 2017.

The EU Audit Directive on audit tendering took effect from June 
2016 and its key aspects include:

 – audit firms will have a maximum tenure of 10 years, although the 
UK Government proposes to allow an extension of (i) up to an 
additional 10 years where a public tender is carried out after 10 
years; or (ii) by an additional 14 years where more than one audit 
firm is appointed to carry out the audit

 – audit firms are to be prohibited from providing certain non-audit 
services and where non-audit services are provided they will be 
subject to a fees cap

 – a restriction in any contract limiting a company’s choice of auditor 

will be prohibited.

The Group has therefore adopted a policy that no external auditor 
appointed after June 2016 can remain in post for longer than 20 
years and there will be a tendering process every 10 years, and 
that KPMG, as the currently appointed external auditor, may remain 
so until the completion of the 2025 annual audit. However, the 
Committee will continue to consider annually the need to tender 
the audit for audit quality or independence reasons. There are no 
contractual obligations in place that restrict the Company’s choice 
of statutory auditor.

The disclosures provided above constitute the Company’s 
statement of compliance with the requirements of The Statutory 
Audit Services for Large Companies Market Investigation 
(Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit 
Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report78

Accountability continued

“

The role of the Committee is to monitor the 
structure and composition of the Board, 
including responsibility for recommending 
Board appointments, and to consider the 
strategy, processes and plans for senior 
executive recruitment, the Group’s succession 
planning and talent management.
Philip Aiken 
Chairman of the Nomination Committee

“

The role of the Committee is to drive  
greater focus on the safety culture within  
the business through the Zero Harm  
programme and to review the sustainability 
performance of the Group.
Maureen Kempston Darkes
Chairman of the Safety and Sustainability Committee

Nomination Committee

Summary of activities in 2016
During 2016 and into 2017, the Committee’s programme of work 
included the commencement of recruitment processes for the 
appointment of three new non-executive Directors.

All appointments to the Board are based on merit, against objective 
criteria, having due regard for diversity, including gender.

In seeking suitable candidates for the positions, Heidrick and 
Struggles US and Ridgeway, external executive search agencies, 
were separately engaged. The Committee identified the 
competencies and experience sought.

Key determinants in the selection of the Directors are a background 
in organisations that share key dynamics with Balfour Beatty, 
including contracting, customer service, major capital projects, 
infrastructure and B2B services.

The search agencies appointed were reminded to approach a 
diverse talent pool of candidates, and neither has other connections 
with Balfour Beatty.

Areas of focus in 2017
In January 2017, the Committee received a comprehensive 
presentation on the succession and development plans for the 
Group’s senior leadership team and discussed succession plans 
for the Board. The implications of the business strategy for senior 
executive recruitment and the impact on the Group’s succession 
planning are also areas which the Committee will consider during 
the year. It will continue to monitor the appropriateness of the 
composition of the Board. 

Safety and Sustainability Committee

Summary of activities in 2016
In addition to the standard agenda items designed to provide 
the Committee with objective reporting of absolute and relative 
performance against agreed KPIs, during the year the Committee has 
overseen the establishment of leading Group-wide safety indicators 
and the update of the Group’s sustainability strategy, Our Blueprint.

  www.balfourbeatty.com/media/195840/ 
sustainability-blueprint-2017.pdf

The Committee has also overseen the merger of the UK Health 
and Safety function with the UK Environment and Sustainability 
function. This has facilitated the development of a more effective and 
collaborative way of working throughout the Group’s UK operations. 
This has been supported by additional training of health, safety, 
environment and sustainability practitioners as part of an ongoing 
development programme to build expertise and flexibility.

The new UK Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability function 
also performs a Group-wide data collection and reporting role for 
Balfour Beatty’s international operations.

The Committee considered certain significant health and safety 
related incidents, including fatalities, discussing in detail the themes 
around supervision, communications and safety by design. It also 
reviewed the Group’s sustainability performance.

The Committee also engaged with key customers to identify 
opportunities for greater collaboration and joint working.

Areas of focus in 2017
In 2017, the Committee will continue to focus on the key areas of 
health and safety by design, supervision and treating health like safety 
as well as measuring performance against Our Blueprint and the Zero 
Harm action plan. 

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201679

Group Tender and Investment Committee 

Summary of role
The Committee has been chaired by the Group Chief Executive, 
or in his absence by the Chief Financial Officer, or in his absence 
by any one of four senior business unit leaders. Those business 
unit leaders are not permitted to chair any meeting which reviews 
proposals from those areas of the business for which he/she has 
executive responsibility.

The main purpose of the Committee is to review all major proposed 
tenders with projected values above specified levels, with a specific 
focus on risk. The Committee also has authority to approve capital 
expenditure applications and any proposed acquisitions or disposals 
up to certain specified limits determined by the Board. For example, 
currently the Committee’s terms of reference require contracts for 
construction or services in the UK of a value exceeding £100 million 
to be submitted for review, whilst other limits vary according to 
geography and nature of the contract.

Any member may convene a meeting of the Committee to discuss 
any of the tender reviews in more detail. In addition to those 
members of the Committee most relevant for the consideration of 
each proposed tender, meetings are attended by key members of 
the bid team concerned and their strategic business unit leaders. 
Minutes of all meetings are made available to all Directors.

Finance and General Purposes Committee 

Summary of role
The Committee is chaired by the Group Chief Executive or, in his 
absence, by the Chief Financial Officer.

Its principal purpose is to approve various routine banking and 
treasury matters and matters relating to share capital.

A summary of the business conducted at the meetings is provided 
to all Directors.

Leo Quinn Group Chief Executivebalfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report80

Directors’ report – other disclosures

Business and financial review
The Chairman’s introduction on pages 2 and 3, the Group Chief 
Executive’s review on pages 4 and 5, the market and strategic 
reviews on pages 8 to 17, the performance review on pages 18 to 
29, the section entitled Building a sustainable business on pages 
33 to 43 and the Chief Financial Officer’s review on pages 49 to 52, 
are incorporated by reference into the Directors’ report.

Corporate governance
The Governance section on pages 66 to 99, including the 
Compliance with the Code statement on page 66, forms part of the 
Directors’ report.

Results and dividends
The results for the year are shown in the audited financial 
statements presented on pages 104 to 184 and are explained more 
fully in the Chairman’s introduction, the performance review and the 
Chief Financial Officer’s review.

An interim dividend of 0.9p per ordinary share was approved by the 
Board on 16 August 2016 and a final dividend of 1.8p per ordinary 
share will be recommended at the Annual General Meeting, giving 
a total dividend per ordinary share of 2.7p for 2016 (2015: nil). 
Preference dividends totalling 10.75p per preference share were 
paid in 2016 (2015: 10.75p (gross)).

The Directors continued to offer the dividend reinvestment plan, 
which allows holders of ordinary shares to reinvest their cash 
dividends in the Company’s shares through a specially arranged 
share dealing service.

Innovation, research and development 
Information concerning innovation, research and development 
is set out on pages 33 to 35 and forms part of the Directors’ 
report disclosures.

Branches
As the Group is a global business, there are activities operated 
through branches in certain jurisdictions.

Share capital and shareholders
Details of the share capital of the Company as at 31 December 
2016, including the rights attaching to each class of share, are set 
out in Note 29 on page 156. During the year ended 31 December 
2016, no ordinary or preference shares were repurchased for 
cancellation. 23,628 ordinary shares were issued in 2016 following 
the exercise of options held under the Company’s savings-related 
share option scheme.

At 31 December 2016, the Directors had authority under 
shareholders’ resolutions approved at the AGM and at the 
Class Meeting of preference shareholders held in May 2016 to 

purchase through the market 68,973,961 ordinary shares and 
16,775,968 preference shares at prices set out in those resolutions. 
This authority expires at the earlier of the conclusion of the Class 
Meeting of preference shareholders which will follow the 2017 
AGM or on 1 July 2017.

Throughout the year, all the Company’s issued share capital was 
publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange and it remains so 
as at the date of this report. There are no specific restrictions on 
the size of a shareholding nor on the transfer of shares, which are 
both governed by the Articles of Association and the prevailing law. 
The Directors are not aware of any agreements between holders of 
the Company’s shares that may result in restrictions on the transfer 
of shares or on voting rights.

No person has special rights of control over the Company’s share 
capital and all issued shares are fully paid.

As at 31 December 2016, the Company had been notified in 
accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the 
Financial Conduct Authority of the following interests in its ordinary 
share capital.

Number  
of ordinary  
shares held

Percentage  
of ordinary  
shares held

Causeway Capital Management LLC

62,408,448

Prudential plc

Schroder Investment Management 
Limited

Norges Bank

Newton Investment Management 
Limited

Invesco Limited

Kames Capital Plc

42,969,270

34,711,704

34,459,262

31,347,697

29,102,945

26,433,207

9.05

6.22

5.03

4.99

4.54

4.21

3.83

Since 1 January 2017, the Company has received further 
notifications that Kames Capital Plc’s interest has fallen below 3% 
and has therefore ceased to be notifiable and that Norges Bank’s 
interest has reduced to 3.87%.

Auditor
KPMG LLP has indicated its willingness to continue as auditor 
to the Company and a resolution for their re-appointment will be 
proposed at the 2017 AGM.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201681

Articles of Association
The Company has not adopted any special rules regarding the 
appointment and replacement of Directors or the amendment 
of the Articles of Association, other than as provided under UK 
company law.

Relations with shareholders
The Board attaches great importance to maintaining good 
relationships with all shareholders and ensures that shareholders 
are kept informed of significant Company developments. 

The Company continued its programme of communication with 
institutional investors and sell-side analysts throughout 2016. 
Presentations of the half-year and annual results were made in 
accordance with the practice of previous years. 

Through the year, approximately 75 one-on-one and group 
meetings were held at regular intervals with institutional 
shareholders (2015: approximately 102). Current and prospective 
shareholders, brokers and analysts were also given the opportunity 
to engage with Balfour Beatty during road shows in London, 
Scotland and North America. 

This communication programme will be maintained and expanded 
where appropriate, subject to the constraints of regulation and 
practice. The 2017 investor relations programme will focus on 
ensuring investors and the analyst community understand the 
Group, its operations and strategy, and that institutions continue to 
be given the opportunity to meet with management. 

Care is exercised to ensure that any price sensitive information is 
released to all shareholders at the same time in accordance with UK 
Listing Authority requirements. 

Executive Directors report regularly to the Board on meetings or 
other contact with shareholders or their representatives. The non-
executive Directors continue to believe that, through their direct 
and ready access to, and contact with, the Chairman and the Senior 
Independent Director and through the regular reports to the Board, 
they are kept fully aware of the views of the larger shareholders in 
the Company and the investment community generally. 

The Board continues to retain the services of independent 
external corporate and investor relations consultants who 
provide advice on the relationship between the Company and its 
institutional investors. 

Further information on the Company’s investor relations 
programme can be found at: 

 www.balfourbeatty.com/investors

The Board regards the Company’s general meetings as an 
opportunity to communicate directly with private investors 
and actively encourages participative dialogue with all the 
Company’s shareholders. 

The chairs of the Board Committees attend the AGM each year 
along with the other Directors and are available to answer questions 
from shareholders. The circular setting out the Notice of the 
2017 AGM provides a detailed explanation of the business to be 
transacted and includes contact details which shareholders can use 
to make any comments or ask any questions concerning the AGM. 

The website is regarded by the Company as an important 
source of information on the Group, including financial press 
releases, shareholder documentation, annual and half-year results 
presentations and the terms of reference of the principal Board 
Committees. The Company’s website continues to be developed to 
ensure it remains a principal source of information on the Group and 
its activities.

Political donations
At the AGM held in May 2016, shareholders gave authority for the 
Company and its UK subsidiaries to make donations to political 
organisations up to a maximum aggregate amount of £25,000 in 
the European Union. This approval is a precautionary measure in 
view of the broad definition of these terms in the Companies Act. 
No such expenditure or donations were made during the year and 
shareholder authority will be sought again at the 2017 AGM.

In the US and Canada, corporate political contributions 
totalling £195,290 were made by business units during 2016 
(2015: £35,000). Any political contributions or donations are tightly 
controlled and must be approved in advance in accordance with the 
Company’s internal procedures and must also adhere strictly to the 
Company’s policies on probity set out in its Code of Conduct.

Corporate responsibility
A full description of the Group’s approach to sustainability, including 
information on its community engagement programme, appears on 
pages 33 to 43.

The Group’s published policies on health and safety, the 
environment, business conduct and ethics remain in place and are 
subject to regular reviews.

Greenhouse gas emissions
Details of emissions during the year and the actions which the 
Group is taking to reduce them are set out on pages 40 and 41 and 
form part of the Directors’ report disclosures.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report82

Directors’ report – other disclosures continued

Employment
The Balfour Beatty Group operates across a number of geographies 
and end markets. However, there are key principles in the design 
and practice of employment policy that are applicable across the 
Group. These are to: 

Events after the reporting date 
On 26 January 2017, the Group reached agreement to sell its 
49% interests in Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC and BK Gulf LLC to 
its joint venture partner. The sale subsequently completed on 
1 March 2017.

 – provide a safe, open, inclusive and challenging environment that 

attracts and retains the best people 

 – enable all employees to perform at their best and realise 
their full potential, assisted by appropriate training and 
career development 

 – communicate the strategy of the Group, the objectives of 

each respective business and the role and objectives of each 
employee within that business 

 – actively consult with all employees and engage in a participating 

environment that fosters the exchange of best practice 
and collaboration 

 – provide market competitive pay and benefits that reward both 

individual and collective performance 

 – ensure that all job applicants receive fair treatment, regardless of 
age, origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, 
religion or belief 

 – ensure that all employees similarly receive fair treatment 

throughout their career 

 – provide a working environment of respect and free 

from harassment. 

Information concerning employee diversity is set out on page 38 
and forms part of the Directors’ report disclosures. 

Balfour Beatty strives to provide employment, training and 
development opportunities for disabled people wherever possible 
and is committed to supporting employees who become disabled 
during employment and helping disabled employees make the best 
use of their skills and potential, consistent with all other employees. 

The Company also operates an all employee Share Incentive 
Plan (SIP) which enables UK-based employees to acquire the 
Company’s ordinary shares on a potentially tax-favourable basis, 
in order to encourage employee share ownership and provide 
additional alignment between the interests of employees and 
shareholders. Participants in the SIP are the beneficial owners of 
shares but not the registered owners, and the voting rights to such 
shares are exercised by the trustee of the SIP at the discretion of 
the participants. 

Information concerning the performance of the Group and the 
Company’s share price is provided to all employees via the 
Company’s website.

Change of control provisions
The Group’s bank facility agreements contain provisions that, on 
30 days’ notice being given to the Group, the lender may exercise 
its discretion to require prepayment of the loans on a change of 
control of the Company and cancel all commitments under the 
agreement concerned.

A number of significant joint venture and contract bond agreements 
include provisions which become exercisable by a counterparty 
on a change of control of the Company. These include the right 
of a counterparty to request additional security and to terminate 
an agreement.

The Group’s US private placement arrangements require the 
Company, promptly upon becoming aware that a change of control 
of the Company has occurred (and in any event within 10 business 
days), to give written notice of such fact to all holders of the notes 
and make an offer to prepay the entire unpaid principal amount of 
the notes, together with accrued interest.

The Group’s convertible bond arrangements provide that the holder 
of bonds can require the Company to redeem its bonds following 
a change of control of the Company at their principal amount, 
together with accrued interest. The Company is required to notify 
the bond holder within 14 days of a change of control.

Some other commercial agreements, entered into in the normal 
course of business, include change of control provisions.

The Group’s share and incentive plans include usual provisions 
relating to change of control, as do the terms of the Company’s 
cumulative convertible redeemable preference shares.

There are no agreements providing for compensation for the 
Directors or employees on a change of control.

Financial instruments
The Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies and 
its exposure to the following risks – foreign exchange, interest rate, 
price and credit – are detailed in Note 38 on pages 167 to 171.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201683

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and 
the Group and Company financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and 
Company financial statements for each financial year. Under that 
law, the Directors are required to prepare the Group financial 
statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU) and 
applicable law and have elected to prepare the Company financial 
statements in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and 
applicable law. 

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 Group and Company and of their 
profit or loss for that period. In preparing these financial statements, 
the Directors are required to:

 – select suitable accounting policies and then apply 

them consistently

 – make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
 – for the Group financial statements, state whether they have been 

prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU

 –  for the Company financial statements, state whether applicable 

UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject 
to any material departures disclosed and explained in its 
financial statements

 –  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis 
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and the 
Company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, 
the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure 
that its financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 
They have general responsibility for taking such steps as reasonably 
open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent 
and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also 
responsible for preparing a Strategic Report, Directors’ Report, 
Directors’ Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance 
Statement that comply with that law and those regulations. 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of 
the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s 
website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in 
other jurisdictions.

The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

 – the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the 

applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view 
of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the 
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole

 –  the Strategic Report includes 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.

In light of the work undertaken by the Audit and Risk Committee 
reported in greater detail on pages 75 to 77 and the internal 
verification and approval process which has been followed this year, 
the Directors are able to state that the Annual Report and Accounts, 
taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Company’s position, performance, business model and strategy.

Statements of Directors as to disclosure of information 
to auditors
Each of the Directors at the date of approval of this report 
confirms that:

 – so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit 

information of which the Company’s auditors are unaware

 – the Director has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have 
taken as a Director to make himself or herself aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s 
auditors are aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance 
with the provisions of Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.

By order of the Board

David Mercer
General Counsel and Company Secretary

15 March 2017

Registered Office: 
5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf  
London E14 5HU

Registered in England Number 395826

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report84

Remuneration report
Chairman of Remuneration Committee introduction

“

2016 was another year of strong cash 
performance when overall the Group made 
significant progress as the Board continued to 
deal with legacy issues, as reflected in executive 
Directors’ remuneration out-turns.
Iain Ferguson
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

2016 was a busy year for the Committee as we undertook a full 
review of our executive Director reward strategy, tools and practices, 
to ensure that they support fully the next stage of the Group’s 
transformation. The resultant revised Remuneration Policy will be 
presented for approval by shareholders at the 2017 AGM. 

I am pleased to present the Directors’ Remuneration report for 
2016, which is divided into two sections, the Policy Report and the 
Annual Report, the former being subject to the triennial binding vote, 
and the latter being subject to an advisory vote, at the 2017 AGM.

Link to strategy
The primary objectives of our remuneration policy are to ensure we 
are able to attract, retain and motivate key executives to deliver strong 
sustainable business performance aligned to the strategic plan and to 
the interests of shareholders. 

Summary of activities in 2016
Reward for 2016
In respect of 2016, the annual bonus payments for the executive 
Directors reflect the performance of the Group – cash performance 
was strong, as was the personal performance of both executive 
Directors; however, profit performance, whilst showing a marked 
improvement, did not achieve the threshold payment level. The Group 
Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer received annual bonus 
payments of 47.5% and 47.1% of the maximum available respectively.

The TSR performance conditions relating to the 2014 PSP which 
measured performance over the three years ended 31 December 
2016 were not achieved and so those awards lapsed in full for the 
former executive Directors in March 2017. 

Areas of focus in 2017
Subject to shareholder support at the 2017 AGM, the Committee will 
focus on the implementation of the revised Remuneration Policy as 
the Group enters the next stage of its transformation and seeks to 
return to delivering industry-level margins. 

Remuneration policy for 2017
The Committee’s review of the remuneration policy concluded that 
the current policy remains broadly appropriate, subject to minor 
changes to the incentive arrangements and to provide some flexibility 
for the Committee to select performance metrics in line with the 
evolving Company strategy. In considering the proposed increases in 
annual bonus maximum, the Committee has taken into account the 
importance, during the current stage of the Group’s transformation, of 

ensuring there is sufficient focus and reward for delivering the shorter-
term ‘recovery’ based objectives. Then, as the Group moves to more 
of a ‘steady-state’ operating model, we will need to provide a focus 
on achieving annual results which deliver sector-leading performance. 
In considering the revised remuneration packages of the executive 
Directors, the Committee has taken into account the significant 
milestones that have been achieved in the Group’s transformation as 
a result of the performance of the individual Directors. 

In summary, the key changes to support the next stage of the Group’s 
transformation are:

 – the annual bonus maximum opportunity for both executive 

Directors will increase from 120% to 150% of salary; 50% of 
any bonus will continue to be paid in Company shares which are 
deferred for three years

 – the Chief Financial Officer’s long-term incentive award, currently 

150% of salary, will increase to 175%. The Group Chief Executive’s 
long-term incentive award will remain at the current level of 200% 
of salary

 – to increase the minimum share ownership guideline for the Group 

Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer from 100% of salary 
to 200% and 150% of salary respectively

 – providing flexibility to enable the Committee to select performance 
measures for the annual bonus and long-term incentive award that 
remain aligned with the evolving strategy of the Company, with at 
least 70% of the annual bonus to be based on financial metrics.

I am pleased to report that our discussions with major investors in 
relation to the revised Remuneration Policy have been positive and 
we hope that we can count on the support of shareholders for these 
important changes. 

Conclusion
The Committee will continue to engage with major shareholders 
to ensure that executive remuneration remains appropriate as the 
Board takes its responsibility to engage with investors seriously. 
The Committee believes that the remuneration actions taken in 2016, 
and those proposed for 2017, are in the best interest of the Company 
and its shareholders. 

Iain Ferguson
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Directors’ remuneration policy report

85

The policy will be presented to shareholders at the AGM on 18 May 2017 for approval by binding vote. 

Policy overview
The Committee, on behalf of the Board, determines the Company’s remuneration policy and the remuneration packages of the executive 
Directors of the Company and the Chairman. In setting the remuneration policy, the Committee takes into account a number of factors, 
including:

 – general trends in pay and conditions throughout the Group
 – the positioning of remuneration levels against the external market
 – the balance between fixed and variable pay – more specifically, variable pay should form a significant but not disproportionately high level 

of potential remuneration
 – the strategy of the business
 – the views of investors and their representative bodies.

In setting the overall remuneration policy, general trends and average increases throughout the Group are taken into account when setting 
executive Directors’ reward packages. A key feature for the executive Directors is that a higher proportion of their remuneration package 
is delivered through performance-related pay, which has a greater linkage to the results of the Group. The areas covered in this Policy 
Report comprise:

Consideration of shareholders’ views

Consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the Group

Summary of executive Directors’ remuneration policy

Remuneration scenarios for executive Directors

Recruitment and promotion policy for executive Directors

Service agreements and payments for loss of office for executive Directors

External appointments of executive Directors

Appointment of non-executive Directors 

85

85

86

88

88

89

89

90

Consideration of shareholders’ views
The Committee considers feedback from shareholders received at each AGM, and any feedback from additional meetings or from published 
investor guidelines, as part of any review of executive remuneration. In addition, the Committee engages proactively with shareholders and 
will ensure that shareholders are consulted in advance, where any material changes to the remuneration policy and implementation of that 
policy are proposed. Indeed, major investors were consulted in advance of the publication of the revised Remuneration Policy. 

Consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the Group
In determining the remuneration of the Company’s Directors, the Committee takes into account the general trends in pay and conditions 
across the Group as a whole. Whilst employees have not been consulted formally on executive pay, due in part to the diverse geographic 
disposition of the Group, the Committee seeks to ensure that the underlying principles which form the basis for decisions on Directors’ pay 
are consistent with those on which pay decisions for the rest of the workforce are taken. These are focused for the most part on market 
competitiveness, business performance and personal performance.

In practice, the remuneration policy for executive Directors is more heavily weighted towards variable pay than for other employees, so 
that a significant proportion of their remuneration is dependent on Company performance. For employees below Board level, variable pay 
represents a lower proportion of their total remuneration, which is driven by market comparators and general performance.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report86

Directors’ remuneration policy report continued

Summary of executive Directors’ remuneration policy
The following table sets out a summary of each element of the executive Directors’ remuneration packages, their link to the Company’s 
strategy, the policy for how these are operated, the maximum opportunity and a description of any relevant performance metrics.

Element of pay

Purpose and link to Company’s strategy

How operated in practice

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

Base salary

To attract and retain high-calibre individuals.

To provide a competitive salary relative 
to comparable companies in terms of size 
and complexity.

Salaries are reviewed and set annually in July. The Committee 
considers remuneration levels in companies of comparable 
market capitalisation, revenue and industry sector.

In addition, a key reference point for salary increases is the 
average increase across the general workforce (with the 
exception of promotions or significant changes in responsibility).

Salaries are paid monthly in cash.

Benefits

To aid retention and to remain competitive in the 
marketplace. In addition, medical benefits are 
provided to minimise disruption due to absence.

Private medical and life assurance may be provided. A car and 
fuel card or car allowance are offered. Other benefits may be 
provided as appropriate.

Pension

To remain competitive in the marketplace.

Executive Directors can elect either to:

 – participate in the defined contribution (DC) section of the 
Group’s pension fund. Executive Directors must make 
contributions of 5% of base salary (up to an earnings cap),  
with the Company contributing 20% of base salary (up to the 
cap). On earnings above the cap, executive Directors receive  
a salary supplement; or

 – receive a salary supplement in lieu of a pension.

Annual Incentive 
Plan (AIP) and 
Deferred Bonus 
Plan (DBP)

To motivate executive Directors and incentivise 
the achievement of key business performance 
targets over the financial year without 
encouraging excessive risk taking. Managing 
risk is critical, particularly given the nature of the 
Company’s business.

To facilitate share ownership and provide further 
alignment with shareholders.

50% of any payment is normally deferred into shares for  
three years.

Clawback and malus may apply in the event of material 
misconduct and/or material misstatement or error of financial 
results.

Participants may also receive an award of cash or shares  
in lieu of the value of dividends paid over the vesting period  
on vested shares.

Performance 
Share Plan (PSP)

To incentivise and reward delivery of long-term 
performance linked to the business strategy.

PSP awards are granted annually so that no undue emphasis is 
placed on performance in any one particular financial year.

To facilitate share ownership and provide further 
alignment with shareholders.

Awards normally vest on the third anniversary of grant, subject  
to performance.

175% of base salary.

To aid retention.

Shareholding 
guidelines

To align the interests of executive Directors with 
those of shareholders.

Clawback and malus may apply in the event of material 
misconduct and/or material misstatement or error of  
financial results.

Participants also receive an award of cash or shares in lieu of the 
value of dividends paid over the vesting period on vested shares.

Executive Directors are expected to accumulate a shareholding 
in the Company’s shares to the value of 200% and 150% of 
base salary for the Group Chief Executive and the Chief Financial 
Officer respectively. Executive Directors are expected to retain 
at least 50% of shares (net of tax) which vest from awards made 
under the PSP and DBP until the target shareholding is attained.

Executive Directors may also participate in all-employee share schemes up to prevailing HMRC limits.

There is no prescribed maximum annual increase. The Committee is 

A number of factors are considered, notably market 

guided by the general increase for the broader employee population 

competitiveness, business and personal performance.

but on occasion may need to recognise, for example, an increase in 

the scale, scope or responsibility of the role.

Current salary levels are disclosed on page 92.

The maximum opportunity for medical benefits is cover for the 

None

executive Director and his or her family. Life assurance cover, car or 

car allowance and any other benefits are based on market norms.

Executive Directors who participate in the Group’s pension fund 

None

benefit from a pension contribution of 20% of base salary up to 

the earnings cap and a salary supplement of 20% of base salary 

in excess of the cap.

If a salary supplement is taken in lieu of a pension contribution, 

this is equivalent to 20% of base salary.

Maximum annual incentive opportunity is 150% of base salary.

The Committee will select performance measures for the annual 

bonus that are aligned with the evolving strategy of the Company. 

A minimum 70% weighting is based on financial metrics.

Measures are reviewed each year and may be varied as appropriate 

to reflect the Company’s strategy.

The limit in the rules of the PSP is 200% of base salary which will 

Performance measures will be set on an annual basis to reflect 

be applied to the Group Chief Executive. Other than in exceptional 

the Company’s strategy. A minimum of 30% of any award will be 

circumstances, the normal limit for other executive Directors will be 

based on relative total shareholder return (TSR), with the balance 

being based on other financial targets. Targets will normally be 

measured over a three-year performance period.

There is 25% vesting for threshold performance, rising to 100% 

vesting for maximum performance.

–

None

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201687

Element of pay

Purpose and link to Company’s strategy

How operated in practice

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

There is no prescribed maximum annual increase. The Committee is 
guided by the general increase for the broader employee population 
but on occasion may need to recognise, for example, an increase in 
the scale, scope or responsibility of the role.

Current salary levels are disclosed on page 92.

A number of factors are considered, notably market 
competitiveness, business and personal performance.

The maximum opportunity for medical benefits is cover for the 
executive Director and his or her family. Life assurance cover, car or 
car allowance and any other benefits are based on market norms.

Executive Directors who participate in the Group’s pension fund 
benefit from a pension contribution of 20% of base salary up to 
the earnings cap and a salary supplement of 20% of base salary 
in excess of the cap.

If a salary supplement is taken in lieu of a pension contribution, 
this is equivalent to 20% of base salary.

None

None

Annual Incentive 

To motivate executive Directors and incentivise 

50% of any payment is normally deferred into shares for  

Maximum annual incentive opportunity is 150% of base salary.

The Committee will select performance measures for the annual 
bonus that are aligned with the evolving strategy of the Company. 
A minimum 70% weighting is based on financial metrics.

Measures are reviewed each year and may be varied as appropriate 
to reflect the Company’s strategy.

Shareholding 

To align the interests of executive Directors with 

Executive Directors are expected to accumulate a shareholding 

–

None

guidelines

those of shareholders.

The limit in the rules of the PSP is 200% of base salary which will 
be applied to the Group Chief Executive. Other than in exceptional 
circumstances, the normal limit for other executive Directors will be 
175% of base salary.

Performance measures will be set on an annual basis to reflect 
the Company’s strategy. A minimum of 30% of any award will be 
based on relative total shareholder return (TSR), with the balance 
being based on other financial targets. Targets will normally be 
measured over a three-year performance period.

There is 25% vesting for threshold performance, rising to 100% 
vesting for maximum performance.

Summary of executive Directors’ remuneration policy

The following table sets out a summary of each element of the executive Directors’ remuneration packages, their link to the Company’s 

strategy, the policy for how these are operated, the maximum opportunity and a description of any relevant performance metrics.

Base salary

To attract and retain high-calibre individuals.

Salaries are reviewed and set annually in July. The Committee 

To provide a competitive salary relative 

to comparable companies in terms of size 

and complexity.

considers remuneration levels in companies of comparable 

market capitalisation, revenue and industry sector.

In addition, a key reference point for salary increases is the 

average increase across the general workforce (with the 

exception of promotions or significant changes in responsibility).

Salaries are paid monthly in cash.

Benefits

To aid retention and to remain competitive in the 

Private medical and life assurance may be provided. A car and 

marketplace. In addition, medical benefits are 

fuel card or car allowance are offered. Other benefits may be 

provided to minimise disruption due to absence.

provided as appropriate.

Pension

To remain competitive in the marketplace.

Executive Directors can elect either to:

 – participate in the defined contribution (DC) section of the 

Group’s pension fund. Executive Directors must make 

contributions of 5% of base salary (up to an earnings cap),  

with the Company contributing 20% of base salary (up to the 

cap). On earnings above the cap, executive Directors receive  

a salary supplement; or

 – receive a salary supplement in lieu of a pension.

Plan (AIP) and 

the achievement of key business performance 

three years.

Deferred Bonus 

targets over the financial year without 

Plan (DBP)

encouraging excessive risk taking. Managing 

risk is critical, particularly given the nature of the 

Company’s business.

results.

Clawback and malus may apply in the event of material 

misconduct and/or material misstatement or error of financial 

To facilitate share ownership and provide further 

alignment with shareholders.

Participants may also receive an award of cash or shares  

in lieu of the value of dividends paid over the vesting period  

on vested shares.

Performance 

To incentivise and reward delivery of long-term 

PSP awards are granted annually so that no undue emphasis is 

Share Plan (PSP)

performance linked to the business strategy.

placed on performance in any one particular financial year.

To facilitate share ownership and provide further 

Awards normally vest on the third anniversary of grant, subject  

alignment with shareholders.

to performance.

To aid retention.

Clawback and malus may apply in the event of material 

misconduct and/or material misstatement or error of  

financial results.

Participants also receive an award of cash or shares in lieu of the 

value of dividends paid over the vesting period on vested shares.

in the Company’s shares to the value of 200% and 150% of 

base salary for the Group Chief Executive and the Chief Financial 

Officer respectively. Executive Directors are expected to retain 

at least 50% of shares (net of tax) which vest from awards made 

under the PSP and DBP until the target shareholding is attained.

Executive Directors may also participate in all-employee share schemes up to prevailing HMRC limits.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report88

Directors’ remuneration policy report continued

Remuneration scenarios for executive Directors
The charts below provide estimates for the potential future remuneration based on the proposed remuneration policy for the two executive 
Directors. Potential outcomes are based on three performance scenarios: minimum, on-target and maximum.

Leo Quinn,
Group Chief Executive

Below
 threshold

On-target

Maximum

100% £985

41%

26%

Philip Harrison,
Chief Financial Officer

Below
 threshold

100% £496

25%

34% £2,385

32%

42% £3,785

On-target

43%

26%

31% £1,146

Maximum

28%

33%

39% £1,796

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000
£000’s

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

■ Basic salary, benefits 

and pension

■ Annual Incentive Plan
(cash and deferred)

■ Performance 
Share Plan

Notes
1 Salary levels are based on those applying from 1 January 2017. These salaries will be reviewed in July 2017.
2 The value of benefits receivable for 2017 has been estimated. Cash allowance in lieu of pension is 20% of base salary.
3 The on-target level of AIP is taken to be 50% of the maximum AIP opportunity (150% of salary for executive Directors), of which 50% is paid in cash and 50% is deferred in shares 

under the DBP.

4 The on-target level of vesting under the PSP is taken to be 50% of the face value of the award at grant (200% of salary for the Group Chief Executive and 175% of salary for the 
Chief Financial Officer). The executive Directors’ buyout awards, as agreed as part of their joining arrangements, are not reflected in the above charts as these are not part of the 
ongoing remuneration policy.

5 The maximum level of AIP and vesting under the PSP is taken to be 100% of the AIP opportunity and 100% of the face value of the PSP awards at grant.
6 No share price appreciation or dividend awards have been assumed for the DBP shares and the PSP awards.

Recruitment and promotion policy for executive Directors
To ensure the ongoing leadership continuity of the Group, the Company will seek the appointment of high-calibre executives, either by external 
appointment or internal promotion. The remuneration package for a new executive Director would be set in accordance with the terms of 
the Company’s remuneration policy at the time of appointment and take into account the scope and complexity of the role, the experience 
of the individual, the prevailing market rate for that experience and the importance and immediacy of securing that candidate.

The salary would be set at a level, based on the principles above, to secure the most appropriate candidate but paying no more than is 
necessary and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The AIP potential would be limited to 150% of salary, and grants 
under the PSP may be up to the plan maximum of 200% of salary. In addition, the Committee may offer additional cash and/or share-based 
elements to replace deferred or incentive pay forfeited by an executive leaving a previous employer. It would seek to ensure, where possible, 
that these awards were consistent with awards forfeited in terms of vesting periods, expected value and performance conditions.

For an internal executive Director appointment, any remuneration awarded in respect of the prior role may be allowed to pay out according 
to its terms, adjusted as relevant to take into account the appointment. In addition, any other ongoing remuneration obligations existing prior to 
appointment may continue.

For external and internal appointments, the Committee may agree that the Company will meet certain relocation and/or incidental expenses  
as appropriate.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201689

Service agreements and payments for loss of office for executive Directors
It is the Company’s policy that executive Directors should have contracts with an indefinite term, which can be terminated on one year’s notice 
by the Company and six months’ notice by the executive Director. 

In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all executive Directors submit themselves for re-election at the AGM. 

In the event of termination, the following principles will apply:

Provision

Notice period

Notice payments

Remuneration entitlements

Change of control

Incidental expenses and other payments

Detailed terms

12 months by the Company, six months by the executive Director.

In the event of termination by the Company ‘for cause’ the executive 
Director would not be entitled to notice of termination under his or  
her contract of employment or to any payment in lieu of notice.

If any existing contract was terminated by the Company (other than 
for cause), it would be liable to pay an amount approximating to the 
net loss of salary and contractual benefits for the unexpired notice 
period, subject to mitigation and including any period of garden leave. 
The Company may elect to make payment in lieu of any unexpired 
period of notice comprising salary and a cash sum in lieu of benefits. 
The Company reserves the right to apply mitigation to any notice 
payment (or payment in lieu of notice) for example, by making 
phased payments where appropriate for the balance of any notice 
period, against which earnings from new employment are offset.

Pro-rata bonus may also become payable for the period of active 
service along with vesting for outstanding share awards (in certain 
circumstances – see below).

In all cases, performance targets would apply.

There are no provisions for enhanced termination payments in the 
event of change of control of the Company.

The Company may meet relocation and other incidental expenses  
on termination of employment, for example relocation expenses,  
the fees of legal or other professional advisers, and accrued but 
untaken holiday. It may also elect to continue to provide certain 
benefits rather than making payment in lieu of the benefit in question.

Any share-based entitlements granted to an executive Director under the Company’s share plans will be determined based on the relevant 
plan rules. The default treatment under the PSP is that any outstanding awards lapse on cessation of employment. However, in certain 
prescribed circumstances, such as death, ill-health, disability, retirement or other circumstances at the discretion of the Committee, awards 
will not be forfeited on cessation of employment and, subject to the satisfaction of the relevant performance conditions, will vest under 
the normal vesting schedule, being reduced pro-rata to reflect the proportion of the performance period actually served. However, the 
Remuneration Committee has discretion to determine that PSP awards vest at cessation and/or to amend time pro-rating. Outstanding DBP 
awards will lapse on cessation of employment, except in certain good leaver circumstances prescribed by the plan rules when DBP awards 
will vest in full on the date of cessation.

External appointments of executive Directors
The Committee recognises that benefits can arise from allowing executive Directors to take a non-executive directorship elsewhere. 
Executive Directors are permitted to have one external appointment, from which fees may be retained with the approval of the Board.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report90

Directors’ remuneration policy report continued

Appointment of non-executive Directors
Non-executive Directors are appointed by the full Board following recommendations from the Nomination Committee. All non-executive 
Directors are appointed for a term of three years. In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all non-executive Directors submit 
themselves for re-election at the AGM.

Element of pay

Non-executive  
Director fees

Purpose and link to  
Company’s strategy

To attract and retain high-
quality and experienced 
non-executive Directors.

How operated in practice

Maximum opportunity

As per executive Directors, there 
is no prescribed maximum annual 
increase. The Committee is guided 
by the general increase in the non-
executive director market and for the 
broader employee population, but on 
occasions may need to recognise, 
for example, an increase in the scale, 
scope or responsibility of the role.

The Chairman is paid an annual fee 
and the non-executive Directors are 
paid an annual base fee and additional 
responsibility fees for the role of Senior 
Independent Director or for chairing a 
Board Committee.

Non-executive Directors based outside 
Europe receive a travel allowance for each 
visit made on Company business to the 
UK, or to any other country (excluding 
their home country).

Fee levels are normally reviewed annually 
in July.

The non-executive Directors are not 
eligible to join any pension scheme 
operated by the Company and cannot 
participate in any of the Company’s share 
plans or annual incentive schemes.

The Company will pay any reasonable 
business-related expenses (including tax 
thereon where determined as a taxable 
benefit). 

The appointment letters for non-executive Directors may be terminated with three months’ notice (six months’ notice for the Chairman) by 
either party and contain no provision for payment in the event of termination.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Annual report on remuneration

91

This part of the Remuneration report sets out how the remuneration policy will be applied over the year ending 31 December 2017 and how 
it was implemented over the year ended 31 December 2016. Details of the remuneration earned by Directors and the outcomes of incentive 
schemes, including details of relevant links to Company performance, are also provided in this part.

The detailed information about the Directors’ remuneration, set out on pages 92 to 99 (excluding the performance graph on page 98), has 
been audited by the Company’s independent auditor, KPMG LLP.

The areas covered in this Annual Report on Remuneration comprise: 

Implementation of the remuneration policy for the year ending 31 December 2017

Remuneration received by Directors for the year ended 31 December 2016

AIP awards for the year ended 31 December 2016

Vesting of PSP awards for the year under review

Outstanding share awards

PSP awards granted during the year

Executive Directors’ recruitment terms

Payments to past Directors

Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests

Performance graph

Group Chief Executive’s remuneration table

Percentage change in Group Chief Executive’s remuneration compared with all UK employees

Relative importance of spend on pay, dividends and underlying pre-tax profit

Directors’ pension allowances

External appointments of executive Directors

Consideration by the Directors of matters relating to Directors’ remuneration

Statement of shareholder voting at AGM

 92

93

94

94

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

98

99

99

99

99

99

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report92

Annual report on remuneration continued

Implementation of the remuneration policy for the year ending 31 December 2017

Base salaries
The annual base salary review date is 1 July for executive Directors. Current base salaries for the executive Directors are as follows:

Leo Quinn

Philip Harrison

1 July 2015 
£

1 July 2016 
£

% increase

800,000

800,000

400,000

400,000

0.0%

0.0%

The normal review date for executive Directors’ base salaries is 1 July, but it was agreed that neither would receive an increase in 2016. 
The next salary review date is 1 July 2017.

Performance targets for the AIP in 2017
For 2017, the AIP for the executive Directors will be a maximum bonus of 150% of base salary (subject to shareholder approval of the 
revised Remuneration Policy) based on the achievement of three performance measures:

 – profit before tax (40%)
 – cash (35%)
 – strategic business and personal objectives (25%).

The Committee will ensure that the targets continue to be set at a stretching level particularly given the higher incentive opportunity 
proposed for 2017 as part of the revised Remuneration Policy. The three elements are measured and calculated independently of each other 
and 50% of any bonus earned will be deferred for three years in Balfour Beatty shares.

While the Committee has chosen not to disclose in advance the performance targets for the forthcoming year as these include items which 
the Committee considers commercially sensitive, retrospective disclosure of the targets and performance against them will be presented in 
next year’s Annual Report on Remuneration.

Performance targets for PSP awards granted in 2017
Subject to shareholder approval of the revised Remuneration Policy, the Group Chief Executive will be granted a PSP award over shares 
worth 200% of salary and the Chief Financial Officer 175% of salary. Consistent with the approach adopted in 2015 and 2016, the PSP 
awards to be granted in 2017 will be based on the achievement of three performance measures:

 – relative TSR (33.3%) – the Company’s TSR measured against a comparator group of UK listed companies ranked 51–200 by market 

capitalisation in the FTSE All Share Index (excluding investment trusts) as at 1 January 2017, the start of the performance period. There is 
no vesting for ranking below median, with 25% of this part of an award vesting at median ranking, rising to 100% vesting of this part of an 
award at upper quartile or higher

 – EPS (33.3%) – the Company’s EPS over the three-year performance period
 – cash (33.3%) – cash remains critical as a long-term performance measure during the Company’s transformation. 

As at the date of publication of this Remuneration report, the Committee had not finalised the EPS and cash performance targets for the 
PSP awards to be granted in 2017. These EPS and cash targets will be set at an appropriate level of stretch and will be fully disclosed in the 
RNS announcement issued immediately following the grant of the PSP award and in the Remuneration report for 2017.

Non-executive Directors
As detailed in the Policy Report, the Company’s approach to setting non-executive Directors’ fees is by reference to fees paid at similar 
companies and reflects the time commitment and responsibilities of each role. A summary of current fees is as follows:

Chairman

Base fee

Senior Independent Director fee

Committee chair fee

1 July 2015 
£

1 July 2016 
£

% increase

270,000

270,000

56,000

10,000

10,000

56,000

10,000

10,000

0%

0%

0%

0%

For non-executive Directors based outside Europe, the travel allowance for each overseas visit made on Company business remains 
at £2,500.

Where the Chairman or Senior Independent Director is also the chair of a Committee, he or she receives no committee chair fee.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
 
93

Remuneration received by Directors for the year ended 31 December 2016
The table below sets out the Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2016 (or for performance periods ended in that year 
in respect of long-term incentives) together with comparative figures for the year ended 31 December 2015.

Base salary

and fees1,2

Taxable
benefits3,4

Year

£

£

Pension 
cash
allowance
£

Annual 
incentive 
cash  
£

Annual 
incentive 
deferred 
shares 
£

Long-term 
incentives 
£

Other 
£

Total 
£

Executive Directors

Philip Harrison

2016

400,000

14,449

80,000

112,992

112,992

2015 233,333

8,506

46,667

65,800

65,800

Leo Quinn

2016

800,000

29,250

160,000

228,000

228,000

–

–

–

–

–

720,433

420,106

– 1,445,250

2015 800,000

30,870

160,000

225,600

225,600

– 2,052,902 3,494,972

Former executive Directors

Duncan Magrath5

2016

–

–

–

–

Andrew McNaughton6

Peter Zinkin7

Non-executive Directors

2015

177,195

5,513

31,079

43,600

2016

2015

2016

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2015

106,179

2,697

21,236

34,050

Philip Aiken

2016

270,000

1,688

Stephen Billingham

Stuart Doughty

Iain Ferguson

2015 206,654

2016

64,333

2015

37,333

2016

56,000

2015

42,000

2016

66,000

2015

66,000

Maureen Kempston Darkes8

2016

66,000

2015

76,000

Former non-executive Directors

–

–

–

–

–

–

774

2,573

3,309

Robert Amen9

Steve Marshall10

Graham Roberts11

2016

–

–

2015

68,500

3,839

2016

–

–

2015

62,690

1,706

2016

33,000

2015

66,000

57

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

373,351

630,738

–

–

265,852

265,852

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

164,162

271,688

206,654

64,333

37,333

56,000

42,000

66,000

66,774

68,573

79,309

–

72,339

–

64,396

33,057

66,000

1  Base salary and fees were those paid in respect of the period of the year during which the individuals were Directors. 
2  
In practice, the base salary paid to Leo Quinn was reduced due to his participation in the Company’s Share Incentive Plan. The salary reduction in 2016 was £1,800. 
3   Taxable benefits are calculated in terms of UK taxable values. Leo Quinn received private medical insurance for the Director and his immediate family and received a car 

allowance of £20,000 per annum. Philip Harrison received private medical insurance for the Director only and received a car allowance of £14,000 per annum.

4   Philip Aiken, Maureen Kempston Darkes and Graham Roberts received taxable travel expenses which are shown in the taxable benefits column.
5   Duncan Magrath ceased to be a Director on 8 May 2015. 
6  Andrew McNaughton ceased to be a Director on 3 May 2014. 
7   Peter Zinkin ceased to be a Director on 26 March 2015. 
8  Maureen Kempston Darkes’ fees shown for 2015 include £10,000 in respect of travel allowances for meetings attended in 2015. None were paid in 2016. 
9  Robert Amen stepped down from the Board effective 31 December 2015. 
10   Steve Marshall stepped down from the Board effective 26 March 2015.
11  Graham Roberts died on 1 July 2016. Fees were paid to 30 June 2016 including a payment as chairman of the Audit Committee. 

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report94

Annual report on remuneration continued

AIP awards for the year ended 31 December 2016
For 2016, the AIP for the executive Directors was a maximum bonus of 120% of base salary based on the achievement of three 
performance measures:

 – profit before tax (51%)
 – cash (25%)
 – strategic business and personal objectives (24%).

The three elements are measured and calculated independently of each other and 50% of the bonus earned is deferred for three years in the 
form of Balfour Beatty shares.

AIP objective

Profit before tax and 
non-underlying items

Group Total Cash Flow

Strategic business and 
personal objectives 
as agreed by the 
Remuneration Committee 
(details below)

£81.0m 
£101.3m 
£111.4m
£(144)m  
£(120)m 
£(108)m

Threshold 
Target 
Maximum
Threshold 
Target 
Maximum
Remuneration  
Committee  
assessment of 
achievement

Actual

£60m

Maximum  
(% of salary)

Actual  
(% of salary)

Payable in cash  
(% of salary)

Payable in shares  
(% of salary)

61.2

0

0

£10m1

30.0

30.0

15.0

Group Chief 
Executive 
93.75%
Chief Financial 
Officer 92.0%

Total – Group Chief Executive 
Total – Chief Financial Officer

28.8

27.0

13.5

28.8

120.0
120.0

26.5

57.0
56.5

13.25

28.5
28.25

0

15.0

13.5

13.25

28.5
28.25

1  Although the Group total cash flow was impacted positively by foreign exchange and disposals, the Committee has verified that the out-turn would have been at maximum even 

without these impacts and is satisfied that the achievement is a result of strong underlying performance.

Performance against the 2016 AIP strategic business and personal objectives as it relates to the executive Directors was:

Examples of achievement against key strategic objectives 

Weight %

Out-turn %

Weight %

Out-turn %

Group Chief Executive

Chief Financial Officer

Lean: exceeded targets of £200m cash in and £100m cost out

Expert: strengthened leadership cadre; improved retention and talent 
pipeline

Trusted: improved control environment; implemented clearer, consistent 
project reporting

Safe: improved performance against a range of leading and lagging 
safety performance indicators

Build to Last: successful triennial pension valuation agreement with 
trustees; agreed strategy for interest/dividend levels

Total 

25.0

25.0

25.0

25.0

–

100.0

25.0

25.0

25.0

18.75

–

93.75

20.0

20.0

20.0

10.0

30.0

100.0

20.0

16.0

18.0

8.0

30.0

92.0

The Committee considered carefully the AIP performance out-turn for the executive Directors against the background of the profit 
performance and determined that the above payments are appropriate given the Group’s strong cash performance and the personal 
performance of the executive Directors. The profit performance issues largely relate to legacy contracts. The executive Directors 
have, in the opinion of the Committee, made significant progress to close out the legacy contracts and to create the foundations for 
a sustainable business.

Vesting of PSP awards for the year under review
The PSP awards granted on 31 March 2014 were based on a performance period for the three years ended 31 December 2016. 
The performance conditions were comparative Total Shareholder Return against two different comparator groups. 25% of each part of the 
award would vest for median performance increasing to 100% of each part of the award vesting for upper quartile performance or above.

Metric

Performance condition

Total Shareholder 
Return (50% of award)

TSR against a group of construction and professional 
services companies 

Total Shareholder 
Return (50% of award)

TSR against the 94 remaining companies ranked 
51–150 in the FTSE All Share Index (excluding 
investment trusts)

Measure

TSR 
ranking

TSR 
ranking

Threshold 
target

Maximum 
target

Actual Vesting %

5.5 
or above

47.5 
or above

3.0 
or above

24.0 
or above

6.6

59.2

Total vesting

0

0

0

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201695

As disclosed in the 2015 Remuneration Report, two former executive Directors at the time of the grant of the 2014 PSP award had 
a pro-rated number of shares preserved at cessation of employment, subject to the achievement of the original performance criteria 
(Duncan Magrath and Peter Zinkin, who left employment with the Company on 8 May 2015 and 31 August 2015 respectively). 
Details of vesting of the PSP awards with performance periods ending in the year under review for the former executive Directors 
are therefore as follows:

Executive

Duncan Magrath

Peter Zinkin

Type of award

Number of 
shares at grant

Pro-rata shares 
preserved on 
leaving

Number of 
shares to vest

Number of  
shares to lapse

Value of 
vesting shares

2014 conditional

211,162

93,850

2014 conditional

220,105

122,281

–

–

93,850

122,281

–

–

The 2014 PSP awards for Duncan Magrath and Peter Zinkin were scheduled to formally lapse on 31 March 2017. However, as the 
performance conditions were measured to 31 December 2016, the Committee was able to consider performance and lapse the awards 
effective 11 January 2017. 

Outstanding share awards

Name of Director Share award

Date granted

Maximum number of shares subject to award

At  
1 January 
2016

Awarded 
during the 
year

Vested 
during the 
year

Lapsed 
during the 
year

At  
31 December 
2016

Philip 
Harrison

PSP1,2,5

PSP 3,4,5,6

26 June 2015

295,857

–

13 April 2016

DBP7,8,10,11,12

31 March 2016

–

–

254,885

26,143

Share buyout13

11 June 2015

Share buyout13

11 June 2015

30,831

61,662

Leo Quinn

PSP1,2,5

26 June 2015

788,954

–

–

–

PSP 3,4,5,6

13 April 2016

–

679,694

DBP7,8,10,11,12

26 June 2015

193,280

627

DBP7,8,10,11,12

31 March 2016

–

89,636

Share buyout13

2 January 2015

604,256

Share buyout13

2 January 2015

1,208,511

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Exercisable and/ 
or vesting from

26 June 2018

13 April 2019

31 March 2019

295,857

254,885

26,143

30,831

31 December 2016

61,662

31 December 2017

788,954

679,694

193,907

89,636

604,256

26 June 2018

13 April 2019

26 June 2018

31 March 2019 

2 January 2017

1,208,511

2 January 2018

1  2015 PSP award: The award is subject to three performance targets over a three-year performance period commencing 1 January 2015, except for Leo Quinn’s award which has 
a measurement period for the TSR part of the three years to 14 October 2017. TSR part (33.3% weighting), measured against a comparator group of companies ranked 51–150 by 
market capitalisation in the FTSE All Share Index, no vesting below median ranking, 25% vesting of this part at median, rising to 100% vesting at upper quartile performance or 
better. Net Debt part (33.3% weighting), no vesting unless 2017 year-end Net Debt is less than £(150)million, 25% vesting of this part at £(150)million, rising to full vesting at £nil. 
EPS part (33.3% weighting), no vesting unless 2017 EPS is 14p, 25% vesting of this part at 14p, rising to full vesting at 21p.

2  The 2015 PSP award used a share price of 202.8p to calculate the number of shares awarded, being the average middle market price of ordinary shares in the Company for the 

10 dealing dates before Leo Quinn joined the Company on 2 January 2015. The closing middle market price of ordinary shares on the date of the award was 243.0p.

3  2016 PSP award: Details of this award are set out on page 96.
4  The average middle market price of ordinary shares in the Company for the three dealing dates before the PSP award dates, which was used for calculating the number of shares 
granted, was 249.2p for the 2013 award, 301.9p for the 2014 and 235.4p for the 2016 award. The closing middle market price of ordinary shares on the date of the awards was 
244.9p, 299.6p and 238.3p respectively.

5  All PSP awards are granted for nil consideration and are in respect of 50p ordinary shares in Balfour Beatty plc. 
6   On 13 April 2016, for all participants in the PSP, a maximum of 3,768,644 conditional shares were awarded which are exercisable on 13 April 2019. 
7  All DBP awards are granted for nil consideration and are in respect of 50p ordinary shares in Balfour Beatty plc. It is the Company’s current intention that awards will be satisfied 

by shares purchased in the market.

8  The initial DBP awards made in 2014, March 2015, June 2015 and 2016 will vest on 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, 26 June 2018 and 31 March 2019 respectively, providing the 

participant is still employed by the Group at the vesting date (unless specified leaver conditions are met, in which case early vesting may be permitted).

9  The initial DBP awards made in 2013 vested on 31 March 2016. The closing middle market price of ordinary shares in the Company on the vesting dates was 254.6p.
10 The shares subject to the DBP awards made on 31 March 2013, 31 March 2014, 31 March 2015, 26 June 2015 and 31 March 2016 were purchased at average prices of 234.85p, 

301.9p, 241.0p, 245.0p and 252.5p respectively.

11 On 31 March 2016, for all participants in the DBP, a maximum of 651,306 conditional shares were awarded which will normally be released on 31 March 2019. On 6 October 

2016, a further 4,676 conditional shares were awarded in lieu of entitlements to the interim 2016 dividend. 

12 For the initial DBP awards made in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the shares awarded on 6 October 2016 (in lieu of the interim 2016 dividend) were allocated at the average price of 277p.
13 The share buyout awards were granted for nil consideration and are in respect of 50p ordinary shares in Balfour Beatty plc. The awards compensate each of Leo Quinn and Philip 

Harrison for incentive awards which were forfeited on leaving their previous employers. Further details of these awards are set out on pages 96 and 97. The closing middle market 
price of ordinary shares in the Company on the date of the awards was 212.4p and 253.1p respectively.

14 The closing market price of the Company’s ordinary shares on 31 December 2016 was 268.2p. During the year, the highest and lowest closing market prices were 295.1p and 

190.8p respectively.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report96

Annual report on remuneration continued

PSP awards granted during the year
On 13 April 2016, the following PSP awards were granted to executive Directors:

Executive

Type of award 

Leo Quinn

Conditional

Philip 
Harrison

Conditional

Basis of  
award granted

200% of salary  
of £800,000

150% of salary 
of £400,000

Share price 
applied at  
date of grant

Number of  
shares over 
which award  
was granted

Face value  
of award

% of face  
value that  
would vest 
at threshold 
performance

Vesting  
determined by 
performance over  
three years to

Vesting date

235.4p

679,694 £1,600,000

25% 31 December 2018 13 April 2019

235.4p

254,885

£599,999

25% 31 December 2018 13 April 2019

The performance condition for 33.3% of the award (the TSR Part) will measure the Company’s Total Shareholder Return performance 
relative to the TSR performance of a comparator group of companies comprising the constituents of the FTSE 51–150 (excluding 
investment trusts) as at the start of the measurement period. The measurement period for the TSR Part is the three financial years to 
31 December 2018.

No portion of the TSR Part will vest unless the Company’s TSR performance at 31 December 2018 ranks at least equal to median TSR 
performance of the comparator group, at which point 25% of the TSR Part will vest, rising on a straight-line basis to full vesting for the 
Company’s TSR performance ranking at upper quartile or better.

The performance condition applying to a separate 33.3% of the award (the Net Debt Part) will measure the Company’s net debt at the end 
of the measurement period comprising the three financial years to 31 December 2018. 

No portion of the Net Debt Part will vest unless the Company’s net debt at the 2018 financial year end is less than £(75) million. Were net 
debt to be £(75) million or less but more than £0 million, 25% to 50% of the Net Debt Part would vest on a straight-line between such 
levels. Were net debt to be £0 million or less, between 50% and 100% of the Net Debt Part would vest on a straight-line basis for net cash 
between £nil and £50 million.

The performance condition applying to a separate 33.3% of each award (the EPS Part) will measure the Company’s underlying earnings per 
share (EPS) performance at the end of the measurement period comprising the three financial years to 31 December 2018.

No portion of the EPS Part will vest unless the Company’s EPS for the 2018 financial year is 20p, at which point 25% of the EPS Part will 
vest, rising on a straight-line basis to full vesting for the Company’s EPS being 27p or more.

Executive Directors’ recruitment terms

Leo Quinn
As part of his recruitment arrangements and as fully disclosed in the 2014 and 2015 Remuneration reports, the Company agreed to 
compensate Leo Quinn for incentive awards which were forfeited upon leaving his previous employer.

Outstanding at year end is a conditional share award over 1,812,767 Balfour Beatty plc shares granted on 2 January 2015 which will vest 
in two tranches:

 – 604,256 shares (one-third of the award) will vest on the second anniversary of grant subject to share price targets tested at the end of the 
two-year period based on a 60-day average and as adjusted for dividends. 25% of this part of the award will vest for an end average share 
price of 222p increasing pro-rata for full vesting of this part of the award for an end average share price of 309p. No vesting for this part of 
the award will take place for an average share price of less than 222p

 – 1,208,511 shares (two-thirds of the award) will vest on the third anniversary of grant subject to share price targets tested at the end of 

the three-year period based on a 60-day average and as adjusted for dividends. 25% of this part of the award will vest for an end average 
share price of 250p increasing pro-rata for full vesting of this part of the award for an end average share price of 380p. No vesting for this 
part of the award will take place for an average share price of less than 250p

 – in addition to the dividend adjusted share price targets, an underpin will apply to the vesting whereby the Committee must be satisfied 

with the underlying performance of the business for this award to vest.

The above share-based buyout award lapses in the event of voluntary resignation or termination for cause prior to the respective vesting 
dates. In the event of good leaver departure, the awards will vest at employment cessation, subject to performance conditions and pro-
rating at the time of cessation. 

In relation to the first tranche of 604,256 shares, on 13 March 2017 the Remuneration Committee reviewed the end average share price of 
274.34p at 2 January 2017 against the target range, indicating vesting at 70.12% of this part of the award, and also considered the underlying 
performance of the Company over the performance period. The Committee determined that 70.12% of the award (423,704 shares) will be 
permitted to vest on 16 March 2017 when the Company enters an open period. 

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201697

Philip Harrison
As part of his recruitment arrangements, the Company agreed to compensate Philip Harrison for share awards which were forfeited upon 
leaving his previous employer. The performance targets are consistent with the awards granted to Leo Quinn at the start of 2015.

The Company granted a conditional share award over 92,493 Balfour Beatty plc shares on 11 June 2015 which will vest in two tranches:

 – 30,831 shares (one-third of the award) will vest on 31 December 2016 subject to share price targets tested at the end of the period 

based on a 60-day average and as adjusted for dividends. 25% of this part of the award will vest for an end average share price of 222p 
increasing pro-rata for full vesting of this part of the award for an end average share price of 309p. No vesting for this part of the award will 
take place for an average share price of less than 222p

 – 61,662 shares (two-thirds of the award) will vest on 31 December 2017 subject to share price targets tested at the end of the period 

based on a 60-day average and as adjusted for dividends. 25% of this part of the award will vest for an end average share price of 250p 
increasing pro-rata for full vesting of this part of the award for an end average share price of 380p. No vesting for this part of the award will 
take place for an average share price of less than 250p

 – in addition to the dividend adjusted share price targets, an underpin will apply to the vesting whereby the Committee must be satisfied 

with the underlying performance of the business for this award to vest.

The share buyout award lapses in the event of voluntary resignation or termination for cause prior to the respective vesting dates. In the 
event of good leaver departure, the awards will vest at employment cessation, subject to performance conditions and pro-rating at the time 
of cessation. 

In relation to the first tranche of 30,831 shares, on 13 March 2017 the Remuneration Committee reviewed the end average share price 
of 274.01p at 31 December 2016 against the target range, indicating vesting at 69.83% of this part of the award, and also considered the 
underlying performance of the Company over the performance period. The Committee determined that 69.83% of the award (21,529 
shares) will be permitted to vest on 16 March 2017 when the Company enters an open period. 

Payments to past Directors
There were no payments to past executive Directors during 2016.

Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests
The interests of the Directors and connected persons (including, amongst others, members of the Director’s immediate family) in the share 
capital of Balfour Beatty plc and its subsidiary undertakings during the year are set out below:

Directors

Philip Harrison

Leo Quinn

Philip Aiken

Stephen Billingham7

Stuart Doughty

Iain Ferguson

Beneficially 
owned at 
1 January

20161,2

Beneficially 
owned at 
31 December

20162,3,4

Outstanding 
PSP awards

Outstanding 
DBP awards

Outstanding 
share buyout 
awards

Beneficially 
owned at 
31 December 
2016 as a  
% of base salary
at 31 December5

2016 Guideline met6

6,349

6,349

550,742

26,143

92,493

4.3%

162,675

486,127

1,468,648

283,543

1,812,767

163.0%

No

Yes

10,000

11,350

–

15,000

23,580

–

55,000

55,000

Maureen Kempston Darkes

7,000

7,000

Graham Roberts

15,000

15,000

1 Or date of appointment, if later.
2  Includes any shares held in the Company’s all-employee Share Incentive Plan.
3  Or date of stepping down from the Board, if earlier.
4  As at 15 March 2017, there have been no changes to the above other than an increase in respect of ordinary shares held in the Share Incentive Plan for Leo Quinn by 165 shares 

and a market purchase by Stuart Doughty of 4,550 ordinary shares at a price of 271.2p on 10 February 2017.

5  The closing market price of the Company’s ordinary shares as at 31 December 2016 (268.2p) was used to calculate the value of shares beneficially owned.
6  The executive Directors are required to hold shares in the Company worth 100% of base salary and must retain no fewer than 50% of the shares, net of taxes, vesting under the 
DBP and PSP until the required shareholding is met. Subject to the approval of shareholders at the 2017 AGM, the revised Remuneration Policy requires that the Group Chief 
Executive and Chief Financial Officer have share ownership guidelines of 200% and 150% of salary respectively.

7 Stephen Billingham was also interested in 34,612 and 36,070 redeemable preference shares of 1p each in Balfour Beatty plc at 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2016, respectively. 

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report98

Annual report on remuneration continued

Performance graph
As in previous reports, the Remuneration Committee has chosen to compare the TSR on the Company’s ordinary shares against the 
FTSE 250 Index (excluding investment trusts) principally because this is a broad index of which the Company is a constituent member. 
The values indicated in the graph show the share price growth plus reinvested dividends from a £100 hypothetical holding of ordinary shares 
in Balfour Beatty plc and in the index, and have been calculated using 30 trading day average values.

)
d
e
s
a
b
e
r
(

)
£
(
e
u
a
V

l

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Dec 2008

Dec 2009

Dec 2010

Dec 2011

Dec 2012

Dec 2013

Dec 2014

Dec 2015

Dec 2016

■ Balfour Beatty plc

■ FTSE 250 (excluding investment trusts) Index

Source: Datastream (Thomson Reuters)

Group Chief Executive’s remuneration table
The total remuneration figures for the Group Chief Executive during each of the last eight financial years are shown in the table below. 
The total remuneration figure includes the AIP award based on that year’s performance and the PSP award based on the three-year 
performance period ending in the relevant year. The AIP payout and PSP vesting level as a percentage of the maximum opportunity are also 
shown for each of these years.

Year ended 31 December

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Total remuneration1

£1,617,233 £1,451,016

£1,514,007

£1,189,287

£961,350

£797,568

£1,442,070

1,445,250

AIP (%)2

PSP (%)

60.4%

50%

69.6%

18.4%

65.3%

40.2%

0%

0%

21.0%

0%

0%

0%

47.0%

47.5%

0%

0%

1 The figures for 2009 to 2012 relate to Ian Tyler who retired from the Board on 31 March 2013. The figures for 2013 and 2014 are annualised figures for Andrew McNaughton who 

was appointed on 31 March 2013 and stepped down on 3 May 2014. The figures for 2015 onwards relate to Leo Quinn.

2 Andrew McNaughton did not qualify for any 2014 AIP.

Percentage change in Group Chief Executive’s remuneration compared with all UK employees
The table below shows the percentage change in the Group Chief Executive’s salary, benefits and annual bonus between the financial years 
ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2016, compared with the percentage increase in the same years for all UK employees of the 
Group where UK employees have been selected as the most appropriate comparator.

Salary for year ended 31 December

Group Chief Executive (£000)

All UK employees (£m)

Benefits for year ended 31 December

Group Chief Executive (£000)

All UK employees (£m)

Annual bonus earned in year ended 31 December

Group Chief Executive (£000)

All UK employees (£m)

Total remuneration for year ended 31 December

Group Chief Executive (£000)

All UK employees (£m)

2015

2016

% change

800

683

191

34

451

26

800

668

189

36

456

17

1,442

743

1,445

721

0%

(2)%

(1)%

6%

1%

(34)%

0%

(3)% 

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
 
 
99

Relative importance of spend on pay, dividends and underlying pre-tax profit
The following table shows the Company’s actual spend on pay for all Group employees relative to dividends and underlying pre-tax profit:

Staff costs (£m)1

Dividends (£m)

Underlying pre-tax profit/(loss) (£m)2

2015

1,157

0

(124)

2016

% change

1,201

6

60

4%

100%

148%

1  Staff costs include base salary, benefits and bonuses for all Group employees in continuing and discontinued operations (excluding joint ventures and associates).
2 Underlying pre-tax profit/(loss) is from continuing and discontinued operations.

Directors’ pension allowances 
No Directors were contributing members of the Balfour Beatty Pension Fund during 2016. The executive Directors were in receipt of a cash 
allowance in lieu of pension equivalent to 20% of base salary as disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration table on page 93.

External appointments of executive Directors
Leo Quinn acted as a non-executive director of Betfair Group plc until 2 February 2016 and received and retained fees of £10,231 during 2016.

Consideration by the Directors of matters relating to Directors’ remuneration
The members of the Remuneration Committee are independent non-executive Directors, as defined under the Corporate Governance Code. 
No member of the Committee has conflicts of interest arising from cross-directorships and no member is involved in the day-to-day executive 
management of the Group. During the year under review, the members of the Committee were as follows:

 – Iain Ferguson (Committee chair)
 – Philip Aiken
 – Stuart Doughty
 – Maureen Kempston Darkes
 – Graham Roberts.

Stuart Doughty stepped down from the Committee on 13 January 2016 as part of a general review of committee membership by the Board. 
Graham Roberts was a member of the Committee until his death on 1 July 2016.

The Committee also receives advice from several sources, namely:

 – the Group Chief Executive and the Group HR director, who are invited to attend meetings of the Committee but are not present when 

matters relating directly to their own remuneration are discussed

 – New Bridge Street (a trading name of Aon plc) (NBS).

NBS has been appointed as external independent executive remuneration advisers by the Committee and has provided a range of advice 
to the Committee during the year, including:

 – in support of the Remuneration Policy review, NBS provided analysis of market practice and advice on remuneration approaches for 

consideration by the Committee and in relation to the views of shareholders and their representative bodies

 – assistance with the drafting of the Remuneration report
 – valuation of share-based payments for IFRS 2 purposes
 – calculation of vesting levels under the TSR element of the PSP awards and the share buyout awards.

Neither NBS nor any part of Aon plc provided any other services to the Company during the year under review. Total fees paid to NBS in 
respect of its services to the Committee were £62,206 (2015: £45,871).

NBS is a signatory to the Remuneration Consultants’ Code of Conduct. The Committee is satisfied that the advice that it receives from NBS is 
objective and independent.

Statement of shareholder voting at AGM
At the AGM on 19 May 2016, the resolution to approve the Remuneration report received the following votes from shareholders:

For

Against

Total votes cast

Abstentions

By order of the Board

Iain Ferguson
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

15 March 2017

Total number of votes

% of votes cast

505,921,427

16,545,062

522,466,489

136,870

96.8%

3.2%

100%

–

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report100

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Balfour Beatty plc

Opinions and conclusions arising from our audit

1. Our opinion on the financial statements is unmodified
We have audited the financial statements of Balfour Beatty plc for the year ended 31 December 2016 set out on pages 104 to 184. 
In our opinion: 

 – 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 December 2016 

and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

 – the Group’s financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted 

by the European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU); 

 – the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK Accounting Standards, 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’s 

financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

Overview

Materiality: Group financial statements as a whole

Coverage

Risks

£10m
20% of normalised Group profit before  
tax from continuing operations 

99% of Group profit before tax

Contract accounting 
Goodwill impairment

2. Our assessment of risks of material misstatement
In arriving at our audit opinion above on the financial statements, the risks of material misstatement that had the greatest effect on our audit, 
in decreasing order of audit significance, were as follows:

The risk 

Contract accounting 
£6.2 billion  
(2015: £5.9 billion)

Refer to page 76 (Audit and Risk Committee Report), page 
114 (Principal accounting policies – Note 2.5 Construction 
and service contracts) and pages 117-118 (Judgements and 
key sources of estimation uncertainty – Note 2.27a Revenue 
and margin recognition).

Subjective estimate
For the majority of its contracts, the Group recognises 
revenue and profit on the stage of completion based on the 
proportion of contract costs incurred for the work performed 
to the balance sheet date, relative to the estimated total 
costs of the contract at completion. 

The recognition of revenue and profit therefore relies on 
estimates in relation to the forecast total costs on each 
contract. Cost contingencies may also be included in these 
estimates to take account of specific uncertain risks, or 
disputed claims against the Group, arising within each 
contract. These contingencies are reviewed by the Group 
on a regular basis throughout the contract life and adjusted 
where appropriate. 

The revenue on contracts may also include variations and 
claims. Variations and claims are recognised on a contract-
by-contract basis when the Group’s negotiations have 
reached a stage such that it is probable that the customer 
will accept the claim and the amount can be measured 
reliably. In certain circumstances recoveries from insurers 
are also included in forecasts where sufficient progress has 
been made to meet accounting recognition requirements. 
Therefore there is a high degree of risk and associated 
management judgement in estimating the amount of 
revenue and associated profit to be recognised by the Group 
up to the balance sheet date and changes to these estimates 
could give rise to material variances.

Our response

Our procedures included: 
 – Tests of detail: using a variety of quantitative and qualitative criteria 
we selected a sample of contracts to assess and challenge the most 
significant and complex contract estimates. We obtained the detailed 
project review papers from the Group to support the estimates made 
and challenged the judgements underlying those papers with senior 
operational, commercial and financial management;

 – Historical comparisons: evaluating the financial performance of 

contracts against budget and historical trends;

 – Site visits: completing site visits to certain higher risk or larger value 
contracts, physically inspecting the stage of completion of individual 
projects and identifying areas of complexity through observation and 
discussion with site personnel;

 – Benchmarking assumptions: challenging the Group’s judgement 
in respect of forecast contract out-turn, contingencies, settlements 
and the recoverability of contract balances via agreement to third-
party certifications and confirmations and with reference to our own 
assessments, historical outcomes and industry norms;

 – Customer correspondence scrutiny: analysing correspondence with 
customers around variations and claims and considering whether this 
information is consistent with the estimates made by the Group;

 – Insurer correspondence scrutiny: analysing correspondence and 

meeting minutes with insurers around recognised insurance claims and 
considering whether this information supports the position taken on 
the contract;

 – Test of detail: inspecting selected contracts for key clauses; identifying 

relevant contractual mechanisms such as pain/gain shares, design 
bonuses, liquidated damages and success fees and assessing whether 
these key clauses have been appropriately reflected in the amounts 
recognised in the financial statements;

 – Our sector experience: assessing whether the amounts recognised in 
the financial statements resulting from the estimates and assumptions 
made represent a balanced view of the risks and opportunities pertinent to 
the contract cash positions; 

 – Our sector experience: considering whether provisions against contracts 
sufficiently reflect the level of risk by challenging the Group’s judgement in 
this area with reference to our own assessments.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016101

The risk 

Goodwill impairment
£937 million;  
2015: £844 million

Refer to page 76 (Audit and Risk Committee Report), pages 
115-116 (Principal accounting policies – Note 2.12 Intangible 
assets, Note 2.16 Impairment of assets) and pages 130-131 
(Note 14 Intangible assets – goodwill).

Forecast-based valuation
The Group’s balance sheet includes goodwill. The risk is 
that the goodwill allocated to cash-generating units (CGU) 
is not recoverable and should be impaired. Due to the 
inherent uncertainty involved in forecasting and discounting 
future cash flows, which are the basis of the assessment 
of recoverability, this is one of the key judgement areas for 
our audit.

The Group annually carries out an impairment assessment 
of goodwill using a value-in-use model which is based on 
the net present value of the forecast earnings of the cash-
generating unit. This is calculated using certain assumptions 
around discount rates, growth rates and cash flow forecasts.

Given the relative size of the goodwill in the Group balance 
sheet, in particular with regard to the UK Regional and 
Engineering Services CGU, which remains loss making, 
relatively small changes in the above assumptions could give 
rise to material changes in the assessment of the carrying 
value of goodwill.

Our response

Our procedures included:
 – Assessing methodology: considering the consistency and 

appropriateness of the allocation of businesses and related goodwill 
balances into CGUs; 

 – Benchmarking assumptions: considering the underlying assumptions 
in determining the cash flows and growth assumptions applied with 
reference to historical forecasting accuracy, current order book, and wider 
macroenvironment conditions; 

 – Our sector experience: challenging the assumptions used in the 

calculation of the discount rates used by the Group, including comparisons 
with external data sources and by involving our own valuation specialist to 
assist us in evaluating the valuation methodologies used by the Group, as 
well as the discount rate assumptions applied; 

 – Sensitivity analysis: performing our own sensitivity analysis, including 
a reasonably possible reduction in assumed growth rates and margins to 
identify areas on which to focus our procedures; and

 – Assessing transparency: considering the adequacy of the Group’s 
disclosures including disclosure of sensitivity of the outcome of the 
impairment assessment to changes in key assumptions appropriately 
reflecting the risks inherent in the valuation of goodwill.

3.  Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope 

of our audit

The materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole was 
set at £10.0 million, determined with reference to the benchmark 
of Group profit before tax from continuing operations of £60 million 
normalised to take into account items that are considered one-off 
or exceptional in the year as disclosed in Note 10, but not including 
an adjustment for the amortisation of acquired intangible assets of 
£9 million, of which it represents 20%. 

Due to the volatility in the Group’s results in recent financial years, 
as part of our materiality assessment we also considered the 
scale of the business, the level of judgement and precision within 
the Group’s key accounting judgements, as well as how the level 
of materiality compares to other relevant benchmarks such as 
revenue, of which it represents 0.1% and total assets, of which it 
represents 0.2%, where they provide more consistent measures 
year-on-year than Group profit before tax. 

We report to the Audit and Risk Committee any corrected and 
uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding £0.5 million in 
addition to other identified misstatements that warrant reporting on 
qualitative grounds. 

Of the Group’s 16 reporting components, 11 were subject to an 
audit for Group reporting purposes, 2 to specified risk-focused 
audit procedures and 3 to reviews. The components for which we 
performed specified risk-focused procedures were not individually 
financially significant enough to require an audit for Group reporting 
purposes, but did present specific individual risks that needed to 
be addressed. The specified audit procedures were performed 
over fixed assets 2 components and inventory 1 component. 

Normalised 
Group profit before tax
from continuing operations
£51m

Materiality
£10m

£10m
Whole financial
statements materiality

£9m
Range of materiality
at 16 components
(£3.15m–£9m)

■ Normalised profit before tax 
from continuing operations

■ Group materiality

£0.5m
Misstatements 
reported to the 
Audit and Risk Committee

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report102

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Balfour Beatty plc continued

The components for which we performed a review of financial 
information were not individually significant enough to require an 
audit for Group reporting purposes but were included in the scope 
of our Group reporting work in order to provide further coverage 
over the Group’s results. Together, the audits cover 96% of Group 
revenue, 93% of Group profit before tax and 94% of Group total 
assets. Including the components subject to specified procedures 
or review, coverage was 100% of Group revenue, 99% of Group 
profit before tax and 100% of Group total assets. As part of the 
audit we performed procedures on the items excluded from 
normalised Group profit before tax. 

The Group operates one shared service centre in Newcastle, 
United Kingdom, the outputs of which are included in the financial 
information of the reporting components it services. Therefore it 
is not a separate reporting component. The service centre is 
subject to specified risk-focused audit procedures, predominantly 
the testing of transaction processing and review controls. 
Additional procedures are performed at each reporting component 
to address the audit risks not covered by the work performed over 
the shared service centre.

The Group audit team instructed component auditors, and the 
auditors of the shared service centre, as to the significant areas 
to be covered, including the relevant risks detailed above and the 
information to be reported back. The Group audit team approved 
the component materialities, which ranged from £3.15 million 
to £9.0 million, having regard to the mix of size and profile of the 
Group across the components. The work on 15 of the Group’s 16 
components was performed by the component auditors with the 

review of financial information on one of the components being 
performed by the Group audit team. 

In 2016, the Group audit team visited nine components in the 
United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates and Hong 
Kong. Telephone conference meetings were held with these 
component auditors and the majority of the others that were 
not physically visited. At these visits and meetings, the findings 
reported to the Group audit team were discussed in detail. 

4.  Our opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies 

Act 2006 is unmodified

In our opinion:

 – the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has 
been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 
2006; and

 – the information given in the Strategic Report and the 

Directors’ Report for the financial year is consistent with the 
financial statements.

Based solely on the work required to be undertaken in the course of 
the audit of the financial statements and from reading the Strategic 
Report and the Directors’ Report:

 – we have not identified material misstatements in those reports; 

and 

 – in our opinion, those reports have been prepared in accordance 

with the Companies Act 2006. 

Group revenue 
%

4

Group profit before tax 
%

Group total assets 
%

1

6

6

96

93

94

  Full scope for Group audit purposes 2016 
  Specified risk-focused audit procedures and review of financial information 2016 
  Residual components

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016103

Scope and responsibilities

As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement 
set out on page 83, the Directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view. A description of the scope of an audit of financial 
statements is provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s 
website at www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate. This report 
is made solely to the Company’s members as a body and is 
subject to important explanations and disclaimers regarding our 
responsibilities, published on our website at www.kpmg.com/uk/
auditscopeukco2014a, which are incorporated into this report as if 
set out in full and should be read to provide an understanding of the 
purpose of this report, the work we have undertaken and the basis 
of our opinions.

Stephen Wardell
(Senior Statutory Auditor) 

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor  
Chartered Accountants, 15 Canada Square, London E14 5GL

15 March 2017

5.  We have nothing to report on the disclosures of principal 

risks

Based on the knowledge we acquired during our audit, we have 
nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to:

 – the Directors’ statement in relation to Balfour Beatty plc’s 

longer-term viability on pages 53 to 65, concerning the principal 
risks, their management, and, based on that, the Directors’ 
assessment and expectations of the Group’s continuing in 
operation over the three years to 31 December 2019; or 

 – the disclosures in the Chief Financial Officer’s review on page 52 
concerning the use of the going concern basis of accounting. 

6.  We have nothing to report in respect of the matters on 

which we are required to report by exception

Under ISAs (UK and Ireland) we are required to report to you if, 
based on the knowledge we acquired during our audit, we have 
identified other information in the Annual Report that contains 
a material inconsistency with either that knowledge or the 
financial statements, a material misstatement of fact, or that is 
otherwise misleading. 

In particular, we are required to report to you if: 

 – we have identified material inconsistencies between the 

knowledge we acquired during our audit and the Directors’ 
statement that they consider that 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 position and performance, business model 
and strategy; or

 – the Audit and Risk Committee Report on pages 75 to 77 does 
not appropriately address matters communicated by us to the 
Audit and Risk Committee.

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required 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.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review: 

 – the Directors’ statements, set out on pages 52 and 65, in relation 

to going concern and longer-term viability; and 

 – the part of the Corporate Governance Statement on page 66 
relating to the Company’s compliance with the 11 provisions 
of the 2014 UK Corporate Governance Code specified for 
our review.

We have nothing to report in respect of the above responsibilities. 

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report104

Group Income Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2016

2016

Underlying
 items1
£m

Notes

Non-
underlying 
 items  
(Note 10) 
 £m

Total  
£m

Underlying
 items1
 £m

Non- 
underlying 
 items  
(Note 10) 
 £m

Continuing operations
Revenue including share of joint ventures and associates 
Share of revenue of joint ventures and associates
Group revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Gain on disposals of interests in investments
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Other net operating expenses
Group operating profit/(loss)
Share of results of joint ventures and associates
Profit/(loss) from operations
Investment income
Finance costs
Profit/(loss) before taxation
Taxation
Profit/(loss) for the year from continuing operations
Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the year
Attributable to
Equity holders
Non-controlling interests
Profit/(loss) for the year

32.2/32.3
15

18.2
4

18.2
6
8
9

11

8,530
(1,748)
6,782
(6,503)
279
65
–
(332)
12
55
67
75
(82)
60
(12)
48
–
48

48
–
48

153
(12)
141
(136)
5
–
(9)
(49)
(53)
1
(52)
–
–
(52)
4
(48)
24
(24)

(24)
–
(24)

8,683
(1,760)
6,923
(6,639)
284
65
(9)
(381)
(41)
56
15
75
(82)
8
(8)
–
24
24

24
–
24

8,235
(1,471)
6,764
(6,609)
155
95
–
(403)
(153)
47
(106)
52
(69)
(123)
(11)
(134)
(1)
(135)

(135)
–
(135)

209
(18)
191
(189)
2
–
(10)
(65)
(73)
(3)
(76)
–
–
(76)
4
(72)
1
(71)

(71)
–
(71)

2015 

Total  
£m

8,444
(1,489)
6,955
(6,798)
157
95
(10)
(468)
(226)
44
(182)
52
(69)
(199)
(7)
(206)
–
(206)

(206)
–
(206)

1 Before non-underlying items (Notes 2.10 and 10).

Basic earnings/(loss) per ordinary share
– continuing operations
– discontinued operations

Diluted earnings/(loss) per ordinary share
– continuing operations
– discontinued operations

Dividends per ordinary share proposed for the year

Commentary on the Group Income Statement*
Total pre-tax profit from continuing operations for 2016 was £8m, 
which is inclusive of a non-underlying loss of £52m. The total profit 
after tax including discontinued operations was £24m.

Background
The Group Income Statement includes the majority of the 
Group’s income and expenses for the year with the remainder 
being recorded within the statement of comprehensive income. 
The Group’s income statement is presented showing the Group’s 
underlying and non-underlying results separately on the face of 
the income statement to assist in understanding the underlying 
financial performance achieved by the Group.

The income statement shows the revenue and results of continuing 
operations. The post-tax results shown within discontinued 
operations represent the residual gain on the disposal of Parsons 
Brinckerhoff (PB). 

The Group has continued to present the remaining parts of Rail 
Germany outside of underlying items as it remains committed to 
exiting its Mainland European rail businesses as soon as possible 
and does not consider its operations part of the Group’s underlying 
activity. Following the various disposals of parts of Rail Germany in 
2015 and 2016, the Group is winding down its remaining operations 
in Rail Germany with the last remaining contract expected to reach 
completion in 2018.

Notes

2016 
Pence

2015
Pence

12
12
12

12
12
12
13

–
3.5
3.5

–
3.5
3.5
2.7

(30.2)
0.1
(30.1)

(30.2)
0.1
(30.1)
–

In addition to this, in 2014, the performance of external Engineering 
Services (ES) contracts linked to poor legacy management and 
in regions that ES has withdrawn from tendering for third-party 
work was included in non-underlying items as the size and nature 
of the losses due to the problematic delivery of these contracts 
are exceptional and distort the underlying performance of the 
Group. The Group continues to present the results from these 
legacy contracts within non-underlying and will continue to do 
so until these contracts reach completion, inclusive of any claims 
recovery. Separate disclosure of these contracts aids the reader’s 
understanding of the underlying performance of the remainder of 
the Group.

Revenue
Revenue from continuing operations including non-underlying 
items, joint ventures and associates increased by 3% to £8,683m 
from £8,444m in 2015. 

* The commentary is unaudited and forms part of the 
Chief Financial Officer’s review on pages 49 to 52.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016105

Non-underlying items continued 
The non-underlying charges recognised in 2016 were partially offset 
by a £9m gain following the release of all remaining provisions 
relating to Trans4m Ltd (Trans4m). Trans4m went into creditors’ 
voluntary liquidation on 27 June 2016. 

Net finance cost
Net finance cost of £7m in the year represents a decrease from 
£17m in 2015 mainly due to a £19m gain on foreign currency 
deposits in the year. 

Taxation
The Group’s underlying profit before tax from continuing operations 
for subsidiaries of £5 million (2015: £170 million loss) resulted in 
an underlying tax charge of £12 million (2015: £11 million). The tax 
charge principally arises due to significant non-recognition of 
deferred tax assets on losses incurred in the year. In addition tax 
is levied at the subsidiary level for US and Canada joint ventures 
and associates, rather than within the share of joint ventures 
and associates. 

Discontinued operations
In 2016, the Group reached a settlement with the purchaser of 
Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB), the Group’s former professional services 
business disposed in October 2014, in relation to outstanding tax 
matters and indemnities. The Group received an additional £9m as 
a result of this settlement. At the same time, provisions in relation 
to these matters have been released, resulting in an overall non-
underlying gain to the Group of £24m.

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations was nil 
(2015: 30.2p loss) as a result of significant improvements in the 
Group’s UK and US construction businesses as discussed above. 
Including the results from discontinued operations, the Group 
generated a basic earnings per share of 3.5p (2015: 30.1p loss). 
Underlying earnings per share from continuing operations was 7.0p 
(2015: 19.7p loss).

Commentary on the Group Income Statement continued
Gain on disposal of investments 
The Group continued its programme of realising accumulated value 
in the Investments portfolio and generated income by disposing of 
interests in Connect M1-A1 Holdings Ltd (the Group continues to 
hold a 20% stake), Living & Learning Unit Trust, BSF Schools and 
five of its streetlighting projects (the Group continues to hold 20% 
interests) resulting in a net underlying gain of £65m after recycling 
losses of £1m from reserves to the income statement.

Share of results of joint ventures and associates
Joint ventures and associates are those entities over which the 
Group exercises joint control or has significant influence and whose 
results are generally incorporated using the equity method whereby 
the Group’s share of the post-tax results of joint ventures and 
associates is included in the Group’s operating profit.

This share increased by £8m to £55m before non-underlying items, 
largely due to a decrease in losses incurred by the Group’s Middle 
East joint ventures. 

Underlying profit from continuing operations 
Underlying profit from continuing operations increased to £67m 
from a £106m loss in 2015. This is primarily driven by significantly 
reduced contract losses in the UK and US construction businesses 
as the Group continued to be more selective in the work that 
it bids, through increased bid margin thresholds, improved risk 
frameworks and better contract governance. Support Services 
and Infrastructure Investments continued to deliver excellent 
operating results, including the benefit of £65m of gains from 
investment disposals. 

Non-underlying items
Non-underlying items are items of financial performance which 
the Group believes should be separately identified on the face of 
the income statement to assist in understanding the underlying 
financial performance achieved by the Group.

Non-underlying items from continuing operations of £52m before 
tax were charged to the income statement. These comprised 
amortisation of acquired intangible assets of £9m, trading 
profits from Rail Germany of £1m, losses resulting from legacy 
ES contracts of £6m and other loss items of £38m.

Significant other non-underlying items included £14m of 
restructuring costs incurred relating to the Group’s Build to Last 
transformation programme which was launched in early 2015. 
As a result of a reassessment of potential liabilities on historical 
health and safety breaches following new sentencing guidelines 
introduced and the settlement of other historical claims, the Group 
revised its legal provisioning levels resulting in a £25m expense in 
the year. This has been presented as non-underlying because its 
size would otherwise distort the underlying performance achieved 
by the Group and the events giving rise to these expenses occurred 
in prior years. 

In 2016, the Group commissioned a revised independent actuarial 
report on its exposure to industrial disease related liabilities. As a 
result of the findings within this report, the Group has increased 
its provision held with respect to industrial disease related claims 
giving rise to a £14m charge to the income statement in the year. 

* The commentary is unaudited and forms part of the 
Chief Financial Officer’s review on pages 49 to 52.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report106

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December 2016

(Loss)/profit for the year
Other comprehensive loss for the year
Items which will not subsequently be reclassified to the 
income statement
  Actuarial (losses)/gains on retirement benefit liabilities
  Tax on above

Items which will subsequently be reclassified to the income 
statement
  Currency translation differences
  Fair value revaluations – PPP financial assets

– cash flow hedges
–  available-for-sale investments in 

mutual funds 

Notes

30.1
30.1

30.1
30.1
30.1

30.1

 Recycling of revaluation reserves to the income 
statement on disposal*

  Tax on above

32.2/32.3
30.1

Total other comprehensive loss for the year
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year
Attributable to
Equity holders
Non-controlling interests
Total comprehensive loss for the year

30.1

30.1

* Recycling of revaluation reserves to the income statement on disposal has no associated tax effect.

Share of 
joint 
ventures 
and 
associates 
£m
56

Group
£m
(32)

(121)
2
(119)

51
27
(16)

1

(17)
(1)
45
(74)
(106)

1
–
1

41
10
(92)

–

9
15
(17)
(16)
40

2016

Total
£m
24

(120)
2
(118)

92
37
(108)

1

(8)
14
28
(90)
(66)

(67)
1
(66)

Share of 
joint 
ventures 
and 
associates 
£m
44

Group 
£m
(250)

2015

Total 
£m
(206)

(90)
15
(75)

32
(183)
29

(4)
–
(4)

3
(170)
21

–

–

(5)
33
(118)
(122)
(78)

(20)
34
(108)
(183)
(389)

(389)
–
(389)

(86)
15
(71)

29
(13)
8

–

(15)
1
10
(61)
(311)

Commentary on Group Statement of Comprehensive Income*
Total comprehensive loss for 2016 was £66m comprising a total 
profit after tax including discontinued operations of £24m and other 
comprehensive loss after tax of £90m. 

Background
The Group Statement of Comprehensive Income is presented on a 
total Group basis combining continuing and discontinued operations. 
Other comprehensive income (OCI) is categorised into items which 
will affect the profit and loss of the Group in subsequent periods 
when the gain or loss is realised and those which will not be recycled 
into the income statement.

Items which will not subsequently be reclassified to the 
income statement 
Actuarial movements on retirement benefit liabilities are increases 
or decreases in the present value of the pension liability because of:

 – differences between the previous actuarial assumptions and 

what has actually occurred; or

 – changes in actuarial assumptions used to value the obligations.

Actuarial losses for the Group including joint ventures and 
associates increased from £90m loss in 2015 to £120m loss in 
2016. Refer to Note 28.

Items which will subsequently be reclassified to the 
income statement 
Currency translation differences
The Group operates in a number of countries with different local 
currencies. Currency translation differences arise on translation of 
the balance sheet and results from the local functional currency into 
the Group’s presentational currency, sterling.

Fair value revaluations – PPP financial assets
Assets constructed by PPP concession companies are classified 
principally as available-for-sale financial assets. In the operational 
phase fair value is determined by discounting the future cash 
flows allocated to the financial asset using discount rates based on 
long-term gilt rates adjusted for the risk levels associated with the 
assets, with market-related fair value movements recognised in 
OCI. During the year, there was a decrease in gilt rates resulting in a 
fair value gain including joint ventures and associates of £37m being 
taken through OCI (2015: £183m loss).

Fair value revaluations – cash flow hedges
Cash flow hedges are principally interest rate swaps, to manage 
the interest rate and inflation rate risks in the Group’s Infrastructure 
Investments’ subsidiary, joint venture and associate companies 
which are exposed by their long-term contractual agreements. 
The fair value of derivatives changes in response to prevailing market 
conditions. During the year, LIBOR decreased resulting in a fair value 
loss on the interest rate swaps including joint ventures and associates 
of £108m being recognised in OCI (2015: £29m gain).

Recycling of reserves to the income statement on disposal
Fair value gains and losses and currency translation differences 
recognised in OCI are transferred to the income statement upon 
disposal of the asset and therefore on disposal of Infrastructure 
Investments’ concessions and other businesses, £8m profit 
including joint ventures and associates was recycled to the income 
statement through OCI and is included in the gain on disposal.

There is no associated tax on the amounts recycled to the 
income statement.

* The commentary is unaudited and forms part of the 
Chief Financial Officer’s review on pages 49 to 52.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
 
 
 
 
Group Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2016

At 1 January 2015
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year
Joint ventures’ and associates’ dividends
Issue of ordinary shares
Movements relating to share-based payments
Minority interest
Reserve transfers relating to joint venture and 
associate disposals
Other transfers
At 31 December 2015
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year
Ordinary dividends 
Joint ventures’ and associates’ dividends
Movements relating to share-based payments
Reserve transfers relating to joint venture and 
associate disposals
At 31 December 2016

Share  
of joint  
ventures’  
and  
associates’  
reserves 
(Note 18.6)
£m
340
(78)
(69)
–
–
–

Special 
reserve 
£m
23
–
–
–
–
–

Other  
reserves 
(Note 30.1)
£m
140
5
–
–
(1)
–

Retained 
profits/
(losses) 
£m
315
(316)
69
–
(12)
–

Non- 
controlling 
interests 
£m
3
–
–
–
–
1

Called-up 
share 
capital 
£m
345
–
–
–
–
–

Share 
premium 
account 
£m
64
–
–
1
–
–

–
–
345
–
–
–
–

–
345

–
–
65
–
–
–
–

–
65

–
(1)
22
–
–
–
–

–
22

(13)
16
196
40
–
(43)
–

(9)
184

–
–
144
44
–
–
3

–
191

13
(15)
54
(151)
(6)
43
1

9
(50)

–
–
4
1
–
–
–

–
5

Notes

30.1
18.1
29.1

30.1

18.6

30.1
13
18.1

18.6

107

Total 
£m
1,230
(389)
–
1
(13)
1

–
–
830
(66)
(6)
–
4

–
762

Commentary on Group Statement of Changes in Equity*
Total equity holders’ funds of £757m at 31 December 2016 
decreased by 8% primarily due to movements in other 
comprehensive income.

Background
The Group Statement of Changes in Equity includes the total 
comprehensive income attributable to equity holders of the 
Company and non-controlling interests and also discloses 
transactions which have been recognised directly in equity 
and not through the income statement.

Dividends
The Board reinstated the dividend, declaring an interim dividend of 
0.9p in August 2016 which was paid in December 2016. The Board 
is recommending a final dividend of 1.8p. 

Joint ventures’ and associates’ dividends 
Dividends of £43m were received in the year from joint ventures 
and associates (JVA) resulting in a transfer of this amount between 
JVA reserves and Group retained profits.

Special reserve
A special reserve of £185m was created in 2004 as a result of 
cancelling £181m of share premium and cancelling the £4m capital 
redemption reserve in Balfour Beatty plc. This was approved by the 
court and becomes distributable to the extent of future increases 
in share capital and share premium, of which £nil occurred in 2016 
(2015: £1m).

Other reserves
Other reserves comprise: the equity components of the preference 
shares of £18m (2015: £18m) and convertible bonds £26m 
(2015: £26m); the hedging reserves £(30)m (2015: £(58)m); PPP 
financial assets revaluation reserve £25m (2015: £58m); currency 
translation reserve £135m (2015: £87m) and other reserves £17m 
(2015: £13m).

Other reserve transfers relating to joint venture and associate 
disposals 
On disposal of JVAs, retained profits relating to these 
businesses are transferred from the JVA reserves to the Group’s 
retained profits.

Company Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2016

At 1 January 2015
Total comprehensive income for the year
Issue of ordinary shares
Movements relating to share-based payments
Other transfers
At 31 December 2015
Total comprehensive loss for the year
Ordinary dividends
Movements relating to share-based payments
At 31 December 2016

* The commentary is unaudited and forms part of the 
Chief Financial Officer’s review on pages 49 to 52.

Notes

30.2
29.1

30.2
13

Called-up 
share  
capital  
£m
345
–
–
–
–
345
–
–
–
345

Share 
premium 
account  
£m
64
–
1
–
–
65
–
–
–
65

Special 
reserve  
£m
23
–
–
–
(1)
22
–
–
–
22

Other 
reserves  
(Note 30.2) 
£m
118
–
–
(2)
–
116
–
–
6
122

Retained 
profits  
£m
581
36
–
(14)
1
604
(18)
(6)
(2)
578

Total  
£m
1,131
36
1
(16)
–
1,152
(18)
(6)
4
1,132

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report108

Balance Sheets
At 31 December 2016

Non-current assets
Intangible assets – goodwill

– other

Property, plant and equipment2
Investment properties2
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Investments
PPP financial assets
Trade and other receivables
Deferred tax assets
Derivative financial instruments

Current assets
Inventories and non-construction work in progress
Due from construction contract customers
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents – infrastructure concessions

Current tax receivable
Derivative financial instruments

– other

Total assets
Current liabilities
Due to construction contract customers
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Borrowings  – non-recourse loans
– other
Current tax payable
Derivative financial instruments

Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Borrowings  – non-recourse loans
– other

Liability component of preference shares
Retirement benefit liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Called-up share capital
Share premium account
Special reserve
Share of joint ventures’ and associates’ reserves
Other reserves
Retained profits
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
Non-controlling interests
Total equity

Notes 

2016 
£m

Group
2015  
£m

Company
 2015  
£m

2016 
£m

14
15
16
17
18
19
20
23
27
38

21
22
23
26
26

38

22
24
25
26
26

38

24
25
26
26
29
28
27
38

29
30
30
30
30
30

30

937
225
181
36
628
45
163
180
54
3
2,452

101
380
1,066
7
762
8
1
2,325
4,777

(542)
(1,752)
(147)
(47)
(56)
(18)
(6)
(2,568)

(151)
(126)
(193)
(533)
(100)
(231)
(80)
(33)
(1,447)
(4,015)
762

345
65
22
184
191
(50)
757
5
762

844
222
163
4
671
44
402
114
58
–
2,522

144
379
885
20
646
4
1
2,079
4,601

(472)
(1,700)
(126)
(22)
(13)
(20)
(11)
(2,364)

(130)
(80)
(363)
(470)
(98)
(146)
(53)
(67)
(1,407)
(3,771)
830

345
65
22
196
144
54
826
4
830

–
–
–
–
–
1,698
–
2
–
–
1,700

–
–
1,471
–
167
5
1
1,644
3,344

–
(1,771)
–
–
(50)
–
(1)
(1,822)

(3)
–
–
(285)
(100)
–
(2)
–
(390)
(2,212)
1,132

345
65
22
–
122
578
1,132
–
1,132

–
–
–
–
–
1,671
–
4
–
–
1,675

–
–
1,645
–
50
12
1
1,708
3,383

–
(1,724)
–
–
(160)
–
(1)
(1,885)

(8)
(2)
–
(236)
(98)
–
(2)
–
(346)
(2,231)
1,152

345
65
22
–
116
604
1,152
–
1,152

2 Re-presented to show assets that are held by the Group to generate rental income and/or capital appreciation separately from property, plant and equipment. These assets meet 

the definition of investment properties and have been reclassified accordingly. 

On behalf of the Board

Leo Quinn 
Director 

15 March 2017

Philip Harrison
Director

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
109

Borrowings
Borrowings excluding non-recourse loans
The Group’s committed facility totals £400m. The purpose of this 
facility is to provide liquidity from a set of core relationship banks to 
support Balfour Beatty in its activities.

The Group completed its refinancing in December 2015 with the 
new facility extending though to 2018. In November 2016, £375m 
of the facility was extended until 2019. A further one-year extension 
through to 2020 of the whole £400m facility is available, subject 
to bank approval. At 31 December 2016, £350m of this facility 
was undrawn. 

The Group’s borrowings include recourse borrowings to the Group 
arising from certain Infrastructure Investment projects in North 
America amounting to £12m (2015: £10m).

Non-recourse loans
In addition, the Group has non-recourse facilities in 
companies engaged in certain construction and infrastructure 
concessions projects.

At 31 December 2016, the Group’s share of non-recourse net 
borrowings amounted to £1,806m (2015: £2,014m), comprising 
£1,573m (2015: £1,649m) in relation to joint ventures and 
associates as disclosed in Note 18.2 and £233m (2015: £365m) 
on the Group balance sheet in relation to subsidiaries as disclosed 
in Note 26.

Retirement benefit liabilities
The Group’s balance sheet includes retirement benefit liabilities of 
£231m (2015: £146m) representing deficits in the Group’s pension 
schemes. These liabilities increased primarily due to actuarial losses 
on pension scheme obligations. Refer to Note 28 for further details.

Any surplus of deficit contributions would be recoverable by way 
of a refund as the Group has the unconditional right to the surplus 
and controls the run-off of the benefit obligations once all other 
obligations of the schemes have been settled.

Other
In addition to the liabilities on the balance sheet, in the normal 
course of its business, the Group arranges for financial institutions 
to provide customers with guarantees in connection with its 
contracting activities, commonly referred to as bonds. These bonds 
provide a customer with a level of financial protection in the event 
that a contractor fails to meet its commitments under the terms of a 
contract. They are customary or mandatory in many of the markets 
in which the Group operates. In return for issuing the bonds, the 
financial institutions receive a fee and a counter-indemnity from 
the Company. As at 31 December 2016, contract bonds in issue by 
financial institutions under uncommitted facilities covered £4.0bn 
(2015: £3.4bn) of the contract commitments of the Group.

Equity commitments
During 2016, the Group invested £65m (2015: £102m) in a 
combination of equity and shareholder loans to Infrastructure 
Investments’ project companies and at the end of the year had 
committed to provide a further £131m from 2017 onwards, 
inclusive of £56m expected for projects at preferred bidder stage. 
£33m of this is expected to be invested in 2017, as disclosed in 
Note 39(f).

Commentary on the Group Balance Sheet*
Total assets of £4.8bn were 4% more than last year. Total liabilities 
of £4.0bn increased by 6%, resulting in an overall decrease in net 
assets of 8%. The decrease is primarily driven by actuarial losses on 
retirement benefit liabilities of £120m and fair value losses on the 
Group’s cash flow hedges of £108m, offset by fair value gains on 
the Group’s PPP financial assets of £37m and currency translation 
gains of £93m. 

Background
The Group’s Balance Sheet shows the Group’s assets and liabilities 
as at 31 December 2016. In accordance with IAS 1 Presentation of 
Financial Statements and IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale 
and Discontinued Operations, the Group does not re-present the 
prior year balance sheet for assets held for sale or disposals. 

Goodwill
The goodwill on the Group’s balance sheet at 31 December 2016 
increased to £937m (2015: £844m). The increase was primarily 
relating to currency translation differences. The Group has 
conducted impairment reviews on its goodwill balance at the year 
end and has concluded that it was fully recoverable. 

Investments in joint ventures and associates
Investments in joint ventures and associates have decreased to 
£628m in 2016 from £671m in 2015 primarily due to the disposal of 
the Infrastructure Fund. 

PPP financial assets
The £239m decrease in PPP financial assets is principally driven 
by the sale of 80% of the Group’s interest in five streetlighting 
projects. As a result, the Group no longer consolidates these five 
streetlighting projects as subsidiaries, and the Group has accounted 
for its remaining 20% interests as joint ventures. The Group 
recognised an underlying gain of £11m as a result of this sale. 

Working capital
Net movements in working capital are discussed in the statement 
of cash flows commentary on page 111.

Provisions are discussed in the working capital commentary and in 
detail in Note 25.

* The commentary is unaudited and forms part of the 
Chief Financial Officer’s review on pages 49 to 52.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report110

Group Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 31 December 2016

Cash flows used in operating activities
Cash used in:
– continuing operations – underlying1

– non-underlying

– discontinued operations
Income taxes received
Net cash used in operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates:
– infrastructure concessions
– other
Interest received – infrastructure concessions
Interest received – other
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired
Purchases of:
– intangible assets – infrastructure concessions
– intangible assets – other
– property, plant and equipment – infrastructure concessions2
– property, plant and equipment – other
– investment properties2 
– other investments
Investments in and long-term loans to joint ventures and associates
Capital repayment from infrastructure concession joint venture
Short-term loans to joint ventures and associates
Loans repaid from joint ventures and associates
PPP financial assets cash expenditure
PPP financial assets cash receipts
Disposals of:
– investments in joint ventures – infrastructure concessions
– investments in joint ventures – other
–  subsidiaries net of cash disposed, separation and transaction costs – infrastructure concessions
– subsidiaries net of cash disposed, separation and transaction costs – other
– property, plant and equipment 
– other investments
Net cash from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Purchase of ordinary shares
Proceeds from:
– issue of ordinary shares
– other new loans – infrastructure concessions
– other new loans – other
Repayments of:
– loans – infrastructure concessions
– loans – other
Ordinary dividends paid
Interest paid – infrastructure concessions
Interest paid – other
Preference dividends paid
Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Effects of exchange rate changes
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Net decrease in cash within assets held for sale
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Notes 

2016  
£m

31.1
31.1
31.1

18.5
18.5
18.5

32.1

15
15
16
16
17
19
18.5
18.5
18.5
18.5
20
20

18.5/32
18.5/32
32.2.11
32.2.11

19

30.3

29.1
31.3
31.3

31.3
31.3
13

31.3

31.2

(132)
(15)
–
11
(136)

20
23
19
20
(6)

(6)
(5)
(14)
(27)
(32)
(1)
(37)
–
–
–
(31)
39

155
2
17
14
9
5
164

(4)

–
65
52

(25)
(1)
(6)
(24)
(48)
(12)
(3)
25
80
663
–
768

Group
2015 
£m

(84)
(54)
3
6
(129)

45
24
16
5
(3)

(23)
(20)
(9)
(27)
(4)
(2)
(79)
7
(11)
2
(75)
30

104
21
23
16
7
10
57

(17)

1
79
–

(11)
(1)
–
(19)
(32)
(11)
(11)
(83)
1
727
18
663

1 Before non-underlying items (Notes 2.10 and 10).
2 Re-presented to show assets that are held by the Group to generate rental income and/or capital appreciation separately from property, plant and equipment. These assets meet 

the definition of investment properties and have been reclassified accordingly. 

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
 
 
111

Cash used in operations 
Underlying cash used in continuing operations of £132m 
(2015: £84m) comprised a profit from operations of £67m 
(2015: £106m loss), a working capital outflow of £82m 
(2015: £179m inflow) and includes the following significant 
adjustment items: share of results of joint ventures and associates 
£55m (2015: £47m), depreciation charges of £29m (2015: £33m), 
pension deficit payments of £41m (2015: £66m) and gain on 
disposals of investments in infrastructure concessions of £65m 
(2015: £95m).

Non-underlying cash used in continuing operations of £15m 
(2015: £54m) was impacted by a loss from operations of £52m 
(2015: £76m) and a working capital inflow of £34m (2015: £5m 
outflow), after adjusting for the following non-cash items: an £8m 
gain on disposal of businesses (2015: £13m), a depreciation charge 
of £1m (2015: £2m) relating to Rail Germany, a £3m impairment 
of land relating to Blackpool airport (2015: £4m impairment of 
goodwill) and an amortisation charge of £9m (2015: £10m) on 
acquired intangible assets.

Cash flows from investing activities 
The Group received dividends of £43m (2015: £69m) from joint 
ventures and associates during the year.

During the year, the Group incurred additional spend on intangible 
assets of £11m (2015: £43m) of which £6m (2015: £23m) related to 
the construction spend on the Edinburgh student accommodation 
and £5m (2015: £20m) related to software and other intangible 
assets. The £41m (2015: £36m) property, plant and equipment 
purchased during the year comprised: capitalisation of the cost 
relating to constructing Phase 2 of the student accommodation 
in Iowa of £14m (2015: £9m); the purchase of land of £10m 
(2015: £6m) and the purchase of plant and equipment of £17m 
(2015: £21m). Cash paid towards investment properties was £32m 
(2015: £4m), primarily in relation to the construction of Kennedy 
Street student accommodation.

The Group disposed of interests in ten infrastructure concession 
joint ventures during the year for £155m (2015: £104m). 
In addition the Group disposed of 80% of its interest in five 
streetlighting projects for £17m, net of cash disposed (2015: £23m 
(100% disposal of subsidiary)). The Group also received £14m 
(2015: £16m) on the disposal of other subsidiaries comprising: £9m 
in relation to the disposal of Parsons Brinckerhoff and £5m on the 
disposal of parts of Rail Germany.

During the year, the Group incurred cash expenditure of £31m 
(2015: £75m) and received cash receipts of £39m (2015: £30m) 
relating to PPP financial assets.

Cash flows from financing activities
The Group made further drawdowns on its non-recourse 
borrowings of £65m (2015: £79m) mainly to finance the 
construction of assets within its infrastructure portfolio. 
Drawdowns on recourse borrowings were £52m (2015: £nil).

Preference dividends of £12m (2015: £11m) were paid in the year.

Total interest payments amounted to £72m (2015: £51m) during 
the year of which £24m (2015: £19m) related to infrastructure 
concessions and £48m (2015: £32m) related to the US private 
placement, convertible bonds and recourse borrowings drawn 
down by the Group.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents increased from £663m to £768m. 

Commentary on the Group Statement of Cash Flows*
Cash and cash equivalents increased by 16% during the year to £768m. 
Cash used in operating activities deteriorated by 5% to £136m.

Background
The Group Statement of Cash Flows shows the cash flows from 
operating, investing and financing activities during the year.

Working capital
Working capital includes: inventories and non-construction work 
in progress; amounts due to and from construction contract 
customers; operating trade and other receivables; operating trade 
and other payables; and operating provisions. Where the net 
working capital balance is in an asset position, ie the inventory and 
receivables balances are greater than the payables and provisions, 
this is referred to as unfavourable/positive working capital. 
Where this is not the case, this is referred to as favourable/negative 
working capital.

Working capital movements
The movement of the individual working capital balances on the 
balance sheet will not be reflective of the underlying movement of 
working capital due to the balance sheet being affected by foreign 
currency movements. 

Working capital movements are disclosed in Note 31.1.

Inventories and non-construction work in progress
During 2016, underlying inventories and non-construction work in 
progress decreased by £42m for continuing operations due to the 
Group’s continued focus on reducing these balances.

Amounts due from/to construction contract customers
Movements in the Group’s underlying due from/to construction 
contract customers balances, which reflect the net unbilled contract 
position and traded profit and loss for each individual construction 
contract generated an underlying working capital inflow of £46m 
(2015: inflow of £297m). The inflow was mainly derived from an 
improvement in billing, offset by the flow of cash from contract 
losses recognised in prior years.

Operating trade and other receivables
During 2016, there was a £121m increase in underlying operating 
trade and other receivables for continuing operations, this is caused 
by quicker billing of construction contract amounts, an increase 
in retentions as projects mature and also a reflection of the large 
receipts into the business in December 2015. 

Operating trade and other payables 
During 2016, there was a £53m decrease in underlying operating 
trade and other payables for continuing operations as a result of the 
expected cash outflows on historical loss making jobs.

Provisions
During 2016, there was a £4m increase in underlying operating 
provisions for continuing operations as a result of additional 
provisions taken on defects.

* The commentary is unaudited and forms part of the 
Chief Financial Officer’s review on pages 49 to 52.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report112

Notes to the Financial Statements

1 Basis of accounting
The annual financial statements have been prepared on a going 
concern basis as discussed on page 52 and in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the 
European Union and therefore comply with Article 4 of the EU IAS 
Regulation and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 that 
are applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The Group has 
applied all accounting standards and interpretations issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and International 
Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee as adopted by the 
European Union and effective for accounting periods beginning on 
1 January 2016.

The financial statements have been prepared under the 
historical cost convention, except as described under Note 2.26. 
The functional and presentational currency of the Company and 
the presentational currency of the Group is sterling.

The separate financial statements of the Company are presented 
as required by the Companies Act 2006 (the Act). The Company 
meets the definition of a qualifying entity under FRS 100 (Financial 
Reporting Standard 100) issued by the Financial Reporting Council. 
Accordingly, in the year ended 31 December 2016 the Company 
has undergone transition from reporting under IFRS to FRS 101 as 
issued by the Financial Reporting Council.

On adoption of FRS 101, no significant impacts from any changes in 
accounting policies have been noted, and no transition adjustments 
were required on the prior year financial statements. Therefore the 
opening balance sheet on transition has not been presented. 
No presentational changes were required to the Company 
balance sheet.

Except as noted below, the Company’s accounting policies are 
consistent with those described in the Group’s consolidated 
financial statements. As permitted by FRS 101, the Company 
has taken advantage of the disclosure exemptions available 
under that standard in relation to share-based payments, 
financial instruments, capital management, presentation of a 
cash flow statement, related party transactions and comparative 
information. Where required, equivalent disclosures are given in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

In addition to the application of FRS 101, the Company has 
taken advantage of Section 408 of the Act and consequently its 
statement of comprehensive income (including the profit and loss 
account) is not presented as part of these accounts.

2 Principal accounting policies
2.1 Accounting standards 
Adoption of new and revised standards
The following accounting standards, interpretations and 
amendments have been adopted by the Group in the 
current period:

 – Amendments to the following standards:

 – IFRS 11 Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in 

Joint Operations

 – IAS 1 Disclosure Initiative
 – IAS 16 and IAS 38: Clarification of Acceptable Methods of 

Depreciation and Amortisation

 – IAS 16 and IAS 41: Agricultural: Bearer Plants
 – IAS 27 Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements
 – IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28: Investment Entities: Applying 

the Consolidation Exemption

 – Improvements to IFRSs (2012–2014).

The above new and amended standards do not have a material 
effect on the Group. 

Accounting standards not yet adopted by the Group
The following accounting standards, interpretations and 
amendments have been issued by the IASB but had either not 
been adopted by the European Union or were not yet effective 
in the European Union at 31 December 2016:

 – IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
 – IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral Accounts
 – IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
 – IFRS 16 Leases
 – Amendments to the following standards:

 – IAS 7 Disclosure Initiative
 – IAS 12 Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for 

Unrealised Losses

 – IAS 40 Transfers of Investment Property
 – IFRS 2 Classification and Measurement of Share-based 

Payment Transactions

 – IFRS 4 Applying IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with IFRS 4 

Insurance Contracts

 – IFRS 10 and IAS 28: Sale or Contribution of Assets between 

an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture
 – Clarifications to IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts 

with Customers

 – IFRIC 22 Foreign Currency Transactions and 

Advance Consideration

 – Improvements to IFRSs (2014–2016).

The Directors continue to assess the impact of IFRS 9, IFRS 15 
and IFRS 16 but do not expect the other standards above to have 
a material quantitative effect. 

The requirements of IFRS 9 in issue as at 31 December 2016 are 
being assessed and might result in the Group’s PPP financial assets 
being reclassified from ‘available-for-sale’, which is a category that 
no longer exists under the new standard, to a debt instrument 
measured either at amortised cost or at fair value through profit 
or loss. Assuming the Group adopts the fair value through profit 
or loss option, movements in the fair value of PPP financial assets 
will no longer be recognised in other comprehensive income. 
Retrospective application of this requirement would result in the 
closing balance of fair value movements recognised in PPP financial 
asset reserves being transferred to retained earnings. The effect 
within the Group’s reserves would be a transfer of £25m from PPP 
financial asset reserves to retained earnings. The effect within the 
share of joint ventures’ and associates’ reserves would be a transfer 
of £227m from PPP financial asset reserves to retained earnings. 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers was issued by 
the IASB in May 2014 and will be effective for accounting periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2018. The new standard will replace 
existing accounting standards, and provides enhanced detail on the 
principle of recognising revenue to reflect the transfer of goods 
and services to customers at a value which the company expects 
to be entitled to receive. The standard also updates revenue 
disclosure requirements. 

The Group has commenced its impact assessment, which involves 
carrying out a systematic review of all existing major contracts 
to ensure that the impact and effect of the new standard is fully 
understood and changes to the current accounting procedures 
are highlighted and acted upon in advance of the effective date. 
The results of this assessment will drive the Group’s choice of 
transition option albeit it is likely that the Group will adopt this 
standard prospectively. The Group intends to disclose the impact 
of the new standard on its 2016 results in the 2017 interim 
financial statements. 

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016113

b) Joint ventures and associates
Joint ventures are those entities over whose activities the Group 
has joint control, whereby the Group has rights to the net assets of 
the entity, rather than rights to its individual assets and obligations 
for its individual liabilities.

Associates are those entities over whose financial and operating 
policies the Group has significant influence, but not control or 
joint control. 

The results, assets and liabilities of joint ventures and associates are 
incorporated in the financial statements using the equity method 
of accounting except when classified as held for sale. The Group 
may elect to measure some of its investments in associates at fair 
value through profit or loss in accordance with IAS 39 where the 
investment is held by a Group entity which meets the classification 
of a venture capital organisation, in which case the investment will 
be marked to market with movements being recognised in the 
income statement. The equity return from the military housing 
joint ventures of the Group is contractually limited to a maximum 
level of return, beyond which the Group does not share in any 
further return. Therefore the Group’s investment in these projects is 
recognised at initial equity investment plus the value of the Group’s 
accrued preferred return from the underlying projects.

Any excess of the fair value of the cost of acquisition over the 
Group’s share of the fair values of the identifiable net assets of 
the joint venture or associate entity at the date of acquisition is 
recognised as goodwill. Any deficiency of the fair value of the cost 
of acquisition below the Group’s share of the fair values of the 
identifiable net assets of the joint venture or associate at the date 
of acquisition (discount on acquisition) is credited to the income 
statement in the period of acquisition.

Investments in joint ventures and associates are initially carried in 
the balance sheet at cost (including goodwill arising on acquisition) 
and adjusted by post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of 
net assets of the joint venture or associate, less any impairment in 
the value of individual investments. Losses of joint ventures and 
associates in excess of the Group’s interest in those joint ventures 
and associates are only recognised to the extent that the Group is 
contractually liable for, or has a constructive obligation to meet, the 
obligations of the joint ventures and associates.

Unrealised gains and losses on transactions with joint ventures and 
associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the 
relevant joint venture or associate.

c) Joint operations
The Group’s share of the results, assets and liabilities of contracts 
carried out in conjunction with another party are included under 
each relevant heading in the income statement and balance sheet.

2 Principal accounting policies continued
2.1 Accounting standards continued
Accounting standards not yet adopted by the Group continued
IFRS 16 Leases was issued by the IASB in January 2016 and is 
effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 
2019. The new standard will replace IAS 17 Leases and will 
eliminate the classification of leases as either operating leases or 
finance leases and, instead, introduce a single lessee accounting 
model. The adoption of IFRS 16 is not expected to have a 
significant impact on the Group’s net results or net assets, although 
the full impact will be subject to further assessment.

The Group has chosen not to adopt any of the above standards and 
interpretations earlier than required.

2.2 Basis of consolidation
The Group financial statements include the results of the Company 
and its subsidiaries, together with the Group’s share of the results 
of joint ventures and associates, drawn up to 31 December 
each year.

a) Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group 
controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable 
returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to 
affect those returns through its power over the entity.

The results of subsidiaries are consolidated from the date that 
control commences until the date that control ceases.

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the 
acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. On acquisition, the assets, 
liabilities and contingent liabilities of a subsidiary are measured at 
their fair values at the date of acquisition. Any excess of the fair 
value of the cost of acquisition over the fair values of the identifiable 
net assets acquired is recognised as goodwill. Any deficiency of 
the cost of acquisition below the fair values of the identifiable net 
assets acquired (discount on acquisition) is credited to the income 
statement in the period of acquisition.

The interest of non-controlling equity holders is stated at the non-
controlling equity holders’ proportion of the fair value of the assets 
and liabilities recognised.

When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, the profit or loss on 
disposal is calculated as the difference between (i) the aggregate 
of the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value 
of any retained interest less direct costs of the transaction and 
(ii) the previous carrying amount of the assets (including goodwill), 
less liabilities of the subsidiary. The fair value of any investment 
retained in the former subsidiary at the date when control is lost 
is regarded as the fair value on initial recognition for subsequent 
accounting under IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement or, when applicable, the cost on initial recognition 
of an investment in an associate or jointly controlled entity. 
Amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income 
in relation to the subsidiary are accounted for in the same manner 
as would be required if the relevant assets or liabilities were 
disposed of (ie reclassified to profit or loss or transferred directly 
to retained earnings).

Any acquisition or disposal which does not result in a change in 
control is accounted for as a transaction between equity holders. 
The carrying amounts of the controlling and non-controlling 
interests are adjusted to reflect the changes in their relative 
interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between the fair value 
of the consideration paid or received and the amount by which the 
non-controlling interests are adjusted is recognised directly in equity 
and attributed to the owners of the parent.

Accounting policies of subsidiaries are adjusted where necessary 
to ensure consistency with those used by the Group. All intra-
Group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated 
on consolidation.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report114

2 Principal accounting policies continued
2.3 Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of 
exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at 
the rates of exchange at the reporting date. Significant exchange 
rates used in the preparation of these financial statements are 
shown in Note 3.

For the purpose of presenting consolidated financial statements, 
the results of foreign subsidiaries, associates and joint venture 
entities are translated at average rates of exchange for the year, 
unless the exchange rates fluctuate significantly during that period, 
in which case the exchange rates at the date of transactions are 
used. Assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange 
prevailing at the reporting date. Goodwill and fair value adjustments 
arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets 
and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the rates of 
exchange at the reporting date. Currency translation differences 
arising are transferred to the Group’s foreign currency translation 
reserve and are recognised in the income statement on disposal of 
the underlying investment.

In order to hedge its exposure to certain foreign exchange risks, the 
Group may enter into forward foreign exchange contracts. Refer to 
Note 2.25(c) for details of the Group’s accounting policies in respect 
of such derivative financial instruments.

2.4 Revenue recognition
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration 
received or receivable for goods and services provided, net of 
trade discounts, value added and similar sales based taxes, after 
eliminating revenue within the Group.

Revenue is recognised as follows:

 – revenue from construction and service activities represents the 
value of work carried out during the year, including amounts 
not invoiced

 – revenue from manufacturing activities is recognised when title 

has passed

 – interest income is accrued on a time basis using the effective 

interest method by reference to the principal outstanding and the 
effective interest rate, which is the rate that exactly discounts 
estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the 
financial asset to that asset’s net carrying amount

 – dividend income is recognised when the equity holder’s right to 

receive payment is established.

2.5 Construction and service contracts 
When the outcome of individual contracts can be estimated reliably, 
contract revenue and contract costs are recognised as revenue and 
expenses respectively by reference to the stage of completion at 
the reporting date.

Costs are recognised as incurred and revenue is recognised on the 
basis of the proportion of total costs at the reporting date to the 
estimated total costs of the contract. Estimates of the final out-turn 
on each contract may include cost contingencies to take account 
of the specific risks within each contract that have been identified 
during the early stages of the contract. The cost contingencies are 
reviewed on a regular basis throughout the contract life and are 
adjusted where appropriate. However, the nature of the risks on 
contracts are such that they often cannot be resolved until the end 
of the project and therefore may not reverse until the end of the 
project. Management continually review the estimated final out-turn 
on contracts, and in certain limited cases, assess recoveries from 
insurers, and make adjustments where necessary. 

No margin is recognised until the outcome of the contract can be 
estimated with reasonable certainty.

Provision is made for all known or expected losses on individual 
contracts once such losses are foreseen.

Revenue in respect of variations to contracts and incentive 
payments is recognised when it is probable it will be agreed by 
the customer. Revenue in respect of claims is recognised when 
negotiations have reached an advanced stage such that it is 
probable that the customer will accept the claim and the probable 
amount can be measured reliably.

Profit for the year includes the benefit of claims settled in the year 
on contracts completed in previous years.

2.6 Segmental reporting
The Group considers its Board of Directors to be the chief operating 
decision maker and therefore the segmental disclosures provided 
in Note 5 are aligned with the monthly reports provided to the 
Board of Directors. The Group’s reporting segments are based 
on the types of services provided. Operating segments with 
similar economic characteristics have been aggregated into three 
reportable segments which reflect the nature of the services 
provided by the Group. A description of each reportable segment is 
provided in Note 5. Further information on the business activities of 
each reportable segment is set out on pages 18 to 29.

Working capital is the balance sheet measure reported to the chief 
operating decision maker. The profitability measure used to assess 
the performance of the Group is underlying profit from operations.

Segment results represent the contribution of the different 
segments after the allocation of attributable corporate overheads. 
Transactions between segments are conducted at arm’s-length 
market prices. Segment assets and liabilities comprise those assets 
and liabilities directly attributable to the segments. Corporate assets 
and liabilities include cash balances, bank borrowings, tax balances 
and dividends payable. Non-recourse net borrowings are directly 
attributable to Infrastructure Investments and therefore not included 
within Corporate activities.

Major customers are defined as customers contributing more than 
10% of the Group’s external revenue.

2.7 Pre-contract bid costs and recoveries
Pre-contract costs are expensed as incurred until it is virtually 
certain that a contract will be awarded, from which time further 
pre-contract costs are recognised as an asset and charged as 
an expense over the period of the contract. Amounts recovered 
in respect of pre-contract costs that have been written off are 
deferred and amortised over the life of the contract.

For construction and services projects, the relevant contract is 
the construction or services contract respectively. With respect 
to PPP projects, an assessment is made as to which contractual 
element the pre-contract costs relate to, in order to determine 
the relevant period for amortisation. The relevant contract is that 
which gives rise to a financial or intangible asset, which is either the 
construction contract or the contract which transferred the asset to 
the project.

2.8 Profit from operations
Profit from operations is stated after the Group’s share of the post-
tax results of equity accounted joint venture entities and associates, 
but before investment income and finance costs.

2.9 Finance costs
Finance costs of debt, including premiums payable on settlement 
and direct issue costs, are charged to the income statement on an 
accruals basis over the term of the instrument, using the effective 
interest method.

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016115

2.12 Intangible assets
a) Goodwill
Goodwill arises on the acquisition of subsidiaries and other 
businesses, joint ventures and associates and represents the 
excess of the fair value of consideration over the fair value of the 
identifiable assets and liabilities acquired. Goodwill on acquisitions 
of subsidiaries and other businesses is included in non-current 
assets. Goodwill on acquisitions of joint ventures and associates 
is included in investments in joint ventures and associates.

Goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment and is carried at 
cost less accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is included 
when determining the profit or loss on subsequent disposal of 
the business to which it relates.

Goodwill arising on acquisitions before the date of transition to 
IFRS (1 January 2004) has been retained at the previous UK GAAP 
amounts subject to being tested for impairment. Goodwill written 
off or discount arising on acquisition credited to reserves under UK 
GAAP prior to 1998 has not been reinstated and is not included in 
determining any subsequent profit or loss on disposal.

b) Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated 
amortisation and impairment losses. Amortisation charges in 
respect of software and Infrastructure Investments intangibles 
are included in underlying items.

c) Research and development
Internally generated intangible assets developed by the Group are 
recognised only if all the following conditions are met:

 – an asset is created that can be identified
 – it is probable that the asset created will generate future 

economic benefits

 – the development cost of the asset can be measured reliably.

Other research expenditure is written off in the period in which it 
is incurred.

2.13 Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated 
depreciation and impairment losses. Cost includes expenditure 
associated with bringing the asset to its operating location 
and condition.

2.14 Investment property
The Group classifies land and buildings which it holds to generate 
capital appreciation and/or to earn rental income as investment 
property. The Group has chosen to state its investment properties 
at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. 

2 Principal accounting policies continued
2.10 Non-underlying items
Non-underlying items are items of financial performance which 
the Group believes should be separately identified on the face of 
the income statement to assist in understanding the underlying 
financial performance achieved by the Group. Such items will 
not affect the absolute amount of the results for the period and 
the trend of results. Underlying items are items before non-
underlying items.

Non-underlying items include:

 – gains and losses on the disposal of businesses and investments, 

unless this is part of a programme of releasing value from 
the disposal of similar businesses or investments such as 
infrastructure concessions

 – costs of major restructuring and reorganisation of 

existing businesses

 – costs of integrating newly acquired businesses
 – acquisition and similar costs related to business combinations 

such as transaction costs

 – impairment and amortisation charges on intangible assets 
arising on business combinations (amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets)

 – impairment of goodwill.

These are examples, however, from time to time it may be 
appropriate to disclose further items as non-underlying items in 
order to highlight the underlying performance of the Group.

The results of Rail Germany and certain legacy ES contracts have 
been included as non-underlying. Refer to Note 5. 

2.11 Taxation
The tax charge comprises current tax and deferred tax, calculated 
using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted 
by the reporting date. Current tax and deferred tax are charged or 
credited to the income statement, except when they relate to items 
charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the relevant tax 
is also accounted for within equity. Current tax is based on the profit 
for the year.

Deferred tax is provided, using the liability method, on temporary 
differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities 
and their carrying amounts in the financial statements. Deferred tax 
on such assets and liabilities is not recognised if the temporary 
difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or from the 
initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other 
assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable 
profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable 
that future taxable profit will be available against which the 
temporary differences can be utilised. The carrying amount of 
deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising on 
investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, except 
where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference can 
be controlled by the Group and it is probable that the temporary 
difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to 
income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group 
intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report116

2 Principal accounting policies continued
2.15 Leasing
Leases which transfer substantially all of the risks and rewards of 
ownership to the lessee are classified as finance leases. All other 
leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets of the 
Group at their fair value or, if lower, at the present value of the 
minimum lease payments, determined at the inception of the 
lease, and depreciation is provided accordingly. The liability to the 
lessor is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. 
Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and 
reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant 
effective rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to income 
on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. 
Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to enter into an 
operating lease are also spread on a straight-line basis over the 
lease term.

2.16 Impairment of assets
Assets that have an indefinite useful life (such as goodwill arising 
on acquisitions) are reviewed at least annually for impairment. 
Other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment are 
reviewed for impairment whenever there is any indication that the 
carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.

If the recoverable amount of an asset is less than its carrying 
amount, an impairment loss is recognised.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell 
and value in use. Value in use is assessed by discounting the 
estimated future cash flows that the asset is expected to generate. 
For this purpose assets, including goodwill, are grouped into cash-
generating units representing the level at which they are monitored 
by the Board of Directors for internal management purposes. 
Goodwill impairment losses are not reversed in subsequent 
periods. Reversals of other impairment losses are recognised 
in income when they arise.

2.17 Investments
Investments are recognised and derecognised on the trade date 
where a purchase or sale of an investment is under a contract 
whose terms require delivery of the investment within the 
timeframe established by the market concerned, and are initially 
measured at cost, including transaction costs.

Available-for-sale investments are measured at fair value. 
Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of available-
for-sale investments are recognised in equity, until the investment 
is disposed or is determined to be impaired, at which time 
the cumulative gain or loss is included in the net profit or loss 
for the period. Held to maturity investments are measured at 
amortised cost.

2.18 Assets held for sale and discontinued operations
Non-current assets and groups of assets to be disposed of are 
classified as held for sale if their carrying amounts will be recovered 
through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. 
Held for sale assets are measured at the lower of their carrying 
amount on classification as held for sale or fair value less costs 
to sell.

A component of the Group is presented as a discontinued operation 
if it has either been disposed of or is classified as held for sale and 
it is a separate major line of business or geographic operation or 
the proposed sale is part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of 
a single separate major line of business or geographical operation. 
When classified as a discontinued operation, income statement 
performance is reported in summary form outside continuing 
operations and comparative figures are restated.

2.19 Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Cost includes an appropriate proportion of manufacturing 
overheads incurred in bringing inventories to their present location 
and condition and is determined using the first-in first-out method. 
Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less 
all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in 
marketing, selling and distribution.

2.20 Trade receivables
Trade receivables are initially recorded at fair value and 
subsequently measured at amortised cost as reduced by 
allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts.

2.21 Trade payables
Trade payables are not interest bearing and are stated at cost.

2.22 Provisions
Provisions for insurance liabilities retained in the Group’s captive 
insurance arrangements, legal claims, defects and warranties, 
environmental restoration, onerous leases, and other onerous 
commitments are recognised at the best estimate of the 
expenditure required to settle the Group’s liability.

Provisions are recognised when: the Group has a present legal or 
constructive obligation as a result of a past event; it is probable that 
an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and 
the amount of the obligation can be estimated reliably.

2.23 Borrowings
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded at the 
proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Premiums payable on 
settlement or redemption and direct issue costs are included in the 
carrying amount of the instrument and are charged to the income 
statement on an accruals basis using the effective interest method 
together with the interest payable.

2.24 Retirement benefit costs
The Group, through trustees, operates a number of defined benefit 
and defined contribution retirement and other long-term employee 
benefit schemes, the majority of which are of the defined benefit 
type and are funded. Defined benefit contributions are determined 
in consultation with the trustees, after taking actuarial advice.

For defined benefit retirement benefit schemes, the cost of 
providing benefits recognised in the income statement and the 
defined benefit obligations are determined at the reporting date 
by independent actuaries, using the projected unit credit method. 
The liability recognised in the balance sheet comprises the present 
value of the defined benefit pension obligation, determined by 
discounting the estimated future cash flows using the market yield 
on a high-quality corporate bond, less the fair value of the scheme 
assets. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in the period in 
which they occur in the statement of comprehensive income.

Contributions to defined contribution pension schemes are charged 
to the income statement as they fall due.

Any surplus of deficit contributions to the Balfour Beatty Pension 
Fund (BBPF) and the Railways Pension Scheme (RPS) would be 
recoverable by way of a refund as the Group has the unconditional 
right to the surplus and controls the run-off of the benefit 
obligations once all other obligations of the BBPF and RPS have 
been settled. Implementation of the draft Amendment to IFRIC 14 
when it becomes effective will not affect this accounting. 

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016117

2 Principal accounting policies continued
2.25 Share-based payments 
Employee services received in exchange for the grant of equity- 
settled awards are charged to the income statement on a straight-
line basis over the vesting period, based on the fair values of the 
awards at the date of grant. 

The credits in respect of the amounts charged are included within 
separate reserves in equity until such time as the awards are 
exercised, when the shares are transferred to employees. 

2.26 Financial instruments 
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the 
Group’s balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the 
contractual provisions of the instrument.

a) Classification of financial liabilities and equity instruments
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according 
to the substance of the contractual arrangements. An equity 
instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest 
in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities. 
Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the 
proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

b) Cumulative convertible redeemable preference shares and 
convertible bonds
The Company’s cumulative convertible redeemable preference 
shares and the Group’s convertible bonds are compound 
instruments, comprising a liability component and an equity 
component. The fair value of the liability components was 
estimated using the prevailing market interest rates at the dates 
of issue for similar non-convertible instruments. The difference 
between the proceeds of issue of the preference shares and 
convertible bonds and the fair value assigned to the respective 
liability components, representing the embedded option to convert 
the liability components into the Company’s ordinary shares, 
is included in equity.

The interest expense on the liability components is calculated by 
applying applicable market interest rates for similar non-convertible 
debt prevailing at the dates of issue to the liability components 
of the instruments. The difference between this amount and the 
dividend/interest payable is included in the carrying amount of the 
liability component and is charged to the income statement on an 
accrual basis together with the dividend/interest payable.

c) Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to manage 
interest rate risk and to hedge exposures to fluctuations in 
foreign currencies in accordance with its risk management policy. 
The Group does not use derivative financial instruments for 
speculative purposes. A description of the Group’s objectives, 
policies and strategies with regard to derivatives and other financial 
instruments is set out in Note 38.

Derivatives are initially recognised in the balance sheet at fair 
value on the date the derivative transaction is entered into and 
are subsequently re-measured at their fair values.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and 
qualify as fair value hedges are recognised in the income statement 
together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged item that 
are attributable to the hedged risk.

Changes in the fair value of the effective portion of derivatives that 
are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recognised 
in other comprehensive income (OCI). Changes in the fair value 
of the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recognised 
in the income statement. Amounts originally recognised in OCI 
are transferred to the income statement when the underlying 
transaction occurs or, if the transaction results in a non-financial 
asset or liability, are included in the initial cost of that asset 
or liability.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that 
do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised in the income 
statement as they arise.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument 
expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or no longer qualifies 
for hedge accounting. At that time, any cumulative gain or loss on 
the hedging instrument recognised in OCI is retained in equity until 
the hedged transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is no longer 
expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in 
OCI is transferred to the income statement for the period.

Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or other host 
contracts are treated as separate derivatives and recorded in the 
balance sheet at fair value when their risks and characteristics are 
not closely related to those of the host contract. Changes in the 
fair value of those embedded derivatives recognised in the balance 
sheet are recognised in the income statement as they arise.

d) PPP concession companies
Assets constructed by PPP concession companies are classified 
principally as available-for-sale financial assets.

In the construction phase, income is recognised by applying an 
attributable profit margin to the construction costs representing 
the fair value of construction services performed. In the operational 
phase, income is recognised by allocating a proportion of total cash 
receivable over the life of the project to service costs by means of 
a deemed rate of return on those costs. The residual element of 
projected cash is allocated to the financial asset using the effective 
interest rate method, giving rise to interest income.

Due to the nature of the contractual arrangements, the projected 
cash flows can be estimated with a high degree of certainty.

In the construction phase, the fair value of the Group’s PPP 
financial assets is determined by applying an attributable profit 
margin to the construction costs representing the fair value of 
construction services performed. In the operational phase, fair 
value is determined by discounting the future cash flows allocated 
to the financial asset using discount rates based on long-term 
gilt rates adjusted for the risk levels associated with the assets, 
with market-related movements in fair value recognised in OCI. 
Amounts originally recognised in OCI are transferred to the 
income statement upon disposal of the asset.

2.27 Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of consolidated financial statements under 
IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates 
and assumptions that affect amounts recognised for assets and 
liabilities at the reporting date and the amounts of revenue and 
expenses incurred during the reporting period. Actual outcomes 
may differ from these judgements, estimates and assumptions.

The judgements, estimates and assumptions that have the most 
significant effect on the carrying value of assets and liabilities of the 
Group as at 31 December 2016 are discussed below.

All of the below are both judgements and estimates made by the 
Group apart from the classification of non-underlying items which 
is an item that requires judgement only.

a) Revenue and margin recognition
The Group’s revenue recognition and margin recognition policies, 
which are set out in Notes 2.4 and 2.5, are central to how the 
Group values the work it has carried out in each financial year.

These policies require forecasts to be made of the outcomes of 
long-term construction services and support services contracts, 
which require assessments and judgements to be made on 
recovery of pre-contract costs, changes in the scope of work, 
contract programmes, maintenance and defects liabilities and 
changes in costs.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic ReportA £37m gain was taken to other comprehensive income in 2016 
(2015: £183m loss) and a cumulative fair value gain of £349m 
had arisen on these financial assets as a result of market-
related movements in the fair value of these financial assets at 
31 December 2016 (2015: £441m gain).

f) Recoverable value of recognised receivables
The Group has recognised trade receivables with a carrying value 
of £647m (2015: £495m). The recoverability of trade receivables is 
regularly reviewed in the light of the available economic information 
specific to each receivable and specific provisions are recognised 
for balances considered to be irrecoverable. Refer to Note 23.

g) Provisions
Provisions are liabilities of uncertain timing or amount and therefore 
in making a reliable estimate of the quantum and timing of liabilities 
judgement is applied and re-evaluated at each reporting date. 
The Group recognised provisions at 31 December 2016 of £273m 
(2015: £206m). Refer to Note 25.

h) Retirement benefit obligations 
Details of the Group’s defined benefit pension schemes are set out 
in Note 28, including tables showing the sensitivity of the pension 
scheme obligations and assets to different actuarial assumptions.

At 31 December 2016, the retirement benefit liabilities recognised 
on the Group’s balance sheet were £231m (2015: £146m). 
The effects of changes in the actuarial assumptions underlying 
the schemes’ obligations and discount rates and the differences 
between expected and actual returns on the schemes’ assets are 
classified as actuarial gains and losses. During 2016, the Group 
recognised net actuarial losses of £120m in equity (2015: £90m 
losses), including its share of the actuarial gains and losses arising in 
joint ventures and associates.

118

2 Principal accounting policies continued
2.27 Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty 
continued
Across Construction Services there remain a small number of 
long-term and complex projects where the Group has incorporated 
significant judgements over contractual entitlements. The range 
of potential outcomes in future financial periods could result in a 
materially positive or negative swing to underlying profitability and 
cash flow. In the UK, the majority of these contracts are within 
Major Projects. Outside the UK, this primarily relates to a number 
of significant contracts in Hong Kong where the range of potential 
outcomes could result in a materially positive or negative swing 
to profitability. The majority of these claims are expected to reach 
commercial settlement by 2018.

b) Taxation
The Group is subject to tax in a number of jurisdictions and 
judgement is required in determining the worldwide provision for 
income taxes. The Group provides for future liabilities in respect of 
uncertain tax positions where additional tax may become payable 
in future periods and such provisions are based on management’s 
assessment of exposures. This may involve a significant amount of 
judgement as tax legislation can be complex and open to different 
interpretation. Management uses both in-house and external 
tax experts and previous experience when assessing tax risks. 
Where actual tax liabilities differ from the provisions, adjustments 
are made which can have a material impact on the Group’s profit for 
the year.

Deferred tax liabilities are generally provided for in full and deferred 
tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is judged probable 
that future taxable profit will arise against which the temporary 
differences will be utilised. Refer to Note 27.

c) Non-underlying items
Non-underlying items are items of financial performance which 
the Group believes should be separately identified on the face of 
the income statement to assist in understanding the underlying 
financial performance achieved by the Group. Determining whether 
an item is part of underlying items or non-underlying items 
requires judgement. A total non-underlying loss after tax of £24m 
(2015: £71m) was charged to the income statement for the year 
ended 31 December 2016. Refer to Note 10.

d) Impairment of goodwill
Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of 
the value in use of the cash-generating units to which the goodwill 
has been allocated. The value in use calculation requires an 
estimate to be made of the timing and amount of future cash flows 
expected to arise from the cash-generating unit and the application 
of a suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value. 
A nominal growth rate, based on real GDP growth plus CPI inflation, 
is used to calculate a terminal growth multiple in accordance with 
the Gordon Growth Model. The discount rates used are based on 
the Group’s weighted average cost of capital adjusted to reflect 
the specific economic environment of the relevant cash-generating 
unit. The carrying value of goodwill at 31 December 2016 was 
£937m (2015: £844m). Refer to Note 14.

e) Available-for-sale financial assets
At 31 December 2016, £2,292m (2015: £2,638m) of PPP financial 
assets constructed by the Group’s subsidiary, joint venture and 
associate companies were classified as available-for-sale financial 
assets. In the operational phase the fair value of these financial 
assets is measured at each reporting date by discounting the future 
value of the cash flows allocated to the financial asset. A range of 
discount rates is used from 2.3% to 8.3% (2015: 3.61% to 5.10%), 
which reflects the prevailing risk-free interest rates and the different 
risk profiles of the various concessions. Refer to Note 38.2.

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 20163 Exchange rates
The following key exchange rates were applied in these financial statements.

Average rates

£1 buys 
US$
HK$
Euro

Closing rates

£1 buys 
US$
HK$
Euro

4 Revenue

Continuing operations
Revenue from the provision of services*
Revenue from manufacturing activities
Proceeds from sale of development land
Total revenue
Investment income (Note 8)
Total revenue and investment income

* Includes IAS 11 construction contract revenue of £6,173m (2015: £5,870m).

119

2016
1.35
10.51
1.23

2016
1.23
9.57
1.17

2015
1.53
11.84
1.37

2015
1.48
11.43
1.36

Group  
2016 
£m
6,884
11
28
6,923
75
6,998

Change
(11.8)%
(11.2)%
(10.2)%

Change
(16.9)%
(16.3)%
(14.0)%

Group  
2015 
£m
6,920
14
21
6,955
52
7,007

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report120

5 Segment analysis
Reportable segments of the Group:

 – Construction Services – activities resulting in the physical construction of an asset
 – Support Services – activities which support existing assets or functions such as asset maintenance and refurbishment
 – Infrastructure Investments – acquisition, operation and disposal of infrastructure assets such as roads, hospitals, schools, student 
accommodation, military housing, offshore transmission networks, waste and biomass and other concessions. This segment also 
includes the Group’s housing development division.

The Group has continued to present the remaining parts of Rail Germany outside of underlying items as it remains committed to exiting 
its Mainland European rail businesses as soon as possible and does not consider its operations part of the Group’s underlying activity. 
Following the various disposals of parts of Rail Germany in 2015 and 2016, the Group is winding down its remaining operations in Rail 
Germany with the last remaining contract expected to reach completion in 2018. 

In 2014, the performance of external Engineering Services (ES) contracts linked to poor legacy management and in regions that ES has 
withdrawn from tendering for third-party work was included in non-underlying items as the size and nature of the losses due to the 
problematic delivery of these contracts are exceptional and distort the underlying performance of the Group. The Group continues to present 
the results from these legacy contracts within non-underlying and will continue to do so until these contracts reach completion, inclusive of 
any claims recovery. Separate disclosure of these contracts aids the reader’s understanding of the underlying performance of the remainder 
of the Group.

Total
2016 
£m

8,683

(1,760)
6,923

5.1 Total Group

Income statement – performance by 
activity from continuing operations

Revenue including share of joint ventures 
and associates
Share of revenue of joint ventures 
and associates
Group revenue
Group operating profit/(loss)^
Share of results of joint ventures 
and associates
Profit/(loss) from operations^
Non-underlying items
– include results from certain legacy ES 
contracts within Construction Services

– include results from Rail Germany 

within Construction Services

– amortisation of acquired intangible 

assets

– other non-underlying items

Profit/(loss) from operations
Investment income
Finance costs
Profit before taxation

Construction
Services
2016 
£m

Support 
Services
2016 
£m

Infrastructure
Investments
2016 
£m

Corporate 
activities
2016 
£m

Total
2016 
£m

Rail 
Germany
2016 
£m

Certain 
legacy ES 
contracts
2016 
£m

150

(12)
138
1

–
1

3

–
3
(6)

–
(6)

6,852

1,103

(1,381)
5,471
(50)

(27)
1,076
33

27
(23)

(6)

1

(3)
(26)
(34)
(57)

1
34

–

–

–
(12)
(12)
22

575

(340)
235
62

27
89

–

–

(6)
–
(6)
83

–

8,530

–
–
(33)

–
(33)

–

–

–
–
–
(33)

(1,748)
6,782
12

55
67

(6)

1

(9)
(38)
(52)
15
75
(82)
8

^ Presented before non-underlying items for underlying operations (Notes 2.10 and 10).

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016121

Total
2015 
£m

8,444

(1,489)
6,955

Certain 
legacy ES 
contracts
2015 
£m

30

–
30
(8)

–
(8)

5 Segment analysis continued
5.1 Total Group continued

Income statement – performance by 
activity from continuing operations

Revenue including share of joint ventures 
and associates
Share of revenue of joint ventures 
and associates
Group revenue
Group operating profit/(loss)^
Share of results of joint ventures 
and associates
Profit/(loss) from operations^
Non-underlying items
– include results from certain legacy ES 
contracts within Construction Services

– include results from Rail Germany 

within Construction Services

– amortisation of acquired intangible 

assets

– other non-underlying items

Profit/(loss) from operations
Investment income
Finance costs
Loss before taxation

Construction
Services
2015 
£m

Support 
Services
2015 
£m

Infrastructure
Investments
2015 
£m

Corporate 
activities
2015 
£m

Total
2015 
£m

Rail 
Germany
2015 
£m

6,388

1,259

(1,168)
5,220
(234)

5
(229)

(8)

(2)

(4)
(37)
(51)
(280)

(25)
1,234
23

1
24

–

–

–
(13)
(13)
11

588

(278)
310
91

41
132

–

–

(6)
(4)
(10)
122

179

(18)
161
(3)

1
(2)

–

8,235

–
–
(33)

–
(33)

–

–

–
(2)
(2)
(35)

(1,471)
6,764
(153)

47
(106)

(8)

(2)

(10)
(56)
(76)
(182)
52
(69)
(199)

^ Presented before non-underlying items for underlying operations (Notes 2.10 and 10).

Assets and liabilities by activity

Due from construction contract customers
Due to construction contract customers
Inventories and non-construction work in progress
Trade and other receivables – current
Trade and other payables – current
Provisions – current
Working capital from continuing operations*

* Includes non-operating items and current working capital.

Total assets
Total liabilities
Net assets/(liabilities)

Assets and liabilities by activity

Due from construction contract customers
Due to construction contract customers
Inventories and non-construction work in progress
Trade and other receivables – current
Trade and other payables – current
Provisions – current
Working capital from continuing operations*

* Includes non-operating items and current working capital.

Total assets
Total liabilities
Net assets/(liabilities)

Construction 
Services
2016 
£m
247
(492)
30
882
(1,421)
(126)
(880)

Support 
Services
2016 
£m
133
(50)
47
93
(218)
(5)
–

Infrastructure 
Investments
2016 
£m
–
–
24
45
(57)
(3)
9

Corporate 
activities
2016 
£m
–
–
–
46
(56)
(13)
(23)

2,306
(2,534)
(228)

Construction 
Services
2015 
£m
234
(426)
51
687
(1,343)
(92)
(889)

476
(322)
154

Support 
Services
2015 
£m
145
(46)
67
104
(240)
(7)
23

1,080
(449)
631

Infrastructure 
Investments
2015 
£m
–
–
26
59
(59)
(7)
19

915
(710)
205

Corporate 
activities
2015 
£m
–
–
–
35
(58)
(20)
(43)

Total
2016 
£m
380
(542)
101
1,066
(1,752)
(147)
(894)

4,777
(4,015)
762

Total
2015 
£m
379
(472)
144
885
(1,700)
(126)
(890)

1,983
(2,141)
(158)

524
(326)
198

1,339
(586)
753

755
(718)
37

4,601
(3,771)
830

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report122

5 Segment analysis continued
5.1 Total Group continued

Other information – continuing operations

Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment (Note 16)
Depreciation (Note 16)
Gain on disposals of interests in investments (Note 32.2)

Other information – continuing operations

Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment2 (Note 16)
Depreciation (Note 16)
Gain on disposals of interests in investments (Note 32.2)

Construction 
Services
2016 
£m
17
14
–

Construction 
Services
2015 
£m
14
16
–

Support 
Services
2016 
£m
3
11
–

Infrastructure 
Investments
2016 
£m
14
2
65

Support 
Services
2015 
£m
12
16
–

Infrastructure 
Investments2
2015 
£m
10
2
95

Corporate 
activities
2016 
£m
7
3
–

Corporate 
activities
2015 
£m
–
1
–

Total
2016 
£m
41
30
65

Total2
2015 
£m
36
35
95

2 Re-presented to show assets that are held by the Group to generate rental income and/or capital appreciation separately from property, plant and equipment. These assets meet 

the definition of investment properties and have been reclassified accordingly. 

Performance by geographic destination – continuing operations

Revenue including share of joint ventures and associates
Share of revenue of joint ventures and associates
Group revenue

Non-current assets excluding financial assets and deferred tax assets

Performance by geographic destination – continuing operations

Revenue including share of joint ventures and associates
Share of revenue of joint ventures and associates
Group revenue

United 
Kingdom
2016 
£m
3,465
(202)
3,263

948

United 
Kingdom
2015 
£m
3,843
(185)
3,658

United 
States
2016 
£m
3,533
(104)
3,429

919

United  
States
2015 
£m
3,238
(170)
3,068

Rest of  
world
2016 
£m
1,685
(1,454)
231

Total
2016 
£m
8,683
(1,760)
6,923

140

2,007

Rest of  
world
2015 
£m
1,363
(1,134)
229

Total
2015 
£m
8,444
(1,489)
6,955

Non-current assets excluding financial assets and deferred tax assets

1,060

764

80

1,904

Major customers
Included in Group revenue are revenues from continuing operations of £1,359m (2015: £1,305m) from the US Government and £1,324m 
(2015: £1,426m) from the UK Government, which are the Group’s two largest customers. These revenues are included in the results across 
all three reported segments.

5.2 Infrastructure Investments

Underlying profit from operations1
UK^
North America
Infrastructure Fund
Gain on disposals of interests in investments

Bidding costs and overheads

Net assets/(liabilities)
UK^
North America
Infrastructure Fund
Infrastructure

Infrastructure Investments central functions
Non-recourse borrowings net of associated cash and cash 
equivalents (Note 26)
Total Infrastructure Investments net assets

Share of joint 
ventures and 
associates
(Note 18.2)+
2016 
£m
14
13
–
–
27
–
27

Group 
2016 
£m
6
16
–
65
87
(25)
62

261
117
–
6
384
–

(233)
151

334
146
–
–
480
–

–
480

Share of joint 
ventures and 
associates
(Note 18.2)+ 
2015 
£m
30
8
3
–
41
–
41

405
112
38
–
555
–

–
555

Group 
2015 
£m
3
17
–
95
115
(24)
91

410
146
–
9
565
(2)

(365)
198

Total 
2015 
£m
33
25
3
95
156
(24)
132

815
258
38
9
1,120
(2)

(365)
753

Total 
2016 
£m
20
29
–
65
114
(25)
89

595
263
–
6
864
–

(233)
631

+ The Group’s share of the results of joint ventures and associates is disclosed net of investment income, finance costs and taxation.
^ Including Singapore and Australia.
1 Before non-underlying items (Notes 2.10 and 10).

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 20166 Profit/(loss) from operations
6.1 Profit/(loss) from continuing operations is stated after charging/(crediting)

Research and development costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Net charge/(release) of trade receivables impairment provision
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of inventory
Impairment of intangible assets
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Cost of inventory recognised as an expense
Exchange gains and losses
Auditor’s remuneration
Short-term hire charges for plant and equipment
Other operating lease rentals

6.2 Analysis of auditor’s remuneration – continuing and discontinued operations

Services as auditor to the Company
Services as auditor to Group subsidiaries
Total audit fees
Audit-related assurance fees
Taxation advisory fees
Corporate finance fees
Other assurance fees
Total non-audit fees
Total fees in relation to audit and other services

123

2015  
£m
2
35
25
(3)
6
4
17
(1)
176
1
4
83
51

2015  
£m
1.1
2.8
3.9
0.3
0.2
0.2
–
0.7
4.6

2016  
£m
2
30
21
2
3
1
1
(5)
152
–
2
68
42

2016+
£m
0.5
1.5
2.0
0.4
–
–
0.1
0.5
2.5

+ The 2015 auditor’s remuneration for statutory audit services and audit-related assurance fees relate to amounts paid to Deloitte LLP. The 2016 amounts relate solely to fees paid to 

KPMG LLP.

7 Employee costs
7.1 Group 

Employee costs during the year
Wages and salaries
Underlying redundancy costs
Non-underlying redundancy costs (Note 10.1.4.1)
Social security costs
Pension costs (Note 28)
Share-based payments (Note 33)

Average number of Group employees
Construction Services
Support Services
Infrastructure Investments
Corporate
Continuing operations

2016 
£m
1,201
–
9
97
48
7
1,362

2016 
Number
13,974
6,841
1,524
111
22,450

2015 
£m
1,157
4
13
127
50
5
1,356

2015 
Number
14,368
7,311
1,509
128
23,316

At 31 December 2016, the total number of Group employees was 21,829 (2015: 23,123).

Detailed disclosures of items of remuneration, including those accruing under the Company’s equity-settled share-based payment 
arrangements can be found within the Remuneration Policy report on pages 84 to 99. 

7.2 Company 
The Company did not have any employees and did not incur any employee costs in the year (2015: £nil). Balfour Beatty Group Employment 
Ltd, which was established in February 2013, remains the employing entity for the Balfour Beatty Group’s UK employees.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report 
124

8 Investment income

Continuing operations
Subordinated debt interest receivable
Interest receivable on PPP financial assets
Gain on foreign currency deposits
Other interest receivable and similar income

9 Finance costs

Continuing operations
Non-recourse borrowings  – bank loans and overdrafts
Preference shares 

Convertible bonds 

US private placement 
Other interest payable 

– finance cost
– accretion
– finance cost
– accretion
– finance cost
– committed facilities
– letter of credit fees
– other finance charges

Net finance cost on pension scheme assets and obligations (Note 28.2)

2016 
£m
29
21
19
6
75

2016 
£m
24
12
2
5
7
13
4
3
8
4
82

2015 
£m
24
24
–
4
52

2015 
£m
19
11
2
5
6
11
5
3
4
3
69

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
 
 
 
10 Non-underlying items

Items (charged against)/credited to profit
10.1  Continuing operations
10.1.1   Trading results of Rail Germany (including £10m (2015: £13m) of other net operating expenses)
10.1.2  Results of certain legacy ES contracts
10.1.3  Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
10.1.4  Other non-underlying items:

– Build to Last transformation costs
– provision increases resulting from revised legal guidelines and settlements 
– release of Trans4m provisions on liquidation 
– provision increases resulting from reassessment of industrial disease related liabilities 
– gain on sale of Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Partners
– impairment of land/goodwill relating to Blackpool Airport
– gain on disposal of Signalling Solutions Ltd
– gain/(loss) on disposal and impairment of parts of Rail Germany 
– pension fund settlement gain 
– restructuring costs relating to Heery and Rail Germany 
– cost of implementing the shared service centre in the UK
– impairment of IT intangible asset

Total other non-underlying items from continuing operations

10.1.5   Share of results of joint ventures and associates:

– release of Trans4m provisions on liquidation
– Rail Germany

Non-underlying items credited/(charged) to share of results of joint ventures and associates
Charged against profit/(loss) before taxation from continuing operations
10.1.6  Tax on items above
Non-underlying items charged against profit/(loss) for the year from continuing operations
10.2  Discontinued operations
10.2.1  Other non-underlying items:

– gain on disposal of Parsons Brinckerhoff
– loss on disposal of Rail Italy

Credited to profit/(loss) before taxation from discontinued operations
10.2.2 Tax on items above
Non-underlying items credited to profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operations
Charged against profit/(loss) for the year

125

2016 
£m

2015 
£m

1
(6)
(9)

(14)
(25)
8
(14)
3
(3)
3
2
1
–
–
–
(39)
(53)

1
–
1
(52)
4
(48)

24
–
24
–
24
(24)

(3)
(8)
(10)

(23)
–
–
–
–
(4)
16
(10)
3
(9)
(8)
(17)
(52)
(73)

–
(3)
(3)
(76)
4
(72)

5
(4)
1
–
1
(71)

Continuing operations
10.1.1 Rail Germany was reclassified from discontinued operations in 2014 and has continued to be presented as part of the Group’s  
non-underlying items within continuing operations. Refer to Note 5. In 2016, the remaining parts of Rail Germany generated a profit before 
tax excluding share of joint ventures and associates of £1m (2015: £3m loss before tax). 

10.1.2 The Group has continued to present the results of certain external legacy Engineering Services (ES) contracts in non-underlying 
items. These contracts were classified as non-underlying items in 2014 as the performance of these contracts was linked to poor legacy 
management and in regions where ES has withdrawn from tendering for third-party work. Refer to Note 5. These contracts resulted in 
a loss before tax for the Group of £6m in 2016 (2015: £8m). No tax credit has been recognised on this loss. 

10.1.3 The amortisation of acquired intangible assets from continuing operations comprises: customer contracts £6m (2015: £6m); customer 
relationships £3m (2015: £3m); and brand names £nil (2015: £1m). These have been included as non-underlying items as they relate to costs 
arising on acquisition of businesses. 

The charge was recognised in the following segments: Construction Services £3m (2015: £4m) and Infrastructure Investments £6m 
(2015: £6m).

10.1.4.1 The Group launched its Build to Last transformation programme in February 2015. The transformation programme is aimed to 
drive continual improvement across all of the Group’s businesses and realise operational efficiencies. As a result of this programme, 
restructuring costs of £14m were incurred in 2016 relating to: Construction Services £12m; Support Services £1m; and Corporate £1m. 
These restructuring costs comprise: redundancy costs £9m; external advisers £2m; property-related costs £1m; and other restructuring 
costs £2m.

In 2015, the Group incurred restructuring costs of £23m relating to: Construction Services £14m; Support Services £6m; and Corporate 
£3m. These restructuring costs comprise: redundancy costs £13m; external advisers £5m; property-related costs £1m; and other 
restructuring costs £4m.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
126

10 Non-underlying items continued
Continuing operations continued
10.1.4.2 In 2016, potential liabilities on historical health and safety breaches were reassessed following new sentencing guidelines 
introduced and the settlement of other historical claims previously treated as non-underlying items. As a result of this, the Group has revised 
its legal provisioning levels relating to these items, recognising an expense of £25m. This has been presented as non-underlying because 
its size would otherwise distort the underlying financial performance achieved by the Group and the events giving rise to these expenses 
occurred in prior years. 

The charge was recognised in the following segments: Construction Services £13m and Support Services £12m.

10.1.4.3 In 2016, the Group has released all remaining provisions relating to Trans4m Ltd (Trans4m) amounting to £9m, £1m of which 
has been recognised at the joint venture level. Trans4m was an equal joint operation between Balfour Beatty and three other partner 
shareholders and was contracted to Metronet as part of the London Underground PPP. The provisions were originally recorded in non-
underlying items in 2007. Trans4m went into creditors’ voluntary liquidation on 27 June 2016.

The credit was recognised in the following segments: Construction Services £8m and Support Services £1m. 

10.1.4.4 In 2016, the Group commissioned a revised independent actuarial report on its exposure to industrial disease related liabilities. 
These are mostly for asbestos-related claims in relation to events pre-1972 which are not insured by the Financial Services Compensation 
Scheme. As a result of the findings within this report, the Group has increased its provision held with respect to industrial disease related 
liabilities, resulting in a £14m charge to the income statement. This has been presented as non-underlying because its size would otherwise 
distort the underlying financial performance achieved by the Group and the events giving rise to these liabilities occurred in prior years. 
The entire charge was recognised within Construction Services. 

10.1.4.5 In 2016, the Group disposed of its interest in Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Partners, comprising its 17.8% interest in the 
Infrastructure Fund and 100% interest in the fund’s advisor. Initial consideration of £48m was received, resulting in a gain of £3m to the 
Group. Refer to Notes 32.2.4 and 32.2.5.

10.1.4.6 In 2016, an impairment of £3m was recognised on land held at Blackpool Airport. The land was originally held in connection with the 
Group’s former operation of the airport. In 2015, goodwill amounting to £4m in relation to Blackpool Airport was fully written down.

10.1.4.7 On 27 May 2015, the Group disposed of its 50% interest in Signalling Solutions Ltd (SSL) for a cash consideration of £18m, resulting 
in a £16m gain in 2015. In 2016, additional consideration received resulted in a further gain of £2m being reported. In addition to this, a £1m 
pension settlement gain arose as a result of transferring pension liabilities relating to the employees of SSL to the new employer. This gain 
was recognised within Construction Services. 

10.1.4.8 In September 2016, the Group completed the disposal of parts of Rail Germany to Tianjin Keyvia Electric Co Ltd for a cash 
consideration of £15m. Refer to Note 32.2.7. This sale resulted in a £2m gain as a result of recycling of foreign currency reserves. The related 
assets disposed were impaired by £11m in 2015 to reflect the value of the agreed consideration. £4m of that impairment was recognised at 
the joint venture level. Refer to Note 10.1.5.2.

In 2015, the Group disposed of other parts of Rail Germany to the Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group for a cash consideration of £9m resulting in a 
£3m loss in 2015. Refer to Notes 32.3.1 and 32.3.4.

10.1.4.9 A settlement gain of £1m (2015: £3m) was recognised in relation to commutation options offered by the Balfour Beatty Pension 
Fund since 2014. Refer to Note 28.

10.1.4.10 In 2015, following the disposal of Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) on 31 October 2014, the Group incurred £4m of costs relating to 
restructuring the continuing operations of Heery Inc. which was previously reliant on PB for its back office functions.

In 2015, additional restructuring costs of £5m were incurred in Rail Germany relating to the restructuring of overheads post completion of 
disposal of parts of the business. These restructuring costs comprise redundancy costs of £1m and other restructuring costs of £4m. 

Both Heery and Rail Germany are included within the Construction Services segment. 

10.1.4.11 In 2015, transitioning other operating companies to the UK shared service centre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and increasing the scope 
led to incremental costs of £8m.

10.1.4.12 In 2015, an impairment charge of £17m was recorded to write down intangible assets in relation to costs capitalised in the 
transformation of the Group’s UK IT estate from a federated to a more centralised model. Refer to Note 15. 

The charge was recognised in the following segments: Construction Services £9m; Support Services £7m; and Corporate £1m. 

10.1.5.1 Refer to Note 10.1.4.3.

10.1.5.2 In 2016, the joint venture within Rail Germany generated a trading gain of £nil for the Group (2015: £1m gain). In addition to this, in 
2015, a £4m impairment charge was recognised on the joint venture following an agreement to sell parts of Rail Germany to Tianjin Keyvia 
Electric Co Ltd. Refer to Note 10.1.4.8. 

10.1.6 The non-underlying items charged against Group operating profit from continuing operations gave rise to a tax credit of £4m 
comprising: £3m tax credit on amortisation of acquired intangible assets; £3m charge on the results of Rail Germany; and £4m credit on 
other non-underlying items (2015: £4m comprising: £2m charge on the results of Rail Germany; £4m credit on amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets; and £2m credit on other non-underlying items).

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016127

10 Non-underlying items continued 
Discontinued operations
10.2.1.1 In 2015, the Group finalised the cash consideration due on the disposal of Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) amounting to additional 
consideration for the Group of £16m of which £7m was recognised as a receivable at the date of disposal in the prior period. In accordance 
with the stock purchase agreement, the Group received cash of £20m relating to historical tax matters (£16m of which was recognised as a 
current tax receivable in the prior period) and the Group also released an indemnity provision relating to an historical legal claim of £3m which 
was successfully settled during the period. Offsetting this additional non-underlying gain on disposal were separation costs incurred during 
the period of £4m, of which £2m were paid during the period, and the write-off of a deferred tax asset of £7m resulting in an overall net gain 
of £5m. Transaction costs of £9m, which were accrued in the prior period, were paid in the year. 

Subsequently in 2016, the Group reached a settlement with the purchaser of PB in relation to outstanding tax matters and indemnities. 
The Group received an additional £9m as a result of this settlement. At the same time, provisions in relation to these matters have been 
released, resulting in an overall gain to the Group of £24m. Refer to Note 32.2.10.

10.2.1.2 On 11 March 2015, as part of the ongoing process to exit the Mainland European rail businesses, the Group disposed of Rail Italy for 
a cash consideration of £5m, resulting in a £4m loss being recognised in the year. Refer to Note 32.3.3. 

10.2.2 The non-underlying items credited to profit from discontinued operations gave rise to a tax charge of £nil (2015: £nil).

11 Income taxes
11.1 Income tax expense

Continuing operationsx
Total UK tax
Total non-UK tax
Total tax charge/(credit)
UK current tax
– current tax on profits for the year at 20% (2015: 20.25%)
– adjustments in respect of previous periods

Non-UK current tax
– current tax on profits for the year
– adjustments in respect of previous periods

Total current tax 
UK deferred tax
– origination and reversal of temporary differences 
– adjustments in respect of previous periods
– UK corporation tax rate change

Non-UK deferred tax
– origination and reversal of temporary differences
– adjustments in respect of previous periods

Total deferred tax

Total tax charge/(credit) from continuing operations

x Excluding joint ventures and associates.
1 Before non-underlying items (Notes 2.10 and 10).

Underlying
 items1
2016 
£m
2
10
12

Non-
underlying 
 items  
(Note 10) 
2016 
 £m
–
(4)
(4)

Total  
2016 
£m
2
6
8

Total  
2015 
£m
15
(8)
7

(1)
(6)
(7)

1
(9)
(8)

(15)

9
3
(3)
9

13
5
18

27

12

–
–
–

2
(1)
1

1

–
–
–
–

(5)
–
(5)

(5)

(4)

(1)
(6)
(7)

3
(10)
(7)

(14)

9
3
(3)
9

8
5
13

22

8

3
(5)
(2)

4
(5)
(1)

(3)

8
4
5
17

(12)
5
(7)

10

7

The standard rate of corporation tax in the UK was 20% during the year. The rate will be reduced to 19% with effect from 1 April 2017, with 
a further reduction to 17% from 1 April 2020. These changes were all substantively enacted prior to the end of the year. The net impact of 
these rate changes was a £3m credit (2015: £5m charge) to the income statement and a £nil charge (2015: £2m) to equity.

The Group tax charge excludes amounts for joint ventures and associates (refer to Note 18.2), except where tax is levied at the Group level.

In addition to the Group tax charge, tax of £16m is credited (2015: £49m) directly to other comprehensive income, comprising: a deferred 
tax credit of £1m for subsidiaries (2015: £16m); and a deferred tax credit in respect of joint ventures and associates of £15m (2015: £33m). 
Refer to Note 30.1. 

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report128

11 Income taxes continued
11.1 Income tax expense continued
The UK Government has confirmed its intention to introduce restrictions on the utilisation of brought forward tax losses from 1 April 2017. 
This legislation has not yet been substantively enacted and hence has not been taken into account in assessing the recognition of UK 
deferred tax assets at 31 December 2016. Pending finalisation of this legislation, its impact on both tax expense and cash tax payable in 
future periods will continue to be assessed.

11.2 Income tax reconciliation

Continuing operations
Profit/(loss) before taxation
Less: share of results of joint ventures and associates
Loss before taxation
Add: non-underlying items charged excluding share of joint ventures and associates
Underlying profit/(loss) before taxation and the results of joint ventures and associates1
Tax on profit/(loss) before taxation at standard UK corporation tax rate of 20% (2015: 20.25%)
Adjusted for the effects of: 
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes and other permanent items 
Non-taxable disposals+
Tax levied at Group level on share of joint ventures’ and associates’ profits#
Preference share dividends not deductible
Deferred tax assets not recognised^
Effect of tax rates in non-UK jurisdictions
UK corporation tax rate change
Adjustments in respect of previous periods
Total tax charge on underlying profit/(loss)
Less: tax credit on non-underlying items
Total tax charge on profit/(loss) from continuing operations

2016 
£m
8
(56)
(48)
53
5
1

5
(13)
11
2
12
4
(3)
(7)
12
(4)
8

2015 
£m
(199)
(44)
(243)
73
(170)
(34)

5
(19)
9
2
50
(6)
5
(1)
11
(4)
7

+ These gains on disposal are not taxable due to availability of exemptions and use of capital losses.
# These are mainly in connection with US and Canadian joint ventures and associates where tax is levied at the Group level rather than within the share of joint ventures 

and associates.

^ Deferred tax was not recognised on certain losses where we do not currently expect to be able to recover these amounts against future forecasted taxable profits.
1 Before non-underlying items (Notes 2.10 and 10).

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201612 Earnings per ordinary share
Earnings

Continuing operations
Earnings/(loss)
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets – net of tax credit of £3m (2015: £4m)
Other non-underlying items – net of tax credit of £1m (2015: £nil)
Underlying earnings/(loss)
Discontinued operations
Earnings
Other non-underlying items 
Underlying loss
Total operations
Earnings/(loss)
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets – net of tax credit of £3m (2015: £4m)
Other non-underlying items – net of tax credit of £1m (2015: £nil)
Underlying earnings/(loss)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Earnings per share

Continuing operations
Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Other non-underlying items
Underlying earnings/(loss) per ordinary share
Discontinued operations
Earnings per ordinary share
Other non-underlying items
Underlying loss per ordinary share
Total operations
Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Other non-underlying items
Underlying earnings/(loss) per ordinary share

13 Dividends on ordinary shares

Proposed dividends for the year
Interim – current year
Final – current year

Recognised dividends for the year
Final – prior year
Interim – current year

129

Diluted 
2015 
£m

(206)
6
66
(134)

–
(1)
(1)

(206)
6
65
(135)

Diluted 
2015 
m
682

Diluted 
2015 
Pence

(30.2)
0.8
9.7
(19.7)

0.1
(0.2)
(0.1)

(30.1)
0.8
9.5
(19.8)

Basic 
2016 
£m

Diluted 
2016 
£m

–
6
42
48

24
(24)
–

24
6
18
48

–
6
42
48

24
(24)
–

24
6
18
48

Basic 
2016 
m
680

Diluted 
2016 
m
684

Basic 
2016 
Pence

Diluted 
2016 
Pence

–
0.9
6.1
7.0

3.5
(3.5)
–

3.5
0.9
2.6
7.0

–
0.9
6.1
7.0

3.5
(3.5)
–

3.5
0.9
2.6
7.0

Basic 
2015 
£m

(206)
6
66
(134)

–
(1)
(1)

(206)
6
65
(135)

Basic 
2015 
m
682

Basic 
2015 
Pence

(30.2)
0.8
9.7
(19.7)

0.1
(0.2)
(0.1)

(30.1)
0.8
9.5
(19.8)

Per share 
2016 
Pence

Amount 
2016 
£m

Per share 
2015 
Pence

Amount 
2015 
£m

–
–
–

0.9
1.8
2.7

6
12
18

–
6
6

–
–
–

–
–
–

There were no proposed or recognised dividends for 2015. The Board took the decision to suspend the dividend in 2015, to ensure balance 
sheet strength was maintained during the initial stages of Build to Last. Following the demonstrable progress made by the Group in the first 
year of the transformation programme and in the expectation of further solid and measurable improvements, the Board is recommending 
a final dividend of 1.8p, following the interim dividend declared at the half year of 0.9p. The Board continues to anticipate a progressive 
dividend policy going forward.

The interim 2016 dividend was paid on 2 December 2016. Subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting on 18 May 2017, the final 2016 
dividend will be paid on 7 July 2017 to holders on the register on 21 April 2017 by direct credit or, where no mandate has been given, by 
cheque posted on 6 July 2017 payable on 7 July 2017. The ordinary shares will be quoted ex-dividend on 20 April 2017.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report130

14 Intangible assets – goodwill

At 1 January 2015
Currency translation differences
Impairment charges in respect of Blackpool Airport (Note 10.1.4.6)
At 31 December 2015
Currency translation differences
Additions (Note 32.1)
Disposals
At 31 December 2016

Carrying amounts of goodwill by segment

Construction Services
Support Services
Infrastructure Investments
Group

Carrying amounts of goodwill by cash-generating unit

UK Regional and Engineering Services
Balfour Beatty Construction Group Inc.
Rail UK
Gas & Water
Balfour Beatty Communities US
Other
Group total

Accumulated 
impairment 
losses  
£m
(151)
2
(4)
(153)
(25)
–
5
(173)

Cost  
£m
977
20
–
997
116
2
(5)
1,110

United 
Kingdom 
£m
260
131
–
391

United 
States 
£m
492
–
54
546

2016

Total 
£m
752
131
54
937

United 
Kingdom 
£m
260
129
–
389

United 
States 
£m
410
–
45
455

Carrying 
amount  
£m
826
22
(4)
844
91
2
–
937

2015

Total 
£m
670
129
45
844

2016
Pre-tax 
discount rate 
%
10.2
12.6
10.4
10.2
12.6
10.2–12.8

£m
248
452
68
58
54
57
937

2015
Pre-tax 
discount rate
£m
%
248
10.2
377
12.6
66
10.4
58
10.3
12.6
45
50 10.3–12.7

844

The recoverable amount of goodwill is based on value-in-use, a key input of which is forecast cash flows. The Group’s cash flow forecasts 
are based on the expected workload of each cash-generating unit (CGU), giving consideration to the current level of confirmed and 
anticipated orders. Cash flow forecasts for the next three years are based on the Group’s Three Year Plan, which covers the period from 
2017 to 2019 and includes the stabilisation and recovery of the Construction Services UK business to more normal levels of performance. 
The cash flow forecasts for each CGU were compiled from each of its constituent business units as part of the Group’s annual financial 
planning process.

Whilst it is anticipated that growth will remain stable in the UK buildings sector, tender margins will improve as there will be an increased 
selectivity to drive a higher quality project portfolio. The Group is well positioned in the UK infrastructure market for major schemes and 
regulatory spending uplift. It is anticipated that the US construction market will continue to improve, as will tender margins which will also 
be driven by increased selectivity of projects. In the Support Services segment, market conditions are anticipated to be stable in the UK. 
The Support Services business has a portfolio of long-term contracts and has secured the majority of its workload for the forecast period.

The other key inputs in assessing each CGU are its long-term growth rate and discount rate. The discount rates have been calculated 
using the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) method, which takes account of the Group’s capital structure (financial risk) as well 
as the nature of each CGU’s business (operational risk). Long-term growth rates are assumed to be the estimated future GDP growth rates 
based on published independent forecasts for the country or countries in which each CGU operates, less 1.0% to reflect current economic 
uncertainties and their consequent estimated effect on public sector spending on infrastructure.

In the derivation of each CGU’s value-in-use, a terminal value is assumed based on a multiple of earnings before interest and tax. 
The multiple is applied to a terminal cash flow, which is the normalised cash flow in the last year of the forecast period. The EBIT multiple 
is calculated using the Gordon Growth Model and is a factor of the discount rate and growth rate for each CGU. The nominal terminal value 
is discounted to present value.

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
14 Intangible assets – goodwill continued

UK Regional and Engineering Services
Balfour Beatty Construction Group Inc
Rail UK
Gas & Water
Balfour Beatty Communities US 
Other

Inflation rate
%
1.8
1.9
1.8
1.8
1.9
1.9

Real growth 
rate
%
1.1
1.5
1.1
1.1
1.5
1.4

2016
Nominal 
long-term 
growth rate 
applied 
%
2.9
3.4
2.9
2.9
3.4
3.3

Inflation rate
%
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6

Real growth 
rate
%
1.2
1.7
1.2
1.2
1.7
1.7

131

2015
Nominal 
long-term 
growth rate 
applied 
%
2.8
3.3
2.8
2.8
3.3
3.3

Sensitivities
The Group’s impairment review is sensitive to changes in the key assumptions used. The major assumptions that result in significant 
sensitivities are the discount rate and the long-term growth rate.

Using a pre-tax discount rate of 12.6% and nominal long-term growth rate of 3.4% the recoverable amount of the remaining goodwill in 
Balfour Beatty Construction Group Inc. is £594m based on value-in-use, with consequent headroom of £142m. A 1.0% increase in the 
discount rate and a 1.0% reduction in the growth rate would lead to an impairment of £41m.

Except as noted above, a reasonable possible change in key assumptions will not give rise to an impairment in any of the Group’s CGUs. 

In light of the significant, albeit reduced, losses incurred within the construction business in 2016 the Group has considered whether a 
reasonable possible change in assumptions would lead to an impairment of the goodwill in the related CGUs and concluded that it is not the 
case. The stabilisation and recovery of the Group’s Construction Services UK business to more normal levels of performance is however a 
key assumption underpinning the cash flow forecasts used to assess the recoverable amount of the related goodwill.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report132

15 Intangible assets – other

Cost
At 1 January 2015
Currency translation differences
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2015
Currency translation differences
Transfers 
Additions
Removal of fully amortised intangible asset 
Disposal of BBIP Advisor (Notes 32.2.5 and 32.2.11)
Disposal of parts of Rail Germany (Notes 32.2.7 and 32.2.11)
At 31 December 2016
Accumulated amortisation
At 1 January 2015
Currency translation differences
Charge for the year 
Impairment charge 
Disposals 
At 31 December 2015
Currency translation differences
Charge for the year 
Impairment charge
Removal of fully amortised intangible asset 
Disposal of BBIP Advisor (Notes 32.2.5 and 32.2.11)
Disposal of parts of Rail Germany (Notes 32.2.7 and 32.2.11)
At 31 December 2016
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 2015

Customer
contracts
£m

Customer
relationships
£m

Brand
names
£m

Infrastructure
Investments
intangible
£m

Software
and other
£m

201
10
–
(4)
207
39
–
1
(9)
–
–
238

(122)
(6)
(6)
–
4
(130)
(25)
(6)
–
9
–
–
(152)

86
77

57
2
–
–
59
9
1
–
(19)
–
–
50

(38)
(1)
(3)
–
–
(42)
(5)
(3)
–
19
–
–
(31)

19
17

23
–
–
(2)
21
–
(1)
–
(16)
–
–
4

(20)
–
(1)
–
2
(19)
(1)
–
–
16
–
–
(4)

–
2

49
–
23
–
72
–
–
6
–
–
–
78

–
–
(1)
–
–
(1)
–
(1)
–
–
–
–
(2)

76
71

110
–
20
–
130
2
–
4
(4)
(4)
(3)
125

(44)
–
(14)
(17)
–
(75)
(2)
(11)
(1)
4
1
3
(81)

44
55

Total
£m

440
12
43
(6)
489
50
–
11
(48)
(4)
(3)
495

(224)
(7)
(25)
(17)
6
(267)
(33)
(21)
(1)
48
1
3
(270)

225
222

In 2013, the Group reached financial close on a student accommodation project in which the Group has demand risk and therefore, 
under IFRIC 12 Service Concession Arrangements, recognises an intangible asset as Infrastructure Investments intangible. The project to 
design, build and maintain postgraduate accommodation at the University of Edinburgh is nearing completion of the construction phase, with 
the first rooms occupied by students from September 2015. Additional spend of £6m (2015: £23m) was incurred in the year in respect of 
this project. 

In 2015, an impairment charge of £17m was recognised against software intangible assets relating to costs capitalised in the transformation 
of the Group’s UK IT estate from a federated to a more centralised model. Due to curtailments in the scope of the implementation and the 
Group’s termination of its agreement with its implementation partner, future benefits expected to be generated from this asset are reduced. 
The impairment was recognised as a non-underlying charge. Refer to Note 10.1.4.12.

Intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their expected useful lives, which are one to four years for customer contracts, 
three to 10 years for customer relationships, three to seven years for software, and up to five years for brand names, except for customer 
contracts and relationships relating to Balfour Beatty Investments North America which are amortised on a basis matching the returns earned 
over the life of the underlying contracts and relationships. These contracts have a duration of up to 50 years for customer contracts relating to 
Balfour Beatty Investments North America.

The Infrastructure Investments intangible is amortised on a straight-line basis over the life of the project which is 50 years. 

Software assets recognised in the UK are amortised on a basis matching its usage profile over its seven-year life. The Group’s remaining 
knowledge sharing and collaboration software is amortised on a basis matching its usage profile over its five-year life. Other intangible 
assets are amortised over periods up to 10 years.

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201616 Property, plant and equipment
16.1 Movements

Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2015
Currency translation differences
Transfers
Additions2 
Disposals 
At 31 December 20152
Currency translation differences
Transfers
Additions 
Disposals 
Disposal of parts of Rail Germany (Notes 32.2.7 and 32.2.11)
At 31 December 2016
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 January 2015
Currency translation differences
Charge for the year 
Impairment charge
Disposals 
At 31 December 2015
Currency translation differences
Transfers
Charge for the year 
Impairment charge
Disposals 
Disposal of parts of Rail Germany (Notes 32.2.7 and 32.2.11)
At 31 December 2016
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 20152

133

Total2
£m

467
4
–
36
(31)
476
35
–
41
(52)
(30)
470

(296)
(1)
(35)
(6)
25
(313)
(20)
–
(30)
(3)
48
29
(289)

181
163

Land and
buildings
£m

Plant and
equipment
£m

Infrastructure
leasehold
improvements
£m

Assets in
the course of
construction2
£m

69
1
–
6
(3)
73
6
12
10
(4)
(4)
93

(34)
–
(5)
(2)
2
(39)
(3)
(6)
(7)
(3)
4
4
(50)

43
34

362
2
2
21
(28)
359
19
(12)
17
(48)
(26)
309

(262)
(1)
(29)
(4)
23
(273)
(16)
6
(22)
–
44
25
(236)

73
86

34
1
–
–
–
35
8
25
–
–
–
68

–
–
(1)
–
–
(1)
(1)
–
(1)
–
–
–
(3)

65
34

2
–
(2)
9
–
9
2
(25)
14
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
9

2 Re-presented to show assets that are held by the Group to generate rental income and/or capital appreciation separately from property, plant and equipment. These assets meet 

the definition of investment properties and have been reclassified as such. 

Infrastructure leasehold improvements comprise student accommodation projects in Iowa and Reno. The Group commenced construction 
of Phase 2 of the student accommodation project in Iowa in 2015 resulting in capital expenditure of £14m in the year (2015: £9m). 
Construction on this phase was completed in 2016 and was therefore transferred out of assets in the course of construction to be classified 
within infrastructure leasehold improvements. All buildings are held under short leaseholds and are depreciated over 40 years.

The carrying amount of the Group’s plant and equipment held under finance leases was £1m (2015: £1m). The Company has no property, 
plant and equipment held under finance leases.

Except for land and assets in the course of construction, the costs of property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis 
over their expected useful lives. Buildings are depreciated at 2.5% per annum or over the term of the lease, and plant and equipment is 
depreciated at 4% to 33% per annum.

16.2 Analysis of carrying amount of land and buildings

Freehold
Long leasehold – over 50 years unexpired
Short leasehold

Group 
2016  
£m
20
1
22
43

Group 
2015  
£m
15
1
18
34

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report134

17 Investment properties 

Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2015
Additions2 
At 31 December 20152
Additions 
At 31 December 2016

Accumulated 
depreciation2
£m

Cost2
£m

Carrying 
amount2
£m

–
4
4
32
36

–
–
–
–
–

–
4
4
32
36

2 Re-presented to show assets that are held by the Group to generate rental income and/or capital appreciation separately from property, plant and equipment. These assets meet 

the definition of investment properties and have been reclassified accordingly. 

Investment properties are held by the Group to generate rental income and capital appreciation. The Group has chosen to account for its 
investment property assets under the cost method. For one of its investment properties, the Group has secured non-recourse project 
specific financing amounting to £18m (2015: £nil). This financing is secured through a floating charge over the property. 

In 2015, the amounts held as investment properties solely related to the purchase of land on which construction has commenced in 2016. 
All of the additions disclosed in the table above relate to capital expenditure on these properties which are in the course of construction and 
are not yet operational. 

No depreciation is charged on investment properties that are in the course of construction. The fair value of the Group’s investment 
properties at 31 December 2016 approximates the carrying value as these assets are still under construction. The Group did not generate 
any rental income from these properties as these assets are still under construction (2015: £nil). 

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201618 Investments in joint ventures and associates
18.1 Movements

At 1 January 2015
Currency translation differences
Income recognised+ 
Fair value revaluation of PPP financial assets (Note 30.1)
Fair value revaluation of cash flow hedges (Note 30.1)
Actuarial movements on retirement benefit obligations (Note 30.1)
Tax on items taken directly to equity (Note 30.1)
Dividends
Capital repayment during the period 
Additions
Disposals
Fair value of retained interest in Thanet
Loans advanced
Loans repaid
Capital calls
Reclassify negative investment in Dutco# to provisions (Note 25)
At 31 December 2015
Currency translation differences
Income recognised 
Fair value revaluation of PPP financial assets (Note 30.1)
Fair value revaluation of cash flow hedges (Note 30.1)
Actuarial movements on retirement benefit obligations (Note 30.1)
Tax on items taken directly to equity (Note 30.1)
Dividends
Additions
Capital calls
Disposals
Fair value of retained interest in the five streetlighting projects
Loans advanced
Reclassify additional losses incurred on negative investment in Dutco# to provisions  
(Note 25)
At 31 December 2016

Net assets
£m
545
8
41
(170)
21
(4)
33
(67)
(7)
19
(20)
10
–
–
–
9
418
45
57
10
(92)
1
15
(40)
12
–
(7)
4
–

3
426

Loans 
£m
194
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(26)
4
45
(2)
–
–
215
–
(1)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(33)
4
17

–
202

Infrastructure
Fund
£m
20
2
3
–
–
–
–
(2)
–
–
–
–
–
–
15
–
38
5
–
–
–
–
–
(3)
–
8
(48)
–
–

–
–

135

Total 
£m
759
10
44
(170)
21
(4)
33
(69)
(7)
19
(46)
14
45
(2)
15
9
671
50
56
10
(92)
1
15
(43)
12
8
(88)
8
17

3
628

+ Represents gain on fair value movements for the Infrastructure Fund.
# Represents the combined results of BK Gulf LLC and Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC as both joint ventures have common ownership and report under the same management structure.

The principal joint ventures and associates are shown in Note 39. 

The amount of the Group’s share of borrowings of joint ventures and associates which was supported by the Group and the Company was 
£17m (2015: £20m), relating to the Group’s share of guaranteed borrowings. 

The non-recourse borrowings of joint venture and associate entities relating to infrastructure concessions projects are repayable over 
periods extending up to 2044. The non-recourse borrowings arise under facilities taken out by project-specific joint venture and associate 
concession companies. The borrowings of each concession company are secured by a combination of fixed and floating charges over that 
concession company’s interests in its project’s assets and revenues and the shares in the concession company held by its immediate parent 
company. A significant part of these loans has been swapped into fixed rate debt by the use of interest rate swaps.

As disclosed in Note 39(f), the Group has committed to provide its share of further equity funding of joint ventures and associates in 
Infrastructure Investments’ projects and military housing concessions. Further, in respect of a number of these investments the Group has 
committed not to dispose of its equity interest until construction is complete. As is customary in such projects, banking covenants restrict 
the payment of dividends and other distributions.

The Group has recognised losses in relation to Dutco# in excess of the carrying value of its investment as the Group has constructive 
obligations to provide further funding to make good these losses. At 31 December 2016, these losses amounted to £12m (2015: £9m) 
and have been classified as other provisions. Refer to Notes 18.4 and 25. 

As detailed in Note 37, on 26 January 2017 the Group reached agreement to sell its 49% interests in Dutco# to its joint venture partner. 
The sale subsequently completed on 1 March 2017.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report136

18 Investments in joint ventures and associates continued
18.2 Share of results and net assets of joint ventures and associates

Income statement – continuing operations
Revenue1
Underlying operating profit1
Investment income
Finance costs
Profit before taxation1
Taxation
Profit after taxation before non-underlying items
Share of results within non-underlying items
Profit after taxation
Balance sheet
Non-current assets
Intangible assets  – goodwill

– Infrastructure Investments intangible
– other

Property, plant and equipment
Investment properties
Investments in joint ventures and associates
PPP financial assets
Military housing projects
Other non-current assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Borrowings 
Other current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings 
Other non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets

– non-recourse

– non-recourse

Construction
Services+
2016 
£m
1,381
29
2
(1)
30
(3)
27
1
28

Support 
Services 
2016 
£m
27
1
–
–
1
–
1
–
1

Infrastructure Investments
North 
America 
2016  
£m
120
15
7
(9)
13
–
13
–
13

Total 
2016  
£m
340
21
133
(123)
31
(4)
27
–
27

UK^
2016  
£m
220
6
126
(114)
18
(4)
14
–
14

35
–
3
29
–
4
–
–
44

392
272
779

(51)
(527)

–
(57)
(635)
144

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
4
4

–
–

–
–
–
4

–
19
12
33
–
–
1,941
–
24

203
69
2,301

(23)
(148)

(1,520)
(276)
(1,967)
334

–
–
–
–
61
–
188
121
–

35
2
407

–
19
12
33
61
–
2,129
121
24

238
71
2,708

–
(39)

(217)
(5)
(261)
146

(23)
(187)

(74)
(714)

(1,737)
(281)
(2,228)
480

(1,737)
(338)
(2,863)
628

Total 
2016  
£m
1,748
51
135
(124)
62
(7)
55
1
56

35
19
15
62
61
4
2,129
121
68

630
347
3,491

^ Including Singapore and Australia.
+ Excludes the Group’s share of the balance sheets of BK Gulf LLC and Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC as this is presented within provisions as set out in Note 18.1.
1 Before non-underlying items (Notes 2.10 and 10).

The Group’s investment in military housing joint ventures’ and associates’ projects is recognised at its remaining equity investment plus the 
value of the Group’s accrued returns from the underlying projects. The military housing joint ventures and associates have total non-recourse 
net borrowings of £2,710m (2015: £2,249m). Note 39(e) details the Group’s military housing projects.

On certain Infrastructure Investments concessions where net fair value revaluations of PPP financial assets and cash flow hedges resulted 
in the Group’s carrying value of these investments being negative, the Group has not recognised losses beyond the carrying value of its 
investments. This is because the Group has not committed to provide any further funding to these investments and the borrowings within 
these concessions are non-recourse to the Group. At 31 December 2016, the unrecognised cumulative net fair value charges to other 
comprehensive income amounted to £19m (2015: £24m). 

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
 
 
 
18 Investments in joint ventures and associates continued
18.2 Share of results and net assets of joint ventures and associates continued

Income statement – continuing operations
Revenue1
Underlying operating profit1
Investment income
Finance costs
Profit before taxation1
Taxation
Profit after taxation before non-underlying items
Share of results within non-underlying items
Profit after taxation
Balance sheet
Non-current assets
Intangible assets  – goodwill

– Infrastructure Investments intangible
– other

Property, plant and equipment2
Investment properties2
Investments in joint ventures and associates
PPP financial assets
Military housing projects
Infrastructure Fund investment
Other non-current assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Borrowings 
Borrowings 
Other current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings 
Other non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Reclassify net liabilities relating to Dutco# to provisions  
(Note 25)
Adjusted net assets

– recourse
– non-recourse

– non-recourse

Construction 
Services 
2015 
£m
1,168
8
2
(2)
8
(3)
5
(3)
2

Support 
Services 
2015 
£m
25
1
–
–
1
–
1
–
1

30
–
–
38
–
5
–
–
–
38

296
464
871

(20)
(19)
(642)

(23)
(64)
(768)
103

9
112

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
5
5

–
–
–

–
(1)
(1)
4

–
4

UK^
2015  
£m
187
8
160
(129)
39
(9)
30
–
30

–
25
11
26
–
–
2,159
–
–
25

204
62
2,512

–
(60)
(123)

(1,669)
(255)
(2,107)
405

–
405

137

Total 
2015  
£m
1,471
31
166
(138)
59
(12)
47
(3)
44

30
25
11
64
39
5
2,236
101
38
63

559
531
3,702

North 
America 
2015  
£m
91
11
4
(7)
8
–
8
–
8

Infrastructure Investments
Infrastructure
Fund 
2015  
£m
–
3
–
–
3
–
3
–
3

Total 
2015  
£m
278
22
164
(136)
50
(9)
41
–
41

–
–
–
–
39
–
77
101
–
–

59
–
276

–
–
(18)

(141)
(5)
(164)
112

–
112

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
38
–

–
–
38

–
–
–

–
–
–
38

–
38

–
25
11
26
39
–
2,236
101
38
25

263
62
2,826

–
(60)
(141)

(20)
(79)
(783)

(1,810)
(260)
(2,271)
555

(1,833)
(325)
(3,040)
662

–
555

9
671

^ Including Singapore and Australia.
# Represents the combined results of BK Gulf LLC and Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC as both joint ventures have common ownership and report under the same management structure.
1 Before non-underlying items (Notes 2.10 and 10).
2 Re-presented to show assets that are held by the Group to generate rental income and/or capital appreciation separately from property, plant and equipment. These assets meet 

the definition of investment properties and have been reclassified accordingly. 

18.3 Aggregate information of joint ventures and associates 

The Group’s share of profit from continuing operations
Aggregate carrying amount of the Group’s interest

The Group’s share of profit from continuing operations
Aggregate carrying amount of the Group’s interest

Joint 
ventures 
2016 
£m
46
504

Associates 
2016  
£m
10
124

Joint 
ventures 
2015 
£m
33
530

Associates 
2015  
£m
11
141

Total 
2016  
£m
56
628

Total 
2015 
£m
44
671

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report 
 
 
 
138

18 Investments in joint ventures and associates continued
18.4 Details of material joint ventures

Proportion of the Group’s ownership interest in the joint venture

Income statement – continuing operations
Revenue
Underlying operating (loss)/profit
Investment income
Finance costs
Income tax charge
(Loss)/profit and total comprehensive (loss)/income (100%)
Group’s share of (loss)/profit and total comprehensive (loss)/income
Dividends received by the Group during the year+

Balance sheet
Non-current assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Borrowings  
Borrowings  
Other current liabilities

– recourse
– non-recourse

Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Borrowings  
Other non-current liabilities (including shareholder loans)

– non-recourse

Net (liabilities)/assets (100%)#

Dutco^
2015 
£m
49%

Gammon@
2015 
£m
50%

2016 
£m
50%

372
(62)
–
(3)
–
(65)
(32)
–

1,940
25
12
(8)
(7)
22
11
–

1,597
38
11
(7)
(3)
39
20
9

Connect  
Plus 
(M25)

Ltd+,#
2015 
£m
40%

121
5
153
(100)
(10)
48
19
4

2016 
£m
40%

126
6
138
(104)
(7)
33
14
2

18

317

261

1,967

2,019

–
447
447

(412)
(14)
(41)
–
(18)
(485)

–
–
–
–
–
(20)

672
514
1,186

(807)
(52)
–
(109)
(94)
(1,062)

(76)
(17)
(116)
(45)
(254)
187

489
420
909

(563)
(40)
–
(94)
(111)
(808)

(63)
(22)
(111)
(37)
(233)
129

160
68
228

(66)
–
–
(6)
(47)
(119)

152
65
217

(41)
–
–
(22)
(42)
(105)

–
–
(1,044)
(605)
(1,649)
427

–
–
(1,075)
(543)
(1,618)
513

2016 
£m
49%

642
(1)
–
(2)
–
(3)
(2)
–

23

12
624
636

(605)
(26)
(35)
–
(19)
(685)

–
–
–
–
–
(26)

Reconciliation of the above summarised financial information to the carrying amount of the interest in the above joint ventures 
recognised in the consolidated financial statements:
Net (liabilities)/assets of joint venture (100%)
Group’s share of net (liabilities)/assets
Add: Group’s interest in shareholder loans
Goodwill
Carrying amount of the Group’s interest in the joint venture

(26)
(13)
–
1
(12)&

(20)
(10)
–
1
(9)&

427
171
78
–
249

187
94
–
32
126

129
65
–
27
92

513
205
78
–
283

^ Represents the combined results of BK Gulf LLC and Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC as both joint ventures have common ownership and report under the same management structure. 
@ Represents the combined results of Gammon China Ltd and Gammon Capital (West) Pte. Ltd as both joint ventures have common ownership and report under the same 

management structure. 

& The negative carrying amount of the Group’s interest in Dutco has been presented within provisions. Refer to Notes 18.1 and 25.
+ Re-presented to show the Group’s share of dividends received in the year. 
# Re-presented to include shareholder loans which is then adjusted for separately to arrive at the Group’s carrying amount of its interest in the joint venture. 

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201618 Investments in joint ventures and associates continued
18.5 Cash flow from/(to) joint ventures and associates

Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends from joint ventures and 
associates
Subordinated debt interest received
Investments in and loans to joint 
ventures and associates
Equity
Subordinated debt invested
Subordinated debt repaid
Other investments and loans
Short-term loans to joint ventures 
and associates
Capital repayment received 
Disposal of investments in joint 
ventures
Net cash flow from/(to) joint ventures 
and associates

^ Including Singapore and Australia.

Infrastructure Investments
Infra-
structure
Fund
2016
£m

North
America
2016
£m

UK^
2016
£m

Other
2016
£m

Total
2016
£m

Infrastructure Investments
Infra-
structure
Fund
2015
£m

North
America
2015
£m

UK^
2015
£m

5
19

(20)
(3)
(17)
–
–

–
–

108

112

12
–

(9)
(9)
–
–
–

–
–

–

3

3
–

(8)
(8)
–
–
–

–
–

47

42

23
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

2

25

43
19

(37)
(20)
(17)
–
–

–
–

157

182

34
16

(46)
(3)
(45)
2
–

–
7

104

115

9
–

(16)
(16)
–
–
–

–
–

–

2
–

(15)
–
–
–
(15)

–
–

–

(7)

(13)

139

Other
2015
£m

Total
2015
£m

24
–

–
–
–
–
–

(11)
–

21

34

69
16

(77)
(19)
(45)
2
(15)

(11)
7

125

129

18.6 Share of reserves of joint ventures and associates

At 1 January 2015
Currency translation differences
Income recognised 
Fair value revaluation of PPP financial assets
Fair value revaluation of cash flow hedges
Actuarial movements on retirement benefit liabilities
Tax on items taken directly to equity
Dividends
Recycling of revaluation reserves to the income statement on disposal
Transfer of reserves to retained earnings relating to businesses disposed
Reserves disposed
At 31 December 2015
Currency translation differences
Income recognised 
Fair value revaluation of PPP financial assets
Fair value revaluation of cash flow hedges
Actuarial movements on retirement benefit liabilities
Tax on items taken directly to equity
Dividends
Recycling of revaluation reserves to the income statement on disposal
Reserves disposed
At 31 December 2016

Accumulated 
profit/(loss) 
£m
135
–
44
–
–
(4)
(1)
(69)
–
–
(13)
92
–
56
–
–
1
–
(43)
(6)
(9)
91

Hedging 
reserve 
£m
(237)
–
–
–
21
–
(7)
–
26
(4)
–
(201)
–
–
–
(92)
–
14
–
81
–
(198)

PPP  
financial 
assets 
£m
422
–
–
(170)
–
–
41
–
(31)
20
–
282
–
–
10
–
–
1
–
(66)
–
227

Currency 
translation 
reserve
£m
20
3
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
23
41
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
64

Total  
(Note 30.1) 
£m
340
3
44
(170)
21
(4)
33
(69)
(5)
16
(13)
196
41
56
10
(92)
1
15
(43)
9
(9)
184

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report140

19 Investments
19.1 Group

At 1 January 2015
Currency translation differences
Additions  
Maturities/disposals  
At 31 December 2015
Currency translation differences
Fair value gains 
Additions  
Maturities/disposals  
At 31 December 2016

Available-  
for-sale 
investments 
in mutual 
funds  
£m
20
1
2
(3)
20
4
1
1
(3)
23

Held to 
maturity 
bonds  
£m
31
–
–
(7)
24
–
–
–
(2)
22

Total  
£m
51
1
2
(10)
44
4
1
1
(5)
45

The held to maturity bonds are held by the Group’s captive insurance company, Delphian Insurance Company Ltd, and comprise fixed rate 
bonds or treasury stock with an average yield to maturity of 0.73% (2015: 1.06%) and weighted average life of 2.1 years (2015: 1.4 years). 
The fair value of the bonds is £23m (2015: £26m), determined by the market price of the bonds at the reporting date. The maximum exposure 
to credit risk at 31 December 2016 is the carrying amount. These bonds have been pledged as security for letters of credit issued in respect  
of Delphian Insurance Company Ltd.

The available-for-sale investments in mutual funds comprise holdings in a number of funds, based on employees’ investment elections, 
in respect of the deferred compensation obligations of the Group as disclosed in Note 28. The fair value of the available-for-sale investments 
is £23m (2015: £20m), determined by the market price of the funds at the reporting date.

19.2 Company

Investment in subsidiaries^
Investment in joint ventures and associates+
Provisions

2016 
£m
1,800
–
(102)
1,698

2015 
£m
1,771
2
(102)
1,671

^ The movement in investment in subsidiaries of £29m in 2016 (2015: £100m) represents additional equity contributions made from the Company to its subsidiaries.
+ The movement in investment in joint ventures and associates of £2m in 2016 is due to the disposal by the Company of a 30% interest in Connect M1-A1 Holdings Ltd. 

The Company retains a 20% interest in Connect M1-A1 Holdings Ltd. Refer to Note 32.2.1.

20 PPP financial assets

At 1 January 2015
Income recognised in the income statement:
– construction contract margin
– interest income (Note 8)
Losses recognised in the statement of comprehensive income:
– fair value movements
Other movements:
– cash expenditure
– cash received
– disposal of interest in Thanet (Note 32.3.2)
At 31 December 2015
Income recognised in the income statement:
– interest income (Note 8)
Gains recognised in the statement of comprehensive income:
– fair value movements
Other movements:
– cash expenditure
– cash received
– disposal of interest in the five streetlighting projects (Notes 32.2.9 and 32.2.11)
At 31 December 2016

Economic
infrastructure+
£m
260

Social 
infrastructure+
£m
299

1
17

(8)

37
(24)
–
283

14

16

25
(28)
(279)
31

–
7

(5)

38
(6)
(214)
119

7

11

6
(11)
–
132

Total
£m
559

1
24

(13)

75
(30)
(214)
402

21

27

31
(39)
(279)
163

+ These categories have been renamed to provide a more appropriate classification of the Group’s PPP financial assets. Economic infrastructure primarily represents assets 

providing transportation networks. Social infrastructure primarily represents assets providing student accommodation, healthcare and fire and rescue services.

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201620 PPP financial assets continued
Assets constructed by PPP subsidiary concession companies are classified as available-for-sale financial assets and are denominated 
in sterling. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of the PPP financial assets.

In 2016, the Group disposed of 80% interests in five streetlighting projects and retained 20% interests. Refer to Note 32.2.9. In 2015, the 
Group disposed of an 80% interest in Thanet OFTO HoldCo Ltd (Thanet). Refer to Note 32.3.2.

There were no impairment provisions in 2016 or 2015.

21 Inventories

Unbilled non-construction work in progress
Raw materials and consumables
Development and housing land and work in progress
Finished goods and goods for resale

22 Construction contracts

Contracts in progress at reporting date
Due from construction contract customers
Due to construction contract customers

2016 
£m
36
29
32
4
101

2016  
£m 
380
(542)
(162)

The aggregate amount of costs incurred plus recognised profits less recognised losses for all contracts in progress that had not reached 
practical completion at the reporting date was £14,044m from total operations (2015: £12,840m).

141

2015 
£m
54
48
35
7
144

2015  
£m
379
(472)
(93)

23 Trade and other receivables

Current 
Trade receivables
Less: provision for impairment of trade receivables 

Other receivables 
Due from subsidiaries 
Due from joint ventures and associates 
Due from joint operation partners
Contract retentions receivable# 
Accrued income 
Prepayments 

Non-current
Other receivables 
Due from joint ventures and associates 
Contract retentions receivable# 

Total trade and other receivables 
Comprising
Financial assets (Note 38) 
Non-financial assets – prepayments 

Group  
2016  
£m

Group  
2015  
£m

Company 
2016  
£m

Company 
2015  
£m

653
(7)
646
60
–
58
7
242
17
36
1,066

4
25
151
180
1,246

1,210
36
1,246

506
(11)
495
45
–
55
10
202
24
54
885

2
12
100
114
999

945
54
999

–
–
–
–
1,453
17
–
–
–
1
1,471

–
2
–
2
1,473

1,472
1
1,473

– 
–
–
3
1,626
15
–
–
–
1
1,645

–
4
–
4
1,649

1,648
1
1,649

# Including £390m (2015: £298m) construction contract retentions receivable.

Based on prior experience, an assessment of the current economic environment and a review of the financial circumstances of individual 
customers, the Directors believe no further credit risk provision is required in respect of trade receivables.

The Directors consider that the carrying values of current and non-current trade and other receivables approximate their fair values. 

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report142

23 Trade and other receivables continued
Movement in the provision for impairment of trade receivables

At 1 January
(Charged)/credited to the income statement:
– additional provisions 
– unused amounts reversed 
Utilised during the year
Disposal of parts of Rail Germany (Notes 32.2.7 and 32.2.11)
At 31 December

Maturity profile of impaired trade receivables and trade receivables past due but not impaired

Up to three months 
Three to six months 
Six to nine months 
Nine to 12 months 
More than 12 months 

Group  
2016  
£m
1
–
–
1
5
7

Impaired 
Group  
2015  
£m
1
–
–
–
10
11

Group  
2016  
£m
(11)

Group  
2015  
£m
(26)

(3)
1
5
1
(7)

(3)
6
12
–
(11)

Past due but not 
impaired
Group  
2015  
£m
42
12
8
5
21
88

Group  
2016  
£m
23
12
10
6
33
84

At 31 December 2016, trade receivables of £84m (2015: £88m) were past due but not impaired. These relate to a number of individual 
customers where there is no reason to believe that the receivable is not recoverable.

The Company had no provision for impairment of trade receivables and no trade receivables that were past due but not impaired 
in either year.

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201624 Trade and other payables

Current
Trade and other payables
Accruals
Deferred income
VAT, payroll taxes and social security
Advance payment on contracts 
Due to subsidiaries
Due to joint ventures and associates
Dividends on preference shares
Due on acquisitions
Due on disposals (Note 32.2.8)

Non-current
Trade and other payables
Accruals
Deferred income
Due to joint ventures and associates
Due on acquisitions

Total trade and other payables
Comprising
Financial liabilities (Note 38)
Non-financial liabilities:
– accruals not at amortised cost
– deferred income
– VAT, payroll taxes and social security
– advance payment on contracts

Maturity profile of the Group’s non-current financial liabilities at 31 December

Due within one to two years 
Due within two to five years 
Due after more than five years 

Due within one to two years 
Due within two to five years 
Due after more than five years 

143

Group
2016 
£m

Group
2015 
£m

Company 
2016 
£m

Company
2015 
£m

936
701
15
73
4
–
11
6
3
3
1,752

110
20
–
7
14
151
1,903

838
755
7
67
–
–
25
5
3
–
1,700

86
18
1
11
14
130
1,830

2
7
–
–
–
1,756
–
6
–
–
1,771

–
–
–
3
–
3
1,774

6
16
–
2
–
1,695
–
5
–
–
1,724

–
–
–
8
–
8
1,732

1,772

1,732

1,774

1,730

39
15
73
4
1,903

23
8
67
–
1,830

–
–
–
–
1,774

–
–
2
–
1,732

Trade  
and other 
payables 
2016  
£m
98
4
8
110

Trade  
and other 
payables 
2015  
£m
69
5
12
86

 Due to  
joint  
ventures  
and 
associates 
2016 
£m
–
–
7
7

 Due to  
joint  
ventures  
and 
associates 
2015 
£m
–
–
11
11

Accruals 
2016  
£m
10
7
3
20

Accruals 
2015  
£m
4
6
8
18

Due on 
acquisitions 
2016  
£m
3
8
3
14

Due on 
acquisitions 
2015 
£m
3
7
4
14

Total  
2016  
£m
111
19
21
151

Total  
2015  
£m
76
18
35
129

The Directors consider that the carrying values of current and non-current trade and other payables approximate their fair values. The fair 
value of non-current trade and other payables has been determined by discounting future cash flows using yield curves and exchange rates 
prevailing at the reporting date.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report144

25 Provisions

At 1 January 2015 
Currency translation differences 
Reclassified from accruals 
Reclassified from investments in joint ventures and associates in relation to Dutco^ 
(Note 18)
Charged/(credited) to the income statement:
– additional provisions 
– unused amounts reversed 
Utilised during the year 
At 31 December 2015 
Currency translation differences 
Transfers
Reclassified from/(to) accruals and due to construction contract customers
Charged/(credited) to the income statement:
– additional provisions 
– unused amounts reversed 
– additional losses arising in the Group’s investments in joint ventures and 
associates in relation to Dutco^ (Note 18.1)
Utilised during the year 
Disposal of parts of Rail Germany (Notes 32.2.7 and 32.2.11)
At 31 December 2016 

Contract 
provisions 
£m
97 
1
3

Employee 
provisions 
£m
51 
–
–

Other 
provisions 
£m
49 
–
1

Group

Total  
£m
197 
1
4

Company
Other 
provisions 
£m
2
–
–

–

79
(26)
(62)
92
6
1
40

100
(36)

–
(56)
(1)
146

–

27
(12)
(12)
54
2
5
–

43
(15)

–
(28)
–
61

9

19
(10)
(8)
60
1
(6)
4

33
(21)

3
(8)
–
66

9

125
(48)
(82)
206
9
–
44

176
(72)

3
(92)
(1)
273

–

–
–
–
2
–
–
–

–
(2)

–
–
–
–

Contract 
provisions 
2016  
£m
109

Employee  
provisions 
2016  
£m
22

Other 
 provisions 
2016  
£m
16

11

19

7
146

10

22

7
61

16

26

8
66

Group

 Total  
2016  
£m
147

37

67

22
273

Contract  
provisions 
2015  
£m
66

Employee 
 provisions 
2015  
£m
26

Other  
provisions  
2015  
£m
34

Group 

Total  
2015  
£m
126

Company 
Other  
provisions  
2016  
£m
–

Company
Other 
provisions 
2015  
£m
–

8

12

6
92

9

13

6
54

7

18

1
60

24

43

13
206

–

–

–
–

–

2

–
2

Due within one year 
Due within one to  
two years 
Due within two to  
five years 
Due after more than  
five years 

^ Represents the combined results of BK Gulf LLC and Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC as both joint ventures have common ownership and report under the same management structure.

Contract provisions include construction insurance liabilities, principally in the Group’s captive insurance arrangements, and defect and 
warranty provisions on contracts, primarily construction contracts, that have reached practical completion.

Employee provisions are principally liabilities relating to employers’ liability insurance retained in the Group’s captive insurance arrangements 
and provisions for employee termination liabilities arising from the Group’s restructuring programmes.

Other provisions principally comprise: motor and other insurance liabilities in the Group’s captive insurance arrangements; legal claims 
and costs, where provision is made for the Directors’ best estimate of known legal claims, investigations and legal actions in progress; 
property-related provisions, mainly onerous lease commitments, some of which arise from the Group’s restructuring programmes; and 
environmental provisions.

The Group takes actuarial advice when establishing the level of provisions in the Group’s captive insurance arrangements and certain other 
categories of provision.

Insurance-related provisions within these categories were £82m (2015: £76m) as follows: Contract provisions £42m (2015: £37m); 
Employee provisions £31m (2015: £35m); and Other, mainly motor, provisions £9m (2015: £4m).

Restructuring provisions within these categories were £10m (2015: £12m) as follows: Employee provisions £10m (2015: £9m); and Other, 
mainly property-related, provisions £nil (2015: £3m).

The Group has recognised losses in relation to Dutco^ in excess of its carrying value of its investment as the Group has constructive 
obligations to provide further funding to make good these losses. At 31 December 2016, these losses amounted to £12m and have been 
classified as other provisions (2015: £9m). Refer to Note 18.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Notes to the Financial Statements continued 
26 Cash and cash equivalents and borrowings
26.1 Group

Unsecured borrowings at amortised cost
– bank overdrafts 
– US private placement (Note 26.2) 
– liability component of convertible bonds (Note 26.3) 
– loans under committed facilities
– other loans 
Secured borrowings at amortised cost
– finance leases 

Cash and deposits at amortised cost 
Term deposits at amortised cost 
Cash and cash equivalents (excluding infrastructure concessions) 

Non-recourse infrastructure concessions project finance loans at 
amortised cost with final maturity between 2019 and 2044
Infrastructure concessions cash and cash equivalents 

Net cash/(borrowings) 

Current  
2016  
£m

Non-current 
2016  
£m

Total  
2016  
£m

Current  
2015  
£m

Non-current 
2015  
£m

(1)
–
–
(50)
(4)

(1)
(56)
605
157
762
706

(47)
7
(40)
666

–
(285)
(240)
–
(8)

–
(533)
–
–
–
(533)

(193)
–
(193)
(726)

(1)
(285)
(240)
(50)
(12)

(1)
(589)
605
157
762
173

(240)
7
(233)
(60)

(3)
–
–
–
(9)

(1)
(13)
562
84
646
633

(22)
20
(2)
631

–
(236)
(233)
–
(1)

–
(470)
–
–
–
(470)

(363)
–
(363)
(833)

145

Total  
2015  
£m

(3)
(236)
(233)
–
(10)

(1)
(483)
562
84
646
163

(385)
20
(365)
(202)

The loans relating to projects finance arise under non-recourse facilities taken out by project-specific subsidiary companies. The loans of 
each company are secured by a combination of fixed and floating charges over that company’s interests in its project’s assets and revenues 
and the shares in the company held by its immediate parent company. A significant part of these loans has been swapped into fixed rate 
debt by the use of interest rate swaps. 

Included in cash and cash equivalents is restricted cash of: £23m (2015: £25m) held by the Group’s captive insurance company, Delphian 
Insurance Company Ltd, which is subject to Isle of Man insurance solvency regulations; £31m (2015: £58m) held within construction 
project bank accounts; £nil (2015: £7m) relating to cash collateral held against an issued letter of credit, and £7m (2015: £20m) relating to the 
maintenance and other reserve accounts in the Infrastructure Investments subsidiaries.

Cash, deposits and term deposits include the Group’s share of amounts held by joint operations of £282m (2015: £251m).

Maturity profile of the Group’s borrowings at 31 December

Due on demand or within one year 
Due within one to two years 
Due within two to five years 
Due after more than five years 

Non-recourse 
project 
finance  
2016  
£m
(47)
(8)
(32)
(153)
(240)

Finance  
leases  
2016  
£m
(1)
–
–
–
(1)

Other  
borrowings  
2016  
£m
(55)
(285)
(37)
(211)
(588)

Non-recourse 
project 
finance  
2015  
£m
(22)
(35)
(34)
(294)
(385)

Total  
2016  
£m
(103)
(293)
(69)
(364)
(829)

Finance  
leases  
2015  
£m
(1)
–
–
–
(1)

Other  
borrowings  
2015  
£m
(12)
(2)
(293)
(175)
(482)

Total  
2015  
£m
(35)
(37)
(327)
(469)
(868)

The carrying values of the Group’s borrowings are equal to the fair values at the reporting date. The fair values are determined by discounting 
future cash flows using yield curves and exchange rates prevailing at the reporting date.

Undrawn Group committed borrowing facilities at 31 December in respect of which all conditions precedent were satisfied

Expiring in one year or less
Expiring in more than one year but not more than two years
Expiring in more than two years

Non-recourse 
project 
finance  
2016  
£m
8
–
–
8

Other  
borrowings  
2016 
£m
–
22
328
350

Non-recourse 
project 
finance  
2015  
£m
18
–
–
18

Total  
2016  
£m
8
22
328
358

Other  
borrowings  
2015  
£m
26
–
400
426

Total  
2015  
£m
44
–
400
444

The Group completed its refinancing in December 2015 resulting in a new facility arrangement of £400m. This new facility extends through 
to 2018. In November 2016, £375m of the facility was extended until 2019. A further one-year extension through to 2020 of the whole 
£400m facility is available, subject to bank approval. 

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report146

26 Cash and cash equivalents and borrowings continued
26.2 US private placement
In March 2013, the Group raised US$350m (£231m) of borrowings through a US private placement of a series of notes with an average 
coupon of 4.94% per annum and an average maturity of 9.3 years. At 31 December 2016, as a result of movements in exchange rates, 
the balance outstanding was £285m (2015: £236m).

26.3 Convertible bonds
On 3 December 2013, the Group issued convertible bonds of £100,000 each maturing on 3 December 2018 at a total issue price of 
£252.7m and incurred transaction costs of £6.7m resulting in net proceeds of £246m. The bonds have a coupon of 1.875% per annum 
payable semi-annually in arrears and the initial conversion price has been set at £3.6692 per share. On 23 April 2014, the conversion price 
was revised to £3.6212.

From 14 January 2014 until 14 days prior to final maturity, one bond is convertible at the option of the holder into one preference share 
in Balfour Beatty Finance No 2 Ltd which is immediately transferred to the Company in exchange for the issue of ordinary shares in the 
Company. The Group has the option to redeem the bonds from December 2015 under certain circumstances.

The bonds are compound instruments, comprising equity and liability components. The fair value of the liability component at the date of 
issue, included under non-current liabilities, was £220m estimated using the prevailing market interest rate of 4.29% per annum for a similar 
non-convertible instrument. The difference between the net proceeds of issue of the convertible bonds after the transaction costs and 
the fair value assigned to the liability component, representing the value of the equity conversion component, is included in equity holders’ 
funds. Refer to Note 29.3.

Liability component recognised in the Balance Sheet

Liability component at 1 January at amortised cost 
Accretion 
Liability component at 31 December at amortised cost 

2016  
£m
233
7
240

2015  
£m
227
6
233

The fair value of the liability component of the convertible bonds at 31 December 2016 was £244m (2015: £236m).

The finance cost of the convertible bonds is calculated using the effective interest method.

26.4 Company

Cash and deposits 
Unsecured borrowings at amortised cost
– bank loans and overdrafts 
– loans under committed facilities 
– US private placement (Note 26.2) 
Net borrowings 

Current  
2016  
£m
167

–
(50)
–
117

Non-
current 
2016  
£m
–

–
–
(285)
(285)

Total  
2016  
£m
167

–
(50)
(285)
(168)

Current  
2015 
£m
50

(160) 
– 
–
(110)

Non-
current 
2015  
£m
– 

–
–
(236)
(236)

Total  
2015  
£m
50

(160) 
– 
(236)
(346)

The bank loans and overdrafts are sterling denominated, variable rate instruments and repayable on demand.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Notes to the Financial Statements continued147

27 Deferred tax
27.1 Group
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority and the Group intends to 
settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Net deferred tax position at 31 December

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

Movement for the year in the net deferred tax position

At 1 January 2015
Currency translation differences
Charged to income statement#
Credited to equity#
Write-off of deferred tax asset relating to previously disposed businesses (Note 32.2.10)
Disposal of Thanet (Notes 32.3.2 and 32.3.9)
At 31 December 2015
Currency translation differences
Charged to income statement#
Credited to equity#
Disposal of five streetlighting projects (Notes 32.2.9 and 32.2.11)
At 31 December 2016

Group 
 2016  
£m
54
(80)
(26)

Group  
2015  
£m
58
(53)
5

Company 
2016  
£m
–
(2)
(2)

Company 
2015  
£m
–
(2)
(2)

Group  
£m
3
(3)
(10)
16
(7)
6
5
(13)
(22)
1
3
(26)

Company 
£m
(2)
–
–
–
–
–
(2)
–
–
–
–
(2)

# Group includes £3m credited (2015: £5m charged) to the income statement and £nil charged (2015: £2m) to equity in relation to reductions in the UK corporation tax rate.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report148

27 Deferred tax continued
27.1 Group continued
The table below shows the deferred tax assets and liabilities before being offset where they relate to income taxes levied by the same 
tax authority.

Deferred tax assets

At 1 January 2015
Currency translation differences
Transfers to deferred tax liabilities
(Charged)/credited to income statement
Credited to equity
Write-off of deferred tax asset relating to previously disposed 
businesses (Note 32.2.10)
At 31 December 2015
Currency translation differences
Credited/(charged) to income statement
Credited to equity
At 31 December 2016

Deferred tax liabilities

At 1 January 2015
Currency translation differences
Transfers from deferred tax assets
Charged to income statement 
Credited to equity
Disposal of Thanet (Notes 32.3.2 and 32.3.9)
At 31 December 2015
Currency translation differences
Transfers
Credited/(charged) to income statement 
(Charged)/credited to equity
Disposal of five streetlighting projects (Notes 32.2.9 and 32.2.10)
At 31 December 2016

Total net deferred tax liability

Depreciation
in excess 
of capital
allowances
£m
18
(1)
–
(3)
–

Retirement
benefit
liabilities
£m
26
1
–
(16)
15

Unrelieved
trading
losses
£m
14
–
2
35
–

Share-based
payments
£m
2
–
–
–
–

Provisions
£m
30
2
–
3
–

–
14
(2)
5
–
17

–
26
2
(8)
2
22

(5)
46
9
7
–
62

–
2
–
–
–
2

Preference
shares
£m
(3)
–
–
–
–
–
(3)
–
–
1
–
–
(2)

Fair value
adjustments
£m
(42)
(2)
–
(6)
–
–
(50)
(11)
(4)
(12)
(2)
–
(79)

Derivatives
£m
(8)
1
–
–
1
6
–
(1)
4
–
1
3
7

Other GAAP
differences
£m
(33)
(4)
(2)
(23)
–
–
(62)
(14)
–
(22)
–
–
(98)

(2)
33
4
7
–
44

Other
£m
(1)
–
–
–
–
–
(1)
–
–
–
–
–
(1)

Total 
£m
90
2
2
19
15

(7)
121
13
11
2
147

Total
£m
(87)
(5)
(2)
(29)
1
6
(116)
(26)
–
(33)
(1)
3
(173)

(26)

At the reporting date the Group had unrecognised tax losses from operations (excluding capital losses) that arose over a numbers of years of 
approximately £1,064m (2015: £964m) which are available for offset against future profits. £6m (2015: £11m) will expire between five and 
20 years after the year in which they arose, using losses incurred in earlier years before those incurred in later years, with the first expiry in 
2017. The remaining losses may be carried forward indefinitely. 

The Group has recognised deferred tax assets for UK corporation tax trading losses of £4m (2015: £14m). The Group has UK corporation 
tax trading losses of £768m (2015: £709m) which are not recognised as deferred tax assets. The Group also had unrecognised deferred tax 
assets relating to retirement benefits of £108m (2015: £nil).

At the reporting date the undistributed reserves for which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised were £1m (2015: £1m) in respect 
of subsidiaries and £nil (2015: £nil) in respect of joint ventures and associates. No liability has been recognised in respect of these differences 
because either no temporary difference arises or the timing of any distribution is under the Group’s control and no distribution which gives 
rise to taxation is contemplated.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Notes to the Financial Statements continued27 Deferred tax continued 
27.2 Company
Deferred tax assets and liabilities

At 1 January 2015
Credited to equity 
At 31 December 2015
Credited/(charged) to income statement 
At 31 December 2016

149

Deferred tax
liabilities
Preference
shares
£m
(3)
–
(3)
1
(2)

Deferred tax
assets

Provisions
£m
1
–
1
(1)
–

Net deferred
tax assets/
(liabilities)
£m
(2)
–
(2)
–
(2)

28 Retirement benefit liabilities
28.1 Introduction
The Group, through trustees, operates a number of defined contribution and defined benefit pension schemes.

Defined contribution schemes are those where the Group’s obligation is limited to the amount that it contributes to the scheme and the 
scheme members bear the investment and actuarial risks.

Defined benefit schemes are schemes other than defined contribution schemes where the Group’s obligation is to provide specified 
benefits on retirement.

IAS 19 Employee Benefits (IAS 19) prescribes the accounting for defined benefit schemes in the Group’s financial statements. 
Obligations are calculated using the projected unit credit method and discounted to a net present value using the market yield on high-quality 
corporate bonds. The pension expense relating to current service cost is charged to contracts or overheads based on the function of scheme 
members and is included in cost of sales and net operating expenses. The net finance cost arising from the expected interest income on 
plan assets and interest cost on scheme obligations is included in finance costs. Actuarial gains and losses are reported in the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income. The IAS 19 accounting valuations are set out in Note 28.2.

A different calculation is used for the formal triennial funding valuations undertaken by the scheme trustees to determine the future company 
contribution level necessary so that over time the scheme assets will meet the scheme obligations. The principal difference between the 
two methods is that under the funding basis the obligations are discounted using a rate of return reflecting the composition of the assets in 
the scheme, rather than the rate of return on high-quality corporate bonds as required by IAS 19 for the financial statements. Details of the 
latest formal triennial funding valuations are set out in Note 28.3.

The assets of the schemes do not include any direct holdings of the Group’s financial instruments, nor any property occupied by, or other 
assets of, the Group.

Principal schemes
The Group’s principal schemes are the Balfour Beatty Pension Fund (BBPF), which includes defined contribution and defined benefit 
sections, and the Balfour Beatty Shared Cost Section of the Railways Pension Scheme (RPS). The defined benefit sections of both schemes 
are funded and closed to new members with the exception of employees where employment has transferred to the Group under certain 
agreed arrangements. Pension benefits are based on employees’ pensionable service and their pensionable salary.

The schemes operate under trust law and are managed and administered by trustees on behalf of the members in accordance with the 
terms of the trust deed and rules and relevant legislation. Defined benefit contributions are determined in consultation with the trustees, 
after taking actuarial advice. The trustees are responsible for establishing the investment strategy and ensuring that there are sufficient 
assets to meet the cost of current and future benefits.

These schemes expose the Group to investment and actuarial risks where additional contributions may be required if assets are not 
sufficient to pay future pension benefits:

 – investment risk: equity returns are a key determinant of investment return but the investment portfolio is also subject to a range of other 

risks typical of the investments held, for example, credit risk on corporate bond holdings.

 – actuarial risk: the ultimate cost of providing pension benefits is affected by inflation rates and members’ life expectancy. The net present 

value of the obligations is affected by the market yield on high-quality corporate bonds used to discount the obligations.

Changes in the principal actuarial assumptions based on market data, such as inflation and the discount rate, and experience, such as life 
expectancy, expose the Group to fluctuations in the net IAS 19 liability and the net finance cost.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report150

28 Retirement benefit assets and liabilities continued
28.1 Introduction continued
Balfour Beatty Pension Fund
The investment strategy of the BBPF is to hold assets of appropriate liquidity and marketability to generate income and capital growth. 
The BBPF invests partly in a diversified range of assets including equities and hedge funds in anticipation that, over the longer term, they will 
grow in value faster than the obligations. The equities are in the form of pooled funds and are a combination of UK, other developed market 
and emerging market equities. The remaining BBPF assets are principally fixed and index-linked bonds and derivatives, providing protection 
against movements in inflation and interest rates and hence enhancing the resilience of the funding level of the scheme. The performance of 
the assets is measured against market indices.

Since 2014, the Group has been offering a commutation option for pensioner members and dependants with benefits with a value of less 
than £30,000 and £18,000, respectively, to extinguish their benefits within the BBPF in exchange for a cash lump sum. The acceptance of 
this offer by certain members and dependants gave rise to a settlement event resulting in a decrease in liabilities of £1m (2015: £3m), which 
was recognised in other non-underlying items. Refer to Note 10.1.4.9.

Following the scheme apportionment arrangement made in relation to the disposal of Balfour Beatty WorkPlace, agreement was reached 
with the trustees on 24 September 2014 to make additional deficit payments totalling £15m in 2015.

On 1 July 2015, the Group established a Scottish Limited Partnership (SLP) structure into which its investment in Consort Healthcare 
(Birmingham) Holdings Ltd (Consort Birmingham), which owns the Group’s 40% interest in the Birmingham Hospital PFI investment, was 
transferred. The BBPF is a partner in the SLP and is entitled to a share of the income of the SLP. In accordance with IFRS 10 Consolidated 
Financial Statements, the SLP is deemed to be controlled by the Group, which retains the ability to substitute the investment in Consort 
Birmingham for other investments from time to time. On 29 December 2016 the Group transferred into the SLP its investment in Holyrood 
Student Accommodation Holdings Ltd, which owns the Group’s 100% interest in the Edinburgh student accommodation project.

Under IAS 19, the investment held by the BBPF in the SLP does not constitute a plan asset and therefore the pension deficit presented in 
these financial statements does not reflect the BBPF’s interest in the SLP. Distributions from the SLP to the BBPF will be reflected in the 
Group’s financial statements as pension contributions on a cash basis. The first distribution was received in December 2015 and amounted 
to £1m. A further distribution was received in 2016 and amounted to £1m.

Alongside the establishment of the SLP, agreement was reached to make a series of deficit payments to the BBPF with the first payment 
of £4m paid in 2016. A further £5m is due in 2017; £7m due in 2018; £9m due in 2019; £13m due in 2020; £17m due in 2021; £22m due in 
2022; and £25m due in 2023.

A formal triennial funding valuation of the BBPF was carried out as at 31 March 2016. As a result, the Group agreed to make ongoing deficit 
payments in addition to those set out above of £5m for the period from January 2017 to April 2017; £17m per annum from April 2017; £19m 
per annum from April 2018; and £3m per annum from April 2020.

If the dividend cover ratio is below an agreed trigger level then the contributions set out above may need to be accelerated.

This agreement constitutes a minimum funding requirement (MFR) under IFRIC 14 IAS 19: The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum 
Funding Requirements and their Interaction. The Group has not recognised any liabilities in relation to this MFR as any surplus of deficit 
contributions to the BBPF would be recoverable by way of a refund and the Group has the unconditional right to the surplus and controls the 
run-off of the benefit obligations once all other obligations of the BBPF have been settled. Implementation of the draft Amendment to IFRIC 
14 when it becomes effective will not affect this accounting. 

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Notes to the Financial Statements continued151

28 Retirement benefit liabilities continued
28.1 Introduction continued
Railways Pension Scheme
The RPS is a shared cost scheme. The legal responsibility of the Group in the RPS is approximately 60% of the scheme’s assets and 
liabilities based on the relevant provisions of the trust deed and rules and trustee guidelines regarding future surplus apportionments and 
deficit financing.

In 2013 and previous years, the assumed cost of providing benefits was split between the Group and the members in the ratio 60:40. 
This had been a reasonable assumption to make of how costs might have been shared over the long term. This assumption has been 
retained in relation to the cost of providing future service benefits.

Since 2014, because of a declining population of active members, it became less likely that the Group’s costs of meeting any deficits 
would be capped in line with its strict legal obligation of 60%. It was anticipated that members might only be able to afford to fund a small 
proportion of the scheme deficit. In the accounts for the years ended 31 December 2014 and 31 December 2015, the long-term cost 
of providing past service benefits was assumed to be split between the Group and the members in the ratio 95:5. For the year ended 
31 December 2016 it has been assumed that the Group will be responsible for 100% of any deficit and the balance sheet assets and 
obligations disclosed, therefore, are equal to 100% of the total scheme assets and obligations. 

The RPS invests in a range of pooled investment funds intended to generate a combination of capital growth and income and, as determined 
by the trustee, taking account of the characteristics of the obligations and the trustee’s attitude to risk. The majority of the RPS’ assets 
that are intended to generate additional returns, over the rate at which the obligations are expected to grow, are invested in a single pooled 
growth fund. This fund is invested in a wide range of asset classes and the fund manager RPMI has the discretion to vary the asset 
allocation to reflect its views on the relative attractiveness of different asset classes at any time. The remaining assets in the RPS are 
principally fixed and index-linked bonds.

Following the formal triennial funding valuation carried out as at 31 December 2013, the Group agreed to make ongoing fixed deficit 
contributions of £6m per annum which should reduce the deficit to zero by 2031. This agreement constitutes a MFR under IFRIC 14 IAS 19: 
The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction. The Group has not recognised any liabilities 
in relation to this MFR as any surplus of deficit contributions to the RPS would be recoverable by way of a refund and the Group has the 
unconditional right to the surplus and controls the run-off of the benefit obligations once all other obligations of the RPS have been settled. 
Implementation of the draft Amendment to IFRIC 14 when it becomes effective will not affect this accounting.

The triennial funding valuation as at 31 December 2016 is now underway.

Other schemes
Other schemes comprise unfunded post-retirement benefit obligations in Europe, the majority of which are closed to new entrants,  
and deferred compensation schemes in North America, where an element of employees’ compensation is deferred and invested in  
available-for-sale assets (as disclosed in Note 19.1) in a trust, the assets of which are for the ultimate benefit of the employees but are  
available to the Group’s creditors in the event of insolvency.

Membership of the principal schemes

Balfour Beatty
Pension Fund
2016

Railways
Pension Scheme
2016

Balfour Beatty
Pension Fund
2015

Number
of
members

Defined
benefit
obligations
£m

Average
duration
Years

Number
of
members

Defined
benefit
obligations
£m

Average
duration
Years

Number
of
members

Defined
benefit
obligations
£m

Average
duration
Years

Number
of
members

Railways
Pension Scheme
2015

Defined
benefit
obligations
£m

Average
duration
Years

Defined benefit
– active members
–  deferred 

pensioners
–  pensioners, 

12

3

12,414

1,754

widow(er)s and 
dependants

18,606
Defined contribution 13,290
44,322
Total

1,926
–
3,683

17

22

11
–
17

99

1,292

1,686
–
3,077

90

151

175
–
416

21

20

12
–
16

17

6

12,894

1,546

19,045
13,163
45,119

1,479
–
3,031

20

23

11
–
17

111

1,335

1,632
–
3,078

66

100

148
–
314

21

20

12
–
16

28.2 IAS 19 accounting valuations
Principal actuarial assumptions for the IAS 19 accounting valuations of the Group’s principal schemes

Discount rate
Inflation rate  – RPI
– CPI

Future increases in pensionable salary
Rate of increase in pensions in payment (or such other rate as is guaranteed)

Balfour
Beatty
Pension
Fund
2016
%
2.50
3.20
2.00
2.00
2.95

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2016
%
2.50
3.20
2.00
2.00
2.15

Balfour
Beatty
Pension
Fund
2015
%
3.70
3.00
1.60
1.60
2.85

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2015
%
3.70
3.00
1.60
1.60
1.80

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report 
 
152

28 Retirement benefit liabilities continued
28.2 IAS 19 accounting valuations continued
In December 2016, following independent advice from the Group’s actuaries, the Group reassessed the difference between RPI and CPI 
measures of price inflation from 1.4% in December 2015 to 1.2% increasing the retirement benefit liability by a further £44m which was 
recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The BBPF actuary undertakes regular mortality investigations based on the experience exhibited by pensioners of the BBPF and due to 
the size of the membership of the BBPF (44,322 members at 31 December 2016) is able to make comparisons of this experience with the 
mortality rates set out in the various published mortality tables. The actuary is also able to monitor changes in the exhibited mortality over 
time. This research is taken into account in the Group’s mortality assumptions across its various defined benefit schemes.

The mortality assumptions as at 31 December 2016 have been updated to reflect the experience of Balfour Beatty pensioners for the period 
1 April 2005 to 31 March 2016. The mortality tables adopted for the 2016 IAS 19 valuations are the Self-Administered Pension Scheme 
(SAPS) S2 tables (2015: SAPS S2 tables) with a multiplier of 102% for all male and female members (2015: 102%) and 109% for female 
widows and dependants (2015: 109%); all with future improvements in line with the CMI 2015 core projection model (2015: CMI 2015 
core projection model), with long-term improvement rates of 1.25% per annum and 1.00% per annum for males and females respectively 
(2015: 1.25% per annum and 1.00% per annum).

Members in receipt of a pension
Members not yet in receipt of a pension (current age 50)

2016  
Average life  
expectancy  
at 65 years of age
Female
Male
23.9
22.1
25.0
23.4

2015  
Average life  
expectancy  
at 65 years of age
Female
23.9
25.0

Male
22.1
23.4

Amounts recognised in the income statement
The BBPF defined contribution employer contributions paid and charged to the income statement have been separately identified in the 
table below and the defined contribution section assets and liabilities amounting to £405m (2015: £318m) have been excluded from the 
tables on pages 153 to 155. Defined contribution charges for other schemes include contributions to multi-employer pension schemes.

Group 
Current service cost
Defined contribution charge
Included in employee costs (Note 7)
Interest income
Interest cost
Net finance cost (Note 9)
Settlements (Note 7)
Total charged to income statement 

Balfour
Beatty
Pension
Fund
2016
£m

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2016
£m

Other
schemes
2016
£m

(2)
(44)
(46)
108
(109)
(1)
1
(46)

(1)
–
(1)
10
(11)
(1)
1
(1)

(3)
–
(3)
–
(2)
(2)
–
(5)

Amounts recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income

Balfour
Beatty
Pension
Fund
2016
£m

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2016
£m

Other
schemes
2016
£m

Balfour
Beatty
Pension
Fund
2015
£m

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2015
£m

Other
schemes
2015
£m

(4)
(45)
(49)
111
(110)
1
3
(45)

(2)
–
(2)
9
(11)
(2)
–
(4)

(1)
(1)
(2)
–
(2)
(2)
–
(4)

Balfour
Beatty
Pension
Fund
2015
£m

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2015
£m

Other
schemes
2015
£m

Total
2016
£m

(6)
(44)
(50)
118
(122)
(4)
2
(52)

Total
2016
£m

Actuarial movements on pension 
scheme obligations
Actuarial movements on pension 
scheme assets
Total actuarial movements recognised in 
the Statement of Comprehensive Income 
(Note 30.1)
Cumulative actuarial movements recognised 
in the Statement of Comprehensive Income

(710)

(115)

652

52

(58)

(63)

–

–

–

(825)

57

704

(157)

(121)

(100)

5

4

9

6

(1)

5

(334)

(107)

(29)

(470)

(276)

(44)

(29)

(349)

The actual return on plan assets was a gain of £822m (2015: £34m).

Total
2015
£m

(7)
(46)
(53)
120
(123)
(3)
3
(53)

Total
2015
£m

68

(154)

(86)

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Notes to the Financial Statements continued153

28 Retirement benefit liabilities continued
28.2 IAS 19 accounting valuations continued
Amounts recognised in the Balance Sheet

Present value of obligations
Fair value of plan assets
Liabilities in the balance sheet

Balfour
Beatty
Pension
Fund
2016
£m
(3,683)
3,621
(62)

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2016
£m
(416)
303
(113)

Other
schemes†
2016
£m
(56)
–
(56)

Balfour
Beatty
Pension
Fund
2015
£m
(3,031)
2,988
(43)

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2015
£m
(314)
263
(51)

Other
schemes†
2015
£m
(52)
–
(52)

Total
2016
£m
(4,155)
3,924
(231)

Total
2015
£m
(3,397)
3,251
(146)

† Available-for-sale investments in mutual funds of £23m (2015: £20m) are held to satisfy the Group’s deferred compensation obligations (Note 19.1).

The defined benefit obligation comprises £56m (2015: £52m) arising from wholly unfunded plans and £4,099m (2015: £3,345m) arising 
from plans that are wholly or partly funded.

Balfour 
Beatty 
Pension 
Fund  
2016  
£m
(3,031)
–
(2)
(109)

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2016
£m
(314)
–
(1)
(11)

Other
schemes
2016
£m
(52)
(9)
(3)
(2)

–
(3)

–
3
–
4
–

(11)
(103)

(1)
–
(115)
16
9

–
(416)

Movement in the present value of obligations

At 1 January
Currency translation differences
Current service cost 
Interest cost 
Actuarial movements from reassessing the 
difference between RPI and CPI
Other financial actuarial movements
Actuarial movements from changes in 
demographic assumptions
Experience gains
Total actuarial movements
Benefits paid
Settlements
Disposal of parts of Rail Germany (Notes 32.2.7 
and 32.2.11)
At 31 December

Movement in the fair value of plan assets

At 1 January
Interest income 
Actuarial movements
Contributions from employer
– regular funding
–  ongoing deficit funding 
Benefits paid
Settlements
At 31 December

(33)
(700)

(50)
73
(710)
168
1

–
(3,683)

Balfour 
Beatty 
Pension 
Fund  
2016  
£m
2,988
108
652

2
39
(168)
–
3,621

Balfour 
Beatty 
Pension  
Fund  
2015  
£m
(3,140)
–
(4)
(110)

–
41

15
1
57
163
3

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2015
£m
(319)
–
(2)
(11)

Other
schemes
2015
£m
(59)
(1)
(1)
(2)

–
4

1
–
5
13
–

–
6

–
–
6
5
–

Total
2016
£m
(3,397)
(9)
(6)
(122)

(44)
(806)

(51)
76
(825)
188
10

Total
2015
£m
(3,518)
(1)
(7)
(123)

–
51

16
1
68
181
3

6
(56)

6
(4,155)

–
(3,031)

–
(314)

–
(52)

–
(3,397)

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2016
£m
263
10
52

Other
schemes
2016
£m
–
–
–

–
2
(16)
(8)
303

–
–
–
–
–

Balfour 
Beatty 
Pension  
Fund  
2015  
£m
3,128
111
(157)

3
65
(162)
–
2,988

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2015
£m
261
9
4

Other
schemes
2015
£m
1
–
(1)

1
1
(13)
–
263

–
–
–
–
–

Total
2016
£m
3,251
118
704

2
41
(184)
(8)
3,924

Total
2015
£m
3,390
120
(154)

4
66
(175)
–
3,251

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report154

28 Retirement benefit liabilities continued
28.2 IAS 19 accounting valuations continued
Fair value of the assets held by the schemes at 31 December

Return-seeking
– Developed nation equities^
– Emerging market equities^
– Emerging market debt and currency
– Hedge funds
– Return-seeking growth pooled funds
– Other return-seeking assets
Liability matching bond-type assets
– Corporate bonds^
– Fixed interest gilts^
– Index-linked gilts^
– Liability matching pooled funds
– Interest and inflation rate swaps
Property
Secure income assets
Other
Total

Balfour
Beatty
Pension
Fund
£m
1,221
370
117
–
400
–
334
2,119
698
599
627
–
195
169
51
61
3,621

Railways
Pension
Scheme†
£m
224
–
–
–
–
224
–
78
–
–
–
78
–
–
–
1
303

2016

Total
£m
1,445
370
117
–
400
224
334
2,197
698
599
627
78
195
169
51
62
3,924

Balfour
Beatty
Pension
Fund
£m
973
358
103
116
336
–
60
1,963
617
628
588
–
130
–
49
3
2,988

Railways
Pension
Scheme†
£m
200
–
–
–
–
200
–
63
–
–
–
63
–
–
–
–
263

† The amounts in 2016 represent 100% of the scheme’s assets (2015: 95%).
^ Of the assets included above, £2,048m are the assets that have quoted prices in active markets, where £822m relate to the corporate bonds, developed nation equities and 

emerging market equities.

Estimated contributions expected to be paid to the Group’s principal defined benefit schemes during 2017

Regular funding
Ongoing deficit funding+
Total

Balfour
Beatty
Pension
Fund
2017
£m
2
18
20

Railways
Pension
Scheme
2017
£m
1
6
7

2015

Total
£m
1,173
358
103
116
336
200
60
2,026
617
628
588
63
130
–
49
3
3,251

Total
2017
£m
3
24
27

+ Ongoing deficit funding contributions presented above for BBPF in 2017 are less than the amounts prescribed in the funding agreement due to overpaid contributions in 2016.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Notes to the Financial Statements continued155

28 Retirement benefit liabilities continued
28.2 IAS 19 accounting valuations continued
The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on reasonably possible changes in assumptions occurring at the end of the 
reporting period. In each case the relevant change in assumption occurs in isolation from potential changes in other assumptions. In practice 
more than one variable is likely to change at the same time. The sensitivities have been calculated using the projected unit credit method.

Sensitivity of the Group’s retirement benefit obligations at 31 December 2016 to different actuarial assumptions

Increase in discount rate
Increase in market expectation of RPI inflation
Increase in salary growth
Increase in life expectancy

Sensitivity of the Group’s retirement benefit assets at 31 December 2016 to changes in market conditions

Increase in interest rates
Increase in market expectation of RPI inflation

Percentage 
points/ 
Years
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
1 year

(Decrease)/
increase in 
obligations 
%
(8.0)%
5.9%
0.1%
4.3%

(Decrease)/
increase in 
obligations 
£m
(330)
241
4
177

Percentage
points
0.5%
0.5%

(Decrease)/
increase
in assets
%
(9.2)%
4.6%

(Decrease)/
increase
in assets
£m
(359)
181

The asset sensitivities only take into account the impact of the changes in market conditions on bond type assets. The value of the schemes’ 
return-seeking assets is not directly correlated with movements in interest rates or RPI inflation.

Year-end historical information for the Group’s retirement defined benefit schemes

Present value of obligations
Fair value of assets
Deficit
Experience adjustment for obligations
Experience adjustment for assets
Total deficit funding

28.3 Latest formal triennial funding valuations

Date of last formal triennial funding valuation
Scheme deficit
Market value of assets
Present value of obligations
Deficit in defined benefit scheme
Funding level

2016 
£m
(4,155)
3,924
(231)
76
704
41

2015 
£m
(3,397)
3,251
(146)
1
(154)
66

2014 
£m
(3,518)
3,390
(128)
(7)
574
49

2013 
£m
(3,229)
2,795
(434)
16
(44)
59

2012 
£m
(3,146)
2,813
(333)
(39)
83
61

Balfour Beatty 
Pension  
Fund  
£m
31/03/2016

Railways  
Pension  
Scheme  
£m
31/12/2013

3,536 
(3,642)
(106)
97.1%

273
(323)
(50)
84.5%

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report156

29 Share capital
29.1 Ordinary shares of 50p each

At 31 December 2015 and 2016

Million
690 

Issued
£m
345

All issued ordinary shares are fully paid. Ordinary shares carry no right to fixed income but each share carries the right to one vote at general 
meetings of the Company. 

29.2 Cumulative convertible redeemable preference shares of 1p each

At 31 December 2015 and 2016

Million
112

Issued
£m
1

All issued preference shares are fully paid. During the current and prior year, no preference shares were repurchased for cancellation by 
the Company.

Holders of preference shares are entitled to a preferential dividend equivalent to a gross payment of 10.75p per preference share per annum, 
payable half-yearly. A preference dividend of 5.375p per cumulative convertible redeemable preference share of 1p was paid on 1 July 2016 
in respect of the six months ended 30 June 2016. A preference dividend of 5.375p per cumulative convertible redeemable preference share 
of 1p was paid on 1 January 2017 in respect of the six months ended 31 December 2016. 

On 1 July 2020, any preference shares still outstanding are redeemable at £1 each, together with any arrears or accruals of dividend, unless 
the holder exercises any option granted by the Company to extend the redemption date. The maximum redemption value of all of the issued 
and outstanding preference shares, excluding any arrears or accruals of dividend, was £112m at 31 December 2016 (2015: £112m).

At the option of the holder, preference shares are convertible on the first day of the next calendar month following receipt of the conversion 
notice into new Balfour Beatty plc ordinary shares effectively on the basis of 24.69136 ordinary shares for every 100 preference shares, 
subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The Company is entitled to convert all outstanding preference shares into ordinary shares 
if there are fewer than 44,281,239 preference shares in issue or if the average of the closing mid-market price for a Balfour Beatty plc 
ordinary share during a 30-day period exceeds 810p, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.

The preference shares carry no voting rights at a general meeting of the Company, except where the dividend is six months or more in 
arrears, or where the business of the meeting includes a resolution which directly affects the rights and privileges attached to the preference 
shares or a resolution for the winding up of the Company. On winding up the Company, holders are entitled to receive the sum of £1 per 
preference share, together with any arrears or accruals of dividend, in priority to any payment on any other class of shares.

The preference shares are a compound instrument, comprising equity and liability components. The fair value of the liability component at 
the date of issue, included under non-current liabilities, was estimated using the prevailing market interest rate of 13.5% per annum for a 
similar non-convertible instrument. The difference between the proceeds of issue of the preference shares and the fair value assigned to 
the liability component, representing the value of the equity conversion component, is included in equity holders’ equity, net of deferred tax.

Liability component recognised in the Balance Sheet

Redemption value of shares in issue at 1 January
Equity component
Interest element
Liability component at 1 January at amortised cost
Interest accretion
Liability component at 31 December at amortised cost

2016  
£m
112
(18)
4
98
2
100

2015  
£m
112
(18)
2
96
2
98

The fair value of the liability component of the preference shares at 31 December 2016 amounted to £117m (2015: £109m). The fair value is 
determined by using the market price of the preference shares at the reporting date.

Interest expense on the preference shares is calculated using the effective interest method.

29.3 Convertible bonds
On 3 December 2013, the Group issued convertible bonds for net proceeds of £246m. The convertible bonds are compound instruments 
comprising equity and liability components. The fair value of the liability component was estimated as £220m using the prevailing market 
rate at the date of issue for a similar non-convertible instrument. The difference between the net proceeds and the fair value of the liability 
represented the embedded option to convert the liability into the Company’s ordinary shares being the equity component of £26m. 
Refer to Note 26.3.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Notes to the Financial Statements continued30 Movements in equity
30.1 Group

At 1 January 2016
Profit/(loss) for the year
Currency translation  
differences
Actuarial movements on  
retirement benefit liabilities
Fair value revaluations
– PPP financial assets
– cash flow hedges
–  available-for-sale investments  

in mutual funds 

Recycling of revaluation  
reserves to the income  
statement on disposal@
Tax on items recognised in  
other comprehensive income@
Total comprehensive income/
(loss) for the year
Ordinary dividends 
Joint ventures’ and associates’ 
dividends
Movements relating to  
share-based payments
Reserve transfers relating to joint 
venture and associate disposals
At 31 December 2016

Other reserves

Called- 
up share 
capital 
2016 
£m
345
–

Share 
premium 
account 
2016 
£m
65
–

Special 
reserve 
2016 
£m
22
–

Share 
of joint 
ventures’ 
and 
associates’ 
reserves 
(Note 18.6) 
2016 
£m
196
56

Equity 
component 
of 
preference 
shares and 
convertible 
bonds 
2016 
£m
44
–

Hedging 
reserves 
2016 
£m
(58)
–

PPP 
financial 
assets 
2016 
£m
58
–

Currency 
translation 
reserve 
2016 
£m
87
–

Retained 
profits/
(losses) 
2016 
£m
54
(32)

Non- 
controlling 
interests 
2016 
£m
4
–

Other 
2016 
£m
13
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
345

–
65

–
22

41

1

10
(92)

–

9

15

40
–

(43)

–

(9)
184

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
(16)

–

–

–

27
–

–

50

–

–
–

–

48

(63)

(2)

(4)

3

–

48
–

–

–

28
–

–

–

(33)
–

–

–

–
25

–
44

–
(30)

–
135

–
17

–

–

–
–

1

–

–

1
–

–

3

–

(121)

–
–

–

–

2

(151)
(6)

43

1

9
(50)

1

–

–
–

–

–

–

1
–

–

–

–
5

@  Recycling of revaluation reserves to the income statement on disposal has no associated tax effect.

157

Total 
2016 
£m
830
24

92

(120)

37
(108)

1

(8)

16

(66)
(6)

–

4

–
762

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report158

30 Movements in equity continued
30.1 Group continued

Other reserves

Called- 
up share 
capital 
2015 
£m
345
–

Share 
premium 
account 
2015 
£m
64
–

Special 
reserve 
2015 
£m
23
–

Share 
of joint 
ventures’ 
and 
associates’ 
reserves 
(Note 18.6) 
2015 
£m
340
44

Equity 
component 
of 
preference 
shares and 
convertible 
bonds 
2015 
£m
44
–

Hedging 
reserves 
2015 
£m
(74)
–

PPP 
financial 
assets 
2015 
£m
101
–

Currency 
translation 
reserve 
2015 
£m
55
–

Other 
2015 
£m
14
–

Retained 
profits 
2015 
£m
315
(250)

Non- 
controlling 
interests 
2015 
£m

Total 
2015 
£m
3 1,230
(206)
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
1

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–

–
–
345

–
–
65

–
(1)
22

3

(4)

(170)
21

(5)

33

(78)

(69)
–

–
–

(13)
16
196

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–
8

4

4

–

–

(13)
–

(27)

(3)

29

–

–
–

3

–

16

(43)

32

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–
58

–
–

–
–

–
–
87

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

(1)
–

–
–
13

–

(86)

–
–

5

15

(316)

69
–

(12)
–

13
(15)
54

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
1 

–
–
4

32

(90)

(183)
29

(20)

49

(389)

–
1

(13)
1

–
–
830

–
–
44

–
–
(58)

At 1 January 2015
Profit/(loss) for the year
Currency translation  
differences
Actuarial movements on  
retirement benefit liabilities
Fair value revaluations
– PPP financial assets
– cash flow hedges
Recycling of revaluation  
reserves to the income  
statement on disposal@
Tax on items recognised in  
other comprehensive income@
Total comprehensive (loss)/
income for the year
Joint ventures’ and associates’ 
dividends
Issue of ordinary shares
Movements relating to  
share-based payments
Minority interest
Reserve transfers relating to joint 
venture and associate disposals
Other transfers
At 31 December 2015

@  Recycling of revaluation reserves to the income statement on disposal has no associated tax effect.

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Notes to the Financial Statements continued30 Movements in equity continued
30.2 Company

At 1 January 2015
Profit for the year
Currency translation differences
Total comprehensive income for the year
Issue of ordinary shares
Movements relating to share-based payments
Other transfers
At 31 December 2015
Loss for the year
Currency translation differences
Total comprehensive loss for the year
Ordinary dividends 
Movements relating to share-based payments
At 31 December 2016

159

Other reserves

Equity 
component 
of 
preference 
shares and 
convertible 
bonds 
£m
44
–
–
–
–
–
–
44
–
–
–
–
–
44

Special 
reserve 
£m
23
–
–
–
–
–
(1)
22
–
–
–
–
–
22

Called-up 
share 
capital 
£m
345
–
–
–
–
–
–
345
–
–
–
–
–
345

Share 
premium 
account 
£m
64
–
–
–
1
–
–
65
–
–
–
–
–
65

Other 
£m
74
–
–
–
–
(2)
–
72
–
–
–
–
6
78

Retained 
profits 
£m
581
34
2
36
–
(14)
1
604
(10)
(8)
(18)
(6)
(2)
578

Total 
£m
1,131
34
2
36
1
(16)
–
1,152
(10)
(8)
(18)
(6)
4
1,132

As permitted under Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has elected not to present its Statement of Comprehensive 
Income (including the profit and loss account) for the year. Balfour Beatty plc reported a loss for the financial year ended 31 December 2016 
of £10m (2015: £34m profit).

The retained profits of Balfour Beatty plc are wholly distributable. By special resolution on 13 May 2004, confirmed by the court on 16 June 
2004, the share premium account was reduced by £181m and the £4m capital redemption reserve was cancelled, effective on 25 June 
2004, and a special reserve of £185m was created. This reserve becomes distributable to the extent of future increases in share capital 
and share premium account, of which nil occurred in 2016 (2015: £1m).

30.3 The retained profits in the Group and the retained profits of the Company are stated net of investments in Balfour Beatty plc ordinary 
shares acquired by the Group’s employee discretionary trust, the Balfour Beatty Employee Share Ownership Trust, to satisfy awards 
under the Performance Share Plan, the Executive Buyout Scheme, the Deferred Bonus Plan and the Restricted Share Plan. In 2016, 1.6m 
(2015: 7.3m) shares were purchased at a cost of £3.9m (2015: £16.9m). The market value of the 10.5m (2015: 9.2m) shares held by the Trust 
at 31 December 2016 was £28.2m (2015: £24.9m). The carrying value of these shares is £26.1m (2015: £23.0m). 

Following confirmation of the performance criteria at the end of the performance period in the case of the Performance Share Plan and 
the Executive Buyout Scheme, and at the end of the vesting period in the case of the Deferred Bonus Plan and the Restricted Share Plan, 
the appropriate number of shares will be unconditionally transferred to participants. In 2016, nil shares were transferred to participants in 
relation to the April 2013 awards under the Performance Share Plan (2015: nil shares were transferred to participants in relation to the April 
2012 awards under the Performance Share Plan), nil shares were transferred to participants in relation to the January 2015 awards under the 
Executive Buyout Scheme (2015: 0.3m), and 0.3m shares were transferred to participants in relation to awards under the Deferred Bonus 
Plan (2015: 0.7m shares).

The Trustees have waived the rights to dividends on shares held by the trust. Participants in the schemes receive an award of shares to 
represent the dividends which would have been payable on the shares since the date of grant. 

Other reserves in the Group and Company include £5.8m (2015: £3.9m) relating to unvested Performance Share Plan awards, £1.5m 
(2015: £0.2m) relating to unvested Restricted Share Plan awards, £1.5m (2015: £1.3m) relating to unvested Executive Buyout Scheme 
awards and £1.9m (2015: £1.5m) relating to unvested Deferred Bonus Plan awards. 

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report160

31 Notes to the statement of cash flows
31.1 Cash (used in)/generated from operations

Profit/(loss) from operations
Share of results of joint ventures and associates
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of other intangible assets
Impairment of IT intangible assets
Pension deficit payments
Pension fund settlement gain
Movements relating to share-based payments
Profit on disposal of investments in  
infrastructure concessions
Net gain on disposal of other businesses
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of land relating to Blackpool airport  
(2015: impairment of goodwill)
Impairment of assets within Rail Germany
Other non-cash items
Operating cash flows before movements in  
working capital
(Increase)/decrease in operating working capital
Inventories and non-construction work in progress
Due from construction contract customers
Trade and other receivables
Due to construction contract customers
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Cash used in operations

1 Before non-underlying items (Notes 2.10 and 10).

31.2 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and deposits
Term deposits
Cash balances within infrastructure concessions
Bank overdrafts

Notes

18
16
15
15
28.2
10
33

32.2
32.2

10
10

Continuing operations
Non- 
underlying 
items 
(Note 10) 
2016 
£m
(52)
(1)
1
9
–
–
(1)
–

Underlying
items1
2016 
£m
67
(55)
29
12
1
(41)
–
7

Discontinued 
operations 
2016 
£m
24
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(65)
–
(5)

–
–
–

(50)
(82)
42
(14)
(121)
60
(53)
4
(132)

–
(8)
–

3
–
–

(49)
34
–
9
(13)
(19)
(7)
64
(15)

–
(24)
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

2016 
£m
39
(56)
30
21
1
(41)
(1)
7

(65)
(32)
(5)

3
–
–

(99)
(48)
42
(5)
(134)
41
(60)
68
(147)

2015 
£m
(182)
(44)
35
25
17
(66)
(3)
5

(95)
(14)
(1)

4
7
(1)

(313)
178
27
182
74
126
(236)
5
(135)

Group 
2016 
£m
605
157
7
(1)
768

Group 
2015 
£m
562
84
20
(3)
663

Company 
2016 
£m
50
117
–
–
167

Company 
2015 
£m
–
50
–
(160)
(110)

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments with original 
maturities of less than three months and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities in the 
balance sheet.

31.3 Analysis of movement in net (borrowings)/cash

Opening net borrowings
Currency translation differences
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Accretion on convertible bonds
Proceeds from new loans
Repayments of loans
Disposal of non-recourse borrowings (Notes 32.2.11 and 32.3.9)
Net decrease in cash within assets held for sale
Closing net (borrowings)/cash

Infrastructure 
concessions 
non-recourse 
project 
finance 
2016 
£m
(365)
(6)
(13)
–
(65)
25
191
–
(233)

Other 
2016 
£m
163
30
38
(7)
(52)
1
–
–
173

Total 
2016 
£m
(202)
24
25
(7)
(117)
26
191
–
(60)

Total 
2015 
£m
(226)
(15)
(83)
(6)
(79)
12
177
18
(202)

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Notes to the Financial Statements continued 
 
161

31 Notes to the statements of cash flows continued
31.4 Borrowings
During the year ended 31 December 2016, the significant movements in borrowings were: an increase in new loans of £52m (2015: £nil); 
an increase of £65m (2015: £79m) in non-recourse loans funding the development of infrastructure projects in subsidiaries; disposal of non-
recourse borrowings in streetlighting projects of £191m (2015: £177m on disposal of Thanet OFTO HoldCo Ltd); and repayment of £25m 
(2015: £11m) of non-recourse loans.

32 Acquisitions and disposals
32.1 Current and prior year acquisitions
On 30 September 2016, the Group acquired 100% of Omnicom Engineering Ltd for a purchase price of £3m. The consideration includes a 
deferred consideration element of £0.3m which is subject to Omnicom securing key orders at an acceptable level of margin. The acquisition 
resulted in goodwill of £2m. Refer to Note 14. 

There were no material acquisitions in 2015.

Deferred consideration paid during 2016 in respect of acquisitions completed in earlier years was £3m (2015: £3m). This related to the 
Group’s acquisition of Centex Construction in 2007.

32.2 Current year disposals

Notes
Disposal date
32.2.1 15 April 2016
32.2.2 5 May 2016
32.2.3 1 July 2016

Entity/business
Connect M1-A1 Holdings Ltd^
Living & Learning Unit Trust^
BSF Schools: Islington, 
Southwark, Blackburn with 
Darwen & Bolton, Oldham, 
Hertfordshire, Ealing,  
Derby City^
BBIP Infrastructure Fund+ 
BBIP Advisor*

Percentage 
disposed 
%
30%
50%

Cash 
consideration 
£m
15
19

Net assets 
disposed 
£m
(10)&
(1)

80/90%
17.8%
100%
40%
100%

73
48
–
2
15

(27)
(48)
(3)
–
(14)

32.2.4 1 July 2016
32.2.5 1 July 2016
32.2.6 7 September 2016 Humber Gateway^ 
32.2.7 21 September 2016 Parts of Rail Germany*
32.2.8 21 November 2016 Balfour Beatty Sakti 

Indonesia^

49%

(3)

3

32.2.9 15 December 2016 Streetlighting: Sunderland, 
South Tyneside, Coventry, 
Cambridgeshire, 
Northamptonshire*

80%

33
202#

(37)
(137)

Direct 
costs 
incurred, 
indemnity 
provisions 
created 
and 
fair value 
uplift 
£m
–
(1)

Amount 
recycled 
from 
reserves 
£m
–
(8)

Underlying 
gain 
£m
5
9

Non- 
underlying 
gain/(loss) 
£m
–
–

(8)
7
–
–
2

–

15
8

–
(1)
–
–
(1)

–

–
(3)

38
–
–
2
–

–

11
65

–
6
(3)
–
2

–

–
5

*  Subsidiary.
^  Joint venture.
+  Associate.
#  Total cash consideration received by the Group also includes £9m of cash received in respect of Parsons Brinckerhoff (Note 32.2.10) and £2m of deferred cash consideration 

received in respect of SSL (Note 10.1.4.7).

&  Net assets disposed include amounts due to the joint venture of £4m held by the Company. 

32.2.1 On 15 April 2016, the Group disposed of a 30% interest in Connect M1-A1 Holdings Ltd for a cash consideration of £15m. 
The infrastructure concession disposal resulted in a net gain of £5m being recognised within underlying operating profit. The Group retains a 
20% interest in Connect M1-A1 Holdings Ltd. 

32.2.2 On 5 May 2016, the Group disposed of its 50% interest in Living & Learning Holdings Custodians Pty Ltd (Living & Learning Unit 
Trust) for a cash consideration of £19m. The infrastructure concession disposal resulted in a net gain of £9m being recognised within 
underlying operating profit, comprising: a gain of £18m in respect of the investment in the joint venture, an £8m loss in respect of revaluation 
reserves recycled to the income statement and £1m costs of disposal incurred. 

32.2.3 On 1 July 2016, the Group disposed of its entire interest in seven BSF (Building Schools for the Future) projects: Islington, Southwark, 
Blackburn with Darwen & Bolton, Oldham, Hertfordshire, Ealing and Derby City for a cash consideration of £73m. On this date, the Group 
ceased to jointly control these BSF projects by virtue of a put/call structure with a preferred bidder. The disposal completed on 22 August 
2016. The infrastructure concession disposal resulted in a net gain of £38m being recognised within underlying operating profit, comprising: 
a gain of £46m in respect of the investments in the joint ventures and an £8m loss in respect of revaluation reserves recycled to the 
income statement.

32.2.4 On 1 July 2016, the Group disposed of its 17.8% interest in the BBIP Infrastructure Fund for an initial cash consideration of £48m. 
The disposal resulted in a net gain of £6m being recognised within non-underlying operating profit, comprising: a gain of £nil in respect of the 
investment in the associated undertaking, a £7m gain in respect of revaluation reserves recycled to the income statement and £1m costs of 
disposal incurred.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report162

32 Acquisitions and disposals continued
32.2 Current year disposals continued
32.2.5 On 1 July 2016, the Group disposed of its 100% interest in the BBIP Advisor for a cash consideration of £nil. The disposal resulted 
in a net loss of £3m being recognised within non-underlying operating profit, comprising a loss of £3m in respect of the investment in 
the subsidiary.

32.2.6 On 7 September 2016, the Group disposed of its right to a 40% interest in Humber Gateway OFTO Holdings Ltd. The infrastructure 
concession disposal resulted in a net gain of £2m being recognised within underlying operating profit comprising a £2m fee received on 
disposing of the Group’s interest. The Group retains a 20% interest in Humber Gateway OFTO Holdings Ltd.

32.2.7 On 21 September 2016, as part of the ongoing process to exit the Mainland European rail business, the Group disposed of part of 
its Rail business in Germany to Tianjin Keyvia Electric Co Ltd for a cash consideration of £15m. This sale resulted in a £2m gain as a result 
of recycling of foreign currency reserves. The related assets disposed were impaired by £11m in 2015 to reflect the value of the agreed 
consideration which was recognised within non-underlying items (refer to Note 10.1.4.8). The disposal included cash disposed of £10m. 

32.2.8 On 21 November 2016, the Group reached agreement to dispose of its 49% interest in Balfour Beatty Sakti Indonesia to its joint 
venture partner for a payment by the Group of £3m reflecting the Group’s share of the net liabilities of the joint venture. This has been 
recognised as a disposal in the year as completion of the sale is not subject to any substantive terms at the year end. The amount due to the 
purchaser has been recognised in amounts due on disposal within trade and other payables (refer to Note 24). 

32.2.9 On 16 December 2016, the Group disposed of 80% interests in five streetlighting projects for a cash consideration of £33m. 
This infrastructure concession disposal resulted in a net gain of £11m being recognised within underlying operating profit, comprising: a loss 
of £4m in respect of the investments in subsidiaries and a £15m gain in respect of fair value reserves recycled to the income statement. 
The Group retains 20% interests in the infrastructure concession projects which are accounted for as joint ventures under the equity 
method. The disposal included cash disposed of £16m.

32.2.10 In 2015, the Group finalised the cash consideration due on the disposal of Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) amounting to additional 
consideration for the Group of £16m of which £7m was recognised as a receivable at the date of disposal in the prior period. In accordance 
with the stock purchase agreement, the Group received cash of £20m relating to historical tax matters (£16m of which was recognised as a 
current tax receivable in the prior period) and the Group also released an indemnity provision relating to an historical legal claim of £3m which 
was successfully settled during the period. Offsetting this additional non-underlying gain on disposal were separation costs incurred during 
the period of £4m, of which £2m were paid during the period, and the write-off of a deferred tax asset of £7m resulting in an overall net gain 
of £5m. Transaction costs of £9m, which were accrued in the prior period, were paid in the year. 

Subsequently in 2016, the Group reached a settlement with the purchaser of PB in relation to outstanding tax matters and indemnities. 
The Group received an additional £9m as a result of this settlement. At the same time, provisions in relation to these matters have been 
released, resulting in an overall gain to the Group of £24m.

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 201632 Acquisitions and disposals continued
32.2 Current year disposals continued
32.2.11 Subsidiaries net assets disposed

Net assets disposed
PPP financial assets
Intangible assets – other 
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred taxation
Inventories and non-construction work in progress
Due from construction contract customers
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Retirement benefit liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
Cash
Non-recourse borrowings
Net assets of interest retained

Reserves recycled to the income statement
Costs directly related to the sale

Cash consideration
(Gain)/loss on disposal
Net cash flow effect
Total consideration
Cash and cash equivalents disposed
Net cash consideration
Net receipt in relation to the disposal of Parsons Brinckerhoff 

&  Sale of parts of Rail Germany to Tianjin Keyvia Electric Co Ltd.

32.3 Prior year disposals

Notes
32.3.1
32.3.2
32.3.3
32.3.4
32.3.5
32.3.6
32.3.7
32.3.8

Disposal date
31 January 2015
16 February 2015
11 March 2015
12 March 2015
28 April 2015
27 May 2015
30 November 2015 Aura Holdings (Newcastle) Ltd^
2 December 2015

Entity/business
Parts of Rail Germany*
Thanet OFTO HoldCo Ltd*
Rail Italy*
Baoji BaoDeLi Electrification Ltd^
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary^ 
Signalling Solutions Ltd^

Greater Gabbard OFTO Holdings 
Ltd^

163

Total  
£m
279
3
1
(3)
5
21
12
(27)
(1)
(6)
(57)
26
(191)
(8)
54
(17)
1
38
(48)
(10)

48
(26)
22
9
31

Notes
20
15
16
27

25
28

31.3
18.1

Streetlighting
£m
279
–
–
(3)
–
–
4
(3)
–
–
(57)
16
(191)
(8)
37
(15)
–
22
(33)
(11)

Rail 
Germany&
£m
–
–
1
–
5
21
8
(24)
(1)
(6)
–
10
–
–
14
(2)
1
13
(15)
(2)

33
(16)
17

15
(10)
5

32.2.10

BBIP 
Advisor
£m 
–
3
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
3
–
–
3
–
3

–
–
–

Percentage 
disposed 
%
100
80
100
25
50
50
25

Cash 
consideration 
£m
5
40
5
4
72
18
7

Net assets 
disposed 
£m
(5)
(35)
(6)
(2)
(15)
(1)
(3)

Direct costs 
incurred, 
indemnity 
provisions 
created and 
fair value 
uplift 
£m
(4)
6
(1)
–
(1)
(1)
–

Amount 
recycled 
from 
reserves 
£m
(1)
18
(2)
–
(1)
–
–

Underlying 
gain 
£m
–
29
–
–
55
–
4

Non- 
underlying 
gain/(loss) 
£m
(5)
–
(4)
2
–
16
–

33

26
177

(25)
(92)

6
20

–
(1)

7
95

–
9

* Subsidiary.
^ Joint venture.

32.3.1 On 31 January 2015, as part of the ongoing process to exit the Mainland European rail business, the Group disposed of part of its Rail 
business in Germany and its Rail business in Austria for a cash consideration of £5m. The disposal resulted in a £5m loss being recognised 
as a non-underlying item within continuing operations, comprising a £1m loss on recycling currency translation reserves to the income 
statement and costs of disposal of £4m. The disposal included cash disposed of £12m.

32.3.2 On 16 February 2015, the Group disposed of an 80% interest in Thanet OFTO HoldCo Ltd (Thanet) for a cash consideration of £40m. 
This infrastructure concession disposal resulted in a net gain of £29m being recognised within underlying operating profit, comprising: a gain 
of £5m in respect of the investment in the subsidiary, an £18m gain in respect of revaluation reserves recycled to the income statement and 
£6m representing the fair value uplift of the interest retained. The Group retains a 20% interest in Thanet which will be accounted for as a 
joint venture using the equity method. The disposal included cash disposed of £17m.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report164

32 Acquisitions and disposals continued
32.3 Prior year disposals continued
32.3.3 On 11 March 2015, as part of the ongoing process to exit the mainland European Rail business, the Group disposed of its Rail 
business in Italy for a cash consideration of £5m. The disposal resulted in a £4m loss being recognised as a non-underlying item within 
discontinued operations, comprising a £1m loss in respect of the fair value of net assets disposed, a £2m loss on recycling currency 
translation reserves to the income statement and costs of disposal of £1m. The disposal included cash disposed of £3m.

32.3.4 On 12 March 2015, as part of the ongoing process to exit the mainland European Rail business, the Group disposed of its 25% 
interest in Baoji BaoDeLi Electrification Equipment Ltd for a cash consideration of £4m. The disposal resulted in a £2m gain being recognised 
as a non-underlying item within continuing operations in respect of the investment in the joint venture.

32.3.5 On 28 April 2015, the Group disposed of its 50% interest in Consort Healthcare (Edinburgh Royal Infirmary) Holdings Ltd (Edinburgh 
Royal Infirmary) for a cash consideration of £72m. This infrastructure concession disposal resulted in a net gain of £55m being recognised 
within underlying operating profit, comprising: a gain of £57m in respect of the investment in the joint venture, a £1m loss in respect of 
revaluation reserves recycled to the income statement and £1m costs of disposal incurred. 

32.3.6 On 27 May 2015, the Group disposed of its 50% interest in Signalling Solutions Ltd for an initial cash consideration of £17m. 
An additional cash consideration of £1m was subsequently received in the second half of the year. The disposal resulted in a £16m gain 
being recognised in non-underlying items within continuing operations in respect of the disposal of the investment in the joint venture, 
after deducting disposal costs of £1m. 

32.3.7 On 30 November 2015, the Group disposed of its 25% interest in Aura Holdings (Newcastle) Ltd for a cash consideration of £7m. 
This infrastructure concession disposal resulted in a net gain of £4m being recognised within underlying operating profit in respect of the 
investment in the joint venture.

32.3.8 On 2 December 2015, the Group disposed of its 33% interest in Greater Gabbard OFTO Holdings Ltd for a cash consideration 
of £26m. This infrastructure concession disposal resulted in a net gain of £7m being recognised within underlying operating profit, 
comprising a gain of £1m in respect of the investment in the joint venture and a £6m gain in respect of revaluation reserves recycled 
to the income statement.

32.3.9 Prior year subsidiaries net assets disposed

Net assets disposed
PPP financial assets
Deferred taxation
Inventories and non-construction work in progress
Due from construction contract customers
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Retirement benefit liabilities
Current taxation
Derivative financial instruments
Cash
Recourse borrowings
Non-recourse borrowings
Net assets of interest retained

Fair value movement on retained interest
Reserves recycled to the income statement
Costs directly related to the sale

Cash consideration
(Gain)/loss on disposal
Net cash flow effect
Total consideration
Cash and cash equivalents disposed
Transaction and separation costs paid
Net cash consideration
Net receipt in relation to the disposal of Parsons Brinckerhoff

+ Sale of parts of Rail Germany to Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group. Refer to Notes 32.3.1 and 32.3.4.

Continuing 
operations

Discontinued operations 
and assets held for sale

Thanet
£m
214
(6)
–
–
2
–
–
–
–
(6)
17
–
(177)
(9)
35
(6)
(18)
–
11
(40)
(29)

40
(17)
–
23

Rail 
Germany+
£m
–
–
1
10
5
(20)
(1)
(1)
–
–
12
(1)
–
–
5
–
1
4
10
(5)
5

5
(12)
(3)
(10)

Rail Italy
£m
–
1
–
4
10
(11)
–
(1)
1
–
3
(1)
–
–
6
–
2
1
9
(5)
4

5
(3)
(1)
1

Notes
20
27

31.3

32.2.9

Total  
£m
214
(5)
1
14
17
(31)
(1)
(2)
1
(6)
32
(2)
(177)
(9)
46
(6)
(15)
5
30
(50)
(20)

50
(32)
(4)
14
25
39

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016165

33 Share-based payments
The Company operates four equity-settled share-based payment arrangements, namely the Executive Buyout Scheme (EBS), the 
Performance Share Plan (PSP), the Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP) and the Restricted Share Plan (RSP). The Group recognised total expenses 
relating to equity-settled share-based payment transactions of £7.4m in 2016 (2015: £4.5m). Refer to the Remuneration report for details of 
the various schemes.

Movements in share plans

2016 number of awards
Outstanding at 1 January
Granted during the year
Awards in lieu of dividends
Forfeited during the year
Exercised during the year
Expired during the year
Outstanding at 31 December
Exercisable at 31 December
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) 
Weighted average share price at the date of exercise for awards exercised 
in the year 

EBS conditional 
awards
1,905,260
–
–
–
–
–
1,905,260
–
0.7

PSP conditional 
awards
7,105,303
3,768,644
–
(579,335)
–
(2,166,515)
8,128,097
–
1.7

DBP conditional 
awards
1,249,236
651,306
4,676
(127,790)
(285,853)
(27,253)
1,464,322
–
1.5

RSP conditional 
awards
1,105,658
986,096
5,592
(159,400)
(1,000)
–
1,936,946
–
1.8

n/a

n/a

252.4p

228.0p

2015 number of awards
Outstanding at 1 January
Granted during the year
Awards in lieu of dividends
Forfeited during the year
Exercised during the year
Expired during the year
Outstanding at 31 December
Exercisable at 31 December
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) 
Weighted average share price at the date of exercise for awards exercised 
in the year 

EBS conditional 
awards
–
2,859,212
–
–

(409,156)+
(544,796)
1,905,260
–
1.5

PSP conditional 
awards
6,833,065
4,231,248
–
(1,351,983)
–
(2,607,027)
7,105,303
–
1.4

DBP conditional 
awards
1,345,473
700,087
–
(68,220)
(728,104)
–
1,249,236
–
1.9

RSP conditional 
awards
–
1,105,658
–
–
–
–
1,105,658
–
2.4

261.6p

n/a

278.1p

n/a

+ Included in the number of shares exercised during 2015 is the exercise of an award of 141,791 shares which was cash-settled.

The principal assumptions, including expected volatility determined from the historical weekly share price movements over the three-year 
period immediately preceding the award date, used by the consultants in the stochastic model for the 33.3% of the PSP awards granted in 
2016 subject to market conditions, were:

Award date
13 April 2016

Name of award
PSP award

Closing 
share  
price on 
award date 
Pence
238.3

Expected 
volatility of 
shares 
%
34.1

Expected 
term of 
awards 
Years
3.0

Risk-free 
interest 
rate 
%
0.39

Calculated 
fair value 
of an 
award 
Pence
125.2

For the 66.7% of the PSP awards granted in 2016 subject to non-market conditions and for the DBP and RSP awards granted in 2016, the 
fair value of the awards is the closing share price before award date.

34 Commitments
Capital expenditure authorised and contracted for which has not been provided for in the financial statements amounted to £5m (2015: £4m) 
in the Group and £nil (2015: £nil) in the Company.

The Group has committed to provide its share of further equity funding and subordinated debt in Infrastructure Investments projects which 
have reached financial close. Refer to Note 39(f).

The Group leases land and buildings, equipment and other various assets under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. The leases 
have varying terms, escalation clauses and renewal rights. The lease expenditure charged to the income statement for continuing operations 
is disclosed in Note 6.1.

Future operating lease expenditure commitments

Due within one year
Due between one and five years
Due after more than five years

Land and 
buildings 
2016 
£m
25
63
24
112

Other  
2016  
£m
41
53
2
96

Land and 
buildings 
2015 
£m
28
58
23
109

Other  
2015 
£m
32
43
3
78

The Company did not have any future operating lease expenditure commitments as at 31 December 2016 (2015: £nil).

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report 
166

34 Commitments continued
Future committed operating lease income

Due within one year
Due between one and five years
Due after more than five years

Land and 
buildings 
2016 
£m
6
11
–
17

Land and 
buildings 
2015 
£m
1
5
1
7

The Company did not have any future committed operating lease income as at 31 December 2016 (2015: £nil). 

35 Contingent liabilities
The Company and certain subsidiary undertakings have, in the normal course of business, given guarantees and entered into counter-
indemnities in respect of bonds relating to the Group’s own contracts and given guarantees in respect of their share of certain contractual 
obligations of joint ventures and associates and certain retirement benefit liabilities of the Balfour Beatty Pension Fund and the Railways 
Pension Scheme. Guarantees are treated as contingent liabilities until such time as it becomes probable payment will be required under 
the terms of the guarantee.

Provision has been made for the Directors’ best estimate of known legal claims, investigations and legal actions in progress. The Group 
takes legal advice as to the likelihood of success of claims and actions and no provision is made where the Directors consider, based on 
that advice, that the action is unlikely to succeed, or that the Group cannot make a sufficiently reliable estimate of the potential obligation.

36 Related party transactions
Joint ventures and associates
The Group has contracted with, provided services to, and received management fees from, certain joint ventures and associates amounting 
to £344m (2015: £414m). These transactions occurred in the normal course of business at market rates and terms. In addition, the Group 
procured equipment and labour on behalf of certain joint ventures and associates which were recharged at cost with no mark-up. The amounts 
due from or to joint ventures and associates at the reporting date are disclosed in Notes 23 and 24 respectively.

Transactions with non-Group members
During 2016, the Group also entered into the following transactions with related parties which are not members of the Group. The following 
companies were related parties in 2016 as they are controlled or jointly controlled by a non-executive director of Balfour Beatty plc.

Urenco Ltd
Anglian Water Group Ltd

Sale of 
goods & 
services
2016 
£m
62
13
75

Purchase of 
goods & 
services
2016 
£m
–
9
9

Amounts 
owed by 
related 
parties
2016 
£m
5
–
5

Amounts 
owed to 
related 
parties
2016 
£m
–
–
–

All transactions with these related parties were conducted on normal commercial terms, equivalent to those conducted with external 
parties. The amounts outstanding are unsecured and will be settled in cash. No guarantees have been given or received. No expense has 
been recognised in the period for bad or doubtful debts in respect of the amounts owed by related parties.

Remuneration of key management personnel of the Company

Short-term benefits
Long-term benefits
Payments for loss of office
Joining costs
Share-based payments

2016 
£m
2.384
0.341
–
–
1.612
4.337

2015^
£m
2.627
0.291
0.639
2.053
1.642
7.252

^ Restated to include £43,600 of annual incentive cash paid to Duncan Magrath.

Key management personnel comprise the executive Directors who are directly responsible for the Group’s activities and the non-executive 
Directors. The remuneration included above is that paid in respect of the period of the year during which the individuals were Directors. 
Further details of Directors’ emoluments, post-employment benefits and interests are set out in the 2016 Remuneration report on pages 84 
to 99.

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016167

37 Events after the reporting date
On 26 January 2017, the Group reached agreement to sell its 49% interests in Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC and BK Gulf LLC to its joint 
venture partner for a total cash consideration of £11m. The sale subsequently completed on 1 March 2017. The Group’s investment in these 
entities did not satisfy the criteria under IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations at the balance sheet date 
and therefore continued to be presented within the Group’s underlying continuing operations. Following the agreement to sell in January 
2017, the criteria under IFRS 5 are now satisfied and therefore the Group’s share of results in these entities will be presented as part of 
its discontinued operations with comparatives restated accordingly in its 2017 financial statements. The impact of the disposal will be 
presented as non-underlying within discontinued operations. 

38 Financial instruments
Capital risk management
The Group manages its capital to ensure its ability to continue as a going concern and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the 
cost of capital. The components of capital are as follows: equity attributable to equity holders of the Company comprising issued ordinary 
share capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in Notes 29.1 and 30; preference shares as disclosed in Note 29.2; US private 
placement as disclosed in Note 26; convertible bonds as disclosed in Note 26; and cash and cash equivalents and borrowings as disclosed in 
Note 26.

The Group maintains or adjusts its capital structure through the payment of dividends to equity holders, issue of new shares and buyback of 
existing shares, and drawdown of new borrowings and repayment of existing borrowings. The policy of the Group is to ensure an appropriate 
balance between cash, borrowings (other than the non-recourse borrowings of companies engaged in Infrastructure Investments projects), 
working capital and the value in the Infrastructure Investments investment portfolio.

The overall capital risk management strategy of the Group remains unchanged from 2015. 

Categories of financial instruments

Loans and 
receivables 
at amortised 
cost, cash 
and  
deposits 
2016  
£m

Financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost  
2016  
£m

Available-
for-sale 
financial 
assets  
2016  
£m

Held to 
maturity 
financial 
assets  
2016  
£m

Loans and 
receivables  
at amortised 
cost, cash  
and  
deposits  
2015  
£m

Derivatives 
2016  
£m

Financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost  
2015  
£m

Available- 
for-sale 
financial 
assets  
2015  
£m

Held to 
maturity 
financial 
assets  
2015  
£m

Derivatives 
2015  
£m

Financial assets
Fixed rate bonds and 
treasury stock
Mutual funds
PPP financial assets
Cash and deposits
Trade and other receivables
Derivatives
Total
Financial liabilities
Liability component of 
preference shares
Trade and other payables
Unsecured borrowings
Secured borrowings
Infrastructure concessions 
non-recourse term loans
Derivatives
Total
Net
Current year comprehensive 
income/(loss) excluding 
share of joint ventures 
and associates

–
–
–
769
1,210
–
1,979

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
1,979

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(100)
(1,772)
(588)
(1)

(240)
–
(2,701)
(2,701)

–
23
163
–
–
–
186

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
186

22
–
–
–
–
–
22

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
22

–
–
–
–
–
4
4

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
666
945
–
1,611

–
–
–
–

–
(39)
(39)
(35)

–
–
–
1,611

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(98)
(1,732)
(482)
(1)

(385)
–
(2,698)
(2,698)

–
20
402
–
–
–
422

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
422

24
–
–
–
–
–
24

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
24

–
–
–
–
–
1
1

–
–
–
–

–
(78)
(78)
(77)

52

(78)

(14)

1

32

25

(60)

(16)

1

12

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report168

38 Financial instruments continued
Derivatives

Foreign currency contracts 
Held for trading at fair value through  
income statement
Designated as cash flow hedges
Interest rate swaps
Designated as cash flow hedges

Financial assets

Current 
2016  
£m

Non- 
current 
2016  
£m

Total  
2016  
£m

Financial liabilities
Non- 
current  
2016  
£m

Total  
2016  
£m

Current  
2016  
£m

Financial assets

Financial liabilities

Current  
2015  
£m

Non- 
current  
2015  
£m

Total  
2015  
£m

Current  
2015  
£m

Non- 
current  
2015  
£m

Total  
2015  
£m

1
–

–
1

–
3

–
3

1
3

–
4

(2)
–

(4)
(6)

–
–

(2)
–

(33)
(33)

(37)
(39)

1
–

–
1

–
–

–
–

1
–

–
1

–
–

(11)
(11)

–
–

–
–

(67)
(67)

(78)
(78)

Non-derivative financial liabilities gross maturity
The following table details the remaining contractual maturity for the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities. The table reflects the 
undiscounted contractual maturities of the financial liabilities including interest that will accrue on those liabilities except where the Group is 
entitled to and intends to repay the liability before its maturity. The discount column represents the possible future cash flows included in the 
maturity analysis, such as future interest, that are not included in the carrying value of the financial liability. 

Maturity profile of the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities at 31 December

Due on demand or within one year
Due within one to two years
Due within two to five years
Due after more than five years

Discount
Carrying value

Due on demand or within one year
Due within one to two years
Due within two to five years
Due after more than five years

Discount
Carrying value

Non-recourse 
project  
finance  
2016  
£m
(57)
(10)
(34)
(188)
(289)
49
(240)

Other 
borrowings  
2016  
£m
(56)
(299)
(37)
(209)
(601)
12
(589)

Other  
financial 
liabilities  
2016  
£m
(1,639)
(93)
(134)
(20)
(1,886)
14
(1,872)

Non-recourse 
project  
finance  
2015  
£m
(24)
(38)
(46)
(383)
(491)
106
(385)

Other 
borrowings  
2015  
£m
(13)
(2)
(313)
(175)
(503)
20
(483)

Other  
financial 
liabilities  
2015  
£m
(1,606)
(74)
(130)
(36)
(1,846)
16
(1,830)

Total 
non-  
derivative 
financial 
liabilities  
2016  
£m
(1,752)
(402)
(205)
(417)
(2,776)
75
(2,701)

Total  
non-  
derivative 
financial 
liabilities  
2015 
£m
(1,643)
(114)
(489)
(594)
(2,840)
142
(2,698)

Discount  
2016  
£m
10
14
15
36
75

Carrying  
value  
2016  
£m
(1,742)
(388)
(190)
(381)
(2,701)

Discount 
2015  
£m
2
3
47
90
142

Carrying  
value  
2015  
£m
(1,641)
(111)
(442)
(504)
(2,698)

Derivative financial liabilities gross maturity
The following table details the Group’s expected maturity for its derivative financial liabilities. The table reflects the undiscounted net cash 
inflows/(outflows) on the derivative instruments that settle on a net basis (interest rate swaps) and undiscounted gross inflows/(outflows) 
for those derivatives that are settled on a gross basis (foreign exchange contracts). When the amount payable or receivable is not fixed, 
the amount disclosed has been determined by reference to the projected interest rates, using the yield curves at the reporting date.

Maturity profile of the Group’s derivative financial liabilities at 31 December

Due on demand or within one year
Due within one to two years
Due within two to five years
Due after more than five years
Total

Payable  
2016  
£m
(77)
(10)
(14)
(27)
(128)

Receivable  
2016  
£m
71
6
3
–
80

Net  
payable  
2016  
£m
(6)
(4)
(11)
(27)
(48)

Payable  
2015  
£m
(45)
(13)
(29)
(64)
(151)

Receivable  
2015  
£m
33
2
–
–
35

Net  
payable  
2015  
£m
(12)
(11)
(29)
(64)
(116)

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016169

38 Financial instruments continued
Financial risk factors
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk; credit risk; and liquidity risk. The Group’s financial risk management 
strategy seeks to minimise the potential adverse effect of these risks on the Group’s financial performance.

Financial risk management is carried out centrally by Group Treasury under policies approved by the Board. Group Treasury liaises with 
the Group’s operating companies to identify, evaluate and hedge financial risks. The Board provides written principles for overall financial 
risk management, as well as written policies covering specific areas, such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, use of 
derivative financial instruments and non-derivative financial instruments, and the investment of excess liquidity. Compliance with policies 
and exposure limits is monitored through the Group’s internal audit and risk management procedures. The Group uses derivative financial 
instruments to hedge certain risk exposures. The Group does not trade in financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, 
for speculative purposes.

(a) Market risk
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Group 
enters into a variety of derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risk, including:

 – forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge the exchange rate risk arising on trading activities transacted in a currency that is not the 

functional currency of the operating company

 – interest rate swaps to mitigate the cash flow variability in non-recourse project finance loans arising from variable interest rates 

on borrowings.

There has been no material change to the Group’s exposure to market risks and there has been no change in how the Group manages those 
risks since 2015.

(i) Foreign currency risk management
The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from exposure to various currencies, primarily to US dollars, 
euros, Hong Kong dollars and United Arab Emirates dirhams. Foreign exchange risk arises from future trading transactions, assets and 
liabilities and net investments in foreign operations.

Group policy requires operating companies to manage their transactional foreign exchange risk against their functional currency. 
Whenever a current or future foreign currency exposure is identified with sufficient reliability Group Treasury enters into forward contracts 
on behalf of operating companies to cover 100% of foreign exchange risk above materiality levels determined by the Chief Financial Officer.

Refer to page 168 for details of forward foreign exchange contracts outstanding at the reporting date in respect of foreign currency 
transactional exposures.

As at 31 December 2016, the notional principal amounts of foreign exchange contracts in respect of foreign currency transactions where 
hedge accounting is not applied was £70m (2015: £35m) receivable and £71m (2015: £36m) payable with related cash flows expected to 
occur in up to two (2015: two) years. The foreign exchange gains or losses resulting from fair valuing these unhedged foreign exchange 
contracts will affect the income statement throughout the same periods.

The Group has designated forward exchange contracts with a notional principal amount of £10m (2015: £nil) receivable and £11m (2015: £nil) 
payable as cash flow hedges against highly probable cash flows which are expected to occur in up to five (2015: one) years. Fair value gains 
on these contracts of £2m (2015: £nil) have been taken to hedging reserves through other comprehensive income. The cumulative amount 
deferred in the hedging reserves relating to cash flow hedges at the reporting date is £2m (2015: £nil).

No significant amounts in relation to hedge ineffectiveness have been charged or credited to the income statement in relation to any foreign 
exchange cash flow hedges.

The Group’s investments in foreign operations are exposed to foreign currency translation risks. The Group does not enter into forward 
foreign exchange or other derivative contracts to hedge foreign currency denominated net assets.

In March 2013, the Group raised US$350m through a US private placement which has been designated as a net investment hedge against 
changes in the value of the Group’s US net assets due to exchange movements. The Group has reassessed this hedge and has concluded 
that the hedge continues to be effective. Exchange movements in the year totalled £49m (2015: £12m). A 5% increase/decrease in the 
US dollar to sterling exchange rate would lead to a £14m decrease (2015: £11m)/£15m increase (2015: £12m) in the carrying amount of the 
liability on the Group’s balance sheet, with the movement recognised in other comprehensive income. 

A 50 basis point increase/decrease in the interest rate in which financial instruments are held would lead to a £7m increase 
(2015: £20m)/£9m decrease (2015: £24m) in amounts taken directly to other comprehensive income by the Group.

The hedging policy is reviewed periodically. At the reporting date there had been no change to the hedging policies since 2015.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report170

38 Financial instruments continued
(ii) Interest rate risk management
Interest rate risk arises in the Group’s non-recourse project companies which borrow funds at both floating and fixed interest rates and hold 
available-for-sale financial assets. Floating rate borrowings expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. The Group’s policy to manage 
this risk is to swap floating rate interest to fixed rate, using interest rate swap contracts.

In an interest rate swap, the Group agrees to exchange the difference between fixed and floating rate interest amounts calculated on agreed 
notional principal amounts. The net effect of a movement in interest rates on income would be immaterial. The fair value of interest rate 
swaps is determined by discounting the future cash flows using the yield curve at the reporting date.

During 2016 and 2015, the Group’s non-recourse project subsidiaries’ borrowings at variable rates of interest were denominated in sterling 
and US dollars.

The notional principal amounts of the outstanding subsidiaries’ interest rate swaps outstanding at 31 December 2016 totalled £117m 
(2015: £304m) with maturities that match the maturity of the underlying borrowings ranging from one year to 23 years.

At 31 December 2015, the fixed interest rates range from 3.5% to 5.1% (2015: 3.5% to 5.1%) and the principal floating rates are LIBOR plus 
a fixed margin.

A 50 basis point increase/decrease in the interest rate in which financial instruments are held would lead to a £7m increase 
(2015: £20m)/£9m decrease (2015: £24m) in amounts taken directly to other comprehensive income by the Group in relation to the Group’s 
exposure to interest rates on the available-for-sale financial assets and cash flow hedges of its Infrastructure Investments subsidiaries.

Interest rate risk also arises on the Group’s cash and cash equivalents, term deposits and other borrowings. A 50 basis point increase/
decrease in the interest rate of each currency in which these financial instruments are held would lead to a £nil decrease (2015: £2m)/£nil 
increase (2015: £1m) in the Group’s net finance cost.

(iii) Price risk management
The Group’s principal price risk exposure arises in its Infrastructure Investments concessions. At the commencement of the concession, an 
element of the unitary payment by the customer is indexed to offset the effect of inflation on the concession’s costs. The Group is exposed 
to price risk to the extent that inflation differs from the index used.

(b) Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations, resulting in financial loss. Credit risk arises from cash and 
deposits, derivative financial instruments and credit exposures to customers, including outstanding receivables and committed transactions. 
The Group has a policy of assessing the creditworthiness of potential customers before entering into transactions.

For cash and deposits and derivative financial instruments, the Group has a policy of only using counterparties that are independently rated 
with a minimum long-term credit rating of BBB+. At 31 December 2016, £1m (2015: £5m) did not meet this criterion due to the operational 
and relationship difficulties in transferring certain balances, however no losses are anticipated from these counterparties. The credit rating of 
a financial institution will determine the amount and duration for which funds may be deposited under individual risk limits set by the Board 
of Directors for the Group and subsidiary companies. Management monitors the utilisation of these credit limits regularly.

For trade and other receivables, credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable using independent ratings 
where available or by assessment of the customer’s credit quality based on its financial position, past experience and other factors. 
The Group’s most significant customers are public or regulated industry entities which generally have high credit ratings or are of a high 
credit quality due to the nature of the customer.

The maximum exposure to credit risk in respect of the above at the reporting date is the carrying value of financial assets recorded in the 
financial statements, net of any allowance for losses.

(c) Liquidity risk
The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash balances and banking facilities, continuously monitoring forecast and actual 
cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities. Details of undrawn committed borrowing facilities are set out 
in Note 26.1. The maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities is set out on page 168.

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016171

38 Financial instruments continued
Fair value estimation
The Group holds certain financial instruments on the balance sheet at their fair values. The following hierarchy classifies each class of 
financial asset or liability in accordance with the valuation technique applied in determining its fair value.

There have been no transfers between these categories in the current or preceding year.

Level 1 – The fair value is calculated based on quoted prices traded in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. 

The Group holds available-for-sale investments in mutual funds which are traded in active markets and valued at the closing market price 
at the reporting date.

Level 2 – The fair value is based on inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, 
either directly or indirectly.

The fair value of interest rate swaps is calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows utilising yield curves at the reporting 
date and taking into account own credit risk. Own credit risk for Infrastructure Investments’ swaps is not material and is calculated using the 
following credit valuation adjustment (CVA) calculation: loss given default multiplied by exposure multiplied by probability of default.

The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is determined using quoted forward exchange rates at the reporting date and yield 
curves derived from quoted interest rates matching the maturities of the foreign exchange contracts. Own credit risk for the other derivative 
liabilities is not material and is calculated by applying a relevant credit default swap (CDS) rate obtained from a third party.

Level 3 – The fair value is based on unobservable inputs.

The fair value of the Group’s PPP financial assets is determined in the construction phase by applying an attributable profit margin by 
reference to the construction margin on non-PPP projects reflecting the construction risks retained by the construction contractor, and fair 
value of construction services performed. In the operational phase it is determined by discounting the future cash flows allocated to the 
financial asset at a discount rate which is based on long-term gilt rates adjusted for the risk levels associated with the assets, with market-
related movements in fair value recognised in other comprehensive income and other movements recognised in the income statement. 
Amounts originally recognised in other comprehensive income are transferred to the income statement upon disposal of the asset. 

A change in the discount rate would have a significant effect on the value of the asset and a 50 basis point increase/decrease, which 
represents management’s assessment of a reasonably possible change in the risk-adjusted discount rate, would lead to a £7m decrease 
(2015: £14m)/£7m increase (2015: £15m) in the fair value of the assets taken through equity. Refer to Note 20 for a reconciliation of the 
movement from the opening balance to the closing balance.

Financial instruments at fair value
Available-for-sale mutual fund financial assets
Financial assets – foreign currency contracts
Available-for-sale PPP financial assets
Investment in the Infrastructure Fund
Total assets measured at fair value
Financial liabilities – foreign currency contracts
Financial liabilities – infrastructure  
concessions interest rate swaps
Total liabilities measured at fair value

Level 1 
£m
23
–
–
–
23
–

–
–

Level 2 
£m
–
4
–
–
4
(2)

(37)
(39)

Level 3 
£m
–
–
163
–
163
–

–
–

2016
Total 
£m
23
4
163
–
190
(2)

(37)
(39)

Level 1 
£m
20
–
–
–
20
–

Level 2 
£m
–
1
–
–
1
–

–
–

(78)
(78)

Level 3
£m
–
–
402
38
440
–

–
–

2015
Total
£m
20
1
402
38
461
–

(78)
(78)

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report172

39 Principal subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates
(a) Principal subsidiaries

Country of 
incorporation or 
registration

Construction and Support Services 
Balfour Beatty Construction Group Inc
Balfour Beatty Construction, LP
Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc
Balfour Beatty Rail Inc
Infrastructure Investments (Note 39)
Balfour Beatty Communities LLC
Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Investments Ltd*
Balfour Beatty Investments Inc
Balfour Beatty Investments, LP
Balfour Beatty Communities, LP
Other
Balfour Beatty Holdings Inc. 
Delphian Insurance Company Ltd*

US
Canada
US
US

US

US
Canada
Canada

US
Isle of Man

(b) Principal joint ventures and associates

Country of 
incorporation 
or registration

Construction and Support Services
BK Gulf LLC 
Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC
Gammon China Ltd
Infrastructure Investments (Note 39)
Connect Plus (M25) Ltd

Dubai
Dubai
Hong Kong

Ownership 
interest 
%

49.0
49.0
50.0

40.0

(c) Principal joint operations
The Group carries out a number of its larger contracts in joint 
arrangements with other contractors so as to share resources 
and risk. The principal joint projects in progress during the year are 
shown below.

Crossrail 
M25 Maintenance
DFW Terminal Development Program 
Vancouver Children’s and  
Women’s Hospital
Houston Convention Centre Hotel
Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route
Area 10 ASC

US

Canada
US

26.7
52.5
60.0

50.0
50.0
33.3
70.0

Notes 
(i)  Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates whose results did not, in the opinion of the Directors, materially affect the results or net assets of the Group are not shown. 
(ii) Unless otherwise stated, 100% of the equity capital is owned and companies are registered in England and Wales and the principal operations of each company are conducted 

in the country of incorporation. 

*  Indicates held directly by Balfour Beatty plc. 

A full list of the Group’s related undertakings is included in Note 41. 

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016173

39 Principal subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates continued 
(d) Balfour Beatty Investments UK
Roads
Balfour Beatty is a promoter, developer and investor in 13 road and street lighting projects to construct new roads, to upgrade and maintain 
existing roads and to replace and maintain street lighting. The principal contract is the project agreement with the governmental highway 
authority. All assets transfer to the customer at the end of the concession.

Concession company (i)
Connect M1-A1 Ltd
Connect A50 Ltd
Connect A30/A35 Ltd
Connect M77/GSO plc (ii)
Connect Roads Sunderland Ltd
Connect Roads South Tyneside Ltd
Connect Roads Derby Ltd

Connect Plus (M25) Ltd

Connect CNDR Ltd
Connect Roads Coventry Ltd
Connect Roads Cambridgeshire Ltd
Connect Roads Northamptonshire Ltd

Aberdeen Roads Ltd

Project
30km road
57km road
102km road
25km road
Streetlighting
Streetlighting
Streetlighting
J16 – J23, J27 – J30 and 
A1(M) Hatfield Tunnel
Carlisle Northern  
Development Route
Streetlighting
Streetlighting
Streetlighting
Aberdeen Western  
Peripheral Route

Total debt  
and equity  
funding  

Financial  
close
£m Shareholding
March 1996
20%
290
May 1996
25%
42
July 1996
20%
127
May 2003
85%
167
20%
27
August 2003
20% December 2005
28
April 2007
100%
36

1,309

176
56
51
64

40%

25%
20%
20%
20%

May 2009

July 2009
August 2010
April 2011
August 2011

665

33.3% December 2014

Duration  
years
30
30
30
32
25
25
25

Construction 
completion
1999
1998
2000
2005
2008
2010
2012

30

30
25
25
25

33

2012

2012
2015
2016
2016

2018

Notes
(i)  Registered in England and Wales and the principal operations of each company are in England and Wales, except Connect M77/GSO plc and Aberdeen Roads Ltd which are 

registered in and conduct their principal operations in Scotland.

(ii) Due to the shareholders’ agreement between Balfour Beatty and the other shareholder requiring unanimity of agreement in respect of significant matters related to the financial 

and operating policies of this company, the Directors consider that the Group does not control this company and it has been accounted for as a joint venture.

Healthcare
Balfour Beatty is a promoter, developer and investor in four healthcare projects to build hospital accommodation and to provide certain non-
medical facilities management services over the concession period. The principal contract is the project agreement between the concession 
company and the NHS Trust and in the case of the Irish Primary Care Centres, the Irish Government. All assets transfer to the customer at 
the end of the concession.

Concession company (i)

Consort Healthcare (Birmingham) Ltd 
Consort Healthcare (Fife) Ltd
Woodland View Project Co Ltd
Healthcare Centres PPP Ltd

Project
Teaching hospital and mental 
health hospital
General hospital
Mental health hospital in Irvine
Primary health care centres

£m Shareholding

553
170
58
158

40%
50%
100%
40%

Total debt  
and equity  
funding  

Financial  
close

Duration  
years

Construction 
completion

June 2006
April 2009
June 2014
May 2016

40
30
27
26

2011
2011 
2016 
2018

Note
(i)  Registered in England and Wales and the principal operations of each company are in England and Wales, except Consort Healthcare (Fife) Ltd and Woodland View Project Co Ltd 
which are registered in and conduct their principal operations in Scotland and Healthcare Centres PPP Ltd which is registered in and conducts its principal operations in Ireland.

Student accommodation
Balfour Beatty is a promoter, developer and investor in three student accommodation projects. On Holyrood and Aberystwyth, the principal 
agreement is between the concession company and the university and the assets transfer to the customer at the end of the concession. 
On Glasgow Residences the building is owned outright by Balfour Beatty and rooms will be let to individual students.

Concession company (i)
Holyrood Student Accommodation SPV Ltd
Aberystwyth Student Accommodation Ltd
Glasgow Residences (Kennedy Street) SPV Ltd

Project
Edinburgh
Aberystwyth
Glasgow

£m Shareholding
100%
82
100%
51
100%
40

Financial close
July 2013
July 2013
April 2016

Total debt 
 and equity  
funding  

Duration  
years
50
35
n/a

Construction  
completion
2016
2015
2017

Note
(i)  Registered in England and Wales and the principal operations of each company are in England and Wales except Holyrood Student Accommodation SPV Ltd and Glasgow 

Residences (Kennedy Street) SPV Ltd which are registered in and conduct their principal operations in Scotland.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report174

39 Principal subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates continued
(d) Balfour Beatty Investments UK continued
Other concessions
Pevensey Coastal Defence Ltd (PCDL) has a 25-year contract with the Environment Agency to maintain a shingle bank sea defence in East 
Sussex. Gammon Capital (West) Pte Ltd has a contract with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College West of Singapore to design, 
build and finance the ITE and provide long-term facilities management services for the remainder of the 27-year project. Balfour Beatty Fire 
and Rescue NW Ltd is contracted by the local authority to design, construct, fund and provide facilities for 16 community firestations in 
Merseyside, Cumbria and Lancashire. UBB Waste (Essex) Ltd and UBB Waste (Gloucestershire) Ltd have contracts with the local authorities 
to design, build and operate new sustainable waste treatment facilities. Thanet involves the operation of transmission assets for the 300MW 
offshore wind farm project located off the Kent coast. Gwynt y Môr involves the operation of transmission assets for the 576MW offshore 
wind farm in the Irish sea. Humber involves the operation of transmission assets for the 219MW offshore wind farm in the North sea. 
Thanet, Gwynt y Môr and Humber operate and maintain the transmission assets under the terms of perpetual licences granted by Ofgem 
which contain the right to be paid a revenue stream over a 20-year period on an availability basis. Birmingham Bio Power involves the 
design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a 9.3MW waste wood gasifier located at Tyseley Energy Park, Birmingham. 
Welland Waste Bio Power involves the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a 10.4MW waste wood gasifier 
located at Pebble Hall Farm, Thredingworth. All assets transfer to the customer at the end of the concession. 

Total debt  
and equity  
funding  

Concession company (i)
Pevensey Coastal Defence Ltd
Gammon Capital (West) Pte Ltd
Balfour Beatty Fire and Rescue NW Ltd
UBB Waste (Essex) Ltd
UBB Waste (Gloucestershire) Ltd
Thanet OFTO Ltd
Gwynt y Môr OFTO plc (ii)
Birmingham Bio Power Ltd
Welland Bio Power Ltd
Humber Gateway OFTO Ltd

Project
Sea defences
Technical education college
Fire stations
Waste processing plant
Waste processing plant
Offshore transmission
Offshore transmission
Waste wood gasifier
Waste wood gasifier
Offshore transmission

£m Shareholding
25%
50%
100%
30%
49.5%

Financial close
July 2000
August 2008
February 2011
May 2012
February 2013*
20% December 2014
February 2015
60%
37.5% December 2013
25%
March 2015
20% September 2016

3
100
55
146
194
197
256
53
17
187

Duration  
years
25
27
25
28
28
20
20
n/a
n/a
20

Construction 
completion
n/a
2010
2013
2015
2017
n/a
n/a
2016
2017
n/a

Notes
(i)  Registered in England and Wales and the principal operations of each company are in England and Wales, except Gammon Capital (West) Pte Ltd which is registered in and 

conducts its principal operations in Singapore.

(ii) Due to the shareholders’ agreement between Balfour Beatty and the other shareholders requiring unanimity of agreement in respect of significant matters related to the financial 

and operating policies of this company, the Directors consider that the Group does not control this company and it has been accounted for as a joint venture.

*  Due to delays in achieving planning, UBB Waste (Gloucestershire) Ltd reached a second financial close in January 2016.

(e) Balfour Beatty Investments North America
Military housing
Summary Balfour Beatty through its subsidiary Balfour Beatty Communities LLC is a manager, developer, and investor in a number of 
US military privatisation projects associated with a total of 55 US government military bases which includes 55 military family housing 
communities and one unaccompanied personnel housing community that are expected to contain approximately 42,800 housing units once 
development, construction and renovation are complete.

The projects comprise 11 military family housing privatisation projects with the United States Department of the Army (Army), seven 
projects with the United States Department of the Air Force (Air Force) and two projects with the United States Department of the Navy 
(Navy). In addition, there is one unaccompanied personnel housing (UPH) project with the Army at Fort Stewart.

Contractual arrangements The first phase of the project, known as the initial development period, covers the period of initial construction 
or renovation of military housing on a base, typically lasting three to eight years. With respect to Army and Navy projects, the government 
becomes a member or partner of the project entity (Project LLC); the Air Force is not a named partner or member in Balfour Beatty 
Communities’ Project LLCs, however it contributes a commitment to provide a government direct loan to the Project LLC and has similar 
rights to share in distributions and cash flows of the Project LLC. On each project, the Project LLC enters into a ground lease with the 
government, which provides the Project LLC with a leasehold interest in the land and title to the improvements on the land for a period of 50 
years. Each of these military housing privatisation projects includes agreements covering the management, renovation, and development 
of existing housing units, as well as the development, construction, renovation and management of new units during the term of the 
project, which, in the case of the Army, could potentially extend for up to an additional 25 years. The 50-year duration of each project calls 
for continuous renovation, rehabilitation, demolition and reconstruction of housing units. At the end of the ground lease term the Project 
LLC’s leasehold interest terminates and all project improvements on the land generally transfer to the government.

Preferred returns The projects will typically receive, to the extent that adequate funds are available, an annual minimum preferred rate of 
return. On most existing projects, this annual minimum preferred rate of return ranges from 9% to 12% of Balfour Beatty Communities’ 
initial equity contribution to the project. During the initial development period, the project is precluded from distributing funds to pay the 
minimum preferred rate of return. The unpaid amounts will generally accrue and accumulate, and can be used to fund renovation and 
construction costs, if necessary. If the accumulated funds are not needed to fund renovation and construction costs, at the end of the initial 
development period they are distributed to pay accrued preferred returns to Balfour Beatty Communities and the government in accordance 
with the terms of the project agreements.

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016175

39 Principal subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates continued
(e) Balfour Beatty Investments North America continued
Military housing continued
Allocation of remaining operating cash flows Subsequent to the initial development period, any operating cash flow remaining after the 
annual minimum preferred rate of return is paid is shared between Balfour Beatty Communities and the reinvestment account held by the 
project for the benefit of the government. On most of the existing projects, the total amount that Balfour Beatty Communities is entitled to 
receive (inclusive of the preferred return) is generally capped at an annual modified rate of return, or cash-on-cash return, on its initial equity 
contribution to the project. Historically, these caps have ranged between approximately 9% to 18% depending on the particular project and 
the type of return (annual modified rates of return or cash-on-cash). However, in some of the more recent projects, there are either no annual 
caps or lower projected annual rates of return. The total capped return generally will include the annual minimum preferred return discussed 
above. The reinvestment account is an account established for the benefit of the military, but funds may be withdrawn for construction, 
development and renovation costs during the remaining life of a privatisation project upon approval by the applicable military service.

Return of equity Generally, at the end of a project term, any monies remaining in the reinvestment account are distributed to Balfour 
Beatty Communities and the Army, Navy or Air Force, in a predetermined order of priority. Typically these distributions will have the effect 
of providing the parties with sufficient funds to provide a minimum annual return over the life of the project and a complete return of the 
initial capital contribution. After payment of the minimum annual return and the return of a party’s initial contribution, all remaining funds 
will typically be distributed to the applicable military service.

Military concession company (i)(ii)
Military family housing
Fort Carson Family Housing LLC
– Fort Carson expansion
– Fort Carson GTA expansion
Stewart Hunter Housing LLC
Fort Hamilton Housing LLC
Fort Detrick/Walter Reed Army Medical Center 
Housing LLC
Northeast Housing LLC
Fort Eustis/Fort Story Housing LLC
– Fort Eustis expansion
– Fort Eustis – Marseilles Village
Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range Housing LP
– Fort Bliss expansion
– Fort Bliss GTA expansion phase I
– Fort Bliss GTA expansion phase II
Fort Gordon Housing LLC
Carlisle/Picatinny Family Housing LP
– Carlisle Heritage Heights phase II
AETC Housing LP
Southeast Housing LLC
Vandenberg Housing LP
Leonard Wood Family Communities LLC
AMC West Housing LP
West Point Housing LLC
Fort Jackson Housing LLC
Lackland Family Housing LLC
Western Group Housing LP
Northern Group Housing LLC
ACC Group Housing LLC
Military unaccompanied personnel housing
Stewart Hunter Housing LLC

Total project  
funding  
£m

Projects

Financial close

Duration  
years

Construction  
completion

Army base

Two Army bases
Army base

Two Army bases
Seven Navy bases
Two Army bases

Two Army bases

Army base
Two Army bases

Four Air Force bases
11 Navy bases
Air Force base
Army base
Three Air Force bases
Army base
Army base
Air Force base
Four Air Force bases
Six Air Force bases
Two Air Force bases

143
106
80
303
50

November 2003
November 2006
April 2010
November 2003
June 2004

90
July 2004
402
November 2004
141
March 2005
7
July 2010
22
March 2013
347
July 2005
39
December 2009
132
July 2011
119
November 2012
88
May 2006
68
July 2006
17
October 2012
291
February 2007
452
November 2007
126
November 2007
187
Acquired June 2008
347
July 2008
180
August 2008
October 2008
147
85 Acquired December 2008
March 2012
August 2013
June 2014

269
354
47

29 

January 2008

46
43
39
50
50

50
50
50
45
42
50
46
44
43
50
50
44
50
50
50
47
50
50
50
50
50
50
50

50

2004
2010
2013
2012
2009

2008
2010
2011
2011
2015
2011
2011
2014
2016
2012
2011
2014
2012
2013
2012
2014
2015
2016
2013
2013
2017
2019
2018

2010

Notes
(i)  Registered in the US and the principal operations of each project are conducted in the US.
(ii) The share of results of the military housing joint ventures of Balfour Beatty Communities is limited to a pre-agreed preferred return on funds invested.

The Group evaluated each of its interests in the military housing projects to determine if the entities should be consolidated. This analysis 
included, but was not limited to, identifying the activities that most significantly impact an entity’s economic performance, which party or 
parties control those activities and the risks associated with these entities. Decision making power over key facets of the contracts were 
evaluated when determining which party or parties had control over the activities that most significantly impacted a project’s economics. 
Based on this review, the Directors consider that the Group does not have the power to direct these activities and does not have control and 
therefore the Group does not consolidate the military housing projects.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report176

39 Principal subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates continued
(e) Balfour Beatty Investments North America continued
Hospitals
Summary Balfour Beatty is a developer, operator and investor in two hospital projects in Canada.

Contractual arrangements The principal contract is the project agreement between the concession companies and the authorities. 
An inflation-indexed payment is primarily based upon availability of the hospital subject to any performance related deductions. 
The construction services for the BC Children’s and BC Women’s Hospital project were subcontracted to a joint venture in which the Group 
has a 50% participation and the facilities maintenance services were subcontracted to a joint venture in which the Group also has a 50% 
participation. The soft facilities management services at North Island Hospital were subcontracted to a Group company and the hard facilities 
management services were subcontracted to a third party. The payments for the soft facilities management services, at both projects, are 
initially market adjusted after the third year of operations and then every six years thereafter. All assets transfer to the authorities at the end 
of the concession.

Hospitals (i)
Affinity Partnerships (ii)
THP Partnerships

Project
BC Children and BC Women’s Hospital
North Island Hospital

£m Shareholding
70%
271
50%
304

Financial close
April 2014
June 2014

Total project  
funding  

Duration  
years
33
32

Construction 
completion
2017
2017

Notes
(i)  Registered in the Province of Manitoba in Canada and the principal operations of each project are conducted in British Columbia, Canada.
(ii) Balfour Beatty has joint control over the project through unanimous consent over all significant operating and financing decisions, and therefore does not consolidate the project.

Other concessions
Summary Balfour Beatty is a developer, operator and investor in a data centre located at the Canadian Forces base in Borden, Ontario. 

Contractual arrangements The principal contract is the project agreement between the concession partnership and the authorities. 
An inflation-indexed payment is primarily based upon availability of the date centre subject to any performance related deductions or security 
related deductions. 

Concession partnership (i)

UIP GP

Project
Borden  
Data Centre

Total debt 
 and equity  
funding  

£m Shareholding

Financial close

Duration  
years

Construction  
completion

93

50%

May 2016

25

2017

Residential investments
Summary Balfour Beatty is a developer, operator and investor in six multifamily residential projects.

Contractual arrangements Balfour Beatty formed joint ventures to acquire residential apartment buildings for six multifamily residential 
projects. For the Carmendy Square, Townlake of Coppell, The Dallas 5 Portfolio, Mobile Alabama portfolio and Nesbit Palisades projects, the 
joint ventures entered into agreements with Balfour Beatty Communities LLC to perform the operations and renovation work. For The Ranch 
at Pinnacle Point, the joint venture entered into an agreement with Balfour Beatty Communities LLC to perform the asset management 
services and renovation work.

Residential investments (i)
Carmendy Square Properties, LLC (Florida)
RAPP – BBC Associates, LLC (Pinnacle Point, Arkansas)
DFW 5 Holdings, LLC (Dallas 5 Portfolio, Texas)
Coppell Properties, LLC (Texas)
BBC – Apexone Mobile Eastern, LLC (Alabama) 
Nesbit Palisades, LLC (Georgia)

Note
(i)  Registered in the US and the principal operations of each project are conducted in the US.

Total project  
funding  

£m Shareholding
12
35
140
41
21
42

Financial close
45% September 2014
February 2015
50%
May 2015
10%
May 2015
10%
January 2016
50%
July 2016
15%

Renovation  
completion
2016
2018
2018
2018
2018
2019

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016177

39 Principal subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates continued
Student accommodation 
Summary Through its subsidiary, Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions LLC, Balfour Beatty is a manager on one student accommodation 
project, where it also acted as a developer. Balfour Beatty is also a developer and owner of three additional student accommodation projects, 
and is a joint venture partner to develop one other student accommodation project. 

Contractual arrangements The principal contract in the Florida Atlantic University project is the property management agreement 
with the state university setting out the obligations for the operation and maintenance of the student accommodation. The principal 
contracts in the other student accommodation projects where Balfour Beatty is an owner are the ground leases, development leases and 
operating agreements with the state universities setting out the obligations for the construction, operation and maintenance of the student 
accommodation including lifecycle replacement during the concession period.

Concession company (i)
C-BB Management LLC/C-BBC Development LLC (Florida)
BBCS-Hawkeye Housing LLC (Iowa) Phase 1
BBCS-Hawkeye Housing LLC (Iowa) Phase 2
BBCS-UN Reno Housing LLC (Reno)
Northside Group Partners LP (Texas Dallas)

Total project  
funding  

£m Shareholding
(ii)
81
100%
25
100%
28
100%
18
50%
44

Financial close
March 2010
June 2013
May 2015
August 2013
March 2015

Duration  
years
30
41
41
43
61

Construction  
completion
2011
2014 
2016
2014
2016

Notes
(i)  Registered in the US and the principal operations of each project are conducted in the US.
(ii) 50% holding in the management company. 

(f) Balfour Beatty Investments UK and North America
Total future committed equity and debt funding for Infrastructure Investments’ project companies

Concessions
UK
Roads
Healthcare
Student accommodation
Waste and biomass+
Other UK+

North America
Social infrastructure
Hospitals

Projects at financial close
Projects at preferred bidder stage
Total

+ These categories have been presented within Other concessions in Note 39(d).

2017  
£m

2018  
£m

2019  
£m

2020  
onwards  
£m

Total  
£m

–
–
2
2
11
15

–
18
18
33
22
11
33

20
5
–
–
7
32

3
–
3
35
28
7
35

–
–
8
25
6
39

–
–
–
39
25
14
39

–
–
18
–
6
24

–
–
–
24
–
24
24

20
5
28
27
30
110

3
18
21
131
75
56
131

40 Audit exemptions taken for subsidiaries
The following subsidiaries are exempt from the requirements under the Companies Act 2006 relating to the audit of individual financial 
statements by virtue of Section 479A of the Act.

Education Investments Holdings Ltd
Consort Healthcare Infrastructure Investments Ltd
Heery International Ltd

Company 
registration 
number
6863458
6859623
2759565

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report178

41 Details of related undertakings of Balfour Beatty plc as at 31 December 2016
In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 a full list of subsidiaries, partnerships, associates and joint ventures, including 
the principal activity, the country of incorporation and the effective percentage of equity owned as at 31 December 2016 is disclosed below. 
Unless otherwise stated, all interests are in the ordinary share capital or shares of common stock in the entity and are held indirectly by the 
Company, and all entities operate principally in their country of incorporation. All subsidiaries had a reporting period ended 31 December 
2016 and are wholly owned, except where indicated.

Subsidiary undertakings incorporated in the United Kingdom

Name of undertaking

Principal activity

Name of undertaking

Principal activity

350 Euston Road, Regent’s Place, London NW1 3AX

Aberystwyth Student Accommodation Ltd

Infrastructure concession

Balfour Beatty Investment Holdings Ltd (i)

Investment holding company

Balfour Beatty Management Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Fire and  
Rescue NW Holdings Ltd

Balfour Beatty Fire and Rescue NW 
Intermediate Ltd

Investment holding company

Balfour Beatty Nominees Ltd

Nominee company

Balfour Beatty Overseas Investments Ltd

Investment holding company

Infrastructure concession

Balfour Beatty Overseas Ltd

Balfour Beatty Property Ltd (i)

Investment holding company

Agent of Balfour Beatty plc

Balfour Beatty Fire and Rescue NW Ltd

Infrastructure concession

Balfour Beatty Infrastructure  
Investments Ltd (i)

Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Partners 
Member Ltd

Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Projects 
Investments Ltd

Investment holding company

Investment holding company

Balfour Beatty Rail Infrastructure Services Ltd Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Rail Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Rail Projects Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Rail Technologies Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Investment holding company

Balfour Beatty Rail Track Systems Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Refurbishment Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Investments Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Regional Construction Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty OFTO Holdings Ltd

Investment holding company

Balfour Kilpatrick Ltd

BBI Holdings Australia Limited

Investment holding company

Balvac Ltd

BBPF LLP (v)

Investment partnership

Bical Construction Ltd

Connect Roads Derby Holdings Ltd

Investment holding company

Bignell & Associates Ltd

Birse Group Ltd

Birse Metro Ltd

Birse Rail Ltd

Bnoms Ltd (i)

Infrastructure concession

BPH Equipment Ltd

Connect Roads Derby Ltd

Infrastructure concession

Connect Roads Infrastructure Investments Ltd

Investment holding company

Investment holding company

Consort Healthcare Infrastructure  
Investments Ltd

East Slope Residencies Facilities 
Management Ltd

East Slope Residencies Holdings Ltd

Investment holding company

East Slope Residencies Partner Ltd 

East Slope Residencies PLC

East Slope Residencies Student 
Accommodation LLP (v)

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Education Investments Holdings Limited

Investment holding company

Initial GP1 Ltd

Investment holding company

Squires Gate Airport Operations Ltd (ii)

Airport services

West Stratford Developments Ltd

Investment holding company

42-44 Clarendon Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD17 1DR

G. N. Haden & Sons Ltd

5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU

Dormant

Dormant

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Avatar Ltd

Balfour Beatty Build Ltd

Balfour Beatty Building Ltd

Balfour Beatty CE Ltd

British Insulated Callender’s Cables Ltd (i)

Burnbank House Ltd (iii)

Cowlin Group Ltd

Dean & Dyball Developments Ltd

Dean & Dyball Rail Ltd

Eastern Infrastructure Maintenance  
Company Ltd

Footprint Furniture Ltd

Guinea Investments Ltd

Haden Building Services Ltd

Haden Young Ltd (i)

Hall & Tawse Western Ltd

Heery International Ltd

Laser Rail Ltd

Lounsdale Electric Ltd

Manring Homes Ltd

Dormant

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd 

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Investment holding company

Construction and support services

Construction and support services

Nominee company

Hire of plant and transport

Dormant

Property investment

Investment holding company

Dormant

Dormant

Property investment

Construction services

Investment holding company

Investment holding company

Dormant

Dormant

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Dormant

Property investment

Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering (SW) Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Civils Ltd

Balfour Beatty Const Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Construction (SW) Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Construction International Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Construction Northern Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (HY) Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Group Employment Ltd

Employer for UK workforce

Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Construction and support services

Multibuild (Construction & Interiors) Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Multibuild Hotels and Leisure Ltd

Multibuild Interiors Ltd

Construction services

Construction services

Office Projects (Interiors) Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Office Projects Group Ltd

Office Projects Ltd

Omnicom Engineering Ltd

Investment holding company

Construction services

Construction services 

Raynesway Construction Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

South East Infrastructure Maintenance 
Company Ltd

Property investment

Southern Track Renewals Company Ltd

Property investment

Balfour Beatty Homes (South Western) Ltd

Dormant

Strata Construction Ltd

Balfour Beatty Homes Ltd

Agent of Manring Homes Ltd

Balfour Beatty International Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

W. T. Glover & Company Ltd (i)

Dormant

Dormant

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016179

41 Details of related undertakings of Balfour Beatty plc as at 31 December 2016 continued

Subsidiary undertakings incorporated in the United Kingdom continued

Name of undertaking

Principal activity

Name of undertaking

Principal activity

Blackpool Airport, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool, Lancashire FY4 2QY

C/O Mazars, Tower Bridge House, St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1DD

Blackpool Airport Properties Ltd (ii)

Regional & City Airports (Blackpool)  
Holdings Ltd

Property investment

Armpledge Ltd

Investment holding company

Balfour Beatty Australia Finance Ltd

Regional & City Airports (Blackpool) Ltd (ii)

Investment holding company

Balfour Beatty Engineering Solutions Ltd

C/O Mc Griggors LLP, Arnott House, 12-16 Bridge Street, Belfast, BT1 1LS 
Northern Ireland

Balfour Beatty Power Networks (Distribution 
Services) Ltd

Balfour Kilpatrick Northern Ireland Ltd

Dormant

Balfour Beatty Property Investments Ltd (i)

Dean House, 24 Ravelston Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 3TP

Aberdeen Construction Group Ltd

Dormant

Balfour Beatty Rail Investments Ltd

Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Construction Scottish  
& Southern Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Rail Residuary Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Regional Civil Engineering Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

BBPFS LP (v)

Glasgow Residences (Kennedy Street) 
Holdings Ltd

Investment partnership

Investment holding company

Glasgow Residences (Kennedy Street) LLP (v)

Infrastructure concession

Glasgow Residences (Kennedy Street) SPV Ltd

Infrastructure concession

Birse Construction Ltd

Birse Group Services Ltd

Birse Integrated Solutions Ltd

Birse Properties Ltd

Branlow Ltd

Bruton Investments Ltd (i)

Chris Britton Consultancy Ltd

Clarke Securities Ltd (i)

Hall & Tawse Ltd

Holyrood Student Accommodation  
Holdings Ltd

Holyrood Student Accommodation 
Intermediate Ltd

Dormant

Investment holding company

Cowlin Management Ltd

Infrastructure concession

Dean & Dyball Investments Ltd

Holyrood Student Accommodation plc

Infrastructure concession

Dean & Dyball Ltd

Holyrood Student Accommodation SPV Ltd

Infrastructure concession

Initial Founder Partner GP1 Ltd

Woodland View Holdings Co Ltd

Investment holding company

Dean & Dyball Workforce Ltd

Investment holding company

Edgar Allen Engineering Ltd

Woodland View Intermediate Co Ltd

Infrastructure concession

EIMCO Ltd

Woodland View Project Co Ltd

Infrastructure concession

Hereford Steel Works, Holmer Road, Hereford HR4 9SW

Painter Brothers Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Kings Business Park, Kings Drive, Prescot, Merseyside L34 1PJ

Balfour Beatty Pension Trust Ltd (i)

Pension fund trustee

Lumina Building 40 Ainslie Road, Hillington Park, Glasgow G52 4RU

Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick Limited

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Midmill Business Park, Tumulus Way, Kintore, Aberdeenshire AB51 0TG

Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (CL) Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Park Square, Newton Chambers Road, Thorncliffe Park, Chapeltown, 
Sheffield S35 2PH

Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd (iv)

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

BB Indonesia Ltd

Support services

Pavilion B, Ashwood Park, Ashwood Way, Basingstoke, Hampshire  
RG23 8BG

Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Fielden & Ashworth Ltd

Heery Holdings Ltd (i)

John Kennedy (Civil Engineering) Ltd (iv)

John Kennedy (Holdings) Ltd

Kenton Utility Service Management Ltd

Kirby Maclean Ltd

Mansell North East Ltd

Mansell plc

Mayfair Place Investments Ltd

Network Plant Ltd

SEIMCO Ltd

STAT 123 Ltd

Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Services Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Living Places Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

The Telegraph Construction and Maintenance 
Company Ltd

Sunderland Streetlighting Ltd

Testing and Analysis Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Traffic Flow Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

William Cowlin (Holdings) Ltd

Investment holding company 
 – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Investment holding company  
– in liquidation

Investment holding company  
– in liquidation

Investment holding company
– in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Investment holding company  
– in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Investment holding company  
– in liquidation

Investment holding company  
– in liquidation

Investment holding company  
– in liquidation

Investment holding company  
– in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Investment holding company  
– in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Investment holding company  
– in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Investment holding company  
– in liquidation

Investment holding company  
– in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Investment holding company  
– in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Q14, Quorum Business Park, Benton Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8B

West Service Road, Raynesway, Derby, DE21 7BG

Balfour Beatty Rail Corporate Services Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services Ltd

Hire of plant and transport

Balfour Beatty WorkSmart Ltd

Agent of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

C/O Mazars, 90 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5UB

Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (LEL) Ltd

Dormant – in liquidation

Notes:
(i)  Held directly by Balfour Beatty plc.
(ii)  Regional & City Airports (Blackpool) Holdings Ltd holds an economic interest  
of 95% in Regional & City Airports (Blackpool) Ltd, which holds 100% of each  
of Blackpool Airport Properties Ltd and Squires Gate Airport Operations Ltd.

(iii)  75% owned.
(iv)  Preference shares and/or deferred shares also held.
(v)  Partnership interests held.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report180

41 Details of related undertakings of Balfour Beatty plc as at 31 December 2016 continued

Subsidiary undertakings incorporated outside the United Kingdom

Construction and  
support services

Construction and  
support services

Name of undertaking

Australia

Allens Corporate Services Pty Ltd, Deutsche Bank Place Level 5,  
126-130 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Balfour Beatty Australia Pty Ltd

Construction and support 
services

India

Hong Kong

Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East

Balfour Beatty Hong Kong Ltd

Principal activity

Name of undertaking

Principal activity

Balfour Beatty Holdings Australia Pty Ltd

Investment holding company

Balfour Beatty Investments Australia Pty Ltd

Dormant

210, 2nd Floor Elegance, Jasola District Centre, Old Mathura Road, New 
Delhi 110 025

Harvest Power Custodians Pty Ltd

Dormant – in liquidation

Balfour Beatty India Pvt. Ltd

Harvest Power Holdings Custodians Pty Ltd

Harvest Power Holdings Pty Ltd

Investment holding company
 – in liquidation

Dormant – in liquidation

Allens Corporate Services Pty Ltd, Level 33, 101 Collins Street, 
Melbourne, Victoria 3000

3rd Floor, Municipal No. 1, Service Road, 11 VB Colony, Outer Ring Road, 
Ward No. 88, Bansawadi, Banglore, Karnataka-KA

Balfour Beatty Infrastructure India Pvt. Ltd

Construction and  
support services

Balfour Beatty Australian LP (iii)

Investment holding partnership

Ireland

Bahamas

One Millars Court, PO Box N-7117, Nassau

Balfour Beatty Bahamas Ltd

Construction services

City Junction Business Park, Northern Cross, Malahide Road, Dublin 17

Balfour Beatty Ireland Ltd (ii)

Kenton Utilities & Developments (Ireland) Ltd

Support Services 

Dormant

Brazil

Isle of Man

Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, No. 1478, Suites 109-110, 1st Floor, 
Jardim Paulistano, São Paulo, 01.451–001

Tower House, Loch Promenade, Douglas, IM1 2LZ, Isle of Man

Delphian Insurance Company Ltd (i)

Insurance company

RHA do Brasil Serviços de Infraestrutura Ltda

Construction services

Jersey

Canada

12 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3RT

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Scotia Plaza , 40 King Street West, 44th Floor, 
Toronto ON M5H 3Y4 

BB Group Canada Inc

Investment holding company

Balfour Beatty Employees Trustees Ltd (i)

Employee trust

47 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 0BD

Balfour Beatty Finance No.2 Ltd (i)

Finance company

720 King Street West, Toronto ON M5H 3Y4 

Malaysia

BB UIP Inc

Infrastructure concession

Taylor McCaffrey LLP, 900-400 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3C 4K5

Level 8, Symphony House, Block D13, Pusat Dagangan Dana 1, Jalan PJU 
1A/46, 47301 Petaling Jaya

Balfour Beatty Communities GP, Inc

Infrastructure investment

Balfour Beatty Projects Sdn Bhd

Construction services

Construction services

Infrastructure investment

Balfour Beatty Rail Design International Sdn Bhd

Infrastructure investment

Netherlands

Infrastructure investment

Prins Bernhardplein 200, 1097 JB, Amsterdam

Infrastructure investment

BICC Finance BV

Dormant

Infrastructure investment

Rapenburgerstraat 177/B, 1011 VM, Amsterdam

Infrastructure investment

Balfour Beatty Netherlands BV

Investment holding company

Infrastructure investment

New Zealand

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

C/O Price Waterhouse Coopers, Level 8,  
Price Waterhouse Coopers Tower, 188 Quay street
Private Bag 92162, Auckland

Balfour Beatty New Zealand Ltd

Romania

Construction and  
support services

Construction services

SC Balfour Beatty Rail SRL

Construction services

G-Ral Ernest Brosteanu Street no.23, Sector 1, 01527, Bucharest

Construction services

Sri Lanka

No. 216 De Saram Place, Colombo 10

Balfour Beatty Ceylon (Private) Ltd

Construction services

Switzerland

Hansmatt 32, 6370 Stans

Balfour Beatty Rail Schweiz GmbH

Construction services

Dormant

Dormant

Thailand

9 Soi Santisuk, Sithisarn Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok

Asia Trade Development Co Ltd

Construction services

Balfour Beatty Construction (Thailand) Co Ltd

Construction services

Construction services

Investment holding company

Balfour Beatty Holdings (Thailand) Co Ltd

Investment holding company

Construction services

Balfour Beatty Thai Ltd

Linwood Co Ltd

Construction services

Investment holding company

Avenida Vicuna MacKenna 10777, La Florida, Santiago

Balfour Beatty Chile SA

China

Unit 511-514, Landmark Tower 2, 8 North Dongsanhuan Rd,  
Chaoyang District, Beijing

Balfour Beatty Rail Electrification Equipment 
Trading (Beijing) Ltd

Germany

Garmischer Strasse 35, 81373 Munich

Balfour Beatty Capital GmbH

Balfour Beatty Offshore Transmission  
Germany GmbH

Balfour Beatty Rail GmbH

BICC Holdings GmbH

Schreck-Mieves GmbH

Balfour Beatty Communities, LP (iii)

Balfour Beatty Construction, GP Inc

Balfour Beatty Construction LP (iii)

Balfour Beatty CWH Holdings Inc

Balfour Beatty Investments GP Inc

Balfour Beatty Investments LP (iii)

Balfour Beatty THP Holdings, Inc.

BB CWH, LP (iii)

BB CWH GP, Inc

BB NIH, LP (iii)

BB NIH GP, Inc

Chile

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016181

Principal activity

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

41 Details of related undertakings of Balfour Beatty plc as at 31 December 2016 continued

Subsidiary undertakings incorporated outside the United Kingdom continued

Name of undertaking

United States

1011 Centre Road, Suite 310, Wilmington DE 19805

Principal activity

Name of undertaking

BBC Military Housing – FDWR LLC

BBC Military Housing – Fort Carson LLC

Balfour Beatty Holdings Inc

Balfour Beatty LLC

Investment holding company

BBC Military Housing – Fort Gordon LLC

Investment holding company

BBC Military Housing – Fort Hamilton LLC

Infrastructure concession

50 Public Square, Suite 2175, Cleveland OH 44113

BBC Military Housing – Fort Jackson LLC

Infrastructure concession

National Engineering & Contracting Company

Construction services

BBC Military Housing – Hampton Roads LLC

Infrastructure concession

6420 Wilshire Blvd, 18th Floor, Los Angeles CA 90048-5502

BBC Military Housing – Lackland LLC

Infrastructure concession

JCM Group

Dormant

BBC Military Housing – Leonard Wood LLC

Infrastructure concession

811 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables FL 33134

BBC Military Housing – Navy Northeast LLC

Infrastructure concession

Sequeira & Gavarrete, Inc

Construction services

BBC Military Housing – Navy Southeast LLC

Infrastructure concession

999 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30309-39764

BBC Military Housing – Northern Group, LLC

Infrastructure concession

Construction services

BBC Military Housing – Stewart Hunter LLC

Infrastructure concession

BBC Military Housing – Vandenberg General 
Partner LLC

BBC Military Housing – Vandenberg Limited 
Partner LLC

BBC Military Housing – West Point LLC

BBC Military Housing – Western General 
Partner, LLC

BBC Military Housing – Western Limited 
Partner, LLC

BBC Multifamily Holdings, LLC

BBCS – Hawkeye Housing, LLC

BBCS – Northside Campus, LLC

BBCS – UN Reno Housing, LLC

BBCS Development, LLC

BBI – Indy, LLC

BICC Cables Corporation

E3 2020, LLC

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Business services

Dormant

Corporation Service Company, 300 Deschutes Way SW, Suite 304, 
Tumwater WA 98501

Howard S Wright Construction Co

HSW, Inc

Construction services

Construction services

CSC – Nevada, C/O CSC Services of Nevada, Inc., 502 East John Street, 
Carson City, Nevada, 89706

Balfour Beatty – Golden Construction Company

Construction services

Balfour Beatty Construction Company, Inc

Balfour Beatty Construction Group, Inc

Construction services

Construction services

Notes:
(i)  Held directly by Balfour Beatty plc.
(ii)  In accordance with the provisions of Section 357 of the Irish Companies Act 

2014, the Company, as the ultimate parent of Balfour Beatty Ireland Ltd (BBIL) 
having its registered office at City Junction Business Park, Northern Cross, 
Malahide Road, Dublin 17, Ireland, irrevocably guarantees in respect of the whole 
of the financial year of BBIL ended 31 December 2016, all the liabilities of BBIL 
provided that this guarantee shall not extend to any liability or commitment of 
BBIL which shall not have arisen otherwise than in respect of the financial year  
or which shall not constitute a liability or loss. 

(iii)  Partnership interests held.
(iv)  65% interest held.

Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc

Heery Architects & Engineers, Inc

Heery Engineering, Inc

Heery International, Inc

Heery Program Management, Inc

Construction services

Construction services

Construction services

Construction services

Corporation Service Company, 505 5th Avenue Suite 729, 
Des Moines, IA 50309

BBCS Condominium Association, Inc.

Infrastructure concession

Corporation Service Company, 1127 Broadway Street NE, Suite 310, 
Salem OR 97301

Columbia Plaza Investments, LLC

HSW Rock Springs, LLC

Construction services

Construction services

Corporation Service Company, 1703 Laurel Street, Columbia SC 29201

National Casualty and Assurance, Inc

Insurance company

Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington DE 19808

Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions, LLC

Balfour Beatty Communities, LLC

Balfour Beatty Communities TRS, Inc

Balfour Beatty Construction D.C., LLC

Balfour Beatty Construction, LLC

Balfour Beatty Equipment, LLC

Balfour Beatty Investments, Inc

Balfour Beatty Management Inc

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Construction services

Construction services

Construction services

Investment holding company

Business services

Balfour Beatty Military Communities LLC

Infrastructure investment

Balfour Beatty Military Housing Development LLC

Infrastructure investment

Balfour Beatty Military Housing Investments LLC

Investment holding company

Balfour Beatty Military Housing LLC

Infrastructure investment

Balfour Beatty Military Housing Management LLC

Infrastructure investment

Balfour Beatty – Worthgroup, LLC

BBC – D5 Investors, LLC (iv)

BBC AF Housing Construction LLC

Construction services

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

BBC AF Management/Development LLC

Infrastructure investment

BBC Independent Member I, Inc

BBC Independent Member II, Inc

BBC Military Housing – ACC Group, LLC

BBC Military Housing – AETC General 
Partner LLC

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

BBC Military Housing – AETC Limited Partner LLC

Infrastructure concession

BBC Military Housing – AMC General Partner LLC

Infrastructure concession

BBC Military Housing – AMC Limited Partner LLC

Infrastructure concession

BBC Military Housing – Bliss/WSMR General 
Partner LLC

BBC Military Housing – Bliss/WSMR Limited 
Partner LLC

BBC Military Housing – Carlisle/Picatinny General 
Partner LLC

BBC Military Housing – Carlisle/Picatinny Limited 
Partner LLC

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report182

41 Details of related undertakings of Balfour Beatty plc as at 31 December 2016 continued

Joint ventures incorporated in the United Kingdom

Name of undertaking

% held by the 
Group

Principal  
activity

Name of undertaking

% held by the 
Group

Principal  
activity

1 Exchange Crescent, Conference Square, Edinburgh EH3 8UL

Consort Healthcare (Fife) Holdings Ltd

50

Investment  
holding company

Consort Healthcare (Fife) 
Intermediate Ltd

50

Infrastructure concession

Consort Healthcare (Fife) Ltd

50

Infrastructure concession

350 Euston Road, Regent’s Place, London NW1 3AX

East Wick and Sweetwater Projects 
(Phase 4) Ltd

East Wick and Sweetwater Projects 
(Phase 5) Ltd

East Wick and Sweetwater Projects 
(Phase 6) Ltd

East Wick and Sweetwater Projects 
(Phase 7) Ltd

50

Infrastructure concession

50

Infrastructure concession

50

Infrastructure concession

50

Infrastructure concession

Connect A30/A35 Holdings Ltd

Connect A30/A35 Ltd

Connect A50 Ltd

Connect CNDR Holdings Ltd

Connect CNDR Intermediate Ltd

Connect CNDR Ltd

Connect M1-A1 Holdings Ltd (i)

Connect M1-A1 Ltd

Connect M77/GSO Holdings Ltd (ii)

Connect M77/GSO plc (ii)

Connect Roads Cambridgeshire 
Holdings Ltd

Connect Roads Cambridgeshire 
Intermediate Ltd

20

20

25

25

25

25

20

20

85

85

20

Investment  
holding company

Gwynt y Mor OFTO Holdings Ltd (ii)

60

Investment  
holding company

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Gwynt y Mor OFTO 
Intermediate Ltd (ii)

Investment  
holding company

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Investment  
holding company

Gwynt y Mor OFTO plc (ii)

Humber Gateway OFTO  
Holdings Ltd

Humber Gateway OFTO 
Intermediate Ltd

Humber Gateway OFTO Ltd

Infrastructure concession

Thanet OFTO Holdco Ltd

Investment  
holding company

Thanet OFTO Intermediate Ltd

Infrastructure concession

Thanet OFTO Ltd

60

Infrastructure concession

60

20

Infrastructure concession

Investment  
holding company

20

Infrastructure concession

20

20

20

20

Infrastructure concession

Investment  
holding company

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Investment  
holding company

Blythe House, Blythe Park, Cresswell, Stoke on Trent,  
Staffordshire ST11 9RD

20

Infrastructure concession

Birmingham Bio Power Ltd

37.5

Infrastructure concession

Connect Roads Cambridgeshire Ltd

Connect Roads Coventry Holdings Ltd

20

20

Infrastructure concession

Investment  
holding company

Pebblehall Bio Power Ltd

Tyseley Bio Power Ltd

25

37.5

Investment  
holding company

Investment  
holding company

Connect Roads Coventry 
Intermediate Ltd

Connect Roads Coventry Ltd

Connect Roads Ltd

Connect Roads Northamptonshire 
Holdings Ltd

Connect Roads Northamptonshire 
Intermediate Ltd

Connect Roads Northamptonshire Ltd

Connect Roads South Tyneside 
Holdings Ltd

Connect Roads South Tyneside Ltd

Connect Roads Sunderland 
Holdings Ltd

Connect Roads Sunderland Ltd

Consort Healthcare (Birmingham) 
Funding plc

Consort Healthcare (Birmingham) 
Holdings Ltd

Consort Healthcare (Birmingham) 
Intermediate Ltd

Consort Healthcare (Birmingham) Ltd

East Wick and Sweetwater Projects 
(Holdings) Ltd

East Wick and Sweetwater Projects 
(Phase 1) Ltd

East Wick and Sweetwater Projects 
(Phase 2) Ltd

East Wick and Sweetwater Projects 
(Phase 3) Ltd

20

Infrastructure concession

Welland Bio Power Ltd

25

Infrastructure concession

20

25

20

Infrastructure concession

Connect Plus House St Albans Road, South Mimms,  
Hertfordshire EN6 3NP

Investment  
holding company

Investment  
holding company

Connect Plus (M25) Holdings Ltd

Connect Plus (M25) Intermediate Ltd

Connect Plus (M25) Ltd

40

40

40

Investment  
holding company

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

20

Infrastructure concession

Dean House, 24 Ravelston Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 3TP

20

20

20

20

20

40

40

Infrastructure concession

Investment  
holding company

Infrastructure concession

Investment  
holding company

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Aberdeen Roads (Finance) plc

Aberdeen Roads Holdings Ltd

33.3

33.3

Infrastructure concession

Investment  
holding company

Aberdeen Roads Ltd

33.3

Infrastructure concession

First Floor, 6 St Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AE

Woking Housing Partnership Ltd

50

Property management

The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG

Trans4m Ltd

25

Construction services  
– in liquidation

Investment  
holding company

Westminster House, Crompton Way, Segensworth West, Fareham, 
Hampshire PO15 5SS

40

Infrastructure concession

Pevensey Coastal Defence Ltd

25

Infrastructure concession

Notes:
(i)  Held directly by Balfour Beatty plc.
(ii)  Due to the shareholders’ agreement between Balfour Beatty and the other 

shareholders requiring unanimity of agreement in respect of significant matters 
related to the financial and operating policies of the company, the Directors 
consider that the Group does not control the company and it has been accounted 
for as a joint venture.

40

50

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

50

Infrastructure concession

50

Infrastructure concession

50

Infrastructure concession

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016183

41 Details of related undertakings of Balfour Beatty plc as at 31 December 2016 continued

Joint ventures incorporated outside the United Kingdom continued

Name of undertaking

Bermuda

% held by the 
Group

Principal 
activity

Name of undertaking

Malaysia

% held by the 
Group

Principal 
activity

Conyers Dill & Pearman Limited, 2 Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, 
Hamilton HM 11

Level 8, Symphony House, Block D13, Pusat Dagangan Dana 1, Jalan PJU 
1A/46, 47301 Petaling Jaya

CP Bay Carry A LP

CP Bay Carry B LP

British Virgin Islands

20

20

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road Town, Tortola

Gammon Asia Ltd

Gammon Construction Holdings Ltd

Canada

50

50

Investment  
holding company

Investment  
holding company

Balfour Beatty Ansaldo Systems JV 
Sdn Bhd (ii)

Balfour Beatty Rail Sdn Bhd (ii)

60

70

Construction services

Construction services

10th Floor, Menara Peladang, Jalan Telok Wanjah, Alor Setar, 05200 Kedah

Balfour Beatty – Maju Sdn Bhd

49

Dormant – in liquidation

Singapore

239 Alexandra Road, 159930

Gammon Capital (West) Holdings 
Pte. Ltd

Taylor McCaffrey LLP, 900-400 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3C 4K5

Gammon Capital (West) Pte. Ltd

Infrastructure investment

Gammon Investments Pte. Ltd

50

Infrastructure concession

50

50

Infrastructure concession

Investment  
holding company

Affinity BBL Inc.

Affinity General Partner Inc.

Affinity LP (iv)

CWH Facilities Management, LP (iv)

CWH FM GP Inc

CWH Design – Build GP

Gracorp Balfour Beatty THP 
Holdings Inc.

Ledcor Balfour Beatty Affinity 
Holdings Inc.

THP GBB Inc.

THP GP Inc.

THP LP (iv)

Chile 

50

50

70

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

Balfour Beatty Mendes Junior Ltda

50

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Construction services

Investment  
holding company

Investment  
holding company

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

United Arab Emirates

Jebel Ali, Industrial Area 1, 10079, Dubai Real Estate, UAE

BK Gulf LLC

Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC

Dutco Construction Company LLC

49

49

49

Construction services

Construction services

Construction services

Emirates Properties Investment Company Bdg, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi

Power Transmission Gulf LLC

P.O. Box 43537, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 43537

Middle East Scaffolding Company LLC

49

49

Construction services

Construction services

2nd Sheikh Zayed Road, Mussalem, Salem bin Ham Bdg, Abu Dhabi

Balfour Beatty Abu Dhabi LLC

49

Construction services

United States

Avenida Vicuna Mackenna 10777, La Florida, Santiago de Chile

Corporation Service Company, 1201 Hays Street, Tallahassee FL 32301

Construction services  
– in liquidation

C-BB Management, LLC 

C-BBC Development, LLC 

50

50

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Germany

Luisenstr. 38, 10117 Berlin

InoSig GmbH

Hong Kong

50

Construction services

28th Floor, Devon House, Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road

Gammon China Ltd

Gammon Construction Ltd (iii)

Indonesia

50

50

Investment  
holding company

Construction services

Jl. RC Veteran No.4, Bintaro, Jakarta 12330, Indonesia

PT Balfour Beatty Sakti Indonesia

49

Construction services

Ireland

Dunmoy House, St Margaret’s Road, Finglas, Dublin 11

Balfour Beatty CLG Ltd

50

Support services

C/O Sweett Group, 2nd Floor, Cathedral Court, New Street South, Dublin 8

Healthcare Centres PPP Holdings Ltd

40

Investment  
holding company

Healthcare Centres PPP Ltd

40

Infrastructure concession

Corporation Service Company d/b/a CSC-Lawyers, Incorporating Service 
Company, 211 E. 7th Street, Suite 620, Austin TX 78701-3218

Northside Campus Partners, LP (iv)

50

Infrastructure investment

Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange St, Wilmington, Delaware 19801

RAPP-BBC Associates, LLC

10

Infrastructure concession

Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington DE 19808

Balfour Beatty/Benham Military 
Communities LLC (i)

Balfour Beatty/PHELPS Military 
Communities LLC (i)

BBC – Apexone Holdings, LLC

BBC – Apexone Mobile Eastern, LLC

Carmendy Square Properties, LLC

E3 2020 II LLC

Nesbit Palisades, LLC

Northside Campus General 
Partner LLC

Northside Campus Limited 
Partner, LLC (i)

Park Place (Foley) Owner, LLC

Summer Trace (Gulf Shores) 
Owner, LLC

90

Infrastructure investment

90

Infrastructure investment

45

50

45

50

15

50

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Infrastructure investment

Dormant

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

90

Infrastructure investment

50

50

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Windscape (Daphne) Owner, LLC

50

Infrastructure concession

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report184

41 Details of related undertakings of Balfour Beatty plc as at 31 December 2016 continued

Joint ventures incorporated outside the 
United Kingdom continued

Associated undertakings incorporated outside  
the United Kingdom

Name of undertaking

United States continued

% held by the 
Group

Principal 
activity

Name of undertaking

United States

% held by the 
Group

Principal 
activity

Corporation Service Company, 2908 Poston Avenue, Nashville TN 37203

Balfour Concord GP (iv)

Balfour Concord Property 
Management, LLC

430 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC 28403

New Energy Alliance LLC

50

50

50

Construction services

Construction services

Construction and 
support services

Corporation Trust Centre, 150 West Market Street, Suite 800, Indianapolis, 
IN 46204

WMB Heartland Justice Partners, LLC

15

Infrastructure concession
 – in liquidation

Notes:
(i)  Due to the shareholders’ agreement between Balfour Beatty and the other 

shareholders requiring unanimity of agreement in respect of significant matters 
related to the financial and operating policies of the company, the Directors 
consider that the Group does not control the company and it has been accounted 
for as a joint venture.

(ii)  The Group holds a 70% interest in Balfour Beatty Rail Sdn Bhd, which holds 

a 60% interest in Balfour Beatty Ansaldo Systems JV Sdn Bhd. Due to the 
shareholders’ agreement between Balfour Beatty and the other shareholders 
requiring unanimity of agreement in respect of significant matters related to the 
financial and operating policies of these companies, the Directors consider that 
the Group does not control these companies and they have been accounted for 
as joint ventures.

(iii)  Preference shares and/or deferred shares also held.
(iv)  Partnership interests held.

Associated undertakings incorporated  
in the United Kingdom

Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, 
Wilmington DE 19808

ACC Group Housing, LLC (i)

AETC Housing LP (i)(ii)

AMC West Housing LP (i)(ii)

Carlisle/Picatinny Family Housing LP (ii)

Coppell Properties, LLC

DFW 5 – Josey Ranch, LLC

DFW 5 – Madison Parkway, LLC

DFW 5 – Round Grove, LLC

DFW 5 – Wimberly, LLC

DFW 5 – Wimbledon Oaks, LLC

DFW 5 Holdings, LLC

FDWR Parent LLC

Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range 
Housing LP (ii)

Fort Carson Family Housing LLC

Fort Detrick/Walter Reed Army Medical 
Center Housing LLC

Fort Eustis/Fort Story Housing LLC

Fort Gordon Housing LLC

Fort Hamilton Housing LLC

Fort Jackson Housing LLC

100

100

100

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Lackland Family Housing, LLC (i)

100

Infrastructure concession

Name of undertaking

United Kingdom

% held by the 
Group

Principal 
activity

Leonard Wood Family Communities, LLC

Northeast Housing LLC

10

10

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Northern Group Housing, LLC (i)

100

Infrastructure concession

Newington House, 237 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 6NP

Southeast Housing LLC

25

Infrastructure concession

Stewart Hunter Housing LLC

Power Asset Development  
Company Ltd

UK Power Networks Services 
Powerlink Ltd

10

Infrastructure concession

Vandenberg Housing LP (i)(ii)

Western Group Housing, LP (i)(ii)

West Point Housing LLC

10

10

100

100

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

10

Infrastructure concession

Ashford House, Grenadier Road, Exeter, EX1 3LH

UBB Waste (Essex) Holdings Ltd

UBB Waste (Essex) Intermediate Ltd

UBB Waste (Essex) Ltd

UBB Waste (Gloucestershire)  
Holdings Ltd

UBB Waste (Gloucestershire) 
Intermediate Ltd

30

30

30

49.5

Investment  
holding company

Infrastructure concession

Infrastructure concession

Investment  
holding company

49.5

Infrastructure concession

UBB Waste (Gloucestershire) Ltd

49.5

Infrastructure concession

Edward Y. Lau, 30 North Lasalle Street, Suite 3900, Chicago, IL 60602

C A R E Plus LLC

10

Infrastructure concession

Notes:
(i)  The Group evaluated each of its interests in the military housing projects to 
determine if the associated entities should be consolidated. This analysis 
included, but was not limited to, identifying the activities that most significantly 
impact an entity’s economic performance, which party or parties control those 
activities and the risks associated with these entities. Decision making power 
over key facets of the contracts were evaluated when determining which 
party or parties had control over the activities that most significantly impact 
a project’s economics. Based on this review, the Directors consider that the 
Group does not have the power to direct these activities and does not control 
or jointly control them and therefore the entities have been accounted for as 
associated undertakings.

(ii)  Partnership interests held.

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedBalfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Unaudited Group five-year summary

185

Income
Revenue including share of joint ventures and associates
Share of revenue of joint ventures and associates
Group revenue from continuing operations
Underlying profit/(loss) from continuing operations
Underlying net finance costs
Underlying profit/(loss) before taxation
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Other non-underlying items
Profit/(loss) from continuing operations before taxation
Taxation on profit/(loss) from continuing operations
Loss from continuing operations after taxation
Profit from discontinued operations after taxation
Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to equity holders

Capital employed
Equity holders’ funds
Liability component of preference shares
Net non-recourse borrowings – infrastructure concessions
Net (cash)/borrowings – other

Statistics
Underlying earnings/(loss) per ordinary share from continuing operations*
Basic loss per ordinary share from continuing operations
Diluted loss per ordinary share from continuing operations
Proposed dividends per ordinary share
Underlying profit/(loss) from continuing operations before net finance costs 
including share of joint ventures and associates as a percentage of revenue 
including share of joint ventures and associates

2016
£m

2015
£m

2014
£m

2013
£m

2012
£m

8,683
(1,760)
6,923
67
(7)
60
(9)
(43)
8
(8)
–
24
24

757
100
233
(173)
917

8,444
(1,489)
6,955
(106)
(17)
(123)
(10)
(66)
(199)
(7)
(206)
–
(206)

826
98
365
(163)
1,126

8,793
(1,529)
7,264
(58)
(22)
(80)
(11)
(213)
(304)
3
(301)
242
(59)

1,227
96
445
(219)
1,549

8,852
(1,364)
7,488
146
(15)
131
(17)
(163)
(49)
(4)
(53)
18
(35)

1,033
94
354
66
1,547

8,681
(1,301)
7,380
188
(6)
182
(20)
(159)
3
(6)
(3)
38
35

1,310
92
368
(35)
1,735

2016 
Pence

2015 
Pence

2014 
Pence

2013 
Pence

2012 
Pence

7.0
–
–
2.7

(19.7)
(30.2)
(30.2)
–

(11.5)
(43.9)
(43.9)
5.6

15.3
(7.5)
(7.5)
14.1

23.6
(0.3)
(0.3)
14.1

0.8%

(1.3)%

(0.7)%

1.6%

2.2%

Note
* Underlying earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations have been disclosed to give a clearer understanding of the Group’s underlying trading performance.

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report 
186

Shareholder information

Financial calendar

2017
20 April
Ex-dividend date for final 2016 ordinary dividend
21 April 
Final 2016 ordinary dividend record date
18 May 
Annual General Meeting
18 May 
Ex-dividend date for July 2017 preference dividend
19 May 
July 2017 preference dividend record date
1 July 
Preference dividend payable
7 July
Final 2016 ordinary dividend payable
16 August*
Announcement of 2017 half-year results
5 October*
Ex-dividend date for interim 2017 ordinary dividend
6 October*
Interim 2017 ordinary dividend record date
23 November Ex-dividend date for January 2018 preference dividend
January 2018 preference dividend record date
24 November
1 December*
Interim 2017 ordinary dividend payable
2018
Preference dividend payable

1 January

* Provisional date.

Registrars
All administrative enquiries relating to shareholdings and requests 
to receive corporate documents by email should, in the first 
instance, be directed to the Company’s Registrars and clearly state 
your registered address and, if available, your shareholder reference 
number. Please write to:

Capita Asset Services, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, 
Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU, Telephone: 0871 664 0300 from 
the UK. Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company’s 
access charge. If you are outside the UK, please call +44 371 664 
0300. Calls from outside the UK will be charged at the applicable 
international rate. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 
5.30 pm, UK time, excluding public holidays in England and Wales. 
Alternatively, you can email: Shareholderenquiries@capita.co.uk.

They can help you to: check your shareholding; register a change 
of address or name; obtain a replacement dividend cheque or tax 
voucher; record the death of a shareholder.

Dividends and dividend reinvestment plan
Dividends may be paid directly into your bank or building society 
account through the Bankers Automated Clearing System (BACS). 
The Registrars can provide a dividend mandate form. A dividend 
reinvestment plan (DRIP) is offered which allows holders of ordinary 
shares to reinvest their cash dividends in the Company’s shares 
through a specially arranged share dealing service. Full details of the 
DRIP and its charges, together with mandate forms, are available at 
www.balfourbeatty-shares.com.

International payment service
Shareholders outside the UK may elect to receive dividends 
direct into their overseas bank account, or by currency draft, 
instead of by sterling cheque. For further information, contact 
the Company’s Registrars on +44 371 664 0391 (from outside 
the UK) or 0871 664 0385 from the UK. Calls from outside the 
UK will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are 
open Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.30 pm, UK time, excluding 
public holidays in England and Wales. Alternatively, you can log 
on to www.balfourbeatty-shares.com and click on the link for 
International Payment Service.

Shareholder information on the internet and 
electronic communications
Our website www.balfourbeatty.com provides a range of 
information about the Company, our people and businesses and 
our policies on corporate governance and corporate responsibility. 
It should be regarded as your first point of reference for information 
on any of these matters. The share price can also be found there. 

You can create a Share Portal account, through which you will 
be able to access the full range of online shareholder services, 
including the ability to: view your holdings and indicative share 
price and valuation; view movements on your holdings and your 
dividend payment history; register a dividend mandate to have 
your dividends paid directly into your bank account; change your 
registered address; sign up to receive e-communications or 
access the online proxy voting facility; and download and print 
shareholder forms.

The Share Portal is easy to use. Please visit 
www.balfourbeatty-shares.com. Alternatively, you can email: 
shareportal@capita.co.uk.

Unsolicited telephone calls
In the past, some of our shareholders have received unsolicited 
telephone calls or correspondence concerning investment matters 
from organisations or persons claiming or implying that they have 
some connection with the Company. These are typically from 
overseas-based ‘brokers’ who target UK shareholders offering to 
sell them what often turn out to be worthless or high-risk shares in 
UK or overseas investments. Shareholders are advised to be very 
wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount 
or offers of free reports on the Company.

If you receive any unsolicited investment advice:

 – always ensure the firm is on the Financial Conduct Authority 
(FCA) Register and is allowed to give financial advice before 
handing over your money. You can check via www.fsa.gov.uk/
register/home.do

 – double-check the caller is from the firm they say they are – ask 
for their name and telephone number and say you will call them 
back. Check their identity by calling the firm using the contact 
number listed on the FCA Register. If there are no contact details 
on the FCA Register or you are told that they are out of date, 
or if you have any other doubts, call the FCA Consumer Helpline 
on 0800 111 6768

 – if you are approached about a share scam, please visit the FCA’s 

ScamSmart website at www.scamsmart.fca.org.uk where 
you can access information about the various types of scam, 
including share and boiler room fraud, see the FCA’s Warning List 
and reports on firms about whom consumers have expressed 
concerns. Alternatively, you can call the FCA Consumer Helpline 
(see above). If you use an unauthorised firm to buy or sell shares 
or other investments, you will not have access to the Financial 
Ombudsman Service or be eligible to receive payment under the 
Financial Services Compensation Scheme if things go wrong

 – you should also report any approach to Action Fraud, who are the 
UK’s national fraud reporting centre at www.actionfraud.police.uk, 
or by calling 0300 123 2040. 

Balfour Beatty Annual Report and Accounts 2016Shareholder information continued

187

Gifting shares to your family or to charity
To transfer shares to another member of your family as a gift, 
please ask the Registrars for a Balfour Beatty gift transfer form. 
Alternatively, if you only have a small number of shares whose 
value makes it uneconomic to sell them, you may wish to consider 
donating them to the share donation charity ShareGift (registered 
charity no. 1052686), whose work Balfour Beatty supports.

Any shares you donate to ShareGift will be aggregated, sold when 
possible, and the proceeds will be donated to a wide range of other 
UK charities. Since ShareGift was launched, over £20m has been 
given to more than 2,000 charities.

The relevant share transfer form may be obtained from the 
Registrars. For more information visit www.sharegift.org.

Share dealing services
Capita Share Dealing Services (a trading name of Capita IRG 
Trustees Limited) provide a telephone and online share dealing 
service for UK and EEA resident shareholders. To use this service, 
telephone: 0371 664 0445. Calls cost 12p per minute plus your 
phone company’s access charge. Calls from outside the UK will 
be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are open 
Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.30 pm, UK time, excluding public 
holidays in England and Wales. Alternatively, you can log on to 
www.capitadeal.com.

Capita IRG Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the 
Financial Conduct Authority and is also authorised to conduct 
cross-border business within the EEA under the provisions of 
the EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive.

London Stock Exchange Codes
The London Stock Exchange Daily Official List (SEDOL) codes are: 
Ordinary shares: 0096162. Preference shares: 0097820. 

The London Stock Exchange ticker codes are: Ordinary shares: 
BBY; Preference shares: BBYB.

Capital gains tax (CGT)
For CGT purposes the market value on 31 March 1982 of Balfour 
Beatty plc’s ordinary shares of 50p each was 267.6p per share. 
This has been adjusted for the 1 for 5 rights issue in June 1992, the 
2 for 11 rights issue in September 1996 and the 3 for 7 rights issue 
in October 2009 and assumes that all rights have been taken up.

Consolidated tax vouchers
Balfour Beatty issues a consolidated tax voucher annually 
to all shareholders who have their dividends paid direct to 
their bank accounts. If you would prefer to receive a tax 
voucher at each dividend payment date rather than annually, 
please contact the Registrars. A copy of the consolidated 
tax voucher may be downloaded from the Share Portal at 
www.balfourbeatty-shares.com.

Enquiries
Enquiries relating to Balfour Beatty’s results, business and 
financial position should be made in writing to the Corporate 
Communications Department at the address shown below or 
by email to info@balfourbeatty.com.

Balfour Beatty plc Registered Office: 5 Churchill Place, Canary 
Wharf, London E14 5HU. Registered in England Number 395826. 

balfourbeatty.com/AR2016GovernanceFinancial StatementsOther InformationStrategic Report188

Shareholder information continued

Forward-looking statements
This document may include certain forward-looking statements, 
beliefs or opinions, including statements with respect to Balfour 
Beatty plc’s business, financial condition and results of operations. 
These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use 
of forward-looking terminology, including the terms ‘believes’, 
‘estimates’, ‘plans’, ‘anticipates’, ‘targets’, ‘aims’, ‘continues’, 
‘expects’, ‘intends’, ‘hopes’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘could’ or ‘should’ 
or in each case, their negative or other various or comparable 
terminology. These statements are made by the Balfour Beatty plc 
Directors in good faith based on the information available to them at 
the date of this report and reflect the Balfour Beatty plc Directors’ 
beliefs and expectations. By their nature, these statements involve 
risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on 
circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. A number 
of factors could cause actual results and developments to differ 
materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking 
statements, including, without limitation, developments in the 
global economy, changes in UK and US government policies, 
spending and procurement methodologies, failure in Balfour 
Beatty’s health, safety or environmental policies and those factors 
set out under ‘Principal risks’ on pages 56 to 65 of this document.

No representation or warranty is made that any of these statements 
or forecasts will come to pass or that any forecast results will be 
achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as at the date 
of this document and Balfour Beatty plc and its advisers expressly 
disclaim any obligations or undertaking to release any update of, 
or revisions to, any forward-looking statements in this document. 
No statement in the document is intended to be, or intended 
to be construed as, a profit forecast or profit estimate or to be 
interpreted to mean that earnings per Balfour Beatty plc share 
for the current or future financial years will necessarily match or 
exceed the historical earnings per Balfour Beatty plc share. As a 
result, you are cautioned not to place any undue reliance on such 
forward-looking statements.

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Balfour Beatty 
5 Churchill Place 
Canary Wharf  
London E14 5HU

Telephone: +44(0) 20 7216 6800 
www.balfourbeatty.com

Balfour Beatty is a registered trademark of Balfour Beatty plc