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Bodycote
Annual Report 2021

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FY2021 Annual Report · Bodycote
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Annual 
Report
2021

Bodycote plc

Strategic report
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Additional information

Contents

Strategic report
01  Understanding Bodycote

Governance
44  Board of Directors

02   Our markets and technologies 

46  Corporate governance statement

04  Our global network

06  Highlights

08  The investment case

10  Chair’s statement

11  Chief Executive’s review

14  Strategy and objectives

15  Our business model

16  Measuring progress

18   Our stakeholders

19 

 A component journey – Safety 
critical service

20  Section 172 statement

22  Business review 

24 

 A component journey – Inner strength

25  Chief Financial Officer’s report

28  A component journey – A twist to resist

29  Principal risks and uncertainties

34  Viability statement

35  A Component journey – Stress ball

36  Sustainability report

54  Directors’ report

56  Report of the Nomination Committee

59  Report of the Audit Committee

64  Board report on remuneration

85  Directors’ responsibilities statement

Financial statements
86 

Independent auditors’ report

94  Consolidated income statement

95  Consolidated balance sheet

96  Consolidated cash flow statement

97 

 Consolidated statement of  
changes in equity

98  Group accounting policies

106   Notes to the consolidated 
financial statements

139   Company balance sheet

140   Company statement of changes in equity

141  Company accounting policies

144   Notes to the company 
financial statements

Additional information
148   Five year summary (unaudited)

149   Alternative performance measures 

(unaudited) 

152  Subsidiary undertakings

155  Shareholder enquiries

157  Company information

www.bodycote.com/investors 
for more information 

In preparing this Strategic report, the Directors 
have complied with s414C of the Companies 
Act 2006.

This Strategic report has been prepared for the 
Group as a whole and therefore gives greater 
emphasis to those matters which are significant 
to Bodycote plc and its subsidiary undertakings 
when viewed as a whole.

Bodycote plc annual report 2021

Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportUnderstanding Bodycote

Bodycote is the world’s leading 
provider of thermal processing 
services. As the partner of choice 
for many of the world’s most 
respected manufacturing companies, 
our purpose is to provide a vital link 
in the manufacturing process that 
makes the products our customers 
manufacture fit-for-purpose. 
With our breadth of solutions across 
multiple technologies, we create 
value through superior customer 
service for our customers across 
aerospace, defence, energy, 
automotive and general industrial 
markets. Our unique business model, 
expertise and global infrastructure 
mean we can adapt to our many 
customers’ needs and continue to 
deliver long-term success for our 
shareholders and other stakeholders.

Driving performance  
with our Core Values

Honesty and Transparency

We cultivate a culture of transparency, where 
honesty and integrity are at the foundation of 
our business and our relationships. Trust is at 
the heart of everything we do.

Respect and Responsibility

We behave individually and collectively with respect 
for each other, our stakeholders and the environment, 
conducting business responsibly, taking ownership 
of our actions.

Creating Value

We create value for our employees, customers 
and shareholders, and this is the very essence 
of Bodycote.

Page 36 for more information

1

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic report Understanding Bodycote
 Our markets 

Bodycote offers materials solutions for virtually every market sector, providing 
expertise across both classical heat treatment and specialist thermal processes. 
Bodycote addresses the markets we serve with our superior levels of service 
and unmatched ability to satisfy customers’ needs. Bodycote supports many 
market sectors; however, we categorise our business into four major groups:

Aerospace and Defence

Automotive

The aerospace market is highly complex; we primarily treat engine 
components and landing gear that rely on our solutions to improve 
performance. Our services provide thermal processing solutions 
across a wide range of applications which include commercial, 
business, and military aircraft.

Bodycote operates an international network of quality accredited 
facilities supporting prime aerospace manufacturers and their 
supply chains.

Focused on key components in the car, light truck, heavy truck, 
and bus markets, thermal processing delivers greater strength 
and durability. 

Bodycote has developed strategic partnerships with major 
automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their 
supply chains by offering comprehensive thermal processing 
support on a global basis.

Energy

General Industrial

Using industry-leading thermal processing, we can extend the 
life of industrial gas turbines, power generation, and oil & gas 
components (onshore, offshore, and subsea) by reducing the 
wear caused to them through abrasion, erosion and corrosion 
minimising downtime.

We serve a very broad range of customers across multiple 
industry segments in our General Industrial business. 
These customers range from industrial machinery to agricultural 
equipment, construction, electronics, and medical equipment. 

Our success in this market is due to our local plant networks, 
combined with superior customer service, using the breadth 
of processes available within Bodycote and extensive technical 
resources allowing for the development of cost-effective solutions 
for our customers.

2

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportOur technologies

Bodycote’s purpose is to support our customers in producing superior 
components. Our thermal processing services encompass a variety of heat 
treatment techniques and specialist technologies that improve the properties 
of metals and alloys, and extend the life of components. Bodycote addresses 
the markets we serve with our superior service levels and unmatched ability 
to satisfy customers’ needs.

Classical Heat Treatment

Specialist Technologies

Classical Heat Treatment is the process of 
controlled heating and cooling of metals 
in order to obtain the desired mechanical, 
chemical, and metallurgical properties during 
the manufacturing of a product.

Classical Heat Treatment is an 
indispensable set of processes 
within the manufacturing 
chain of most of the products 
used in daily life. By providing 
wear resistance, strength, or 
toughness, depending on the 
application, the components 
we treat last longer and reduce 
downtime for the products 
our customers manufacture. 
Surface hardness can be 
controlled by diffusing 
elements such as carbon and 
nitrogen into the metal during 
the heating stages of the 
process. The heat treatment of 
products impacts human life 
every day, whether it’s a vehicle 
seat belt buckle to ensure 
that it keeps the passenger 
safe during an accident or a 
turbine blade bringing power to 
your neighbourhood. 

Product life is extended by 
accurately treating products, 
carried out in precisely 
controlled industrial furnaces 
which can heat up to 
temperatures above 1000°C 
and use quenchants like oil, 
water, or nitrogen gas to cool 
the heated material. During the 
process, the microstructure of 
the metal transforms, resulting 
in the hardening or softening 
of the material depending on 
the process. Engineers can 
design thinner, lighter, but 
stronger components with 
the help of Classical Heat 
Treatment. The extended 
life of our customers’ 
products also positively 
impacts the environment by 
reducing waste.

Our Specialist Technologies business is a 
selection of highly differentiated, early-stage 
processes with high margins, significant 
market opportunities, and solid growth 
prospects. Our Specialist Technologies are 
generally lower carbon-emitting and therefore 
better for the environment. Bodycote is either 
the clear market leader or one of the top 
players among a small number of competitors.

Hot Isostatic Pressing 
(HIP) Services
Improves component integrity 
and strength by application of 
extreme pressure and heat. 

HIP PF inc. Powdermet®
Additive manufacturing of 
often complex components by 
combining with HIP. 

Specialty Stainless Steel 
(S³P) Processes
Improves the strength, 
hardness, and wear 
resistance of stainless steels. 
Standard heat treatments 
negatively impact the corrosion 
resistance of stainless 
steel, but our proprietary 
S³P process can provide 
dramatically improved material 
properties while maintaining 
corrosion resistance. 

Surface Technology
Enhances component life 
using ceramic and ceramic/
metal coatings. 

Low Pressure Carburising 
(LPC) 
Obtains a hardened surface 
and a tough core under vacuum 
using a cleaner process than 
atmospheric carburising, 
providing improved wear 
resistance and fatigue life with 
less distortion.

Corr-I-Dur® (CiD)
Improves corrosion resistance 
and wear properties and 
is primarily used as an 
environmentally-friendly 
substitute for hard chrome. 

3

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportUnderstanding Bodycote
Our global network

Delivering quality through our international  
network of facilities.

As the only global provider of thermal processing services, 
Bodycote offers significant advantages to its customers. 
Through an international network of facilities, Bodycote can 
effectively utilise a wealth of knowledge, experience, and 
specialist expertise to deliver quality service when and where 
it is needed.

The network operates from more than 165 facilities, with customers benefiting from 
Bodycote’s comprehensive range of services across multiple locations. Customers know 
that if their business expands, Bodycote will have the capability to meet their needs. 
They recognise that if they were to broaden their manufacturing footprint, Bodycote 
would assist them. They know that they can obtain the same process to the same quality 
standards from multiple locations. Customers understand that Bodycote can operate their 
facilities more efficiently and reduce their overall impact on climate change. 

Such a large network brings economies of scale, with technology developed at one 
location being available globally if the market requires it. Similarly, network utilisation 
is enhanced by using logistics to put customers’ work into the most effective facility 
to meet their requirements. Moreover, the network allows Bodycote to specialise in 
fewer technologies per location, reducing complexity and increasing the efficiency 
of its operations.

The Bodycote network has a wealth of technical accreditations, some industry- or 
customer-specific, others more general. Individual operations concentrate on the 
accreditations suited to their market.

>40,000

customers

4,7571

employees

22

countries

>165

facilities

1  At year end 2021.

4

Revenue by geography

£615.8m

 North America

 Western Europe

 Emerging Markets  

36%

52%

12%

Revenue by market sector

£615.8m

Aerospace and Defence

Energy

Automotive

General Industrial  

24%

8%

27%

41%

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
North America

Western Europe

Emerging Markets

Bodycote is the largest provider of thermal 
processing services in North America by 
a significant margin with comprehensive 
network coverage. This network offers more 
than 60 facilities convenient to customers in 
all areas where manufacturing and technical 
industries are concentrated.

Bodycote operates facilities across Western 
Europe and is the number one provider of 
thermal processing services, with by far 
the largest network and comprehensive 
service offering.

Bodycote has facilities across our Emerging 
Markets covering Eastern Europe, China, and 
Mexico. Bodycote is the number one thermal 
processing provider in Eastern Europe and is 
the leading Western provider in China.

£221.3m

£322.3m

£72.2m

Revenue by market sector – £m

Revenue by market sector – £m

Revenue by market sector – £m

 Aerospace and Defence

 Energy

 Automotive

 General Industrial

43%

9%

22%

26%

 Aerospace and Defence

 Energy

 Automotive

 General Industrial

15%

8%

24%

53%

 Aerospace and Defence

 Energy

 Automotive

 General Industrial

8%

1%

57%

34%

>60
facilities

1,533
employees

>80
facilities

2,271
employees

>25
facilities

953
employees

5

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Understanding Bodycote
Highlights

Highlights

Financial summary

Revenue

Headline operating profit1

Headline operating margin1

Exceptional items3

Free cash flow1

Basic headline earnings per share1,2

Ordinary dividend per share

Return on capital employed1

Additional statutory measures

Operating profit

Profit after tax

Net cash generated from operating activities

Basic earnings per share

 – Financial performance

2021

£615.8m 

£94.8m 

15.4% 

– 

£105.0m 

35.8p 

20.0p

12.0% 

£83.8m 

£60.0m 

£144.3m 

31.2p 

2020

£598.0m 

£75.3m 

12.6%

£(58.4)m

£106.1m

27.8p 

19.4p 

9.8% 

£5.0m 

£0.8m 

£139.1m 

0.2p 

–  Revenues up 7.1% at constant currency to £615.8m (organic revenues up 5.2%)

–  Headline operating margin at 15.4% (2020: 12.6%) 

–  Free cash flow of £105m

–  Closing net debt1 of £52m

 – Strategic Progress 

–   2020 restructuring programme completed, with permanent cost savings of £20m  

delivered in 2021

–  Incremental £10m of permanent cost savings to come in 2022

–  Emerging Markets’ revenues up 17% at constant currency

–  Specialist Technologies’ revenues up 7%4, outperforming Classical Heat Treatment

–   Strong margin improvement anticipated as revenues grow

–  Final ordinary dividend 13.8p, total year 20.0p (2020: 19.4p)

1  The headline performance measures represent the statutory results excluding certain non-operational items. Net debt excludes lease liabilities. These are deemed alternative 

performance measures under the European Securities and Markets Authority guidelines. Please refer to page 149 for a reconciliation to the IFRS equivalent.

2  A detailed EPS reconciliation is provided in note 8 of the consolidated financial statements.

3  Detail of exceptional items is provided in note 4 of the consolidated financial statements.

4  Organic constant currency.

6

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial highlights

Revenue 
£m

6
.
8
2
7

7
.
9
1
7

2
.
0
9
6

0
.
8
9
5

8
.
5
1
6

Dividend per share
pence

0

.

9
1

.

3
9
1

.

4
9
1

.

0
0
2

4

.

7
1

£615.8m 

20.0p

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

Headline operating profit 
£m

Headline earnings per share 
pence

7
.
0
4
1

9
.
4
3
1

2
.
6
2
1

9
.
5
2 5
.
9
4

1
.
2
5

8
.
4
9

3
.
5
7

£94.8m

8
.
5
3

8
.
7
2

35.8p

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

Free cash flow 
£m

.

8
3
3
1

.

1
3
2
1

.

7
1
1
1

.

1
6
0
1

.

0
5
0
1

£105.0m

Return on capital employed 
%

9

.

8
1

.

7
7
1

8

.

7
1

.

0
2
8 1
9

.

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

12.0%

7

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Understanding Bodycote
The investment case

We provide expertise in classical heat treatment 
and specialist thermal processes across a wide 
variety of markets.

Bodycote is the world’s 
No.1 service provider of heat 
treatment and specialist 
thermal processing

Core business is resilient in 
a downturn due to a mixture 
of improvement, flexibility of 
workforce, diversity of end 
markets, and geographic-spread

Significant barriers to 
entry across the majority of 
Bodycote’s business which 
are practical, financial, and 
technical in nature

Consistently strong 
margins and excellent free 
cash flow generation

Experienced 
management  
team with a clear  
strategy and proven 
track record of execution 
and delivery

Specialist  
Technologies  
potential for higher 
margins and growth  
rates to become  
a larger proportion  
of the Group

Highly cash  
generative business 
funding both investment 
and cash returns 
to shareholders

Plentiful  
investment 
opportunities to drive 
margins and returns

Positioned for
 the future

Resilient Classical Heat 
Treatment is robust 
in downturns

Part of the solution 
to reducing 
global emissions

8

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportKey investment strengths

What you can expect?

Specialist Technologies 30% of 
Group revenue – higher margin and 
growth opportunities; expected to 
consistently outperform the organic 
Classical Heat Treatment business

Classical Heat Treatment should 
perform ahead of the market, driven by:

–  Increasing demand for improved 

materials and quality

–  Investment in Emerging Markets that 
allows for high-growth opportunities 

–  Additional outsourcing as customers 
understand that Bodycote is part 
of the solution to reducing their 
environmental impact

Continued selected acquisitions

–  6 key acquisitions in the last 
five years, including Ellison 
Surface Technologies

All on top of underlying Industrial 
Production growth

Experienced management team with 
a strategy in place to further enhance 
margins and growth through:

 – Increasing the size of our Specialist 

Technologies business with its superior 
margins, higher growth characteristics, 
and lower emissions

 – Investment in development 

and localisation opportunities in 
growth markets

 – Improving the mix in parts of the 
Classical Heat Treatment business

 – Proactive approach on ESG 

and sustainability

 – Investment in structural end-market 

growth opportunities

 – Investment in acquisitions and 

greenfield sites

 – Strategy that can accommodate widely 

differing market outcomes

Robust balance sheet 
strength through: 

c.£365m

invested in capacity growth 
in last five years

>£250m

returned to shareholders 
in last five years

9

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportChair’s statement

This is a service business, reliant on 
its people at all levels, and Bodycote 
has good people who understand 
the business and are committed to 
outstanding performance.

D. Dayan 
Chair

Overview 
I am pleased to be contributing to the Annual Report for the first 
time as Bodycote’s Chair, having taken up the position on 1 January 
2022. It is encouraging to see that the Group made good progress 
in 2021 as our markets began a patchy recovery from the pandemic-
induced downturn of 2020. The rigorous actions taken promptly 
by the management team delivered the necessary flexibility and 
strengthened Bodycote’s foundations for future growth. 

Dividend 
The Board is proposing a final dividend of 13.8p, an increase of 3.0%, 
which will be paid on 3 June 2022, subject to shareholder approval at 
the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM). This brings the total ordinary 
dividend for 2021 to 20.0p (2020: 19.4p), a year on year increase of 
3.1%, returning £38.3m to shareholders. 

Board and governance
My predecessor, Anne Quinn CBE, stepped down as Chair of the 
Board at the end of 2021. On behalf of the Board and the Group as 
a whole, I would like to thank Anne for her guidance and leadership 
during her time as Chair. 

The Chair is primarily responsible for the composition of the Board and 
for ensuring high standards of governance. As Chair, I will continue 
to place great importance on the breadth of relevant experience 
and complementary skills amongst the Group’s Directors and on the 
development of the Board’s understanding of the Bodycote business. 
By maintaining high standards of corporate governance, we enhance 
business performance, underpinning the execution of our strategy 
and the constant review and refinement of our business model. 
The approach to governance is set by the Board and our Executive 
Committee ensures that the approach is effectively implemented across 
the business. Effective and robust governance remains a strong pillar 
supporting the sustainable success of the Group. I am confident that the 
Bodycote Board remains well-positioned to meet our governance duties.

On 11 March 2022, we announced the appointment of new Non-
Executive Director Cynthia Gordon with effect from 1 June 2022. 
This is an important building block for our Board succession planning. 

People 
As part of my induction to Bodycote, I have been able to visit several 
facilities and meet many people, including all the Senior Management 
team. I am impressed. This is a service business, reliant on its people 
at all levels, and Bodycote has good people who understand the 
business and are committed to outstanding performance. The Group 
places great importance on ensuring the safety and wellbeing for all 

10

Bodycote employees and performed very strongly in this area in spite 
of the challenges posed by the pandemic. The Board remained very 
engaged, despite the challenges in 2021. Although travel remained 
severely constrained, the Board and its committees met frequently 
(albeit virtually) with the Executive Team and a wide variety of 
employees to review updates on the business and culture. The Board 
engaged with employees around the world on subjects pertinent to 
the business, including meeting with employee engagement groups, 
reviewing the Group’s strategy and in the enhanced programme to 
combat climate change. While we do not have business in Ukraine, 
Russia or Belarus, we are deeply saddened by the impact of the 
current conflict. Now is a time to focus on our common humanity and 
care for the people affected.

Sustainability
Throughout 2021, Bodycote focused on sustainability with a particular 
emphasis on enhancing our contribution to combatting climate 
change. We are proud to have signed our commitment to the Science 
Based Target initiative and will publish our targets during 2022. 
The focus on climate change includes both action plans to continue 
to minimise Bodycote’s own emissions as well as helping current and 
new customers reduce their carbon footprint by outsourcing work to 
Bodycote’s well-invested, carbon-efficient operations. Heat treatment 
and our other specialty metal processes, despite their fundamental 
energy intensity, are vital to ensuring the performance and longevity 
of crucial components in almost every part of the modern world and 
enable light-weighting and the minimisation of resource consumption. 
It is gratifying to be part of a business with the opportunity to reduce 
the environmental impact of so many companies worldwide.

Shareholders 
In 2021, the AGM was held 'behind closed doors' due to COVID 
restrictions, equally most shareholder meetings were required to be 
virtual due to restrictions. We will continually review the regulations 
and best practice, and I look forward to engaging with shareholders 
throughout 2022, either virtually or in a COVID-19 safe environment.

Summary 
We expect the uncertainties of the pandemic to continue to recede, 
notwithstanding the further uncertainties arising from the current 
conflict. I am confident that Bodycote will continue to perform well 
and deliver value to our customers, shareholders and employees.

D. Dayan 
Chair  
14 March 2021

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportChief Executive’s review

2021 was a year of good progress, 
as margins improved to 15.4%, 
with Bodycote benefiting from 
strong recovery in General 
Industrial markets and completion 
of the restructuring programme. 
The results also highlight the 
continued progress we are making 
with our strategic focus areas.

S. C. Harris 
Group Chief Executive

Results overview
We saw good progress in 2021, with margins increasing to 
15.4%, as Bodycote benefited from strong recovery in General 
Industrial markets and completion of the restructuring programme. 
The results also highlight the progress we are making in our strategic 
focus areas. 

We achieved £615.8m overall revenues, an increase of 7.1% at 
constant currency (up 3.0% at actual currency). This included 
a full year revenue contribution from the Ellison acquisition. 
Organic constant currency revenues increased 5.2%. 

Headline operating profit increased to £94.8m from £75.3m in 2020, 
notwithstanding a £4.4m foreign exchange translation headwind. 
Headline operating margin recovered to 15.4% (2020: 12.6%).

Statutory operating profit increased from £5.0m to £83.8m (2020’s 
result included a £58.4m exceptional charge). 

The Group again delivered strong free cash flow of £105.0m, with 
free cash flow conversion of 111%. The balance sheet remains 
healthy, with closing net debt excluding lease liabilities of £51.9m, 
after having settled the remaining £57.8m of consideration for 
the Ellison acquisition, as well as having paid £49.0m in ordinary 
dividends during the year.

Basic headline earnings per share for the Group was 35.8p 
(2020: 27.8p). Basic earnings per share was 31.2p (2020: 0.2p), 
reflecting the increase in statutory operating profit.

The following reflects constant currency growth rates versus the 
comparable period last year, unless stated otherwise.

Market sectors 
General Industrial revenues increased 14% to £254m, with robust 
recovery through the year. Organic general industrial revenues in 
the second half of the year were 5% ahead of 2019’s revenues. 
This growth was initially driven by recovery in customers’ operating 
expenditure as production lines were restarted, as well as some 
restocking in specific sub sectors. Towards the end of the year, sub 
sectors that are driven by customers’ capital expenditure started to 
improve. This is particularly encouraging, as the capital goods cycle is 
typically quite robust and long-lasting. 

Automotive revenues increased 9% in the year, to £168m. 
Automotive revenues were 13% below 2019 pre-pandemic levels, 
which is disappointing. However, heavy truck was relatively strong. 
The well-publicised supply chain disruptions and chip shortages 
affected most of our car & light truck customers during the year. 
This has continued into 2022, although we are seeing evidence 
that these issues are starting to abate. Once our customers’ supply 
chains stabilise, we would expect revenues and margins to grow 
strongly in this sector and margins will achieve levels well above 
those seen in 2019. This is particularly the case in our strategic focus 
areas of emerging markets and electric vehicles.

Aerospace and Defence revenues were 1% lower than the prior 
year. Taking account of the full year contribution from the Ellison 
acquisition, organic revenues were down 7%, and 34% below 
2019 levels. The rate of narrow-body plane build is ramping up 
substantially and is expected to increase further through 2022 and 
beyond. Indeed, our Civil Aerospace revenues were up 37% in the 
fourth quarter. This is particularly important for Bodycote where 
our narrow-body focus has increased our share of content on these 
planes significantly over the last 5 years. While wide-body plane build 
is largely static, our wide-body revenues were particularly strong, 
primarily in the UK where Q4 revenues showed good improvement, 
driven by increased flying hours and overhaul programmes. 
Substantial levels of inventory were in place in the aerospace supply 
chains at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and while this 
inventory has been reducing through the year there is still excess 
inventory in parts of the supply chains coming into 2022. As this 
excess inventory is utilised and the rate of plane build increases 
in the coming years, we would expect to see revenue growth 
accelerate further, accompanied by strong margin and profit growth. 
It is worth noting that at this point there is no evidence of any supply 
chain disruptions affecting this sector.

Energy revenues represent some 8% of Bodycote’s entire business, 
at £47m. In 2021, Energy experienced a decline of 4%. Industrial Gas 
Turbines (IGT) revenues grew, while subsea orders softened after 
a strong 2020. Lead times on subsea projects are longer and there 
is normally a lag in subsea activity when compared with underlying 
oil and gas price movements. Non-fossil fuel power generation 
experienced a modest decline.

11

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportChief Executive’s review continued

Specialist Technologies
Expanding Specialist Technologies activities is a key strategic focus 
for Bodycote. These technologies are differentiated early stage 
processes with high margins, large market opportunities, and good 
growth prospects. Bodycote is either the clear market leader or 
one of the top players among few competitors. These technologies 
address multiple market sectors. We continue to invest in these 
technologies organically, in both capital and people, and through 
acquisitions. Specialist Technologies’ revenues increased 13% to 
£184m in 2021, boosted by the full-year contribution from the Ellison 
acquisition. Organic Specialist Technologies’ revenues increased 
7%. Bodycote’s AGI-focused Specialist Technologies’ revenues 
grew 22% during the year, which compares favourably with the 9% 
increase in the combined AGI Classical Heat Treatment revenues. 
Bodycote’s ADE-focused Specialist Technologies’ revenues declined 
2% organically during the year, outperforming the 4% decline in 
the comparable organic ADE Classical Heat Treatment revenues. 
Specialist Technologies’ revenues constituted 30% of Bodycote’s 
revenues in the year and 42% of headline operating profit.

Emerging Markets
Investment in Emerging Markets (12% of Group revenues) continues 
to be a strategic priority. Our Emerging Market footprint comprises 
Eastern Europe, China and Mexico. Emerging Market’s revenues 
grew 17% in the year, despite a decline in our Automotive revenues 
in Mexico which are largely dependent on developments in the 
US car & light trucks market. Automotive revenues were up 20% 
elsewhere. General Industrial revenues were up 30% across the 
emerging markets. 

Restructuring
The Group embarked on a strategic restructuring plan in January 
2020 and expanded it significantly post the March onset of the 
pandemic. The plan was aimed at repositioning the Group to 
better focus on our strategic growth areas as well as permanently 
eliminating cost. The restructuring programme has been successfully 
completed. As part of the plan 26 plants were closed and five new 
ones were opened (two already opened in 2020, and three opened 
in 2021). 

The restructuring programme has generated a total of £30m in 
permanent cost savings, with £20m benefitting 2021 and an 
additional £10m of benefit in 2022. 

As part of the restructuring, virtually all the productive assets 
have been retained and relocated to facilities that can make better 
use of them. These are predominantly in higher growth markets 
and geographies. A large number of customers have also been 
transferred. The result is that Bodycote has significant production 
capacity available not only to service the revenue recovery that has 
started across a number of our markets, but also to accommodate a 
significant amount of further growth. 

Cost inflation
The Group saw inflationary pressure build through the year, most 
notably in energy costs during the second half. We are, once again, 
ensuring that cost inflation is passed on to customers. Indeed, 
Bodycote has achieved this year in, year out for more than 10 years. 

Cost inflation principally impacts us through increases in energy 
prices (historically circa 10% of revenues) and labour costs (circa 
40% of revenues). In a volatile inflationary environment, energy cost 
increases are passed on through customer surcharges or contractual 
indexation. In contrast, labour inflation is addressed by price 
increases or contractual indexation. Surcharges and price increases 
typically take effect in one to three months. Contractual indexation, 
which covers about 20% of our business, lags the cost impact by 
six to 12 months. The significant cost inflation we experienced in 
energy, and to some extent labour, in 2021 negatively impacted Q4 
profitability. This negative impact will continue into early 2022 until 
the surcharges, price increases and contractual indexation catch up.

Bodycote generally achieves higher furnace fill rates than in-house 
facilities in manufacturing companies and is more energy efficient 
as a result. Energy used in the processes is largely independent of 
fill rates. As a result, in the mid- to long-term higher energy costs 
actually increase Bodycote’s competitive advantage, motivating 
more companies to outsource to us. This is amplified by the growing 
demand for companies to reduce their carbon footprint.

Ukraine invasion
Bodycote has no direct exposure to Russia, Belarus or Ukraine. 
Furthermore, we have no facilities, customers or suppliers in any of 
these territories, nor any raw materials or energy supply contracts 
from them. At this stage, it is too early to predict the broader 
potential impacts on the Group but we continue to monitor the 
situation closely and will take any necessary actions warranted by 
unfolding events.

12

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic report 
Summary and outlook
We saw good progress in 2021, with margins increasing to 15.4%, 
as Bodycote benefited from strong recovery in General Industrial 
markets and completion of the restructuring programme. The results 
also highlight the progress we are making in our strategic focus 
areas. The results also highlight the continued progress we are 
making with our strategic focus areas. 

As we moved into 2022, General Industrial continued to perform 
strongly, and Civil Aerospace growth has accelerated. Bodycote’s 
Automotive business continued to be impacted by supply chain 
disruption for our customers, but signs of improvements are evident. 
And while we expect cost inflation to persist, we will continue to 
manage its impact on the business. In summary, the Board expects 
further progress this year, but remains mindful of the current 
geopolitical and macro-economic landscape. 

Looking further ahead, the outlook for the business remains positive 
as we benefit from high profit drop through on revenue growth 
across all our market sectors.

S.C. Harris
Group Chief Executive  
14 March 2022

Strategic progress and sustainability
Bodycote’s strategy is based on:

1. Ensuring the safety of our employees and reducing our direct 

environmental impact, specifically on climate change.

2. Improving the overall quality of the business and focusing 

investment to drive long term profitable growth.

3. Growing our Classical Heat Treatment business focused on electric 

vehicles and narrow-body aerospace platforms.

4. Growing our Emerging Markets’ business. 

5. Growing our Specialist Technologies’ business.

6. Targeted acquisitions that support these growth areas.

The 2021 results highlight the continued progress we are making 
with our strategic focus areas. During the year, we opened three 
new facilities including one in our Emerging Markets, all of which 
contained Specialist Technologies. One of our HIP facilities in North 
America has undergone a major expansion and a new HIP facility is 
nearing completion. In December, we completed the acquisition of a 
small HIP operation in Western Europe.

I am pleased to report that we have continued to make progress 
on our sustainability strategy. Managing energy and reducing our 
impact on climate change has long been part of our corporate 
culture. We have committed to the Science Based Targets initiative 
(SBTi). The external focus on carbon emissions and climate change 
has increased significantly in recent years and most companies 
have correspondingly increased the attention they are paying 
to this important issue. It may not be immediately obvious, but 
Bodycote is part of the solution. Thermal processing, including 
heat treatment enables products to be lighter, more efficient, and 
longer lasting. Our inherently higher utilisation and energy efficiency 
than manufacturers’ in-house heat treatment facilities, helps drive 
them to outsource to Bodycote, in turn lowering the overall carbon 
footprint. Moreover, our Specialist Technologies are inherently 
lower emissions technologies. Therefore, encouraging accelerated 
conversion to these technologies also plays a role in reducing overall 
emissions. This increased attention and our commitment to SBTi 
is an opportunity to increase our efforts to combat climate change, 
while at the same time helping to drive growth.

13

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategy and objectives

Bodycote’s objective is to create superior shareholder returns 
through the provision of selected thermal processing services 
that are highly valued by our customers, giving full regard to 
a safe working environment for our employees, and with a 
minimal environmental impact.

Strategic priorities

Objectives

1

2

3

4

5

6

Safety and  
Climate Change

We have a strategic commitment to ensuring the safety 
of our employees and reducing our direct environmental 
impact, specifically on climate change.

Driving operational  
improvement

Continuous improvement of business processes and 
systems makes us more efficient and responsive.

Investing in structural  
growth opportunities

We invest in markets with long-term structural 
opportunities, such as civil aerospace and 
medical markets.

Investing in  
Emerging Markets

Expanding with our customers in rapid growth countries 
with an emphasis on Eastern Europe, Mexico, and China.

Capitalising on and investing 
in our Specialist Technologies

Delivering unique solutions that provide customers with 
innovative, high value-added products to meet the changing 
needs within component manufacturing, as well as helping 
them reduce their impact on the environment.

Acquisitions

Adding bolt-on acquisitions to improve our plant network in 
Classical Heat Treatment and investing in larger acquisitions 
and adjacent technologies to grow Specialist Technologies.

Core values

Honesty and  
Transparency

In addition to the 
strategic icons 
above, we also 
link our markets 
and values via 
the following 
icons throughout 
the report.

We cultivate a culture of transparency where 
honesty and integrity are at the foundation of our 
business and our relationships. Trust is at the heart 
of everything we do.

Core markets

Aerospace and Defence

Respect and 
Responsibility

We behave individually and collectively with 
respect for each other, our stakeholders and the 
environment, conducting business responsibly, 
and taking ownership of our actions.

Automotive

Energy

Creating 
Value

We create value for our employees, customers 
and shareholders, and this is the very essence 
of Bodycote.

General Industrial

14

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportOur business model

Our business model focuses on ensuring we are the supplier 
of choice for our customers’ thermal processing needs.

We provide essential 
solutions to customers...

Our thermal processing services simplify customer manufacturing by 
reducing their non-core activities. Bodycote adds value while reducing 
the impact on the environment by operating more efficiently, as well 
as by offering substitute Specialist Technologies’ processes which are 
inherently lower emissions processes. Our global network of engineers 
and metallurgists collaborate with customers to solve complex challenges, 
enhance operational efficiencies, and help improve product performance. 
Our services allow our customers' parts to last longer and reduces their 
environmental impact, supporting a more sustainable future.

A global network
 – A global network of more than 

165 market-focused facilities in 22 countries. 
We have global expertise but are located near 
our customers.

  See our global network on pages 4-5
Unmatched expertise
 – Our people make the difference in the service 

we provide. With the best metallurgists, 
engineers and technicians in the industry, 
Bodycote is ideally placed to provide solutions 
for customers, whatever their market or 
wherever in the world they may be.

  See managing our people on pages 36-38
Scale and investment
 – Bodycote’s scale enables continuous yet 
focused investment, both in the latest 
processes and in the most efficient and 
environmentally friendly equipment.

  See Chief Executive’s review on pages 11-13

Customer focus
 – Building strong customer relationships 

through local service expertise; the scope 
of Bodycote’s network enables us to 
specialise at individual locations and provide 
comprehensive backup for our customers 
more effectively than competitors.

 – We secure service-specific agreements with 

our customers providing protection from 
supply disruption, leveraging Bodycote’s 
unique facility network.

  See business review on pages 22-23

 – Unique opportunities for transferring 

knowledge, skills and technology across 
the network.

  See our customer component journeys throughout 

the strategic report.

…utilising 
our strategic 
competitive 
advantages...

and focusing on  
service and quality... 

Service and expertise
 – We provide highly efficient, cost-effective services 
to the highest quality standards through strategic 
investment in people and the latest technology, 
equipment and quality systems.

Quality
 – Bodycote’s quality management systems, validated 
by major engineering OEMs, have been developed 
to meet the requirements of international and 
national accrediting bodies.

 – Bodycote’s extensive facilities and expertise mean 

 – Our facilities hold industry and customer approvals 

that projects can enhance/extend beyond customers’ 
in-house capabilities, combining identification and 
provision of technical solutions to deliver value-adding 
material properties with a lower environmental impact 
on climate change, and often at lower cost.

appropriate to the services they offer and the 
markets they serve.

…creating value for customers, Bodycote and our investors.

For our customers

 – Value-adding services

 – Global supplier meeting multiple 

processing needs

 – Access to entire Bodycote 

knowledge-base and expertise

 – Cost and carbon-reduction benefits 

versus in-house operations

 – Reducing the overall carbon 

emissions from their value chain

For Bodycote

 – Mutually beneficial 

customer relationships

 – Vast customer-base means 
Bodycote is not reliant on 
any one customer

 – Ideally positioned to promote 
growth in emerging markets 
and selected technologies

For our investors

 – Financially stable and 
sustainable business

 – Good growth drivers

 – Superior return on investment

 – Strong margins and cash flows

 – Proactive approach to ESG climate 

change and ESG matters

15

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportMeasuring progress
Our key performance indicators

Performance 
Return on capital employed increased by 2.2 percentage points during the year, up 
from 9.8% in 2020 to 12.0% in 2021.

Definition
Headline operating profit1 as a percentage of the average of the opening and closing 
capital employed.

Capital employed is defined as net assets adjusted for net cash/(debt).

Return on capital employed
(%)

9
.
8
1

8
.
7
1

7
.
7
1

0
.
2
1

8
.
9

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

Headline earnings per share 
(pence)

Performance
Headline earnings per share increased by 8.0p (29%) from 27.8p in 2020 to 35.8p in 2021.

Definition
Headline earnings per share is defined in the alternative performance measures section 
to this annual report on page 149.

Performance
Headline operating margin increased by 2.8 percentage points during the year, from 12.6% in 
2020 to 15.4% in 2021. Headline operating profit increased by 26% from £75.3m in 2020 to 
£94.8m in 2021, while revenue increased by 3% from £598.0m in 2020 to £615.8m in 2021.

Definition
Headline operating profit as a percentage of revenue.

9
.
5
2 5
.
9
4

1
.
2
5

8
.
5
3

8
.
7
2

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

Headline operating margin
(%)

3
.
9
1

7
.
8
1

0
.
8
1

4
.
5
1

.

6
2
1

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

1  Defined on page 149.

16

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic report 
 
 
Free cash flow
(£m)

8
.
3
3
7 1
.
1
1
1

1
.
3
2
1

1
.
6
0
1

0
.
5
0
1

Performance 
Free cash flow for the Group was £105.0m (2020: £106.1m). This was 111% of headline 
operating profit (2020: 141%).

Definition
Free cash flow is defined in the alternative performance measures section to this annual 
report on page 149.

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

Total Reportable Case Rate (TRC)

8
.
2

8
.
6 2
.
2

8
.
2

3
.
2

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

Carbon footprint 
(tonne CO2e/£m sales normalised1)

8
.
2
6
4

2
.
7
3
4

7
.
3
0
3 5
.
0
3
4

4
.
0
2
4

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

Performance
Bodycote works tirelessly to improve safety and reduce workplace incidents and is 
committed to providing a safe environment for everyone who works at or visits our locations. 
The TRC rate increased to 2.8 this year (2020 2.3). Further details are included in the 
Sustainability Report section on page 36.

Definition
TRC is defined as the number of lost time incidents, restricted work cases and medical 
treatment cases x200,000 hours (approximately 100 man years), divided by the total number 
of employee hours worked.

Performance
On a normalised basis, the carbon footprint decreased by 16% from 503.7 tonnes per 
£m sales to 420.4 tonnes per £m sales. Further details are included in the Sustainability 
Report section.

Definition
Carbon footprint is defined as tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions divided by £m revenue. 
CO2 equivalent emissions are calculated by taking electricity and gas usage in kilowatt hours 
and multiplying by country-specific conversion factors provided by the International Energy 
Agency (IEA). Normalised emissions statistics restate prior year figures using current year 
country-specific conversion IEA factors and current year average exchange rates.

1  Normalised statistics restate prior-year figures using current-year IEA carbon conversion factors and current-year average exchange rates.

17

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
 
 
Our stakeholders
How and why we engage

Engagement undertaken

Reason for engagement

Stakeholders’ key interests

 – Annual Report and Accounts/Annual 

General Meeting 

 – Corporate website, including investor 

relations section 

 – Results presentation and regular 

engagement with top shareholders 

 – Meetings throughout the year with 

existing and prospective shareholders 

 – Meetings throughout the year with 

existing and prospective banking partners 

 – Press releases (including 
LSE announcements)

 – Addressing regular analysts’ enquiries 

 – Annual individual performance reviews 

 – Works councils and their representatives 

 – Employee engagement groups 

 – Internal intranet and communications, 

suggestion boxes and grievance 
mechanisms 

 – Annual Report and accounts 

 – Safety, Health and Environment briefings 

and Toolbox Talks 

 – Twitter and LinkedIn communications 

 – Management of ongoing 
customer relationships 

 – Participation in industry forums/events 

 – Full customer marketing communication 
programme including utilisation of the 
corporate website 

Engaging with our customers helps us 
to understand their needs and identify 
opportunities and challenges. 

 – Individual employee volunteering 

 – Corporate website 

 – Local site community activities 

Investors

Continued access to capital is important 
to the long-term performance of our 
business. We work to ensure that 
our investors and analysts have a 
good understanding of our strategy 
and performance.

 – Financial performance and economic/

political impact 

 – Capital allocations and dividends 

 – Mergers and acquisitions 

 – Safety, Health and 

Environment performance 

 – Alignment of shareholder and 

management interests 

 – Governance and transparency 

 – Sustainability of performance 

Employees

Employee engagement is vital for our 
success. We work to create a diverse 
and inclusive workplace where every 
employee can reach their full potential. 
We engage with our people to ensure 
we are delivering to their expectations 
and making the right business decisions. 
This ensures we can retain and develop 
the best talent.

 – Reputation 

 – Wages, benefits and social packages 

 – Employee development/engagement 

 – Talent retention/career opportunities 

 – Safety, Health and 

Environment performance 

 – Diversity and inclusion 

Customers

We collaborate with our customers 
to improve our customers’ product 
characteristics and to develop a 
project pipeline.

 – Customer satisfaction 

 – Service performance, efficiency 

and quality 

 – Sustainable performance 

 – Supply chain transparency

Society/Communities

Bodycote operates in a very large number 
of local communities across the world 
and we aim to ensure that the business 
is seen as something that contributes 
positively to these communities and 
their inhabitants.

 – Local employment

 – Future talent pipeline 

 – Local operational impact 

 – Environmental impact 

 – Safety, health and 

environmental performance 

18

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportA component journey
Safety critical service
Aerospace engine shaft.

The main drive shaft in a civil aircraft engine is a safety critical component. In service, part 
failure could mean disaster. Thermal processing is essential to ensure this part has the 
necessary material properties to operate effectively, keeping the aircraft in the air.

The component 
begins life as a 
steel bar from 
which a forging 
is made.

The forged shaft is hardened 
and tempered to give the 
correct tensile strength.

The shaft is stabilised 
at approximately 
50°C below the 
final tempering 
temperature 
to remove any 
machining stresses.

Rough machining is 
carried out, usually 
to within 1/16th inch 
of the final part size.

The part 
undergoes 
final machining 
and grinding.

Post-nitriding, the 
plating and the white 
layer (nitrogen-rich 
layer which does 
not diffuse on to the 
surface) are removed.

Areas that do not require surface 
hardening are masked using 
bronze, tin or copper plating, and 
the shaft is then gas nitrided at 
a temperature not exceeding 
the stabilising temperature. 
This diffuses nitrogen on to the 
surface to provide high hardness 
and excellent wear resistance.

End application: 
aircraft, or land-based  
gas turbine, engine.

   The Bodycote ‘B’ next to a component journey stage shows where Bodycote’s vital services have been applied.

19

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportCompliance with Directors’ duties
Section 172 statement

Strategy

Performance

People

Governance

At every Board meeting the 
Directors review, with the 
management team, the progress 
against strategic priorities and the 
changing shape of the business 
portfolio. This collaborative 
approach by the Board, together 
with the Board’s approval of the 
company strategy, helps it to 
promote the long-term success 
of the Group. Ultimately Board 
decisions are taken against the 
backdrop of what it considers 
to be in the best interest of the 
long-term financial success of 
the Company and the Group’s 
stakeholders, including investors, 
employees, customers and 
society. Following on from 
our successful restructuring 
programme, we are in a good 
position to benefit from the 
continued recovery of our 
end-markets. The Company’s 
strong underlying financial 
position enables us to pursue 
new opportunities for the 
Group within our disciplined 
financial framework.

The Board regularly reviews and 
monitors the Group’s safety, 
reliability and environmental 
performance, with the aim of 
continually making Bodycote 
safer for our entire workforce 
and minimising our impact on 
climate change. 

In 2021 a recordable injury 
frequency rate of 2.8 was 
achieved. The number of 
recordable injuries fell 12% versus 
2017. The safety, health and 
well-being of our employees will 
always be our highest priority. 
This is important to our workforce 
and local communities, while 
strong operational availability and 
reliability is crucial to our partners 
and customers. 

The Board also focuses on 
maintaining financial discipline and 
delivering strong earnings, cash 
flow, and returns to shareholders. 

A core pillar of the Group’s 
strategy is growth via selected 
acquisitions. In 2021, Bodycote 
acquired a new HIP facility in 
Western Europe, thereby further 
strengthening our Specialist 
Technologies business.

Bodycote’s workforce is key to 
its success. Our people help us 
maintain our strong reputation 
for high standards of business 
conduct, which is fundamental in 
delivering our purpose to support 
our customers in producing 
superior components. 

Bodycote operates Employee 
Engagement Groups on a bi-
annual basis which are chaired 
by a Non-Executive Director. 
The feedback from these forums 
is reported to the Board and the 
Executive Directors charged with 
addressing any particular items 
that arise. In 2021 these forums 
were held virtually. Feedback was 
generally very positive and no 
material concerns were expressed 
by employees during the year.

The Board believes that strong 
governance is essential to 
the success of the company. 
The Board regularly commissions 
the external evaluation of its 
performance, which most recently 
took place in 2021. The Board 
discussed the findings of this 
review and recommendations, 
such as reviewing the strategy in 
depth including climate change, 
ESG and focusing on people 
and succession have been 
implemented. The governance 
framework continues to drive 
the highest levels of business 
standards and best practices, 
aligning these with Bodycote’s 
business purpose, values, 
strategy, and culture. The Board 
will continue to assess and 
monitor culture and will look to 
obtain useful insight through 
effective dialogue with our key 
stakeholders, taking feedback into 
account in the Board’s decision-
making process.

Relevant section 172 factors

Decision-making

Decision-making

The Board
(including delegation of authority) 

Engagement

Investors

Employees

Customers

Capital is rewarded through 
dividends and share price 
increases. Our investment 
proposition builds upon our 
strengths to create value for 
shareholders. We communicate 
progress on our financial and non-
financial plans in order to cultivate 
the support of our investors, 
analysts, banks and proxy 
voting agencies.

The knowledge, expertise, and 
skill of our employees are a major 
part of the Group’s intangible 
value. We work to attract, 
develop and retain the best talent, 
equipped with the right skills for 
the future. Our people have a 
crucial role in delivering against 
our strategy and creating value.

Our services are provided to the 
aerospace, defence, energy, 
automotive and general industrial 
markets. We work closely with 
our customers to understand 
their evolving needs so we can 
continually improve and adapt to 
meet them.

Society/Communities

We are committed to building 
positive relationships with the 
communities where we operate.

We consult through our plant 
network to gain valuable 
perspectives on the ways in which 
our activities could impact the 
local community or environment.

£38m 

in dividends

20

£253m 

>40,000 

>165 facilities

in staff remuneration

customers worldwide

in 22 countries

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportSection 172 cross reference

The Board, in line with their duties under section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, must act in the way they consider, in good faith, would 
most likely promote the success of the Company for the benefit of the shareholders. Our Directors must also have regard to the likely long-
term consequences of their decisions, and the impact that these may have on the Company’s key stakeholders. Further information about 
how these duties have been applied can be found throughout the Annual Report.

Section 172 duties 

Consequences of decisions 
in the long-term

Key examples

Strategic progress

Board activities in the year

Restructuring

Financial report

Going Concern and Viability statements

Principal Risks

Interests of employees

Chair and Chief Executive statements

Fostering business relationships with suppliers, 
customers and others

Impact of operations on the community  
and the environment

Our stakeholders

Sustainability report

Board activities in the year

Our stakeholders

Sustainability report

Board activities in the year

Sustainability report

Maintaining high standards of business conduct 

Sustainability report

Acting fairly between members 

Shareholder engagement

Corporate governance statement

Page

13, 16-17

20,47 

12

25-27

27, 34

29-33

10-13

18

36-42

18, 20-21

10-13, 18

36-42

50-53

36-42

36-42

46

20

The table on page 18 sets out our key stakeholder groups and how they were engaged with directly and indirectly by the Board throughout 
the year.

21

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportBusiness review

Bodycote has more than 165 
facilities around the world which are 
organised into two customer-focused 
businesses: the ADE business and  
the AGI business. 

Our ADE business focuses on aerospace, defence, and energy 
customers, who tend to think and operate globally. Our AGI 
business focuses on automotive and general industrial customers. 
These include many multinational companies that tend to operate on 
a regionally-focused basis and numerous medium-sized and smaller 
businesses, all of which are important to Bodycote. Much of the 
AGI business is locally oriented. Strategically we have focused on 
building customer relationships to enable our participation in long-
term programmes. Not only do we have a competitive advantage 
as a result of our scale and capabilities, but our global reach allows 
customers to work with us on multiple projects simultaneously, 
making us a valued business partner.

The ADE Business  

ADE revenue by market 
sector and geography
£m

Market sector 

Aerospace and Defence

136.0

Energy

Automotive

General Industrial

Total

Geography

North America

Western Europe

Emerging Markets  

Total

39.3

12.3

58.0

245.6

136.0

105.3

4.3

245.6

Bodycote services all of the major 
manufacturers in the aerospace 
industry as well as a large portion  
of their supply chains. 
Within ADE, we have more than 55 facilities around the world, 
including Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) and Surface Technology 
facilities, alongside our Classical Heat Treatment plants. 

The following review reflects constant currency growth rates  
unless stated otherwise. 

Revenue in 2021 was £245.6m, an increase of 2% (2% decline at 
actual rates), including the benefit of the contribution to revenues 
from the Ellison acquisition. On an organic basis, revenues declined 
3% (down 7% at actual rates). Organic aerospace, defence and 
energy revenues declined 9%, while general industrial revenues 
increased 14%.

Despite the decline in revenues, headline operating profit increased  
to £44.2m (2020: £36.8m), and headline operating margin increased  
to 18.0% (2020: 14.8%), reflecting tight cost control and the benefit  
of cost savings from the restructuring programme. Statutory operating 
profit increased to £32.8m (2020: £12.1m, after a £16.9m restructuring 
charge taken in the year). 

Expansionary capital expenditure was £3.7m, with investment 
predominantly in capacity growth for the HIP business. The Group also 
invested £8.2m for the acquisition of a business in Western Europe to 
strengthen its Specialist Technologies network. 

Return on capital employed increased to 10.8% (2020: 10.3%)  
as a result of the improved profitability.

22

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
  
The AGI Business  

AGI revenue by market 
sector and geography
£m

Market sector 

Aerospace and Defence

Energy

Automotive

General Industrial

Total

Geography

North America

Western Europe

Emerging Markets  

Total

11.5

7.9

155.2

195.6

370.2

85.3

217.0

67.9

370.2

Our extensive network of more than 
100 AGI facilities enables the business 
to offer customers the broadest range 
of capability and security of supply. 
Bodycote has a long and successful 
history of servicing its wide-ranging 
customer base. 
Each of our AGI facilities works with their customers to respond with 
the expertise and appropriate service level required, no matter the 
size of the customer’s demand. 

The following review reflects constant currency growth rates  
unless stated otherwise. 

Revenue was £370.2m, an increase of 10% on the prior year  
(6% at actual rates).

Headline operating profit was £69.5m (2020: £41.0m), and headline 
operating margin correspondingly increased to 18.8% (2020: 11.8%), 
as the business benefited from the recovery in revenues, as well as 
cost savings from the restructuring programme. Statutory operating 
profit increased to £65.3m (2020: £1.6m, after a £35.3m 
restructuring charge taken in the year).

We spent £11.4m on expansionary capital expenditure, with ongoing 
expansion in emerging markets and expenditure on two new plants 
in North America, which, in part, have facilitated the restructuring 
programme. Return on capital employed increased to 15.9% 
(2020: 8.8%), mainly reflecting the increased profitability.

23

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
A component journey
Inner strength

Cobalt chromium 
alloy billets are 
investment-cast to 
form implant shape.

   The Bodycote ‘B’ next to a component journey stage shows 
where Bodycote’s vital services have been applied.

24

The castings are thermally 
sprayed with a biomedical 
coating to allow a bond 
to form between the 
implant and body tissue, 
promoting bone growth.

The implants are then 
HIPed to eliminate porosity, 
improve fatigue life, and 
enhance the bonding of the 
biocompatible coating.

Solution and 
ageing heat 
treatment is used 
to strengthen 
the implant.

End application: 
joint replacement

Medical implants.The stress on a hip or knee joint when a person jumps off a chair is equal to around 100 tonnes per square inch. Our bones, effectively composites, absorb such stresses regularly and effectively for much of our lifetime. When joints fail, they are often replaced with metal alloy implants. These implants must be incredibly strong, biocompatible, and able to last the lifetime of the patient. A combination of heat treatment, hot isostatic pressing and coating makes this possible.Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportChief Financial Officer’s report

Free cash flow was £105m –  
the Group continues its great  
track record of converting  
profits to cash.

D. Yates  
Chief Financial Officer

Financial overview

Revenue

Headline operating profit
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition costs

Exceptional items
Operating profit 
Net finance charge
Profit/(loss) before taxation
Taxation (credit)/charge
Profit for the year

2021
£m
615.8

94.8
(10.3)
(0.7)

–
83.8
(6.3)
77.5
(17.5)
60.0

 2020 
£m
598.0

75.3
(9.8)
(2.1)

(58.4)
 5.0
(6.5)
(1.5)
2.3
 0.8

Group revenue was £615.8m, representing an increase of 3.0% at actual exchange rates, and 7.1% at constant currency.

Headline operating profit for the year increased by 25.9% to £94.8m (2020: £75.3m), with a good improvement in the headline operating 
margin to 15.4% (2020: 12.6%), reflecting the positive operational gearing from increased revenues, positive business mix and cost savings 
from the 2020 restructuring programme. Statutory operating profit increased significantly to £83.8m (2020: £5.0m), as a result of the 
increased headline operating profit, and the £58.4m exceptional charge taken in 2020. 

25

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportChief Financial Officer’s report continued

Finance charge
The net finance charge was £6.3m (2020: £6.5m) analysed in the 
table below.

continues to exert strong financial discipline over capital expenditure 
projects in order to target strong returns.

Cash Flow

Interest on loans and bank overdrafts
Interest charges
Financing and bank charges
Total finance charge
Interest received
Net finance charge

2021 
£m
(1.3)
(2.0)
(3.3)
(6.6)
0.3
(6.3)

2020 
£m
(0.7)
(3.0)
(3.0)
(6.7)
0.2
(6.5)

As at 31 December 2021, headroom on the Group’s £250.9m 
Revolving Credit Facility was £160.6m (2020: £199.2m). The Facility 
has a remaining life of 4.4 years. 

Profit before taxation

Headline profit before taxation
Amortisation of acquired intangibles
Acquisition costs
Exceptional items
Profit/(loss) before taxation

2021 
£m
88.5
(10.3)
(0.7)
–
77.5

2020 
£m
68.8
(9.8)
(2.1)
(58.4)
(1.5)

The statutory profit before taxation in the year increased to £77.5m 
(2020: loss of £1.5m) while headline profit before tax increased to 
£88.5m (2020: £68.8m). 

Taxation
The tax charge for the year was £17.5m (2020: credit of £2.3m). 
The headline tax rate for the Group was 22.3% (2020: 22.5%), being 
stated before accounting for amortisation of acquired intangibles, 
acquisition costs and exceptional items. This is in line with guidance 
given to the market during the year. The Group's overall tax rate 
reflects the blended average of the tax rates in 24 jurisdictions 
around the world in which the Group trades and generates profit. 

The effective statutory tax rate was 22.6%. Provisions of £24.0m 
(2020: £22.1m) are carried in respect of potential future additional tax 
assessments related to ‘open’ historical tax years. Reference is made 
to note 6 to the financial statements for more information.

Bodycote has been advised by the UK tax authorities that the enquiry 
into the possibility of State Aid in respect of the UK Group Financing 
Exemption has been closed and, consequently, the Group believes 
that there is no longer a contingent liability in respect of this issue.

Earnings per share
Basic headline earnings per share rose 29% to 35.8p (2020: 27.8p) 
as a result of the higher headline operating profit. Basic earnings per 
share for the year increased to 31.2p (2020: 0.2p).

Profit/(loss) before taxation
Taxation (charge)/credit
Profit for the year
Basic headline EPS 
Basic EPS

2021 
£m
77.5
(17.5)
60.0
35.8p
31.2p

2020 
£m
 (1.5)
2.3
0.8
27.8p
0.2p

Return on capital employed
Return on capital employed (including right-of-use assets) rose in 
the year to 12.0% from 9.8% in 2020. The increase mainly reflects 
the improvement in the Group’s headline operating profit. The Group 

26

Headline operating profit
Depreciation and amortisation
Impairment of PPE
Income from associates prior to disposal
Loss of disposal of associate
Loss on disposal of PPE
Headline EBITDA1
Net maintenance capital expenditure
Net working capital movement
Headline operating cash flow
Restructuring
Financing costs
Tax
Free cash flow
Expansionary capital expenditure
Ordinary dividend
Acquisition spend
Own shares purchased less  
SBP and others
Increase in net debt
Opening net (debt)/cash
Foreign exchange movements
Closing net debt
IFRS 16 lease liabilities
Net debt excluding lease liabilities 

2021 
£m
94.8
73.4
–
(0.1)
0.4

– 

168.5
(43.1)
(3.4)
122.0
(2.3)
(5.2)
(9.5)
105.0
(15.6)
(49.0)
(65.4)

4.7
(20.3)
(98.1)
2.0
(116.4)
64.5
(51.9)

2020 
£m
75.3 
82.0
0.4
(0.2)
–
0.6
158.1 
(45.1)
17.2
130.2
(11.6)
(4.7)
(7.8)
106.1
(20.0)
(25.1)
(99.3)

(0.1)
(38.4)
(58.5)
(1.2)
(98.1)
75.6
(22.5)

1   Refer to page 149 of the annual report for a reconciliation of Operating Profit to 

Headline EBITDA.

Net debt (excluding lease liabilities) increased by £29.4m to £51.9m 
after the payment of the remaining deferred consideration of £57.8m 
for the acquisition of Ellison Technologies, and ordinary dividends of 
£49.0m during the year. The Group’s headline operating cash flow 
fell to £122.0m (2020: £130.2m), but still represents very healthy 
headline operating cash flow conversion of 129% (2020: £173%). 
The statutory measure, net cash from operating activities, increased 
to £144.3m (2020: £139.1m). Free cash flow also remained strong at 
£105.0m (2020: £106.1m), with free cash flow conversion of 111% 
(2020: 141%). Net debt (including lease liabilities) was £116.4m at 
31 December 2021, with well over 80% of the Group’s outstanding 
lease liabilities relating to operational property leases.

Expansionary capital expenditure and acquisitions
The Group invested £15.6m (2020: £20.0m) in expansionary projects, 
mainly related to investment in two new AGI plants in North America 
and expansion activities in our North American HIP business. 
The two new North American facilities facilitated some of the 
restructuring activities undertaken during the year which, in turn, has 
improved the overall quality of our operations.

The Group remains committed to invest in maintaining its assets to 
the highest standards of quality and safety.

In December, the Group acquired a HIP business in Western Europe 
for consideration of £8.2m, strengthening further the strategically 
important Specialist Technologies’ businesses.

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportDividend and Dividend Policy
The Group aims to pay ordinary dividends so that dividend cover 
will be at or above 2.0 times earnings on a ‘normalised’ multi-year 
basis. The Board may also recommend payment of a supplemental 
distribution to shareholders. The amount of any supplemental 
distribution will be assessed in light of the cash position of the 
Group, along with funding requirements for both organic growth 
and acquisitions.

In line with this policy, the Board has recommended a final 
ordinary dividend of 13.8p (2020: 13.4p), bringing the total ordinary 
dividend to 20.0p (2020: 19.4p). The interim dividend of 6.2p, 
approved by the Board on 27 July 2021, was paid on 5 November 
2021 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 
8 October 2021. The final ordinary dividend will be paid on 3 June 
2022 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 
22 April 2022. 

Borrowing facilities
The Group is financed by a mix of cash flows from operations, 
short-term borrowings, and leases. The Group’s funding policy aims 
to ensure continuity of financing at a reasonable cost, based on 
committed and uncommitted facilities and loans to be procured from 
several sources over a spread of maturities. The Group continues 
to have access to committed facilities at competitive rates and 
therefore currently deems this to be the most effective means of 
long-term funding.

During the year, the Group extended its £250.9m Revolving Credit 
Facility by one year and this will now expire in May 2026. As at 
31 December 2021, £90.3m (2020: £51.7m) was drawn on this 
facility, leaving headroom of £160.6m (2020: £199.2m) at year end.

Facility
£250.9m Revolving 
Credit

Expiry 
date
27 May
2026

Facility 
£m

Facility 
utilisation 
£m

Facility 
headroom 
£m

250.9

90.3

160.6

Alternative performance measures
Bodycote uses alternative performance measures such as headline 
operating profit, headline earnings per share, organic sales, headline 
profit before taxation, headline operating cash flow, organic sales, 
headline operating cash conversion, free cash flow and return 
on capital employed together with current measures restated at 
constant currency. The Directors believe that these assist users of 
the financial statements to gain a clearer understanding of the trading 
performance of the business, allowing the impact of restructuring 
and reorganisation activities and amortisation of acquired intangible 
assets to be identified separately. These alternative performance 
measures can be found on page 149.

Going concern
As described on pages 98 to 99 of the financial statements, the 
Directors have formed a judgement, at the time of approving the 
financial statements, that there are no material uncertainties that cast 
doubt on the Group’s going concern status and that it is a reasonable 
expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in 
operational existence for at least the next 12 months. In making this 
judgement, they have considered the impacts of current and severe 
but plausible consequences arising from the Group’s activities. 
For this reason, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing the consolidated financial statements. 

D. Yates
Chief Financial Officer 
14 March 2022

27

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportA component journey
A twist to resist – Bi-metallic extrusion screw

The extruder screw 
begins life as a 
forged steel bar.

The capsule is 
HIPed to fully 
densify the powder 
metal and bond the 
steel bar creating 
a coating.

The bar requires 
cladding to add a 
layer of wear-resistant 
material. This material 
will be produced 
from high quality 
steel powder.

An empty cylindrical 
steel capsule is 
manufactured. The steel 
bar is placed into the 
centre and the free 
volume is filled with 
metal powder.

The outer profile is 
machined to the final 
shape and dimensional 
tolerances. 

K-Tech coating 
applied for increased 
wear resistance, 
corrosion protection, 
and anti-galling.

End application: 
plastic extrusion 
equipment

The finished 
screw is hardened 
and tempered 
using a thermal 
cycle engineered 
to allow the 
material to retain 
toughness whilst 
allowing optimum 
hardness 
characteristics in 
the (clad) surface.

   The Bodycote ‘B’ next to a component journey stage shows where Bodycote’s vital services have been applied.

28

Plastic extrusion technology is used to create a huge number of everyday items for industries such as plastics, pharmaceuticals and food.The equipment used to compound the polymer feedstock, such as extrusion screws and barrels, must be highly resistant to brittleness, wear and abrasion.Parts produced from monolithic materials cannot be optimised to produce the desired specification, so the use of bi-metallic parts produced by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and powder metallurgy overcomes this limitation by bonding a high wear and abrasion resistant powder alloy onto a tough substrate.Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportPrincipal risks and uncertainties

The Board is responsible for the Group’s risk management and 
determining the Group’s risk appetite. The review of financial risk has 
been delegated to the Audit Committee. Senior Management has 
taken ownership of specific business risks. Each risk is evaluated 
based on its likelihood of occurrence and severity of impact on our 
strategy. Then, risks are assessed at both a gross and net level, i.e. 
before and after the effect of mitigation. This approach allows the 
identification and consistent evaluation of significant risks, as well as 
consideration of the effect of current lines of defence in mitigation. 
In addition, the Risk and Sustainability Committee, which met twice 
during 2021, assists in the identification of critical risks. The meetings 
are attended by a Vice President from each of the operating 
divisions, the Group Head of Safety, Health and Environment and the 
General Counsel.

The Group’s risk framework continues to operate as normal 
despite the COVID-19 pandemic. These activities help embed risk 
management and facilitate the identification and implementation 
of risk management measures throughout the Group. In addition, 
internal audit provides independent assurance that the Group’s 
risk management, governance and internal control processes are 
operating effectively.

An update is provided to the Executive and Audit Committees on the 
Group’s risk activities at every meeting and a comprehensive review 
of the Group’s business-critical and emerging risks are presented to 
the Board in June and in December. The Board concluded that an 
ongoing process of identifying, evaluating and managing the Group’s 
significant risks has been in place throughout 2021 and a robust 
assessment of the principal and emerging risks had been undertaken. 

The tables on the following pages highlight the major risks that may 
affect Bodycote’s ability to deliver the strategy, see page 14.

Details of the Group’s financial risks (liquidity, credit, interest rate 
and currency), which are managed by the Group’s treasury function, 
are provided in note 18 to the financial statements. The mitigating 
activities described below will reduce the impact or likelihood of the 
major risk occurring, although the Board recognises that it will not be 
possible to eliminate these risks entirely. 

Cross-border trading between the UK and the EU member states as 
a result of the UK’s departure from the EU at the end of the Brexit 
transition period on 31 December 2020 continues to be a very small 
part of the Group’s business with the majority of the businesses 
served through locally situated plants. Consequently, there is no 
change to the view that Brexit does not present a material risk to 
the Group.

We are mindful of developments in Ukraine in recent weeks. 
We have no direct exposure to Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine. 
Bodycote has no facilities, customers, or any suppliers in any of 
these territories. Neither do we have any raw materials or energy 
supply contracts from these territories. At this stage, it is too early 
to predict the broader potential knock-on impacts on our customers, 
end market developments and energy input costs, but we continue to 
monitor the situation and will take any necessary actions warranted 
by unfolding events.

Emerging risk
Bodycote’s emerging risk identification process is based on horizon 
scanning. Each emerging risk is assessed on its potential impact 
on the Group on a high, medium or low rating across three time 
horizons: 0-2 years; 2-5 years; and more than five years. 

This process takes place alongside the annual risk review, with 
emerging risks being considered in facilitated risk workshops, 
including those conducted with the Executive Committee. 

As in previous years, in 2021 each division was requested to identify 
emerging risks for consideration. No additional emerging risks were 
identified through this process. However, given the effects of climate 
change on the Group’s emerging risk profile and the wider impacts 
of both physical and transitional risk, the Group has refocused its 
previous Environmental, Social and Governance risk to Climate 
Change risk. 

Our emerging risk process has identified a number of potential risks 
including those arising from the effects of climate change risk on 
the Group’s operations which have also been reflected in the 2021 
risk review. 

These emerging risks are: 

 – The acceleration in the transition to electric vehicles (EV); EVs tend 
to have fewer components that require heat treatment and this 
could reduce the number of components Bodycote has to process. 
However, to capture more of this growing market, Bodycote has 
already started to position itself as the supplier of choice to EV 
manufacturers and OEMs. It is also the case that Bodycote has a 
very strong market position in the technologies that are likely to be 
more favoured in the production of electric vehicles.

 – Continued environmental activism, as well as increased focus from 

both regulators and the investment community around climate 
change, has started to influence customers to reduce their carbon 
footprints. There is the potential that this could start to impact some 
of the sectors Bodycote operates in, such as civil aerospace. It also 
presents opportunities for the Group as Bodycote tends to have 
higher furnace fill rates than other heat treaters, and the consequent 
energy consumption and emissions per component treated is lower. 
Customers may, therefore, have a greater incentive to outsource 
their heat treatment activities to Bodycote.

 – Greater geopolitical risk, with increased international tensions, 

tariffs and other barriers to international trade. If countries pursue 
aggressive trade barriers that reduce the movement of goods this 
could result in companies having to move their production locations. 
As Bodycote sites tend to be located in close proximity to our 
customers this could result in Bodycote having to relocate facilities 
over time.

 – The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the potential for more 
pandemics in the future, including the long-term effects for 
which the full impacts are still not known. The pervasive impact 
of COVID-19 on the Group has been reflected throughout the 
identified risks.

29

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportPrincipal risks and uncertainties continued

Risk description

Risk rating 

Mitigation and control

Relevance 
to strategy

Market and customer risks

Markets

Stable

Bodycote operates in 22 countries. 
Changes in macroeconomic trends and 
the economic environment will impact 
the end markets that the Group serves, 
and, consequently, the amount of parts 
that need to be treated.

Cost inflation, if not passed on to 
customers, also presents a risk to the 
Group’s profitability.

COVID-19 had a material impact 
on the markets in which Bodycote 
operates. While considerable 
uncertainty with new variants 
remains, and end markets 
(particularly automotive) have been 
impacted by wider issues in global 
supply chains, these markets have 
begun to recover in 2021. The 
high proportion of short-term fixed 
costs in the business means that 
a movement in sales can have a 
significant impact on the Group’s 
profitability. The emergence of 
higher levels of cost inflation in 
2021, most notably the significant 
increase in energy prices, will 
reduce the Group’s profitability if it 
cannot be successfully passed on. 

 – Bodycote’s presence in 22 countries servicing 
more than 40,000 customers across a wide 
variety of end-markets acts as a natural hedge 
to neutralise localised economic volatility and 
component life cycles. 

3 

1

4 

2 

5 

 – Bodycote has demonstrated the ability to 
manage its costs in response to revenue 
shocks, protecting profitability and returns. 

 – The 2020 restructuring activity was aimed 

at adapting the Group’s facilities’ footprint to 
respond to trends in end markets.

 – Bodycote has a long track record of passing 
on cost inflation to its customers via price 
increases and surcharges and has acted 
quickly in the second half of 2021 to ensure 
that the surge in cost inflation is offset by 
price increases to our customers.

5

1

Competitor action

Stable

The threat of new and existing 
competitors into one or more of the 
Group’s Specialist Technologies.

A number of small and mid-sized 
HIP furnaces have been installed 
by competitors, but investment 
in large HIP furnaces, where 
Bodycote has a very strong market 
position, has been limited to date.

The entrance of new competitors 
could result in the erosion of 
market share with a loss of 
revenue and profitability. 

 – The close control of proprietary knowledge. 

 – Expansion in the Group’s offerings to maintain 

the position as supplier of choice.

 – A focus on customer service to ensure that 
satisfied customers have no cause to seek 
alternative suppliers.

 – There are high financial barriers to entry.

Corporate and community risks

Safety and health

Stable

The inherent nature of Bodycote’s 
activities and the equipment operated 
presents safety and health risks. 
Bodycote’s operations, if not properly 
managed, could have a significant 
impact on individual employees. 
Furthermore, poor safety and health 
practices could lead to disruption of 
business, financial penalties and loss 
of reputation.

As well as the obvious increase in 
risk to the health of our employees, 
the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted 
in a greater risk of potential working 
time loss as a result of an increase 
in sick days or prevention measures 
employees may have to undergo.

30

Bodycote is committed to 
providing a safe work environment 
for its employees. 

 – Group-wide health and safety policies 

developed by the Group Head of SHE, ratified 
by the Risk and Sustainability Committee and 
approved by the Chief Executive.

 – OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 compliant SHE 

management systems being used by the 
Group Head of Safety, Health and Environment 
with support of divisional safety, health and 
environmental teams.

 – Programme in place to focus on reduction of 
incidents which could have a high impact. 

 – Safety compliance audits at all plants at least 

every two years. 

 – Oversight of safety and health framework 
provided by the Risk and Sustainability 
Committee. In response to COVID-19, 
where deemed required, facilities and offices 
closed ahead of any local requirements to 
allow remote working for office-based staff. 
Additional precautions have also been adopted 
in all plants with new SHE guidance including 
temperature checks, additional checks, masks, 
gloves, social distancing measures, and staff 
communication and discussion sessions. 

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportRisk rating 

Mitigation and control

Relevance 
to strategy

Risk description

Environment

Climate Change

Thermal processing by its very nature 
consumes a significant amount 
of energy. There is a risk that we 
do not adapt competitively to the 
requirement for lower emissions and 
that we do not anticipate the impact 
of climate change to ensure that the 
Group’s operations are sustainable.

In addition, actual or potential 
environmental contamination in any of 
our facilities could lead to health risks, 
disruption of business, financial costs 
and loss of reputation. 

Operational risks

Service quality

The Bodycote brand is reliant on the 
repeatable delivery of parts to agreed 
specification to an agreed time.

There is a risk that Bodycote fails to 
meet the needs of customers in terms 
of quality, delivery, innovation and 
problem solving. 

Increasing 

Climate change risk is increasing 
and has become a focus of interest 
to the investment community and 
Bodycote stakeholders specifically, 
seeking to understand how we 
manage environmental impact, 
including carbon management.

Extreme weather events are 
unlikely to materially impact 
our operations.

 – We manage, measure and report our impacts, 
risks and opportunities due to climate change 
through the TCFD model as described on 
page 41.

 – The Risk and Sustainability Committee 

oversees the strategy and action plans to 
reduce our carbon footprint. 

 – Environmental procedures and measures in 

place conforming to ISO 14001.

 – Remediation of contaminated sites or 
additional emissions abatements. 

Stable

The risk of poor quality or service 
levels can cause serious long-term 
damage to Bodycote’s reputation 
with financial consequences such 
as the loss of a customer and the 
cost of damages or litigation.

 – Bodycote has stringent quality systems in 

place managed by qualified staff. 

 – Quality systems and processes operated 
at plant level with oversight by divisional 
quality teams. 

 – Where necessary, plants maintain industry 
relevant accreditations, such as ISO 9001, 
Nadcap and IATF 16949. 

 – Each facility has regular audits by quality staff, 

accreditation bodies and customers.

Contract review

Stable

There is risk that parts are not 
treated according to contractually 
agreed specification or additional 
customers amendments. 

Non-compliance with agreed 
specifications or failure to 
update the process at a plant 
to comply with specification 
changes requested by the 
customer may potentially lead 
to parts being rejected or failing, 
which could result in material 
claims against Bodycote with 
significant reputational damage, 
financial penalties and a loss of 
future revenue. 

 – Each facility has a robust quality management 
system with regular audits by quality staff, 
accreditation bodies and customers. 

 – Bodycote carefully negotiates terms and 
conditions associated with the supply of 
services to its customers, carefully managing 
potential liabilities.

 – Certain potential damages resulting from this 
risk are fully or partially covered through the 
Group’s various insurance policies.

1

Safety and 
Climate Change

2

Driving operational  
improvement

3

Investing in structural  
growth opportunities

4

Investing in  
Emerging Markets

5

Capitalising on, and investing 
in, our Specialist Technologies

6

Acquisitions

1

2

2

31

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportPrincipal risks and uncertainties continued

Risk description

Risk rating 

Mitigation and control

Relevance 
to strategy

Operational risks continued

Loss of key accreditations

Stable

Bodycote is required to maintain 
specific accreditations in order to 
provide heat treatment and thermal 
processing services on parts for 
certain customers.

Should a number of facilities fail 
to maintain their accreditations, 
customers could potentially move 
work to a competitor resulting in a 
loss of revenue to Bodycote. 

Failing to keep such accreditations 
would prevent Bodycote from 
delivering services to customers in 
these markets. 

Major disruption at a facility 

Stable

 – Each facility has a robust quality management 
system with regular audits by quality staff, 
accreditation bodies and customers. 

2

 – Should a facility fail an accreditations audit a 
remediation plan to fix any non-conformities 
is implemented.

 – Bodycote has a global network of more than 
165 facilities and this enables work to be 
transferred to another accredited facility. 

Bodycote’s facilities are subject 
to man-made and natural hazards 
that could lead to their potential 
closure. Some business processes 
are inherently risky and there is a 
possibility that a major incident, 
such as a fire or utility outage, could 
occur. In addition, some facilities are 
exposed to natural hazards, such as 
earthquakes, flooding and storms.

Any significant incident at a site 
could result in the service to 
Bodycote’s customers from the 
affected site being disrupted. 

 – Bodycote has a global network of more 

than 165 facilities. These facilities create a 
framework to provide backup capability. 

 – Business continuity plans are in place for 

2

3

all plants. 

 – Independent insurer physical inspections 
to facilities to assess hazard and business 
interruption risks have been conducted during 
the year.

 – Insurance cover, including business 

interruption cover. 

 – Scheduled equipment maintenance 

and inspections.

Machine downtime

Stable

Bodycote relies upon its operational 
equipment, across the network 
of plants, being available to meet 
the requirements of its customers. 
Therefore unexpected equipment 
breakdowns would potentially affect 
Bodycote’s ability to service its 
customers. Moreover, without an 
effective preventative maintenance 
programme there is a risk that 
equipment redundancy would need to 
be built in to facilities in order to cope 
with equipment breakdowns.

Significant periods of equipment 
downtime would impact customer 
service and revenue.

2

3

 – A project is underway to further study 
and mitigate the risk, for example, by 
using historical maintenance data to 
develop a comprehensive preventative 
maintenance programme.

 – Bodycote has a global network of facilities 
with robust business continuity plans to 
minimise the impact of equipment downtime, 
and work can be transferred to another facility 
in the network.

32

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic report 
 
Risk description

Risk rating 

Mitigation and control

Relevance 
to strategy

Operational risks continued

Information technology  
and cybersecurity

Increasing 

The Group relies upon its IT systems, 
including a range of ERP solutions, 
to manage its operations. Therefore, 
IT systems interruptions could lead 
to business process disruption and 
interruption to key business services.

A cyber attack breach could result in 
the theft, manipulation or destruction 
of confidential and sensitive 
information and severely disrupt 
business operations.

There is an increase in the risk 
of sophisticated cyber attacks, 
including ransomware and 
phishing, and the impacts of these 
attacks has also been increasing. 

A significant failure of IT systems 
as a result of external factors, 
such as a cyber attack, could 
disrupt service to our customers, 
and result in reputational and 
financial loss.

Regulatory risks

Regulatory and legislative 
compliance

Stable

Failure to comply with legislation 
could lead to substantial financial 
penalties, disruption to business, 
diversion of management time, 
personal and corporate liability and 
loss of reputation. 

The global nature of Bodycote’s 
operations means that the Group 
has to comply with a wide range 
of local and international legislative 
requirements, including modern 
slavery, anti-bribery and anti 
competition legislation, employment 
law and import and export controls. 
The Group also has to comply 
with taxation legislation and the 
advantages associated with the 
UK's controlled foreign companies 
that the Group has employed in its 
financing structures.

2

2

 – The Group has robust governance processes 

to ensure that IT projects are adequately 
reviewed and approved to ensure that they 
are consistent with the Group’s IT Strategy. 

 – Increased focus on IT security 

management processes.

 – Bodycote maintains a focus on improving 

information security and has well-protected 
data centres supported by effective 
business recovery planning and data 
backup procedures. 

During the year, we deployed multifactor 
authentications for a number of our key 
applications and we also increased phishing 
awareness via a targeted training exercise.

 – Business processes are supported by 

Human Resources policies and the Group 
Code of Conduct alongside training and 
awareness programmes. 

 – The ‘Open Door Line’ whistleblower facility 

operated by a third-party. 

 – Engagement of specialists (lawyers; 

accountants; tax specialists; trade compliance 
consultants; and freight forwarders) to 
support Bodycote at local, divisional and 
Group levels. 

 – Regular audits of the effectiveness of 

implemented procedures.

1

Safety and 
Climate Change

2

Driving operational  
improvement

3

Investing in structural  
growth opportunities

4

Investing in  
Emerging Markets

5

Capitalising on, and investing 
in, our Specialist Technologies

6

Acquisitions

33

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportViability statement

In preparing this statement of viability, the Directors have considered the prospects of the Group over the three-year period immediately 
following the 2021 financial year. This longer-term assessment process supports the Board’s statements on both viability, as set out below, 
and going concern (on page 98). The Directors have determined that a three-year period is an appropriate period over which the business 
could be restructured in the event that any material changes to demand for the Group’s services transpired. This period is also consistent with 
that used for the Group’s planning process. As a result, the Board determined that a period of three years would be used for the purpose of 
concluding on longer term viability.

The base case forecasts which underpin this assessment are based on the Board approved 2022 budget and the approved three-year strategic 
plan. These projections reflect an ongoing recovery of the Group’s end markets over the forecast period. The performance of the Group over 
the period of the assessment has then been assessed against the covenants that exist in the Group’s Revolving Credit Facility, as explained on 
page 98, and the Group’s liquidity.

In conducting the review of the Group’s prospects, the Directors assessed the three-year plan alongside the Group’s current position, the 
Group’s strategy and the principal risks facing the Group (all of which are detailed in the Strategic Report on pages 1 to 43). This assessment 
included consideration of the principal risks on the business model and on future performance, liquidity and solvency and was mindful of 
the limited forward visibility that the Group has as it carries no order backlog. The Directors’ viability assessment included a review of the 
sensitivity analysis performed on the three-year financial forecasts. The assessment included two scenarios designed to stress-test the 
Group’s base case forecasts, and were as follows:

 – Plausible downside scenario which reflected the impact of another significant, global pandemic or other economic shock. This assumed a 

25% reduction in revenues from the base case, followed by a recovery profile that was more conservative than what the Group experienced 
following the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This scenario was designed to be severe, but plausible, as they incorporate potential 
financial impacts identified in our principal risks and uncertainties, specifically market and operational risks.

 – An even more severe downside scenario. This scenario assumed a 36% reduction in revenue compared to the base case, with a very slow 

recovery in revenues, which is significantly more severe than has been experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst this scenario is not 
considered plausible, it was designed to stress-test the financial resilience of the Group.

In both scenarios, capital expenditure was reduced, reflecting the reduced maintenance capital expenditure required in a scenario with 
lower furnace utilisation, and the lower levels of growth capital expenditure that would be invested in the economic climate modelled in 
these scenarios.

In all scenarios there were no breaches of the Group’s covenants, and substantial headroom was maintained.

In making this viability statement the Directors considered the other mitigating actions (including, but not limited to, cost reduction initiatives, 
further discretionary capital expenditure reduction and the reduction of dividends) that may be taken by the Group in the event that the 
principal risks of the Company become realised but note that none of these actions were modelled in performing the assessment since 
the Group maintained substantial headroom in both scenarios. The Directors also took into consideration the Group’s financial position at 
31 December 2021, with available liquidity of £202.8m and a history of strong and resilient cash flow generation. Uncommitted facilities were 
not taken into account in performing the assessment, and there is no requirement for refinancing in the viability period given the Group’s RCF 
extends to May 2026.

The Directors have assessed the viability of the Group and, based on the procedures outlined above in addition to activities undertaken by the 
Board in its normal course of business, confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation 
and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period to 31 December 2024.

34

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportA component journey
Stress ball
Ball studs.

Used in virtually every automobile made, ball studs are located within the ball joints in a vehicle’s 
steering system, between the wheels and suspension, allowing rotating movement – similar to 
the way a human hip joint works. Because of their function and position within the vehicle, they 
must be extremely strong, corrosion resistant and able to cope with weight and stress. Their 
effective operation is critical to the safety of the vehicle and, therefore, the driver. Bodycote’s 
proprietary Corr-I-Dur® process ensures the parts achieve the necessary material properties.

The ball studs are 
cold-forged from 
heat-treatable steel.

The parts are quenched 
and tempered to obtain 
the necessary core 
material strength.

The ball studs receive 
Bodycote’s proprietary 
Corr-I-Dur® process to 
improve their corrosion 
resistance and hardness.

The part surface 
is machined and 
roller burnished.

The parts are inspected 
and tested for roughness, 
surface and core hardness, 
and corrosion resistance.

   The Bodycote ‘B’ next to a component journey stage shows 
where Bodycote’s vital services have been applied.

The parts are 
polished to achieve 
specified roughness 
values – essential 
for the function of 
the joint and the 
steering behaviour 
of the vehicle.

End application: 
vehicle

35

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportCulture and Core Values 
It is not just important what we do but how we do it, and how 
we behave in our Company. How we operate as a Group and the 
behaviours that we expect from all our employees are expressed 
in our Core Values. Our values represent Bodycote and its 
people and our commitment to the Company and the business.

Our Core Values are straightforward and are as follows:

Honesty and Transparency
We are honest and act with integrity. Trust stems from 
honesty and trust is at the heart of everything we engage in: 
our customers trust us to deliver what we say we will, our 
colleagues trust us to act in their best interests and our suppliers 
trust us to conduct business according to agreed terms. This is 
not something we take for granted. Bodycote lives by a culture 
of honest and transparent behaviour, which is at the core of all 
our relationships.

Respect and Responsibility
We manage our business with respect, applying an ethical 
approach to our dealings with those we interact with. 
We respect our colleagues, who are all of the employees 
of Bodycote. Part of our respect for our colleagues is our 
commitment to safe and responsible behaviour and our 
fundamental belief that no one should come to any harm at 
work. We show respect for our customers, our suppliers and our 
competitors. We respect the communities around us and behave 
as responsible corporate citizens by being compliant with the 
laws and regulations of the countries in which we do business 
and by ensuring that our effect on the environment is minimal. 
We believe in taking ownership for, and being mindful of, the 
impact of our actions.

Creating Value
Creating value is the very essence of our business and is the 
focus of our endeavours. We create value for our customers, our 
employees and our shareholders. The realities are harsh. If we 
do not create value for our customers then we have no reason 
for existence. If we do not create value for our employees there 
will be no one to create value for our customers.

Our shareholders rightfully require that we ultimately create 
value for them as they are the owners of the business.

Sustainability report

Our approach to sustainability

Bodycote’s approach to sustainability begins 
with ensuring we operate our business 
responsibly and prioritise the safety of 
our people, customers, and communities. 

We recognise that the long-term success of our business depends 
on our ability to create lasting value for our stakeholders and 
local communities. Our Core Values provide a framework for our 
sustainable progress. Sustainability has long been part of our DNA 
through the contribution that our solutions have in reducing the 
impact on the environment. Pushing forward with our sustainability 
approach, in 2021, Bodycote committed to the Science Based 
Targets initiative (SBTi), thus reinforcing our steadfast commitment to 
reducing our carbon footprint and minimising our impact on climate 
change while improving the business.

Through our Sustainability strategy, we aim to reinforce our services 
that make the world more resilient and sustainable, thus helping to 
maintain our competitiveness today, and in the future. Bodycote is 
dedicated to improving the management of sustainability issues and 
has policies and initiatives to achieve this goal. We are committed to 
being accountable for all reporting requirements. 

Our people
The Group’s strength comes from our diverse and talented network 
of people who are experts in their fields and share common Core 
Values. Throughout 2021, as the world continued to navigate 
the pandemic, Bodycote came together to manage challenging 
circumstances for a second consecutive year. Our people enable 
the Group to be well-positioned for today and the future. The Group 
kept the health and well-being of our employees at the forefront of 
all decisions. 

Our sustainability approach focuses on the broader impact 
we have on the environment, the communities where we 
operate, our employees, shareholders, and society as a whole. 
Bodycote’s stakeholder model (see page 18) shows how its 
interactions on various levels contribute towards socio economic 
growth and development. Our people are at the heart of our 
sustainability activities.

The Group is committed to providing the appropriate skills and 
training to allow its employees to operate effectively and safely 
in their roles and deliver results. Bodycote invests in the training 
and development of its people both at local and Group levels. 
Regular internal satisfaction surveys are undertaken that provide 
feedback on the level of satisfaction of centrally provided services. 
Overall satisfaction ratings reach appropriate levels.

We use performance management tools globally to track our 
progress and growth as individuals and as an organisation to track 
skills, competency progression, and annual achievements throughout 
our management population. By communicating clear objectives, 
coupled with skills development, the organisation aims to raise its 
management capability in driving performance. 

36

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportEquality, diversity and inclusion
Bodycote recognises the value of a diverse and skilled workforce 
and is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and 
collaborative workplace culture that will provide sustainability 
into the future. As such, we regularly review our recruitment and 
working practices to identify how we can continue to attract and 
retain a diverse workforce. We recognise that diversity and an 
inclusive workplace enriches our solutions and adds value for 
our stakeholders. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and 
Recruitment Policy dictates that we maintain equal opportunities 
and give full and fair consideration to all employment applicants. 
Recruitment, training, reward, and career progression are based 
purely on merit. We embrace a culture of acceptance and inclusion, 
accommodating part-time, agile, and flexible working requests.

Bodycote supports employees with a set of policies that fortify 
our culture and Core Values. The policies help the organisation 
‘do the right thing’ every time. Our employment policies are 
non-discriminatory and comply with all current legislation to 
engender equal opportunity irrespective of age, race, gender, 
ethnic origin, nationality, religion, health, disability, marital status, 
sexual orientation, political or philosophical opinions or trade union 
membership. Due to the nature of our business, we operate with a 
multi-cultural team and encourage inclusivity throughout the Group. 
Harassment of any kind is not tolerated.

Female representation on our Board during 2021 was 38% 
(2020: 38%) and at Senior Manager level, it is 28% (2020: 30%). 
Females represent 19% (2020: 18%) of our total workforce.

Directors
Senior managers
Other staff

Male Female

Total Male Female

Total

5
36
3794
3835

3
12
907
922

8
48
4701
4757

62% 38% 100%
72% 28% 100%
81% 19% 100%
81% 19% 100% 

The overall U.K. gender pay gap figures are published on our website 
www.bodycote.com. The U.K. mean gender pay gap is 5% in favour 
of women.

Health and well-being
Bodycote has a long history of supporting the health and well-being 
of our employees. Throughout 2021, as the variants of the COVID-19 
virus spread, protecting the well-being of our employees took on a 
new meaning. Adapting workspaces, schedules, locations, and plans 
became second nature as we took care of employees first. 

We recognise that individuals work best, and can achieve sustainable 
high-performance over time, when they are healthy and feeling 
valued. Bodycote promotes an environment that encourages line 
management to support the health and well-being of all employees. 
Bodycote sponsors Group-wide fitness initiatives that encourage 
employees to be more active and regularly supports local fitness 
activities. The Group promotes total well-being through regular 
communications on managing stress and supporting mental well-
being through the pandemic.

Safety, Health and Environment 
Bodycote is committed to continuous improvement in our safety, 
health, and environmental performance (SHE). We are committed to 
complying with all local legislative requirements as a minimum and 
establishing consistent and robust best practices at all of our sites, 
enabling the delivery of consistently high performance across all 
aspects of Safety, Health and Environment management.

A key element in our approach to Safety, Health, and Environment 
is the development of a vigorous safety and health culture that 
values the identification and reporting of near misses, unsafe acts or 
conditions, and suggestions for improvement. Bodycote manages 
hazards and minimise risks to employees through the deployment of 
robust safety management systems and procedures. Bodycote uses 
a global incident reporting and Safety, Health and Environment 
management tool at every site. This enables consistent and thorough 
reporting of workplace injuries, near misses, and unsafe conditions. 
During the year, we upgraded our global SHE reporting system to 
improve the overall quality of reporting and track SHE incidents. 
By installing this new, more robust safety management system, 
we are more able to identify improvement areas to support the 
organisation’s occupational health and safety goals.

In Bodycote the most frequent cause of reportable cases remains 
related to manual handling of parts and lifting operations and has a 
number of underlying causes. In 2021, there was continued Group 
Safety, Health and Environment investment in manual and material 
handling improvement. Reportable cases and lost time injuries are 
reviewed during Executive Committee meetings and by the Board. 
The Executive Committee not only reviews incidents that result in 
injury but also incidents that are considered to have had the potential 
to cause a high impact.

The rapid increase in the amount of activity in 2021 post the lull 
caused by the pandemic in 2020 led to the 2021 Total Reportable 
Case (TRC) rate to increase to 2.8 (2020: 2.3), and the Lost Time 
Injury (LTI) rate to increase to 1.7 (2020: 1.3). 

Total Reportable Case rate (TRC) 
Total Reportable Cases (TRC) include:

 – Any lost time incident (>1 day or shift, not including the day of 

the accident) 

 – Any restricted work case (where the injured person cannot do their 

usual work)

 – Any medical treatment case (specialist medical treatment, not 

first aid) 

Total Reportable Case Rate (TRC)

8
.
2

8
.
6 2
.
2

8
.
2

3
.
2

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

The increase in TRC rate for 2021 is visible in the chart above.

1  Total reportable case rate is the number of lost time injuries, medical treatment cases and restricted work cases X 200,000 hours, divided by the total number of employee hours worked.

37

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
Sustainability report continued

Human rights 
As an international business, Bodycote’s Human Rights policy is 
aligned with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the U.N. 
Global Compact’s ten principles. The Group’s Human Rights Policy 
applies to all our worldwide businesses. 

We prohibit forced, compulsory, and underage labour and any form of 
discrimination based on age, race, gender, ethnic origin, nationality, 
religion, health, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, 
gender reassignment, pregnancy, and maternity or paternity, 
political or philosophical opinions or trade union membership. 
Appropriate mechanisms are in place to minimise the potential for 
any contravention of these rules.

By publicly posting our Human Rights Policy and Equality, Diversity 
and Inclusion Policy on www.bodycote.com, stakeholders worldwide 
can alert us to potential breaches of the policy. Our internal systems 
also support compliance with our policy, and we have a robust Open 
Door Line, which is our third-party confidential whistleblower’s 
programme, for employees to report alleged violations of law and/or 
our policies on a confidential basis and in their own language. In the 
jurisdictions in which we employ a majority of our employees, there 
are laws applicable to many of the areas dealt with in our Human 
Rights Policy and our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

We have a Code of Conduct that sets out our policy on compliance 
with legislation, child labour, anti-slavery and human trafficking, and 
conditions of employment, health, safety and the environment.

The Modern Slavery Act
Bodycote plc has conducted a risk assessment on our supply 
chain using the U.K. Government’s published guidance entitled 
’Transparency in Supply Chains’. Suppliers in those countries 
identified in Walk Free Foundation’s 2016 Global Slavery Index as 
being the most vulnerable to human rights issues in the supply 
chain have been identified for further review and audit. All relevant 
employees undergo Anti-Slavery training.

The Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement is published on 
our website and reviewed by the Board of Directors annually. 

Suppliers 
Bodycote’s operations are such that the Group does not have 
significant suppliers who are wholly dependent upon the Group’s 
business and has no significant suppliers on which the Group is 
dependent upon for a substantial part of its business. We manage 
our suppliers with respect, honesty, and integrity, no matter the size 
of the transaction. Suppliers are paid in line with contractual and legal 
obligations. We expect suppliers to adhere to our Supplier’s Code of 
Conduct for all relevant items. 

Customers
Service is at the core of our business; Bodycote works with 
customers to fulfill their demands in the most productive manner 
possible. We modify our methodologies to become a better thermal 
processing solutions provider by surveying customer satisfaction 
levels. We endeavour to respond quickly to changing customer 
demands, identify emerging needs and improve service availability 
and quality. We stay close to our current and potential customers by 
building long-term relationships. 

Community
Bodycote seeks to play a positive role in the local communities 
in which it operates by providing employment opportunities and 
building goodwill and a reputation as a good neighbour and employer. 
Our operations are international but our strength lies in the local 
nature of our facilities that are close to our customers. Our facilities 
are relatively small plants that typically employ approximately 30 
people. We encourage community involvement activities championed 
by our plants and their employees locally. 

Responsible business ethics
The Group has a robust governance structure to support business 
ethics and a series of policies that detail its commitments and 
standards in this area. We recognise that rules alone are not 
sufficient to ensure wrongdoing is avoided – a combination of rules 
and values is needed to help embed a healthy business culture. 
The Group’s approach is to set the tone of an ethical business culture 
from the top, demonstrating a commitment to the right values and 
behaviours to all employees.

All Bodycote personnel are expected to apply a high ethical standard 
in keeping with being an international UK-listed company. This is 
outlined to every employee in our Core Values and business policies.

Directors and employees are expected to ensure that their personal 
interests do not at any time conflict with those of Bodycote. 
Shareholder employees are advised of, and comply with, the share 
dealing code.

Bodycote has systems in place that are designed to ensure 
compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and conformity 
with all relevant codes of business practice. Furthermore, Bodycote 
does not make political donations.

With regard to competition, Bodycote aims to win business in a high-
value manner. The Group does not employ unfair trading methods 
and it competes vigorously, but fairly, within the requirements of 
applicable laws. Employees are prohibited from either giving or 
receiving any incentives.

Supporting employees who speak up
Our Open Door Policy is communicated in all languages used 
throughout the Group. The policy allows employees to report their 
concerns confidentially, verbally or in writing, to an independent 
third-party provider, ensuring anonymity. Our whistleblower policy 
provides employees with an avenue to address any number of 
concerns in a confidential manner.

When incidents are reported, whether through internal or external 
mechanisms, they are passed to the Head of Internal Audit for 
investigation and determination of the appropriate steps to be taken 
for the matter to be addressed.

When our employees do the right thing by speaking up against 
instances of wrongdoing, we believe it is crucial that the Company 
also does the right thing and ensures that there are no repercussions 
for their actions.

Online training courses regarding Anti-Bribery, Information and Data 
Protection, Tax Evasion, the Authority matrix, and Competition Law 
have been designed and translated into the major languages used 
throughout the Group. All relevant employees have completed the 
interactive courses.

38

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportThe Group collects electricity, natural gas, and LPG consumption 
information from each facility every month. The Group then applies 
the DEFRA and International Energy Agency (IEA) published national 
carbon conversion factors to calculate the total tonnage of CO2e 
produced, which along with the geographical sales for the year 
provides the normalised tCO2e per £m of sales.

In 2021, Bodycote’s total carbon emissions (ktCO2e) reduced by 11% 
compared with the previous year. The total CO2e emissions per £m 
sales in 2021 were 420.5 Te (2020: normalised1 486.0 Te). 

All entities and facilities are included within the disclosure. 
Emissions less than 2% of the Group’s total CO2e relating to fugitive 
emissions and owned vehicles are not significant and are excluded. 
There are no significant omissions from this disclosure.

Total Global CO2 Emissions

Scope 1
Scope 2
Statutory total2

CO2e emissions (ktCO2e)
2020
(normalised1)
140.0
150.1
290.1

2020
140.4
150.3
290.7

2021 
118.0
140.9
258.9

CO2 Emissions Intensity Ratios 

Intensity ratio CO2e emissions (tCO2e/£m)3
2020
(normalised1)
242.9
260.6
503.5

2021 
191.7
228.8
420.5

2020
234.7
251.3
486.0

Scope 1
Scope 2
Statutory total2

Carbon footprint 
(tonne CO2e/£m sales
normalised)

9
.
2
6
4

3
.
7
3
4

5
.
3
0
3 5
.
0
3
4

5
.
0
2
4

Total global CO2 emissions                                     
(ktCO2e)

1
.
0
4
3

9
.
6
3
3

0
.
7
1
3

7
.
0
9
2

9
.
8
5
2

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

Environment
As the world’s leading provider of thermal processing services, 
Bodycote plays an essential role in minimising climate change. 
The services Bodycote supplies to its customers improve the lifespan 
of products and enable a reduction in the environmental footprint of 
their components. In addition by efficiently aggregating our many 
thousands of customers’ thermal processing requirements, Bodycote 
significantly reduces the overall required energy consumed compared 
with the energy that would be consumed if each customer treated 
their own products. In this regard, Bodycote can be considered to be 
an enabler of the reduction in global industrial carbon emissions. 

More information on Bodycote’s Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) can be found on page 41 of the 
Annual Report. 

Bodycote has committed to building near-term carbon reduction 
targets in line with the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). 
Bodycote’s targets will be published later in the year. The SBTi is 
a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, 
World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Worldwide Fund for Nature 
(WWF). The SBTi defines and promotes best practices in science-
based target setting and independently assesses companies’ targets.

Carbon footprint 
Bodycote offers some of the most energy-efficient processes 
available on the market, optimising the process to ensure full capacity 
utilisation, thereby providing maximum benefit to our customers, the 
Company and the environment. Since 2018, Bodycote has reduced 
our CO2e emissions by 23%. 

The total global energy consumption reduced by 9.3% in 2021 
compared with the previous year.

Total Global Energy Consumption

Scope 1
Scope 2
Total Energy Consumption kWh

Global energy consumption kWh
2020
2021
762,220,152
642,690,742 
494,124,666
497,183,367 
1,139,874,109  1,256,344,818

One of our core competencies within Bodycote is to manage energy 
efficiently, reducing our carbon footprint and creating value for 
our shareholders. 

We actively minimise energy use in many ways, optimising 
production capacity and providing energy-efficient processes. It is 
essential that we monitor energy usage to identify opportunities for 
improvement so that we can react quickly to address any deficiency 
in our energy use. To facilitate this, we align ourselves in many 
countries to ISO 50001 (Energy Management Systems Standard), 
allowing a consistent energy measurement approach and meeting 
the Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/E.U. requirements. The U.K. 
remains compliant with the directive through the Energy Savings 
Opportunity Scheme (ESOS).

Bodycote’s total CO2e emission data is based on Scope 1 and Scope 
2, and data relating to this has been calculated to include country-
specific electricity conversion factors from the International Energy 
Agency (IEA). Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions resulting from 
fuel usage and the operation of facilities. Scope 2 emissions are 
indirect energy emissions resulting from purchased electricity, heat, 
steam, or cooling for own use. 

1  Normalised statistics restate prior-year figures using current year IEA carbon conversion factors and current year average exchange rates.

2  Statutory carbon reporting disclosures required by Companies Act 2006.

3  tCO2e/£m as a consumption intensity ratio to sales is defined as tonnes of CO2 equivalent per million GBP of sales and is denoted as tCO2e/£m.

39

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic report    
 
 
 
Sustainability report continued

Water 
Bodycote’s processes by design are not intensive in water 
consumption. However, minimal water is used for either cooling 
operational equipment or washing customer parts during some 
services and is typically recycled. Any water discharge resulting from 
these operations is controlled using measures such as interception 
tanks to capture water discharged. This allows the water to be 
checked for any contaminant levels and ensures it is acceptable 
prior to final discharge. Internal and external auditing verifies that 
all such control measures are in line with ISO 14001:2015 to ensure 
compliance with legal obligations.

The total water consumption, as a ratio of thousand m3 per £ million 
sales (103m3/£m), decreased by 4% in 2021.

Water  

(103m3)

Water consumption 
(thousand m3/£m 
sales normalised )

6

.

9

3

.

9

2

.

9

8

.

8

0
.
9

5
4
.
1

8
3
.
1

2
5
.
5 1
3
.
1

6
4
.
1

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

1  Normalised water consumption is a thousand m3 per £ million sales at a constant currency.

Waste 
Bodycote provides services to our customers, and as such, most 
of the customers’ parts that arrive in packaging or containers are 
returned to the customers in the same packaging or containers. 
Not only does this practice reduce environmental impact and 
the waste produced, but it provides efficiency to our customers. 
Bodycote has no significant waste streams. All waste is segregated 
into waste streams and disposed of in accordance with local 
legislation. Waste transfer arrangements are validated via internal 
and external audit mechanisms.

ISO 14001 accredited facilities
Reducing the environmental impact of Bodycote’s activities is 
taken very seriously. The actions we undertake to reduce our 
environmental impact will align all our facilities to the compliance 
requirements of ISO 14001. At the end of 2021, 97% (152 of our 
operating facilities) had achieved or maintained ISO 14001: 2015 
accreditation (2020: 92%). 

40

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) 
for UK listed companies and their UK subsidiaries
Electricity, natural gas, LPG and transportation fuel consumption 
information is collected from each facility on a monthly basis. 
Scope 3 includes business road travel in vehicles not owned by the 
Company. Scope 3 is calculated from mileage and vehicle type. 
The DEFRA conversion factors are then applied to calculate the total 
tonnage of CO2e produced.

Bodycote PLC and UK subsidiaries’ total CO2e emissions (ktCO2e) 
for 2021 were 11.2. 100% of Bodycote PLC and its UK subsidiaries’ 
energy consumption was consumed in the U.K. 

Scope 1
Scope 2
Scope 3
Total

PLC and UK Subsidiaries 2021

CO2e  
emissions  
(ktCO2e)
3.7
7.6
0.003
11.2

Energy 
Consumption 
kWh
19,605,548 
35,635,924 
12,045 
55,253,516 

Supporting a more sustainable future…  
Enabling component optimisation for 
renewable energy.

Durability and robustness are of paramount importance in the 
wave energy sector, and effective protection of devices in 
the hostile ocean environment has always presented a major 
challenge to the industry.

Bodycote expertise in the renewables market and global 
approvals mean we are the trusted partner for component 
manufacturers in the renewable energy market. Bodycote has 
partnered with customer CorPower, to support the production 
of their Wave Energy Converters (WECs). 

Inspired by the pumping principles of the human heart, 
Corpower WECs offer five times more energy per tonne 
of device compared to previously known technologies. 
Incorporating a series of unique features to boost storm 
survivability and power capture, the WECs also benefit from 
thermochemical treatment to protect against the harshest 
marine conditions.

Bodycote Corr-I-Dur thermochemical solution was used to 
simultaneously improve corrosion resistance and wear properties 
of CorPower’s next-generation C4 WECs. Corr-I-Dur is favoured 
for components that are subjected to a corrosive environment in 
combination with wear. 

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic report 
  
 
  
Risk and opportunity assessment
We recognise and report the impact of both transitional and physical 
risks of climate change on our business over the short-to-medium 
and long-term. Within the assessment process, the risks and 
opportunities are identified and considered when building annual 
budgets and our longer-term strategic planning review. The plans 
include addressing the identified risks by developing mitigation 
activities as well as the related financial impacts in both the future 
capital expenditure and operating cash flow to address the risks and 
opportunities described below.

Transition risks and opportunities: Short to medium term (1 to 
10 years)
Transition risks and opportunities are examined based on policy, 
technology, market and reputation to the Group. The identified risks 
are assessed at different levels of the business for both financial and 
strategic impacts. Mitigation factors for each risk are identified and 
applied to our global risk management programme. Amongst the risks 
identified are the impact of regulations to reduce carbon emissions 
which might include the introduction of carbon surcharges, the impact 
of future capital investment for the deployment of lower emissions 
technologies and potential requirements to secure cleaner energy 
sources. Bodycote is typically able to provide thermal processing 
services to manufacturers with less of a carbon footprint than they 
would be able to do in-house. As a result a major opportunity for 
Bodycote is working with manufacturing companies in tackling 
climate related risks by them outsourcing activities to us.

Physical risks and opportunities: Long-term (10 to 30 years)
Acute physical events are already happening in the short-term and 
will likely continue to occur and become more widespread. Over the 
long-term, these could impact the geographic areas where the 
Group operates. Changes in weather precipitation patterns and 
extreme weather conditions such as floods, droughts, and fires 
may lead to events such as acute shortages of water, energy supply 
issues or significant swings in commodity prices, which may impact 
our operations.

Metrics and targets
We measure the material impacts and outputs from our business 
based on standards and regulations relevant to our operations. 
These emissions-related metrics are reported throughout the 
Sustainability section of the report. The Group is currently developing 
Scope 3 disclosures and plans to complete these in 2022.

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures 
We manage and measure our impacts, risks and opportunities in 
regard to environmental and social impacts through the Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) model.

Governance

Strategy

Risk
Management

Metrics 
and Targets

Governance
Accountability for managing climate-related risks and opportunities 
is led by our Chief Executive with the support of both the Executive 
Committee and the Risk and Sustainability Committee. The Executive 
Committee led focus sessions on combatting climate change during 
our annual strategic reviews. 

The Board agenda included both climate change risk reviews and 
deep dives into environmental strategies throughout the year where 
they were advised of our plans over climate change and in defining 
directional focus for the Group’s strategy to not only reduce carbon 
emissions but also to work with our customers to develop strategies, 
formulate additional initiatives and collectively reduce our carbon 
emissions together. 

Strategy
Bodycote takes a highly proactive approach to improve sustainability 
and energy efficiency. At every stage where Bodycote is involved in 
the manufacturing cycle, our operational aim is to reduce the overall 
impact on the environment, not just in our operations but also in 
those of our customers. We have integrated the identification and 
management of climate-related risks into our existing approach to risk 
management. Within the TCFD framework, our risk and opportunity 
assessment consider both the financial and strategic inputs that flow 
into our annual budget process, strategic planning process and capital 
expenditure reviews.

Without Bodycote, many companies would be using older in-house 
technology and running their equipment at reduced capacity, draining 
energy resources. Working with Bodycote enables our customers to 
commit more easily to carbon reduction initiatives. 

Our proactive carbon reduction initiatives are throughout operations 
and extend to our service offering by encouraging customers to switch 
to more efficient processes such as Gas Nitriding or our Specialist 
Technologies which have an inherently low carbon footprint. 

The Group is proud to have committed to setting near-term Group-
wide emission reductions in line with climate science with the 
Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

Climate-scenario analysis workshops were conducted whereby 
the Group performed scenario analysis of the impact of potential 
acute climate changes such as forest fires, extreme heat and 
flooding on the Group’s operations. Workshops were held with each 
of our operating divisions which helped to support and broaden 
the knowledge and understanding of climate-related risks and 
opportunities identified within the Group. 

41

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportSustainability report continued

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures reference table

The table below is a summary of our TCFD reporting and where the relevant information can be found in our 2021 Annual Report.

Governance

 – Describe the Board’s oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities. 

 – Describe the management’s role in assessing and managing climate-related risks. 

Strategy

 – Describe the climate-related risks and opportunities the organisation has identified over the short- ,  

medium- and long-term.

 – Describe the impact of climate-related risks on the organisation businesses, strategy and 

financial planning.








 – Describe the potential impact of different scenarios, including a 2-degree scenario on the organisation 

In process

businesses, strategy and financial planning.

Risks and Opportunities

 – Describe the organisation’s processes for identifying and assessing climate-based risks 

and opportunities.

 – Describe the organisation’s processes for managing climate-based risks and opportunities.

 – Describe how processes for identifying, assessing and managing climate-based risks are integrated 

into the organisation’s overall risk management.

Metrics and Targets

 – Disclose the metrics used by the organisation to assess climate-based risks and opportunities in line 

with its strategy and risk management processes.









 – Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2 and, if appropriate Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions and the related risks.

In process

 – Describe the targets used by the organisation to manage climate-related risks and opportunities and 

In process

performance against targets.

TCFD 

TCFD 

TCFD

TCFD/Financial 
statement 
notes: pages 
98, 99, 117

Principal Risks 
& Uncertainties  
report

TCFD/Principal 
Risks & 
Uncertainties  
report

Principal Risks 
& Uncertainties  
report

Sustainability  
report

42

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategic reportNon-financial reporting statement 

The table below sets out where information relevant to the Non-Financial Reporting Directive can be found in our 2021 Annual Report and 
on our website.

Our Core Values, Code of Conduct, and Group policies underpin everything we do at Bodycote. Our Values and Code of Conduct ensures 
we comply with all applicable international and local rules and regulations. They provide guidance, including through real-life scenarios, to 
help colleagues address challenging and ethical issues they may encounter at work. The Core Values and Code of Conduct are available 
on our website, and our Group policies support and enhance our behaviour in line with the principles set out in the Code of Conduct. 
A description of our business model can be found on page 15. 

Relevant to 
UN Sustainable 
Development 
Goals

Standards, policies 
and actions which 
govern our approach

Where to  
find further  
information

Key  
metrics

Internal processes  
to monitor 
performance

Environmental

 – Occupational Health & 

Safety Policy

For further information 
pages: 39-40

 – Environmental Policy

Visit bodycote.com

 – Progress on reductions 
in carbon footprint and 
water consumption

Energy and Greenhouse 
gas management is 
tracked per facility 
monthly. 

 – Carbon Footprint and  
Water consumption  
statements 

 – Reduction of greenhouse 

gas emissions

 – Graduate and 

Apprenticeship 
Programme

 – Performance Goal 

Management System

 – Occupational Health & 

Safety Policy

 – Succession Planning 

Process 

 – Equality, Diversity and 

Inclusion Policy

 – Equal Opportunities 

Policy

 – Data Protection Policy

 – Open Door Policy

 – Core Values

 – Code of Conduct

 – Ethics Policy

 – Anti-Slavery and Human 
Trafficking statement

 – Human Rights Policy 

 – Anti-Bribery and 
Corruption Policy

 – Competition and Anti-

Trust Policy

 – Control and 

Compliance Statement

 – Supplier Code 
of Conduct

 – Tax Strategy

Social

For further information 
pages: 36-38

Visit bodycote.com

% of female representation 
in total workforce and on 
Executive Committee and 
Board of Directors

The Executive Committee 
monitors SHE 
performance on 
a monthly basis.

Lost work case  
incident rate

Recordable incident rate

U.K. Gender Pay Gap 
Report

Business Governance

For further information 
pages: 36 to 37, 41

% of relevant employees 
trained on our policies

Visit bodycote.com

# of breaches

Executive Committee 
monitors employee 
turnover rate performance 
on a monthly basis.

Employee Engagement 
Groups

Regular Open Door 
incident update to the 
Board and Executive 
Committee.

The implementation 
and effectiveness of 
the training is overseen 
by the Group General 
Counsel and Group 
Company Secretary.

43

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportBoard of Directors

1

2

3

4

5

Executive Directors

1 Stephen Harris

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE

APPOINTED: November 2008 
and Chief Executive from January 2009  

Past roles
Spent his early career in engineering with 
Courtaulds plc and then moved to the USA to 
join APV Inc from 1984 until 1995, where he 
held several Senior Management positions. 
He was appointed to the Board of Powell 
Duffryn plc as an Executive Director in 1995 
and then went on to join Spectris plc as 
an Executive Director from 2003 to 2008. 
He was also a Non-Executive Director of 
Brixton plc from 2006 to 2009 and of Mondi 
plc from 2011 to 2021. At Mondi he had been 
the Chair of the Sustainability Committee, 
the Chair of the Social and Ethics Committee 
and the Senior Independent Director.
Qualifications
Chartered Engineer, graduated from the 
University of Cambridge, Master’s degree in 
business administration from the University 
of Chicago, Booth School of Business.

4

Ian Duncan
SENIOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

APPOINTED: November 2014 

External roles
None.
Past roles
Worked on a variety of audits with Deloitte 
& Touche, followed by four years with 
Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein. From 1990 
to 1992 he worked for Lloyds Bank plc and 
then switched to British Nuclear Fuels plc 
from 1993 to 2006. In 2006 he took on the 
role of Group Finance Director with Royal 
Mail Holdings plc leaving in 2010. He was 
Non-Executive Director of Fiberweb plc 
during 2013, Mouchel Group from 2013 to 
2015, WANdisco plc from 2012 to 2016, 
Babcock International Group from 2010 to 
2020 and SIG plc from 2017 to January 2021. 
Qualifications
Chartered Accountant, qualified with 
Deloitte & Touche after graduating from 
Oxford University.

44

2 Dominique Yates

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Non-Executive Directors

3 Daniel Dayan

NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIR

APPOINTED: November 2016  

APPOINTED: January 2022  

External roles
Non-executive Chair of CellMark AB from 
2021 (not listed).
Non-executive Chair of Aquaspersions Group 
from 2021 (not listed).
Past roles
Started his early career at Novar plc until 
2005 and prior to that worked at ICI and 
management consultant, Arthur D. Litte. 
He was CEO of Fiberweb plc from 2006 
to 2013 and CEO of Linpac Group and 
Klöckner Pentaplast Group from 2015 to 
2019. From 2014 to 2015 he was Chair of the 
Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute, 
Non-Executive Director and Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee of Chemring 
Group plc from 2016 to 2018, Chair of Low 
& Bonar plc from 2018 to 2020 and Chair of 
Portals International from 2020 to 2022.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from the 
University of Cambridge.

External roles
None.
Past roles
Held various senior positions in Imperial 
Tobacco Group plc followed by Chief 
Financial Officer positions at Symrise AG, 
LM Windpower and Regus plc.
Qualifications
Chartered Accountant, graduated 
from Bristol University in Economics 
and Accounting.

5 Eva Lindqvist

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

APPOINTED: June 2012  

External roles
Non-Executive Director of Tele 2 AB from 
2014, Keller Group plc since 2017 as well as 
Excillum AB (not listed) and Nominet US Inc 
(not listed) since 2021. 
Past roles
Began her career in various positions with 
Ericsson working in Continental Europe, 
North America and Asia from 1981 to 1990 
followed by director roles with Ericsson 
from 1993 to 1999. Joined Teliasonera in 
2000 as Senior Vice President moving to 
Xelerated initially as Chairperson and later as 
Chief Executive from 2007 to 2011. Non-
Executive Director of Transmode Holdings 
AB from 2007 to 2013, Blekinge Institute 
of Technology from 2010 to 2013, Tieto 
Corporation from 2010 to 2016, Assa Abloy 
from 2008 to 2018, Caverion Oy from 2013 
to 2018, Alimak Holding from 2015 to 2018, 
Micronic Mydata AB from 2013 to 2016, Mr 
Green & Co AB from 2016 to February 2019 
and Sweco AB from 2013 to 2020. 
Qualifications
Engineer, graduated with a Master’s degree 
from Linköping Institute of Technology, 
Diploma in Marketing from IHM Business 
School and MBA Financial Analysis from 
University of Melbourne.

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic report  
 
6

7

8

9

KEY TO COMMITTEES:

Executive

Nomination

Remuneration

Audit

Committee Chair

6 Patrick Larmon

7 Lili Chahbazi

8 Kevin Boyd

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

APPOINTED: September 2016  

APPOINTED: January 2018 

APPOINTED: September 2020 

External roles
Non-Executive Director of Huttig Building 
Products Inc., a NASDAQ listed international 
distributor of construction products 
since 2015.
Past roles
Was Executive Vice President and owner 
of Packaging Products Corporation until 
1990 when the company was acquired by 
Bunzl plc. Held various senior management 
positions for over 13 years before becoming 
President of Bunzl’s North America business 
in 2003, then Chief Executive Officer, North 
America, of Bunzl plc in 2004, joining the 
Bunzl plc board in 2005. Retired from Bunzl 
plc in December 2018. 
Qualifications
Graduated from Illinois Benedictine 
University (major Economics & Business 
Economics) followed by achieving Certified 
Public Accountant, followed by an MBA 
from Loyola University of Chicago and 
a Master of International Business from 
St. Louis University.

9 Ute Ball

GROUP COMPANY SECRETARY

Registered office 
Springwood Court
Springwood Close
Tytherington Business Park
Macclesfield  
Cheshire  
SK10 2XF

Registered Number 519057  
England and Wales.

Tel:  +44 1625 505300
Fax: +44 1625 505313

External roles
Strategy consultant and since 2008 a 
global partner in the London office of  
Bain & Company.
Past roles
Lili began her career as an actuary before 
joining Bain & Company.
Qualifications
Graduated with a BSc in Mathematics from 
Concordia University, Montreal followed 
by an MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau. 
Associate of the Society of Actuaries.

External roles
Non-Executive Director of EMIS Group plc 
since 2014 and Chair of the Audit Committee 
since 2019. Non-Executive Director and Chair 
of the Audit Committee of Genuit Group plc 
since 2020.
Past roles
Held the positions of Chief Financial Officer 
at Oxford Instruments plc and Radstone 
Technology plc and, most recently, Chief 
Financial Officer at Spirax-Sarco Engineering 
plc which he stepped down from in 
September 2020.
Qualifications
Chartered Accountant, Chartered Engineer. 
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants and the Institute of Engineering 
and Technology. BEng, Electronic and 
Information Engineering from Queen’s 
University Belfast.

Board skills and experience

D  
Dayan

S 
Harris

D 
Yates

I  
Duncan

E
Lindqvist

P 
Larmon

L 
Chahbazi

K
Boyd

Strategy 

M&A

International 

Recent and relevant 
financial experience

Corporate finance/treasury

Accounting

Technology

Customer

Sales and marketing

Service industry

Environmental, including 
climate change

Governance

Engineering

Leadership

Emerging markets

Manufacturing

Capital-intensive industries

45

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate governance statement

Chair’s message
Dear Shareholders

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present Bodycote’s Corporate Governance Statement for 2021.

One of the most significant issues for the Board in 2021 was the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, which was initially declared in March 2020 
and continued throughout 2021. It has brought significant human, social, economic as well as business uncertainty, and the Board has taken 
steps to understand and mitigate the risks posed by and the impacts arising from the ongoing situation. 

Most full meetings of the Board and its Committees have been conducted virtually during 2021 with a physical meeting in October and 
a return to virtual meetings in December. The response to the pandemic continued to be the backdrop for the operational, financial and 
commercial discussions at Board level.

Shareholder feedback and engagement have continued despite the continued COVID-19 outbreak with shareholder perspectives having been 
received and considered. 

The date for the 2021 Annual General Meeting in May remained as initially announced, but in view of social distancing and the requirement to 
safeguard shareholders’, employees’, and advisers’ safety, the format of the Annual General Meeting was a meeting ‘behind closed doors’. 

Regular, open and constructive dialogue with shareholders will continue in line with the Group’s broader commitment to meaningful 
engagement with key stakeholder groups. The Group’s key stakeholders and their differing perspectives are identified and taken into account, 
not only as part of the Board’s annual strategy and corporate planning discussions, but also in project assessments and general Board 
conversations. These discussions and assessments focus not only on delivering value for shareholders, but also address the impacts of our 
decisions and strategies on all stakeholders and are a key aspect of our culture.

In line with the Director’s Duties, the Board’s engagement with employees, shareholders, customers, and communities in 2021 is explained 
in our stakeholder section on page 18.

The Directors receive regular reports on Safety, Health and Environmental performance to support their oversight and decisions. The Board 
conducted a review of the existing sustainability processes and has established an initial ESG policy. The Board agreed to join the Science 
Based Target initiative and management is working to establish targets. A further focus is on improving the effectiveness of communicating 
current actions and the role of Bodycote as an energy, and therefore carbon optimiser in its customer supply chains. Further information on 
Board activities can be found on pages 48 to 53.

Ensuring high standards of business conduct is critical for the success of the Group. Employee Engagement Groups led by the designated 
Non-Executive Director, Patrick Larmon, are in place and virtual meetings took place during the year. The feedback from these forums is 
reported to the Board and the Executive Directors charged with addressing any particular items that arise. Topics discussed at the Employee 
Engagement Groups included COVID-19 and safety, IT improvements, communications and operational matters. Feedback was generally 
positive, and no material concerns other than the general concerns over the pandemic were expressed by employees during the year.

Succession planning is a regular topic for discussion, although the outcome of these discussions is only visible from time-to-time when new 
appointments are made. For each appointment we are looking to appoint an outstanding candidate, with a diverse range of experience, to 
maximise Board effectiveness. When we think about diversity, we recognise that this can take many forms including diversity of gender, 
nationality, social, ethnic background, and of cognitive and personal strength. Diversity at Board level and throughout the Group is a 
valuable strength.

Daniel Dayan
Chair

Compliance Statement
In respect of the financial year 2021, Bodycote’s obligation under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules is to prepare a corporate governance 
statement with reference to the UK Corporate Governance Code issued by the FRC in July 2018 (‘the Code’).

In respect of the year ended 31 December 2021, Bodycote has complied with the provisions of the Code with the exception of Provision 36, 
a formal policy for post-employment shareholding requirements, and Provision 23, progress on achieving targets on diversity and inclusion. 
Concerning Provision 36, the new Remuneration policy that will be presented for shareholder approval at the May 2022 AGM includes 
a post-employment policy. In the meantime, whilst the Board does not currently have a formal policy for post-employment shareholding 
requirements, a two-year holding period for share scheme awards as of the date of the approval of the last Remuneration Committee policy 
in May 2019, as well as bonus deferral, are in place to provide a partial post-employment holding policy. Concerning Provision 23, the Board 
believes it has a strong position on diversity and inclusion with female representation at 38% as at 31 December 2021 (with the retirement 
of A Quinn and the appointment of D Dayan as Chair, female representation reduced to 25% on 1 January 2022. The Board is conscious of 
this and has appointed Cynthia Gordon as Non-Executive Director effective 1 June 2022, when female representation will increase to 33%, 
four different nationalities including a member who meets the ONS classification of mixed/multiple ethnics group. At the Senior Management 
level, there is broad international representation and growing female representation. The Board and the management are committed to the 
principles and practice of diversity and inclusion.

A further exception is provision 38, the alignment of pension contribution rates for Executive Directors. Whilst we were only partially 
compliant during 2021; we have had a plan in place for pension contribution rates for Executive Directors to be aligned by 1 January 2022 
and we are now compliant. Salary supplements in lieu of pension contributions have been reduced to 23.5% of base salary with effect from 
1 January 2022. The Executive Directors’ pension contributions are now aligned with company pension contributions of the wider workforce 

46

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportin the countries where the Executive Directors live and work. A review of workforce policies was undertaken during the year and progress on 
culture has been made and information provided to the Board. 

In line with provision 41, engagement has taken place with the workforce via the Employee Engagement Groups concerning 
executive remuneration. 

The Board considers that P. Larmon, E. Lindqvist, I.B. Duncan, L. Chahbazi and K. Boyd are all independent for the purposes of the Code. 
The Chair was also considered independent upon appointment.

Taken together with the Report of the Audit Committee, the Report of the Nomination Committee and the Board report on remuneration presented 
on pages 64 to 84, this statement explains how Bodycote has applied the principles of good corporate governance as set out in the Code.

Code principles – Board areas of focus

Area of focus

Board leadership and Company purpose

Read more on pages 10-13, 25-27

 – Regularly discussing strategy at Board meetings during 

 – Approving capital expenditure in excess of £4m

the year

 – Receiving presentations from operational management on 

 – Considering and approving strategic opportunities e.g. 

performance against the strategy

acquisitions

 – Considering and approving potential 

acquisition opportunities

Division of responsibilities

 – Review of Group policies

 – Approving the Group’s strategy, budget, tax and dividend

Read more on pages  36-43, 46-53

 – Modern Slavery review

Strategic 
priorities

1

4 

2 

5 

3 

6 

 – Review of schedule of matters reserved for the Board

 – Convening the AGM, approval of shareholder materials

 – Review of corporate governance code and guidelines

 – Review of terms of reference of all committees

 – Review of Safety, Health and Environmental updates at 

2

1 

 – Review of main policies

 – Determining/maintaining the Group’s values and ensuring 

that these are reflected in business practice

each meeting

 – Overview of stakeholder relationship/

workforce engagement

 – Implementation of ESG strategy

Composition, succession and evaluation

Read more on pages  56-58

 – Considering proposals on succession planning, when 

 – Reviewing proposals on senior executive 

required, for the Board

succession planning

 – Considering the talent management programme and 
the need to develop the managers and executives for 
the future

 – Reviewing the size, composition and diversity of both 

the Board and its Committees

 – Ongoing Board training

2 

 – Approving further terms as Non-Executive Directors for 

 – Tailored induction, when required

I.B. Duncan, E. Lindqvist and P. Larmon

 – Reviewing Board and Committee effectiveness 

and Directors’ conflicts

Audit, risk and internal control

Read more on pages  29-34, 59-63

 – Approval of year-end and interim results

 – Review future scenarios and other factors in relation 

 – Recommending the final and interim dividends

to audit, risk and internal control

 – Review of viability statement

 – Annual review of principal and emerging risks, risk 

 – Consider whether the Annual Report and Accounts are fair, 

management and control systems

balanced and understandable

Remuneration

Read more on pages  64-84

 – Remuneration policy review and approval 
(including Executive Directors’ and Senior 
Management remuneration)

 – Chair, and independent Non-Executive Directors’ 

fees review

1 

2

3 

4 

2

5 

1 Safety and 

Climate Change

2

Driving operational  
improvement

3

Investing in structural  
growth opportunities

4

Investing in  
Emerging Markets

5

Capitalising on, and investing 
in, our Specialist Technologies

6

Acquisitions

Core Values

47

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernance 
Corporate governance statement continued

Governance framework 
The Board’s areas of focus in 2022 are expected to include:
 – Increased emphasis on climate change, sustainability and, more broadly, ESG matters

 – Group culture 

 – Board dynamics, diversity and development 

 – Execution of strategic priorities 

 – Continued monitoring of financial and operational performance 

 – Continued strong focus on safety improvements

 – Principal and emerging risks review

Overseeing Culture
A healthy culture is one in which the Group has a purpose, values and strategy that are respected by the Group’s stakeholders and an 
operating environment that is inclusive, diverse and engaging; encouraging employees to make a positive difference for stakeholders. 
Corporate culture is guided by pillars and principles against which the Board monitors how the culture exists and is viewed by employees. 
These are:

 – Values as explained in the Sustainability section on pages 36 to 43

 – Attitudes as summarised in the Group policies 

 – Behaviours as stated in the Group’s code of conduct 

The ongoing implementation of key messages and expectations is driven through initiatives overseen by the Executive Committee and the 
divisions. This includes targeted communications and mandatory training, with the output reported back to the Board. 

The role of the Board in relation to purpose, strategy, long-term goals and stakeholder engagement is key in supporting a healthy corporate 
culture. The Board Committees support this role. The Board recognises that this will continue to be an evolving area.

The Board structure

Shareholders

Chair 

Key responsibilities
 – Effective running of the Board

 – Monitors progress of strategy and objectives

 – Guidance to Executive Directors

 – Safeguards the interests of shareholders

Key responsibilities
 – Oversight of the Group’s strategy  

and the long-term success  
of the Group’s business

Board

Audit
Committee

Monitors the 
integrity and 
effectiveness 
of the Group’s 
financial 
reporting and 
performance 
of audits and 
assesses 
financial risks

Nomination
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

Finance
Committee

Ensures an 
effective Board 
that consists 
of individuals 
with the 
right balance 
of skills, 
knowledge 
and experience

Determines 
remuneration 
policy 
and senior 
executives’ 
remuneration 
packages

Implementation 
of treasury and 
tax policies 
and, within 
limits defined 
by the Board, 
authorises 
capital 
expenditure and 
other financial 
activities 

Employee 
Engagement 
Groups

Assist the 
Board as a 
workforce 
engagement 
mechanism 
and in 
understanding 
the views 
of employees

Group CEO
 – Responsible for: 

Risk & Sustainability Committee  
and Executive Committee

Risk and  
Sustainability 
Committee

Monitors and 
provides insight 
on risk and 
sustainability 
issues, in 
particular, 
climate change

Executive  
Committee

Focuses on the 
development and 
implementation 
of the Group’s 
strategy, financial 
structure,  
organisational 
development 
and policies as 
well as reviewing 
financial 
performance

48

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportFinance Committee
In order that necessary actions can be taken promptly, a finance sub-committee, comprising the Chair, the Senior Independent Director, the 
Group Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer is authorised to make decisions, within limits defined by the Board, in respect of certain 
finance, treasury, tax or investment matters.

The Employee Engagement Groups
We have two Groups run in parallel, a European and a North American Engagement Group. Each Group meets either in person or virtually at 
least annually. The Groups are led by Patrick Larmon, the designated Non-Executive Board Director. Representatives from across the business 
are the members of the Groups. Participation of the Groups is rotated at certain intervals to allow a variety of opinions and voices to be heard. 

Main activities of the Employee Engagement Groups
Participants are encouraged to discuss all aspects of the business including views, motivations and conditions of employees of Bodycote. 
This applies to all levels and activity in the Group. However, individual grievance or employment conditions of individual employees are not 
part of the remit of the Employee Engagement Groups.

The minutes of the meetings are part of the next set of Board meeting papers and are presented by the designated Non-Executive Board 
Director to the Board. As a result of feedback received from employees, a communication improvement plan is in progress.

In addition, both the Board and the Executive Committee take every opportunity to meet with local employees when visiting different 
business locations. During 2021, the Board and the Executive Committee were unable to visit sites due to COVID-19 restrictions but visits will 
be resumed as soon as possible.

Board information
In advance of Board meetings, Directors are supplied with up-to-date information regarding the trading performance of each operating division 
and subdivision, in addition to the Group’s overall financial position and its achievement against prior year results, budgets and forecasts 
(where appropriate). They are also supplied with the latest available information on safety, health and environmental and risk management 
issues and details of the safety and health performance of the Group, and each division, in terms of severity and frequency rates for accidents 
at work. Senior Management from across the Group and advisers attend some of the meetings to provide updates and context. The exposure 
to members of Senior Management from across the Group helps enhance the Board’s understanding of the business, the implementation of 
strategy and the changing dynamics of the markets in which the Group operates.

Complementing the regular briefings from operational and functional management about Group-specific matters (such as a report at each 
Board meeting from the CEO on health and safety), the Board also has a programme of briefings from the Group’s external advisers on a 
range of topics. This enables current and future plans to be set in the wider context of the broader environment.

Matters reserved for the Board
Matters reserved for the Board were reviewed during the year and updated where required. Certain defined powers and issues reserved for 
the Board to decide are, inter alia:

 – Strategy; 

 – Approval of financial statements and circulars; 

 – Capital projects, acquisitions and disposals; 

 – Annual budgets; 

 – Directors’ appointments, service agreements, remuneration and succession planning; policies for financial statements, treasury, safety, health 

and environment, donations; 

 – Committees’ terms of reference; 

 – Board and Committee Chairs and membership; 

 – Investments; 

 – Equity and bank financing; 

 – Internal control and risk management; 

 – Corporate governance; 

 – Key external and internal appointments; 

 – Employee share incentives and pension arrangements; and

 – Whistle-blowing.

49

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceCorporate governance statement continued

Leadership and engagement
Role and responsibilities of the Board and its principal committees
The Board is responsible to shareholders for good corporate governance, setting the Group’s strategic objectives, values and standards, 
and ensuring the necessary resources are in place to achieve the objectives.

The Board met on seven occasions during 2021, including a specific meeting to review the Group’s long-term and ESG strategy. 
The Board of Directors comprises eight members, of whom six are Non-Executive Directors and two are Executive Directors, led by the 
Group’s Non-Executive Chair, A.C. Quinn, who also chaired the Nomination Committee (A.C Quinn retired on 31 December 2021 and D. 
Dayan was appointed as Chair of the Board and as Chair of the Nomination Committee as of 1 January 2022). The Group Chief Executive 
is S.C. Harris, and the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director is I.B. Duncan, who also chairs the Audit Committee. E. Lindqvist is 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee and P. Larmon is the Chair of the Employee Engagement Groups. L. Chahbazi and K Boyd are 
Non-Executive Directors. Brief biographical details of all Directors are given on pages 44 to 45. During the year the Board intended to visit 
a number of overseas facilities, but due to COVID-19, the Board received plant presentations via video conferencing calls. Once physical 
plant visits are possible again, such events will involve meeting with local management and the workforce to understand more clearly 
technical and operational performance in countries where Bodycote has a significant presence.

Chair

Group Chief Executive

Chief Financial Officer

 – leadership and governance of the Board 
and Chairs the Nomination Committee

Group performance

 – overall responsibility and leadership of 

 – maintains strong financial management 

 – Board effectiveness

 – stewardship of Group assets

 – ensures Board members receive 

 – plans and executes objectives 

accurate, timely and clear information 
on Board issues

 – ensures, together with the Group 

Company Secretary, a comprehensive 
induction of new Directors

and strategies

 – maintains a close working 

relationship with the Chair, ensuring 
effective dialogue with investors 
and stakeholders

 – sets Board agenda, style and tone of 

 – ensures leadership and development 

Board discussions

 – ensures effective communication 

with shareholders

 – ensures progress on ESG impact 

tracking and reporting

frameworks are developed to 
generate a positive pipeline for future 
opportunities for the Group

 – has overall responsibility for the 

Group’s sustainability performance, and 
communicates the vision and values of 
the Group

and implements effective 
financial controls

 – provides financial and commercial 

decision leadership, vision and support

 – ensures the appropriateness of risk 

management systems

 – oversees all aspects of accounting/ 

finance operations including accounting 
policies and integrity of financial data 
and external financial reporting

 – responsible for corporate finance 
functions, financial planning and 
budget management

 – supports and advises the Senior 

Management team

 – leads the development of investor 

 – manages the Senior Management team

relations strategy and communications

Senior Independent Director 

Non-Executive Directors

Group Company Secretary

 – acts as a sounding board for the Chair

 – provide constructive challenge

 – secretary to the Board and 

 – serves as an intermediary for 

 – help develop strategy

other directors

 – is available to meet shareholders if 

they have concerns which they have 
not been able to resolve through the 
normal channels

 – conducts an annual review of the 

performance of the Chair and convenes 
a meeting of the Non-Executive 
Directors to discuss the same

 – ensure financial controls and systems 

of risk management are robust 
and defensible

 – determine appropriate levels 

of remuneration for the 
Executive Directors

 – monitor reporting of performance

 – scrutinise performance of management

 – are available to meet with 

major shareholders

its committees

 – ensures efficient information flows 

within the Board and its committees 
and between senior management and 
Non-Executive Directors

 – facilitates induction of new Directors 

and assists with training and 
development needs as required

 – regularly updates the Board on 
corporate governance matters, 
legislative changes and regulatory 
regimes affecting the Group

 – ensures compliance with 

Board procedures

 – coordinates external Board evaluation 
and conducts internal Board evaluation

50

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportBoard and Board Committees meeting attendance
Attendance of Directors at regular scheduled meetings of the Board and its Committees in 2021 is shown in the table below:

Board
Formal meetings

Audit  
Committee

Nomination  
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Meetings held during the year

7  

4  

7  

7  

Executive Directors

Meetings attended

Meetings attended

Meetings attended

Meetings attended

Stephen Harris

Dominique Yates

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Non-Executive Directors

Meetings attended

Meetings attended

Meetings attended

Meetings attended

Anne C. Quinn

Eva Lindqvist 

Ian Duncan

Patrick Larmon

Lili Chahbazi

Kevin Boyd

n/a

n/a

All Directors attended the maximum number of formal Board, Audit and Nomination Committee meetings that they were scheduled to 
attend. Non-members A.C. Quinn, S.C. Harris and D. Yates attended by invitation some parts of the meetings of the Audit, Nomination and 
Remuneration Committees, as relevant. Note that the Employee Engagement Groups are led by P. Larmon and supported by the Company 
Secretary. There were four Employee Engagement Group meetings in 2021.

Diversity and length of service
Bodycote is a global business with operations in 22 countries and diversity is an integral part of how we do business and our culture. 
The Nomination Committee considers diversity when making appointments to the Board, taking into account relevant skills, experience, 
knowledge, personality, ethnicity, and gender. Our prime responsibility, however, is the strength of the Board and our overriding aim in 
any new appointment must always be to select the best candidate. The Nominations Committee also considers capability and capacity to 
commit the necessary time to the role in its recommendation to the Board. The intention is to appoint the most suitable qualified candidate 
to complement and balance the current skills, knowledge and experience of the Board and who will be best able to help lead the Company 
in delivering its long-term strategy. The Nomination Committee is advised by international search companies, who have been briefed on our 
diversity policy and are required to reflect the policy in the long list submitted to the Committee.

In 2021 female representation on our Board was 38% (2020: 38%). At senior manager level, it is 28% (2020: 30%). Females represent 
19% (2020: 18%) of our total workforce. Whilst we were above the 33% by 2020 voluntary target for female representation on Boards 
recommended by the Hampton-Alexander review, we continue to believe it is difficult to set targets or timescales for increasing the proportion 
of women, or any other minority group, on our Board and do not propose to do so. With the appointment of the new Chair on 1 January 2022, 
our female representation has decreased to 25% but will increase to 33% on 1 June 2022 with the appointment of Cynthia Gordon which 
was announced on 10 March 2022. We will increase female and/or other minority representation on the Board if appropriate candidates 
are available when Board vacancies arise. 

The Sustainability report contains further details regarding the male and female representation within the Group, including Board 
representation. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy is available on our website.

E. Lindqvist was appointed as a Non-Executive Director on 1 June 2012 and has reached the end of her ninth consecutive year as a  
Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee. After careful consideration, the Board has asked E. Lindqvist to continue 
to serve as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee. The Board considers that this is in the best interests of 
the Group and shareholders. In particular, it will ensure that there continues to be a smooth transition of Remuneration Committee Chair 
responsibilities to E. Lindqvist’s successor. The Board considers that E. Lindqvist remains independent for the purposes of the Code. With the 
exception of serving on the Board for more than nine years, none of the circumstances which can impair independence set out in provision 10 
of the Code apply to E. Lindqvist.

NED tenure per year 

Board diversity

9

7

6

Female

38%

Male

62%

4

4

2

Anne Quinn

Lili Chahbazi Patrick Larmon

Eva Lindqvist

Ian Duncan

Kevin Boyd

51

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernance 
 
 
 
  
  
Corporate governance statement continued

Users of the website can access recent announcements and copies 
of results presentations and can enrol to hear live presentations. 
On a regular basis, Bodycote’s financial advisers, corporate brokers 
and financial public relations consultants provide the Directors with 
opinion surveys from analysts and investing institutions following 
virtual visits and meetings with the Group Chief Executive and Chief 
Financial Officer. The Chair and SID are available to discuss any 
issues not resolved by the Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial 
Officer. On specific issues, such as the review of remuneration 
packages or elevated levels of votes against a resolution, the Group 
has sought, and will continue to seek, the views of leading investors.

Where required, a Director may seek independent professional 
advice, the cost of which is reimbursed by the Group. All Directors 
have access to the Group Company Secretary, and they may also 
address specific issues with the SID. In accordance with the 
Articles of Association, all newly appointed Directors must submit 
themselves for election. All Directors stand for yearly re-election. 
Non-Executive Directors, including the Chair, are appointed for fixed 
terms not exceeding three years from the date of first election by 
shareholders (maximum of two three-year terms), after which the 
appointment may be extended by mutual agreement on an annual 
basis. A statement of the Directors’ responsibilities is set out on page 
85. All Non-Executive Directors (excluding the Chair) serve on each 
Board Committee.

In line with best practice provisions in the Pre-Emption Group 
Statement of Principles, the Board confirms that it does not intend to 
issue more than 7.5% of the issued share capital of the Group on a 
non-pre-emptive basis in any rolling three-year period.

Training
We provide training to employees where and when required, and 
it is important that Directors continue to develop and refresh their 
understanding of the Group’s activities. Every year, the Board as part 
of site trips, meets local management at operations and Directors 
familiarise themselves with the technology used, logistics, health 
and safety standards and customers served. Due to COVID-19 Board 
site trips were not possible during 2021, but this programme will be 
reinstated as soon as possible. As an alternative plant presentations 
by video conference call from the London, Ohio USA; St Remy, 
France; Camas, Washington USA; Wuxi, China; Izmir, Turkey and 
Winchester, Kentucky USA plants have taken place. The Board is 
kept informed of relevant developments in the Group by way of 
monthly management reports and the progress of capital projects. 

It is also essential that the Directors regularly refresh and update 
their skills and knowledge with both external and internal training 
when necessary. Members of the Board individually attend 
seminars, conferences and training events to keep up-to-date about 
developments in key areas. Board meetings include presentations 
from Group experts to ensure the Directors have access to the 
wealth and knowledge within the Group as well as presentations 
from external providers. 

Effectiveness
Board evaluation
The Board has undertaken its fourth external Board Evaluation during 
2021. Following a review of proposals from external providers, the 
Board appointed Lintstock to facilitate a review of its effectiveness. 
The review was undertaken by P. Mackie and M. Underwood. 
Neither of them or Lintstock have any connection with Bodycote. 
The main steps of the process were:

 – Questionnaires – Board, Chair and Individual performance 

review questionnaires

 – Interviews – with all Board members

 – Report and presentation – the draft report was discussed with the 
Chair prior to its finalisation and the findings presented at the June 
Board meeting

The review looked at board composition and succession, stakeholder 
oversight, management and focus of meetings, board support, board 
committees, strategic oversight and risk oversight.

The results of the evaluation were considered by the Board 
at its meeting in June 2021. The Directors discussed the 
recommendations and considered how they will take them forward. 
Some of the topics touched were re-establishing relationships after 
COVID-19 through physical meetings, succession planning, reviewing 
longer-term strategy and approach to ESG. The Board is considered 
to be well balanced and runs smoothly benefitting from a reasonable 
range of complementary skills and diversity. The overall conclusion is 
that the Board and committees are well chaired and high governance 
standards have been adopted. It is apparent that the Executive is 
being strongly challenged by the non-executives when appropriate.

As in previous years, the Chair has assessed the performance 
through individual performance review questionnaires and we 
can confirm that all Directors continue to perform effectively and 
demonstrate commitment to their roles.

The Executive Directors Messrs S.C. Harris and D.Yates will be 
appraised in March 2022.

Led by the Senior Independent Director, the Directors carried out an 
evaluation of the Chair’s performance in May 2021. The Board was 
satisfied with the Chair’s commitment and performance.

Proposals for re-election
The Board decided, in line with the Code, that all Directors will 
retire annually and, other than in the case of any Director who has 
decided to stand down from the Board (Anne Quinn CBE retired on 
31 December 2021), will offer themselves for re-election at the AGM. 
Accordingly, S.C. Harris, E. Lindqvist, P. Larmon, I.B. Duncan, D. 
Yates, L. Chahbazi and K. Boyd will stand for re-election at the AGM 
in May 2022. D. Dayan will stand for election in May 2022.

The Board recommends to shareholders that they re-elect all the 
Directors. The performance of each Director, other than D. Dayan by 
reason of his January 2022 appointment, was evaluated and the 
Board confirms in respect of each that their performance continues 
to be effective and that each continues to demonstrate commitment 
to his or her respective role.

Meetings with shareholders
The Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer regularly 
talk with and meet institutional investors, both individually 
and collectively, and this has enabled institutional investors to 
increase their understanding of the Group’s strategy and operating 
performance. In addition, internet users are able to view up-to-date 
news on the Group and its share price via the Bodycote website at 
www.bodycote.com. 

52

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportDirectors’ information and training sessions 2021 Board
Insurances – market overview / SHE update
June
IT Security Update
July
ESG strategy including climate change
September
Economist briefing, STBi explanatory session
October
December
SHE Update and HR Policy Review
Audit Committee

BDO Internal Audit Perspectives
PwC updates on regulatory and 
accounting changes

October
March, May 
and October
Remuneration Committee
July

Remuneration review – market update (Deloitte)

Accountability
Internal control and risk management
In accordance with the FRC ‘Guidance on Risk Management, 
Internal Control and Related Financial Business Reporting’ the Board 
recognises that it is responsible for the Group’s system of internal 
control and risk management. The system has been 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. This system has 
continued to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Board has embedded a continuous process for identifying, 
evaluating and managing the Group’s significant risks, including 
risks arising out of Bodycote’s corporate and social engagement. 
The Board’s monitoring covers all significant strategic, financial, 
operational and compliance risks. It is based principally on reviewing 
reports from management and from Internal Audit (IA) to consider 
whether any significant failings or weaknesses are promptly 
remedied or indicate a need for more extensive monitoring. 
The Audit Committee assists the Board in discharging these 
review responsibilities.

The emerging risk review, based around horizon scanning, has 
explored what the future might look like and seeks to identify early 
warning signals. These emerging risks are characterised by their high 
level of uncertainty both in terms of likelihood and potential impact 
and are therefore more difficult to manage or mitigate. Risks that 
have been considered by the Board have included:

 – COVID-19 – the long-term effect of this and other 

possible pandemics

 – Geopolitical risks – increased international tensions and tariffs 

 – Move to electric vehicles

 – Continued environmental activism, as well as increased focus from 
both regulators and the investment community on climate change

The Board is satisfied that the Group maintains an effective system 
of internal controls and that there were no significant failings or 
weaknesses in the system. The system was in operation throughout 
2021 and continues to operate up to the date of the approval of this 
report. The key elements of the Group’s system of internal control 
that is monitored by the Board includes:

 – Key financial, legal and compliance policies that apply across 

the Group including: Detailed Financial Policies, Group Authority 
Matrix, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption, Anti-Slavery and Human 
Trafficking, Core Values and Code of Conduct. 

A comprehensive financial planning, accounting and 
reporting framework. 

 – Bodycote has engaged BDO to monitor and assist in improving 

the Group’s internal control system. Internal audit (IA) reviews are 
conducted on the basis of a risk-based plan approved annually by the 
Audit Committee. To provide assurance on the continued operation 
of controls, financial control self-assessments (CSA) have been 
developed and implemented in each division. The results of these 
CSA have been verified by IA. The findings and recommendations 
from IA are reported on a regular basis to the Executive and 
Audit Committees. 

 – An annual internal control self-assessment, with management 

certification, is undertaken by every Bodycote plant. The assessment 
covers the effectiveness of key financial, compliance and selected 
operational controls. The results are validated by IA through spot 
checks and are reported to the Executive and Audit Committees. 

A Group-wide risk register and assurance map is maintained 
throughout the year to identify the Group’s key strategic and 
operational risks. Any changes to these risks during the year are 
promptly reported to the Executive Committee and the Board. 

During 2021, in compliance with provision 29 of the Code, 
management performed an assessment of its risk management 
processes for the purpose of this Annual Report. Management’s 
assessment, which has been reviewed by the Audit Committee and 
the Board, included a review of the Group’s key strategic, operational 
and emerging risks. The review was based on work performed by the 
Group’s Risk and Sustainability Committee and Risk Management 
Team (by means of workshops, interviews, investigations, and by 
reviewing divisional risk registers). These risks have been reviewed 
throughout the year and no additional emerging risks were identified. 
The 2021 emerging risk discussion focused on the wider effects 
to the Group posed by climate change on Bodycote’s business. 
As a result of the discussion, the ESG risk was refocused from 
Environment to Climate Change. Further information regarding the 
ways in which the principal business risks and uncertainties affecting 
the Group are managed is shown on pages 29 to 33.

By order of the Board:

U.S. Ball
Group Company Secretary 

14 March 2021

Springwood Court  
Springwood Close  
Tytherington Business Park  
Macclesfield 
Cheshire SK10 2XF

53

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceDirectors’ report

Directors’ report
The Directors are pleased to submit their report and the audited 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021.

The Chair’s statement, the Chief Executive’s review on pages 10 
to 13, the Chief Financial Officer’s report and all the information 
contained on pages 25-27, together comprise the Directors’ report 
for the year ended 31 December 2021. Concerning going concern 
please see the CFO statement on page 27 and pages 98-99 of the 
financial statements.

Strategic report
The Strategic report is provided on pages 1 to 43 of this Annual 
Report. This is a review of the development of the Group’s 
businesses, the financial performance during the year ended 
31 December 2021, key performance indicators and a description of 
the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group.

The Strategic report has been prepared solely to assist the 
shareholders in assessing the Group’s strategies and the potential 
of those strategies. It should not be relied on by any other party for 
any other purpose. Forward-looking statements have been made 
by the Directors in good faith using information available up to the 
date of this report and such statements should be regarded with 
caution because of the inherent uncertainties in economic trends 
and business risks. Since the end of the financial year, no important 
events affecting the business of the Group have occurred.

Dividends
The Board has recommended a final dividend of 13.8p (2020: 13.4p) 
bringing the total ordinary dividend to 20.0p per share (2020: 19.4p). 
If approved by shareholders, the final dividend of 13.8p per share 
will be paid on 3 June 2022 to all shareholders on the register at the 
close of business on 22 April 2022.

Share capital
The Company’s issued ordinary share capital as at 31 December 
2021 was £33.1m. No shares were issued during the year. At the 
Annual General Meeting on 27 May 2021, the shareholders 
authorised the Company to purchase up to 22,046,468 of its own 
shares. This authority expires at the conclusion of the forthcoming 
Annual General Meeting to be held on 25 May 2022, at which time 
a further authority will be sought from shareholders.

Capital structure
Details of the issued share capital are shown in note 22.

The Company has one class of ordinary shares, which carries no 
right to fixed income. Each share carries the right to one vote at 
general meetings of the Company. There are no specific restrictions 
on the size of a holding nor on the transfer of shares, both of which 
are governed by the general provisions of the Articles of Association 
and prevailing legislation. The Directors are not aware of any 
agreements between holders of the Company’s shares that may 
result in restrictions on the transfer of securities or on voting rights. 
Details of employee share schemes are set out in note 26 and shares 
held by the Bodycote Employee Benefit Trust abstain from voting 
and waive dividend rights. No person has any special rights of control 
over the Company’s share capital and all issued shares are fully paid. 
The appointment and replacement of Directors is governed by the 
Company’s Articles of Association, the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, the Companies Act and related legislation. The Articles of 
Association may be amended by a special resolution of shareholders. 
The powers of the Directors are described in the Corporate 
governance statement on page 46. Under the Articles of Association, 
the Company has authority to issue ordinary shares with a nominal 
value of £11,023,234.

There are also a number of other agreements that take effect, alter, 
crystallise or terminate upon a change of control of the Company 
following a takeover bid such as commercial contracts, bank loan 
agreements, property lease agreements, employment contracts 
and employee share plans. None of these are considered to be 
significant in terms of their likely impact on the business of the Group 
as a whole, and the Directors are not aware of any agreements 
between the Company and themselves or employees that provide for 
compensation for loss of office or employment that occurs because 
of a takeover bid except where specifically mentioned in this report.

Directors
The current Directors and their biographies are listed on pages 
44 to 45 and all with the exception of Daniel Dayan have served 
throughout the year. In line with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, all Directors retired at the Annual General Meeting in 
2021 and stood for re-election by the shareholders. All Directors 
will retire at the next Annual General Meeting and will stand for 
re-election by the shareholders, if they wish to continue to serve 
as Directors of the Company. Accordingly, those Directors retiring 
and offering themselves for re-election at the 2022 Annual General 
Meeting are S.C. Harris, D. Yates, I.B. Duncan, E. Lindqvist, 
P. Larmon L. Chahbazi and K. Boyd. Daniel Dayan having joined the 
Board on 1 January 2022 will stand for election. D. Yates announced 
his retirement once a successor has been appointed on 7 February 
2022 and therefore, may potentially, not stand for reappointment. 
The service agreements for Messrs S.C. Harris and D. Yates are 
terminable by 12 months’ notice. The remaining Directors do not 
have a service agreement with the Company and their appointments 
are terminable by six months’ notice.

54

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportDirectors’ interests in contracts and shares
Details of the Executive Directors’ service contracts and details of 
the Directors’ interests in the Company’s shares and share incentive 
plans are shown in the Board report on remuneration on pages 64 
to 84. No Director has had any dealings in any shares or options in 
the Company since 31 December 2021. None of the Directors had 
a material interest in any contract of significance in relation to the 
Company and its subsidiaries at any time during the financial year.

Qualifying third-party indemnity provisions (as defined by section 
234 of the Companies Act 2006) have remained in force for the 
Directors for the year ended 31 December 2021 and, as at the 
date of this report, remain in force for the benefit of the current 
Directors in relation to certain losses and liabilities which they may 
incur (or have incurred) to third parties in the course of their duties. 
Apart from these exceptions, none of the Directors had a material 
interest in any contract of significance in relation to the Company 
and its subsidiaries at any time during the financial year.

Potential conflicts of interest
During 2008, the duties owed by Directors to a company were 
codified and extended by the Companies Act 2006 so that Directors 
not only had to declare actual conflicts of interest in transactions 
as they arose, but also had a duty to avoid such conflicts whether 
real or potential. Potential conflicts of interest could arise where a 
single Director owes a fiduciary duty to more than one organisation 
(a ‘Situational Conflict’) which typically will be the case where a 
Director holds directorships in more than one company. In order 
to ensure that each Director was complying with the duties, each 
Director provided the Company with a formal declaration to disclose 
what Situational Conflicts affected him or her. The Board reviewed 
the declarations and approved the existence of each declared 
Situational Conflict up until September 2022 and permitted each 
affected Director to attend and vote at Bodycote Directors’ meetings, 
on the basis that each such Director continued to keep Bodycote’s 
information confidential, and provided overall that such authorisation 
remained appropriate and in the interests of shareholders. 
Where such authorisation becomes inappropriate or not in the 
interests of Bodycote’s shareholders, the Chair or the Nomination 
Committee can revoke an authorisation. No such revocations have 
been made.

Employment
The Group recognises the value that can be added to its future 
profitability and strength through the efforts of its employees. 
The commitment of employees to excel is key to the Group’s 
continued success. Through their attendance at or participation 
in strategy, production, safety and health meetings at site level, 
employees are kept up-to-date with the performance and progress 
of the Group, the contribution to the Group made by their site, and 
are advised of safety and health issues. Employees are able to voice 
any concerns through the Group’s anonymous and confidential 
Open Door Line, a phone line accessed in the local language. 
Approximately 3,000 Bodycote employees are connected to the 
Bodycote intranet, which improves knowledge of Group activities, 
and assists greatly with technology exchange and coordination. 
It is the Group’s policy to give full and fair consideration to 
applications for employment from disabled persons, having regard to 
their particular aptitudes and abilities, and to encourage the training 
and career development of all personnel employed by the Group, 
including disabled persons. Should an employee become disabled, 
the Group, where practicable, will seek to continue the employment 
and arrange appropriate training. An equal opportunities policy is in 
operation in the Group.

Stakeholder engagement
For details refer to page 18.

Employee and stakeholder engagement
Information relating to engagement with employees and other 
stakeholders, including customers and suppliers, can be found in the 
Strategic report on page 18 and in the Corporate Governance report 
on pages 46 - 53.

Greenhouse gas emissions
Details of greenhouse gas emissions and Streamlined Energy and 
Carbon Reporting (SECR) are included within the Environment, Social 
and Governance section of this report. 

Donations
There were no political contributions in 2020 or 2021.

Shareholders
An analysis of the Company’s shareholders and the shares in issue 
at 23 February 2022 together with details of the interests of major 
shareholders in voting shares notified to the Company pursuant to 
chapter 5 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules are given on 
page 156.

External auditor
In accordance with the provisions of section 489 of the 
Companies Act 2006, a resolution for the reappointment of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) as external auditor is to be 
proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Each person 
who is a Director at the date of approval of this Annual Report 
confirms that:

 – so far as each Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information 

of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and 

 – each 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 auditor is 
aware of that information. 

This statement is given and should be interpreted in accordance with 
the provisions of section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Annual General Meeting
The 2022 Annual General Meeting will be held on 25 May 2022 
in accordance with the notice being sent to shareholders under 
separate cover.

By order of the Board:

U.S. Ball
Group Company Secretary 
14 March 2022

Springwood Court  
Springwood Close  
Tytherington Business Park  
Macclesfield 
Cheshire 
SK10 2XF

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceReport of the Nomination Committee

Committee  
membership

Director

No. of meetings 2021:  
7  

Attendance

A.C. Quinn until 31 December 2021

D. Dayan as of 1 January 2022

I.B. Duncan

E. Lindqvist

P. Larmon

L. Chahbazi

K. Boyd

Dear Shareholders, 

Main committee responsibilities

– Regularly review the structure, size and composition (including the
skills, knowledge, experience, and diversity) of the Board and make
recommendations to the Board with regard to any changes.

– Give full consideration to succession planning for Directors and other senior

executives in the course of its work.

– Be responsible for identifying and nominating for the approval of the Board,

candidates to fill Board vacancies as and when they arise.

I am pleased to introduce the Nomination Committee report for 2021. Board composition is a key focus for the Nomination Committee, 
ensuring that the Board has the right skills and experience to direct the Company in the successful execution of its strategy.

Having been appointed to the Board and Chair of the Nomination Committee on 1 January 2022, the Committee will continue to focus on 
ensuring that the present and future composition of the Board is appropriate for the delivery of the Group’s strategy and that all relevant UK 
Corporate Governance Code requirements continue to be met. 

Daniel Dayan
Chair of the Nomination Committee

Role of the Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee is a sub-committee of the Board, the principal purpose of which is to advise on the appointment and, if necessary, 
dismissal of Executive and Non-Executive Directors. The Committee’s terms of reference, which are listed on the Group’s website, include all 
matters required by the UK Corporate Governance Code (‘the Code’). Further information on the Code can be found on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website www.frc.org.uk. The terms of reference are reviewed annually by the Group Company Secretary and the Chair, and any 
changes are then referred to the Board for approval. No changes were made to the terms of reference during the year.

Key Activities

Board composition/succession planning
– Reviewed and updated succession plans for the Board and

Non-Executive Directors
– Reviewed continued independence of the Non-Executive Directors

Senior Management

– Reviewed the Non-Executive Director time commitments and risk of

– Appointed a new Chair and started the recruitment process for a

over-boarding

Non-Executive Director to act as Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Diversity
– Reviewed the Group’s diversity policy on governance and evaluation

Governance and evaluation
– Reviewed the Committee’s Terms of Reference

– Evaluated the Committee’s effectiveness

– Reviewed the performance of Executive Directors

Recruitment Process

Succession 
Planning

Board 
composition

Recruitment

Selection

 – Vacancy for a Director is identified when one of the existing Directors confirms his/her

intention to resign or retire, or when it is decided to add another NED to the board

 – The need for specific knowledge, skills and role behaviours is identified during 

discussions at Nomination Committee meetings

 – External international search consultancies are appointed to assist with the search 

 – A sub committee examines the long list of candidates against the role specifications

and a shortlist of candidates is identified

Interview

 – Candidates are initially interviewed by the Chair and the Group Chief Executive for a
Non-Executive Director role. The final candidates then meet with all other Directors

Balance 
of skills

 – In order to maximise the effectiveness of the Board, candidates are carefully

considered ensuring that the Board has the right skills and experiences

Appointment

 – The new Director is announced as joining the Board

Induction

 – The Committee and the Group Company Secretary play an active part in an induction
programme that is tailored to the needs, skills and experiences of the new Director 

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportDirector appointment policy and progress
The Committee has developed a formal rigorous and transparent procedure for the appointment of new Directors. Prior to making any 
appointment, the Committee, having evaluated the skills, experience, and diversity of the Board, determines the qualities and experience they 
seek and then prepares a detailed description of the role with a view to appointing the most appropriate candidate. The Committee uses open 
advertising or the services of independent external advisers to facilitate the search.

A long list of candidates is drawn up, from which an appropriate number will be selected for interview. Upon completion the Committee 
recommends to the Board the appointment of the preferred candidate. 

Composition of the Nomination Committee
As recommended by the Code, the Chair of the Board acts as the Chair of the Committee whose members also comprise the Directors listed 
above. The Chair cannot chair the Committee when it is dealing with either the succession to the Chair of the Group or the review of his or her own 
performance. Only members of the Committee have the right to attend the Committee meetings. Other individuals and external advisers may 
be invited to attend for all or part of any meeting when it is appropriate. The quorum necessary for the transaction of business is two.

The Group Company Secretary is secretary to the Committee.

The Committee has the authority to seek any information that is required, from any officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries. 
In connection with its duties, the Committee is authorised by the Board to take such independent advice (including legal or other professional 
advice, at the Group’s expense) as it considers necessary, including requests for information from, or commissioning investigations by, 
external advisers.

Directors’ induction and training
Induction programmes are individually tailored for all new Directors, following the appointment process as overseen by the Nomination 
Committee. Each programme considers existing expertise and any prospective Board or Committee roles.

In advance of D. Dayan’s first Board meeting in March 2022, arrangements were made for plant visits, introductions and briefings to ensure 
there was an appropriate opportunity to understand and ask questions about the strategic, financial and operational context. The ongoing 
COVID-19 pandemic placed restrictions on the format with some briefings conducted by videoconferencing as well as face-to-face 
engagements The site visit programme will be undertaken during 2022, COVID-19 permitting.

Board induction programme for Daniel Dayan – to be undertaken during 2022

Topic
Business strategy
Finance

Governance
Legal
IT
Operations

Facilities 

Activities
Meetings with Group CEO and Senior Managers
Meetings with Group CFO and meetings with Head of Internal Audit, Director of Finance, Group Financial Controller 
and Head of Tax & Treasury
Meeting with Group Company Secretary
Meeting with General Counsel
Meeting with Head of IT Operations 
Meetings with the Group CEO, Executive Committee members, VPs of Finance, Shared Services and Tax & Treasury 
were undertaken.
Eight visits have taken place; further visits to facilities will take place in due course.

As part of the mandatory training programme, all Directors are further required to complete courses which address areas most pertinent 
to Bodycote and their role on the Board. This covers both statutory obligations and ethical considerations and include the legal duties of a 
Director, competition law, anti-bribery and corruption, the share dealing code, data protection, IT security and anti-slavery regulations.

Board succession planning
D. Dayan joined the Board as Non-Executive Chair on 1 January 2022. In line with the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 criteria, D. 
Dayan was independent upon appointment. The recruitment process was led by the Senior Independent Director, who was advised by 
international search consultancy Russell Reynolds in the process of identifying suitably qualified individuals. Russell Reynolds has no other 
connections to Bodycote plc and A.C Quinn was not involved in the selection of her successor. The Company has appointed a new Non-
Executive Director Cynthia Gordon on 10 March 2022, the appointment is effective 1 June 2022. The recruitment process was led by the 
Chair who was advised by international search consultancy Russell Reynolds. There were no further changes to the Board structure during 
the year. 

As in previous years the Committee spent time during 2021/22 considering the important topic of succession planning across the business. 
The Committee received papers on Executive Director and Senior Management succession (this includes members of the Executive 
Committee and all Senior Management roles in the business). The plans identify immediate successors for these roles and identifies 
candidates as potential successors to roles in the longer-term. The Committee was satisfied that these plans remain sufficiently robust to 
enable vacancies to be filled on a short-to-medium-term basis while taking account of the continuing need to consider all types of diversity.

The Committee acknowledges that in a business the size of Bodycote, it is not always possible to identify internal successors for all roles.

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceReport of the Nomination Committee continued

The Committee is confident that it has carried out its role effectively during the year and its work will help to ensure that a strong pipeline 
of talented individuals is available to support the Group and meet its future business objectives and fulfil its strategic goals.

Nomination Committee – allocation of agenda time

5%

70%

10%

15%

Board Composition and Succession Planning

Performance of Chairman and Group Chief Executive

Governance and reporting

Independence and re-election

Main activities of the Nomination Committee
In 2021 the Committee met formally six times and reviewed the composition and skills of the Board, with a view to considering the current 
and future skills and experience that the Board might require.

The Committee discussed Board diversity and reviewed the performance of the Group Chief Executive and other senior executives.

In particular, the Board discussed its membership with respect to gender, ethnicity, and age. The Committee has sought to ensure that 
appointments are of the best candidates to promote the success of the Company and are based on merit, with due regard for the benefits 
of diversity on the Board. Further information concerning Board diversity can be found on page 51 as part of the Corporate Governance 
statement. We are pleased to report that during 2021 the female representation on the Board remained at 38%. As of 1 January 2022 it 
reduced to 25% with the retirement of A.C. Quinn and the appointment of D Dayan. With the appointment of Cynthia Gordon, effective 1 June 
2022, female representation will increase to 33%.

The Committee considered and authorised the potential conflicts of interest which might arise where a Director has fiduciary responsibilities 
in respect of other organisations. The Committee concluded that no inappropriate conflicts of interest exist. The Committee also assigned the 
Chair to review and agree with the Group Chief Executive his personal objectives for the forthcoming year.

Following the internal Board evaluation in 2020, the Board agreed to undertake an external evaluation during 2021. Further details of the 
review can be found in the Corporate Governance section of the Annual Report. Recommendations from the 2021 external Board evaluation 
such as reviewing the strategy in depth including ESG have been addressed and focusing on people and succession arising are topics that are 
in the process of being addressed.

In December 2021, the Nomination Committee reviewed the Board’s size and composition, the frequency of the process for Board and 
Committee meetings, and best practice for dealing with Board issues including drawing up a training and/or induction programme for 
the Directors. The terms of reference of the Committee were reviewed in conjunction with the Model Terms of Reference issued by 
the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland. The biographical details of the current Directors can be found on pages 44 and 45. 
The Committee, having reviewed their independence and contribution to Board matters, confirms that the performance of each of the 
Directors standing for re-election at this year’s Annual General Meeting continues to be effective and demonstrates commitment to their 
roles, including independence of judgement and time commitment for Board and Committee meetings. The Board, after careful review and 
cognisant of Eva Lindqvist’s contributions to the Board both as a Non-Executive Director and as the Chair of the Remuneration Committee, is 
proposing her reappointment as for a further year. Cynthia Gordon has been appointed on 10 March 2022, effective 1 June 2022. Accordingly, 
the Committee has recommended to the Board that all current Directors of the Company be proposed for re-election at the forthcoming 
Annual General Meeting.

As chair of the Committee, I will be available at the Annual General Meeting, in May 2022, to answer questions relating to the work of 
the Committee. Questions can be submitted in advance of the meeting either to the registered office address or to agm@bodycote.com. 
Representative answers will be published on the company website in due course.

On behalf of the Nomination Committee:

D. Dayan
Chair of the Nomination Committee

14 March 2022

58

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
 
Report of the Audit Committee

No. of meetings 
in 2021: 4  
Attendance

Committee  
membership
Director

I.B. Duncan 
E. Lindqvist 
P. Larmon 
L. Chahbazi 
K. Boyd

Main committee responsibilities

 – Encourage and safeguard the highest standards of integrity, financial reporting, financial 

risk management and internal controls;

 – Monitor the integrity of the financial statements including annual and half-yearly 

reports, trading updates and any other formal announcements relating to its financial 
performance. Reviewing and reporting to the Board on significant financial reporting 
issues and judgements;

 – Review the content of the Annual Report and advise the Board whether, taken as a 

whole, it is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model 
and strategy;

 – Monitor and review the adequacy and effectiveness of the Group’s internal financial 
control and risk management systems, including the robust assessment of both 
emerging and principal risks;

 – Monitor and review the effectiveness of the Group’s internal audit function and its key 

findings and trends arising, and the resolution of these matters;

 – Oversee the relationship with the external auditor including approving the remuneration, 
audit scoping and terms of engagement, reviewing outcomes of the external audits, 
ensuring compliance with the policy for the provision of non-audit services, conduct the 
tender process and making recommendations to the Board, subject to the approval by 
shareholders, on the appointment, reappointment or removal of the external auditor;

 – Monitor policy on the engagement of the external auditor to supply non-audit services, 
ensuring there is prior approval of non-audit services, considering the impact this may 
have on independence, taking into account the relevant regulations and ethical guidance 
in this regard and report to the Board on any improvement or action required; and

 – Review and monitor the external auditor’s independence, effectiveness and objectivity.

The full terms of reference for the Committee can be found on the Group’s website.

Introduction
I am pleased to present the 2021 report of the Audit Committee. This report provides an overview of the Committee’s key activities and focus 
areas during the year and the framework within which it operates.

Objective
The Committee’s objective is to provide effective governance over the Group’s reporting, including the adequacy of related disclosures, the 
management and oversight of the Group’s systems of internal control, the management of financial risks, and the performance of internal 
audit as well as the appointment and evaluation of the external auditors. During the year, the Committee continued to focus on the integrity 
of Bodycote’s financial reporting, financial risk management, internal controls, and on the quality of the external and internal audit processes. 
The Committee will continue to keep its activities under review as the regulatory environment changes.

Committee membership and meetings
The members of the Audit Committee are all independent Non-Executive Directors. Their biographical details are shown on pages 44 and 45, 
and their remuneration on page 69. The Group Company Secretary is the secretary to the Audit Committee. 

I.B. Duncan is Chairman of the Audit Committee. He is a Chartered Accountant with substantial experience in senior finance roles. The Board 
considers that I.B. Duncan has recent and relevant financial, accounting and sector experience required to Chair the Committee.

All Committee members have significant and widespread experience in both executive and non-executive capacities of multinational industrial 
companies and are considered to have competencies relevant to their duties.

The Audit Committee met four times during 2021, in February and in March 2022, all members attended all the meetings. The Committee 
Chairman also invited the Board Chair, Group Chief Executive, Group Chief Financial Officer, Group Director of Finance and Group Head of 
Audit to attend all regular meetings. Other Senior Managers from the Group were also invited, as appropriate, to attend regular meetings 
to provide a deeper level of insight into key issues. Furthermore, the external auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) attended every 
meeting, and BDO LLP, who provides internal audit services, also attended one meeting. As part of the process of working with the 
Board to carry out its responsibilities and to maximise effectiveness, regular meetings of the Committee generally take place just prior to 
Board meetings.

I.B. Duncan also held preparatory meetings separately with the external auditor, the Group Chief Financial Officer, the Group Director of 
Finance and the Group Head of Audit before regular Committee meetings to review their reports and discuss issues in detail. PwC, the Group 
Head of Audit and the internal auditors (BDO LLP) met with the Audit Committee without the executives present. 

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernance 
 
 
 
Report of the Audit Committee continued

Main activities of the Committee during the year
The Committee is responsible for reviewing the Interim results for the half-year and the Annual Report and financial statements before 
recommending them to the Board for approval. 

At its meetings, the Committee focused on the following main areas:

Financial reporting 
The primary recurring role of the Committee in relation to financial reporting has been to review, with management and the external auditor, 
the appropriateness and integrity of the interim results for the half-year and Annual Report and financial statements concentrating on, amongst 
other matters:

 – the quality and acceptability of accounting policies and practices including interpretation of reporting standards and the adoption of policies; 

 – the application and impact of significant judgements, accounting estimates and matters where there was a significant discussion with the 

external auditor;

 – compliance with regulatory and governance requirements;

 – the clarity of disclosures and compliance with the relevant accounting standards for the consolidated financial statements;

 – the key points of disclosure and presentation to ensure the adequacy, clarity and completeness in the Annual Report and financial statements;

 – consideration of the appropriateness of alternative performance measures;

 – whether the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to 

assess the Group’s strategy, business model and performance; 

 – reviewing with both management and the external auditor to ensure audit scoping was appropriate and that the external auditor had applied the 

necessary level of professional scepticism in performing their work; and

 – reviewing various materials to support the statements on risk management and internal control and related disclosures made in the Annual 

Report and financial statements on this matter.

Reports from management were reviewed on significant matters, including litigation, accounting, treasury and tax matters and also reports 
from the external auditor on the outcome of their work. A summary of the areas of focus considered by the Committee in respect of the 2021 
financial statements is set out in the table below.

Going concern, viability statement and financial resilience
The Committee has reviewed the 2021 going concern and viability statements and challenged the risk assessments, forecasts for profits 
and cash generation, liquidity, available borrowing facilities and covenant compliance that were modelled as part of the scenarios and stress 
testing undertaken. Sensitivity analysis was undertaken to understand the impact of changes to key variables and included severe but 
plausible downside scenarios. The Committee was satisfied that these represented accurate assessments of the Group’s financial position. 
For further detail on the Going Concern and Viability Statements please refer to pages 27 and 34 respectively. 

Fair, balanced and understandable
The Committee has reviewed the form and content of the interim results for the half-year and the Annual Report and financial statements 
and a paper prepared by management setting out the approach taken in its preparation. The review included the consideration of oversight 
throughout the year based on review of regular financial results and reports from both senior management and PwC, consideration of 
regulatory and governance requirements for reporting, the process of planning and preparing the Annual Report and ensuring it contains 
complete and accurate information, a collaborative approach between all parties required to contribute to the report and reviews performed to 
ensure feedback was appropriately reflected (including internal and external reviews). 

Based on the activities described above and on robust discussion with both management and the external auditor, the Committee 
was satisfied with the work performed and advised the Board that the Annual Report, taken as a whole, presents a fair, balanced and 
understandable view of the business and its performance for the year under review and that it provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Group’s strategy, business model, position and performance.

60

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportIn addition to these matters, the Committee considered the following significant topics impacting the financial statements:

Area of Focus

Actions

Valuation of assets
As set out in the accounting policies, the Group reviews 
the carrying amounts of goodwill, tangible and intangible 
assets for impairment at least annually. Refer to note 9 of 
the financial statements. 

The Committee considered reports from management describing potential 
impairment indicators for tangible and intangible assets and the outcome 
of related tests as performed at year end. The annual impairment test was 
performed for all cash-generating units with a goodwill balance, as required by 
accounting standards.

The Committee reviewed these reports and challenged the results including 
the future forecasts underlying the value-in-use calculations, and the 
assumptions, particularly the discount rate, growth factors and scenarios used 
in the discounted cash flow calculations for each cash generating unit and the 
sensitivity analysis applied. The Committee also considered the potential future 
impacts of climate change on the assumptions applied.

The Committee considered the adequacy of the disclosures provided. Details of 
sensitivity analysis applied to key assumptions used in the impairment review as 
well as conclusions are set out in note 9 to the financial statements. 

The Committee was satisfied with the carrying value of assets and goodwill and 
the related disclosures.

The Committee received reports from management and reviewed provision 
utilisation, the basis and the completeness of the assumptions used to calculate 
the provisions and the appropriateness of disclosures in the financial statements 
and concluded that the basis of presentation was appropriate. The Committee 
discussed with management the key judgements behind the provisions, taking 
note of the range of possible outcomes, and agreed with their recommendations. 
The Committee agreed that certain changes in provisions recorded as part of 
the Group's exceptional restructuring programme in 2020 should continue to be 
presented as exceptional items. 

The Committee receives regular reports from management about new legislative 
developments that may impact the Group’s tax positions as well as the results of 
both internal and external reviews.

The Committee has focused on reviewing, understanding and challenging 
the Group’s critical tax risks and management’s assessment and valuation of 
these risks. 

Regular reports have been reviewed from management outlining the Group’s 
most significant tax exposures, including ongoing tax audits and related 
tax provisions recognised by management. The Committee has supported 
transparency over the Group’s tax risks and strategy in external reporting. 
Key risks, notably in the internal cross border funding arrangements, have been 
reviewed and challenged including management’s views on the future profitability 
of the relevant businesses. 

The Committee was satisfied with the Group’s tax approach and with the 
accounting treatment and disclosure in respect of tax exposures.

Management obtained independent external specialist advice in determining 
pension liabilities. The Committee reviewed reports prepared by management 
and key assumptions used from external advisers and is comfortable that the 
fundamental assumptions are reasonable. 

The Committee agreed to the treatment and the corresponding disclosures on 
these matters. See note 28 of the financial statements.

Restructuring, reorganisation and environmental provisions
Assumptions and judgement are exercised in the 
development of restructuring, reorganisation and 
environmental provisions.

Taxation
The Group operates in a number of tax jurisdictions 
and is subject to increasing reviews by different tax 
authorities across the Group in the ordinary course 
of business. A number of judgements are involved in 
calculating tax provisions and the level of deferred tax 
assets to be recognised. 

Provisions are made based on the tax laws in the relevant 
country and the expected outcomes of any negotiations 
or settlements. 

Recognition of deferred tax assets relating to future 
utilisation of accumulated tax losses and other tax assets 
is dependent on future profitability and performance of 
the underlying business.

Refer to notes 6 and 19 of the financial statements

Retirement benefits schemes
There will often be a range of reasonable assumptions 
and judgements involved in determining pension 
liabilities in relation to the Group’s defined benefit 
schemes including discount rates, mortality and inflation 
(see note 28 of the financial statements). These variables 
can have a material impact in calculating the quantum of 
the defined benefit pension liability. 

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceReport of the Audit Committee continued

External audit
The Committee is responsible for managing the relationship with the Group’s external auditor on behalf of the Board.

The Committee continues to review and make recommendations with regard to the reappointment of the external auditor each year. In making 
these recommendations, the Committee considers auditor effectiveness and independence, partner rotation and any other factors which may 
impact the external auditor’s reappointment. 

The Group last undertook a tender for external audit services during 2018 which led to the appointment of PwC at the May 2019 Annual 
General Meeting. 2021 was Mr. Simon Morley’s third year as the lead audit partner.

The Group requires the lead partner to change every five years in order to protect independence and objectivity and provide a fresh challenge 
to the Group.

At the October Committee meeting, PwC presented its audit plan for the year end audit. The Committee considered, challenged and agreed 
the scope and materiality to be applied to the Group audit and its components. The Committee considered the scope carefully in respect of 
smaller and more remote locations as well as emerging market locations and noted that the majority of the Group’s local audits are performed 
by PwC. 2021 audit fees were agreed at £2.0m.

Key audit matters and the audit approach to these matters are discussed in the Independent auditors’ report (pages 86 to 93), highlighting the 
other significant matters that PwC drew to the Committee’s attention.

Assessment of effectiveness 
The Committee has adopted a formal framework for the review of the effectiveness of the external audit process and audit quality which 
includes the following aspects:

 – assessment of the engagement partner, other partners and the audit team;

 – audit approach and scope, including identification of risk areas;

 – execution of the audit;

 – interaction with management;

 – communication with, and support to, the Audit Committee;

 – insights, management letter points, added value and reports; and 

 – independence, objectivity and scepticism.

An assessment questionnaire is completed by each member of the Committee, the Group Chief Executive, the Group Chief Financial Officer, 
and other senior finance executives. The feedback from the process is considered by the Audit Committee and provided to the external 
auditor and management. The key outputs of this assessment were:

 – no issues were raised concerning the quality of both the audit partner and team in the feedback received;

 – the audit had been well planned and delivered with work completed and management comfortable that any key findings had been raised 

appropriately, there was active engagement on misstatements and appropriate judgements on materiality;

 – PwC’s reporting to the Committee was clear and included explanations supporting their conclusions;

 – it was considered that there was an appropriate level of challenge during the audit over management’s judgements and assertions of matters 

including critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty; and

 – PwC demonstrated a good understanding of the Group and identified and focused on areas of greatest financial reporting risk.

The Committee assessed the effectiveness of management in the external audit process by considering timely identification and resolution of 
areas of accounting judgement, the quality and timeliness of papers analysing those judgements and other documents provided for review by 
the external auditor and the Committee.

The Committee considered the UK Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC) 2020/21 report on Audit Quality Inspections which included a review of 
audits carried out by PwC. If the audit is selected for quality review, the Committee understands that any resulting reports will be sent to the 
Committee by the FRC. After considering all of the relevant matters, the Committee concluded that the external audit had been effective and 
objective. During 2021, the Group complied with The Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory Use of 
Competitive Tender Processes and Audit Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014.

Safeguarding independence and objectivity
The Committee recognises that the independence of the external auditor is an essential part of the audit framework. The independence 
of the external auditor was confirmed by PwC at the July 2021 Audit Committee and was confirmed again in March 2022. The Committee 
considered PwC’s presentation and confirmed that it considered the auditor to be independent.

Non-audit services 
The external auditor may be invited to provide services where their position as auditor renders them best placed to undertake the work. 
In order to safeguard the auditor’s independence and objectivity, and in accordance with the FRC’s Ethical Standard, the Group does not 
engage PwC for any non-audit services except where the proposed services are permissible in the context of the Ethical Standard in the 
first instance, and where it is work that it must, or is clearly best suited to perform. Non-audit services, regardless of scope, cannot be 
awarded to the external auditor without prior approval from the Committee Chairman. In addition to the Group’s policy, the auditor runs its 
own independence and compliance checks, prior to accepting any engagement, to ensure that all non-audit work is compliant with the FRC’s 
Ethical Standard and that there is no conflict of interest. The only non-audit fees paid to the auditor in 2021 were for the half-year interim 
review and a mandatory assurance requirement from the Dutch government concerning COVID-19 assistance. Both are shown in note 2 
representing 7% (2020: 9%) of the audit fee.

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportInternal audit
The internal audit plan for 2021 was presented to the Committee in October 2020. The plan took into account the Group’s strategic objectives 
and risks and provides the degree of coverage deemed appropriate by the Committee. The Committee reviewed and accepted the plan 
following discussions and challenge as to the scope and areas of focus. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the internal audit 
approach for 2021 was focused on delivering assurance over the Group’s principal risks and the key financial and IT controls. IT controls and 
cybersecurity risk remains a continued area of focus and are reviewed annually.

At each regular meeting, the Group Head of Audit presented a report to the Committee on the status of the internal audit plan, points arising 
from audits completed and follow-up action plans to address areas of weakness. The status of these actions is monitored closely by the 
Committee until they are completed. The Committee also received reports on actual or suspected frauds and thefts by third parties and 
employees; none had any material financial impact on the Group.

The Group Head of Audit provides independent assurance over the key financial processes and controls in operation across the Group. 
The Group engaged BDO LLP to provide co-sourced internal audit services. 

Additional financial control assurance has been obtained through a number of control self-assessments. Internal auditors have received self-
certification from every plant that internal controls have been complied with and noting any non-compliance. A control self-assessment has 
also been introduced for each of the divisional finance teams. The accuracy of returns was monitored by Internal Audit by verification visits to 
a sample of sites.

The effectiveness of internal audit is reviewed and discussed annually with the Group Head of Audit and the BDO LLP engagement partner. 
Audit quality is assured through a detailed review of each report being carried out by the Group Head of Audit, and a summary of each report’s 
findings being reviewed by the Audit Committee. The review confirmed that the internal audit function was independent and objective and 
remained an effective element of the Group’s corporate governance framework. 

Risk management
The Committee reviewed the Group’s financial risk management and internal control systems’ effectiveness through updates at each meeting 
from the Group Head of Audit who has responsibility for developing the Group’s risk management and internal controls framework. 

The Committee reviewed changes to the principal financial risks and mitigating actions identified by management and also monitored the 
emerging risk identification process. Refer to the Principal Risks and Uncertainties report on pages 29 to 33. 

Internal control
At each regular meeting, the Committee considered and challenged reports from the internal auditors on internal controls’ effectiveness and 
noted no significant failings or weaknesses. The Committee also performed an annual review of the Group’s internal control processes and 
concluded the system to be effective and in accordance with the Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and 
Business Reporting as issued by the FRC (September 2014). Refer to page 53 for further information.

Committee evaluation
The Committee’s activities formed part of an internal review of Board effectiveness which was undertaken in May 2021 and approved by 
the Board in June 2021. There were no material deficiencies noted in the review and Directors indicated a high level of satisfaction with the 
work of the Committee. Based on this, and as a result of the work done during the year, the Committee has concluded that it has acted in 
accordance with its terms of reference and carried out its responsibilities effectively.

On behalf of the Audit Committee:

I.B. Duncan
Chairman of the Audit Committee 
14 March 2022

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceBoard report on remuneration

No. of meetings  
2021: 7  
Attendance

Committee 
membership
Director
E. Lindqvist 
I.B. Duncan 
P. Larmon 
L. Chahbazi 
K. Boyd

   Main committee responsibilities

 – Responsibility for setting and reviewing the remuneration policy for all Executive 

Directors, Senior Management and the Company’s Chair.

 – Recommend and monitor the level and structure of remuneration for 

Senior Management.

 – Review workforce remuneration and related policies and the alignment of incentives and 
rewards with culture, taking these into account when setting the policy for Executive 
Director remuneration.

 – Approve the design of and determine targets for Executive Directors’ and other senior 

executives’ incentive arrangements.

 – Review the design of all share incentive plans for approval by the Board and shareholders. 

Determine whether awards will be made on an annual basis.

 – Appoint remuneration consultants.

Chair’s letter
As Chair of the Remuneration Committee (‘the Committee’) and on behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to present our Board report 
on remuneration for 2021.

The report is split into the following sections:

 – This letter, which provides an overview of the key decisions made on Directors’ remuneration during the year (pages 64-65)

 – An ‘at a glance’ of remuneration decisions (page 66)

 – The Annual Report on Remuneration, which describes how our Directors’ Remuneration Policy was applied during 2021 (pages 64-84)

 – The proposed Directors’ Remuneration Policy for which we will be seeking shareholder approval at the 2022 Annual General Meeting  

(page 67)

Review of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy
Our current Policy was approved by shareholders at our 2019 Annual General Meeting (with a vote in favour of 97%) and is approaching the 
end of its three-year term. A new Policy will be put to shareholders for approval at the 2022 Annual General Meeting.

The Committee has undertaken a comprehensive review of the executive remuneration framework and concluded that it continues to support 
the delivery of business strategy and the creation of shareholder value. Therefore, no significant changes are proposed to the framework. 
Refinements have been proposed to the Policy to provide greater alignment with best practice corporate governance principles and ensure 
that there is sufficient flexibility over the next three years to support the execution of strategy. As part of the review, the Committee consulted 
with the top 30 major shareholders (representing approximately 80% of the Company’s issued share capital) and three proxy voting agencies. 
The Committee values the feedback from shareholders and has taken this into account. The proposed key refinements are as follows: 

 – Introduction of a post-employment shareholding guideline. Executive Directors will be required to hold shares equivalent to their full  

in-employment shareholding guideline (200% of salary, or actual shareholding at the point of departure if lower) for two years post-
employment, in line with guidance from the Investment Association. The guideline will apply to all shares acquired pursuant to deferred  
share awards or Bodycote Incentive Plan (BIP) awards granted after 1 January 2022.

 – Malus and clawback. The circumstances in which malus and clawback may apply to annual bonus, deferred share and BIP awards have been 

expanded to include corporate failure, therefore providing alignment with best practice.

 – Maximum BIP opportunity. The Committee proposes to introduce an overall maximum limit of 200% of salary that may be used to grant  

on going BIP awards. This is intended to ensure that there is flexibility in the Policy over the next three years to provide competitive 
remuneration packages in order to retain and/or attract Executive Directors of the required calibre, taking into account the size and complexity 
of the business and potential changes to business needs. The Committee does not have any current intention to increase the normal maximum 
opportunity which is set at 175% of salary (and has been maintained at this level since the BIP was first introduced in 2006) and it is proposed 
that the 2022 BIP awards will be granted at this level.

 Should the Committee consider that an increase in the maximum opportunity is appropriate in respect of future awards it will engage with 
key shareholders and their representatives as appropriate. 

 – BIP vesting for threshold performance. The Committee proposes to include flexibility to increase threshold vesting up to 25% of maximum 

opportunity (currently 0% would normally vest at threshold). This is in order to provide a modest vesting outcome for achieving threshold 
performance and is aligned with the typical threshold vesting level across the FTSE 350. The Committee will ensure that any increase in the 
level of vesting at threshold is commensurate with an increase in the stretch in targets. 

64

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
 
 
Business performance and incentive outcomes for 2021
During the year, the remainder of the 2020 restructuring programme was implemented, and permanent costs savings are being delivered in 
line with the original projections. Good progress was made against the Group strategy, with strong revenue growth in Emerging Markets, and 
ADE and AGI focused Specialist Technologies’ revenues once again outperforming their respective Classical Heat Treatment market sector 
revenues’ development. The strong cost control and positive revenue performance helped headline operating margins climb from 12.6% in 
2020 to 15.4% in 2021.

We believe that the incentive payouts we have made to our Executive Directors are aligned with the overall performance of the Company. 
As such, the Committee determined that no discretionary adjustments (either upward or downward) would be required from the formulaic 
outcomes of the annual bonus and BIP.

Annual bonus
The 2021 annual bonus award was based on headline operating profit (77%), headline operating cash flow (10%) and a personal scorecard 
(13%). Headline operating profit and cash flow are our key internal financial metrics and therefore form the core annual bonus metrics. 
Headline operating profit at constant currency increased to £99.2m and cash flow at constant currency increased to £127.3m. The measures 
are our core annual bonus metrics.

The personal scorecard primarily reflects how Executive Directors have delivered on our strategic goals, and in particular our investments in 
growth. For further details please see the personal scorecards on page 70.

The annual bonus therefore paid out at 96% of maximum for the Group Chief Executive and 96% of maximum for the Chief Financial Officer, 
of which 35% will be deferred into shares for three years.

Bodycote Incentive Plan (BIP)
The 2019 BIP awards were based on performance against return on capital employed (ROCE) (50%) and headline earnings per share (EPS) 
(50%) targets over a three-year period ended 31 December 2021. 

Whilst ROCE and EPS performance improved compared to last year, the EPS underpin as well as the targets were not achieved and the 2019 
BIP award lapsed in full.

Application of Policy for 2022
An overview of our intended application of Policy for 2022 is set out below.

Base salaries: The Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer received salary increases of 4.0% and 1.2% respectively, in line with 
the average inflationary increases awarded to the Czech Republic and Swiss employee populations. This is to reflect pay practices and salary 
inflation in the countries in which the Executive Directors live and work. In determining the salary increases for the Executive Directors, the 
Committee also considered salary increases awarded to Group employees across the UK and Europe more generally.

Benefits: There will be no changes to benefits provided to the Executive Directors.

Pension: Salary supplements in lieu of pension contributions are equal to 23.5% of base salary with effect from 1 January 2022. This is 
aligned with the company pension contributions of the wider workforce in the country that the Executive Directors live and work.

Annual bonus: The maximum bonus opportunity remains at 200% of salary for the Group Chief Executive and 150% of salary for the Chief 
Financial Officer, with 35% of any bonus earned being deferred in shares for three years. The measures and weightings have been reviewed 
and we believe a bonus consisting of 77% headline operating profit, 10% headline operating cash flow and 13% personal objectives continues 
to enable the annual bonus to be aligned to the Group's strategy and ensures that our executives are focused on delivery of improved 
profitability and control on working capital. 

BIP: The maximum opportunity remains at 175% of salary for Executive Directors. The measures and weightings have been reviewed and 
we believe the equal focus on returns and earnings is strongly aligned with our strategic priorities. The growth of our business and our ability 
to deliver strong and sustainable returns to investors is based on delivery of an effective deployment of capital in rapid growth areas and on 
acquisitions, which ROCE and EPS continue to create alignment to.

Conclusion
I trust the information presented in this report enables our shareholders to understand both how we have operated our Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy over the year and the rationale for our decision-making. We believe that the Policy operated as intended and we consider 
that the remuneration received by Executive Directors during the year was appropriate taking into account Group and personal performance, 
and the experience of shareholders and employees.

I look forward to receiving your support at our 2022 Annual General Meeting, where I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have 
on this report, our proposed Policy refinements or in relation to any of the Committee’s activities.

E. Lindqvist 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
14 March 2022 

65

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceBoard report on remuneration continued

Remuneration at a glance
Total single figure table for Executive Directors

Executive Directors
S.C. Harris

D. Yates

Fixed pay

Variable pay

Financial 
year

Salary/
fees
(£000)

Pension
(£000)

Taxable 
benefits1
(£000)

Subtotal
(£000)

Annual 
bonus2
(£000)

BIP
(£000)

Subtotal
(£000)

Total
(£000) 

2021
2020
2021
2020

609
597
420
412

146
146
101
101

40
40
28
28

795
783
549
541

1,174
–
606
–

– 3
– 4
– 3
– 4

1,174
–
606
–

1,969
783
1,155
541

Notes accompanying the total single figure table for Executive Directors

1  Taxable benefits consist of company car (or allowance), family level private medical insurance, life assurance cover and sick pay. Certain other expenses incurred in pursuit of bona fide 
business activities are, under UK tax regulations, treated as a taxable benefit in-kind, and the Directors have received grossed-up compensation for this in order to leave him/her in a 
neutral position.

2  35% of the annual bonus will be deferred in shares.

3  The 2021 figures relate to BIP awards granted on 26 March 2019 with a performance period ended on 31 December 2021. Based on performance against the targets the awards lapsed 

in full.

4  The 2020 figures relate to BIP awards granted on 12 April 2018 with a performance period ended on 31 December 2020. Based on performance against the targets the awards lapsed in full.

Incentive outcomes for 2021
Annual bonus
The Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer earned a bonus equal to 96% and 96% of maximum respectively.

% of award
77%

Threshold
£75m

Target2 Maximum
£94m

–

Outcome

S.C. Harris

D. Yates

Actual 
performance 

achieved1 % of max
100.0%
£99.2m

% of  
salary % of max
100.0%

154.0%

10%
13%

£100m

–

£115m £127.3m
n/a
Total

100.0%
72.0%
96.4%

20.0%
18.7%
192.7%

100.0%
70.0%
96.1%

% of 
salary
115.5%

15.0%
13.7%
144.2%

Headline operating profit
Headline operating cash 
flow
Personal score card

1  Figures quoted are at constant currency rates.

2  No target was set for 2021.

BIP
The EPS underpin and the threshold targets were not achieved and the awards therefore lapsed in full as set out in the table below.

Maximum performance
Threshold performance
Performance achieved

ROCE1

Performance target 
(pre IFRS 16)
23%
15%
13.8%

Vesting of element  
(% of maximum)
100%
0%
0%

Headline EPS

Performance  
target
64p
56p
35.8p

Vesting of element 
(% of maximum)
100%
0%
0%

1  For the purposes of the BIP, pre-tax ROCE is calculated using actual exchange rates. Capital Employed includes the acquired goodwill existing as at the start of the performance period 

(1 January 2019) only.

66

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportImplementation of the proposed Policy in 2022
Set out below is a summary of the key elements of the proposed Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors, together with how the Policy is 
intended to be implemented in 2022.

Key features

Implementation for 2022

Salary  
and fees

 – Base salaries are reviewed in January 

 – The Group Chief Executive receives a salary of £633,567, an 

every year

increase of 4.0%

 – Salary reviews are based on role, experience, 

 – The Chief Financial Officer receives a salary of £425,297, an 

performance, internal increases and the 
external market

increase of 1.2%

 – The salary increases are in line with the average increases 

awarded to the workforce in the countries where the Executive 
Directors live and work. In determining the salary increases for 
the Executive Directors, the Committee also considered salary 
increases awarded to Group employees across the UK and Europe 
more generally

 – Non-Executive Director fees will next be reviewed at the March 
2022 meeting and the outcome will be disclosed in the 2022 
Directors’ Remuneration Report

 – A range of cash benefits and benefits in kind

 – In line with benefits provided in 2021

 – Contribution to the company’s defined 
contribution scheme, or cash equivalent

 – Maximum opportunity of 200% and 150% of 
base salary for the Group Chief Executive and 
Chief Financial Officer respectively

 – At least 70% of the bonus will be based on 
financial performance with the remainder 
based on non-financial strategic and/or 
personal metrics

 – 35% of any bonus earned is deferred 

into shares for three years, conditional on 
continued employment

 – 23.5% of base salary with effect from 1 January 2022

 – Aligned with the company pension contributions of the wider 
workforce in the countries where the Executive Directors live 
and work

 – Maximum opportunity of 200% and 150% of base salary for the 
Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer respectively

 – The annual bonus is split 77% in respect of headline operating 

profit, 10% in respect of headline operating cash flow and 13% on 
personal strategic objectives

 – Performance targets are considered commercially sensitive and 

will be fully disclosed in the 2022 Directors’ Remuneration Report

 – Annual grants up to 200% of base salary, 

 – Maximum opportunity of 175% of salary for both 

subject to a three-year performance period and 
two-year holding period

Benefits

Pension

Annual Bonus

Bodycote 
Incentive Plan 
(BIP)

Shareholding 
requirement

 – Executive Directors are required to build up a 
holding of 200% of base salary over five years

 – Post-employment shareholding requirements 

also apply

Executive Directors

 – Awards are based on performance against ROCE (50%) and 
headline EPS (50%) targets over a three-year period ended 
31 December 2024 

 – Performance targets are set out below

 – Both Executive Directors have met the shareholding requirement

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceBoard report on remuneration continued

2022 BIP awards
The targets for the 2022 BIP awards are disclosed below. The Committee considers the targets to be appropriately stretching taking into 
account internal and external forecasts, the challenging market conditions and the continued level of uncertainty.

Maximum performance
Threshold performance

ROCE1 (50% of award)

Performance target
20.0%
13.5%

Vesting of element 
(% of maximum)
100%
25%

Headline EPS (50% of award)
Performance  
target
63.9p
46.0p

Vesting of element 
(% of maximum)
100%
25%

1  For the purposes of the BIP, pre-tax ROCE is calculated using actual exchange rates. Capital Employed includes the acquired goodwill existing as at the start of the performance period 

(1 January 2022) only.

If headline EPS at the end of the performance period is below 39p, then no awards will vest. Furthermore, the Committee has discretion to 
amend the vesting outcome where it considers that it is not a fair and accurate reflection of business performance. This includes consideration 
of any potential ‘windfall gains’ at the point of vesting.

Annual Report on remuneration
This section provides details of remuneration outcomes for Directors who served during the financial year ended 31 December 2021. 
This section of the report is audited and the Annual Report on Remuneration is subject to an advisory vote by shareholders at the 2022 Annual 
General Meeting.

Auditable section
Total single figure table

Executive Directors
S.C. Harris

D. Yates

Non-Executive Directors
A. C. Quinn

P. Larmon

E. Lindqvist

I.B. Duncan

L. Chahbazi

K. Boyd4

Fixed pay

Variable pay

Financial 
year

Salary/
fees
(£000)

Pension
(£000)

Taxable 
benefits1,6
(£000)

Subtotal
(£000)

Annual 
bonus5
(£000)

BIP
(£000)

Subtotal
(£000)

Total
(£000) 

2021
2020
2021
2020

2021
2020
2021
2020
2021
2020
2021
2020
2021
2020
2021
2020

609
597
420
412

243
239
71
69
71
69
81
79
61
59
61
20

146
146
101
101

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

40
40
28
28

0
0
4
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

795
783
549
541

243
239
75
69
73
69
81
79
61
59
61
20

1,174
–
606
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–2
– 3
–2
– 3

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

1,174
–
606
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

1,969
783
1,155
541

243
239
75
69
73
69
81
79
61
59
61
20

Notes accompanying the total single figure table

1  Taxable benefits consist of company car (or allowance), family level private medical insurance, life assurance cover and sick pay. Certain other expenses incurred in pursuit of bona fide 
business activities are, under UK tax regulations, treated as a taxable benefit in kind, and the Directors have received grossed-up compensation for this in order to leave him/her in a 
neutral position.

2  The 2021 figures relate to BIP awards granted on 26 March 2019 with a three-year performance period ended on 31 December 2021. Based on performance against the targets the awards 

lapsed in full.

3  The 2020 figures relate to BIP awards granted on 12 April 2018 with a three-year performance period ended on 31 December 2020. Based on performance against the targets the awards 

lapsed in full. 

4  K. Boyd was appointed to the Board on 1 September 2020.

5  35% of the annual bonus will be deferred in shares.

6  Four of the Non-Executive Directors received benefits in the year of less than £500.

68

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportSalary
The base salaries of the Executive Directors are reviewed in January every year. The Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer 
received salary increases in line with the average increases awarded to the Czech Republic and Swiss wider workforces respectively. This is 
to reflect pay practices and salary inflation in the countries in which the Executive Directors work and live. The table below sets out the base 
salary figures for 2022 along with comparative figures for 2021.

Executive Director
S.C. Harris
D. Yates

Salary from 
1 January 2021
£609,199
£420,254

Salary from 
1 January 2022
£633,567
£425,297

Salary  
increase
4.0%
1.2%

Pension
The Executive Directors received a salary supplement in lieu of pension at a rate of 24% of base salary during 2021. 

Salary supplements in lieu of pension contributions has been reduced to 23.5% of base salary from 1 January 2022. This is so that they are 
aligned with the company pension contributions of the wider workforces in the countries where the Executive Directors work and live.

Taxable benefits
The Group provides other cash benefits and benefits in-kind to Executive Directors as well as sick pay and life insurance. These include the 
provision of company car (or allowance) and family level private medical insurance.

Executive Director
S.C. Harris
D. Yates

Car/car allowance
£13,600
£12,000

Fuel
£2,400
£1,200

Healthcare
£24,225
£14,325

Incentive outcomes for 2021 
Annual bonus
The maximum annual bonus opportunity for the Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer was 200% and 150% of base salary 
respectively. The annual bonus was split 77% in respect of headline operating profit, 10% in respect of headline operating cash flow and 13% 
on personal strategic objectives. These performance conditions and their respective weightings reflected the Committee’s belief that any 
incentive compensation should be linked both to the overall performance of the Group and to those areas of the business that the relevant 
individual can directly influence.

Stretching targets were set in the context of challenging market conditions. Following strong performance in 2021, the Group Chief Executive 
earned a bonus equal to 96% of maximum and the Chief Financial Officer 96% of maximum. 35% of the amount earned will be deferred into 
shares for three years subject to continued employment. 

The performance targets and actual performance are set out below.

Outcome

S.C. Harris

D. Yates

Headline operating profit
Headline operating cash flow
Personal score card

% of  

award Threshold
£75m
£100m

77%
10%
13%

Target2 Maximum
£94m
£115m

–
–

1  Figures quoted are at constant currency rates.

2  No target was set for 2021.

Actual 
performance 

achieved1 % of max
100.0%
100.0%
72.0%
96.4%

£99.2m
£127.3m
n/a
Total

% of  

salary % of max
100.0%
100.0%
70.0%
96.1%

154.0%
20.0%
18.7%
192.7%

% of 
salary
115.5%
15.0%
13.7%
144.2%

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Board report on remuneration continued

Personal Scorecard 

S.C. Harris

Overview

For 2021 Stephen’s objectives were: to ensure the completion of the restructuring 
programme, progress Group Strategy, support the Enterprise Resource Planning 
(ERP) implementation, strengthen the leadership team, continuous improvement in 
SHE and implementation of ESG measurements. 

Link to strategy

Key achievements in the year

 –  The restructuring programme was successfully completed during 2021.

Rating

D. Yates

Overview

 – The Board was taken through the Strategy as it evolved during the last 10 years  

and progress was demonstrated.

 – Bench strength in operational direct supports and finance support structure was 

increased with several new appointments.

 – The SHE agenda was progressed. Commitment to the SBT initiative during 2021 

and target setting in progress.

The Committee assessed achievement for all personal scorecard objectives with 
an overall rating of 72%.

For 2021 Dominique’s objectives were: continue the delivery of the ERP 
implementation, filling and onboarding a number of key vacant finance roles, 
improve forward planning and specific process management as well as to ensure 
the finance transformation plan is on track.

Key achievements in the year

 – Good progress was made with the ERP implementation in 2021. 

 – Most key roles were filled within the required timeframe.

 – Forward planning and specific processes were updated reasonably well. 

 – Good progress was made with the finance transformation plan for 2021.

Rating

The Committee assessed achievement for all personal scorecard objectives with an 
overall rating of 70%.

1

3

2 

5 

4 

6 

2 

1 

2 

2 

2 

2 

Bodycote Incentive Plan (BIP)
BIP awards granted on 26 March 2019 had a three-year performance period ended 31 December 2021, with 50% of the award subject to 
ROCE targets and 50% subject to headline EPS targets. Furthermore, if headline EPS at the end of the performance period was below 47.6p, 
then no awards would vest. 

The underpin and the threshold targets were not achieved and the awards therefore lapsed in full.

The threshold and maximum targets along with performance achieved and the vesting outcome are set out in the table below. 

Maximum performance
Threshold performance
Performance achieved

ROCE1

Headline EPS

Performance target 
(pre IFRS 16)
23%
15%
13.8%

Vesting of element  
(% of max)
100%
0%
0%

Performance  
target
64p
56p
35.8p

Vesting of element 
(% of max)
100%
0%
0%

1  For the purposes of the BIP, pre-tax ROCE is calculated using actual exchange rates. Capital Employed includes the acquired goodwill existing as at the start of the performance period 

(1 January 2019) only.

S.C. Harris
D. Yates

Grant date
26 March 2019
26 March 2019

End of 
Number 
performance 
of shares 
granted
period
115,232 31 Dec 2021
83,144 31 Dec 2021

% award 
vesting
0%
0%

Number 
of shares 
vesting
none
none

Dividend 
equivalents
n/a
n/a

Total 
estimated 
value of 
awards on 
vesting1
n/a
n/a

Vesting 
date
n/a
n/a 

End of 
holding 
period
n/a 
n/a 

BIP awards granted during the financial year
Awards consisting of conditional shares were granted to both Executive Directors, equivalent in value to 175% of their base salaries on 15 
April 2021, and will vest after three years in March 2024. The performance period will end on 31 December 2023. Awards are subject to 
continued employment and the achievement of ROCE and headline EPS growth performance targets, as summarised in the table below. The 
Committee considered the targets to be appropriately stretching taking into account internal and external forecasts at the time, the challenging 
market conditions and the continued level of uncertainty faced by the business over the next three years as a result of the pandemic.

1

Safety and 
Climate Change

2

Driving operational  
improvement

3

Investing in structural  
growth opportunities

4

Investing in  
Emerging Markets

5

Capitalising on, and investing 
in, our Specialist Technologies

6

Acquisitions

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportMaximum performance
Threshold performance

ROCE1

Headline EPS

Performance target
19.5%
13.0%

Vesting of element  
(% of max)
100%
0%

Performance  
target
64.0p
42.0p

Vesting of element 
(% of max)
100%
0%

1  For the purposes of the BIP, pre-tax ROCE is calculated using actual exchange rates. Capital Employed includes the goodwill existing as at the start of the performance period (1 January 

2021) only.

If headline EPS at the end of the performance period is below 36.0p, then no awards will vest. Dividend equivalents are payable in respect of 
those shares that vest. Shares that vest are subject to a two year post-vesting holding period. 

The number of awards that were granted to the Executive Directors during the year is set out below.

S.C. Harris
D. Yates

Grant date
15 April 2021
15 April 2021

Number of  
shares granted
131,107
90,444

Market price  
at grant date1
£7.972
£7.972

Face value at grant 
date
£1,045,185
£721,019

1  The three-day volume weighted average share price following the announcement of results for 2020 (12, 15 and 16 March 2021).

The Committee has discretion to amend the vesting outcome where it considers that it is not a fair and accurate reflection of business 
performance. This includes consideration of any potential ‘windfall gains’ at the point of vesting.

Chair and Non-Executive Directors’ fees
Chair of the Board and other Non-Executive Directors fees were as follows:

A.C. Quinn

P. Larmon

E. Lindqvist

I.B. Duncan

L. Chahbazi

K. Boyd1

Roles2
 – Non-Executive Chair

 – Chair of Nomination Committee
 – Non-Executive Director

 – Chair of Employee Engagement Groups

Fee for  
2020
£238,703

Fee for  
2021
£243,477

% increase in 
NED role fees
2%

£69,151

£70,534

 – Member of Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees
 – Non-Executive Director

£69,151

£70,534

 – Chair of Remuneration Committee

 – Member of Audit and Nomination Committees
 – Non-Executive Director

 – Chair of Audit Committee

 – Member of Remuneration and Nomination Committees

 – Senior Independent Director
 – Non-Executive Director

 – Member of Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees
 – Non-Executive Director

 – Member of Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees

£78,946

£80,525

£59,356

£60,543

£59,356

£60,543

2%

2%

2%

2%

2%

1  K. Boyd was appointed to the Board on 1 September 2020, but the £59,356 shown is the annual fee which was not paid for the full 12 months.

2  D Dayan was appointed as Chair to the Board on 1 January 2022 and his fee for 2022 will be shown in the 2022 Remuneration Committee report.

Non-Executive Director fees were increased for 2021 based on market benchmarking against Non-Executive Director fees in the FTSE 250 
and other companies of similar size and complexity in line with the Policy approved at the 2019 AGM.

At 31 December 2021 the aggregate annual fee for all Non-Executive Directors, including the Chair, was £586,156, which is below the 
maximum aggregate fee allowed by the Company’s Articles of Association of £1,000,000 p.a.

The Non-Executive Director fees comprise of the following elements:

Base fee
Remuneration Committee Chair/Audit Committee Chair
Senior Independent Director
Chair of Employee Engagement Groups

Fees for 2021
£60,543
£9,991
£9,991
£9,991

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceBoard report on remuneration continued

Board changes in 2020
Payments for loss of office
No payments for loss of office were made during the year.

Payments to past Directors
No payments to past Directors were made during the year.

Directors’ shareholdings
The Board operates a shareholding retention policy under which Executive Directors and other senior executives are expected, within five 
years of appointment, to build up a shareholding in the Company. For the purposes of this requirement, only beneficially-owned shares and 
the net of tax value of deferred shares under the annual bonus (as they are not subject to further performance conditions) will be counted.

The shareholding requirement for the Executive Directors is 200% of salary.

The interests in ordinary shares of Directors and their connected persons as at 31 December 2021, including any interests awarded under the 
annual bonus or BIP, are presented below along with whether Executive Directors have met the shareholding guidelines. Share awards under 
the annual bonus and the BIP are conditional on continued employment until vesting.

Executive Directors
S.C. Harris (200% of salary min holding requirement)
D. Yates (200% of salary min holding requirement)
Non-Executive Directors
A.C. Quinn
P. Larmon
E. Lindqvist
I.B. Duncan
L. Chahbazi
K. Boyd

1  Figures relate to deferred shares granted in 2019 and 2020. 

Counted towards the  
shareholding requirement

Beneficially 
owned

Deferred shares 
granted  
under the  
annual bonus1

Outstanding interests (not counted 
towards the shareholding requirement)
Shares  
subject to  
performance  
conditions BIP2

Shareholding 
requirement  
met as at  
31 December 20213

424,430
313,994

20,000
5,000
12,200
–
–
3,000

66,608
35,431

429,950
306,071

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

Yes
Yes

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

2  Figures relate to unvested awards granted under the BIP in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The BIP awards granted on 26 March 2019 lapsed in full in March 2022.

3  Closing share price on 31 December 2021 was £8.66. 

As at 9 March 2022, the Company has not been advised of any changes to the interests of Directors and their connected persons as set out in 
the above table.

Summary of outstanding share awards, including share awards granted during the year – Executive Directors
The interests of the Executive Directors in the Company’s share plans as at 31 December 2021 are as follows.

BIP

Deferred bonus
shares

S.C. Harris
D. Yates
S.C. Harris
D. Yates

Interests as at  
1 January 2021
395,754
285,551
106,168
49,444

Granted in 
year
131,107
90,444
–
–

Vested  
in year1
–
–
39,560
14,013

Lapsed  
in year
96,911
69,924
–
–

Interests as at 
31 December 
2021
429,950
306,071
66,608
35,431

1  The BIP awards granted on 26 March 2019 lapsed in full in March 2022.

End of auditable section

72

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
 
Fees retained for external Non-Executive Directorships
To broaden the experience of Executive Directors, the position of Non-Executive Director may be held in other companies, provided that 
permission is sought in advance. Any external appointment must not conflict with the Directors’ duties and commitments to Bodycote plc. 
SC Harris had held the position of Non-Executive Director of Mondi plc since 1 March 2011 and stepped down as of May 2021. In accordance 
with Group policy he retained fees for the year of £33,164.

Comparison of overall performance and pay
The chart below shows the value over the last 10 financial years of £100 invested in Bodycote plc compared with that of £100 invested in the 
FTSE All Share Industrial index. The Committee has chosen this index as it is a broad market index of which Bodycote plc is a constituent and 
reflects the wider sector in which the Group operates. The points plotted represent the values at each financial year end.

Historical TSR Performance
Growth in the value of a hypothetical £100 holding over ten years 
FTSE All Share Industrial Index comparison based on spot values

£500

£450

£400

£350

£300

£250

£200

£150

£100

£50

£0

Dec 11 Dec 12

Dec 13

Dec 14

Dec 15

Dec 16

Dec 17

Dec 18

Dec 19

Dec 20

Dec 21

Bodycote

FTSE All Share 
Industrial Index

The table below shows how total remuneration for the Group Chief Executive, S.C. Harris, developed over the last ten years.

Single figure of remuneration (£000)
Annual bonus (% of max)
Long-term incentive (% of max)

2012
3,840
73%
100%

2013
3,089
46%
99%

2014
1,803
73%
44%

2015
771
20%
0%

2016
875
19%
0%

2017
2,280
98%
48%

2018
2,728
68%
89%

2019
1,862
50%
84%

2020
783
0%
0%

2021
1,969
96%
0%

Percentage change in remuneration
The table below sets out the annual percentage change in remuneration for each of the Directors compared to that for an average employee.

Executive Director
S.C. Harris
D. Yates
Non-Executive Directors
A.C. Quinn
P. Larmon
E. Lindqvist
I.B. Duncan
L. Chahbazi
K. Boyd1
Average employee2

2019 to 2020

2020 to 2021

Salary/fees

Benefits3 Annual bonus4

Salary/fees

Benefits3 Annual bonus4

7.0%
2.3%

3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
n/a
4.1%

2.8%
0.8%

-70.6%
-83.2%
-93.3%
-61.5%
-70.6%
n/a
2.4%

(100%)
(100%)

–
–
–
–
–
–
(100%)

2%
2%

2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2.9%

0.1%
-0.5%5

144.6%
1934.9%
3984.5%
23.4%
19.0%
-8.3%
10.0%

100%
100%

–
–
–
–
–
–
100%

1  K. Boyd was appointed to the Board on 1 September 2020.

2  The annual percentage change of the average remuneration of the listed Parent entity employees (excluding Directors), calculated on a full-time equivalent basis.

3  Percentage change in Benefits is calculated on unrounded figures. Non-Executive Directors received benefits in 2020 of less than £500. Hence not showing 100% reductions from 2019. 

2021 benefits remained below £500 for four of the Non-Executive Directors.

4  No bonuses were paid to Executive Directors or the Company’s employees in respect of 2020.

5  Benefits received in Swiss francs, negative change in the benefits due to the strengthening pound against the Swiss franc.

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernance 
Board report on remuneration continued

Pay ratio of Group Chief Executive to UK average employee
The table below sets out the Group Chief Executive’s remuneration as a ratio against the full-time equivalent remuneration of the 25th, 50th 
(median) and 75th percentile UK employees. 

Year
2021
2020
2019

Method
Option A
Option A
Option A

25th percentile  
pay ratio
69:1
28:1
70:1

Median  
pay ratio
52:1
21:1
55:1

75th percentile  
pay ratio
36:1
15:1
40:1

Option A methodology was selected on the basis that it is a robust approach and is preferred by shareholders and proxy voting agencies. 
The calculations for the representative employees were performed as at the final day of the relevant financial year.

A substantial proportion of the Group Chief Executive’s total remuneration is performance related and delivered in shares. The ratios will 
therefore depend significantly on the Group Chief Executive’s annual bonus and BIP outcomes, and may fluctuate year-to-year. 

2021 pay ratios have increased from 2020 due to an increase in the Group Chief Executive’s total remuneration. Please note that no bonus and 
BIP were paid in 2020. In 2021 the Group Chief Executive's bonus remuneration equated to 60% of total remuneration, which is in comparison 
the same proportion of what the Group Chief Executive’s bonus and BIP 2019 remuneration was on 2019 total remuneration. The median pay 
ratio trend shows slight decrease from 2019 which signifies increased remuneration of UK average employee over the Group Chief Executive, 
reflecting the fact that the bonus and BIP proportion on total remuneration did not change between 2019 and 2021.

Our broad remuneration policy reflects the diversity of cultures, legislative environments and employment markets of our geographical spread. 
However, in line with the UK reporting regulations we have reported solely on the UK employee population. The Board believes that the 
median pay ratio is consistent with the pay, reward and progression policies for the UK employee population.

Total pay and benefits used to calculate the ratios
The table below sets out the UK employee percentile pay and benefits used to determine the above pay ratios and the salary component for 
each figure.

Group Chief Executive
(£)

25th percentile2,3
(£)

Median2,3
(£)

75th percentile2,3
(£)

2021
Total pay and benefits
Salary component
2020
Total pay and benefits
Salary component
2019
Total pay and benefits
Salary component

1,969,6801
609,199

783,4541
597,254

1,861,5011
558,181

28,704
26,889

27,728
26,150

26,512
25,248

37,716
35,635

36,895
34,859

33,685
32,166

55,442
48,283

51,090
47,373

46,206
42,643

1  The Group Chief Executive remuneration is the total single figure remuneration for the relevant financial year.

2  The UK employee percentile total pay and benefits has been calculated based on the amount paid or receivable for the relevant financial year. The calculations are on the same basis as 

required for the Group Chief Executive’s remuneration for single figure purposes. For pension related benefits, employer pension costs have been estimated using the employer contribution 
rates applicable to the member’s pension scheme. No other estimates or adjustments have been used in the calculations and no remuneration components have been omitted.

3  For employees employed on a part-time basis, their remuneration has been annualised to reflect the full-time equivalent.

Relative importance of pay spend
The table below sets out the total expenditure in relation to staff and employee costs and distributions to shareholders in 2020 and 2021.

Staff and employee costs
Distribution to shareholders

2021 (£m)
252.5
49.0

2020 (£m)
235.1
25.1

% change
7.4%
95.2%

Committee membership
During 2021 the Committee was chaired by E. Lindqvist. The Committee also comprised I.B. Duncan, P. Larmon, L. Chahbazi and K. Boyd.

The Committee’s full terms of reference are available on the Group’s website. No Committee members have any personal financial interest 
(other than as a shareholder), conflict of interest, cross-directorships or day-to-day involvement in the running of the business. 

74

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportCommittee activities
During 2021 the Committee met seven times to consider, amongst other matters:

Theme
Best practice

Agenda items
 – Consideration of feedback from shareholders and proxy agencies following the 2021 AGM

Executive Directors’ and senior 
executive’s remuneration

 – Update on market practice and corporate governance
 – Base salary increases

 – Granting annual bonus and BIP awards, including the setting of targets

Remuneration Policy
Reporting

 – Assessment of annual bonus and BIP outcomes
 – Review of the current Remuneration Policy and consideration and approval of proposed refinements
 – Consideration and approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Report

Advisers to the Committee
The Committee appointed Deloitte LLP as Committee advisers as of 1 January 2020, following a competitive tender process. Deloitte LLP is 
a founder member of the Remuneration Consultants Group and as such voluntarily operates under its Code of Conduct in relation to executive 
remuneration in the UK. 

The Committee reviews the objectivity and independence of the advice it received from its remuneration consultants at a private meeting 
each year. The Committee is satisfied that the advice provided by Deloitte LLP on executive remuneration is objective and independent, and 
that no conflict of interest arises as a result of these services. 

The fees paid to Deloitte LLP for their services to the Committee during the year, based on time and expenses, amounted to £60,600.

Deloitte LLP also provided employee share plan advisory services, business tax services and financial advisory services to the Company 
during the year. 

The Committee also received assistance from the Group Chief Executive and Group Company Secretary, although they do not participate 
in discussions relating to the setting of their own remuneration. The Committee in particular consulted with the Group Chief Executive and 
received recommendations from him in respect of his direct reports.

Statement of shareholder voting
The table below sets out the voting results in respect of the remuneration resolution to approve the Annual Report on Remuneration at the 
2021 AGM and to approve the Remuneration Policy at the 2019 AGM.

Votes cast
For
Against
Number of abstentions

E. Lindqvist
Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
14 March 2022

Annual Report  
on Remuneration
(% votes)
88%
99%
1%
1,048,825

Directors’  
Remuneration Policy
(% votes)
81%
97%
3%
613,242

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceBoard report on remuneration continued

Directors’ Remuneration Policy
Changes to the Remuneration Policy and summary of the decision making process 
During 2021, the Committee conducted a review of our Remuneration Policy and concluded that it continues to support the delivery of 
business strategy and the creation of shareholder value. Therefore, no significant changes are proposed to the framework. The proposed 
refinements (as noted on page 64) provide greater alignment with the UK Corporate Governance Code, take account of feedback from 
shareholders and ensure that there is sufficient flexibility over the next three years to support the execution of strategy. 

In determining the Remuneration Policy the Committee followed a robust process which included discussions on the content of the Policy at 
the July, September and October Committee meetings. The Committee considered input from management and its independent advisers and 
consulted with major shareholders (representing circa 80% of the Company’s issued share capital). No Executive Director is a member of the 
remuneration committee.

How the Committee addressed the factors in Provision 40 of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
Our Remuneration Policy is designed to support an effective pay-for-performance culture which enables the Company to attract, retain and 
motivate Executive Directors who have the necessary experience and expertise to execute our strategy and deliver value to shareholders. 
Below is an explanation of how the Committee has addressed the principles prescribed in Provision 40 of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

How the Committee has addressed the principle
The Committee ensures that remuneration arrangements are transparent, comprising 
a simple incentive structure that is commonplace in the market and best practice 
remuneration provisions.
The Committee promotes long-term sustainable performance through sufficiently 
stretching performance targets, whilst ensuring that the incentive structure does 
not encourage Executive Directors to take inappropriate risks. Executive Directors 
are subject to within-employment and post-employment shareholding guidelines to 
further support sustainable decision making.

The Committee has recourse to recover incentive payments in certain circumstances. 
The ‘illustration of application of remuneration policy’ chart on page 80 indicates the 
potential values that may be earned through the remuneration arrangements.
The Committee believes that the Remuneration Policy table clearly sets out how 
each element of remuneration links to the delivery of strategy. The disclosure of 
BIP performance targets provides a clear link between incentives and the long-term 
performance of the Company. 

The Committee has discretion to adjust incentive outcomes so that they fairly 
and accurately reflect the performance of the Company over the relevant 
performance period.
The Committee believes that the incentive arrangements are consistent with the 
Company’s values:

 – Honesty and Transparency: The incentive arrangements are simple, transparent and 

in line with market practice, facilitating understanding by all stakeholders.

 – Respect and Responsibility: The Committee has recourse to recover incentive 

payments in certain circumstances. 

 – Creating Value: The incentives are calibrated to reward participants for delivering 

exceptional performance. The Committee reviews all outcomes for Executive 
Directors and has discretion to adjust outcomes where appropriate. 

Principle
Clarity and simplicity

Risk

Predictability

Proportionality

Alignment to culture

76

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportExecutive Remuneration Policy
The table below sets out the key components of Executive Directors’ pay packages, including why they are used and how they are operated 
in practice.

Remuneration Policy Table 

Element and how 
it supports  
our strategy

Base salary
To award competitive  
salaries to attract 
and retain the talent 
required to execute 
the strategy while 
ensuring the Group 
pays no more  
than is necessary

Operation of the element

Base salaries for Executive Directors 
are typically reviewed annually 
(or more frequently if specific 
circumstances necessitate this) by 
the Committee.

Salary levels are set and reviewed 
taking into account a number of 
factors including:
 – Role, experience and performance 

of the executive.

 – The Company’s guidelines for 

salaries for all employees in the 
Group for the forthcoming year.

 – The competitiveness of total 

remuneration assessed against 
companies of similar size and 
complexity, as appropriate.

Benefits
Provides market- 
competitive benefits  
at an appropriate cost

The Company provides a range of 
cash benefits and benefits in-kind 
to Executive Directors in line with 
market practice.

These may include the provision of a 
company car (or allowance), private 
medical insurance, short- and long-term 
sick pay and death in service cover.

The Company may also meet certain 
mobility costs, such as relocation 
support, expatriate allowances, 
temporary living and travel and 
subsistence expenses.

Benefits provision will also extend to 
the reimbursement of taxable work-
related expenses, such as travel.

The provision of other benefits 
payable to an Executive Director 
is reviewed by the Committee 
on an annual basis to ensure 
appropriateness in terms of the type 
and level of benefits provided.

In the case of non-UK executives, 
the Committee may consider providing 
additional allowances in line with 
relevant market practice, including 
expatriate benefits.

The Group operates a defined 
contribution scheme. Executive 
Directors are provided with a 
contribution to this scheme or a 
cash allowance of equivalent value. 
Base salary is the only pensionable 
element of remuneration.

Pension 
Provides an 
appropriate 
level of provision for  
post-retirement 
income

Performance measures

None.

None.

Maximum opportunity  
under the element

Whilst the Committee has not 
set a maximum level of salary, 
ordinarily, salary increases will be 
determined taking into account the 
average increases awarded to: (1) 
employees in the country in which 
the Executive Director lives and/
or works; and (2) Group employees 
across Western Europe, including 
the UK.

Higher increases may be awarded 
in exceptional circumstances, which 
may, for example, include:

 – Increase in scope or responsibility.

 – A new Executive Director who is 

being moved to market positioning 
over time.

The Committee has not set a 
maximum level of benefit, given 
that the cost of certain benefits will 
depend on the individual’s particular 
circumstances.

However benefits will be set at an 
appropriate level taking into account 
market practice and the needs 
for specific roles and individual 
circumstances.

Company contribution (or cash 
equivalent) is aligned with the 
contributions available to the wider 
workforce in the country where the 
Executive Director lives and/or works.

None.

77

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernancePerformance measures

At least 70% of the bonus will be 
based on Group financial metrics with 
the remainder based on non-financial 
strategic and/or personal metrics. 

The metrics, their weightings and 
specific targets are reviewed on an 
annual basis to ensure alignment to 
strategy, with financial targets set by 
reference to budget. Details of the 
metrics, weightings and targets will 
be fully disclosed on a retrospective 
basis in the relevant year’s Annual 
Report on Remuneration.

Discretion may be exercised in cases 
where the Committee believe that 
the bonus outcome is not a fair 
and accurate reflection of business 
performance. The exercise of this 
discretion may result in a downward 
or upward movement in the amount 
of bonus earned resulting from the 
application of the performance metrics.

Performance metrics are determined 
annually reflecting the Group’s 
strategic priorities and key 
performance indicators. 

It is expected that 2022 awards will 
be based on ROCE (50%) and EPS 
(50%).

Board report on remuneration continued

Remuneration Policy Table continued 

Element and how 
it supports  
our strategy

Annual bonus 
To incentivise delivery  
of strategy on an 
annual basis and 
reward superior 
performance. The 
deferred portion  
of the bonus  
supports longer-
term shareholder 
alignment

Operation of the element

The level of bonus is determined 
by the Committee after the year 
end based on performance against 
targets.

65% of the bonus earned is paid 
in cash shortly after the financial 
year end with the remaining 35% 
deferred into shares which vest after 
three years subject to continued 
employment. 

Dividend equivalents are payable in 
respect of the shares which vest.

Malus and clawback provisions apply 
(see table on page 80).

Maximum opportunity  
under the element

The maximum opportunity is 200% 
of base salary for the CEO and 
150% of base salary for the CFO 
and other Executive Directors.
Up to 30% of maximum may be 
earned for threshold performance. 
Awards are earned progressively 
between threshold and maximum 
performance.

A maximum opportunity of up 
to 200% of base salary may be 
awarded in respect of a financial 
year.

For 2022, the maximum opportunity 
will be equal to 175% of base salary.

Up to 25% of maximum may vest 
for threshold performance. 

Awards vest progressively 
between threshold and maximum 
performance.

Bodycote Incentive 
Plan (BIP) 2016
To incentivise 
delivery of long-term 
strategic goals and 
shareholder value 
and aid retention of 
Senior Management

Awards will normally be granted 
annually under the Bodycote Incentive 
Plan which vest after three years 
subject to stretching performance 
metrics and continued employment. 
Awards will be subject to a two-year 
post-vesting holding period.

Dividend equivalents are payable in 
respect of the shares which vest. 
Such amounts will normally be paid 
in shares.

Malus and clawback apply (see table 
on page 80).

Executive Directors are expected to 
build up and retain a holding in shares 
equal to 200% of salary, within five 
years from appointment. 

Executive Directors who step down 
from the Board following 1 January 
2022 are required to retain a holding 
in ‘guideline shares’ equal to 200% of 
salary (or their actual shareholding at 
the point of stepping down if lower) 
for two years following them stepping 
down.

‘Guideline shares’ do not include shares 
which the Executive Director has 
purchased or which have been  
acquired pursuant to deferred share 
awards or BIP awards granted before  
1 January 2022. Unless the Committee 
determines otherwise, an Executive 
Director or former Executive Director 
shall be deemed to have disposed 
of shares which are not ‘guidelines 
shares’ before ‘guideline shares’.

Shareholding 
requirement
To provide alignment 
of interest between 
Executive Directors 
and shareholders

78

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportChoice of performance metrics
Annual bonus performance metrics are selected to appropriately support the Group’s strategic objectives and provide a balance between 
generating profit and cash to enable the Group to pay a dividend, reward its employees and make future investments; and achieve other 
strategic goals to drive long-term sustainable return.

It is expected that the 2022 BIP awards will be based on ROCE and EPS. Due to the nature of the Company’s activities the Committee 
consider ROCE to provide shareholders with an appropriate measure of how well the Company is performing and is being managed, while 
headline EPS provides a measure of the level of value created for shareholders. ROCE and headline EPS are our top two KPIs as shown on 
page 16 of the Annual Report.

The Committee retains discretion to adjust or set different performance metrics, weightings and/or targets if there is a material event (such as 
a change in strategy, a material acquisition and/or divestment of a Group business or a change in prevailing market conditions) which causes 
the Committee to determine that the original performance metrics, weightings and/or targets are no longer appropriate and the amendment 
is required so that they achieve their original purpose. Should there be an adjustment to targets, the Committee will ensure that they are not 
materially less challenging to satisfy than originally intended.

Share awards may be adjusted in the event of a variation of share capital or a demerger, delisting, special dividend or other event that may 
affect the Company’s share price.

If the Committee were to make such adjustments, an explanation would be provided at the time of the event and/or in the following year’s 
Annual Report on Remuneration.

Application of malus and clawback
Malus and clawback apply to annual bonus, deferred bonus and BIP awards as follows:

Annual bonus 
Deferred bonus

Malus
To such time as payment is made.
To such time as the award vests.

BIP

To such time as the award vests.

Malus and/or clawback may be applied in the following scenarios:

Clawback
Up to three years following payment.
No clawback provisions apply (as malus 
provisions apply for three years from the date 
of award).
Up to two years following vesting.

 – Discovery of a material misstatement resulting in an adjustment in the audited accounts of the Group or any Group Company;

 – The assessment of any performance condition was based on error, or inaccurate or misleading information;

 – The discovery that any information used to determine the cash payment under the bonus, the number of shares subject to deferral or the 

number of shares subject to an award was based on error, or inaccurate or misleading information;

 – Action or conduct of a participant which amounts to fraud or gross misconduct;

 – Action or conduct of a participant which results in reputational damage to the Group; or

 – The Committee determining that there has been a material corporate failure.

Legacy arrangements
The Committee reserves the right to make any remuneration payments and payments for loss of office notwithstanding that they are not in line 
with the Remuneration Policy set out on pages 77 to 79 where the terms of the payment were agreed: (i) before the Policy came into effect 
(provided that the terms were consistent with any shareholder approved Remuneration Policy in force at the time they were agreed); or (ii) at a 
time when the relevant individual was not a Director of the Company and, in the opinion of the Committee, the payment was not in consideration 
for the individual becoming a Director of the Company. For these purposes ‘payments’ include the Committee satisfying awards of variable 
remuneration and, in relation to an award over shares, the terms of the payment being ‘agreed’ at the time the award is granted.

79

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceBoard report on remuneration continued

Illustration of application of remuneration policy for 2022 
The remuneration packages for the Executive Directors are designed to provide an appropriate balance between fixed and variable 
performance-related components. The Committee is satisfied that the composition and structure of the remuneration package is appropriate, 
clearly supports the Group’s strategic ambitions and does not incentivise inappropriate risk taking. This is reviewed on an annual basis. 
The chart below sets out illustrations of the value of each Executive Director’s remuneration package, should they achieve minimum, on-target 
or maximum performance.

£4,000,000

£3,500,000

£3,000,000

£2,500,000

£2,000,000

£1,500,000

£2,137,332

26%

36%

Fixed pay1 

Annual Bonus 

BIP 

£3,752,928

£3,198,556

35%

44%

39%

34%

£1,307,669

£2,307,117

£1,934,982

38%

48%

£1,000,000

£822,680

£500,000

100%

38%

26%

22%

29%

29%

£552,767

33%

28%

100%

42%

29%

24%

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Maximum
with 50%
share price
increase

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Maximum
with 50%
share price
increase

Group Chief Executive – Stephen Harris

Chief Financial Officer – Dominique Yates

For the purposes of the above analysis, the following methodology has been used:

Minimum performance
On-target performance

Maximum performance

 – Fixed remuneration only
 – Fixed remuneration

 – 60% of maximum annual bonus is earned 

 – 50% of maximum BIP vests
 – Fixed remuneration

 – 100% of maximum annual bonus is earned

Maximum performance +50% share price growth

 – 100% of maximum BIP vests
 – As per the maximum performance illustration, but also assumes for the purposes 

of the BIP that share price increases by 50% over the vesting period

1  Fixed remuneration comprises base salary as at 1 January 2022, benefits received in 2021 and pension opportunity applying from 1 January 2022.

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Non-Executive Director (NED) Fee Policy
The Policy on Non-Executive Chair and Non-Executive Director (NED) fees is set out below.

Performance measures

None.

Maximum opportunity  
under the element

Fees for the Non-Executive Chair 
and NEDs for the following year 
are set out in the statement of 
implementation of Policy on page 71.

The Company’s Policy is that the 
Non-Executive Chair and NEDs 
receive a fixed fee for their services 
as members of the Board and its 
Committees. The fee structure 
may also include additional fees for 
chairing a Board Committee and/or 
further responsibilities (for example, 
Senior Independent Directorship).

Element and how 
it supports  
our strategy

Fees for Non-
Executive Directors
To attract NEDs who 
have a broad range 
of experience and 
skills to oversee the 
implementation of 
our strategy

Operation of the element

The fees for the NEDs are determined 
by the Non-Executive Chair and the 
Group Chief Executive.

The fee for the Non-Executive Chair is 
set by the Remuneration Committee.

The Non-Executive Chair and NED 
fees are reviewed on an annual 
basis. When reviewing fees, the 
primary source of comparative market 
data is companies of similar size 
and complexity.

The fees for the Non-Executive Chair 
and NEDs are set at a level that will 
attract individuals with the necessary 
experience and ability to make a 
significant contribution to the Group’s 
affairs. The fees reflect the time 
commitment and responsibilities of 
the roles.

The Non-Executive Chair and NEDs 
are not entitled to any pension or 
other employment benefits and do not 
participate in any incentive plan.

The Company will pay reasonable 
expenses incurred by the Non-
Executive Chair and NEDs and may 
settle any tax incurred in relation 
to these.

Fees retained for External Non-Executive Directorships
To broaden the experience of Executive Directors, they may hold positions in other companies as NEDs provided that permission is sought in 
advance. Any external appointment must not conflict with the Directors’ duties and commitments to Bodycote plc.

Statement of considerations of employment conditions elsewhere in the Group
The Company adopts a policy of positioning fixed pay for all its employees at a level which is competitive to the market but which does not 
require the Company to pay any more than is necessary. Senior and high-performing individuals at all levels and across all functions within the 
organisation are invited to participate in both annual and long-term incentive arrangements, similar to the Executive Directors to ensure reward 
strategy is calibrated to provide substantive reward only on achievement of superior performance.

We operate Employee Engagement Groups (see page 49 of the Corporate Governance Statement), where a range of topics are actively 
discussed with employees, including executive remuneration and employment conditions of all employees. Feedback from the Employee 
Engagement Groups, alongside information provided by the Human Resources function, on pay and conditions across the Group and 
employee satisfaction surveys is considered by the Committee as part of its discussions and decision making on executive remuneration.

Statement of consideration of Shareholders’ views
The Committee always welcomes the views of shareholders in respect of pay policy as well as those views expressed on behalf of 
shareholders by their respective proxy advisers. The Committee documents all remuneration-related comments made at the Company’s 
AGM and feedback received during consultation with shareholders throughout the year. Any feedback received is fully considered by 
the Committee.

In developing the proposed Remuneration Policy for 2022 and beyond the Committee engaged with the Company’s major shareholders 
(representing circa 80% of the Company’s issued share capital) and their representative bodies. Through this process the Committee 
took on board the feedback received and refined the proposed Remuneration Policy as appropriate to ensure it meets the expectations of 
our shareholders.

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Approach to Recruitment Remuneration
When recruiting new Executive Directors, the Company’s policy is to pay what is necessary to attract individuals with the skills and 
experience appropriate to the role to be filled, taking into account remuneration across the Group, including other senior executives, and that 
offered by companies of similar size and complexity. New Executive Directors will generally be appointed on remuneration packages with the 
same structure and pay elements as described in the Policy table on pages 82 to 84.

Component
Notice period

Base salary

Pension and benefits

Annual bonus and  
long-term incentives

Long-term incentives

Maximum level of  
variable pay

“Buyout” awards

Internal promotions

Other elements  
of remuneration

Policy
The initial notice period may be longer than the Company’s one-year policy (up to a maximum of two 
years). However, this will reduce by one month for every month served, until the Company’s one-year 
policy position is reached.
Base salary levels will be set at an appropriate level to recruit the best candidate in consideration of 
the individual’s existing salary, location, skills and experience and expected contribution to the role, the 
current salaries of other Executive Directors in the Company and current market levels for the role.

If it is considered appropriate to appoint a new Executive Director on a below market salary (for example, 
to allow them to gain experience in the role) their salary may be increased to a market level by way of 
above wider workforce salary increases over two to three years. These increases will be subject to 
continued development in the role.
Pension contribution levels will be aligned with the contributions available to the wider workforce in the 
country where the new Executive Director lives and works, in line with the Remuneration Policy.

Benefits will be considered in line with the Remuneration Policy. If the new Executive Director is required 
to relocate, reasonable relocation, travel and subsistence payments may be provided (either via a one-off 
or ongoing payments and benefits).
Annual bonus and BIP awards will ordinarily be granted in line with the Remuneration Policy.

The new Executive Director may be invited to participate in the bonus on a pro-rated basis in the first year 
of appointment.

The new Executive Director may be invited to participate in ‘in flight’ BIP awards on a pro-rated basis 
when appointed.

The Committee may alter the performance metrics, performance period, vesting period, holding period 
and deferral period of annual bonus or BIP awards, subject to the rules of the BIP, if the Committee 
determines that the circumstances of the recruitment merit such alteration. An explanation would be 
provided at the time of recruitment and/or in the following year’s Annual Report on Remuneration.
Awards will be made under the BIP in line with the Remuneration Policy. The new Executive Director may 
be invited to participate in ‘in flight’ BIP awards on a pro-rated basis when appointed.
The Company is required to set out the maximum amount of variable pay which could be paid to a new 
Executive Director in respect of his/her recruitment. The Committee has set this figure as 400% of 
base salary and this covers the maximum annual bonus and the maximum face value of any long-term 
incentive awards. For the avoidance of doubt, this 400% variable pay limit excludes the value of any 
‘buyout’ awards.
The Committee may make awards on hiring an individual to ‘buyout’ awards which will be forfeited on 
leaving their previous employer. Our approach to this is to carry out a detailed review of the awards 
which the individual will forfeit and calculate the estimated value of them. In doing so, we will consider 
the vesting period, the option exercise period if applicable, whether the awards are cash or share-
based, performance-related or not, the Company’s recent performance and payout levels and any other 
factors we consider appropriate. If a ‘buyout’ award is to be granted, the structure and level will be 
carefully designed and will generally reflect and replicate the previous awards as accurately as possible. 
Where considered appropriate, the award will be subject to forfeiture or malus and clawback provisions 
in the event of early departure. An explanation would be provided at the time of recruitment and/or in the 
following year’s Annual Report on Remuneration of why a ‘buyout’ award has been granted.
For internal promotions any commitments made prior to appointment may continue to be honoured as the 
individual is transitioned to the new remuneration arrangements.
Other elements may be included in the following circumstances:

 – An interim appointment being made to fill an Executive Director role on a short-term basis.

 – If exceptional circumstances require that the Non-Executive Chair or a NED takes an executive function on 

a short-term basis.

 – If an Executive Director is recruited at a time in the year when it would be inappropriate to provide an 

annual bonus or BIP award for that year, subject to the limit on variable pay set out above, the quantum in 
respect of the period employed during the year may be transferred to the subsequent year. 

Any share award referred to in this section will be granted as far as possible under the Company’s share plans. To the extent that this is not 
possible, share awards may be granted outside of these plans as permitted under the Listing Rules.

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportShareholders will be informed of any Director appointment and the individual’s remuneration arrangements as soon as practicable following 
the appointment.

Fee levels for a new Chairman or new Non-Executive Directors will be determined in accordance with the Remuneration Policy set out on 
page 81.

Service Contracts
All Directors’ service contracts and letters of appointment are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office.

A summary of the key terms of the Executive Directors’ service contracts is set out below:

Date of service 
contract
Notice period

Remuneration

S.C. Harris, Group Chief Executive
6 October 2008

D. Yates, Chief Finance Director
1 November 2016

12 months’ notice to be provided by the Company 
6 months’ notice to be provided by the Group 
Chief Executive
 – Annual base salary

12 months’ notice to be provided by either the Company or 
Chief Finance Director

 – Annual base salary

 – Potential for cash in lieu of pension

 – Potential for cash in lieu of pension

 – Reimbursement of expenses (if satisfactory 

 – Reimbursement of expenses (if satisfactory 

evidence provided)

 – Private medical insurance

 – Company car allowance

evidence provided)

 – Private medical insurance

 – Company car allowance

 – Entitlement to participate in an annual performance-

 – Entitlement to participant in an annual performance-

related bonus award

related bonus award

Termination

Non-competition

 – Entitlement to participate in a long-term incentive plan
Company has right to terminate on payment of a 
termination payment with agreement of executive
During employment and for 12 months thereafter

 – Entitlement to participate in a long-term incentive plan
Company has right to terminate on payment of a 
termination payment
During employment and for 12 months thereafter

Other than the contents of the contracts, there are no obligations that may give rise to remuneration.

All Non-Executive Directors (including the Chair) are engaged for an initial period of three years which thereafter may be extended by a 
further three years and then on an annual basis. Non-Executive Directors (including the Chair) are subject to re-election at each AGM. 
The appointment of Non-Executive Directors (including the Chair) may be terminated by either side on six months’ notice. The dates of each 
Non-Executive Director’s initial appointment are set out below.

Director
P. Larmon
E. Lindqvist
I.B. Duncan
A. Quinn
L. Chahbazi
K. Boyd
D. Dayan

Date of initial appointment
13 September 2016
1 June 2012
17 November 2014
1 January 2018
1 January 2018
1 September 2020
1 January 2022

Expiry of current term
AGM 2023
AGM 2023
AGM 2023
Retired 31 December 2021
AGM 2023
31 August 2023
AGM 2025

The Non-Executive Directors of the Company (including the Non-Executive Chair) do not have service contracts. The Non-Executive Directors 
are appointed by letters of appointment. Each independent Non-Executive Director’s term of office runs for a maximum three year period.

Termination Remuneration Policy
It is the Company’s policy that Executive Directors have service contracts with a one-year notice period and terminable by one-year’s notice 
by the employer at any time, and by payment of one year’s basic salary and other fixed benefits in lieu of notice by the employer. All future 
appointments to the Board will comply with this requirement.

The Committee will honour Executive Directors’ contractual entitlements. Service contracts do not contain liquidated damages clauses. 
If a contract is to be terminated, the Committee will determine such mitigation as it considers fair and reasonable in each case. There are 
no contractual arrangements that would guarantee a pension with limited or no abatement on severance or early retirement. There is no 
agreement between the Company and its Executive Directors or employees, providing for compensation for loss of office or employment that 
occurs because of a takeover bid.

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Component
Compensation for loss of office 
in service contracts

Treatment of cash element 
of the bonus under 
Plan rules

Treatment of unvested  
deferred bonus awards 
under Plan rules

Treatment of unvested 
BIP 2016

Exercise of discretion

Change of control

Other payments

Policy
Under the terms of the Chief Executive’s contract, the Company may at its choice, in lieu of giving notice, 
terminate his service contract by making a payment equivalent to; one year’s annual base salary, 25% 
of base salary in respect of all other remuneration and benefits (other than annual bonus and incentives) 
and annual bonus equal to the average bonus paid up to three years prior to the date of notice. For the 
purposes of transparency, if the Chief Executive had left Bodycote in 2021, and the Group had chosen to 
make a compensation payment in lieu of giving notice, this would have comprised: £601,199 (one year 
of base salary) +£152,300 (25% of base salary) +£282,750 (3 year average bonus over 2018-2020) = 
£1,036,249.

Under the terms of the Chief Financial Officers’ contract, the contract is terminable by one year’s notice 
by the employer at any time, and by payment of one year’s basic salary and other fixed benefits in lieu of 
notice by the employer. 
If the Committee determines that the individual is a ‘good leaver’ in accordance with the plan rules, the 
level of bonus will be measured at the bonus measurement date. Bonus will normally be pro-rated for 
the period worked during the financial year and subject to the achievement of the original performance 
metrics. The Committee retains the discretion:

 – not to pro-rate the bonus to time; and/or

 – pay the bonus at the time of cessation of employment (with performance measured at the time 

of payment).

Under all other circumstances no bonus will be earned on cessation of employment (other than set out 
above in the legacy arrangements for the Chief Executive).

Any bonus earned for the year of departure and, if relevant, for the prior year may be paid wholly in cash 
at the discretion of the Committee.
If the Committee determines that the individual is a ‘good leaver’ in accordance with the plan rules, 
deferred shares may be released to the participant at the normal vesting date. The Committee retains 
the discretion:

 – not to pro-rate the deferred shares to time; and/or

 – to vest deferred shares at the date of cessation of employment. 

Under all other circumstances unvested awards will lapse on cessation of employment.
On cessation of employment during the vesting period, awards under the BIP will lapse in full, unless 
the Committee determines that the individual is a ‘good leaver’ in accordance with the plan rules. 
In instances where the Committee determines that award should not lapse in full, awards will normally 
vest at the normal vesting date, pro-rated for time served between the date of grant and date of cessation 
of employment and subject to the achievement of the original performance metrics. To the extent that 
awards vest, a two-year holding period will then apply.

The Committee retains the discretion to:

 – not to pro-rate the awards to time; 

 – to vest and release awards at the date of cessation of employment (with performance measured at the 

time of vesting); and/or

 – to reduce or not to apply the two-year holding period.

On cessation of employment during the two-year holding period, awards under the BIP will normally 
remain subject to the holding period. The Committee retains the discretion to reduce or not to apply the 
remainder of the holding period.
In the event that an Executive Director leaves the Company, the Committee’s policy for exit payments 
is to consider the reasons for cessation and consequently whether any exit payments other than those 
contractually required are warranted.

Further, in the event of a compromise or settlement agreement, the Committee may agree payments it 
considers reasonable in settlement of legal claims. This may include an entitlement to compensation in 
respect of their statutory rights under employment protection legislation in the UK or in other jurisdictions. 
The Committee may also include in such payments reasonable reimbursement of professional fees in 
connection with such agreements.
On change of control the awards under the Company’s incentive plans will generally vest subject to 
performance and time apportionment as determined by the Committee and in accordance with the rules 
of the relevant Plan.
In appropriate circumstances, payments may also be made in respect of accrued holiday, outplacement 
and legal fees.

The discretions noted in the table above will only be used in circumstances where there is an appropriate business case. If the Committee 
were to use such discretion, an explanation would be provided at the time of cessation of employment and/or in the following year’s Annual 
Report on Remuneration.

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationFinancial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportDirectors’ responsibilities statement

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in respect of the financial statements
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared 
the group financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and the Company financial statements 
in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 
‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’, and applicable law).

Under company law, 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 the profit or loss of the group for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the 
Directors are required to:

 – select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 – state whether applicable UK-adopted international accounting standards have been followed for the Group financial statements and United 
Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101, have been followed for the Company financial statements, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

 – make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

 – prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and Company will continue 

in business.

The Directors are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention 
and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are also responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s and Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and Company and enable them to ensure 
that the financial statements and the Directors’ Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 2006.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the 
preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Directors’ confirmations
The Directors consider 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 Group’s and Company’s position and performance, business model and strategy.

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed in the Governance Report confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

 – the Group financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards, give a true and 

fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Group;

 – the Company financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101, 

give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Company; and

 – the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group and Company, 

together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

In the case of each Director in office at the date the Directors’ report is approved:

 – so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Group’s and Company’s auditors are unaware; and

 – they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a Director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information 

and to establish that the Group’s and Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

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of Bodycote plc

Report on the audit of the financial statements
Opinion
In our opinion:

 – Bodycote plc’s Group financial statements and Company financial statements (the ‘financial statements’) give a true and fair view of the state of 
the Group’s and of the Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2021 and of the Group’s profit and the Group’s cash flows for the year then ended;

 – the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards;

 – the Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice 

(United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’, and applicable law); and

 – the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual Report, which comprise: the Group consolidated balance sheet and 
the Company balance sheet as at 31 December 2021; the Group consolidated income statement and the Group consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, the Group consolidated cash flow statement, and the Group consolidated and the Company statements of changes in 
equity for the year then ended; the Group and the Company accounting policies; and the notes to the financial statements.

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit Committee.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities 
under ISAs (UK) are further described in the Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We believe 
that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence
We remained independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements 
in the UK, which includes the FRC’s Ethical Standard, as applicable to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

To the best of our knowledge and belief, we declare that non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided.

Other than those disclosed in note 2 to the Group financial statements, we have provided no non-audit services to the Company 
or its controlled undertakings in the period under audit.

Our audit approach
Context
Bodycote plc is a global business operating in the thermal processing sector. The business operates in a number of countries around 
the world and provides services primarily to the automotive, general industrial, aerospace, defence and energy markets. During 2021, 
the Group continued its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and progressed with the restructuring programme announced in 2020, 
resulting in an improved level of profitability for the financial year. In planning our work, we were also mindful of the increased focus on 
the impacts of climate change risk on the companies and their financial reporting. As part of our audit we made enquiries of management 
to understand the process that they have adopted to assess the extent of the potential impact of climate change on the Group's financial 
statements. Management considers that the impact of climate change does not give rise to a material financial statement impact. We used 
our knowledge of the Group to evaluate management's assessment. We particularly considered how climate change risks would impact the 
assumptions made in the forecasts prepared by management and used in their impairment analyses and going concern. We also considered 
the consistency of the disclosures in relation to climate change made in the other information within the Annual Report with the financial 
statements and our knowledge from our audit.

Overview
Audit scope 
 – The Group's financial statements are a consolidation of a number of reporting units (each of which were deemed to be components) 

representing the Group’s trading entities around the world, its centralised functions and consolidation adjustment reporting units. The reporting 
units vary in size, and our approach to scoping considers those entities which are of most significance to the Group as a whole, in particular in 
North America and Europe. We also requested component teams to perform full scope audit procedures over additional components to ensure 
we achieved an appropriate level of audit coverage. 

Key audit matters 
 – Impairment assessment of goodwill (Group) 

 – Uncertain tax positions (Group)

 – Valuation of defined benefit pension schemes (Group and Company)

Materiality 
 – Overall Group materiality: £5,700,000 (2020: £5,200,000) based on professional judgement considering a number of potential benchmarks 

(specifically revenue and certain profit based benchmarks, both for the current year and over a number of years), given that using 5% of a three 
year average of profit before tax and exceptional items (as used in the prior year) would have resulted in a lower level of materiality in 2021 than 
in 2020 despite the fact that the Group's profit before tax has increased year-on-year. 

 – Overall Company materiality: £5,100,000 (2020: £5,500,000) based on approximately 1% of total assets. 

 – Performance materiality: £4,275,000 (2020: £3,900,000) (Group) and £3,825,000 (2020: £4,125,000) (Company).

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsThe scope of our audit
As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors’ professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) 
identified by the auditors, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; 
and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters, and any comments we make on the results of our procedures thereon, 
were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide 
a separate opinion on these matters.

This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit.

The valuation of defined benefit pension schemes is a new key audit matter this year. The impact of COVID-19, restructuring costs and the 
acquisition of Ellison Surface Technologies, which were key audit matters last year, are no longer included because of the lower impact that 
these matters have had on the Group's financial statements in 2021. Otherwise, the key audit matters below are consistent with last year. 

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Impairment assessment of goodwill (Group)

The Group has goodwill of £213.9 million as at 31 December 
2021 (2020: £215.5 million). Refer to note 9 of the Group financial 
statements and the Audit Committee’s views set out on page 60.

For the CGUs to which goodwill relates (which require an 
annual impairment test), the determination of the recoverable 
amount, being the higher of value-in-use (VIU) and fair value 
less costs of disposal (FVLCD), requires judgement and 
estimation by management. This is because the determination 
of a recoverable amount includes management’s consideration 
of key internal inputs and external market conditions such as 
future market volumes and pricing trends in those industries in 
which its customers operate, which impacts future cash flows, 
and the determination of the most appropriate discount rate. 
There is ongoing uncertainty around the timing of recovery for 
many key sectors in which the Group operates, as the global 
economy moves on from the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, 
we considered the impairment assessment of goodwill to be a 
key audit matter.

Specifically, we identified the valuation of the North America ADE 
and North America AGI goodwill balances as significant audit 
risks due to their lower level of headroom relative to the carrying 
value of the CGU and the material goodwill balances held in 
those CGUs.

We obtained the Group’s impairment assessment and tested the 
integrity of the calculation. We corroborated the 2022 forecast to the 
Board-approved Strategic Plan, understanding the rationale behind any 
variances, and assessed the assumptions made by management in 
the budgeting process. We also understood management’s process 
for forecasting longer-term cash flows, in particular focusing on the 
assumptions used through to 2025 and the expected recovery in the 
Group’s revenues and underlying margin performance.

We agreed the underlying carrying values of the CGUs to audited 
financial information.

We challenged management’s key assumptions for profit and cash 
flow budgets by comparing them with third-party forecast market data, 
where available, and considered the allocation of central costs to CGUs. 
We also performed look back testing to understand how accurate 
management had been in its forecasting historically, taking into account 
the unforeseen impact of COVID-19.

Our valuations experts compared management’s long-term growth 
rate with economic forecasts. We also used our valuations experts 
to assess the reasonableness of the discount rates used by 
management, by independently calculating a range for the weighted 
average cost of capital (‘WACC’), and considered whether the rate 
used by management was within a supportable range. We used this 
independently calculated WACC and our estimate of the long-term 
growth rate, alongside our view of an appropriate allocation of corporate 
overheads to each CGU and certain other assumptions, to calculate our 
view of the recoverable amount.

We obtained management’s sensitivity analyses, which showed the 
impact of its view of reasonably possible changes to key assumptions 
and performed our own sensitivity analyses. Our sensitivity analysis 
sought to cover the potential risks associated with climate change, 
inflationary pressures and geopolitical risks. Whilst we did not identify 
specific sensitivities for each item, we modelled what we considered to 
be suitably severe overall assumptions impacting margins and growth 
that took these factors into account.

We considered the appropriateness of the related disclsoures in note 9 
to the Group financial statements.

Based on the procedures performed, we noted no material issues from 
our work.

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Key audit matter

Uncertain tax positions (Group)

The Group has operations in a number of geographical locations 
and as such is subject to multiple tax jurisdictions, giving rise to 
complexity in accounting for the Group’s taxation. Refer to notes 
6, 19 and 29 of the Group's financial statements, and the Audit 
Committee’s views set out on page 61.

In particular, the interpretation of complex tax regulations and 
the unknown future outcome of any pending rulings by the 
tax authorities results in the need to provide against a number 
of uncertain tax positions. The Group undertakes financing 
activities between jurisdictions and non-financing cross 
border transactions, which require judgement to determine 
the appropriate tax charge and any associated provisions. 
These transactions result in the recognition of material 
provisions for tax of £24.0 million (2020: £22.1 million), and 
for this reason, we considered uncertain tax positions to be 
a key audit matter.

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Our audit work, which involved taxation audit specialists at the Group 
level, included the assessment of the Group’s uncertain tax positions. 

Our assessment included considering the current status of new and 
historical tax assessments and investigations to monitor developments 
in ongoing disputes, in addition to reviewing correspondence with tax 
authorities. We considered external tax advice received by the Group 
where relevant, to satisfy ourselves that the tax provisions had been 
appropriately recorded or adjusted to reflect the latest tax legislative 
developments. Where no advice was available, we understood 
management’s rationale based on internal analysis and other supporting 
information. We also considered significant transactions to identify 
uncertain tax positions that may arise from those transactions.

In assessing the adequacy of the tax provisions, we considered factors 
such as possible penalties and interest that could be imposed by the 
local tax authorities. We also determined whether the tax provisions 
were recognised and measured in accordance with the relevant 
accounting standards.

Where provisions have not been established, we evaluated the basis for 
management’s judgements, including an assessment of the treatment 
of similar exposures at comparable companies. We evaluated third party 
advice obtained by the Group as we independently formed our view 
about the likelihood of these possible tax risks crystallising in future 
cash outflows. In relation to EU State Aid, we reviewed correspondence 
from the UK tax authorities to determine if a contingent liability was still 
required to be disclosed.

We considered the appropriateness of the related disclosures in notes 
6, 19 and 29 to the Group financial statements.

We noted no material issues from our work, based on our audit 
procedures performed.

88

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsKey audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Valuation of defined benefit pension schemes (Group and Company)

The Group operates a number of defined benefit pension 
schemes across a number of territories. Accounting for these 
schemes can be complex, and necessitates a higher level of 
audit effort. See the Group’s accounting policies, note 28 of the 
Group's financial statements and the Audit Committee’s views 
set out on page 61.

The Group’s net retirement benefit obligation is £13.9 million 
(2020: £16.2 million). This net position also includes the UK 
scheme, which had an accounting surplus of £14.0 million as at 
31 December 2021, which is unrecognised.

The assets of the Group’s schemes total £128.1 million. 
Auditing the valuation of assets can be complex given the 
schemes invest in Pooled Investment Vehicles (PIVs), which 
may not have coterminous year ends with the Group’s financial 
statements, or hold complex underlying assets.

The obligations of the Group’s schemes total £125.9 million. 
The Group relies on management’s experts to determine the 
valuation of the obligations, which involves estimation and 
judgement in selecting appropriate actuarial assumptions.

Given the UK surplus remains unrecognised, the likelihood 
of a material misstatement in relation to retirement benefit 
obligations is low and consequently the risk for the audit is 
identified as normal. However, since this audit area involves 
relatively high audit effort for both the Group and the Company, 
we have included it as a Key Audit Matter.

With respect to the UK scheme the following procedures 
were performed.

We assessed the pension assumptions used to derive the scheme 
obligations, including discount rates, inflation and mortality, using 
our actuarial experts where necessary. We also considered and 
challenged the appropriateness of the actuarial assumptions against our 
internally developed benchmark ranges, finding them to be within an 
acceptable range. 

We performed testing to ensure that the obligations were consistent 
with the most recent funding valuations and that the movement in the 
liabilities during the year was reasonable.

Independent investment manager confirmations were obtained for all 
material PIVs and bank letters obtained for all scheme bank accounts. 
The total value was agreed to the Group’s asset listing.

An assessment was performed on each PIV to determine whether it is 
inherently simple or more complex in nature. More complex funds were 
subject to additional procedures and additional evidence was obtained 
to corroborate the valuation. This included a review of transactions 
around the year end (if any), where the fund valuation date and the 
financial year end were not coterminous, to establish the completeness 
and accuracy of the valuation, and obtaining and reviewing the 
investment manager’s latest internal controls report to assess any 
issues with the control environment or exceptions noted with controls 
relating to the valuation of assets (and obtaining bridging letters for 
the gap between the report and the year end). Prior year PIV audited 
financial statements were also obtained and reviewed in comparison 
with unaudited statements and the year end valuation provided.

We assessed management’s rationale for not recognising the surplus 
on the UK scheme, in line with accounting standards. We confirmed 
the appropriateness of this judgement with our internal actuarial and 
accounting experts.

Certain of the above procedures were also performed by component 
teams in their related audit work on overseas schemes, where relevant.

We considered the appropriateness of the related disclosures in note 28 
of the Group financial statements.

Based on this work, no material issues were noted.

89

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsIndependent auditors’ report continued

How we tailored the audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements as 
a whole, taking into account the structure of the Group and the Company, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which 
they operate.

In establishing the overall approach to the Group audit, we determined the type of work that needed to be performed at components by us, 
as the Group engagement team, or component auditors operating under our instruction. 

We identified one component (2020: one) as financially significant in 2021 (as defined within ISAs (UK)). We obtained full scope audit 
reporting from a further twelve components (2020: eleven), where we concluded that the component engagement leader is a Key Audit 
Partner, and an additional nine (2020: ten) components where full scope audits were also performed. Together, these components were in 
twelve countries, representing the Group’s principal businesses, and provided audit coverage of 80% of the Group’s revenue (2020: 80%) 
and 78% of consolidated absolute profit before tax (2020: 73%).

Specified procedures over specific financial statement line items were performed at one further component (2020: one) and central 
testing was performed on selected items, such as goodwill, uncertain tax positions and the consolidation, primarily to ensure appropriate 
audit coverage.

The components included within our audit scope were determined based on each individual component's contribution to the Group’s key 
financial statement line items (in particular revenue and profit before tax), and considerations relating to aggregation risk within the Group. 
Where work was performed by component auditors, we determined the level of involvement we needed to have in the audit work at those 
components to be able to conclude on whether sufficient appropriate audit evidence had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the 
Group financial statements as a whole.

We issued formal written instructions to all component auditors setting out the audit work to be performed by each of them and maintained 
regular communication with them throughout the audit cycle. Due to the ongoing travel restrictions caused by COVID-19, all interactions 
with component auditors were virtual but, through the utilisation of technology, our interactions included attending certain component audit 
clearance meetings, as well as considering and assessing any matters reported. The Group engagement team also reviewed selected audit 
working papers for certain in-scope component teams, including those components where we concluded that the component engagement 
leader is a Key Audit Partner. In addition, given the extent of testing performed by our Czech Republic team at the Group’s Prague Shared 
Services Centre, which supports the financial accounting for the majority of the Group’s European businesses, a working paper review was 
also conducted of this team’s work.

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, together 
with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures on the 
individual financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both individually and in aggregate, on 
the financial statements as a whole.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Overall  
materiality

How we 
determined it

Rationale for 
benchmark 
applied

Financial statements – Group

Financial statements – Company

£5,700,000 (2020: £5,200,000).

£5,100,000 (2020: £5,500,000).

Based on professional judgement considering a number of 
potential benchmarks (specifically revenue and certain profit 
based measures), given that using 5% of a three-year average of 
profit before tax and exceptional items (as used in the prior year) 
would have given us a lower level of materiality in 2021 than 
in 2020 despite the fact that the Group's profit before tax has 
increased year-on-year.

As noted above, we considered a range of acceptable 
benchmarks for determining materiality. We selected a level of 
materiality that was within the range of outcomes suggested 
by these alternative benchmarks and reflected an appropriate 
increase on the prior year materiality level given the improved 
performance of the Group in the current year. The materiality 
selected is equivalent to approximately 7% of current year profit 
before tax (2020: approximately 5% of a three-year average of 
profit before tax and exceptional items).

Approximately 1% of total assets.

The company holds the Group’s investments in 
subsidiary companies. The strength of the balance 
sheet is the key measure of financial health that is 
important to shareholders as this determines the 
Company’s ability to pay dividends.

For each component in the scope of our Group audit, we allocated a materiality that is less than our overall Group materiality. The range of 
materiality allocated across components was between £450,000 and £3,000,000. 

We use performance materiality to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected 
misstatements exceeds overall materiality. Specifically, we use performance materiality in determining the scope of our audit and the 
nature and extent of our testing of account balances, classes of transactions and disclosures, for example in determining sample sizes. 

90

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsOur performance materiality was 75% (2020: 75%) of overall materiality, amounting to £4,275,000 (2020: £3,900,000) for the Group financial 
statements and £3,825,000 (2020: £4,125,000) for the Company financial statements. 

In determining the performance materiality, we considered a number of factors – the history of misstatements, risk assessment and 
aggregation risk and the effectiveness of controls – and concluded that an amount at the upper end of our normal range was appropriate. 

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £285,000 (Group 
audit) (2020: £260,000) and £255,000 (Company audit) (2020: £275,000) as well as misstatements below those amounts that, in our view, 
warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Conclusions relating to going concern
Our evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the Group's and the Company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting included:

 – Obtaining the Directors’ assessment and understanding the assumptions used in the base case scenario and the severe but plausible downside 

scenario over the next twelve months;

 – Agreeing the budget for 2022 used in the base case scenario to the Board approved budget and testing the assumptions used in determining 

these cash flows; 

 – For the period of the assessment not covered by the budget, we analysed the forecasts projected by management and considered these in the 

context of wider market data; and

 – We assessed the severe but plausible downside scenario adopted by management, ensuring that it was appropriate in the context of the 

Group’s performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually 
or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group's and the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 
12 months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation 
of the financial statements is appropriate.

However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this conclusion is not a guarantee as to the Group's and the Company's 
ability to continue as a going concern.

In relation to the directors’ reporting on how they have applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing material to add or draw 
attention to in relation to the directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether the directors considered it appropriate to adopt 
the going concern basis of accounting.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Reporting on other information
The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our auditors’ report 
thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information, which includes reporting based on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do 
not express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, any form of assurance thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether 
the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to 
be materially misstated. If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are required to perform procedures to 
conclude whether there is a material misstatement of the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based 
on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that 
fact. We have nothing to report based on these responsibilities.

With respect to the Strategic report and the Directors' report, we also considered whether the disclosures required by the UK Companies Act 
2006 have been included.

Based on our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 requires us also to report certain opinions and matters 
as described below.

Strategic report and the Directors' report
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Strategic report and the Directors' report 
for the year ended 31 December 2021 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable 
legal requirements.

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we did not 
identify any material misstatements in the Strategic report and the Directors' report.

Directors’ Remuneration
In our opinion, the part of the Board report on remuneration to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Corporate governance statement
The Listing Rules require us to review the directors’ statements in relation to going concern, longer-term viability and that part of the corporate 
governance statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified for our 
review. Our additional responsibilities with respect to the corporate governance statement as other information are described in the Reporting 
on other information section of this report.

91

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsIndependent auditors’ report continued

Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the corporate governance 
statement is materially consistent with the financial statements and our knowledge obtained during the audit, and we have nothing material 
to add or draw attention to in relation to:

 – The directors’ confirmation that they have carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks;

 – The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those principal risks, what procedures are in place to identify emerging risks and an 

explanation of how these are being managed or mitigated;

 – The directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether they considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of 

accounting in preparing them, and their identification of any material uncertainties to the Group’s and Company’s ability to continue to do 
so over a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements;

 – The directors’ explanation as to their assessment of the Group's and Company’s prospects, the period this assessment covers and why 

the period is appropriate; and

 – The directors’ statement as to whether they have a reasonable expectation that the Company will be able to continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the period of its assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications 
or assumptions.

Our review of the directors’ statement regarding the longer-term viability of the Group was substantially less in scope than an audit and only 
consisted of making inquiries and considering the directors’ process supporting their statement; checking that the statement is in alignment 
with the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code; and considering whether the statement is consistent with the financial 
statements and our knowledge and understanding of the Group and Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit.

In addition, based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the corporate 
governance statement is materially consistent with the financial statements and our knowledge obtained during the audit:

 – The directors’ statement that they consider the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable, and provides the 
information necessary for the members to assess the Group’s and Company's position, performance, business model and strategy;

 – The section of the Annual Report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management and internal control systems; and

 – The section of the Annual Report describing the work of the Audit Committee.

We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when the directors’ statement relating to the Company’s compliance 
with the Code does not properly disclose a departure from a relevant provision of the Code specified under the Listing Rules for review by 
the auditors.

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit
Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' responsibilities in respect of the financial statements, the directors are responsible 
for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and 
fair view. The directors are also responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors 
either intend to liquidate the Group or the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, 
but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected 
to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our 
responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our 
procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

Based on our understanding of the Group and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations 
related to breaches of environmental regulations and health and safety regulations, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance 
might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the 
financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and the Listing Rules. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for 
fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were 
related to posting inappropriate journal entries and management bias in accounting estimates and judgements. The Group engagement team 
shared this risk assessment with the component auditors so that they could include appropriate audit procedures in response to such risks in 
their work. 

92

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsAudit procedures performed by the Group engagement team and/or component auditors included:

– Discussions with management, Internal Audit and the Group’s internal legal counsel, including consideration of potential instances of

non-compliance with laws and regulation and fraud;

– Assessment of matters reported through the Group’s whistle-blowing helpline and the results of management’s investigation of such matters;

– Substantive testing of journal entries which met a defined risk criteria, focusing on where and how fraud could arise; and

– Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its accounting estimates or judgements, in particular in relation to uncertain

tax positions and the impairment assessment of goodwill.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not 
detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate 
concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

Our audit testing might include testing complete populations of certain transactions and balances, possibly using data auditing techniques. 
However, it typically involves selecting a limited number of items for testing, rather than testing complete populations. We will often seek to 
target particular items for testing based on their size or risk characteristics. In other cases, we will use audit sampling to enable us to draw a 
conclusion about the population from which the sample is selected.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at:  
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors’ report.

Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the Company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of 
Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any 
other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our 
prior consent in writing.

Other required reporting
Companies Act 2006 exception reporting
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

– we have not obtained all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

– adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches

not visited by us; or

– certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

– the Company financial statements and the part of the Board report on remuneration to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting

records and returns.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Appointment
Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were appointed by the members on 24 May 2019 to audit the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is three years, covering 
the years ended 31 December 2019 to 31 December 2021.

Other matter
In due course, as required by the Financial Conduct Authority Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule 4.1.14R, these financial statements 
will form part of the ESEF-prepared annual financial report filed on the National Storage Mechanism of the Financial Conduct Authority in 
accordance with the ESEF Regulatory Technical Standard (‘ESEF RTS’). This auditors’ report provides no assurance over whether the annual 
financial report will be prepared using the single electronic format specified in the ESEF RTS. 

Simon Morley (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
London 
14 March 2022

93

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsConsolidated income statement
For the year ended 31 December 2021

Revenue
Cost of sales and overheads excluding exceptional items 
Net impairment gains on financial assets
Operating profit prior to exceptional items
Exceptional items
Operating profit
Finance income
Finance charge
Profit/(loss) before taxation
Taxation (charge)/credit
Profit for the year
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the Parent
Non-controlling interests

Earnings per share

Basic
Diluted

Note
1

1,2
4
2
5
5

6

8

2021
£m
615.8 
(533.2)
1.2
83.8 
– 
83.8 
0.3 
(6.6)
77.5 
(17.5)
60.0 

59.5 
0.5 
60.0 

Pence
31.2 
31.2 

All activities have arisen from continuing operations. Total cost of sales and overheads, including exceptional items, was £533.2m 
(2020: £593.4m).

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December 2021

Profit for the year
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:
Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension schemes
Tax on items that will not be reclassified
Total items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange losses on translation of overseas operations
Movements on hedges of net investments
Movements on cash flow hedges
Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the year
Total comprehensive income for the year
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Note

28
19

18

2021
£m
60.0 

1.7 
0.1
1.8

(14.8)
0.5
0.5 
(13.8)
(12.0)
48.0 

48.2 
(0.2)
48.0 

2020
£m
598.0 
(535.0)
0.4 
63.4 
(58.4)
5.0 
0.2 
(6.7)
(1.5)
2.3 
0.8 

0.4 
0.4 
0.8 

Pence
0.2 
0.2 

2020
£m
0.8 

0.5 
(0.1)
0.4 

(1.4)
1.1 
– 
(0.3)
0.1 
0.9 

0.8 
0.1 
0.9 

94

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated balance sheet
At 31 December 2021

Non-current assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Investment in associate
Deferred tax assets
Trade and other receivables

Current assets
Inventories
Current tax assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and bank balances
Derivative financial instruments
Assets held for sale

Total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Provisions

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

Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Share capital
Share premium account
Own shares
Other reserves
Translation reserves
Retained earnings
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
Non-controlling interests
Total equity

Note

9
10
11
12
24
19
14

13

14
15
18
16

20

17
12
21

12
28
19
21
20

22

2021
£m

213.9 
108.1 
489.3 
57.6 
– 
2.2 
1.6 
872.7

19.3 
20.6 
117.0 
39.3 
0.5 
0.4 
197.1 
1,069.8 

110.0 
34.0 
91.7 
12.9 
14.4 
263.0 
(65.9)

51.6 
13.9 
47.0 
7.4 
1.5 
121.4 
384.4 
685.4 

33.1 
177.1 
(6.2)
136.5 
24.8 
319.4 
684.7 
0.7 
685.4

2020
£m

215.5 
108.0 
522.6 
69.0 
4.1 
2.4 
2.1 
923.7 

15.8 
20.7 
116.2 
30.7 
– 
2.9 
186.3 
1,110.0 

170.9 
30.7 
53.2 
13.6 
26.0 
294.4 
(108.1)

62.0 
16.2 
42.7 
11.0 
2.3 
134.2 
428.6 
681.4 

33.1 
177.1 
(6.9)
132.6 
37.9 
306.7 
680.5 
0.9 
681.4 

The financial statements of Bodycote plc, registered number 519057, were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 
14 March 2022. 

They were signed on its behalf by:

S.C. Harris  

D. Yates

95

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated cash flow statement
For the year ended 31 December 2021

Net cash from operating activities
Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Purchases of other intangibles assets
Proceeds from disposal of investment in an associate
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
Interest received
Net cash used in investing activities
Financing activities
Interest paid
Dividends paid
Principal elements of lease payments
Drawdown of bank loans
Repayments of bank loans
Own shares purchased
Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Note
25

23

7

25

2021
£m
144.3 

(45.1)
11.7 
(6.9)
1.5 
(66.0)
0.3 
(104.5)

(5.5)
(49.0)
(14.4)
155.5 
(116.9)
– 
(30.3)
9.5 
29.2 
(0.8)
37.9 

2020
£m
139.1 

(57.8)
1.9 
(2.1)
– 
(66.7)
0.3 
(124.4)

(5.0)
(25.1)
(15.5)
101.9 
(62.1)
(0.5)
(6.3)
8.4 
20.9 
(0.1)
29.2 

96

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2021

1 January 2020
Profit for the year
Exchange differences on translation of 
overseas operations
Movements on hedges of net investments
Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension 
schemes net of deferred tax
Total comprehensive income for the year
Acquired in the year/settlement of share 
options
Share-based payments
Dividends
31 December 2020
Profit for the year
Exchange differences on translation of 
overseas operations

Movements on hedges of net investments
Movements on cash flow hedges
Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension 
schemes net of deferred tax
Total comprehensive income for the year
Acquired in the year/settlement of share 
options
Share-based payments
Deferred tax on share-based payment 
transactions
Dividends
31 December 2021

Share 
capital
£m
33.1 
– 

Share 
premium 
account
£m
177.1 
– 

Own  
shares
£m
(11.6)
– 

Other 
reserves
£m
136.7 
– 

Translation
reserves
£m
37.9 
– 

Retained 
earnings
£m
331.8 
0.4 

Equity  
attributable  
to equity  
holders of  
the parent
£m
705.0 
0.4 

Non- 
Total  
controlling 
equity
interests
£m
£m
0.8  705.8 
0.8 
0.4 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
33.1 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
177.1 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
33.1 

– 
– 
177.1 

– 
– 

– 
– 

4.7 
– 
– 
(6.9)
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

0.7 
– 

– 
– 
(6.2)

– 
– 

– 
– 

(4.5)
0.4 
– 
132.6 
– 

– 

0.5 
0.5 

– 
1.0 

(0.8)
4.7 

– 
– 
137.5 

(1.1)
1.1 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
37.9 
– 

(14.1)

–  
– 

– 
(14.1)

– 
– 

– 
– 
23.8 

– 
– 

0.4 
0.8 

(0.8)
– 
(25.1)
306.7 
59.5 

– 

– 
– 

1.8 
61.3 

0.1 
– 

0.3 
(49.0)
319.4 

(1.1)
1.1 

0.4 
0.8 

(0.6)
0.4 
(25.1)
680.5 
59.5 

(14.1)

0.5 
0.5 

1.8 
48.2 

– 
4.7 

0.3 
(49.0)
684.7 

(0.3)
– 

– 
0.1 

(1.4)
1.1 

0.4 
0.9 

– 
– 
– 

(0.6)
0.4 
(25.1)
0.9  681.4 
60.0 
0.5 

(0.7)

(14.8)

– 
– 

0.5 
0.5 

– 
(0.2)

1.8 
48.0 

– 
– 

– 
4.7 

– 
– 

0.3 
(49.0)
0.7  685.4 

Included in other reserves is a capital redemption reserve of £129.8m (2020: £129.8m) and a share-based payments reserve of £4.7m 
(2020: £2.0m). The capital redemption reserve arose from B shares which were converted into deferred shares in 2008 and 2009, and as a 
result, £129.8m was transferred from retained earnings to a capital redemption reserve.

The own shares reserve represents the cost of shares in Bodycote plc purchased in the market. At 31 December 2021: 775,962 
(2020: 865,565) ordinary shares of 17 3/11p each were held by the Bodycote International Employee Benefit Trust to satisfy share-based 
payments under the Group's incentive schemes (see note 26).

Certain subsidiaries in the UK have taken an exemption to be audited. Refer to page 145 for further information. 

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Year ended 31 December 2021

Basis of preparation
The financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies reporting under these standards. There are no differences for the Group 
in applying each of these accounting frameworks. 

The Group has adopted Standards and Interpretations issued by the IASB and the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee 
of the IASB (IFRS IC). Individual standards and interpretations have to be adopted by the UK Endorsement Board (UKEB) before being applied 
in the UK. International Financial Reporting Standards are subject to ongoing amendment by the IASB and subsequent endorsement by the 
UKEB and are therefore subject to change.

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for items that are required by IFRS to be measured at fair 
value, principally certain financial instruments measured at fair value, and retirement benefit assets. Historical cost is generally based on the 
fair value of the consideration given up in exchange for the assets. 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements management has considered the impact of climate change particularly in the context of the 
disclosures included in the Strategic Report. These considerations did not have a material impact on the financial reporting judgements and 
estimates, consistent with the assessment that climate change is not expected to have a significant impact on the Group’s going concern 
assessment nor on the viability of the Group.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of Bodycote plc (‘the Company’) and entities controlled by the 
Company (its subsidiaries and together, ‘the Group’) made up to 31 December each year. A subsidiary is an entity controlled, directly or 
indirectly, by Bodycote plc. Control exists when the Group has power over the subsidiary, has exposure or rights to the variable returns from 
its involvement with a subsidiary and then holds ability to use its power to affect its returns.

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed during the year are included in the consolidated income statement from the effective date of 
acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate. Where necessary, adjustments are made to subsidiary financial statements 
to bring the accounting policies used in line with those used by the Group. All intra-Group transactions, balances, income and expenses are 
eliminated on consolidation.

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group’s equity therein. Those interests of non-controlling 
shareholders that are present ownership interests entitling their holders to a proportionate share of net assets upon liquidation may initially 
be measured at fair value or at the non-controlling interests’ proportionate share of the fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. 
The choice of measurement is made on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis. Other non-controlling interests are initially measured at fair value. 
Subsequent to acquisition, the carrying amount of non-controlling interests is the amount of those interests at initial recognition plus the non-
controlling interests’ share of profits and losses less any distributions made. 

Changes in the Group’s interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions. The carrying 
amount of the Group’s interests and the non-controlling interests are adjusted to reflect the changes in their relative interests in the 
subsidiaries. Any difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration 
paid or received is recognised directly in equity and attributed to the owners of the Company.

Going concern
In determining the basis of preparation for the Group’s financial statements, the Directors have considered the Group’s business activities, 
together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position. The Chief Financial Officer’s report included in this 
Annual Report includes a summary of the Group’s financial position, cash flows, liquidity position and borrowings.

The current and plausible impact of COVID-19 on the Group’s activities, performance and revenue, in addition to other factors and risks, 
has been considered by the Directors in preparing its going concern assessment. The Group has modelled a base case, which reflects 
the Directors’ current expectations of future trading and potential severe but plausible impacts on revenues, profits and cash flows which 
envisages ‘stress’ or ‘downside’ scenarios. 

Management has modelled a base case scenario, built upon the budgeting and forecasting processes for 2022 and extended up to March 
2023. This model shows an improvement in performance in both revenue and profits compared to 2021, albeit with operating profit remaining 
slightly below 2019 levels. The Group’s record of cash conversion was used to estimate the cash generation and level of net debt over that 
period. Management then established a severe but plausible downside scenario which assumes a significant decline in revenues broadly 
consistent with the decline experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a significant revenue shortfall of around 20% below the base 
case modelled through to the end of March 2023. 

The key covenants attached to the Group’s Revolving Credit Facility relate to financial gearing (net debt to EBITDA) and interest cover, which 
are measured on a pre-IFRS 16 basis. The maximum financial gearing ratio permitted under the covenants is 3.0x (with an acquisition spike at 
3.5x) and the minimum interest cover ratio permitted is 4.0x. In both the base case and the severe but plausible downside scenario modelled, 
the Group continues to maintain sufficient liquidity and meets its gearing and interest cover covenants under the Revolving Credit Facility with 
substantial headroom.

The Group meets its working capital requirements through a combination of committed and uncommitted facilities and overdrafts. For the 
purposes of the going concern assessment, the Directors have only taken into account the capacity under existing committed facilities, being 
predominantly the Group’s Revolving Credit Facility. 

The Group has access to a £250.9m Revolving Credit Facility maturing in May 2026. The Group’s committed facilities at 31 December 2021 
totalled £255.3m while uncommitted facilities totalled £54.6m. At 31 December 2021, the Group's Revolving Credit Facility had drawings of 
£90.3m (2020: £51.7m) and the Group's net debt was £51.9m (2020: £22.5m). The liquidity headroom was £202.8m at 31 December 2021 
(2020: £221.7m) excluding uncommitted facilities. 

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsFollowing this assessment, the Directors have formed a judgement, at the time of approving the financial statements, that there are no 
material uncertainties that cast doubt on the Group’s going concern status and that it is a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next 12 months. For this reason, the Directors continue to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Critical accounting judgements and significant accounting estimates 
In the course of preparing the consolidated financial statements certain estimates, assumptions and judgements have been made in the 
process of applying the Group’s accounting policies that have had a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements. 
Although the estimates and judgements are based on management’s best information about current circumstances and future events and 
actions, actual results may differ and result in material variances.

Critical accounting judgements 
 – The Group operates in a number of countries and is subject to taxes in numerous jurisdictions. The recognition of a provision or disclosure 
of contingent liabilities for taxes is a significant judgement that is based upon the interpretation of applicable tax legislation on a country-by-
country basis and an assessment of the likely outcome of any open tax computations. Refer to notes 6, 19 and 29 for more information. 

 – The Group has taken the decision not to recognise an asset in relation to the surplus on the UK defined benefit pension scheme. See note 28 

for further details.

 – Certain items have been disclosed as exceptional costs where the Directors consider that they meet this definition as outlined in the Group’s 

accounting policy below and note 4. 

Significant accounting estimates
 – Accounting for retirement benefit schemes under IAS 19 (revised) requires an assessment of the future benefits payable in accordance with 
actuarial assumptions. The discount rate and the mortality rates applied in the calculation of scheme liabilities are a key source of estimation 
uncertainty for the Group. Details of the accounting policies applied in respect of retirement benefit schemes are set out in note 28. 

Other areas of judgement and accounting estimates
 – The Group has considered whether the valuation of goodwill and the related value-in-use calculation assumptions used for the annual 

impairment testing were significant estimates and has concluded that there is no reasonably possible material change expected in the carrying 
amount of these balances due to a change in these assumptions in the next financial year. This estimate is therefore not considered a key 
source of estimation uncertainty. Refer to note 9 for more information. 

 – The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic brought considerable change to the risk landscape. The Group has implemented mitigation activities. 
The Directors’ view is that there is no significant risk of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic causing a material adjustment to the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year and therefore this does not represent a key source of estimation uncertainty. 

 – Climate change is a global challenge and a principal risk for the Group. Growing awareness of climate change contributes to the Group’s 

business growth as we provide products, services and solutions that increase efficiency and reduce energy use. The Group does not view 
climate change as a key source of estimation uncertainty. For further details, refer to the Strategic Report and note 9.

Group Accounting Policies
Revenue recognition
The Group predominantly has one revenue stream relating to thermal processing services with either identifiable customer contracts or 
specific terms and conditions. Revenue is recognised net of discounts, VAT and other sales-related taxes. The Group’s right to consideration 
equates to the value of the services provided, the transaction price of which is based upon pricing as agreed with the customer. In general, 
the services provided to the Group’s customers consist of one performance obligation, being the delivery of a service which happens either 
at a point in time or over a short timeframe. Revenue is recognised on completion of the service rendered as any spreading of revenue over 
a short time frame during which some services are performed would not have a material impact on revenue recognition. Where multiple 
performance obligations are determined to exist in one transaction, the allocation of transaction price and delivery of services are considered 
on a case by case basis. The determination of the transaction price is based upon pricing as agreed with the customer. In general, there are 
limited instances of judgements made in assessing revenue recognition under IFRS 15 given the relative simplicity of the contracts, and that 
revenue is recognised at a point in time.

In certain cases, the Group will use third parties as part of delivering customer contracts. When a third-party is involved in providing goods 
or services, the Group determines if there is a principal or an agency relationship with that third-party. Due to the nature of the contractual 
arrangements, it is initially assumed that the Group enters into a principal relationship with third-party contractors and thus recognises the 
related revenue on a gross basis with related costs included in cost of sales and overheads in the Consolidated income statement. In some 
circumstances, third-party work arranged for a customer of the Group should validly be considered as agency activity. In such cases, the 
revenue and direct costs of sale are recorded on a net basis in revenue in the consolidated income statement.

Other operating income
Other operating income represents profit on disposal of investment in associates, scrap sales, asset sales and other items of operating 
income not generated in the normal course of business.

Foreign currencies
Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. 
At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing 
on the balance sheet date. Gains and losses arising on retranslation are included in net profit or loss for the period. Non-monetary items that 
are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.

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Year ended 31 December 2021

Exchange differences are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise except for:

 – exchange differences on transactions entered into to hedge certain foreign currency risks (see page 126); and 

 – exchange differences on monetary items receivable from or payable to a foreign operation for which settlement is neither planned nor 

likely to occur (therefore forming part of the net investment in the foreign operation). These exchange differences are recognised initially 
in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and reclassified from equity to profit or loss on disposal or partial disposal of the 
net investment. 

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s overseas operations are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet 
date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the period unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly. 
Exchange differences arising, if any, are classified as equity and transferred to the Group’s translation reserve. Such translation differences are 
recognised as income or as expenses in the period in which the operation is disposed of.

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 closing rate. 

Government assistance 
Economic support provided to the Group as part of government and state initiatives to support local economies is recorded in the consolidated 
income statement on the date at which the conditions attached to the receipt of such assistance have been met, in the period it becomes 
receivable. The income is presented net against the applicable costs within cost of sales and overheads. Any general economic support is 
presented within other operating income in the consolidated income statement. 

Operating profit
Operating profit is stated after charging restructuring costs, goodwill impairment, impairment of intangible assets, amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets, support from government grants and after the post-tax share of results of associates and any gains or losses on disposal of 
investments in associates, but before finance income and finance costs.

Dividends
Interim dividend distributions (ordinary and special) to Bodycote plc’s ordinary shareholders are recognised when paid and final dividends are 
accrued when approved by the ordinary shareholders at the Group’s Annual General Meeting. 

Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs are recognised in the consolidated income statement in the period in which they are incurred as finance costs. Borrowing 
costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that take a substantial period of 
time to get ready for their intended use, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their 
intended use. Interest costs on borrowings are expensed to the consolidated income statement as they fall due and accounted for as financing 
cash flows as they are settled.

Exceptional items
The Group considers exceptional items to be those which derive from events or transactions which are significant for separate disclosure 
by virtue of their size or incidence in order for the user to obtain a proper understanding of the Group’s financial performance. These items 
include, but are not limited to, costs associated with significant restructuring and reorganisation costs, impairment charges, significant profits 
and losses on disposal of subsidiaries and other one-off items which meet this definition.

Goodwill
Goodwill arising in a business combination is recognised as an asset at the date that control is acquired (the acquisition date). Goodwill is 
measured as the excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and 
contingent liabilities of a subsidiary or associate at the date of acquisition. If the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the acquiree’s 
identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities exceeds the cost of the business combination, the excess is recognised immediately in 
the consolidated income statement. 

Goodwill is not amortised but is reviewed for impairment at least annually. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each 
cash-generating unit expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated 
are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable 
amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying 
amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to assets of the unit on a pro-rata basis. Any impairment loss recognised for goodwill 
cannot be reversed in a subsequent period.

On disposal of an associate or subsidiary, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal. 

Other intangible assets
Intangible assets with finite useful lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated 
impairment losses. Intangible assets under development are carried at cost (less any accumulated impairment losses) until available for use. 
Intangible assets acquired in a business combination and recognised separately from goodwill are initially recognised at fair value at the 
acquisition date (which is regarded as their cost). Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible assets acquired in a business combination are 
reported at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Amortisation of these assets is recognised in the consolidated income statement on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, on 
the following bases:

Software  

10%-33%

Non-compete agreements 

20%-33%

Customer relationships 

7%-10%

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Amortisation is recognised within administration expenses, which is included in cost of sales and overheads.

Costs associated with maintaining software programs are recognised as an expense as incurred. Development costs that are directly 
attributable to the design and testing of identifiable and unique software products controlled by the Group are recognised as intangible assets. 
Directly attributable costs that are capitalised as part of the software asset include third-party costs, employee costs and an appropriate 
portion of relevant overheads.

Capitalised development costs are recorded as intangible assets and are amortised from the point at which the asset is available for its 
intended use.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised impairment loss.

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets, other than freehold land and assets under construction which is not depreciated, 
less their residual values, over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method, on the following bases:

Freehold buildings   

2%

Leasehold improvements 

over the projected life of the lease

Fixtures and fittings  

Plant and machinery 

Motor vehicles 

10%-20%

5%-20%

20%-33%

The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying 
amount of the asset and is recognised in income in the consolidated income statement.

Assets in the course of construction are carried at cost, plus appropriate borrowing costs, less any recognised impairment loss. 
Depreciation commences when the assets are ready for their intended use and they have been transferred to the relevant asset class.

Business combinations
Acquisitions of subsidiaries and businesses are generally accounted for under IFRS 3, where appropriate. The consideration for each 
acquisition is measured at the aggregate of the fair values (at the date of exchange) of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity 
instruments issued by the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree. Acquisition-related costs are recognised in the consolidated income 
statement as incurred.

Subsequent changes in such fair values are adjusted against the cost of acquisition where they qualify as measurement period adjustments. 
All other subsequent changes in the fair value of any contingent consideration classified as an asset or liability are accounted for in accordance 
with relevant IFRS standards.

The acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that meet the conditions for recognition under IFRS 3 are recognised at 
their fair value at the acquisition date, except that:

 – deferred tax assets or liabilities and liabilities or assets related to employee benefit arrangements are recognised and measured in accordance 

with IAS 12 Income Taxes and IAS 19 (revised) Employee Benefits respectively; and 

 – liabilities or equity instruments related to the replacement by the Group of an acquiree’s share-based payment awards are measured in 

accordance with IFRS 2 Share-based Payments. 

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets excluding goodwill
At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any 
indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated 
in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are largely independent 
from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to dispose and value-in-use. In assessing value-in-use, the estimated future cash 
flows are discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the 
risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of 
the asset (cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised as an expense immediately in the 
consolidated income statement.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate 
of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined 
had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised as 
income in the consolidated income statement immediately.

Retirement benefit schemes
Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognised as an expense in the consolidated income statement 
as incurred.

The cost of providing pensions under defined benefit schemes is calculated in accordance with a qualified actuarial evaluation and spread 
over the period during which the benefit is expected to be derived from the employees’ services. The Group’s net obligation or surplus in 
respect of defined benefit pension schemes is calculated separately for each scheme by a qualified actuary using the projected unit method 
by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods less the fair 
value of the scheme’s assets. Past service costs resulting from scheme amendments or curtailments and gains or losses on settlements are 

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Group accounting policies continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

charged to the consolidated income statement. If the calculation results in a surplus, the recognised asset is limited, under the provisions of 
IFRIC14, to the present value of benefits available in the form of future refunds from the plan or reductions to future contributions.

The average discount rate for the schemes’ liabilities is based on investment-grade rated corporate bonds or similar government bonds of 
suitable duration and currency. Scheme assets are measured using market values at the end of the reporting period. Actuarial gains and 
losses, differences between the expected and actual returns, and the effect of changes in actuarial assumptions are recognised in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income in the year they arise. Any scheme surplus (to the extent it is considered recoverable under 
the provisions of IFRIC 14) or deficit is recognised in full in the consolidated balance sheet. 

Right-of-Use assets 
To the extent that a right-of-control exists over an asset subject to a lease, with a lease term exceeding one year, a right-of-use asset, 
representing the Group’s right to use the underlying leases asset, and a lease liability, representing the Group’s obligation to make lease 
payments, are recognised in the Group’s balance sheet at the commencement of the lease.

The right-of-use asset is measured at cost and includes the amount of initial measurement of the lease liability and any direct costs incurred, 
including advance lease payments, and an estimate of the dismantling, removal, and restoration costs required by the terms and conditions 
of the lease. Contracts may contain both lease and non-lease components such as administrative charges and taxes. The Group allocates 
the consideration in the contract to the lease and non-lease components based on their relative stand-alone prices. They are subsequently 
measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

Depreciation is charged to the consolidated income statement to depreciate the right-of-use asset from the commencement date until 
the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right to use asset or the end of the lease term. The lease term shall include the period of any 
extension option where it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Where the lease contains a purchase option the asset is 
written off over the useful life of the asset when it is reasonably certain that the purchase option will be exercised.

The lease liability is measured at the present value of the future lease payments, including fixed payments less any lease incentives 
receivable, amounts expected to be payable by the Group under residual value guarantees and the exercise price of purchased options where 
it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if easily determinable. If the 
rate cannot be readily determined, the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate is used. Finance charges are recognised in the consolidated 
income statement over the period of the lease. 

Lease arrangements that are short-term in nature in relation to low value assets are charged directly to the consolidated income statement 
when incurred. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less and low value assets are defined based on quantitative 
criteria as outlined in IFRS 16.

Investments in associates
An associate is an entity over which the Group is in a position to exercise significant influence, but not control or joint control, through 
participation in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee.

The results and assets and liabilities of associates are incorporated in these financial statements using the equity method of accounting. 
Investments in associates are carried in the balance sheet at cost as adjusted by post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of the net 
assets of the associate, less any impairment in the value of individual investments. Losses of an associate in excess of the Group’s interest 
in that associate (which includes any long-term interests that, in substance, form part of the Group’s net investment in the associate) are 
recognised only to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.

Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s share of the fair values of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities 
of the associate at the date of acquisition is recognised as goodwill. The goodwill is included within the carrying amount of the investment. 
Any deficiency of the cost of acquisition below the Group’s share of the fair values of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent 
liabilities of the associate at the date of acquisition (i.e. discount on acquisition) is credited in the consolidated income statement in the period 
of acquisition.

Where a Group company transacts with an associate of the Group, profits and losses are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in 
the relevant associate. Losses may provide evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred, in which case appropriate provision is made 
for impairment.

On sale of an associate, any gain or loss is calculated based on the carrying value at the date of disposal and is presented within other 
operating income in the consolidated income statement. 

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsAssets held for sale
Assets are classified and presented as held for sale at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less cost to sell if their carrying amount will 
be recovered through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly 
probable and the asset (or disposal group) is available for immediate sale. Assets categorised as held for sale are not depreciated.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value and are accounted for on a first-in, first-out basis or, in some cases, a 
weighted-average basis, if deemed more appropriate for the business. For finished goods and work-in-progress, cost comprises direct 
materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present 
location and condition. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be 
incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Group’s balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument. Financial liabilities are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. 
The Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire. With the 
exception of the Group’s borrowings, financial liabilities are not generally interest-bearing and are stated at their nominal value unless 
otherwise described below.

Receivables
Trade receivables, loans, and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market are classified 
as ‘receivables’. Receivables are measured at original invoice amount (which is considered fair value) and are subsequently held at amortised 
cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment. Interest income is recognised by applying the effective interest rate where 
applicable, except for trade receivables which do not carry any interest and are stated at their nominal value as reduced by appropriate 
allowances for expected credit losses and estimated irrecoverable amounts.

For trade receivables initially recognised at fair value less allowance for impairments, a simplified lifetime Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model 
is used to assess trade receivables for impairment. ECL is the present value of all cash shortfalls over the expected life of a trade receivable. 
Expected credit losses are based on historical loss experience on trade receivables, adjusted to reflect information about current economic 
conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions. At the date of initial recognition, the credit losses 
expected to arise over the lifetime of a trade receivable are recognised as an impairment in the consolidated income statement.

Cash and bank balances
Cash and bank balances comprise cash in hand and demand deposits and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily 
convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

Derivative financial instruments
The use of financial derivatives is governed by the Group’s policies approved by the Board of Directors, which provide written principles on 
the use of derivative financial instruments. The Group uses derivative financial instruments, in particular foreign currency swaps, forward 
exchange contracts, and cross-currency interest rate swaps to manage the financial risks arising from the business activities and the financing 
of those activities. The Group does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised as assets and liabilities measured at their fair value on the balance sheet date. 
Changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments that do not fulfil the criteria for hedge accounting contained in IFRS 9 Financial 
Instruments are recognised immediately in the consolidated income statement. A derivative is presented as a non-current asset or a non-
current liability if the remaining maturity of the instrument is more than 12 months and it is not expected to be realised or settled within 
12 months.

103

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsGroup accounting policies continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

Net investment hedge
The Group uses foreign currency debt to hedge its exposure to changes in the underlying value of net assets of overseas operations arising 
from foreign exchange rate movements. The Group maintains documentation of the relationship between the hedged item and the hedging 
instrument at the inception of a hedging transaction together with the risk management objective and the strategy underlying the designated 
hedge. The Group also documents its assessment, both at the inception of the hedging relationship and subsequently on an ongoing basis, of 
the effectiveness of the hedge in offsetting movements in the fair values or cash flows of the hedged items. 

To the extent the hedge is effective, changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument arising from the hedged risk are recognised in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income and accumulated in the translation reserve. The gain or loss relating to any ineffective 
portion is recognised immediately in the consolidated income statement and is included in other operating income and expenses. 

Cash flow hedge
The Group maintains documentation of the relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument at the inception of a hedging 
transaction together with the risk management objective and the strategy underlying the designated hedge. Bodycote utilises cross-currency 
interest rate swaps where possible to manage the cash flow exposures of borrowings denominated in foreign currencies.

The Group also documents its assessment, both at the inception of the hedging relationship and subsequently on an ongoing basis, of the 
effectiveness of the hedge in offsetting movements in the fair values or cash flows of the hedged items. 

To the extent the hedge is effective, changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument arising from the hedged risk are recognised in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income and accumulated in the translation reserve. Any gain or loss relating to any ineffective 
portion is recognised immediately in the consolidated income statement and is included in other operating income and expenses. If the 
hedged item results in the recognition of a non-financial asset, the accumulated gains or losses are included within the initial cost of the asset 
at the time that the asset is recognised.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the instrument expires or is sold, exercised or if it no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting. 
If a forecasted transaction subject to hedge accounting is no longer expected to occur, the accumulated gain or loss in the hedging and 
translation reserve is recognised immediately in the consolidated income statement. 

Trade and other payables 
Trade and other payables are recognised at the amounts expected to be paid to counterparties and subsequently held at amortised cost. 

Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year or tax assessment adjustments made to prior years. Taxable profit differs from 
net profit as reported in the consolidated income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in 
other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s asset and liability for current tax is calculated using 
tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the 
financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet 
liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to 
the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets 
and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business 
combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, except where 
the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments and interests are only 
recognised to the extent that it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable profits against which to utilise the benefits of the temporary 
differences and they are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that 
sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised based 
on tax laws and rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the 
consolidated income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited in other comprehensive income, in which case the 
deferred tax is also dealt with in other comprehensive income.

The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Group 
expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

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.

Bank borrowings
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded at the fair value, net of transaction costs. Finance charges, including premiums 
payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accrual's basis to the consolidated income statement 
using the effective interest method and are added to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the period 
in which they arise.

104

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsProvisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, when it is probable that 
the Group will be required to settle that obligation and when a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. If the obligation 
is expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date the provisions are included within current liabilities and if expected to be 
settled after 12 months included in non-current liabilities.

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet 
date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated 
to settle the present obligation, and the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of those cash flows is material to the 
financial statements, the carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows.

Share-based payments
The Group has applied the requirements of IFRS 2 Share-based Payments.

The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value 
at the date of grant. The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight-line 
basis over the vesting period. At each balance sheet date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to 
vest as a result of the effect of non-market-based vesting conditions. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognised 
in the consolidated income statement such that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimates with a corresponding adjustment to the 
equity-settled share-based payments reserve.

Adoption of new and revised standards and interpretations applied in the current year
During the current year, the Group has applied a number of amendments to IFRS Standards and Interpretations issued by the International 
Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the IFRS interpretation committee (IFRS IC) that were effective for annual periods that begin on 
or after 1 January 2021. Their adoption has not had a material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts reported in these consolidated 
financial statements: 

 – Attributing pension benefits to periods of service (Interpretations Committee decision relating to IAS 19);

 – Configuration or customisation costs in a cloud computing arrangement (Interpretations Committee decision paper relating to IAS 38); and

 – Interest rate benchmark reform (Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7 and IFRS 16) – At the end of 2021, the LIBOR reference rate was 

phased out and transitioned to the sterling overnight index average (SONIA). This new reference only impacts the Group’s GBP borrowings 
under its RCF agreement and its cross-currency swap for GBP borrowings which as of 31 December 2021 has become the new reference rate. 
The impact of this change on these financial statements is not material.

New Standards and interpretations not yet applied
At the date of authorisation of these consolidated financial statements, the Group has not applied the following new and revised IFRS 
Standards that have been issued but are not yet effective. They are not expected to have a material impact on the Group:

 – IFRS 17 (insurance contracts);

 – Amendments to IAS 16: Proceeds before intended use;

 – Amendments to IAS 37: Cost of fulfilling a contract; 

 – Annual improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020 cycle;

 – Amendments to IAS 12: Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction; and

 – Amendments to IAS 1: Classification of liabilities as current or non-current.

General information
Bodycote plc is a Company incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006. The address of the registered office is given 
on page 45.

The nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities are included within the Group’s Strategic report.

Information on the Group’s objectives, policies and processes are included within the Group’s Strategic report.

Items included in the financial statements of each entity in the Group are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment 
in which the entity operates. The consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling, which is the functional and presentation 
currency of the Company. Foreign operations are included in accordance with the policies set out in the Foreign Currencies accounting policy 
on page 141.

105

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements
Year ended 31 December 2021

1.  Business and geographical segments
The Group has more than 165 facilities across the world serving a range of market sectors with various thermal processing services. 
The range and type of services offered is common to all market sectors.

In accordance with IFRS 8 Operating Segments, the segmentation of Group activity reflects the way the Group is managed by the chief 
operating decision-maker, being the Group Chief Executive, who regularly reviews the operating performance of six operating segments, 
split between the Aerospace, Defence & Energy (ADE) and Automotive & General Industrial (AGI) business areas, as follows:

 – ADE – Western Europe;

 – ADE – North America;

 – ADE – Emerging Markets;

 – AGI – Western Europe;

 – AGI – North America; and

 – AGI – Emerging Markets.

The split of operating segments by geography reflects the business reporting structure of the Group.

We have also presented combined results of our two key business areas, ADE and AGI. The split being driven by customer behaviour and 
requirements, geography, and services provided. Customers in the ADE segment tend to operate and purchase more globally and have long 
supply chains, whilst customers in the AGI segment tend to purchase more locally and have shorter supply chains.

Bodycote plants do not exclusively supply services to customers of a given market sector. Allocations of plants between ADE and AGI is 
therefore derived by reference to the preponderance of markets served. 

Group
Revenue
Total revenue
Result
Headline operating profit prior to share-based payments and 
unallocated central costs
Share-based payments (including social charges)1
Unallocated central costs
Headline operating profit/(loss)
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition costs
Operating profit/(loss) prior to exceptional items
Exceptional items

Segment result
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Profit for the year

ADE
2021
£m

Central costs 
and  
eliminations
2021
£m

AGI
2021
£m

Consolidated
2021
£m

245.6 

370.2 

– 

615.8 

45.2 
(1.0)
– 
44.2 
(6.7)
(0.5)
37.0 
(4.2)

32.8 

72.5 
(3.0)
– 
69.5 
(3.6)
– 
65.9 
(0.6) 

65.3 

– 
(1.0)
(17.9)
(18.9)
– 
(0.2)
(19.1)
4.8 

(14.3)

117.7 
(5.0)
(17.9)
94.8 
(10.3)
(0.7)
83.8 
– 

83.8 
0.3 
(6.6)
77.5 
(17.5)
60.0 

1  £4.7m (2020:£0.4m) IFRS 2 share-based payment charge in the year plus £0.3m (2020: £1.3m credit) social security charges.

Inter-segment sales are not material in either year.

The Group does not have any one customer that contributes more than 10% of revenue.

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1.  Business and geographical segments continued

Aerospace, Defence & Energy
Revenue
Total revenue
Result
Headline operating profit prior to share-based payments 
Share-based payments (including social charges)
Headline operating profit
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition costs
Operating profit prior to exceptional items
Exceptional items
Segment result

Automotive & General Industrial
Revenue
Total revenue
Result
Headline operating profit prior to share-based payments 
Share-based payments (including social charges)1
Headline operating profit
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition costs
Operating profit prior to exceptional items
Exceptional items
Segment result

Western  
Europe
2021
£m

North  
America
2021
£m

Emerging 
Markets 
2021
£m

Total ADE
2021
£m

105.3 

136.0 

21.7 
(0.4)
21.3 
– 
(0.5)
20.8 
(1.7)
19.1 

23.3
(0.6)
22.7 
(6.7)
– 
16.0 
(2.5)
13.5 

4.3 

0.2 
– 
0.2 
– 
– 
0.2 
– 
0.2 

245.6 

45.2 
(1.0)
44.2 
(6.7)
(0.5)
37.0 
(4.2)
32.8 

Western  
Europe
2021
£m

North  
America
2021
£m

Emerging 
Markets
2021
£m

Total AGI
2021
£m

217.0 

85.3 

47.8 
(1.8)
46.0 
(0.5)
– 
45.5 
(0.3) 
45.2 

7.9 
(0.5)
7.4 
(2.7)
– 
4.7 
(0.1)
4.6 

67.9 

16.8 
(0.7)
16.1 
(0.4)
– 
15.7 
(0.2)
15.5 

370.2 

72.5 
(3.0)
69.5 
(3.6)
– 
65.9 
(0.6)
65.3 

1  £4.7m (2020:£0.4m) IFRS 2 share-based payment charge in the year plus £0.3m (2020: £1.3m credit) social security charges.

107

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

1.  Business and geographical segments continued

Group
Revenue
Total revenue
Result
Headline operating profit prior to share-based payments and 
unallocated central costs
Share-based payments (including social charges)1
Unallocated central costs
Headline operating profit/(loss)
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition costs
Operating profit/(loss) prior to exceptional items
Exceptional items
Segment result
Finance income
Finance costs
Loss before taxation
Taxation
Profit for the year

ADE
2020
£m

AGI
2020
£m

Central costs  
and eliminations
2020
£m

Consolidated
2020
£m

249.2 

348.8 

– 

598.0 

36.8 
– 
– 
36.8 
(5.7)
(2.1)
29.0 
(16.9)
12.1 

41.0 
– 
– 
41.0 
(4.1)
– 
36.9 
(35.3)
1.6 

– 
0.9 
(3.4)
(2.5)
– 
– 
(2.5)
(6.2)
(8.7)

77.8 
0.9 
(3.4)
75.3 
(9.8)
(2.1)
63.4 
(58.4)
5.0 
0.2 
(6.7)
(1.5)
2.3 
0.8 

1 

 £4.7m (2020:£0.4m) IFRS 2 share-based payment charge in the year plus £0.3m (2020: £1.3m credit) social security charges.

Western  
Europe
2020
£m

North 
America
2020
£m

Emerging  
Markets
2020
£m

Total ADE
2020
£m

103.1 

143.3 

17.0 
– 
– 
17.0 
(10.3)
6.7 

20.0 
(5.7)
(2.1)
12.2 
(6.5)
5.7 

2.8 

(0.2)
– 
– 
(0.2)
(0.1)
(0.3)

249.2 

36.8 
(5.7)
(2.1)
29.0 
(16.9)
12.1 

Western  
Europe
2020
£m

North 
America
2020
£m

Emerging  
Markets
2020
£m

Total AGI
2020
£m

203.7 

26.7 
(0.5)
26.2 
(24.8)
1.4 

83.5 

(0.4)
(3.2)
(3.6)
(9.4)
(13.0)

61.6 

14.7 
(0.4)
14.3 
(1.1)
13.2 

348.8 

41.0 
(4.1)
36.9 
(35.3)
1.6 

Aerospace, Defence & Energy
Revenue
Total revenue
Result
Headline operating profit/(loss)
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition costs
Operating profit/(loss) prior to exceptional items
Exceptional items
Segment result

Automotive & General Industrial
Revenue
Total revenue
Result
Headline operating profit/(loss)
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Operating profit/(loss) prior to exceptional items
Exceptional items
Segment result

108

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1.  Business and geographical segments continued
Other information 

Group
Gross capital additions

Depreciation and amortisation
Balance sheet
Segment assets
Segment liabilities
Segment net assets

Aerospace, Defence & Energy
Gross capital additions
Depreciation and amortisation
Balance sheet
Segment assets
Segment liabilities
Segment net assets

Automotive & General Industrial
Gross capital additions
Depreciation and amortisation
Balance sheet
Segment assets
Segment liabilities
Segment net assets

Group
Gross capital additions
Depreciation and amortisation
Balance sheet
Segment assets
Segment liabilities
Segment net assets

ADE
2021
£m
14.5 

33.8 

480.1 
(91.3)
388.8 

Western  
Europe
2021
£m
6.0 
12.7 

170.3
(46.2)
124.1 

Western 
Europe 
2021 
£m
20.3 
23.5 

232.0 
(79.0)
153.0 

ADE
2020
£m
18.1 
35.8 

484.9 
(150.2)
334.7 

Central  
costs and 
eliminations
2021
£m
7.5 

Consolidated
2021
£m
60.5 

2.8 

84.3 

62.3 
(159.8)
(97.5)

Emerging 
Markets
2021
£m
0.1 
0.6 

5.1 
(1.0)
4.1 

Emerging 
Markets  
2021  
£m
7.7 
10.7 

128.0 
(30.0)
98.0 

1,069.8 
(384.4)
685.4 

Total ADE
2021
£m
14.5 
33.8 

480.1 
(91.3)
388.8 

Total AGI 
2021  
£m
38.5 
47.7 

527.4 
(133.3)
394.1 

Central costs  
and eliminations
2020
£m
5.0 
2.9 

Consolidated
2020
£m
63.9 
91.9 

53.7 
(114.3)
(60.6)

1,110.0 
(428.6)
681.4 

AGI
2021
£m
38.5 

47.7 

527.4 
(133.3)
394.1

North  
America
2021
£m
8.4 
20.5 

304.7
(44.1)
260.6

North  
America 
2021  
£m
10.5 
13.5 

167.4 
(24.3)
143.1 

AGI
2020
£m
40.8 
53.2 

571.4 
(164.1)
407.3 

109

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

1.  Business and geographical segments continued 

Aerospace, Defence & Energy
Gross capital additions
Depreciation and amortisation
Balance sheet
Segment assets
Segment liabilities
Segment net assets

Automotive & General Industrial
Gross capital additions
Depreciation and amortisation
Balance sheet
Segment assets
Segment liabilities
Segment net assets

Western 
Europe 
2020  
£m
6.8 
12.9 

168.6 
(47.8)
120.8 

Western  
Europe
2020
£m
17.1 
27.2 

267.9 
(97.1)
170.8 

North  
America 
2020  
£m
9.0 
22.4 

310.9 
(100.5)
210.4 

North 
America
2002
£m
16.0 
15.5 

171.6 
(30.2)
141.4 

Emerging  
Markets  
2020  
£m
2.3 
0.5 

5.4 
(1.9)
3.5 

Emerging  
Markets
2002
£m
7.7 
10.5 

131.9 
(36.8)
95.1 

Total ADE 
2020  
£m
18.1 
35.8 

484.9 
(150.2)
334.7 

Total AGI
2020
£m
40.8 
53.2 

571.4 
(164.1)
407.3 

Geographical information 
The Group’s revenue from external customers and information about its segment assets (non-current assets excluding financial instruments, 
deferred tax assets and other financial assets) by country are detailed below:

Revenue from external customers 
2020 
£m
219.1 
76.4 
69.7 
44.3 
37.9 
24.9 
125.7 
598.0 

2021 
£m
210.9 
80.8 
71.1 
45.2 
40.1 
27.8 
139.9 
615.8 

Non-current assets
 2020 
£m
429.7 
70.6 
78.0 
83.2 
42.6 
23.1 
192.0 
919.2 

2021 
£m
413.4 
63.4 
68.1 
79.9 
36.6 
23.1 
184.4 
868.9 

USA
France
Germany
UK
Sweden
Netherlands
Others

110

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2.  Operating profit

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Other operating income
Distribution costs
Administration expenses
Other operating expenses
Headline operating profit
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquisition costs (see note 23)
Operating profit prior to exceptional items
Exceptional items (see note 4)
Operating profit

Profit for the year has been arrived at after (crediting)/charging: 

Net foreign exchange gain
Inventory expensed
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation of right-of-use assets
Amortisation of other intangible assets
(Gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Gain on disposal of right-of-use assets
Employee costs (see note 3)
Pension scheme administration expenses
Government assistance support received
Acquisition costs
Impairment gain on trade receivables
Impairments – recognised in exceptional items (see note 4)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets – recognised in operating profit
Share of profits of associate undertaking up to disposal
Loss on sale of associate

The analysis of auditors’ remuneration on a worldwide basis is as follows:

Fees payable to the auditor for the audit of the annual accounts
Fees payable to the auditor and its associates for other services:
The audit of the Group's subsidiaries
Total audit fees
Audit related assurance services1
Other non-audit fees2
Total fees payable to the auditor

2021
£m
615.8 
(379.8)
236.0 
3.8 
(17.4)
(126.4)
(1.2)
94.8 
(10.3)
(0.7)
83.8 
– 
83.8 

2021
£m
(0.2)
48.4 
58.0 
13.6 
12.1 
(4.8)
– 
252.5 
0.5 
(1.5)
0.7 
(1.2)
6.5 
– 
(0.1) 
0.4 

2021
£m
0.8 

1.4 
2.2 
0.1 
0.1 
2.4 

2020
£m
598.0 
(401.3)
196.7 
4.4 
(15.6)
(109.0)
(1.2)
75.3 
(9.8)
(2.1)
63.4 
(58.4)
5.0 

2020
£m
(0.3)
48.8 
65.2 
14.8 
11.9 
0.6 
(0.1)
235.1 
0.4 
(4.3)
2.1 
(0.4)
22.7 
0.3 
(0.4) 
– 

2020
£m
0.7 

1.1 
1.8 
0.2 
– 
2.0 

1  This includes £0.1m for the review of the half year report (2020: £0.2m for the review of the half year report).

2  This includes £0.1m (2020: £nil) for a mandatory assurance requirement by the Dutch government concerning COVID-19 assistance (NOW), required as part of the programme conditions.

The audit fees disclosed for 2021 include £0.1m of fees in connection with the 2020 audit. 

111

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

3.  Employees
The average monthly number of employees (including Executive Directors) was: 

ADE:

Western Europe
North America
Emerging Markets

AGI:

Western Europe
North America
Emerging Markets

Shared services
Head office

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
Wages and salaries1
Social security costs
Pension costs

2021 
Number

2020 
Number1

698 
799 
62 

1,490 
641 
775 
243 
42 
4,750 

2021 
£m

214.6 
30.9 
7.1 
252.5 

733 
947 
12 

1,687 
692 
737 
215 
45 
5,068 

2020 
£m

198.6 
30.8 
5.7 
235.1 

1  For the year ended 31 December 2021 the Group received government and state employee support towards wages and salaries of £1.1m (2020: £3.6m) which are presented net against 

staff costs. 

Included in wages and salaries are share-based payments (excluding social charges) resulting in a charge of £4.7m (2020: £0.4m). Included in 
pension costs are £6.4m relating to defined contribution schemes (2020: £7.3m) and a £1.2m charge relating to defined benefit schemes 
(2020: £1.6m credit). Pension administrative costs not included above were £0.5m (2020: £0.4m) – see note 2 and note 28.

Disclosure of individual Directors’ remuneration, share interests, share options, long-term incentive schemes, pension contributions and 
pension entitlements are shown in the tables in the Board report on remuneration on pages 64 to 84 and form part of these financial 
statements. See also note 28 for more information on retirement benefit schemes.

4.  Exceptional items

Severance and redundancy (release)/costs
Impairment of assets
Site closure costs
Gains on sales of property, plant and equipment recognised in exceptional items
Environmental provisions – see note 21
Total exceptional restructuring items
Impairment of other intangible assets – see note 10
Total exceptional items

2021
£m
(2.7)
5.5 
1.9 
(4.8)
0.1 
– 
– 
– 

2020
£m
20.8 
16.5 
12.0 
–
2.9 
52.2 
6.2 
58.4 

In 2020, the Group announced an organisational restructuring initiative which was driven by a combination of both macroeconomic 
uncertainties and longer term automobile and aerospace market structural shifts. A number of plants were closed as a result of these 
restructuring activities. The related costs were recorded as exceptional items in line with the Group’s accounting policy for exceptional items. 

At 31 December 2021, management performed a detailed review of the restructuring activities in order to determine the best estimate of 
future expenditure required to settle the present obligations. As a result of this assessment, a total of £2.7m of restructuring provisions 
relating to severance and redundancy costs were released to exceptional items in the consolidated income statement.

During the year the Group incurred a further £8.5m of exceptional restructuring charges related to the 2020 restructuring initiatives. 
These costs include additional impairments of assets totalling £5.5m and site closure costs totalling £1.9m (including £0.6m of depreciation on 
sites mothballed as part of the restructuring initiatives).

The Group also disposed of several assets related to restructured sites for total cash proceeds of £11.7m resulting in a gain on sale of £4.8m. 

At 31 December 2021, £10.2m was held as provisions. Refer to note 21 for more information.

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5.  Finance charge and income

Interest on bank overdrafts and loans
Interest on deferred consideration
Interest on lease liabilities
Total interest expense
Net interest on the defined benefit pension liability
Other finance charges
Total finance charge
Interest received on bank deposits
Other interest receivable
Total finance income
Net finance charge

6.  Taxation

Current taxation – charge for the year
Current taxation – adjustments in respect of previous years
Deferred tax (see note 19)

2021
£m
1.3 
0.2 
1.8 
3.3 
0.1 
3.2 
6.6 
0.1 
0.2 
0.3 
6.3 

2021
£m
18.9 
(5.9)
4.5 
17.5 

2020
£m
0.7 
0.8 
2.2 
3.7 
0.1 
2.9 
6.7 
0.1 
0.1 
0.2 
6.5 

2020
£m
9.4 
(9.7)
(2.0)
(2.3)

The Group uses a weighted average country tax rate rather than the UK tax rate for the reconciliation of the charge for the year to the profit 
before taxation per the consolidated income statement. The Group operates in several jurisdictions, many of which have a tax rate in excess 
of the UK tax rate. As such, a weighted average country tax rate is believed to provide the most meaningful information to the users of the 
financial statements. The appropriate tax rate for this comparison in 2021 is 24.7% (2020: 24.1%). The effect of changes in statutory tax rates 
reflects the impact on deferred tax balances of the increase in the future UK tax rate from 19.0% to 25.0% which will take effect from 1 April 
2023 as per the Finance Act 2021. Consequently, the deferred tax balances on the consolidated balance sheet relating to the UK have been 
measured using these revised rates. The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit/(loss) before taxation per the consolidated income 
statement as follows:

Profit/(loss) before taxation
Tax at the weighted average country tax rate of 24.7% (2020: 24.1%)
Tax effect of expenses not deductible in determining taxable profit1
Impact of recognition or derecognition of deferred tax balances
Tax effect of other adjustments in respect of previous years:

Current tax2
Deferred tax2

Effect of financing activities between jurisdictions3
Impact of trade and minimum corporate taxes
Effect of changes in statutory tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities
Other tax risk provision movements4
Tax expense/(credit) for the year

2021
£m
77.5 
19.1 
2.3 
(0.9)

(5.9)
0.1 
1.3 
0.6 
0.2 
0.7 
17.5 

2020
£m
(1.5)
(0.4)
0.3 
2.0 

(9.7)
8.7 
(2.8)
0.8 
(1.1)
(0.1)
(2.3)

Tax on items taken directly to equity is a credit of £0.3m (2020: charge of £0.1m).

1  Those costs in various jurisdictions are not deductible in calculating taxable profits.

2  2021 and 2020 adjustments in current and deferred tax in respect of previous years relate mainly to changes in assumptions and outcomes in UK and overseas tax positions.

3  The Group is externally financed by a mix of cash flows from operations and short-term borrowings. Internally, operating subsidiaries are predominantly financed via intercompany loans. 

The effect is net of provisions based on management’s estimation of tax risk relating to the potential disallowance of interest. £5.1m of interest deductions were restricted in the US in 2021 
(2020: £9.9m).

4 

Includes provisions for local tax risks and non-financing cross border transactions.

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

6.  Taxation continued
As part of the calculation of the tax charge, the Group recognises a number of tax risk provisions in respect of ongoing tax enquiries and 
in recognition of the multinational tax environment that Bodycote operates in where the nature of the tax positions that are taken is often 
complex and subject to change. Tax provisions totalling £24.0m were recognised at 31 December 2021 (2020: £22.1m), of which £1.8m 
(2020: £5.4m) are expected to crystalise within 12 months. The provisions are based on an assessment of a range of possible outcomes 
to determine reasonable estimates of the consequences of tax authority audits in the various tax jurisdictions in which the Group operates. 
Management judgement is exercised to determine the quantum of the tax risk provisions based on an understanding of the appropriate local 
tax legislation, taking into consideration the differences of interpretation that can arise on a wide variety of issues including the nature of 
ongoing tax audits and the experience from earlier enquires, and determining whether any possible liability is probable. The provisions relate 
to six main areas of tax risk, varying in quantum from £0.4m to £7.2m.

Note 29 to the accounts refers to a previously disclosed contingent liability in respect of the European Commission state aid investigation into 
the Group financing exemption in the UK-controlled foreign company rules, which is no longer required as at 31 December 2021.

7.  Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:
Deferred dividend for the year ended 31 December 2019 of 13.3p per share
Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2020 of 6.0p per share
Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2020 of 13.4p per share
Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2021 of 6.2p per share

Proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2021 of 13.8p per share

2021
£m

– 
11.4 
25.7 
11.9 
49.0 
26.4 

2020
£m

25.1 
– 
– 
– 
25.1 
– 

The Board approved the payment of an interim dividend for 2020 of 6.0p on 24 November 2020 to those shareholders on the register 
of Bodycote plc on 8 January 2021. The 2020 interim dividend was paid on 12 February 2021. Furthermore, the Board approved a final 
ordinary dividend for 2020 of 13.4p to shareholders on the register of Bodycote plc on 23 April 2021. The final ordinary dividend was paid on 
4 June 2021. 

The Board approved the payment of an interim dividend for 2021 of 6.2p on 27 July 2021 to those shareholders on the register of Bodycote plc 
on 8 October 2021. The 2021 interim dividend was paid on 5 November 2021. The Board has proposed a 2021 final ordinary dividend of 13.8p 
per share to be paid on 3 June 2022 to shareholders on the register at close of business at 22 April 2022 subject to approval by shareholders 
at the Annual General Meeting. As the proposed dividend is subject to shareholder approval in 2022, it is not included as a liability in these 
financial statements.

The dividends are waived on shares held by the Bodycote International Employee Benefit Trust.

114

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8.  Earnings per share
The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data:

Earnings
Earnings for the purpose of basic earnings per share being net profit attributable to equity holders of 
the parent

Number of shares
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic earnings per share
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares:

Shares subject to performance conditions1
Shares subject to vesting conditions

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted earnings per share

Earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted1

Headline earnings
Net profit attributable to equity holders of the parent
Add back:

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets (net of tax)
Acquisition costs (net of tax)
Exceptional items (net of tax)

Headline earnings

Headline earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted1

2021
£m

2020
£m

59.5 

0.4 

Number

Number

190,651,774

190,374,428

79,678 
192,117 
190,923,569

– 
– 
190,374,428

Pence

Pence

31.2 
31.2 

£m

59.5 

7.8 
1.0 
– 
68.3

0.2 
0.2 

£m

0.4 

7.4 
1.5 
43.6 
52.9 

Pence

Pence

35.8 
35.8 

27.8 
27.8 

1  As at 31 December 2021, in accordance with IAS 33, the related performance conditions for most open plans have not been met resulting in nil dilution of earnings per share (2020: nil).

9.  Goodwill

Cost

At 1 January
Exchange differences
Recognised on acquisition of businesses
At 31 December

Accumulated impairment

At 1 January
Exchange differences
At 31 December
Carrying amount

2021
£m

276.3 
(1.8)
–
274.5 

60.8 
(0.2)
60.6 
213.9 

2020
£m

230.7 
(4.4)
50.0 
276.3 

60.9 
(0.1)
60.8 
215.5 

115

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

9.  Goodwill continued
Goodwill acquired through business combinations is allocated to the cash generating units (CGUs) that are expected to benefit from the 
synergies of the combination. The recoverable amounts of these CGUs are the higher of fair value less costs to dispose and value-in-use. 
Goodwill is allocated as follows:

ADE:

Western Europe
North America

AGI:

Western Europe
North America
Emerging Markets

2021
£m

26.8 
93.2 

27.6 
54.7 
11.6 
213.9 

2020
£m

27.0 
93.1 

28.8 
54.3 
12.3 
215.5 

The Group tests goodwill at least annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired.

The recoverable amounts of the cash generating units were determined from value-in-use calculations and are the net present value sum of 
the discounted cash flows. The key assumptions for those calculations include the discount rates, the rate of recovery and growth in revenues 
and their relative impact on future profitability and cash flows.

Growth rates are determined by a combination of management’s budget for 2022 and forecasts based on certain revenue and operating 
profit assumptions for the subsequent three years, together with a further estimate of cash flows into perpetuity using forecast inflationary 
growth rates based on external forward-looking forecasts in the respective geographies. The cash flows are discounted using both pre-tax 
and post-tax Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) which reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks 
specific to the cash generating units, including country risk premium. The pre-tax rates used to discount the forecast cash flows for each cash 
generating unit were between 7.5% (2020: 9.5%) and 11.6% (2020: 11.7%). Post tax these rates were between 6.4% (2020: 7.9%) and 9.2% 
(2020: 9.1%). Net present value of cash flows under both a pre-tax and post-tax model are equivalent.

The projected cash flows reflect management’s expectation of how movements in revenues and operating profits are correlated and will 
develop, and the extent to which changes in these metrics will convert into cash. The correlation between movements in revenue and 
operating profits is referred to as operational gearing and is a key assumption in determining these cash flows. In formulating the view on 
future cash flows, consideration has been given to various external data sources on the strength and timing of any expected economic 
recovery and industry specific information. In particular, the assessment for North America ADE is sensitive to the recovery of the Aerospace 
sector following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and North America AGI to the automotive market which has been constrained due to 
current global supply chain constraints. Management considers that the impairment assessment reflects a conservative but supportable view 
on both NA ADE and NA AGI revenue recovery.

Maintenance capital expenditure projections are based on historical experience and include expenditure necessary to maintain the projected 
cash flows from existing assets and the replacement cost of assets in future years. Expansionary capital expenditure, and the associated 
revenues and cash flows, are only included to the extent that they have been approved, and expenditure had already been incurred as at the 
balance sheet date. Long term growth rates used to determine cash flows for 2026 and into perpetuity are in the range of 2.1% (2020: 2.2%) 
to 2.4% (2020: 5.3%) depending on the geographical region of each CGU. 

The majority of goodwill is allocated to two of the CGUs, being North America ADE and North America AGI. The long-term growth rates 
applied to cash flows after 2026 and the rates used to discount the projected cash flows for these CGUs are shown below:

Cash generating unit

North America ADE
North America AGI

Goodwill 
carrying value
2021
£m

Long term 
growth rate
2021
%

Pre-tax 
discount rate
2021
%

93.2 
54.7 

2.3
2.3 

8.0 
8.1 

Expected future cash flows are inherently uncertain and could change materially over time. They are affected by several factors, including 
market and production estimates, together with economic factors such as prices, discount rates, currency exchange rates, estimates 
of production costs, and future maintenance capital expenditure, and therefore the Group has conducted sensitivity analysis on the key 
assumptions applied to the value-in-use calculations for the cash generating units. This uncertainty is especially relevant in light of events 
currently impacting global economies including, but not confined to, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and global-wide chip shortages 
impacting customers; and rising energy prices. These uncertainties have been reflected in the sensitivity analyses performed of reasonably 
possible changes in the underlying assumptions on future cash flows for the cash generating units. The following sensitivities were applied:

 – A 10% reduction in revenue below the base case in each of the four years, together with a 50 bps reduction in the long-term growth rates;

 – A reduction in operational gearing of 5 percentage points; and 

 – A 1.5 percentage point increase in the discount rate to each CGU. 

116

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9.  Goodwill continued
None of these scenarios resulted in an impairment either individually, or in aggregate. In determining the sensitivities to apply, consideration 
was given to the impact that climate change may have on the Group’s businesses which is considered to present both opportunities and risks 
to the organisation. Whilst specific scenarios were not modelled, the impact of the above sensitivities was deemed sufficiently significant to 
cover a range of potential risk, some of which are difficult to estimate with current known information. The Group’s assessment of the impact 
of climate change is set out on pages 41 and 42 of the Annual Report & Accounts.

While the reasonably possible changes summarised above do not indicate an impairment, it is difficult in the current environment to predict how 
the world’s economies will recover and the timing of such recovery. In the event that revenues do not ultimately return to historical levels when 
anticipated, or the Group is unable to maintain or realise expected operating gearing ratios and cost savings from its recent restructuring, a risk of 
impairment may arise in the future, absent further management mitigating action. However based on current available information the Directors 
do not consider that there are any reasonable possible sensitivities that could arise that would result in a material impairment charge being 
recognised in the next 12 months. The Directors have concluded that no impairment charge is required as at 31 December 2021.

10. Other intangible assets

Cost

At 1 January 2020
Exchange differences
Additions
Acquired on acquisition of businesses
Disposals
At 1 January 2021
Exchange differences
Additions
Acquired on acquisition of businesses (see note 23)
Disposals
At 31 December 2021

Amortisation

At 1 January 2020
Exchange differences
Charge for the year
Impairment loss
Disposals
At 1 January 2021
Exchange differences
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 December 2021

Carrying amount 

At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020

Software 
£m

Customer 
relationships 
£m

Non-compete 
agreements 
£m

41.0
0.2
2.1
–
(1.8)
41.5 
(0.3)
6.9 
– 
(1.5)
46.6 

18.8 
0.2 
2.0 
6.2 
(1.8)
25.4 
(0.3)
1.8 
(1.5)
25.4 

 21.2 
16.1 

53.9 
(8.0)
– 
87.3 
– 
133.2 
– 
– 
5.0 
– 
138.2 

33.6 
(1.5)
9.9 
– 
– 
42.0 
(0.3)
10.3 
– 
52.0 

86.2 
91.2 

3.2 
– 
– 
0.6 
– 
3.8 
– 
– 
– 
– 
3.8 

3.1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
3.1 
– 
– 
– 
3.1 

0.7 
0.7 

Total 
£m

98.1 
(7.8)
2.1 
87.9 
(1.8)
178.5 
(0.3)
6.9 
5.0 
(1.5)
188.6 

55.5 
(1.3)
11.9 
6.2 
(1.8)
70.5 
(0.6)
12.1 
(1.5)
80.5 

108.1 
108.0 

Included in intangible software assets are carrying values related to the Group’s existing ERP software module totalling £5.6m (2020: £7.1m) 
which are currently being amortised over the remaining useful life.

The Group is currently developing and implementing a new ERP software solution, assets of which will be held centrally. During the year, the 
Group has capitalised £6.6m (2020: £2.1m), of which £1.7m (2020: £0.4m) relates to internally generated capitalisation for the development 
of this ERP solution. Included in intangible assets are £14.4m (2020: £7.7m) of expenditure that is not yet available for use and is therefore not 
being amortised. 

The Group has considered the decision paper issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee relating to IAS 38: Intangible Assets, clarifying 
how to account for configuring or customising costs incurred in a Software as a Service (SaaS) arrangement. £0.3m of configuration and 
customisation costs have been expensed to the consolidated income statement during the year, with no impact on previous periods from 
applying this change.

An impairment charge of £6.2m was recorded in 2020 to reflect the elements of the existing ERP that cannot be retained in the new 
ERP solution. The impairment charge in 2020 was included in exceptional items in the consolidated income statement and related to 
the impairment of the legacy Production ERP software module (£3.6m), the legacy Finance ERP software module (£1.4m) and an HR 
management software module (£1.2m).

Contractual commitments related to the ERP software development were £2.1m at 31 December 2021 (2020: £1.3m). These costs will be 
capitalised as incurred. 

117

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

11.  Property, plant and equipment

Long 
leasehold
improvements
£m

Land and buildings
Short 
leasehold
improvements
£m

Freehold
£m

Plant and 
machinery
£m

Fixtures and 
fittings
£m

Assets under 
construction
£m

Cost or valuation

At 1 January 2020
Additions
Acquisition of businesses
Exchange differences
Transfer to assets held for sale1
Recategorisation
Disposals
At 1 January 2021
Additions
Acquisition of businesses
Exchange differences
Transfer to assets held for sale1
Recategorisation
Disposals
At 31 December 2021

248.4 
– 
6.7 
7.4 
(10.3)
4.1 
(1.9)
254.4 
0.2 
1.2 
(9.6)
(1.7)
9.9 
(6.0)
248.4 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
118.6 
6.9 
3.1 
3.9 
(7.4)
(0.2)
(1.8)
123.1 
6.6 
0.2 
(5.2)

At 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Impairment losses incurred
Exchange differences
Transfer to assets held for sale1
Recategorisation
Eliminated on disposals
At 1 January 2021
Charge for the year
Impairment losses incurred
Exchange differences

Transfer to assets held for sale1
Recategorisation
Eliminated on disposals
At 31 December 2021

Carrying amount

At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020

(1.2)
0.3 
(3.9)
119.9 

128.5 
131.3 

1  See note 16 for further detail on assets held for sale.

11.2 
– 
– 
0.1 
– 
0.2 
(1.4)
10.1 
0.4 
– 
0.1 
– 
(0.2)
(0.4)
10.0 

5.5 
1.2 
0.1 
– 
– 
– 
(1.4)
5.4 
1.0 
– 
0.1 

– 
(0.1)
(0.4)
6.0 

4.0 
4.7 

16.2 
0.4 
1.1 
(0.3)
– 
1.5 
(0.7)
18.2 
0.6 
– 
(0.4)
– 
1.6 
(0.2)
19.8 

7.5 
1.4 
0.8 
(0.2)
– 
0.1 
(0.7)
8.9 
1.3 
0.3 
(0.3)

– 
– 
(0.1)
10.1 

9.7 
9.3 

982.2 
3.4 
6.5 
14.4 
(0.1)
47.2 
(33.6)
1,020.0 
3.8 
1.1 
(31.2)
–
31.7 
(36.0)
989.4 

661.7 
54.4 
11.8 
11.7 
(0.1)
(0.4)
(31.6)
707.5 
48.5 
3.7 
(22.5)

–
(0.1)
(35.1)
702.0 

287.4 
312.5 

27.7 
0.3 
0.2 
0.6 
– 
0.7 
(0.9)
28.6 
0.3 
– 
(1.1)
– 
0.2 
(1.2)
26.8 

21.9 
1.3 
0.1 
0.5 
– 
(0.0)
(0.9)
22.9 
1.2 
– 
(0.8)

– 
(0.1)
(1.2)
22.0 

4.8 
5.7 

64.0 
48.9 
0.3 
0.5 
– 
(54.2)
(0.3)
59.2 
41.0 
– 
(1.2)
– 
(43.2)
(0.8)
55.0 

– 
– 
0.1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
0.1 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
0.1 

54.9 
59.1 

Total
£m

1,349.7 
53.0 
14.8 
22.7 
(10.4)
(0.5)
(38.8)
1,390.5 
46.3 
2.3 
(43.4)
(1.7)
– 
(44.6)
1,349.4 

815.2 
65.2 
16.0 
15.9 
(7.5)
(0.5)
(36.4)
867.9 
58.6 
4.2 
(28.7)

(1.2)
– 
(40.7)
860.1 

489.3
522.6 

At 31 December 2021 the Group had entered into contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment amounting to 
£5.8m (2020: £4.6m).

118

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements11.  Property, plant and equipment continued
Property, plant and equipment impairments incurred of £4.2m (2020: £16.0m) were booked to exceptional costs as they relate to identified 
plant and equipment impairments for assets that were deemed in the year to no longer be required, as a consequence of the restructuring 
programme announced in 2020 and written to £nil carrying value. Asset impairments broken down by business segment are shown in the 
table below.

ADE:

Western Europe
North America

AGI:

Western Europe
North America

2021
 £m

0.7 
2.3 

0.8 
0.4 
4.2

2020
£m 

1.5
2.4

7.5
4.6
16.0

During the year assets with a net book value of £1.3m were moved to assets held for sale, see note 16 for details. The Group also disposed of 
certain assets, mainly relating to the 2020 restructuring programme, with proceeds recorded of £11.7m and a gain on sale of £4.8m. The gain 
on sale has been included in exceptional items in the consolidated income statement.

12. Right-of-use asset
As a lessee
Information about leases for which the Group is the lessee is presented below:

Cost or valuation

At 1 January 2020
Additions
Acquisition of businesses
Disposals
Exchange differences
At 1 January 2021
Additions
Disposals
Exchange differences
At 31 December 2021

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

At 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Impairment losses incurred
Eliminated on disposals
Exchange differences
At 1 January 2021
Charge for the year
Impairment losses incurred
Eliminated on disposals
Exchange differences
At 31 December 2021

Carrying amount

At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020

Land, buildings, 
fixtures and 
fittings1  
£m

Plant and 
machinery  
£m

Vehicles  
£m

126.5 
4.1 
3.2 
(4.5)
0.7 
130.0 
4.1 
(5.2)
(3.6)
125.3 

66.9 
8.4 
0.2 
(3.1)
0.2 
72.6 
8.3 
2.3 
(5.0)
(2.0)
76.2 

49.1
57.4 

21.5 
1.3 
1.8 
(3.7)
0.2 
21.1 
1.4 
(1.3)
(0.6)
20.6 

13.5 
3.1 
0.1 
(1.7)
– 
15.0 
2.6 
– 
(1.0)
(0.4)
16.2 

4.4 
6.1 

17.2 
3.3 
0.1 
(2.5)
0.3 
18.4 
1.8 
(1.7)
(0.7)
17.8 

11.5 
3.3 
– 
(2.2)
0.3 
12.9 
2.7 
– 
(1.5)
(0.4)
13.7 

4.1 
5.5 

1  The carrying amount of fixtures and fittings as at 31 December was £0.2m (2020: £0.2m).

In the year to 31 December 2021 total lease payments charged directly to the consolidated income statement amounted to £0.5m 
(2020: £1.1m) for short-term leases and £0.6m (2020: £0.6m) for leases of low value in line with Group policy.

Total  
£m

165.2 
8.7 
5.1 
(10.7)
1.2 
169.5 
7.3 
(8.2)
(4.9)
163.7

91.9 
14.8 
0.3 
(7.0)
0.5 
100.5 
13.6 
2.3
(7.5)
(2.8)
106.1

57.6
69.0 

119

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

12. Right-of-use assets continued
Lease liabilities

Maturity analysis – contractual undiscounted cash flows
Less than one year
One to five years
More than five years
Total undiscounted cash flows

At 1 January
Additions
Disposals
Principal and interest repayments
Exchange differences
At 31 December
Current
Non-current

Amounts recognised in the consolidated income statement
Depreciation charge
Interest on lease liabilities
Variable lease payments not included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Expenses relating to short-term leases
Expenses relating to leases of low value assets
Right-of-use asset impairment charge 

2021
£m
15.8 
32.8 
54.2 
102.8 

£m
75.6 
6.3 
(0.6)
(14.4)
(2.4)
64.5 
12.9 
51.6 

2021
£m
13.6 
1.8 
0.1 
0.5 
0.6 
2.3

2020
£m
15.6 
37.5 
59.5 
112.6 

£m
79.4 
14.1 
(3.7)
(15.4)
1.2 
75.6 
13.6 
62.0 

2020
£m
14.8 
2.2 
–
1.1 
0.6 
0.3 

Contracts may contain both lease and non-lease components such as administrative charges and taxes. The Group allocates the consideration 
in the contract to the lease and non-lease components based on their relative stand-alone prices.

Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not 
impose any covenants other than the security interests in the leased assets that are held by the lessor.

The Group does not have any leases that are linked to LIBOR interest rates affected by the interest rate benchmark reform.

As a lessor
The Group sub-leases a small number of properties. There were no material arrangements where the Group is the lessor.

13. Inventories 

Raw materials
Work-in-progress
Finished goods and goods for resale
Less: obsolescence provision

Inventory expensed in the years ended 31 December 2021 and 2020 is disclosed in note 2.

2021
£m
17.5 
2.3 
0.7 
(1.2)
19.3 

2020
£m
15.1 
1.6 
0.2 
(1.1)
15.8 

120

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements14. Trade and other receivables

Amounts falling due within one year:

Amounts receivable for the supply of services
Allowance for expected credit loss
Net trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments

Amounts falling due after more than one year:

Trade and other receivables

2021
£m

102.9 
(2.8)
100.1 
8.8 
8.1 
117.0 

1.6 

2020
£m

97.7 
(4.5)
93.2 
13.0 
10.0 
116.2 

2.1 

The average credit period given to customers for the supply of services as at 31 December 2021 is 61 days (2020: 63 days). An allowance has 
been made for estimated irrecoverable amounts from the supply of services of £2.8m (2020: £4.5m). This allowance has been determined by 
reference to expected credit losses as set out in the Group’s accounting policies.

The carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value.

Included in the Group’s trade receivables balance are specific debtor balances with a carrying amount of £21.3m (2020: £20.8m) which 
are past due but not impaired at the reporting date. The Group has assessed these balances for recoverability and considers the credit 
quality intact.

Ageing analysis of net trade receivables:

Trade receivables within terms
Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables:

31-60 days
61-90 days
91-120 days
Greater than 120 days

Movement in the allowance for expected credit loss:

At 1 January 
Impairment losses recognised
Allowance acquired with businesses
Amounts written off as uncollectable
Impairment losses reversed
Exchange differences
At 31 December

2021
£m
78.8 

12.4 
6.1 
2.0 
0.8 
100.1 

2021
£m
4.5 
0.9 
– 
(0.3)
(2.1)
(0.2)
2.8 

2020
£m
72.4 

11.1 
6.6 
2.3 
0.8 
93.2 

2020
£m
4.8 
1.1 
0.5 
(0.6)
(1.5)
0.2 
4.5 

In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable the Group considers any change in the quality of the trade receivable from the date 
credit was initially granted up to the reporting date. The Group uses judgement in making these assumptions and selecting the inputs to the 
impairment calculation, based on the Group’s past history and existing market conditions, as well as forward-looking estimates at the end of 
each reporting period. The concentration of credit risk is limited due to the customer base being large and unrelated. Accordingly, the Directors 
believe that there is no further credit provision required in excess of the allowance for expected credit loss.

Included in the allowance for expected credit loss are individually impaired trade receivables with a gross balance of £4.9m (2020: £6.1m). 
Impairments recognised represent the difference between the carrying amount of the trade receivables and the present value of the expected 
proceeds. The Group does not hold any collateral over these balances.

121

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

14. Trade and other receivables continued
Ageing of impaired trade receivables:

Less than 3 months
3-12 months
Over 12 months

2021
£m
0.2 
1.2 
3.5 
4.9 

2020
£m
0.1 
1.7 
4.3 
6.1 

15. Cash and bank balances
Cash and bank balances comprise cash held by the Group and a breakdown of significant cash and bank balances by currency is as follows:

US dollar
Euro
Sterling
Chinese yuan
Swedish krona
Other
Total cash and bank balances1

1  Refer to note 17 for an analysis of overdraft by currency.

2021
£m
10.5 
8.7 
6.2 
7.4 
2.0 
4.5 
39.3 

2020
£m
7.1 
10.0 
2.1 
4.7 
2.0 
4.8 
30.7 

16. Assets held for sale
Included in assets held for sale are £0.4m (2020: £2.9m) of assets that are actively being marketed for sale. During the year assets held for 
sale with a net book value of £2.9m at 31 December 2020 were sold. Assets classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of their 
carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Current assets held for sale are analysed between operating segments as follows:

AGI:

Western Europe
North America

ADE:

Western Europe
North America

17.  Borrowings

Revolving Credit Facility
Bank overdrafts
Total borrowings
Weighted average interest rate paid
Analysis of Revolving Credit Facility drawdowns by currency:

US dollar
Euro
Sterling

Analysis of bank overdrafts by currency:

US dollar
Other

122

2021
£m

0.3 
0.1 

–
–
0.4 

2021
£m
90.3 
1.4 
91.7 
1.7%

30.3 
–
60.0 
90.3 

0.6 
0.8 
1.4 

2020
£m

2.5 
0.4 

–
–
2.9 

2020
£m
51.7 
1.5 
53.2 
1.6%

16.6 
18.1 
17.0 
51.7 

1.1 
0.4 
1.5 

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements17.  Borrowings continued
Bank overdrafts are repayable on demand. No overdrafts are secured.

During the year the Group extended its £250.9m Revolving Credit Facility by one year. The facility which commenced on 27 May 2020 will 
now expire on 27 May 2026. 

At 31 December 2021, the Group’s Revolving Credit Facility had total drawings of £90.3m (2020: £51.7m). During the year the Group utilised 
£155.5m (2020: £101.9m) under the committed facility, and £116.9m was repaid during the year (2020: £50.2m). Of the amount utilised and 
repaid £34.5m relates to closing the Euro-denominated loan and switching to a GBP-denominated loan which was combined with a cross-
currency swap to benefit from Euro negative interest rates.

All borrowings are classified as financial liabilities measured at amortised cost. Given their short-term nature, the carrying amount of bank 
overdrafts approximate their fair value.

Other financial liabilities
The following table details the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial liabilities. The table has been drawn up based on the 
undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Group can be required to pay or has the intention to pay. 
The table includes both interest and principal cash flows.

Non-interest bearing
Bank loans and overdrafts
Lease liabilities

Non-interest bearing
Bank loans and overdrafts
Deferred consideration on acquisition of businesses
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

Less than  
1 year
2021
£m
55.3 
91.7 
15.8 
162.8 

Less than
1 year
2020
£m
65.5 
53.2 
59.0 
15.6 
2.3 
195.6 

1-2 years
2021
£m
0.3 
– 
11.4 
11.7 

1-2 years
2020
£m
0.4 
– 
– 
13.3 
– 
13.7 

2-5 years
2021
£m
– 
– 
21.4 
21.4 

2-5 years
2020
£m
0.5 
– 
– 
24.2 
– 
24.7 

5+ years
2021
£m
0.2 
– 
54.2 
54.4 

5+ years
2020
£m
0.3 
– 
– 
59.5 
– 
59.8 

Total
2021
£m
55.8 
91.7 
102.8 
250.3 

Total
2020
£m
66.7 
53.2 
59.0 
112.6 
2.3 
293.8 

Of the £91.7m (2020: £53.2m) bank loans and overdrafts outflows disclosed above, £90.3m (2020: £51.7m) of bank loans are drawn under 
the committed facility maturing on 27 May 2026. The overdrafts are repayable on demand and some are part of pooling arrangements, which 
include offsetting cash balances. The net impact on the balance sheet of derivative cashflows was £0.5m (2020: £nil).

123

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

18. Financial instruments
(a) Financial instruments by category
In accordance with IFRS 9, the group categorises its financial instruments into those measured at ‘amortised cost’, ‘fair value through profit or
loss’ and ‘fair value through other comprehensive income.

Financial assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and bank balances
Derivative financial instruments

Financial assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and bank balances

Financial liabilities
Borrowings – loans and overdrafts
Lease liabilities
Trade and other payables
Other non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities
Borrowings - loans and overdrafts
Lease liabilities
Trade and other payables
Deferred consideration
Other non-current liabilities

Fair value  
hierarchy

Level 2

Fair value  
hierarchy

Fair value  
hierarchy

Level 3

Level 2/3

Fair value  
hierarchy

Level 3

Level 2/3

At amortised  
cost
2021
£m
107.2 
39.3 
– 
146.5 

At amortised  
cost
2020
£m
106.7 
30.7 
137.4 

At amortised  
cost
2021
£m
91.7 
64.5 
55.3 
0.5 
212.0 

At amortised  
cost
2020
£m
53.2 
75.6 
65.8 
58.7 
1.2 
254.5 

At fair value 
through profit
or loss
2021
£m
– 
– 
 –
– 

At fair value
through profit
or loss
2020
£m
–
–
– 

At fair value 
through profit
or loss
2021
£m
–
–
–
–
–

At fair value  
through profit
or loss
2020
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–

At fair value 
through OCI
2021
£m
– 
– 
0.5 
0.5 

At fair value  
through OCI
2020
£m
–
–
– 

At fair value 
through OCI
2021
£m
–
–
–
–
–

At fair value  
through OCI
2020
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–

Total 
2021
£m
107.2
39.3 
0.5 
147.0 

Total 
2020
£m
106.7 
30.7 
137.4 

Total 
2021
£m
91.7 
64.5 
55.3
0.5 
212.0

Total 
2020
£m
53.2 
75.6 
65.8 
58.7 
1.2 
254.5 

For information on derivative financial instruments with a fair value of £0.5m (2020: £nil) refer to section (d) of note 18.

124

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements18. Financial instruments continued
(b) Fair value measurement
There have been no transfers of assets or liabilities between levels of the fair value hierarchy during the year.

The carrying values of financial instruments at amortised cost as presented in the consolidated financial statements approximate their 
fair values.

(c) Financial risk management
The Group’s multinational operations expose it to a variety of financial risks. In the course of its business, the Group is exposed to foreign 
currency risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. Financial risk management policies are set by the Board. The Group’s treasury 
function provides a centralised service to the Group for funding, foreign exchange, interest rate management and counterparty risk. 
Treasury activities have the objective of minimising risk and treasury operations are conducted within a framework of policies and guidelines 
reviewed and authorised by the Board. 

In accordance with its treasury policy, the Group does not use or hold derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. 
The Group may however use derivative instruments, for risk management purposes only, transacted by specialist treasury personnel. The use 
of financial instruments, including derivatives, is permitted when approved by the Board, where the effect is to minimise risk for the Group. 
There has been no significant change during the financial year, or since the end of the year, to the types or scope of financial risks faced by 
the Group.

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is defined as the risk that the Group might not be able to settle or meet its obligations on time or at a reasonable price. 
Liquidity risk arises as a result of mismatches between cash inflows and outflows from the business. This risk is monitored on a centralised 
basis through regular cash flow forecasting, strategic planning, an annual budget agreed by the Board each year and reforecasts undertaken 
during the financial year. To mitigate the risk, the resulting forecast net cash/(debt) is measured against the liquidity headroom policy which, at 
the current net cash/(debt) levels, requires committed facilities (plus term loans in excess of one year) to exceed net debt by 50% (minimum 
facilities of £75m).

As at 31 December 2021, the Group had £160.6m available on the committed Revolving Credit Facility of £250.9m (2020: £199.2m) which 
together with net cash and cash equivalents of £37.9m (2020: £29.2m), resulted in available funds of £198.5m (2020: £228.4m). The Group 
also uses uncommitted short-term bank facilities to manage short-term liquidity but these facilities are excluded from the liquidity headroom 
policy. The Group manages longer-term liquidity through its committed bank facilities and will, if appropriate, raise funds on capital markets.

As at 31 December 2021 the Group’s principal committed bank facility of £250.9m had a maturity date of 27 May 2026 (4.4 years to maturity) 
and had drawings of £90.3m (2020: £51.7m).

Cash management pooling, netting and concentration techniques are used to minimise borrowings. As at 31 December 2020, the Group had 
gross cash of £39.3m 2020: £30.7m).

Credit risk
Credit risk primarily arises because a counterparty may fail to perform its obligations. The Group is exposed to credit risk on financial assets 
such as cash balances, derivative financial instruments and trade and other receivables.

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of appropriate 
allowances for expected credit losses based on a simplified lifetime Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model to assess trade receivables for 
impairment where ECL is the present value of all cash shortfalls over the expected life of a trade receivable. An allowance for impairment is 
made when one or more events have occurred that have a significant impact on the expected future cash flows of the financial asset such 
that there is sufficient evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the asset. The quantitative analysis of credit risk relating to receivables is 
included in note 14.

Counterparty risk encompasses settlement risk on derivative financial instruments and money market contracts and credit risk on cash, term 
deposits and money market funds. The Group monitors its credit exposure to its counterparties via their credit ratings (where applicable) and 
through its policy, thereby limiting its exposure to any one party to ensure there is no significant concentration of credit risk. The credit risk 
on liquid funds (cash balances) and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings 
assigned by international credit-rating agencies and Group policy is to enter into such transactions only with counterparties with a long-term 
credit rating of A-/A3 or better. However, acquired businesses occasionally have dealings with banks with lower credit ratings. Business with 
such banks is moved as soon as practicable.

The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers. 

Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk arises on borrowings and cash balances (and derivative liabilities and assets) which are at floating interest rates. Changes in 
interest rates could have the effect of either increasing or decreasing the Group’s net profit. Under the Group’s interest rate management 
policy, the interest rates on each of the Group’s major currency monetary assets and liabilities are managed to achieve the desired mix of fixed 
and variable rates for each major net currency exposure. The major interest rate risk is to rates in the UK, Europe and USA. Measurement of 
this interest rate risk and its potential impact due to volatility on the Group’s reported financial performance is undertaken on a monthly basis 
and the Board uses this information to determine, from time-to-time, an appropriate mix of fixed and floating rates.

125

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

18. Financial instruments continued
Interest rate sensitivity
To represent management’s best estimate of a reasonable range of potential outcomes, the Group has measured the estimated change to the 
income statement and equity of either an instantaneous increase or decrease of 1% (100 basis points) in market interest rates, which did not 
indicate any material impact on the financial statements. This analysis was for illustrative purposes only. The sensitivity analysis excludes the 
impact of market risks on net post-employment benefit obligations.

The interest rate sensitivity analysis is based on the following assumptions:

 – changes in market interest rates affect the interest income or expense of variable interest financial instruments; and 

 – changes in market interest rates affect the fair value of derivative financial instruments designated as hedging instruments. 

Under these assumptions, a one percentage point fall or rise in market interest rates for all currencies in which the Group has variable net 
cash or net borrowings at 31 December 2021 would increase or reduce profit before tax by approximately £0.9m (2020: £0.2m). There is no 
significant impact on equity in the current or previous year. 

Currency risk 
Bodycote has operations in 22 countries and is therefore exposed to foreign exchange translation risk when the profits/losses and net assets of 
these entities are consolidated into the Group accounts.

Ninety-three per cent of the Group’s revenues are in currencies other than sterling (EUR 36%, USD 35% and SEK 7%). Cumulatively over the 
year, sterling rates moved such that the sales for the year were £24.7m lower than if sales had been translated at the rates prevailing in 2020.

It is Group policy not to hedge exposure for the translation of reported profits. Refer to section (e) for further disclosure of the Group’s financial 
instrument risk management activities. 

The Group’s balance sheet translation policy is not to actively hedge currency net assets. However, where appropriate, the Group will still match 
centrally held currency borrowings to the net assets. The Group generally borrows in sterling but also maintains debt in US dollars consistent with 
the location of the Group’s assets. The Group recognises foreign exchange movements in equity for the translation of net investment hedging 
instruments and balances (see section e). 

Transactional foreign exchange exposures arise when entities within the Group enter into contracts to pay or receive funds in a currency different 
from the functional currency of the entity concerned. It is Group policy to hedge exposure to cash transactions in foreign currencies when a 
commitment arises, usually through the use of foreign exchange forward contracts. Even though approximately 93% of the Group’s sales are 
generated outside the UK, the nature of the business is such that cross border sales and purchases are limited and immaterial for the Group.

Currency sensitivity 
Taking the 2021 sales by currency, a 10% weakening/strengthening in the 2021 cumulative average rates for all currencies versus sterling 
would have given rise to a +£63.4m/−£51.9m movement in sales respectively. The impact on headline operating profit is affected by the 
mix of losses and profits in the various currencies. However, taking the 2021 operating profit mix, a 10% weakening/strengthening in 2021 
cumulative average rates for all currencies would have given rise to a +£11.0m/−£8.9m movement in headline operating profit.

(d) Derivative financial instruments
The Group’s derivative financial instruments are considered to be classified as level 2 instruments. Fair value measurements are those derived 
from inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liabilities, either directly (i.e. as prices) or 
indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

The Group uses foreign currency forward contracts in the management of its exchange rate exposures. The contracts are primarily 
denominated in the currencies of the Group’s principal markets. The gains recognised in the income statement on the contracts which 
matured in 2021 amounted to £nil (2020: £0.4m). The unrecognised gains and losses were not material in either 2021 or 2020.

The following summarises the aggregate notional amount (aggregate face value) of all open contracts and their related fair values as of the 
balance sheet date: 

Currency forward foreign exchange contracts
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swap

Contractual or 
notional amount
2021
£m
– 
25.8 

Fair value
2021
£m
– 
0.5 

Contractual or 
notional amount
2020
£m
2.3 
– 

Fair value
2020
£m
– 
– 

In accordance with IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures, fair value is determined using quoted forward exchange rates and yield curves 
derived from quoted interest rates matching maturities of the contracts.

All forward foreign exchange contracts are on demand or due within one year.

The Group’s interest rate risk is primarily in relation to its floating rate borrowings (cash flow risk). From time-to-time the Group will use 
interest rate derivative contracts to manage its exposure to interest rate movements within Group policy. At the balance sheet date, the Group 
has entered into an interest rate derivative contract which has been classified as level 2 instrument with a fair value of £0.5m (2020: £nil), 
which is due to terminate on 30 June 2023. The interest rate derivative contract is combined with the GBP Revolving Credit Facility and 
designated as the hedging instrument for the EUR Net Investment Hedge. The hedged item is identified as the carrying amount of the Group’s 
net investment in two foreign operations. Hedge infectiveness may occur due to differences in the critical terms between the loans as set 
out in the Net Investment Hedge section below and the interest rate swaps. There was no material ineffectiveness in relation to interest rate 
swaps recorded in 2021 and 2020.

126

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements18. Financial instruments continued
(e) Net Investment hedge
The Group continues to be drawn on the Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) as this was used to partly fund the Ellison acquisition in 2020 and the 
related deferred payments in 2021. The related loans are denominated in USD and EUR, combined with a EUR cross-currency interest swap. 
The amounts designated as net investment hedges to the Group’s subsidiaries with a matching functional currency on a 1:1 ratio. The effects 
and performance of the net investment hedges at 31 December 2021 are set out as follows:

Carrying amount (bank loan) and denominations 
Hedge Ratio 
Change in bank loan carrying amount as a result of foreign currency movements 
since 1 January 2021
Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness

£m
(55.5)
1:1

0.7 
(0.7)

€m
30.0
–

–
–

$m
41.0
–

–
–

The foreign exchange gain of £0.7m (2020: £1.1m) on translation of borrowings to GBP at the end of the reporting period is recognised in other 
comprehensive income and accumulated in the foreign currency translation reserve in shareholder’s equity. There was no ineffectiveness to 
be recorded from the net investment hedges.

19. Deferred tax
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and (assets) recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the current and prior 
reporting periods:

Accelerated tax 
depreciation
£m
52.8 

Tax losses
£m
(2.0)

Retirement 
benefit 
obligations
£m
(4.9)

1.5 
– 
1.1 
– 
0.6 

0.1 
56.1 

(2.7)
– 
– 
(1.6)
(1.8)

– 
50.0 

(0.6)
–
– 
–
– 

–
(2.6)

(1.0)
– 
– 
1.6 
0.1 

0.1 
(1.8)

1.5 
0.1 
– 
–
(0.3)

–
(3.6)

0.2 
(0.1)
– 
– 
0.2 

0.1 
(3.2)

At 1 January 2020
Charge/(credit) to the consolidated 
income statement
Debit to equity
Acquisition of businesses
Transfers
Exchange differences
Effect of change in tax rate:

Income statement

At 1 January 2021

Charge/(credit) to the consolidated 
income statement
Credit to equity
Acquisition of businesses
Transfers
Exchange differences
Effect of change in tax rate:

Income statement

At 31 December 2021

Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred tax assets

Other
£m
(3.4)

(4.7)
– 
–
(1.8)
0.1 

0.2 
(9.6)

7.8 
(0.2)
1.3 
–
0.5 

– 
(0.2)

2021
£m
47.0 
(2.2)
44.8 

Total
£m
42.5 

(2.3)
0.1 
1.1 
(1.8)
0.4 

0.3 
40.3 

4.3 
(0.3)
1.3 
–
(1.0)

0.2 
44.8 

2020
£m
42.7 
(2.4)
40.3 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities 
and 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.

Other deferred tax assets relate to provisions recognised in the financial statements that are not yet deductible for tax purposes, in particular 
in relation to restructuring charges, share-based payments and local profit differences that are expected to reverse over time.

127

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

19. Deferred tax continued
At the balance sheet date, the Group has unused tax losses of £40.4m (2020: £50.9m) available for offset against future profits. A deferred 
tax asset has been recognised in respect of £6.6m (2020: £9.0m) of such losses, based on management forecasts of future taxable profits 
against which the assets can be recovered in the relevant jurisdictions. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of the remaining 
£33.8m (2020: £41.9m) of the losses where the likelihood that sufficient taxable profits of the appropriate type arising is not probable. 
The majority of losses may be carried forward indefinitely.

The Group has capital losses of £55.8m (2020: £55.8m) which are not recognised for deferred tax as future suitable profits against which the 
losses could be utilised are not probable.

A deferred tax liability of £1.9m (2020: £1.1m) relating to the temporary differences on unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries has been 
recognised as the Group believes it is probable that these temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future. Temporary differences 
arising in connection with interests in associates and joint ventures are insignificant.

The majority of the deferred tax liability is expected to reverse in over 12 months.

20. Trade and other payables 

Amounts falling due within one year:

Trade payables
Other taxes and social security
Deferred consideration on acquisition of businesses
Other payables
Accruals1

Amounts falling due after more than one year:

Other payables

1 

 Accruals include £31.1.m (2020: £21.0m) of payroll related accruals.

2021
£m

27.7 
20.2 
– 
9.0 
53.1 
110.0 

1.5 

2020
£m

28.3 
22.6 
58.7 
11.8 
49.5 
170.9 

2.3 

Trade payables and accruals principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. The average credit period 
taken for trade purchases as at 31 December 2020 is 33 days (2020: 35 days). The Directors’ consider the carrying value of trade payables to 
approximate to their fair value.

Included in accruals in 2020 are £3.7m of legal provisions. Legal provisions have been transferred to provisions in 2021. Refer to note 21 for 
more information.

21. Provisions

At 1 January 2021
Increase in provision
Release of provision
Utilisation of provision
Recategorisation from accruals
Exchange difference
At 31 December 2021
Included in current liabilities
Included in non-current liabilities

Restructuring
£m
24.5 
0.6 
(3.2)
(12.1)
– 
(0.8)
9.0 

Restructuring 
environmental
£m
4.8 
0.7 
(0.7)
(1.1)
–
(0.1)
3.6 

Environmental
£m
7.7 
0.3 
(0.9)
(1.1)
– 
– 
6.0 

Legal and 
operational
£m

– 
–
–
– 
3.2 
– 
3.2 

Total
£m
37.0 
1.6 
(4.8)
(14.3)
3.2 
(0.9)
21.8 
14.4 
7.4 
21.8 

1 

Included in the closing provisions at 31 December 2021 are £3.2m of legal provisions that have been moved to provisions from accruals in 2021. The 2020 equivalent is £3.7m which has not 
been represented and is stated within accruals.

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements21. Provisions continued
Included within the above balances are £8.4m of provisions which do not relate to the Group's 2020 exceptional restructuring programme, 
comprised of £1.2m of restructuring provisions, £1.2m of environmental restructuring provisions and £6.0m of environmental provisions.

Exceptional restructuring 
At 31 December 2021, restructuring provisions of £7.8m (2020: £22.8m) and restructuring environmental provisions of £2.4m (2020: £2.9m) 
relate to restructuring initiatives across North America and Europe announced in 2020. The restructuring initiatives included the closure of 
several plants resulting in exceptional restructuring costs of £35.7m. £32.8m of these costs related to exceptional restructuring matters while 
£2.9m related to exceptional environmental matters. 

In the year ended 31 December 2021, £12.6m of the brought forward exceptional restructuring provision was utilised in order to carry out 
planned activities which were mainly focused on employee severance and redundancy (£6.6m), costs associated with closing plants (£5.5m) 
and the remediation of environmental issues (£0.5m).

As at 31 December 2021, management has performed a detailed review of restructuring activities in order to determine the best estimate 
of future expenditure required to settle the present obligations and the related timing. As a result of this assessment, the exceptional 
restructuring provisions were adjusted as follows: 

Increase in provision
Release of provision
Net (release)/charge

Restructuring
£m
0.6 
(2.7)
(2.1)

Restructuring 
environmental
£m
0.7 
(0.6)
0.1 

Total
£m
1.3 
(3.3)
(2.0)

These increases and releases to provisions have been charged/credited to exceptional items in the consolidated income statement. 

Cash outflows in relation to exceptional restructuring initiatives were £13.0m (2020: £11.6m). The majority of the remaining cash outflows on 
these activities are expected to occur within 2022. 

Of the remaining exceptional restructuring provision of £10.2m at 31 December 2021, £3.8m related to employee severance and redundancy, 
£4.0m to costs associated with closing plants and £2.4m related to environmental issues. 

The Group provides for the costs of environmental remediation that have been identified at the time of plant closure if there is a probable 
outflow of economic resources identified, as part of acquisition due diligence, or in other circumstances where remediation by the Group 
is required and a probable outflow of economic resources is identified. This provision is reviewed annually to determine the best estimate 
of expenditure required to settle the identified obligations and is separated into restructuring environmental and environmental to identify 
separately environmental provisions relating to the restructuring programme from those arising in the ordinary course of business. 
The majority of cash outflows in respect of these liabilities are expected to occur within five years. 

The Group remains exposed to contingent liabilities in respect of environmental remediation liabilities. In particular, the Group could be 
subjected to regulatory or legislative requirements to remediate sites in the future. However, it is not possible at this time to determine 
whether and to what extent any liabilities exist, other than for those recognised above. Therefore no provision is recognised in relation to 
these items. 

129

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

22. Share capital

Issued and fully paid:

191,456,172 (2020: 191,456,172) ordinary shares of 17 3/11p each 

2021
£m

33.1 

2020
£m

33.1 

23. Acquisition of businesses
On 1 December 2021 the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of a new business in Western Europe, for total consideration of £8.2m. 
The acquisition was made to strengthen the Group’s network and service offering within the Group’s Western European business also 
complementing the Group’s Specialist Technologies strategy. The accounting is provisional as the Group has twelve months to finalise the 
valuation of the acquired assets and liabilities under IFRS 3. The acquisition is not expected to have a material impact on net profit. 

The transaction has been accounted for as a business combination under IFRS 3 as summarised below: 

Fair value of net assets acquired:
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Cash and cash equivalents
Deferred tax liabilities
Fair value of net assets acquired
Total consideration
Satisfied by:
Cash consideration transferred in 2021
Post close adjustment payable in 2022
Total cash to be transferred
Net cash outflow arising on acquisition:
Cash consideration
Less: cash and cash equivalents acquired

2021
£m
5.0 
2.3 
1.7 
1.2 
(1.1)
0.4 
(1.3)
8.2 
8.2 

8.0 
0.2 
8.2 

8.2 
(0.4)
7.8 

Acquisition-related costs amounted to £0.7m (2020: £2.1m, relating primarily to the Ellison acquisition) of which £0.4m related to this 
acquisition and have been included in the consolidated income statement.

The gross contractual value of the trade and other receivables was £1.2m. The best estimate at the acquisition date of the contractual cash flows 
not expected to be collected was £nil. The business contributed £0.6m revenue and £nil of headline operating profit for the period between the 
date of the acquisition and the balance sheet date. If the acquisition had been completed on the first day of the financial year, the acquisition 
would have contributed £7.7m to Group revenue and £0.1m to Group headline operating profit. 

Acquisitions prior to 2021
On 3 April 2020 the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the ordinary share capital of Ellison Surface Technologies (‘Ellison’) for total 
consideration of £129.5m. Ellison is a Surface Technology business located in North America with a number of sites primarily serving the 
aerospace sector. The transaction was accounted for as a business combination under IFRS 3. Deferred consideration was settled in US 
dollars which translated to £64.3m at the acquisition date. £0.6m of the deferred consideration was paid in October 2020 and the remaining 
deferred consideration of £57.8m was settled in April 2021 as per agreement with the seller. As the deferred consideration was settled in US 
dollars, the final settlement was subject to foreign exchange movements of £5.9m which is recorded within foreign exchange reserves in the 
financial statements. Further details of this acquisition can be found in the 2020 annual report and 2021 interim results.

During the year £0.5m deferred consideration was settled in respect of an acquisition in 2019.

130

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
 
24. Investment in associate
On 26 November 2021 the Group disposed of its investment in Techmeta Engineering SAS for proceeds of £1.5m. A loss on the disposal of 
the investment in associate of £0.4m has been recognised in the consolidated income statement being the difference between the carrying 
amount of the investment on sale date of £1.8m and the proceeds received. The carrying value of the investment includes £0.1m profit prior 
to disposal. 

Techmeta Engineering SAS is registered in France and has share capital consisting solely of ordinary shares of which the Group owned 49% 
prior to disposal. The Group provided an interest-bearing loan to Techmeta Engineering SAS which was repayable over 10 years. The loan 
payable was reimbursed in full prior to completion of the sale. 

Investment in associate
Loan receivable from associate

Profit after tax from continuing operations

The Group holds no investments in associate at 31 December 2021.

25. Notes to the cash flow statement

Profit for the year
Adjustments for:

Finance income
Finance costs
Taxation charge/(credit)

Operating profit
Adjustments for:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Depreciation on closed mothballed sites due to restructuring recognised in exceptional items
Depreciation of right-of-use assets
Amortisation of other intangible assets

(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Share-based payments
Income from associate prior to disposal
Loss on disposal of associate
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets recognised in exceptional items
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets recognised in operating profit
Impairment of other intangible assets recognised in exceptional items

EBITDA (See APM definition on page 150)

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

(Increase)/decrease in receivables

Increase/(decrease) in payables
(Decrease)/increase in provisions

Cash generated by operations

Income taxes paid

Net cash from operating activities

Cash and cash equivalents comprise:

Cash and bank balances
Bank overdrafts (included in borrowings)

2021
£m
– 
– 
– 
0.1 

2021
£m
60.0 

(0.3)
6.6 
17.5 
83.8 

58.0 

0.6
13.6 
12.1 

(4.8)
4.7 
(0.1)
0.4 
5.5
– 
– 

173.8 

(2.7)

(1.6)

1.9 
(17.6)
153.8 
(9.5)
144.3 

2021

39.3 
(1.4)
37.9 

2020
£m
1.8 
2.3 
4.1 
0.4 

2020
£m
0.8 

(0.2)
6.7 
(2.3)
5.0 

65.2 

– 
14.8 
11.9 

0.6 
0.4 
(0.2)
– 
16.5 
0.3 
6.2 

120.7 

2.1 

35.6 

(35.1)
23.6 
146.9 
(7.8)
139.1 

2020

30.7 
(1.5)
29.2 

131

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

26. Share-based payments 
Bodycote Incentive Plan (BIP)
The Company operates the BIP under which Executive Directors and Senior Executives receive a conditional award of Bodycote shares up to a 
maximum of 175% of base salary. Vestings of awards are based upon two performance measures, over a three-year period.

At 1 January 
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Expired during the year
At 31 December
Average fair value of share awards granted during the year  
at date of grant (pence)
Fair value of awards granted during the year (£)

BIP
2021
4,053,180 
1,562,488 
(10,279)
(1,105,659)
4,499,730 

BIP1
2020
3,321,805 
1,990,004 
(639,850)
(618,778)
4,053,180 

Other Plans1
2021
257,132 
133,527 
(79,324)
– 
311,335 

Other Plans1
2020
149,674 
107,458 
– 
– 
257,132 

794.2 
12,409,346 

571.9 
11,381,606 

802.1 
1,070,969 

487.2 
523,484 

Fifty percent of the award is subject to a Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) performance condition and fifty percent of the award is subject 
to headline earnings per share (EPS) performance condition for Executive Directors and in the event that threshold performance for both EPS 
and ROCE is not achieved, none of the conditional awards will vest. Senior Executives target measures are subject to headline operating profit 
and headline operating cash flow.

Other plans includes a deferred bonus plan for Senior Executives whereby 35% of any bonus earned is deferred into shares and a 
Restricted Share Programme (RSP). Under both plans, shares issued vest after three years from the grant date and are conditional only on 
continued employment. 

More information on the BIP can be found in the Board Report on Remuneration.

The exercise price of shares exercised was £nil. As at year ended 31 December 2021 no shares were exercisable. The inputs to the Black-
Scholes simulation model, used to determine the charge to the income statement for BIP, are as follows:

The number of outstanding share awards is as follows:

Weighted average share price (pence)
Weighted average exercise price (pence)
Expected life (years)
Expected dividend yields (%)
Weighted average remaining contractual life of shares 
outstanding (years)
Average fair value of share awards granted during  
the year at date of grant (pence)
Fair value of awards granted during the year (£)

BIP
2021
794.2 
 nil
3.0 
3.4 

1.1

BIP1 
2020
571.9
nil
3.0
3.5

1.3

Other Plans1
2021
802.1 
nil
3.0 
–

Other Plans1
2020
487.2
nil
3.0
0.0-3.5

1.7

1.3

794.2 
12,409,346

571.9
11,381,606

802.1 
1,070,969

487.2
523,484

1  The 2020 comparatives have been restated from amounts disclosed in prior year. Opening BIP awards, BIP awards granted and BIP awards expired have increased by 1,423,631, 852,859 

and 539,412 respectively. As a result, total BIP share awards outstanding as at 31 December 2020 have increased by 1,737,077 shares. Consequently, the fair value of awards granted during 
the year has also increased by £4,878,274. The Other Plans column has been added as this was previously omitted from the disclosure. The opening balance of outstanding share awards at 
1 January 2020 and related comparative information have been restated to present these share awards.  

The Group recognised a total charge to the consolidated income statement of £4.7m (2020: £0.4m) related to equity-settled share-based 
payment transactions.

27.   Related party transactions
Transactions between subsidiaries of the Group, which are related parties to each other, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not 
disclosed in this note. Transactions with investments in associates are disclosed in note 24. 

The remuneration of the Board of Directors, who are considered key management personnel of the Group, was as follows:

Short-term employee benefits

Share based payments
Pensions

2021

2.8 

1.2
0.2 
4.2

2020

1.6 

–
0.3
1.9

Further information about the remuneration of the individual Directors is provided in the Board Report on Remuneration on pages 64 to 84.

132

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements28. Retirement benefit schemes
Defined contribution schemes
The Group operates defined contribution retirement benefit schemes for employees in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Canada and 
the United States of America. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the Group in funds under the control of trustees. 
Where there are employees who leave the schemes prior to vesting fully in the contributions, the contributions payable by the Group are 
reduced by the amount of forfeited contributions.

The Group’s employees in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Italy, Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands are members of state-managed 
retirement benefit schemes operated by the governments of each country. The relevant subsidiaries are required to contribute a specified 
percentage of payroll costs to the retirement benefit schemes to fund the benefits. The only obligation of the Group with respect to these 
retirement benefit schemes is to make the specified contributions.

The total cost charged to the consolidated income statement of £6.4m (2020: £7.3m) represents contributions payable to these schemes by 
the Group at rates specified in the rules of the plans. As at 31 December 2021 contributions of £0.3m (2020: £0.2m) due in respect of the 
current reporting period had not been paid over to the schemes.

Defined benefit schemes
The Group operated a number of pension schemes and provided leaving service benefits to certain employees during the year. The defined 
benefit obligation less fair value of assets at the end of the year and total expense recognised in the income statement are summarised below 
as follows:

Defined benefit obligation less fair value of assets 

UK Scheme
Non-UK Schemes

Total (credit)/expense recognised in the income statement

UK Scheme1
Non-UK Schemes1

2021
£m
–
13.9 
13.9 

2021
£m
0.5 
1.2 
1.7 

2020
£m
– 
16.2 
16.2 

2020
£m
0.4 
(1.6)
(1.2)

1  The UK scheme is closed to new members and the accrual of benefits and the costs represent administrative costs only. Costs associated with the non-UK schemes relate to employee 

service and related costs (see note 3) and administrative costs (see note 2).

UK Scheme
The Group sponsors the Bodycote UK Pension Scheme (‘the Scheme’) which is a funded defined benefit arrangement for certain former UK 
employees, and pays out pensions at retirement based on service, final pensionable pay and price inflation. The Scheme is funded by the 
Group. The Scheme exposes the Group to actuarial risks such as longevity risk, interest rate risk and market (investment) risk.

The Scheme operates under UK trust law and the trust is a separate legal entity from the Group. The Scheme is governed by a board of 
trustees, composed of two member representatives, two employer representatives and one independent trustee. The trustees are required 
by law to act in the best interests of scheme members and are responsible for setting certain policies (e.g. investment, funding) together with 
the Group.

Funding of the Scheme is based on a separate actuarial valuation for funding purposes for which the assumptions may differ from the 
assumptions above. Funding requirements are formally set out in the Statement of Funding Principles, Schedule of Contributions and 
Recovery Plan agreed between the Trustees and the Group in respect of the 6 April 2017 actuarial valuation. The actuarial valuation of the 
Scheme as at 6 April 2020 was completed by a qualified independent actuary and the results of this have been updated on an approximate 
basis to 31 December 2021.

The contributions made by the employer over the financial year have been £0.5m in respect of ongoing expenses. It is the policy of the 
Group to recognise all actuarial gains and losses in the year in which they occur outside of the consolidated income statement and in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The UK scheme was closed to new entrants and future accrual in 2019.

The Group acknowledges that the recognition of pension scheme surplus is an area of accounting judgement, which depends on the 
interpretation of the wording of the Scheme Rules and the relevant accounting standard, IFRIC 14. In the Group’s view there is uncertainty 
over whether the wording of the Scheme Rules provides the Group with an unconditional right to a refund of surplus from the Scheme either 
on an ongoing basis or assuming the full settlement of Scheme liabilities. The Group’s interpretation of the Scheme Rules is that there is 
material uncertainty over whether the power to wind-up the Scheme is wholly within the Group’s control as would be required under the 
terms of IFRIC 14 in order to recognise a surplus on the balance sheet. Consistent with previous years, given this uncertainty the Group has 
adopted the provisions of IFRIC 14 and the associated additional reporting requirements. As the Scheme is in surplus as at 31 December 2021 
a restriction has been applied to the balance sheet, and the net surplus recognised on the balance sheet has been restricted to £nil. 

133

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

28. Retirement benefit schemes continued
Reconciliation of opening and closing balances of the present value of the defined benefit obligation 

2021
£m
124.9 
1.6 
(5.7)
(5.8)
(3.9)
(9.2)
– 
101.9 

2021
£m
127.2 
1.6 
(3.6)
(0.5)
0.4 
(9.2)
115.9 

2021
£m
– 
0.5 
0.5 

2020 
£m
111.2 
2.0 
(0.5)
15.5 
– 
(3.5)
0.2 
124.9 

2020
£m
115.4 
2.1 
13.0 
(0.2)
0.4 
(3.5)
127.2 

2020
£m
0.2 
0.2 
0.4 

Defined benefit obligation at start of year
Interest expense
Actuarial gains arising from changes in demographic assumptions
Actuarial (gains)/losses arising from changes in financial assumptions
Experience gains
Benefits paid and transferred, death in service insurance premiums and expenses
Past service cost
Defined benefit obligation at end of year

Reconciliation of opening and closing balances of the fair value of the assets

Fair value of assets at start of year
Interest income
Return on scheme assets excluding interest income
Scheme administration expenses
Contributions by employer
Benefits paid and transferred, death in service insurance premiums and expenses
Fair value of assets at end of year

Total expense recognised in the income statement

Past service cost
Scheme administration expenses

Assets

Bonds
Liability Driven Investment
Diversified credit funds
Cash and Cash equivalents

2021
Quoted
£m
32.9 
27.6 
36.1 
0.7 
97.3 

2021
Unquoted
£m
5.7 
– 
12.9 
– 
18.6 

2020
Quoted
£m
35.8 
32.1 
35.6 
1.7 
105.2 

2020
Unquoted
£m
9.0 
– 
13.0 
– 
22.0 

None of the fair value of the assets shown above include any of the Group’s own financial instruments or any property occupied by, or other 
assets used by the Group.

The Scheme’s current strategic target is to allocate 70% of the investment portfolio to ‘non-matching’ asset classes, predominantly longer-
term credit-based investments and 30% to a ‘liability-matching’ portfolio, comprising Liability Driven Investment (‘LDI’), money market and 
shorter-term credit based investments. The LDI portion of the strategy has been put in place to reduce interest and inflation risk. LDI's are 
held in pooled investment vehicles and includes over the counter derivatives and quoted equities. 

134

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements28. Retirement benefit schemes continued
Assumptions for 2021

RPI inflation
CPI inflation
Salary increases
Rate of discount
Allowance for pension in payment increases of RPI or 3% p.a. if more
Allowance for revaluation of deferred pensions

Mortality – current pensioners:

Actuarial tables used
Life expectancy for members currently aged 65

Mortality – future pensioners:

Actuarial tables used
Life expectancy at age 65 for members currently aged 45

Cash commutation

2021
% per annum
3.40
3.10
n/a
1.80
2.61
3.10

2020
% per annum
3.00
2.55
n/a
1.30
2.42
2.55

2021
S2PxA YoB CMI 
2020 1.5% long 
term trend
21.3

2020
S2PxA YoB CMI 
2019 1.5% long 
term trend
22.3

2021
S2PxA YoB CMI 
2020 1.5% long 
term trend
23.0

2020
S2PxA YoB CMI 
2019 1.5% long 
term trend
23.9

2021
All members 
commute 75% 
of maximum 
permitted

2020
All members 
commute 75% 
of maximum 
permitted

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation at 31 December 2021 is approximately 18 years (31 December 
2020: 18 years).

The defined benefit obligation at 31 December 2021 can be approximately attributed to the scheme members as follows:

 – Active members:   

0% (31 December 2020: 0%)

 – Deferred members: 

49% (31 December 2020: 50%)

 – Pensioner members: 

51% (31 December 2020: 50%)

All benefits are vested at 31 December 2021 (unchanged from 31 December 2020).

Present value of defined benefit obligations, fair value of assets and deficit

Present value of defined benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets
Scheme surplus
Adjustment relating to asset ceilings and minimum funding requirements
Net defined benefit asset before deferred tax

2021
£m
101.9 
(115.9)
(14.0)
14.0 
– 

2020 
£m
124.9 
(127.2)
(2.3)
2.3 
– 

135

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

28. Retirement benefit schemes continued
Reconciliation of asset ceiling 

Restriction due to asset ceiling at beginning of period
Interest on asset restriction
Other changes in asset restriction
Restriction due to asset ceiling at end of period

The best estimate of contributions to be paid into the plan for the year ending 31 December 2022 is £0.4m.

Amounts recognised in other comprehensive income

Return on scheme assets excluding interest income
Actuarial gains/(losses) arising from changes in financial assumptions
Actuarial gains arising from changes in demographic assumptions
Experience gains on liabilities
(Loss)/gain due to change in asset restriction
Total loss recognised in other comprehensive income

Impact of changes to assumptions

2021
£m
2.3 
– 
11.7 
14.0 

2021
£m
(3.6)
5.8 
5.7 
3.9 
(11.7)
0.1 

2020
£m
4.2 
0.1 
(2.0)
2.3 

2020
£m
13.0 
(15.5)
0.5 
– 
2.0 
– 

0.5% change in discount rate
0.5% change in price inflation (and associated assumptions)
1 year change in life expectancy at age 65

2021

Increase
£m
(8.1)
3.7 
(4.4)

 Decrease
£m
8.1 
(3.7)
4.4 

2020

Increase
£m
(5.7)
2.7 
5.7 

Decrease
£m
5.7 
(2.7)
(5.7)

The sensitivity table is based on an illustrative 0.5% change, although the assumptions may vary by greater amounts. Therefore, the Group 
considers the retirement benefit obligations a key source of estimation uncertainty.

Combined non-UK disclosures
The Group operates defined benefit schemes in the USA and continental Europe. 

In Europe the Group operates defined benefit pension, post retirement and long-service arrangements for certain employees in France, 
Germany, Italy, Turkey, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. 

Reconciliation of opening and closing balances of the present value of the defined benefit obligation

Defined benefit obligation at start of year
Current service cost
Interest expense

Actuarial gains arising from changes in demographic assumptions

Actuarial (gains)/losses arising from changes in financial assumptions
Experience gains on liabilities
Benefits paid and transferred, death in service insurance premiums and expenses
Employee contributions
Curtailments
Past service credit
Exchange rate (gain)/loss
Defined benefit obligation at end of year

2021
£m
26.4 
0.8 
0.2 

(0.3)

(1.3)
(0.4)
(0.9)
0.1 
0.3 
– 
(0.9)
24.0 

2020
£m
27.5 
0.8 
0.3 

– 

1.0 
(0.6)
(1.2)
0.1 
(0.9)
(1.7)
1.1 
26.4 

136

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements2021
£m
11.2 
0.1 
1.2 

0.1 
0.1 
(0.5)
– 
12.2 

2021
£m
0.8 
0.1 
0.3 
–

1.2 

2020
£m
10.1 
0.1 
1.1 

0.2 
0.1 
(0.6)
0.2 
11.2 

2020
£m
0.8 
0.2 
(0.9)
(1.7)

(1.6)

28. Retirement benefit schemes continued
Reconciliation of opening and closing balances of the fair value of plan assets

Fair value of assets at start of year
Interest income
Return on scheme assets excluding interest income

Contributions by employer
Contributions by employees
Benefits paid and transferred, death in service insurance premiums and expenses
Exchange rate gain
Fair value of assets at end of year

Total expense/(credit) recognised in the income statement

Current service cost
Net interest on the defined benefit liability
Curtailments
Past service credit

Total expense/(credit)

Assets

Equities
Insurance contracts
Total

2021

Quoted
£m
6.0 
– 
6.0 

Unquoted
£m
– 
6.2 
6.2 

2020

Quoted
£m
5.1 
– 
5.1 

Decrease
£m
– 
6.1 
6.1 

None of the fair values of the assets shown above include any of the Group’s own financial instruments or any property occupied by, or other 
assets used by, the Group. 

Assumptions for 2021

USA
France
Germany
Italy
Turkey
Liechtenstein
Switzerland

Salary  
increases %  
per annum
n/a
2.5 
2.5 
2.5 
8.5 
2.5 
n/a

Rate of  
discount %  
per annum
2.5 
0.8 
1.3 
0.8 
13.0 
0.3 
0.3 

Inflation %  
per annum
n/a
1.5 
n/a
1.5 
8.5 
n/a
n/a

Pension 
increases
% per annum
n/a
1.0 
1.8 
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

There were no significant changes to these assumptions compared to the prior year.

Duration
The weighted average durations of the defined benefit obligations of the overseas schemes at 31 December 2021 range from 11 years to 20 
years. The durations ranged from 12 years to 21 years as at 31 December 2020.

137

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
Year ended 31 December 2021

28. Retirement benefit schemes continued 
Present value of defined benefit obligations, fair value of assets and deficit

Present value of defined benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets
Deficit in the schemes
Adjustment relating to asset ceilings and minimum funding requirements
Net defined benefit liability, before deferred tax

2021
£m
24.0 
(12.2)
11.8 
2.1 
13.9 

As all actuarial gains and losses are recognised, the deficit shown above at 31 December 2021 is that recognised in the balance sheet.

Amounts recognised in other comprehensive income 

Return on scheme assets excluding interest income
Actuarial gains/(losses) arising from changes in financial assumptions
Actuarial gains arising from changes in demographic assumptions
Experience gains on liabilities
Loss due to change in asset restriction
Total gain recognised in other comprehensive Income

2021
£m
1.2 
1.3 
0.3 
0.4 
(1.2)
2.0 

2020
£m
26.4 
(11.2)
15.2 
1.0 
16.2 

2020
£m
1.1 
(1.0)
– 
0.6 
(0.4)
0.3 

The only funded plans are those operated in USA, France, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The best estimate of contributions to be paid into 
the plans for the year ending 31 December 2022 is £0.1m.

Sensitivities (changes to total defined benefit obligations)

0.25% change in discount rate
0.25% change in price inflation (and associated assumptions)

2021

Increase
£m
(0.8)
0.4 

Decrease
£m
0.8 
(0.4)

2020

Increase
£m
(1.0)
0.5 

Decrease
£m
1.0 
(0.5)

The sensitivity table is based on an illustrative 0.25% change, although the assumptions may vary by greater amounts. Therefore, the Group 
considers the retirement benefit obligations a key source of estimation uncertainty.

29. Contingent liabilities
The international tax environment has received increased attention and seen rapid change over recent years, both at a US and European level, 
and by international bodies such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Against this backdrop, Bodycote 
has been monitoring developments and continues to engage transparently with the tax authorities in the countries where we operate. 

In April 2019 the European Commission published their decision that certain aspects of the UK finance company exemption constitute illegal 
State Aid. Bodycote took advantage of this exemption in its overseas financing arrangements. As at 31 December 2020 the Group disclosed a 
contingent liability in respect of this issue of £22.0m. In December 2021 the UK tax authorities confirmed that Bodycote was not a beneficiary 
of illegal State Aid and therefore there should be no further assessment into the matter. Consequently the Group believes there is no longer a 
contingent liability in respect of this issue. 

The Group is subject to certain legal proceedings, claims, complaints and investigations arising out of the ordinary course of business. 
Legal proceedings may include, but are not limited to, alleged breach of contract and alleged breach of environmental, competition, securities 
and health and safety laws. The Group may not be insured fully, or at all, in respect of such risks. The Group cannot predict the outcome 
of individual legal actions or claims or complaints or investigations. The Group may settle litigation or regulatory proceedings prior to a final 
judgement or determination of liability. The Group may do so to avoid the cost, management efforts or negative business, regulatory or 
reputational consequences of continuing to contest liability, even when it considers it has valid defences to liability. The Group considers that 
no material loss is expected to result from these legal proceedings, claims, complaints and investigations. Provision is made for all liabilities 
that are expected to materialise through legal and tax claims against the Group.

138

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsCompany balance sheet
At 31 December 2021

Non-current assets

Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Investments in subsidiaries
Deferred tax assets
Trade and other receivables

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and bank balances

Total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Lease liabilities

Net current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Lease liabilities

Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Share capital
Share premium account
Own shares
Other reserves
(Loss)/profit for year
Retained earnings
Total equity

Note

3
4
5
6
9
7

7

8

5

8
5

10

2021
£m

 18.8 
 0.2 
 0.2 
 389.0 
–
 101.3 
 509.5 

 4.0 
 0.1 
 4.1 
 513.6 

 13.2 
–
 0.2 
 13.4 
 (9.3)

 14.0 
 0.1 
 14.1 
 27.5 
 486.1 

 33.1 
 177.1 
 (6.3)
 136.3 
 (3.0)
 148.9 
 486.1 

2020
£m

 15.4 
 0.7 
 0.3 
 391.0 
 1.7 
 148.3 
 557.4 

 4.0 
–
 4.0 
 561.4 

 9.8 
 17.0 
 0.2 
 27.0 
 (23.0)

 1.0 
 0.3 
 1.3 
 28.3 
 533.1 

 33.1 
 177.1 
 (7.0)
 132.4 
 44.6 
 152.9 
 533.1 

During the year the company has chosen to adopt an IAS 1 presentation for the balance sheet and use of IFRS terminology in the financial 
statements in order to be consistent with the presentation of the consolidated balance sheet for the Group.

The financial statements of Bodycote plc, registered number 519057, were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 
14 March 2022.

They were signed on its behalf by:

S.C. Harris  
Director    

D. Yates
Director

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Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsCompany statement of changes in equity
Year ended 31 December 2021

1 January 2020

Profit for the year
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension 
schemes net of deferred tax
Total comprehensive income for the year
Dividends paid
Shares acquired
Share-based payments
Settlement of share options
31 December 2020

Loss for the year
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension 
schemes net of deferred tax
Total comprehensive expense for the year
Dividends paid
Share-based payments
Settlement of share options
31 December 2021

 Share 
 capital
£m 
 33.1 

–

 Share 
premium 
account 
£m 
 177.1 

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
 33.1 

–

–
–
–
–
–
 33.1 

–
–
–
–
–
–
 177.1 

–

–
–
–
–
–
 177.1 

 Own shares 
 (11.7)

–

–
–
–
 (0.5)
–
 5.2 
 (7.0)

–

–
–
–
–
 0.7 
 (6.3)

 Other 
reserves 
£m 
 136.5 

 Retained 
earnings 
£m
 172.7 

–

 44.6 

–
–
–
–
 0.4 
 (4.5)
 132.4 

–

–
–
–
 4.7 
 (0.8)
 136.3 

 0.3 
 44.9 
 (25.1)
–
–
 5.0 
 197.5 

 (3.0)

 0.2 
 (2.8)
 (49.0)
–
 0.2 
 145.9 

 Total 
£m 
 507.7 

 44.6 

 0.3 
 44.9 
 (25.1)
 (0.5)
 0.4 
 5.7 
 533.1 

 (3.0)

 0.2 
 (2.8)
 (49.0)
 4.7 
 0.1 
 486.1 

Details of dividends paid are set out in note 7 of the consolidated financial statements.

Details of share-based payment transactions are set out in note 26 of the consolidated financial statements.

Shares held in the Bodycote International Employee Benefit Trust have been presented separately from Other reserves, shown as Own 
shares, consistent with the presentation in the consolidated statement of changes in equity. The Bodycote International Employee Benefit 
Trust holds Bodycote plc shares and satisfies awards made under various employee incentive schemes when issuance of new shares is 
not appropriate.

At 31 December 2021 775,962 (2020: 865,565) ordinary shares of 17 3/11p each were held by the Bodycote International Employee 
Benefit Trust and, following recommendations by the employer, are provisionally allocated to satisfy awards under employee incentive 
schemes. The market value of these shares was £6.7m (2020: £6.5m).

Included in other reserves is £5.9m (2020: £2.0m) relating to a share option reserve and a capital redemption reserve of £129.8m 
(2020: £129.8m). The capital redemption reserve arose from B shares which were converted into deferred shares in 2008 and 2009, and 
as a result, £129.8m was transferred from retained earnings to a capital redemption reserve. 

140

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
 
Company accounting policies

Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (FRS 101) 
and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies using FRS 101. The financial statements have been prepared 
under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable law. The principal accounting policies are summarised below, and have 
been applied consistently. In accordance with section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, a separate profit and loss account dealing with the 
results of the Company has not been presented.

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, standards not yet effective and related 
party transactions. 

Where required, equivalent disclosures are given in the consolidated financial statements of Bodycote plc, which are publicly available.

Dividends
Interim dividend distributions (ordinary and special) to Bodycote plc’s ordinary shareholders are recognised when paid and final dividends 
are accrued when approved by the ordinary shareholders at the Group’s Annual General Meeting. Further detail is contained in note 7 of the 
Group consolidated financial statements.

Going concern
The Directors have at the time of approving the financial statements a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for at least the next 12 months and continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the 
Company’s financial statements. Further detail is contained in the Group going concern accounting policy on pages 98 to 99.

Investments
Investments are held at cost less provision for impairment. Any potential impairment is determined whereby the carrying value of the 
investment is not supported by the net assets of the investment, or discounted future cash flows in the form of expected dividend income.

Foreign currencies
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At each 
balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the 
balance sheet date. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated. Gains and 
losses arising on retranslation are included in net profit or loss for the year.

Pension costs
The Company participates in a final salary defined benefit pension scheme in the United Kingdom which is funded by the payment 
of contributions to a separately administered trust fund. This is a defined benefit plan which shares the risks between entities under 
common control. 

There is no contractual arrangement or policy for charging the net benefit cost between the entities who participate in this scheme. 
The Company is considered to be the entity that is legally the sponsoring employer of this scheme. As such, the Company recognises the net 
defined benefit cost as per the requirements of IAS 19 Employee Benefits, as described in further detail in the accounting policies applied in 
the Group consolidated financial statements on pages 101 to 102.

For defined contribution schemes, the amount charged to the profit and loss account in respect of pension costs is the contributions payable 
in the year.

Right-of-use assets
To the extent that a right-of-control exists over an asset subject to a lease, with a lease term exceeding one year, a right-of-use asset, 
representing the Company’s right to use the underlying leased asset, and a lease liability, representing the Company’s obligation to make 
lease payments, are recognised in the Company’s balance sheet at the commencement of the lease.

The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost and includes the amount of initial measurement of the lease liability and any direct costs 
incurred, including advance lease payments and an estimate of the dismantling, removal and restoration costs required by the terms and 
conditions of the lease.

Depreciation is charged to the income statement to depreciate the right-of-use asset from the commencement date until the earlier of the end 
of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The lease term includes the period of any extension option where it is 
reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Where the lease contains a purchase option the asset is written off over the useful life of 
the asset when it is reasonably certain that the purchase option will be exercised.

The lease liability is measured at the present value of the future lease payments, including any variable lease payments where applicable that 
depend on an index and the exercise price of purchased options where it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised, discounted 
using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if readily determinable. If the rate cannot be readily determined, the Company’s incremental 
borrowing rate is used. Finance charges are recognised in the income statement over the period of the lease.

Lease arrangements that are short-term in nature or low value are charged directly to the income statement when incurred.

141

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsCompany accounting policies continued

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided on a straight-
line basis, to reduce the carrying value to the estimated residual value at the point of sale, at the following annual rates:

Fixtures and fittings 10% to 20%

Intangible assets
Intangible assets are stated at cost net of amortisation and any provision for impairment. Amortisation is provided on a straight-line basis over 
their estimated useful lives, at the following annual rates:

Software 10% to 33%

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets excluding goodwill
At each balance sheet date, the Company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any 
indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated 
in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to dispose and value in use. If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be 
less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised as an 
expense immediately in the income statement.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable 
amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment 
loss been recognised for the asset in prior years.

A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised as income immediately.

Receivables
Receivables are initially recognised at fair value. Trade receivables, loans, and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that 
are not quoted in an active market are classified as ‘loans and receivables’. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method, less any impairment. 

Per IFRS 9, a simplified lifetime Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model is used to assess receivables for impairment. 

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings falling due after more than one year are classified as such according to the loan agreement in 
place until 30 June 2024. On each 30 June anniversary the loan facility is to be extended for a further 12 months. The interest rate for such 
facility was at LIBOR plus 1.20% margin in 2021. At the end of 2021, the LIBOR reference rate was phased out and transitioned to the Sterling 
Overnight Index Average (SONIA) which, as of 31 December 2021, has become the new interest reference rate). The impact of this change is 
not significant.

Payables
Financial liabilities are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into.

Non-interest-bearing financial liabilities are stated at their nominal value. Trade payables are recognised at fair value. 

The Company derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Company obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire.

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings falling due after more than one year are classified as such according to the loan agreement in 
place until 30 June 2024. On each 30 June anniversary the loan facility is to be extended for a further 12 months. The interest rate for such 
facility was at LIBOR plus 1.95% margin in 2021. At the end of 2021, the LIBOR reference rate was phased out and transitioned to the Sterling 
Overnight Index Average (SONIA) which, as of 31 December 2021, has become the new interest reference rate. The impact of this change is 
not significant.

Taxation
Current UK corporation tax and foreign tax is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws that have 
been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all temporary differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date where 
transactions or events that result in an obligation to pay more tax in the future or a right to pay less tax in the future have occurred at the 
balance sheet date. Temporary differences are differences between the Company’s taxable profits and its results as stated in the financial 
statements that arise from the inclusion of gains and losses in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are recognised in 
the financial statements.

A net deferred tax asset is regarded as recoverable and therefore recognised only when, on the basis of all available evidence, it can be 
regarded as more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying temporary 
differences can be deducted.

Deferred tax is measured at the average tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to 
reverse based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

142

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsShare-based payments
The Company issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at 
fair value at the date of grant. The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a 
straight-line basis over the vesting period. At each balance sheet date, the Company revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments 
expected to vest as a result of the effect of non market based vesting conditions. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, 
is recognised in profit or loss such that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimates with a corresponding adjustment to the  
equity-settled employee benefits reserve.

The Company recognises and maintains the share-based payment reserve for all eligible Group employees. Appropriate provisions for non-
Company employees vesting share awards are passed on to other Group companies in the form of a non-interest bearing loan payable to the 
Company. When share awards are exercised by non-Company employees the Company charges other Group companies for the weighted 
average cost to purchase the shares exercised. The Company reduces the loan receivable from the other Group company for the shares 
exercised, recognising the difference between grant and exercise price within retained earnings settlement of share options.

Critical judgements in applying the Company’s accounting policies and key sources of estimation 
uncertainty
In the course of preparing the Company’s financial statements, no key source of estimation uncertainty have been identified. Refer to note 12 
for judgements identified in relation to the non-recognition of the pension surplus.

143

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
Notes to the company financial statements
Year ended 31 December 2021

1.  Profit for the year
Bodycote plc has made use of the exemption from presenting a profit and loss account, in accordance with section 408 of the Companies Act 2006.

Bodycote plc reported a loss for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 of £3.0m (2020 profit: £44.6m).

The auditor’s remuneration for audit and other services is disclosed in note 2 of the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

2.  Employees

Average monthly number of employees 

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs

2021
51

£m

 8.3 
 1.2 
 0.4 
 9.9 

2020
56

£m

 3.0 
 (0.5)
 0.6 
3.1

Included in wages and salaries are share-based payments (excluding social charges) resulting in a charge of £1.1m (2020: £0.1m).

All Directors of the Group with the exception of Dominique Yates are remunerated through the Company and these costs are reflected in the 
financial statements of the Company. Dominique Yates is remunerated through Bodycote (Suisse) SA, a direct subsidiary of the Company and 
these costs are reflected in the financial statements of the Group and Bodycote (Suisse) SA. Disclosure of individual Directors’ remuneration, 
share interests, share options, long-term incentive schemes, pension contributions and pension entitlements required by the Companies Act 
2006 are shown in the tables in the Board Report on remuneration on pages 64 to 84 and form part of these financial statements.

3. 

Intangible assets

Cost
At 1 January 2021
Additions
At 31 December 2021
Amortisation
At 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2021
Net book value
At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020

Software
£m

 32.6 
 5.1 
 37.7 

 17.2 
 1.7 
 18.9 

 18.8 
 15.4 

Included in software assets are ongoing development costs related to the Group’s ERP solutions. £12.6m (2020: £7.6m) of these costs are 
related to assets that are not yet available for use and are therefore not amortised. As such solutions become available for use, they will be 
amortised according to Group policy.

4.  Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 1 January 2021
Disposals1
At 31 December 2021
Depreciation
At 1 January 2021
At 31 December 2021
Net book value
At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020

Fixtures  
and fittings
£m

 1.5 
 (0.5)
 1.0 

 0.8 
 0.8 

 0.2 
 0.7 

1  £0.5m disposals in the period relate £0.1m for land which is not depreciated and £0.4m of IT equipment subsequently sold to other group companies prior to use and depreciation 

being applied.

144

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements 
5.  Right-of-use assets

Cost
At 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021
Depreciation
At 1 January 2021
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2021
Net book value
At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020

Lease liabilities
Maturity analysis – contractual undiscounted cash flows
Less than one year
One to five years
Total undiscounted cash flows

Current
Non-current
Total lease liabilities

6. 

Investments in subsidiaries

Cost
At 1 January 2021
At 31 December 2021
Provision for impairment
At 1 January 2021
Provision in the year
At 31 December 2021
Net book value
At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020

2021
£m

 0.2 
 0.1 
 0.3 

 0.2 
 0.1 
 0.3 

 Buildings  
and vehicles 
£m 

 2.3

 2.0 
 0.1 
 2.1 

 0.2 
 0.3 

2020
£m

 0.2 
 0.3 
 0.5 

 0.2 
 0.3 
 0.5 

£m

 397.6 
 397.6 

 6.6 
 2.0 
 8.6 

 389.0 
 391.0 

The following subsidiaries in the UK have taken advantage of an exemption from audit under section 479A of the Companies Act 2006. As the 
ultimate parent, Bodycote plc has provided a statutory guarantee for any outstanding liabilities of these businesses. These subsidiaries have 
been included in the consolidated financial statements of Bodycote plc as at 31 December 2021.

Bodycote Heat Treatments Limited 
Bodycote Surface Technology Limited 
Bodycote H.I.P. Limited 
Bodycote America Finance Limited 
Bodycote America Treasury Limited 
Bodycote Finance Limited 
Bodycote Finance UK Limited 
Bodycote International Limited 
Bodycote Investments 
Bodycote Nominees No. 1 Limited 
Bodycote Pension Trustees Limited 
Bodycote HIP Germany Limited 
Bodycote Thermal Processing Mexico Limited 
Bodycote America Capital Limited

A full list of directly and indirectly owned subsidiary undertakings can be found on page 152.

145

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsNotes to the company financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2021

7.  Trade and other receivables

Amounts falling due within one year:
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Corporation tax
Other receivables and prepayments

Amounts falling due after more than one year:
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings1
Other receivables

2021
£m

 0.9 
 2.7 
 0.4 
4.0 

 100.3 
 1.0 
101.3 
105.3 

2020
£m

0.3 
 2.7 
1.0 
4.0 

 147.3 
 1.0 
148.3 
152.3 

1  An assessment regarding the expected credit losses (ECL) of these amounts has been made and no allowance for ECL has been recognised on the basis that the loans do not exceed the 

borrower's liquid assets. Loans are repayable on 30 June 2024 and on each 30 June anniversary the loan facility is to be extended for a further 12 months.

8.  Trade and other payables

Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade payables
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Other taxes and social security
Other payables
Accruals

Amounts falling due after more than one year:
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings1

2021
£m

 0.1 
 4.3 
 0.6 
 3.9 
 4.3 
 13.2 

 14.0 
 14.0 

2020
£m

–
 4.6 
 0.3 
 0.9 
 4.0 
 9.8 

 1.0 
 1.0 

1 

Intercompany loan from Bodycote Finance Limited, repayable on 30 June 2024. On each 30 June anniversary the loan facility is to be extended for a further 12 months.

9.  Deferred tax
The following are the deferred tax assets and liabilities recognised by the Company and movements thereon during the current and prior year.

At 1 January 2020 
Credit/(charge) to profit or loss
Credit to other comprehensive income
At 1 January 2021
Credit/(charge) to profit or loss
Credit to other comprehensive income
At 31 December 2021

Accelerated tax 
depreciation
(0.5)
1.8 
–
1.3 
(1.8)
–
(0.5)

 Retirement 
benefit 
obligations 
 £m 
–
(0.1)
0.1 
–
(0.1)
0.1 
–

 Other timing 
differences 
 £m 
0.5 
(0.1)
–
0.4 
0.1 
–
0.5 

 Total 
 £m 
–
1.6 
0.1 
1.7 
(1.8)
0.1 
–

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the Company has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the 
deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:

2021
£m
–

2020
£m
 1.7 

Net deferred tax asset

146

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statements10. Share capital

Share capital:
Ordinary shares (allotted, called-up and fully paid)

At 1 January 2021
At 31 December 2021

Number of 
shares
191,456,172 
191,456,172 

£m
33.1 
33.1 

Details of share options in issue on the Company’s share capital and share-based payments are set out in note 26 of the consolidated 
financial statements.

11.  Contingent liabilities
The Company has guaranteed bank overdrafts, loans and letters of credit of certain subsidiary undertakings amounting to £3.8m 
(2020: £3.6m).

12. Pension commitments
The Company participates in a final salary defined benefit scheme in the UK, the details of which are disclosed in note 28 of the consolidated 
financial statements. This is a defined benefit plan which shares the risks between entities under common control. There is no contractual 
agreement or policy for charging the net benefit cost between entities who participate in this scheme. The Company is considered to be the 
entity that is legally the sponsoring employer of this scheme. The net defined benefit costs are recognised as per the requirements of  
IAS 19 (revised) Employee Benefits.

The Company acknowledges that the recognition of pension scheme surpluses is an area of accounting judgement, which depends on the 
wording of the scheme rules and IFRIC 14. The pension asset surplus not recognised at 31 December 2021 was £14.0m (2020: £2.3m). 
Full disclosures concerning the scheme as required by IAS 19 (revised) are set out in note 28 of the consolidated financial statements  
and full disclosure concerning IFRIC 14 is set out in note 28 of the consolidated financial statements.

The contributions made by the Company over the financial year to the defined contribution scheme amounted to £0.4m (2020: £0.4m).  
As at 31 December 2021, contributions of £nil (2020: £nil) due in respect of the current year had not been paid over to the scheme.

13. Related party transactions
Other than payments made to Directors, which are set out in the Board Report on Remuneration on pages 64 to 84 and note 27 of the 
consolidated financial statements, there are no other related party transactions to disclose. The Company has taken the exemption available 
under FRS 101 not to disclose transactions with wholly owned subsidiary companies.

147

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Additional informationGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial statementsFive year summary (unaudited)

Revenue
Profit:
Headline operating profit
Amortisation of acquired intangible fixed assets
Acquisition costs
Operating profit prior to exceptional items
Exceptional items
Operating profit
Net finance costs
Profit/(loss) before taxation
Taxation
Profit after taxation
Non-controlling interests
Profit attributable to the equity holders of the parent
Headline earnings per share (pence)
Dividend per share (pence)
Special dividend per share (pence)
Assets employed
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Other assets and liabilities

Financed by
Share capital
Reserves
Shareholders' funds
Non-controlling interests
Lease liabilities
Net debt/(cash)
Capital employed
Net assets per share (pence)
Return on capital employed %:
Headline operating profit divided by the average 
of opening and closing capital employed

1  Restated following adoption of IFRS 16, Leases on 1 January 2018. 

2  Periods prior to the adoption of IFRS 16, Leases on 1 January 2018 have not been restated.

2021
£m
615.8 

94.8 
(10.3)
(0.7)
83.8 
– 
83.8 
(6.3)
77.5 
(17.5)
60.0 
(0.5)
59.5 
35.8 
20.0
– 

322.0 
489.3 
(9.5)

801.8 

33.1 
651.6 
684.7
0.7 
64.5 
51.9 
801.8 
357.6

2020
£m
598.0 

75.3 
(9.8)
(2.1)
63.4 
(58.4)
5.0 
(6.5)
(1.5)
2.3 
0.8 
(0.4)
0.4 
27.8 
19.4 
– 

323.5 
522.6 
(66.6)

779.5 

33.1 
647.4 
680.5 
0.9 
75.6 
22.5 
779.5 
355.4 

2019
£m
719.7 

134.9 
(4.6)
(1.7)
128.6 
–
128.6 
(4.7)
123.9 
(29.9)
94.0 
(0.2)
93.8 
52.1 
19.3 
– 

212.4 
534.5 
17.4 

764.3 

33.1 
671.9 
705.0 
0.8 
79.4 
(20.9)
764.3 
368.2 

20181
£m
728.6 

140.7 
(3.7)
(0.5)
136.5 
– 
136.5 
(4.3)
132.2 
(28.6)
103.6 
(0.4)
103.2 
55.9 
19.0 
20.0 

206.9 
546.6 
9.9 

763.4 

33.1 
685.5 
718.6 
0.7 
80.3 
(36.2)
763.4 
375.3 

20172
£m
690.2 

123.9 
(4.5)
– 
119.4 
– 
119.4 
(2.4)
117.0 
(19.7)
97.3 
(0.2)
97.1 
49.2 
17.4 
25.0 

201.0 
520.5 
(63.6)

657.9 

33.1 
663.9 
697.0 
0.5 
– 
(39.6)
657.9 
364.1 

12.0 

9.8

17.7 

19.8 

19.3 

148

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAdditional information 
 
 
 
Alternative performance measures (unaudited)

Bodycote uses Alternative Performance Measures (APMs), in addition to those reported under IFRS, as management consider these 
measures enable users of the financial statements to assess the headline trading performance of the business. These APMs of financial 
performance, position or cash flows are not defined or specified according to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and are 
defined below and, where relevant, are reconciled to IFRS measures. APMs are prepared on a consistent basis for all periods presented in 
this report.

The APMs used include headline operating profit, headline operating margin, headline profit before taxation, EBITDA, headline EBITDA, 
organic sales, headline tax charge, headline tax rate, headline earnings per share (EPS), headline operating cash flow, free cash flow, headline 
operating cash conversion, free cash flow conversion, net (debt)/cash, net (debt)/cash plus lease liabilities and Return On Capital Employed 
(ROCE). These measures reflect the headline trading performance of the business as they exclude certain non-operational items, exceptional 
items, acquisition costs and the amortisation of acquired intangible assets. The Group also uses revenue growth percentages adjusted for 
the impact of foreign exchange movements, where appropriate, to better represent the trading performance of the Group. The measures 
described above are also used in the targeting process for executive and management annual bonuses (headline operating profit and headline 
operating cash flow) with headline EPS and ROCE also used in executive share schemes.

The constant exchange rate comparison uses the current year reported segmental information, stated in the relevant functional currency, 
and translates the results into its presentational currency using the prior year’s monthly exchange rates. Expansionary capital expenditure is 
defined as capital expenditure invested to grow the Group’s business.

Headline operating profit

Operating profit
Add back:
Amortisation of acquired intangibles
Acquisition costs
Exceptional items
Headline operating profit

Headline operating margin

Headline operating profit
Revenue
Headline operating margin

Headline profit before taxation

Profit/(loss) before taxation
Add back:
Amortisation of acquired intangibles
Acquisition costs
Exceptional items
Headline profit before taxation

2021
£m
83.8 

10.3 
0.7 
–
94.8 

2021
£m
94.8 
615.8 
15.4%

2021
£m
77.5 

10.3 
0.7 
–
88.5 

2020
£m
5.0 

9.8 
2.1 
58.4 
75.3 

2020
£m
75.3 
598.0 
12.6%

2020
£m
(1.5)

9.8 
2.1 
58.4 
68.8 

149

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAdditional information 
 
Alternative performance measures (unaudited) continued

EBITDA and Headline EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation, and Amortisation) 

Operating profit
Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation on closed mothballed sites due to restructuring recognised in exceptional items
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets - recognised in exceptional items
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets - recognised in operating profit
Impairment of other intangible assets - recognised in exceptional items
(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Share-based payments
Income from associate prior to disposal

Loss on disposal of associate
EBITDA
Acquisition costs
Exceptional items, excluding impairments
Share-based payments
Headline EBITDA
Headline EBITDA margin

2021
£m
83.8 
83.7 
0.6 
5.5 
–
–
(4.8)
4.7 
(0.1)

0.4 
173.8 
0.7 
(1.3)
(4.7)
168.5 
27.4%

2020
£m
5.0 
91.9 
–
16.5 
0.3 
6.2 
0.6 
0.4 
(0.2)

–
120.7 
2.1 
35.7 
(0.4)
158.1 
26.4%

Organic sales 
Excludes revenues from acquisitions in the current and comparative period to provide a like-for-like comparison, reconciled in the table below:

Total revenue
Adjustment for revenue from acquisitions
Total organic revenue

Headline operating cash flow

Headline EBITDA
Less:
Net maintenance capital expenditure
Net working capital movement
Headline operating cash flow

Free cash flow

Headline operating cash flow
Less:
Restructuring cash flows
Income taxes paid
Interest paid
Free cash flow

Headline operating cash conversion

Headline operating cash flow
Headline operating profit
Headline operating cash conversion

150

2021
£m
615.8 
32.8 
583.0 

2021
£m
168.5 

(43.1)
(3.4)
122.0 

2021
£m
122.0 

(2.3)
(9.5)
(5.2)
105.0 

2020
£m
598.0 
22.6 
575.4 

2020
£m
158.1 

(45.1)
17.2 
130.2 

2020
£m
130.2 

(11.6)
(7.8)
(4.7)
106.1 

2021
£m
122.0 
94.8 
128.7%

2020
£m
130.2 
75.3 
172.9%

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAdditional information 
 
Free cash flow conversion

Free cash flow
Headline operating profit
Free cash flow conversion

Headline tax charge

Tax charge/(credit)
Tax on amortisation of acquired intangibles
Tax on exceptional items and acquisition costs
Headline tax charge

Headline tax rate

Headline tax charge
Headline profit before taxation
Headline tax rate

Headline earnings per share
A detailed reconciliation is provided in note 8 of the consolidated financial statements.

Net debt and net debt plus lease liabilities

Cash and bank balances
Bank overdrafts (included in borrowings)
Derivative financial instruments
Bank loans (included in borrowings)
Net debt
Lease liabilities
Net debt plus lease liabilities

Return on capital employed

Headline operating profit
Average capital employed1
Return on capital employed

2021
£m
105.0 
94.8 
110.8%

2021
£m
17.5 
2.5 
(0.3)
19.7 

2021
£m
19.7 
88.5 
22.3%

2021
£m
39.3 
(1.4)
0.5 
(90.3)
(51.9)
(64.5)
(116.4)

2021
£m
94.8 
789.9 
12.0%

2020
£m
106.1 
75.3 
141.0%

2020
£m
(2.3)
2.4 
15.4 
15.5 

2020
£m
15.5 
68.8 
22.5%

2020
£m
30.7 
(1.5)
–
(51.7)
(22.5)
(75.6)
(98.1)

2020
£m
75.3 
770.5 
9.8%

1  Average capital employed is defined as the average opening and closing net assets adjusted for net debt plus lease liabilities.

Revenue and headline operating profit at constant exchange rates
Reconciled to revenue and headline operating profit in the table below: 

Revenue
Constant exchange rates adjustment
Revenue at constant exchange rates
Headline operating profit
Constant exchange rates adjustment
Headline operating profit at constant exchange rates

Year to 31 December 2021

Central 
cost and 
eliminations
£m
–
–
–
(18.9)
0.3
(18.6)

AGI
£m
370.2 
13.8 
384.0 
69.5 
2.7 
72.2 

ADE
£m
245.6 
10.8 
256.4 
44.2 
1.4 
45.6 

Consolidated
£m
615.8 
24.6 
640.4 
94.8 
4.4 
99.2 

151

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAdditional information 
Subsidiary undertakings

Incorporated in the UK
Springwood Court, Springwood Close, Tytherington Business Park, Macclesfield SK10 2XF 
Bodycote America Capital Limited6 
Bodycote America Finance Limited6 
Bodycote America Treasury Limited6 
Bodycote Developments Limited2,4 
Bodycote Finance Limited6 
Bodycote Finance UK Limited6 
Bodycote Heat Treatments Limited1 
Bodycote H.I.P. Limited1 
Bodycote HIP Germany Limited3 
Bodycote International Limited3 
Bodycote Investments6 
Bodycote K-Tech Limited2 
Bodycote Nominees No. 1 Limited2 
Bodycote Nominees No. 2 Limited2 
Bodycote Pension Trustees Limited5 
Bodycote Processing (Skelmersdale) Limited2,4 
Bodycote Surface Technology Limited1 
Bodycote Thermal Processing Limited2 
Bodycote Thermal Processing Mexico Limited1 
Expert Heat Treatments Limited2,4 
Taylor & Hartley Fabrics Limited2

Incorporated in Belgium
Font Saint Landry 11, 1120 Brussels, Belgium  
Bodycote Belgium SA1 

Industrie Park Noord 7, 9100 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium 
Bodycote Hot Isostatic Pressing NV1 

Incorporated in Canada
630 Newpark Boulevard, Newmarket ON L3X 2S2, Canada 
Bodycote Canada Property Inc.4  
Bodycote Thermal Processing Canada, Inc1 

50 Queen Street North, Suite 1020, Kitchener ON N2H 6M2, Canada  
Bodycote Heat Treatment Canada, Inc.1

30 de l’Aeroport Boulevard, Bromont Québec JSL 1S6, Canada 
Bodycote Surface Technology Canada Property, Inc.4 
Bodycote Surface Technology Canada Ltd.1

Incorporated in China
No. 68 Ningbo East Road, Taicang Economic Development Area, Taicang City, Jiangsu, China  
Bodycote Heat Treatments Technology (Taicang) Co., Limited1 

2012 Kehang Road, High Tech District, Jinan City, Shandong, China 
Bodycote (Jinan) Heat Treatments Technology Co., Ltd.1 

No.12 Building, No. 78, Gu Cheng Zhong Road, Yu Shan Town, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, China  
Bodycote (Jinan) Heat Treatments Technology Co., Ltd.1 

No.B2-A, Wuxi National Hi-New Tech Industrial Development Z, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, 214028, China  
Bodycote Wuxi Technology Co., Ltd.1 

Incorporated in Czech Republic
Liberec 30, Tanvaldska 345, PSC, 46311, Czech Republic  
Bodycote HT s.r.o1 

Rohanske nabrezi 671/15, Karlin, 186 00, Praha 8, Czech Republic 
Bodycote SSC s.r.o6  

152

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAdditional informationIncorporated in France
Ilena Park – Bât. B2, Parc Technologique de Lyon, 117, allée des Parcs, 69800 Saint Priest, France 
Bodycote Bourgogne SAS1  
Bodycote France Holdings SA3  
Bodycote Haute-Savoie SAS2  
Bodycote Lyon SNC6  
Bodycote Metz-Tessy SAS1  
Bodycote SAS1  
Bodycote Sud-Ouest SAS1  
HITEC SAS2  
Nitruvid SAS1 

Incorporated in Germany
Schiessstrasse 68, 40549 Düsseldorf, Germany 
Bodycote Deutschland GmbH6 
Bodycote European Holdings GmbH3 
Bodycote Hirzenhain GmbH1 
Bodycote Specialist Technologies GmbH1 
Bodycote Specialist Technologies Deutschland GmbH1 
Bodycote VHK Vakuum-Härterei Köllner GmbH1 
Bodycote Wärmebehandlung GmbH1

Incorporated in Ireland
12 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2, Ireland 
Bodycote Ireland Finance DAC6  
Bodycote Ireland Treasury Limited6 – A and B ordinary shares

Incorporated in Jersey
50 La Colomberie, St Helier, JE2 4QB, Jersey  
Bodycote Jersey Finance Limited6 
Bodycote Jersey Holdings Limited3 

Incorporated in Mexico
Oficinas en el Parque Torre Baker & McKenzie, Piso 10, Blvd. Antonio L. Rodríguez 1884 Pte, Monterrey, NL, 64650, Mexico 
Bodycote de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.1 – merged into Bodycote Thermal Processing de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. 1st November 2021 
Bodycote de SLP, S. de R.L. de C.V.1 
Bodycote Testing de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.2 
Bodycote Thermal Processing de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.1 
Bodycote Thermal Processing de Mexico Servicios, S. de R.L. de C.V.6

Incorporated in Sweden
Box 209, 735 23, Surahammar, Sweden 
Bodycote Hot Isostatic Pressing AB1 

Box 124, 424 23, Angered, Sweden 
Bodycote Sweden AB3 
Bodycote Thermotreat AB2 
Bodycote Värmebehandling AB1 
Bodycote Ytbehandling AB1 
Bodycote Yxan 5 AB4

Incorporated in Switzerland
Avenue Perdtemps 23, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland 
Bodycote (Suisse) SA6 
BDC Enterprises SA3,6

Jurastrasse 59, 2503, Biel, Canton de Berne 
HTM Biel GmbH1

Incorporated in USA
12750 Merit Drive, Suite 1400, Dallas, TX 75251, USA 
Bodycote Americas, Inc.3 
Bodycote IMT, Inc.1 
Bodycote K-Tech, Inc.1 
Bodycote Syracuse Heat Treating Corporation1 
Bodycote Thermal Processing, Inc.1 
Bodycote USA, Inc.3 

153

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAdditional informationSubsidiary undertakings continued

8118 Corporate Way Suite 201, Mason OH 45040, USA 
Bodycote Surface Technology Property LLC4 
Bodycote Surface Technology Mexico LLC1 
Bodycote Surface Technology, Inc.1 
Bodycote Surface Technology Group, Inc.6

1237 Knoxville Hwy, Wartburg TN 37887, USA 
Bodycote Surface Technology Wartburg, Inc.1

Incorporated in other overseas countries
Boehlerdurplatz 1, 8605 Kapfenberg, Austria 
Bodycote Austria GmbH1

Groethofstraat 27, 5916PA Venlo, Netherlands 
Bodycote Hardingscentrum BV1 
Bodycote Hardingscentrum No.2 BV3

ÁTI-Sziget Ipari Park, 23. Épület, 2310 Szigetszentmiklós, Hungary 
Bodycote Hungary Hökezelö KFT1

Kemalpasa OSB, Izmir Kemalpasa Asfalti No:17/1, 35730 Kemalpasa-IZMIR, Turkey 
Bodycote Istas Isil Islem Sanayi ve Ticaret AS (79.3% owned)1

Gesällvägen 7, 01730 Vantaa, Finland 
Bodycote Lämpökäsittely Oy1

Wilgowa 65D, Czestochowa, 42-271, Poland 
Bodycote Polska sp z.o.o.1

Im alten Riet 123, 9494 Schaan, Liechtenstein 
Bodycote Rheintal Wärmebehandlung AG1

Matuškova 48, Vlkanová, Banksá Bystrica, 976 31, Slovakia 
Bodycote Slovakia s.r.o.1

Via Moie 28, 25050, Rodengo Saiano, Italy 
Bodycote Trattamenti Termici SpA1

Brasov, str. Zizinului nr. 119, cod 500407, Romania 
Bodycote Tratamente Termice SRL1

Industribuen 16-18, 5592, Ejby, Denmark 
Bodycote Varmebehandling A/S1 

Incorporated in USA
13753 Otterson Court, Livonia, MI 48150, USA 
Thixomat Technologies, LLC (13.9% Investment)

Classifications Key
1.  Thermal processing company 
2.  Dormant 
3.  Holding company 
4.  Property holding company 
5.  Trustee 
6.  Provision of services to Group companies

Except where stated, these companies are wholly owned subsidiaries and have only one class of issued shares.

It is agreed that the five German subsidiaries Bodycote Hirzenhain GmbH, Bodycote Specialist Technologies Deutschland GmbH, 
Bodycote Specialist Technologies GmbH, Bodycote VHK Vakuum-Härterei Köllner GmbH, and Bodycote Wärmebehandlung GmbH make 
use of the exemption option under Sec. 264 para. 3 German Commercial Code for the fiscal year 2021, and will not publish their annual 
financial statements according to Sec. 325 et seq. German Commercial Code.

The financial data of the above German companies for 2021 will be included in the consolidated annual accounts of Bodycote European 
Holdings GmbH.

154

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAdditional informationShareholder enquiries 

Enquiries on the following administrative matters can be addressed to the Company’s registrars at Equiniti Limited, Aspect House, 
Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA. Telephone 0333 207 5951 (+44 121 415 0804 if calling from outside the UK). 
Lines open 8.30am to 5.30pm (UK time), Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. Email: Log on to  
help.shareview.co.uk (from here you will be able to email your query securely).

– Change of address

– Lost share certificates or dividend cheques

– Dividend mandates

– Amalgamation of holdings

Forms for some of these matters can be downloaded from the registrars’ website www.shareview.co.uk. Shareholders can easily access 
and maintain their shareholding online by registering at www.shareview.co.uk. To register, shareholders will require their shareholder 
reference number which was recently provided. This is the 11 digit number found on recent dividend correspondence.

Share dealing service
For information on the share dealing service offered by Equiniti Limited, telephone 0345 603 7037 (+44 121 415 7560 if calling from 
outside the UK). Lines open 8.00am to 4.30pm (UK time), Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales). Please either 
telephone Equiniti or look online at www.shareview.co.uk for up-to-date commission rates.

Dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP)
Equiniti’s Dividend Re-investment Plan offers a convenient way for shareholders to build up their shareholding by using dividend payments 
to purchase additional shares. The plan is provided by Equiniti Financial Services Limited, part of Equiniti Group, which is authorised and 
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

For more information and an application pack please call 0333 207 5951 (+44 121 415 0804 if calling from outside the UK).  
Lines open 8.30am to 5.30pm (UK time), Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. Alternatively go to 
shareview.co.uk/info/drip

It is important to remember that the value of shares and dividend payments can fall as well as rise and you may not recover the amount 
of money that you invest. Past performance should not be seen as indicative of future performance.

Overseas shareholders
Equiniti provides a service to overseas shareholders that will convert sterling dividends into local currency at a competitive rate. 
Dividend payments will then be made directly into your local bank account. For more information log on to www.shareview.co.uk/info/ops 
where you will find the answer to any queries you have, as well as the full terms and conditions of the service. Alternatively, please call 
0333 207 5951 (+44 121 415 0804 if calling from outside the UK). Lines open 08.30am to 5.30pm (UK time), Monday to Friday excluding 
public holidays in England and Wales.

Duplicate share register accounts
If you are receiving more than one copy of our report, it may be that your shares are registered in two or more accounts on our register 
of members. If that was not your intention you might consider merging them into one single entry. Please contact Equiniti, who will be 
pleased to carry out your instructions.

155

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAdditional informationShareholder enquiries continued 

Shareholder analysis
Analysis of share register as at 23 February 2022:

Holding range
1 to 1,000
1,001 to 10,000
10,001 to 100,000
100,001 to 500,000
500,001 and over

Type of shareholders
Directors’ interests
Major institutional and corporate holdings
Other shareholdings

Number of
shareholders
 777
665
185
81
63
1771

%
43.9
37.5
10.4
4.6
3.5
100.0

Number of
shares
310,140
2,124,216
6,832,218
18,686,410
163,503,188
191,456,172

% of
shareholders
0.3
32.5
67.2
100.0

%
0.2
1.1
3.6
9.8
85.4
100.0

% of total
shares
0.4
98.5
1.1
100.0

As at 15 February 2022 the following voting rights in the Company had been notified in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

Name of shareholders
Aberdeen Standard Investments (EB)
NNIP Advisors B.V.
Franklin Templeton Fund Management Limited
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
Baillie Gifford & Co.
Mondrian Inv. Partners
Alantra Asset Management SGIIC, S.A.
Fidelity Mgmt. & Research Co.
Artemis Inv. Mgmt.

Number of 
shares
14,161,855
11,650,000
9,598,720
8,252,199
8,143,266
7,812,125
7,122,245
6,777,139
6,598,330

%
7.4
6.1
5.0
4.3
4.3
4.1
3.7
3.5
3.4

156

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAdditional informationCompany information

Advisers
Auditors  
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Principal bankers 
HSBC UK Bank plc, National Westminster Bank plc, Handelsbanken plc, UniCredit Bank AG, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and KBC Bank N.V.

Solicitors 
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP and DLA Piper UK LLP.

Financial calendar 
Annual General Meeting
Final dividend for 2021
Interim results for 2022
Interim dividend for 2022
Results for 2022

25 May 2022
3 June 2022
July 2022
November 2022
March 2023

157

Bodycote plc annual report 2021Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAdditional informationwww.bodycote.com

For the online version of this report go to 
www.bodycote.com/investors

Bodycote plc 
Springwood Court 
Springwood Close 
Tytherington Business Park 
Macclesfield 
Cheshire 
United Kingdom 
SK10 2XF

Tel:  +44 (0)1625 505300 
Fax: +44 (0)1625 505313 
Email: info@bodycote.com

© Bodycote plc 2022 
Produced by Radley Yeldar 
www.ry.com