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Britvic

bvic · LSE Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker bvic
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Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Beverages - Non-Alcoholic
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2014 Annual Report · Britvic
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annual report 2014

making life’s everyday 
moments more enjoyable

Welcome to Britvic’s 2014 Annual 
Report for the financial year ended  
28 September 2014.

In this report you can read about our business and what we do, find 
information on our strategy and how we deliver it, how we have 
performed in the financial year and how we govern our business.

01 Strategic report 

01   Performance at a glance
03   Chairman’s introduction
04   Our business  
06   Our business model
07   Our strategy 
07   Risk management 
08   Our people
12   Chief Executive Officer’s review
15   Chief Financial Officer’s review
20   Glossary
22   Our sustainability performance
28   Our risks

02  Governance

33  Corporate governance report
34  Board of directors
43  Audit Committee
46  Nomination Committee
50  Remuneration Committee
51  Directors’ remuneration report 
63  Annual report on remuneration
74  Directors’ report
76  Statement of directors’ responsibilities

03 Financial statements

Independent auditors report to the members of Britvic plc

78 
81  Consolidated income statement
82  Consolidated statement of comprehensive income/(expense)
83  Consolidated balance sheet
84  Consolidated statement of cash flows 
85  Consolidated statement of changes in equity
86  Notes to the consolidated financial statements
135  Company balance sheet
136  Notes to the company financial statements

04 Other information

143   Shareholder information

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
This announcement includes statements that are forward-looking in nature. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, 
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the group to be materially different from 
any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Except as required by the 
Listing Rules and applicable law, Britvic undertakes no obligation to update or change any forward-looking statements to 
reflect events occurring after the date such statements are published.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
01

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Performance 
at a glance

GROUP REVENUE

GROUP EBITA

EBITA MARGIN

2010
2013

2014

£1,321.9m

£1,344.4m

20102013

2014

£137.9m

£161.0m

2010
2013

2014

10.4%

12.0%

+2.4%

+17.3%

+150bps

UNDERLYING ROIC

ADJUSTED EARNINGS 
PER SHARE

DIVIDEND PER SHARE

2010
2013

2014

21.3%

24.9%

2010
2013

2014

35.2p

41.8p

2010
2013

2014

18.4p

20.9p

+360bps

+18.8%

+13.6%

FREE CASH FLOW

2010
2013

2014

£103.5m

£88.9m

-14.1%

  All numbers, other than where stated or included within the fi nancial statements, are disclosed before exceptional and other items 
and are presented on a constant currency basis. A list of defi nitions can be found on page 20 of the annual report.

RECONCILIATION FROM ACTUAL EXCHANGE RATE TO CONSTANT EXCHANGE RATE

2013 actual 
 exchange rate £m

Change 
£m

2013 constant 
exchange rate £m

Group revenue
Group EBIT
Group profi t before tax
Group profi t after tax (PAT)
Group PAT, after exceptional and other items
Group EBITA 
Adjusted earnings per share 

1,321.9
135.0
108.1
82.6
61.9
137.9
35.2p

(9.4)
(0.6)
(0.5)
-
-
(0.6)
-

1,312.5
134.4
107.6
82.6
61.9
137.3
35.2p

 
 
 
  
 
 
making life’s everyday moments more enjoyable

a spot of lunch

  
Strategic report

Strategic report 
Strategic report 

03

Introduction 
from the Chairman

The future for our company is bright. We have a more efficient operating 
platform in the UK for our brands, which will support us in meeting the 
trading challenges presented by all the changes that are happening to 
our supermarket customer base. There are finally signs of some green 
shoots in Ireland and we are confident of continued growth in France, 
where Fruit Shoot is now well established. Our core markets provide 
a cash flow and profit base to fund our brand’s growth internationally, 
where again further growth in the USA is a top priority.

Our people
Our employees are our key asset and their passion and commitment 
is pivotal to the success of Britvic. We have seen a number of people 
leave the business as a result of the infrastructure changes that we 
have made. During this period of uncertainty their commitment has 
been unwavering and I thank each and every one of them for this. In 
recognition of the key role that they play we have continued to encourage 
employees to participate, where possible, in the share incentive schemes 
available. These offer significant rewards for much appreciated hard 
work and allow our people to share in the success of the business.

The board
Last year I highlighted the board’s desire to support the company in 
executing the new strategy and possible changes to the composition 
of the board, as a result of tenures as an independent Non-Executive 
Director coming to an end. This year we bid farewell to Michael Shallow 
who has been with us since flotation in 2005. His commitment to the 
business has been unwavering and on behalf of the rest of the board 
I wish him well for the future. 

This year we have appointed two new Non-Executive Directors to 
the board. Ian McHoul has joined us and chairs the Audit committee. 
Ian is currently Chief Financial Officer of Amec Foster Wheeler plc, a 
FTSE100-listed company, and brings with him a wealth of knowledge 
and experience. Silvia Lagnado has also joined the board. Silvia’s career 
is one of international marketing where she has been a senior executive 
at companies such as Unilever and Bacardi. Ian and Silvia strengthen 
the board and bring to Britvic invaluable insight and experience to 
support the strategy and in particular the international expansion 
of the business.

I am confident that the strategy being executed by the Executive Team 
will deliver sustainable profit growth and long-term value for our 
shareholders. 

The AGM will be held at 11am on Tuesday 27 January 2015 at the 
offices of Nomura, 1 Angel Lane, London EC4R 3AB and I look 
forward to seeing you there.

Gerald Corbett 
Chairman

The last year has been a year of 
record profits for Britvic, up 17.6% 
to £158.1m, and earnings per share 
up 18.8% to 41.8p. The board has 
proposed an increase in the final 
dividend of 13.8%, to 14.8p per 
share, making a full year dividend 
of 20.9p per share, up 13.6% on the 
previous year. We remain committed 
to a progressive dividend policy and 
plan to pay out 50% of earnings in 
dividends in the coming years.

Performance review
The year was our Chief Executive’s, Simon Litherland, first full year in 
charge. He, and his new team, have re-invigorated the company and 
significantly enhanced the organisation’s capability to execute. We 
had identified the degree of change proposed in Simon’s plan as a 
challenge for the company to manage. They swept through in fine 
style, delivering on the cost savings and supply chain rationalisation 
ahead of target. You only realise how far you have gone and what you 
have achieved when you look back. The new Irish team delivered an 
improved result, and France, in spite of a tough summer, posted record 
profits. The Fruit Shoot expansion in the USA, a key part of our growth 
strategy going forwards, remains on track and our new Indian 
operation has begun trading.

Innovation has always been a key part of Britvic’s success. The last 
year saw the launch of Robinsons ‘Squash’d’, a pocket size version 
of the concentrate. We also launched a new pack for Teisseire, with a 
pump, and the new Club Zero no sugar range in Ireland. Each of these 
innovations has started well and we are confident of their future success.

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OverviewFinancial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
04

Strategic report 

Our business

Our purpose is to make life’s 
everyday moments more enjoyable. 
We offer a wide range of soft drinks 
to meet the many and varied needs 
of our consumers; at home or out 
and about, there is a great tasting, 
high quality Britvic brand for every 
occasion. 

The Britvic of today has come a long way from its mid-19th century origins 
in a chemist’s shop in Essex. The British Vitamin Product Company set the 
standard in the 1930s when it started bottling fruit juice to provide an easy 
and affordable source of vitamins to the local community.

Today Britvic is a leading international soft drinks company, with a strong 
heritage. We have operations in GB, Ireland and France and have been 
taking our brands around the world, exporting to over 50 countries and 
working with carefully chosen partners to franchise our brands, including 
the USA and India. 

We have an enviable portfolio of leading brands and strong market 
positions. In GB and Ireland, we are the number one supplier of still soft 
drinks and the number two supplier of carbonates. Robinsons has long 
been the UK’s number one squash brand and J20 is the number one 
premium juice brand. Other brands like Tango, R Whites Lemonade as well 
as Britvic juices and mixers, are staples in UK shopping baskets or on a trip 
to the pub. Fruit Shoot is the number one kids’ soft drinks brand in the UK 
and is at the heart of our international expansion. In France we have the 
leading syrup brand, Teisseire, and Teisseire Fruit Shoot is now the number 
one kids’ juice drink. In Ireland, Ballygowan is the number one water brand, 
while MiWadi squash and the Club range are leaders in their categories. 

We are proud of our partnership with PepsiCo, which began in 1987, and 
we make and sell a number of their brands, including Pepsi and 7UP in GB 
and Ireland. We are delighted to be partnering with PepsiCo as we roll out 
Fruit Shoot in the USA.

We are equally proud of our people who are critical to our success. We are 
committed to building a great place to work and making Britvic an inspiring 
place to be for our employees. 

Britvic is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the code 
BVIC. Its market capitalisation at 28 September 2014 was  
£1.7 billion.

Strategic report 

05

making life’s everyday moments more enjoyable

hanging out

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationStrategic report06

Strategic report 

Our business model

Britvic is set apart from its 
competitors by our unrivalled 
combination of market leading 
brands and track record in 
innovation, our expert knowledge 
of the soft drinks market, long 
standing and sustainable 
relationships with our partners, 
including PepsiCo, and a highly 
talented and committed 
workforce.

We manufacture, market and sell both Britvic and PepsiCo brands in 
GB and Ireland, supported by dedicated commercial teams in both 
countries. In France, we manufacture, market and sell our own category 
leading brands, as well as supplying private label juice and syrups.

Internationally, we work primarily in partnership with local companies 
through franchise, distribution or licensing arrangements to exploit the 
global potential of our kids, family and adult brands. In the USA, we 
have agreements with a number of Pepsi bottlers and in India we are 
partnering with the Narang Group. We also export Britvic products 
around the world and are a significant player in the travel sector.

Our brands and innovations are built on the quality of our insight and 
understanding of the soft drinks markets in which we operate. We are 
committed to building sustainable relationships with all our partners, 
from suppliers of raw materials through to the customers who sell our 
brands.

We have developed an operating model which is based on the principles 
of simplicity, focus and accountability, to ensure we are cost efficient 
and effective and can invest in the growth opportunities.

All of this allows us to deliver value to our shareholders, our customers 
and partners, the consumers who buy our brands, the communities 
in which we operate and to our employees.

BRITVIC

GB, Ireland 
and France

Raw materials

Manufacturing 
full goods

Distribution

Customers

Consumers

BRITVIC

PARTNER ACTIVITIES

International
franchise

International
export

Manufacturing
compound

Transport to
international
partner

Raw materials

Manufacturing
full goods

Distribution

Customers

Consumers

BRITVIC

PARTNER ACTIVITIES

Raw materials

Manufacturing 
full goods

Export to
international
markets

Distribution

Customers

Consumers

 
Strategic report 

Our strategy
Our strategy

07

We have a clear strategy that is 
designed to realise our ambition 
to become the most dynamic, 
creative and admired soft drinks 
company in the world. 

Leverage our portfolio in GB & Ireland and innovate 
to meet changing consumer needs
•  We have well established operations in these countries and a 

portfolio of leading brands. We will continue to build a company that 
is acknowledged for commercial excellence, the strength and 
breadth of its brands which are widely available in all channels, and 
for its cost effectiveness and efficiency

•  Innovation is at the heart of our business and we will bring to market 
new products that offers consumers drinks for their changing needs

(Key performance indicator – GB and Ireland revenue and brand 
contribution growth)

Exploit global opportunities in kids, family and adult 
categories
•  We will build on the global potential of our own brands in these 

categories, primarily working with local partners through franchise, 
distribution or licensing agreements

(Key performance indicator – International revenue growth)

Embed a winning culture and improve operating 
margin
•  This will allow us to be a lower cost and more efficient business, 
with resource focused to deliver against the growth opportunities

•  We will continue to partner with PepsiCo to manufacture, market 

(Key performance indicator – EBITA margin growth)

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and sell its range of brands including Pepsi, 7UP, Lipton Ice Tea and 
Mountain Dew. The combination of the Britvic and PepsiCo brands 
gives us the most balanced portfolio in these markets and will 
continue to be a key aspect of our growth plans

Build trust and respect in our communities
•   We will deliver a strong performance with integrity, acknowledging 

the responsibility we have to contribute to our local economies and 
society more broadly.

(Key performance indicator – Business In The Community CR Index)

Risk management

Britvic operates a robust risk management process that continues 
to evolve and improve to meet the needs of the business.

There are five stages to this process:

 Risk identification

 Risk analysis

Risk mitigation
planning

Risk review

Risk monitoring

Risk identification, analysis and mitigation planning is undertaken at all 
levels of the business through functional and operational teams. Each 
risk is assigned an owner at management level who has responsibility 
for ensuring that appropriate actions are taken to manage the risk. A 
dedicated Risk and Insurance Manager manages and supports this 
process and owns the group-wide risk register. 

Risks are regularly reviewed and monitored by 
Business Unit or functional management teams. 
The Executive Team review the major risks across 
the group on a quarterly basis to ensure that the 
management of these risks has appropriate focus. 
The board reviews these at least twice a year. 

 See page 28 for Britvic’s principle risks.

Other information 
 
 
08

Strategic report 

Our people

We recognise that our people  
are central to our success and  
to achieving our future ambitions. 
We have a talented and dedicated 
workforce which demonstrates 
commitment and passion for  
our business on a daily basis. In 
return we continue to invest in 
our people to help them perform  
and grow, as well as share in  
our success.

Our workforce
We currently employ over 3000 people around the world. We want 
Britvic to be an inspiring place to be and our ambition is to be the 
employer of choice for the world’s most dynamic and creative people 
in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. We want our 
people to realise their ambitions and encourage them to own and 
grow their career goals within Britvic. We will continue to invest in and 
develop our people and, through expansion, create career development 
opportunities, including increased mobility across teams and geographies. 

As part of our new operating model, we have established a dedicated 
international business unit in the past year, bringing together the right 
structure and processes to deliver our ambitions with pace and simplicity. 
To do this we have expanded the international teams in GB, as well 
as USA, Holland and Singapore and have recruited a new team in 
India. We have developed local policies and practices for all our markets 
so we can make Britvic an inspiring place to be anywhere in the world.

Purpose, vision and values
Each and every employee is guided by a common purpose, vision 
and values, which have been reviewed and refreshed in the past year. 

Our leaders have played a pivotal role in bringing our purpose to life, 
inspiring all our people towards achieving our vision, helping them to 
understand how they contribute to achieving our goals and sharing a 
new set of values. We are currently integrating our values into our 
people processes and programmes, including performance 
management and reward. As we expand into new territories our 
global workforce is encouraged to live them every day.

Diversity
Our 2020 gender diversity goal is to have at least 40% female 
representation within senior management levels. With the changes  
to the board composition last year, we now have 25% (2) female 
representation on the board. In addition 35% (161) of our senior 
managers are female and below this level, females make up 28% 
(845) of our workforce. 

At Britvic, we consider diversity to be broader than gender, ethnicity, 
disability or sexual orientation. We are committed to encouraging an 
environment where we celebrate individual genius through the 
promotion of diversity of thought.

Our purpose

Making life’s everyday moments more enjoyable

Our vision

The most dynamic, creative and admired soft drinks company in the world

Building iconic 
brands loved by 
consumers

Being the most
valued by our
customers &
partners

An inspiring 
place to be  
for our 
employees

Delivering
consistently 
superior  
returns for 
shareholders

Trusted and 
respected in our 
communities

Our values

Be proud • Be bold • Be disciplined • Act with pace • Be open • Win together

Gender diversity

Board  
(including  
non-executives)

Senior managers

All employees

25

%

75

35

%

65

28

%

72

x6

x2

x303

x161

x2,124

x845

 
Strategic report Our people (continued)

09

We have run a Wellness@work programme in GB for some years. 
This supports our commitment to the UK government’s Responsibility 
Deal and encourages our employees to take active measures to 
improve their wellbeing, in line with the Change4Life principles of ‘eat 
well, move more, live healthier longer’. This programme will be rolled 
out in Ireland in the coming year. We have also initiated a group 
occupational health programme review, to determine future strategy 
and 2015 action plans.

Pay & benefits 
We proactively monitor our total pay and benefits offering as part of 
our reward philosophy which is based on delivering competitive 
salaries and benefits, performance related bonus opportunities and 
wide-spread share ownership opportunities. 

In a number of our markets pay for large populations of our employees 
is determined with trade union representatives on the basis of fair 
terms and conditions for all members. 

Management pay and bonuses are linked to business performance 
and their personal contribution. Selected senior executives also receive 
annual awards of long-term incentives to directly align their packages 
with sustainable shareholder creation. Pay outs under these plans 
depends on Britvic’s performance over a three-year period. 

We also provide competitive pension and healthcare benefits in 
addition to statutory arrangements.

Sharing in success 
Our remuneration philosophy places great emphasis on providing the 
opportunity for our employees to share in the success of Britvic. In 
particular share ownership is at the heart of our employee offering 
with average shareholdings for GB-based employees currently at 
£16,000 as a result of their participation in our long-standing Share 
Incentive Plan (SIP). 

The SIP provides free share awards to participants each year, subject 
to company performance, which they then hold for a minimum of 
three years. The SIP also provides participants with the opportunity to 
purchase additional shares in Britvic as well as receive further 
matching awards. 

Profit sharing plans also operate in Ireland and France to allow 
participants to share in the success of Britvic and similar arrangements 
will be extended to other countries in the near future. 

Learning & development 
We are committed to nurturing and growing our employees at all 
levels, enabling them to lead Britvic into the future. 

In the past year we have recruited a number of senior leaders from 
outside our industry to infuse fresh thinking and bring new capabilities 
to our team. We have implemented new leadership development 
initiatives to enable our senior leaders to adopt new ways to lead, 
coach and support their teams. 

We continue to run an extensive learning and development curriculum, 
which offers all employees the chance to improve their core business 
skills and managers the opportunity to enhance their line management 
skills. We also run programmes tailored to the needs of specific areas 
of the business.

Communication and engagement
We participated in the Great Place to Work survey for the first time 
last year and the results provided valuable feedback on how our 
people are feeling about the business in a time of significant change. 

The findings were varied and highlighted areas of strength as well as 
areas where we need to do more. The outputs from the survey have 
been analysed in depth and workshops were held throughout the 
business to communicate the findings and to identify where changes 
and improvements can be made. These will be put into place in the 
coming year.

Communication with all our employees is a priority for us and we keep 
people informed about our business, its performance and things that 
affect them through a variety of channels. These include our intranet, 
Teamlink, our monthly digital update, and Teamtalk, our regular face 
to face engagement meetings. In the past year we have extended our 
quarterly magazine, Britvic Life, to all employees and it now available 
digitally and in English and French. We have well established Employee 
Involvement Forums in GB and Ireland as well as a Britvic Group Forum, 
with nominated employee representatives who ensure that employees’ 
views are taken into account regarding issues that are likely to affect 
them. Where the group has entered into a recognition agreement with 
a trade union, it fulfils its obligations to consult and negotiate accordingly.

Health, safety and wellbeing
The health, safety and wellbeing of our employees is paramount to 
the company and in the past year we have made significant 
improvements against our targets.

We have introduced a Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee that is 
chaired by our General Counsel, has cross functional representation 
from all business units and central functions, and is supported by 
health and safety specialists from across the group. 

We have also introduced a new e-learning platform that enables us to 
deliver health and safety training to everyone within the business, 
regardless of where they work. 

The primary health and safety focus for Britvic in 2014 was to address 
the issue of aging workplace equipment to ensure it is compliant with 
the present day EU Machinery Safety Directive and EN ISO Machine 
Safety Standards.

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationStrategic report10

11

making life’s everyday moments more enjoyable

family dinner

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationStrategic report12

Strategic report 

Chief Executive  
Officer’s review

As planned we have closed two factories in GB, a depot and a call 
centre in Ireland, and consolidated back office functions in GB and 
Ireland. Where possible we have found new roles for those employees 
willing to relocate and supported those leaving the business in finding 
alternative employment. I would like to personally thank all affected 
employees for their commitment and support during this time of change.

During the year we also set up an international business unit to 
support our ambitious growth plans in the kids, family and adult 
categories. It now operates as a fully resourced, standalone business 
unit, with over one hundred employees, and is focused on providing 
the necessary support to our in-market partners to develop our 
brands locally, as well as market specific innovation and the creation 
of relevant marketing campaigns. We have come a long way in the 
last twelve months and have successfully managed our way through 
a period of organisational change.

We have made strong progress this year despite challenging trading 
conditions in each of our markets. Revenue and margins have 
increased and profits are well ahead of last year. We are on-track to 
deliver the £30m cost saving programme by 2016. The overwhelming 
majority will have been delivered in the 2014/15 financial year. Our 
focus on generating cash has allowed us to reduce net debt and 
increase the full year dividend by 13.6%.

Leverage our portfolio in GB & 
Ireland and innovate to meet 
changing consumer needs
In GB our carbonates portfolio has continued to outperform the 
market. We successfully grew volumes whilst the category was in 
decline and increased market share. Pepsi has been the key driver of 
this growth, led by Pepsi Max and its “no sugar, maximum taste” 
proposition. Throughout the year we have executed a number of 
exciting and impactful marketing campaigns, including the “Unbelievable” 
campaign, which saw extensive, ground-breaking advertising for the 
brand across the country and on-line. The Pepsi Max YouTube 
channel was a focal point for our digital marketing and we achieved 
over 50 million views across all platforms. Throughout the summer 
Pepsi leveraged its connection with key football personalities with 
limited edition packs on-shelf and the chance to win some great 
prizes. We also launched an exciting new dispense proposition for  
the leisure channel, allowing consumers to personalise their soft  
drink experience, with added flavours.

The GB stills category has been challenged with only minor volume 
growth, driven by plain water, which is not a scale category for us. 
Growth in our stills portfolio is crucial to our future success and is a 
priority for us. Whilst our overall performance has been below what 
we wanted to achieve this year, there have been positive highlights. 
Robinsons continued to lead the squash category, and although we 
have seen increased competition from private-label which impacted 
our volume, our focus has been to protect price and maintain our 
brand equity. We have continued to invest in the brand, as 
demonstrated by the launch of Robinsons Squash’d, which has  
led the growth of the new water enhancer sub-category. The launch 
was supported by an extensive marketing campaign, including TV 
advertising, and we have been delighted with its performance to date. 

We have reported another strong 
set of results for our financial 
year ended 28 September 2014 
and have made excellent progress 
in delivering our strategic 
initiatives. I am incredibly proud 
of our company and its portfolio 
of leading brands and it is a 
privilege to lead an organisation 
with such a passionate and 
talented team. 

Our aspirational vision is to be the most dynamic, creative and 
admired soft drinks company in the world and we have made great 
progress in the last twelve months, in what were challenging market 
conditions. 

Embed a winning culture and 
improve operating margin
This has been a year of exceptional change as we continued to 
implement our new strategy. We completed the re-design of our 
organisation, matching our resource to the growth opportunities and 
created a business that is simple, focused and accountable. We have 
a new Executive Team in place, which includes all our business unit 
Managing Directors for the first time. As an Executive Team we have 
created and shared an exciting new vision for our business and set 
some ambitious targets for ourselves. We have also created a new 
set of values to guide our behaviours and facilitate effective 
engagement and ways of working across the business. 

 
Strategic report Chief Executive Officer’s review (continued)

13

Build trust and respect in our 
communities
The past year has seen a surge of interest in health and sugar levels 
in soft drinks. We strongly believe that all our drinks can be enjoyed 
as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. We offer a wide range 
of low calorie drinks and lead our marketing with these drinks. We 
have continued to play an active role to help address the challenge 
and in the last year we have launched a new health strategy across all 
business units, which will build on our achievements to date and 
continue to provide great tasting drinks, while further reducing the 
average calorie content of our portfolio.

 Read more about our health strategy and our approach to sustainability on page 22.

Our future prospects are very exciting. We have transformed our 
business and created the conditions for success with a new culture. 
We have a clear purpose and aspirational vision. Despite the 
challenging market place everyone in the business is focused on the 
delivery of our strategy. We continue to invest and have the plans in 
place to ensure we can continue to grow the business and create 
value for all of our stakeholders.

Simon Litherland 
Chief Executive Officer

Fruit Shoot performed well, gaining value and volume share in the 
market. During the year, we stopped selling the full sugar version  
of Fruit Shoot, as part of our commitment to address public health 
issues, and we continued to encourage children to get active with  
our ‘skills’ campaign. Lipton Ice Tea drove growth in the emerging 
cold/hot drinks category, which grew its market value by over 40%, 
over the year. As consumers continued to focus on value, both when 
shopping for home and on nights out, the premium juice drinks 
category has been challenged. J20, which is a premium priced  
brand, has seen some share decline, as a result of this trend.

In Ireland, we have a branded soft drinks business and a licensed 
wholesale operation, called Counterpoint. The soft drinks market was 
down, both in volume and value and we did lose some market share. 
The carbonates category in particular was very competitive and saw  
a significant amount of price-led promotions. A highlight of our 
innovation programme in Ireland this year was the introduction of a 
new Club Zero range with no added sugar, which is proving popular 
with consumers. In November, we launched Counterpoint as a 
standalone licensed wholesaler to supply the pub and club trade 
across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Since its 
launch it has added new categories, such as snacks and wine to  
its range, allowing it to compete far more effectively. 

 Exploit global opportunities in 
kids, family and adult categories
The international business has continued to grow and we are seeing 
the benefits of our investment in the establishment of a standalone 
business unit. In the USA we have made great progress with Fruit 
Shoot achieving national distribution in the convenience and leisure 
channels. We signed a 15 year franchise for Fruit Shoot with PepsiCo 
who started to manufacture Fruit Shoot in the USA. Having signed an 
agreement with the Narang Group in May 2013, we launched Fruit 
Shoot in India in the summer. Narang is a well-established sales and 
marketing business who distribute a range of leading brands across 
India. With a dedicated production line in market we launched four 
flavours that were developed specifically for the Indian consumer. 
Distribution was achieved in the ten major cities that we targeted and 
a consumer awareness campaign was launched in time for the Diwali 
festival, including TV advertising.

In France, Fruit Shoot continued to grow, with the brand establishing 
itself as the number one in the children’s juice drinks category. We 
also transferred a production line from GB to France to supply Fruit 
Shoot both to the French market and into Spain. We continued to 
invest in Teisseire, the number one syrups brand in France. This year 
we extended the pack range with the introduction of the PET “pump” 
pack to drive greater usage of syrups. The early signs are very good 
as it brings new households into the brand. 

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationStrategic report1414

Strategic report 

making life’s everyday moments more enjoyable

a night out 
with friends

15

Chief Financial 
Officer’s review

In the period the group sold over  
2 billion litres of soft drinks, an  
increase of 1.5% on the previous year, 
with Average Realised Price (ARP) of 
63.0p, increasing by 1.0%. The group’s 
revenue was £1,344.4m, up 2.4% 
compared to last year, on a constant 
currency basis. 

The following is based on Britvic’s results for the 52 weeks ended 28 September 2014. 

All numbers quoted are on a constant currency basis and are pre-exceptional and  
other items, unless otherwise stated. 

The focus has remained on building sustainable profit and margin improvement. 
Both revenue growth and the delivery of the strategic cost initiatives have 
contributed to the 17.3% growth in adjusted EBITA, to £161m, and the resulting 
150 basis points (bps) improvement in operating margin to 12.0%. The strategic 
cost initiative benefits have been realised in both brand contribution and in fixed 
costs. In brand contribution we have seen the benefit of our disciplined revenue 
management principles and the realisation of our procurement strategy. In fixed 
costs we have seen the benefit from the closure of a number of facilities and the 
consolidation of back office functions. 

Whilst the poorer summer weather in each of our European markets did not help 
our cause, we were able to deliver EBIT of £158.1m, marginally ahead of the 
previous guidance, by achieving a higher in-year benefit from the cost savings.

 A full list of definitions can be found on page 20.

a night out 

with friends

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationStrategic report 
16 Strategic report Chief Financial Officer’s review (continued)

GB Stills

Volume (millions litres)

ARP per litre

Revenue

Brand contribution

Brand contribution margin

52 weeks ended  
28 September 2014
£m

52 weeks ended  
29 September 2013
£m

% change
actual exchange rate

378.9

88.5p

335.2

159.4

47.6%

398.7

85.3p

340.1

154.5

45.4%

(5.0)

3.8

(1.4)

3.2

220bps

The GB stills category volume, as measured by Nielsen, was 
marginally up this year. The driver of growth was plain water which 
was up nearly 10%, a category which is not currently material for us. 
Excluding water category volume was down 4%. Our volume decline 
of 5% was primarily driven by two brands, J20 and Robinsons. J20 
continued to be impacted by consumers seeking value, both at home 
and dining out, whilst Robinsons lost volume share to own-label squash. 

As part of our commercial change programme we have continued to 
benefit from stronger revenue management disciplines this year. We 
launched Robinsons Squash’d in the first half of the year, which had a 
positive impact on ARP reflecting its price point and small 66ml bottle 
size. Overall ARP increased by 3.8%, limiting the revenue decline to 
1.4%. Brand contribution increased by 3.2% whilst margin improved 
by 220 bps.

GB Carbonates

Volume (millions litres)

ARP per litre

Revenue

Brand contribution

Brand contribution margin

Whilst the GB carbonates category volume was down, we increased 
volume by 4.4% with an increase in ARP of 1.3% as a result of 
disciplined revenue management. This led to an impressive revenue 
increase of 5.9%. Pepsi, led by Pepsi Max, was the key driver of 
growth, and we saw revenue growth across all major pack formats, 
including cans, PET and dispense in the leisure trade. 

52 weeks ended  
28 September 2014
£m

52 weeks ended  
29 September 2013
£m

% change
actual exchange rate

1,204.7

47.1p

567.8

222.4

39.2%

1,153.9

46.5p

536.4

200.1

37.3%

4.4

1.3

5.9

11.1

190bps

This was supported by the successful execution of some exciting 
marketing campaigns including the sponsorship of football 
personalities and the Max “Unbelievable” campaign. Brand 
contribution was up 11.1% and margin improved by 190bps. 

France

Volume (millions litres)

ARP per litre

Revenue

Brand contribution

Brand contribution margin

52 weeks ended
28 September 2014
£m

52 weeks ended
29 September 2013
£m

% change
actual exchange rate

% change 
constant exchange rate

273.6

93.2p

254.9

67.1

26.3%

272.1

94.9p

258.2

63.2

24.5%

0.6

(1.8)

(1.3)

6.2

0.6

0.6

1.2

8.9

180bps

180bps

In France soft drink market volumes were marginally up and our 
volume increase was slightly ahead of the market. The poorer weather 
in the summer had a particularly negative impact on the syrups 
category. With both volume and ARP up 0.6%, revenue increased 
1.2%. The major success story of the year was Fruit Shoot which 
established itself as the number one brand in the category. We also 
transferred a Fruit Shoot production line from GB to France.  

Supply was limited whilst the line was commissioned, impacting both 
France and other European markets. The line is now fully operational, 
supplying France and Spain. Brand contribution was up 8.9% and 
margin improved by 180bps.

Strategic report Chief Financial Officer’s review (continued)

17

Ireland

Volume (millions litres)

ARP per litre

Revenue

Brand contribution

Brand contribution margin

52 weeks ended 
28 September 2014
£m

52 weeks ended
29 September 2013
£m

% change
actual exchange rate

% change 
constant exchange rate

197.0

54.1p

128.3

47.0

36.6%

199.0

56.8p

136.9

49.0

35.8%

(1.0)

(4.8)

(6.3)

(4.1)

80bps

(1.0)

(2.9)

(4.5)

(1.7)

100bps

Note: Volumes and ARP include own-brand soft drinks sales and do not include factored product sales included within total revenue and brand contribution. 

Market conditions in Ireland remained difficult with consumers 
continuing to seek value amid a competitive trading environment. In 
our branded business volume declined by 1.0% and ARP declined by 
2.9%, resulting in revenue down 4.5%, on a constant currency basis. 
This includes the impact of a revenue decline for our licensed 
wholesale business, Counterpoint, primarily due to consumers 

switching from packaged to draught beer, which we do not currently 
sell. The brand contribution decline was limited to 1.7% with a 
100bps improvement in margin. During the year as part of the 
strategic cost initiatives, we consolidated back office functions into 
GB as well as closing a depot and a call centre. The benefit of these 
is realised in fixed costs rather than brand contribution.

International

Volume (millions litres)

ARP per litre

Revenue

Brand contribution

Brand contribution margin

52 weeks ended
28 September 2014
£m

52 weeks ended
29 September 2013
£m

% change
actual exchange rate

% change 
constant exchange rate

44.3

131.4p

58.2

21.0

36.1%

43.2

116.4p

50.3

18.8

37.4%

2.5

12.9

15.7

11.7

2.5

14.0

16.9

12.3

(130)bps

(150)bps

Note: Concentrate sales are included in both revenue and ARP but do not have any associated volume.

International is now a fully established business unit, with 
responsibility for both our export markets and our franchise markets. 
In the Netherlands and Spain Fruit Shoot has continued to grow 
revenue. There has been significant progress in our franchise markets 
of the USA and India. In the USA we signed a 15 year distribution 

agreement for Fruit Shoot with PepsiCo Americas Beverages (PAB) 
and in India we launched Fruit Shoot this summer with our partner, 
the Narang Group. Revenue was up 16.9%, with brand contribution 
up 12.3%. Margin declined 150bps, reflecting the increased A&P 
spend as we increased investment behind the USA and India.

Fixed Costs

Non-brand A&P

Fixed supply chain

Selling costs

Overheads and other

Total

Total A&P investment

A&P as a % of own-brand revenue

52 weeks ended
28 September 2014
£m

52 weeks ended 
 29 September 2013
£m

% change
actual exchange rate 

(9.9)

(101.8)

(120.7)

(126.4)

(358.8)

(72.0)

5.4%

(7.3)

(100.7)

(124.5)

(118.1)

(350.6)

(70.3)

5.4%

(35.6)

(1.1)

3.1

(7.0)

(2.3)

(2.4)

-

Fixed costs increased by 2.3% to £358.8m. During the year the 
benefit of the strategic cost initiatives, such as the factory closures in 
GB and the consolidation of GB and Ireland back office functions, 
was realised in fixed costs. We have invested in the establishment of 
both the international business unit and the strategic marketing and 
innovation function.  

In addition we have increased both trade marketing spend, which is 
reported in overheads, and non-brand A&P. This increased 
investment is focused behind our strategic growth drivers, primarily in 
the kids, family and adult categories. A&P spend increased by 2.4% 
to £72.0m, with the percentage of revenue measure flat at 5.4%.

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationStrategic report18 Strategic report Chief Financial Officer’s review (continued)

Exceptional and other items
In the period, we accounted for a net charge of £12.8m of pre-tax 
(£10.2m post tax) exceptional and other costs. These include:

•   Corporate exceptional items of £14.1m, relating to the 

implementation of the strategic cost initiatives announced at 
interims in May 2013. This is slightly lower than the previous 
guidance of £17m. The balance will be realised in 2015.

•   Other fair value movements gain of £2.3m. Within exceptional and 

other items we include the fair value movement of financial 
instruments where hedge accounting could not be applied. This 
was made up of two items, a number of share swaps to satisfy our 
employee incentive share schemes and interest-rate swaps. 

•   Write-off of unamortised finance fees of £1.0m related to the early 

refinancing of the revolving credit facility.

The cash costs of exceptional and other items in the period were £18.9m.

Interest 
The net finance charge before exceptional and other items for the  
52 week period for the group was £25.2m compared with £26.9m  
in the same period in the prior year, reflecting the lower debt profile  
of the group and the benefit of the free cash flow generation. 

Taxation 
The tax charge before exceptional and other items was £33.0m 
which equates to an effective tax rate of 24.8% (52 weeks ended  
29 September 2013: 23.6%). The increase in the effective tax rate 
reflects the increase in the French corporate tax rate during the period 
and start-up losses incurred in some of the group’s International 
expansion for which no tax relief is currently available. In 2013 the 
group’s effective tax rate had benefited from the retranslation of its 
deferred tax liability on the phased reduction in the UK corporate tax 
rate. A comparable benefit is not available for 2014.

Earnings per share
Adjusted basic EPS for the period, excluding exceptional and other 
items and acquisition related amortisation, was 41.8p, up 18.8% on 
the same period last year (35.2p). Basic EPS (after exceptional and 
other items charges post-tax) for the period was 36.5p compared 
with 25.5p for the same period last year.

Dividends 
The board is recommending a final dividend of 14.8p per share, an 
increase of 13.8% on the dividend declared last year, with a total 
value of £36.3m. The final dividend will be paid on 6 February 2015 to 
shareholders on record as at 5 December 2014. The ex-dividend date 
is 4 December 2014.

making life’s everyday moments more enjoyable

watching a movie

Strategic report Chief Financial Officer’s review (continued)

19

Pensions
At 28 September 2014, the IAS 19 (Revised) pension deficit in 
respect of the group defined benefit pension schemes was £8.4m (29 
September 2013: net deficit of £19.3m). The reduction in the deficit 
was mainly due to better than expected investment performance and 
employer contributions, which was partly offset by the higher liabilities 
due to changes in the financial assumptions.

The defined benefit section of the GB plan was closed to new 
members on 1 August 2002, and closed to future accrual for active 
members from 10 April 2011, with new members being invited to join 
the defined contribution scheme. The actuarial valuation of this 
scheme as at 31 March 2013 has been completed without 
committing additional employer contributions as the funding level has 
improved since the 2010 actuarial valuation. In addition to the 
valuation, Britvic has reached agreement with the trustees to move 
the Plan’s assets towards an immunised portfolio by investing in debt 
instruments. This will lead to the removal of equity risk from the Plan’s 
assets and a reduction in the volatility of the funding level as a result 
of having investments that better match the Plan’s liabilities.

John Gibney 
Chief Financial Officer

Cash flow and net debt
Underlying free cash flow was a £88.9m inflow, compared to a 
£103.5m inflow the previous year. Capital expenditure was £22.4m 
higher than last year, largely as a result of the implementation of the 
strategic initiatives. The increase in pension contributions was due to 
the planned additional contributions in GB from the previous 2010 
triennial valuation funding agreement. Overall adjusted net debt 
reduced by over £21m and took our leverage to 1.9x EBITDA from 
2.2x last year. The adjusted net debt (taking into account the foreign 
exchange movements on the derivatives hedging our US Private 
Placement debt) at 28 September 2014 was £380.9m, compared to 
£402.3m at the end of last year.

Treasury management 
The financial risks faced by the group are identified and managed by 
a central treasury department, whose activities are carried out in 
accordance with board approved policies and subject to regular Audit 
and Treasury Committee reviews. The department does not operate 
as a profit centre and no transaction is entered into for trading or 
speculative purposes. Key financial risks managed by the treasury 
department include exposures to movements in interest rates and 
foreign exchange whilst managing the group’s debt and liquidity, 
currency risk, interest rate risk and cash management. The group 
uses financial instruments to hedge against interest rate and foreign 
currency exposures.

On 20 February 2014, Britvic plc repaid US$102m and £25m of notes 
in the United States private placement market (USPP). These notes 
were repaid using funds received from the issuance of 2014 notes 
(see below). The 2007 cross currency interest rate swap instruments 
which had been designated as part of a cash flow hedge relationship 
against the future cash flows associated with this maturing portion of 
the 2007 notes, also matured on 20 February 2014.

On 20 February 2014, Britvic plc issued US$114m and £35m of 
senior notes with maturities between 7 and 12 years in the United 
States private placement market (the ‘2014 notes’). The proceeds 
from the 2014 notes were principally used to repay amounts due in 
relation to the maturity of certain tranches of the 2007 notes.

At 28 September 2014 the group has £920m of committed debt 
facilities consisting of a £400m bank facility maturing in 2016 and a 
series of private placement notes with maturities between 2014 and 
2026. As part of securing the group’s medium term funding platform, 
the £400m bank facility has been successfully refinanced with 
improved terms, with a revised maturity of November 2019. 

At 28 September 2014, the group’s unadjusted net debt of £419.0m 
(excluding derivative hedges) consisted of £1.4m drawn under the 
group’s committed bank facilities, £558.3m of private placement 
notes, £3.6m of accrued interest and £0.3m of finance leases, offset 
by net cash and cash equivalents of £143.3m and unamortised loan 
issue costs of £1.3m. After taking into account the element of the fair 
value of interest rate currency swaps hedging the balance sheet value 
of the private placement notes, the group’s adjusted net debt was 
£380.9m which compares to £402.3m at 29 September 2013.

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationStrategic report 
20

Strategic report 

Glossary

Key performance indicators
•   Volume is defined as number of litres sold, excluding factored 

•   Underlying free cash flow is defined as net cash flow excluding 

movements in borrowings, dividend payments and exceptional and 
other items.

•   Group adjusted net debt is defined as group net debt, adding back 

the impact of derivatives hedging the balance sheet debt.

•   Return on invested capital (ROIC) is defined as operating profit after 
applying the tax rate for the period, stated before exceptional and 
other items, as a percentage of invested capital. Invested capital is 
defined as non-current assets plus current assets less current 
liabilities, excluding all balances relating to interest bearing liabilities 
and all other assets or liabilities associated with the financing and 
capital structure of the group and excluding any deferred tax 
balances and effective hedges relating to interest-bearing liabilities.

Others
•   Where appropriate, comparisons are quoted using constant 

exchange rates. Constant currency change removes the impact of 
exchange rate movements during the period by retranslating prior 
year foreign currency denominated results of the group at current 
period exchange rates to aid comparability.

•   All numbers quoted are pre-exceptional and other items, unless 

otherwise stated.

brands sold by Counterpoint in Ireland. No volume is recorded in 
respect of international concentrate sales.

•   ARP is defined as average revenue per litre sold, excluding factored 

brands and concentrate sales.

•   Group revenue is defined as sales achieved by the group net of 

price promotional investment and retailer discounts.

•   Brand contribution is defined as revenue less material costs and all 
other marginal costs that management considers to be directly 
attributable to the sale of a given product. Such costs include 
brand specific advertising and promotion costs, raw materials, and 
marginal production and distribution costs.

•   Brand contribution margin is a percentage measure calculated as 

brand contribution, divided by revenue. Each business unit’s 
performance is reported down to the brand contribution level.

•   Group EBITA is defined as operating profit before exceptional and 
other items and amortisation. Only amortisation attributable to 
intangibles related to acquisitions is added back, in the period this 
is £2.9m (2013: £2.9m as reported last year). EBITA margin is 
EBITA as a proportion of group revenues.

•   Group EBIT is defined as operating profit before exceptional and 

other items. EBIT margin is EBIT as a proportion of group revenues.

•   Adjusted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing 
adjusted earnings by the average number of shares during the 
period. Adjusted earnings is defined as the profit/(loss) attributable 
to ordinary equity shareholders before exceptional and other items 
adjusted for the adding back of acquisition related amortisation. 
Average number of shares during the period is defined as the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during 
the period excluding any own shares held by Britvic that are used 
to satisfy various employee share-based incentive programmes. 
The weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for 
adjusted earnings per share for the period was 245.8m (2013: 
243.2m). 

 
21

making life’s everyday moments more enjoyable

keeping fit

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationStrategic report22

Strategic report 

Our sustainablity 
performance

Sustainability is at the heart of 
our business. We balance the 
need to remain commercially 
successful, with the need to 
make a positive contribution to 
society and limit our impact on 
natural resources.

We measure our performance annually through 
the Business in the Community CR Index. We are 
proud of the progress we are making but there is 
more to do. Last year we achieved a one star rating 
as a result of our BITC CR Index submission. Our 
ambition is to achieve four stars by 2020.

Find out more about our sustainable business programme at  
www.britvic.com

If you would like a copy of our sustainable business report write to:

Director of Corporate Affairs 
Britvic plc 
Breakspear Park 
Breakspear Way 
Hemel Hempstead 
HP2 4TZ

Our sustainability priorities
Consumer health
Consumer health is an issue in many of the markets in which we 
operate. We believe that all of our drinks can be enjoyed as part of a 
balanced diet and healthy lifestyle however we have continued to 
support key voluntary initiatives, including the UK government’s Public 
Health Responsibility Deal. In the past year we have withdrawn full 
sugar Fruit Shoot from the UK market and we have continued to 
promote our low calorie variants. In Ireland we launched Club Zero. In 
addition we have continued to encourage active lifestyles through our 
marketing campaigns, including our sponsorships of the Tour de 
France and Wimbledon tennis championships and our Fruit Shoot 
skills campaign for children.

We recognise that we can do more and in the past year have 
launched a new health strategy across the business. Moving forward 
we intend to take a leading role in the soft drinks industry in inspiring 
and encouraging people to make informed choices to live healthier 
and more active lives.

Among our future commitments, we intend to reduce the average 
calories per serve across our portfolio by a further 20% by 2020. We 
will use the power of our brands to inspire 20 million people to actively 
play together and we will clearly label the calorie content on pack 
anywhere in the world. We are also reviewing our marketing to 
children policy and will be launching a new responsible marketing 
code in the coming year.

Supporting our communities
This year our charitable donations totalled over £900,000 in cash, our 
people’s time and product donations. We continued to partner 
Cancer Research UK, our corporate partner chosen by our 
employees and have raised funds for them via our monthly company 
charity lottery, via donation stations and have run a number of site 
fundraising days and events. We have also partnered young people’s 
charity, Street League and sponsored a number of employability 
academies with them. In Ireland, Ballygowan featured a cause related 
marketing campaign for the Irish Cancer Society.

Our employees have made a significant contribution to local 
communities by volunteering and supporting deserving causes. Our 
community volunteering policy aims to support local communities by 
encouraging employees to take two hours per month or up to three 
paid days leave to volunteer. Our current employee participation rate 
is 18%, and we are continually looking at developing new and exciting 
ways to encourage more of our workforce to make a difference in this 
way, including supporting our award winning educational initiatives at 
our Britvic Learning Zones. 

Creating a great place to work for our employees
Our people are key to the success of our business and we are 
committed to making Britvic an inspiring place to be. All business 
units took part in the Great Place to Work survey for the first time this 
year and have plans in place to drive improvements.

Our employees are an important ‘community’ to us and we recognise 
that a key component in maintaining work-life-balance is that employees 
feel they have both the time and opportunity to take part in activities 
that are outside of their daily role and that support them in enjoying 
life’s everyday moments.

This year we created an Employee Community Fund to support 
community and healthy lifestyle activities at each of Britvic’s GB sites. 
The fund has been used for charity fundraising days, site family 
events and onsite exercise classes or facilities. Our Beckton event 
proved a big hit with employees and their families and succeeded in 
raising more than £1,400 for our charity partner Cancer Research UK.

We also launched our Sustainable Business Awards to recognise and 
reward those employees making a special effort to help us achieve 
our goal of making a real difference to our communities and/or 
helping us reduce our environmental impacts. 

Strategic report Our sustainablity performance (continued)

23

Encouraging disadvantaged young people to  
develop new skills
Our long standing commitment to helping disadvantaged young people 
remained a key focus of our sustainable business strategy in 2014.

Through our Learning Zone programmes we continued to support 
work-related learning with an award winning teacher training course in 
enterprise, and a dedicated student course focusing on employability 
skills for the 14+ age group. Since 2009 these have trained over 400 
teachers and 12,000 students across our five Learning Zones.

Water stewardship
Responsible water use is a growing concern across the world with 
increasing numbers of people without access to clean water. We 
recognise we have a responsibility to manage our water use prudently 
and have set long term water reduction targets. By 2020 we aim to 
reach a water intensity ratio of 1.4, meaning for every litre of soft drink 
we produce we use 1.4 litres of water. This year we have successfully 
reduced our water intensity by 17.8% on last year, achieving 1.93 
across the group. This achievement was a result of a renewed focus 
on the importance of water conservation with numerous sites 
investing in technology and monitoring equipment to better 
understand our water use profile.

Climate change
The threat of climate change is ever present and this year we have 
witnessed numerous unprecedented extreme weather events across 
the globe, including the winter floods in the UK and extended 
heatwaves in Australia and Brazil. These events act as a reminder of 
how unpredictable our climate can be and how important it is to 
minimise our contribution to climate change.

We are delighted to have achieved CarbonNeutral® business travel 
certification provided by The CarbonNeutral Company. This year we 
have successfully offset our GB business travel emissions (4,790 tonnes 
of CO2), through two environmental projects which would not happen 
without vital funding. Our emission reduction projects include a methane 
capture project in China and a conservation project in the Amazon 
rainforest.

We are committed to continuous emissions reductions and have set 
ourselves a 20% reduction in direct greenhouse gas emissions ratio 
by 2020. This year we successfully achieved a 9% absolute reduction 
in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions and nearly a 7% reduction relative 
to our production.

The table below sets out the quantities of greenhouse gas emissions 
in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) for the 52 weeks ended 
28 September 2014. The table also contains last year’s emissions to 
demonstrate our progress. Please note these figures have changed 
since our last Annual Report disclosure as we have been through a 
validation process.

We have reported on all of the emission sources required under the 
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Reports) 
Regulations 2013. These sources fall within our consolidated financial 
statement. We do not have responsibility for any emission sources 
that are not included in our consolidated statement. Emissions 
outside of our responsibility, including shared office locations and 
those originating from our franchise partners, have been omitted from 
our disclosure. We have used the GHG Protocol Corporate 
Accounting and Reporting Standard (revised edition) and emission 
factors from UK Government’s GHG Conversion Factors for Company 
Reporting 2014.

Packaging/waste
Packaging, its use and ultimate disposal, is an important focus of our 
sustainable business programme. We strive to reduce the 
environmental impact of our packaging whilst ensuring our packaging 
protects our products effectively. 

We continue to support the Courtauld Commitment and adopt a zero 
waste mindset at our sites. This year we have reduced the amount of 
waste produced by 10% within our GB manufacturing sites and have 
achieved a recycling rate of 90%. We continued to send zero waste 
to landfill within GB.

Total Scope 1 & 2 CO2e emissions
Emissions from:

Scope 1: Combustion of fuel & operation of facilities

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

Scope 3: Downstream transportation & distribution, business 
travel, downstream leased assets (refrigeration portfolio)

Intensity measure:

2013-2014 Emissions
(Tonnes CO2e)

2012-2013 Emissions
(Tonnes CO2e)

60,669

17,965

42,704

66,756

22,402

44,354

111,431*

112,618*

* Excludes business travel for Ireland and 
downstream transportation in France

* Excludes business travel for Ireland & France 
and downstream transportation in France

Scope 1 & 2 emissions reported above normalised to per 
thousand tonne of product output

32.5 Tonnes CO2e/1000 Tonne 
produced

34.9 Tonnes CO2e/1000 Tonne 
produced

Notes:  1. Emissions relate to those generated by our manufacturing and distribution sites in GB, Ireland and France.  
2. Emissions outside of our responsibility and under the control of a third party have also been excluded.

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24 Strategic report Our sustainablity performance (continued)

Responsible sourcing
Our responsible sourcing programme has been in place since 2011 
and continues to ensure our products are sourced and manufactured 
in a fair, ethical and environmentally responsible manner. 

This year we have successfully embedded our responsible sourcing 
programme within the procurement team, with buyers having clear 
objectives for its delivery and have begun the process of extending 
the programme through our supply chain. This year we successfully 
achieved our target of 30% of high risk GB/Ireland direct suppliers 
having ethical assessments completed.

Human rights
Our human rights policy is set out in our Ethical Business Policy. This 
applies to our employees, our suppliers and partners and anyone 
working on behalf of our business. It covers avoiding bribery and 
corruption, conducting business with respect, integrity and equality 
and managing personal activities and interests. It also covers 
responsible trading and sets out our standards regarding human 
rights, health & safety and environmental responsibilities and what we 
expect of our suppliers and other trading partners, which are 
monitored through our responsible sourcing programme.

We run a confidential whistle blowing hotline for anyone who is 
concerned about a breach of the policy.

All our employees from the board down are trained and required to 
complete an on-line test to ensure compliance to the policy.

Read our Ethical Business Policy at http://www.britvic.co.uk/en/
Sustainable-business/Policies-and-Reports/Ethical-Trading-
policy.aspx

Our sustainable business performance

Focus

FY14 Target

FY14 Performance

 Consumer Health

Launch and embed our health strategy across 
the business.

Deliver our public commitments to support 
government’s voluntary initiatives.

Health strategy successfully deployed across 
the business. All business units have health 
strategy targets embedded into FY15 activity 
plans.

UK Government’s Responsibility Deal pledges 
all delivered and updated for FY14 and new 
pledges around front of pack labelling put in 
place.

 Great place to work

Embed our new purpose, vision and values 
across the business to support our Great Place 
to Work ambitions.

New purpose, vision and values successfully 
cascaded throughout the business with all 
employees involved

 Community relations

Train 200 teachers and 300 young people 
through our Learning Zone programmes and 
partnerships.

 Water stewardship

Achieve a water intensity ratio of 1:9.

 Climate change

5% reduction in carbon ratio against FY13.

131 teachers reached (200+ had signed up to 
attend but failed to show). These 131 teachers 
reached 3930 students with our resources. 
We directly reached 397 students with our 
programmes.

Achieved a 17.8% reduction, achieving 1.93 
water intensity ratio across our manufacturing 
sites

7% reduction achieved in Scope 1 & 2 carbon 
emissions relative to tonnage produced. 
More information can be found within the 
Sustainable Business Report

 Responsible sourcing

30% of high risk GB/IRL direct suppliers have 
assessment conducted.

39% of high risk suppliers have a fully 
completed the Sedex self-assessment.

 
 
 
Strategic report 

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27

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Strategic report 

Our risks

Risk management 
Refer to page 7 for Britvic’s risk management process.

Principal risks 
The principal risks that could potentially have a significant impact on our business in the future are set out below, together with the actions  
we are taking to mitigate these. 

Risk

Mitigation

Soft drinks market

A change in consumer 
preferences or the 
economic environment 
could reduce sales of 
our brands 

Consumer preferences evolve over time and in the 
FMCG environment it is necessary to keep up with 
consumer requirements and tastes and develop our 
products to meet these. It is also necessary to 
understand the impact that the economic environment 
has on our consumers as, whilst our products are 
relatively low value goods, they are non-essential items. 
This could be particularly the case where we are 
expanding into new international markets where the 
soft drinks market dynamics and general economy are 
different to those we are already operating in. Failure to 
anticipate changing consumer needs could result in 
consumers switching away from Britvic products.  

We offer a range from everyday value to premium products 
across a range of sub-categories and operate in a number of 
different markets, therefore we are not reliant on the 
preferences of one set of consumers. We closely monitor 
consumer trends in order to anticipate changes in preferences 
and match our offerings to these trends across our diversified 
portfolio and markets. We regularly develop our current 
products and aim to offer innovative new products to create 
new sub-categories and generate consumer needs. The soft 
drinks category has proven to be reasonably resilient and we 
offer a range of everyday value products to meet the 
consumer need for reduced spending.  We match our soft 
drinks offerings to the markets in which they are being sold.

Health and obesity 
debate could reduce 
sales of our products

There is currently a high level of media and government 
scrutiny on health and obesity in our core markets; GB, 
Ireland and France. ‘Sugary drinks’ are often cited as 
one of the issues affecting national obesity levels in 
media reports. Despite the fact that many of our 
products are low calorie, negative reporting and lack  
of understanding could result in consumers switching 
away from our products or spending less on soft drinks. 

A change in the retailer 
landscape could impact 
on our sales or margins

Whilst we have a wide range of customers in all 
channels in our core markets, changes in shopper 
behaviour and retailers could impact our sales or 
margins.

A termination or variation 
of the bottling and 
distribution 
arrangements with 
PepsiCo could 
significantly reduce our 
business in GB and 
Ireland

Our partnership with PepsiCo is an important part of 
our business and our strategy going forward; we 
currently bottle a number of Pepsico products in GB 
and Ireland, including Pepsi and 7UP which make up a 
significant proportion of our carbonated drinks portfolio 
in these markets. At the end of the bottling agreements 
(or earlier in specific circumstances) PepsiCo can 
terminate our right to sell their brands.

We already offer a range of soft drinks, many of which are low 
calorie products containing no sugar. Nutrition information is 
shown on our products and, in GB, we have signed up to the 
government’s front of pack labelling scheme. We continue to 
actively consider the consumer health debate as part of our 
strategy development and ensure that our product 
development provides a range of lower calorie choices. We 
believe that this will remain a risk for a business for the 
foreseeable future but we are confident that we have the 
appropriate strategies to manage this, including our 
commitment to continue to reduce calories in our products 
and encourage active lifestyles through our marketing activities. 
With our broad portfolio and track record in innovation, we 
equally consider this to be an opportunity for our business, as 
we are well placed to meet consumers’ health needs, with 
both our current portfolio and future innovations.

We operate across many different channels in our core 
markets and continuously monitor consumer behaviour to 
understand changing trends. We are adopting strategies that 
will provide the flexibility to respond to the changing 
landscape and consumer needs.

We place significant emphasis on developing our relationship 
with PepsiCo, which includes maintaining an appropriate level 
of communication between the two businesses to deal with 
on-going operational issues. This is further strengthening 
through the development of the Fruit Shoot franchise in the 
US with PepsiCo and the independent Pepsi bottlers. The 
addition of more PepsiCo products to the Britvic portfolio in 
recent years demonstrates the strength of this relationship.  
The bottling agreement for Ireland is due for renewal in 
December 2015 and initial conversations have already  
begun around the terms of this renewal.

Strategic report Our risks (continued)

29

Supply risks

Increasing commodity 
demand and pricing 
could impact our 
profitability

Risk

Mitigation

We utilise a wide variety of commodities in our 
products, many of which are subject to crop availability 
and increasing demand from around the world. As a 
result of this, there is a risk that we are not able to 
source the products that we require when we would 
like to, or we have to pay more than we planned to for 
them. In addition, the market commodity prices could 
fluctuate significantly which could impact on the 
profitability of our products going forward.

We manage the risk associated with availability of supply 
through a robust programme of understanding future 
requirements, developing new sources and strategic partnerships 
through our Procurement Transformation programme. In 
addition, we ensure that sustainability of prime materials is a 
key consideration in our product development process. We 
aim to manage the impact of market price fluctuations through 
sourcing much of our planned requirements through forward 
contracts and hedging arrangements.

A product quality issue 
leads to a recall and 
significant cost

Loss of a key operational 
site could reduce 
product availability and 
therefore sales

Our products are generally of very high quality and are 
not high risk products for causing harm, however there 
is a risk that a faulty or contaminated product is supplied 
to the market. This could result in a costly product recall 
and claims against the company if injury or damage is 
caused.

A severe event could lead to the loss of use of a key 
site of production or distribution.

We have robust quality control measures and processes in 
place to maintain the high quality of our products supplied at 
all times. These were further strengthened in response to the 
Fruit Shoot recall in 2012. 

We seek to maintain multiple sources of supply for our products 
wherever possible. In addition, we review and manage the 
resilience of our sites to significant events and put protection 
in place where practical and beneficial to the business to do so.

Regulatory risks
Future regulations that 
affect the sale of soft 
drinks may impact our 
profitability 

There is a wide range of regulations that we are required 
to comply with, ranging from controlling the content, 
labelling and packaging of our products to the marketing 
of them. Changes in these regulations in the markets in 
which we operate could result in direct additional taxation 
on our products, increased cost to produce our brands or 
changes to the nature of the product such that is not as 
desirable to the consumer, therefore reducing sales. In 
addition, regulations may impact our ability to market or 
sell certain products or engage with specific consumers.

Macro economic environment
Macro economic factors 
could adversely impact 
the business

We have a number of exposures as a result of changes 
in the macro economic environment, particularly 
counterparty credit risk through our banking relationships 
and currency fluctuations. Whilst we are not directly 
exposed to any high risk areas in the Eurozone, we 
would be indirectly affected through the impact on 
those that we deal with and the on the wider economy. 

IT risks
A systems issue could 
result in significant 
disruption to the business 
over a prolonged period 
or permanent loss of 
records and data if the 
IT disaster recovery 
plans are not adequate

Inadequate security 
over the IT network 
could result in data loss 
or corruption

As Britvic has grown, both through acquisition and 
organically, so has its reliance on IT systems to function, 
a failure of which could halt production or the ability to 
deliver goods. There are disaster recovery plans in place 
should a catastrophic failure occur, however should 
these prove to be inadequate this would result in 
permanent loss of records and data that would have  
a significant impact on our ability to operate.

All IT networks are at risk of unwanted access which 
can have adverse consequences in terms of data 
leakage or loss, or systems failures.

We proactively engage with the relevant authorities both 
directly and through a number of trade organisations to 
ensure we can fully participate in the future development  
of legislation. We also continuously develop our product 
portfolio and develop new products in anticipation of likely 
regulatory requirements.

We closely monitor and manage our exposure to wider 
economic factors to the extent that it is possible or beneficial 
to do so, in particular, hedging our currency requirements. As 
we grow our business through international expansion we will 
be better protected from regional economic factors affecting 
our European markets. 

The management of our data centre has been outsourced 
to a professional provider with both robust disaster recovery 
and business continuity plans capable of meeting both our 
current and future needs.

Much of system is now hosted by a professional provider 
who is well set up to maintain robust cyber security. We review 
our security processes at least annually and conduct penetration 
tests to identify weaknesses and take corrective action.

The Strategic Report was approved by the board  
of directors on 25 November 2014 and signed  
on its behalf by:

Simon Litherland Chief Executive Officer

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31

02 Governance

33 Corporate governance report

34 Board of directors

43 Audit Committee

46 Nomination Committee

50 Remuneration Committee

51 Directors’ remuneration report

63 Annual report on remuneration

74 Directors’ report

76 Statement of directors’ responsibilities

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Governance

Governance 

33

Corporate governance 
report

Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee after 
almost 8 years service since he was first elected by shareholders. The 
board would like to thank Michael for his significant contribution and 
support to the company during this time.

Silvia is a Non-Executive Director of NASDAQ-listed Sapient 
Corporation, a global marketing and consulting services company, 
headquartered in the US. Silvia brings marketing and international 
experience to the board.

Your board is committed to remaining effective and recognises that to 
do so it must ensure that it has the right balance of skills, 
independence and knowledge of the company to enable it to 
discharge its duties and responsibilities. I am delighted that both of 
the above appointments have further strengthened the skills, 
experience and diversity of the board by bringing in further 
manufacturing/FMCG, financial, international and marketing expertise. 
Further details on the board’s succession planning activities, and the 
steps it is taking to develop its policy on diversity, are discussed in my 
Nomination Committee Report on page 47.

 Details of the directors’ biographies are set out on pages 34 and 35.

Board evaluation
Evidence of the impact that the refreshing of skills on the board and 
its committees can been seen in the outputs of this year’s board 
evaluation, details of which are summarised on page 41.

Fair, balanced and 
understandable
During the year the board reviewed the requirement for directors to 
make a statement that they consider the annual report and accounts, 
taken as a whole, to be fair, balanced and understandable. As part of 
this review, we received an early draft of the annual report to have 
enough time to review and comment. The Audit Committee met to 
consider the criteria for a fair, balanced and understandable annual 
report and to review the processes underpinning the compilation and 
assurance of the report, in relation to the financial and non-financial 
information. The board then considered the annual report as a whole 
being mindful of the new UK reporting requirements to ensure 
consistency between the narrative sections and the financial 
statements.

 The board’s statement on the report is outlined on page 76. 

Dear Shareholder,
As I mentioned in my Chairman’s 
statement earlier in this report, 
this has been a year of significant 
activity under the leadership of 
Simon Litherland, our Chief 
Executive Officer. The board has 
been busy supporting the 
business in ensuring that the 
appropriate structures are in 
place to position the business to 
achieve its strategic plan.

This includes ensuring good governance, managing risk and adding 
value to our business. As such, the board continues to be committed 
to high standards of corporate governance and supports the 
principles laid down in the UK Corporate Governance Code published 
in September 2012 by the Financial Reporting Council (‘the Code’). 
The Corporate Governance Report which follows sets out the 
activities of the board and its committees and how we conduct our 
operations in line with the Code’s provisions and other accepted 
principles of good corporate governance.

Changes to board composition
As part of the succession plans I shared with you last year, we 
welcomed Ian McHoul and Silvia Lagnado as Non-Executive Directors 
to the board on 10 March and 2 June 2014, respectively. 

Gerald Corbett 
Chairman

25 November 2014 

Ian is the Chief Financial Officer of Amec Foster Wheeler plc, a  
FTSE 100-listed company, a position he has held since 2008. Ian 
replaced Michael Shallow, who stepped down on 1 July 2014 as a 

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34

Governance 
Governance 

Board of Directors 

Gerald Corbett 
Non-Executive Chairman and  
Chairman of the Nomination Committee  
Appointed in 2005

Over a long business career, Gerald has been 
a director of 12 public companies, six of 
which he has chaired. His most recent roles 
were as Chairman of Moneysupermarket.
com Group plc between 2007-2014 and of 
SSL International plc between 2005-2010. 
His executive career included Group Finance 
Director roles with Redland plc and Grand 
Metropolitan plc, and he was Chief Executive 
of Railtrack between 1997-2000.

Committee membership:  
Nomination (Chairman); Remuneration

Other appointments:  
Betfair Group plc (Chairman);  
Numis Corporation plc  
(Non-Executive Chairman)

Simon Litherland 
Chief Executive Officer 
Appointed in 2013

John Gibney 
Chief Financial Officer  
Appointed in December 2005 

John Gibney was appointed Finance Director 
in 1999 and is responsible for finance, legal, 
estates, risk management, quality, safety and 
environment and procurement. He is also 
Chairman of Counterpoint, the Britvic 
licenced wholesale business for Ireland.

Prior to joining Britvic, he was Senior 
Corporate Finance & Planning Manager for 
Bass PLC, and prior to that role, Finance 
Director and subsequently Deputy Managing 
Director of Gala Clubs.

Committee membership:  
Executive Team 

Other appointments:  
Interactive Screen Media Limited  
(Joint Venture)

Simon is responsible for overseeing the 
delivery of the company’s business strategy. 
He joined Britvic in September 2011, initially 
as Managing Director of Britvic GB.

Prior to this, he had a career spanning 20 
years with Diageo. His last role was MD of 
Diageo Great Britain, having previously run 
Diageo’s businesses in South Africa, Ireland 
and Central and Eastern Europe. During his 
time at Diageo, Simon was responsible for 
an extensive portfolio of brands including 
Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, Smirnoff 
and Captain Morgan. In his earlier career he 
held a variety of International Finance Director 
roles in Diageo, IDV and Grand Metropolitan.

Simon qualified as a Chartered Accountant with 
Deloittes in South Africa having gained a business 
degree at the University of Cape Town.

Committee membership:  
Executive Team

Other appointments:  
The British Soft Drinks Association

 
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Governance Board of Directors (continued)
Governance Board of Directors 
Governance Board of Directors (continued)

35
35

Joanne Averiss 
Non-Executive Director 
Appointed in 2005

Silvia Lagnado 
Independent Non-Executive Director 
Appointed in 2014

Joanne is the Pepsi Group Nominee Director. 
She has been a member of the Pepsi Group 
legal department since 1990, holding a series 
of positions in the UK and the US and is 
currently Senior Vice President Law, General 
Counsel, Europe with legal responsibility for 
all of the Pepsi Group’s business within its 
Europe sector. 

Silvia was Chief Marketing Officer of Bacardi 
Limited from 2010 to 2012. Prior to her role 
at Bacardi, Silvia held numerous executive 
leadership positions at Unilever across the 
UK, the USA and Brazil over a period of more 
than 20 years, latterly being Executive Vice 
President of the savoury business unit, based 
in London.

Committee membership: None

Committee membership: None

Other appointments:  
Sapient Corporation (US)  
(Non-Executive Director),  
Nuelle INC (US) (Non-Executive Director); 
Natura Cosmeticos (Brazil)  
(Non-Executive Director)

Other appointments:  
The Mesen Educational Trust  
(Trustee and Chair)

Ian McHoul 
Independent Non-Executive Director and 
Chairman of the Audit Committee  
Appointed in 2014

Ian succeeded Michael Shallow as Chairman 
of the Audit Committee when Michael stepped 
down from the board on 1 July 2014.

Ian was Finance Director of Scottish & 
Newcastle plc and Finance and Strategy 
Director of the Inntrepreneur Pub Group Ltd, 
and spent 10 years with Foster’s Brewing 
Group in a variety of roles. He was a 
Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the 
Audit Committee of Premier Foods plc 
between 2004 and 2013, the last year of 
which he was also the Senior Independent 
Director. 

Committee membership:  
Audit (Chairman); Nomination; Remuneration

Other appointments:  
Amec Foster Wheeler plc  
(Chief Financial Officer) 

Bob Ivell 
Senior Independent Director and 
Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee 
Appointed in 2005

Bob has over 30 years experience in the food 
and beverage industry, holding executive roles 
with Regent Inns plc, Scottish & Newcastle plc 
and Whitbread plc. He was previously chairman 
of David Lloyd Leisure Limited, Park Resorts 
Group Limited, Next Generation Clubs Pacific 
and a Non-Executive Director of The 
Restaurant Group plc. 

Committee membership:  
Remuneration (Chairman); Audit; Nomination 

Other appointments:  
Mitchells & Butlers plc  
(Non-Executive Chairman);  
Carpetright plc (Non-Executive Chairman); 
AGA Rangemaster Group plc  
(Senior Independent Director)

Ben Gordon 
Independent Non-Executive Director 
Appointed in 2008

Ben was the former Chief Executive of 
Mothercare plc and former Senior Vice 
President and Managing Director of Disney 
Store, Europe and Asia Pacific. He has also 
held senior management positions with 
WHSmith group in the UK and the USA and 
L’Oreal S.A. in France and in the UK. Ben has 
an MBA from INSEAD and is a Member of 
the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Committee membership:  
Audit; Nomination; Remuneration

Other appointments:  
St. Ives plc (Non-Executive Director); 
Powerleague Group Limited (Chairman); 
Canal & River Trust (Trustee)

From left to right:  
Ben Gordon, John Gibney,  
Joanne Averiss, Simon Litherland, 
Gerald Corbett, Bob Ivell,  
Silvia Lagnado, Ian McHoul

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36 Governance Board of Directors (continued)

Compliance with the UK 
corporate governance code
The board supports the principles laid down in The UK Corporate 
Governance Code as issued by the Financial Reporting Council in 
September 2012, which applies to financial years beginning on or 
after 1 October 2012 (‘the Code’) and is available at www.frc.org.uk 
This report describes how the principles of the Code are applied and 
reports on the company’s compliance with the Code’s provisions.

The board considers that it has been in compliance with the provisions 
of the Code throughout the year ended 28 September 2014. 

2014 board programme
The board met ten times during the year in accordance with its 
scheduled meeting calendar. The attendance by each board member 
at scheduled meetings is shown on page 42. The board agenda 
included standing items as well as ‘deep dive’ reviews of key issues 
for the business, including the major projects the company initiated to 
implement the strategic plan as set out in the Strategic Report on 
pages 1 to 29. Board meetings were held at the head office in Hemel 
Hempstead except two meetings which were held off-site at the 
company’s manufacturing facilities in Dublin, Ireland and in Crolles, 
France.

Governance framework

Shareholders

2,598 shareholders  
as at 28 September 2014

Board

Non-Executive Chairman 

2 Executive Directors 

5 Non-Executive Directors

  Nomination Committee

Audit Committee

 Remuneration Committee

3 Non-Executive Directors

3 Non-Executive Directors

Non-Executive Chairman,  
3 Non-Executive Directors

Primary responsibility for succession  
planning, board/director selection  
and board composition

Provides oversight and governance 
over the group’s annual reporting, 
internal controls, risk management 
and relationship with external auditors

Committee Report page 46 and 47

Committee Report pages 43 to 45

Executive Management Level Committees

Agrees remuneration policy and sets 
individual compensation levels for 
directors and senior management

Committee and Directors’ 
Remuneration Reports pages 50 to 72

Executive  
Team

Sustainable 
Business 
Committee

Health, Safety 
& Wellbeing 
Committee

Treasury 
Committee

Pensions 
Committee

Share  
Allotment 
Committee*

Architecture 
Group*

Incident  
Management  
Committee*

*Meets as and when required

  
Governance Board of Directors (continued)

37

The board
The board of directors currently has eight members, comprising the 
Non-Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial 
Officer, four independent Non-Executive Directors and the PepsiCo 
nominated Non-Executive Director. At all times there has been at least 
half of the board, excluding the Chairman, who are independent 
Non-Executive Directors, in compliance with the Code.

Board committees 
The board is assisted by three board committees (as shown in the 
above governance framework diagram) to which it delegates specific 
responsibilities. Each committee has full terms of reference that have 
been approved by the board and which can be found on our website 
at britvic.com/corporate-governance.aspx

Company Secretary
The Company Secretary maintains a record of attendance at board 
meetings and committee meetings, further details of which are set out 
on page 42 and within the respective committee reports between 
pages 43 and 72. The Company Secretary’s other responsibilities 
include ensuring good information flows to the board and its 
committees and between senior management and the Non-Executive 
Directors, advising the board on all legal and corporate governance 
matters and assisting the Chairman in ensuring that the Directors 
have suitably tailored and detailed induction and ongoing professional 
development programmes. 

The role of the Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer
The Chairman is primarily responsible for the workings of the board; 
to ensure that its strategic and supervisory role is achieved and for 
ensuring effective communication with shareholders. 

The Chairman works closely with the Chief Executive Officer to ensure 
that the strategies and actions agreed by the board are implemented 
and provides support and appropriate advice to the Chief Executive 
Officer. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the day to day 
management of the business, developing the group’s strategic 
direction for consideration and approval by the board and 
implementing agreed strategy. He is supported by the other members 
of his executive team.

The different roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are 
acknowledged. A responsibility statement for each of those roles has 
been agreed with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 
respectively, and adopted by the board. 

During the year the Chairman met with the Non-Executive Directors 
without the Executive Directors present to evaluate their performance 
and the Non-Executive Directors met without the Chairman present, 
to evaluate his performance. 

The directors
The biographical details of the board members are set out on pages 
34 and 35. All of the directors bring strong judgement to the board’s 
deliberations. They have all occupied, or occupy, senior positions in 
UK and/or international companies (including listed companies) and 
have substantial experience across a range of businesses. Other than 
their fees, which are disclosed on page 66, the Non-Executive 
Directors received no remuneration from the company during the 
year. They also do not participate in any of the group’s pension 
schemes or in any of the group’s bonus, share option or other 
incentive schemes. 

Re-election of directors
The company’s articles of association provide that all directors will 
stand for re-election at least every three years but in order to comply 
with the Code, all of the directors submit themselves for re-election at 
each annual general meeting (‘AGM’).

The role of the board
The board is responsible for the long term success of the company, 
corporate governance, strategy, risk management and financial 
performance. The board normally meets ten times each financial year 
and has a formal schedule of matters reserved to it for decision 
making, including responsibility for the overall management and 
performance of the group and the approval of its long term objectives 
and commercial strategy, approval of annual and interim results, 
annual budgets, material acquisitions and disposals, material 
agreements and major capital commitments, approval of treasury 
policies, and assessment of its going concern position. 

Board members are given appropriate documentation in advance of 
each board or committee meeting. This includes a detailed report on 
current trading and comprehensive briefing papers on matters where 
the board will be required to reach a decision. Senior executives 
below board level attend board meetings where appropriate to 
present business updates. 

There is an established procedure for the preparation and review by 
the board of the annual budget. The business reports monthly on its 
performance against its agreed budget. The board receives a monthly 
update on performance and reviews any significant variances at each 
of its meetings. All major investment decisions are usually subject to 
post-completion reviews. At least one of the board’s regular meetings 
every year is devoted to reviewing and agreeing the company’s 
long-term strategy.

Executive Management Level Committees

Executive  

Sustainable 

Health, Safety 

Treasury 

Team

Business 

Committee

& Wellbeing 

Committee

Committee

Pensions 

Committee

Share  

Allotment 

Committee*

Architecture 

Incident  

Group*

Management  

Committee*

*Meets as and when required

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance38 Governance Board of Directors (continued)

Executive Team
The board has delegated appropriate 
responsibilities to the Executive Team, the 
membership of which is shown below. The 
Executive Team meets 11 times a year and is 
responsible for the day-to-day running of the 
business, carrying out agreed strategy and 
implementing specific board decisions 
relating to the operation of the group.

In addition, there are a number of committees 
which meet to consider various issues 
involved in the day-to-day management of 
Britvic and matters for recommendation to 
the board and its committees. Details of 
these committees are set out within the 
governance framework diagram. 

Simon Litherland  
Chief Executive Officer 
See full biography on page 34.

John Gibney 
Chief Financial Officer 
See full biography on page 34.

Doug Frost  
HR, IT & Change Director 

Doug Frost was appointed Human Resources 
Director in 2004. He has since also assumed 
responsibility for IT and more recently the 
newly established Programme Management 
Office. Doug previously worked for 15 years 
with Mars Incorporated in positions in 

manufacturing, sales and human resources. 
He started his career in the UK, then worked 
across several continental European markets 
and latterly spent several years in Latin America. 

Kevin Donnelly 
Country Director, Britvic Ireland 

Kevin joined Britvic Ireland in September 2008 
as Marketing Director and was appointed 
Country Director in June 2013. He has over 
25 years experience in sales, marketing and 
general management in FMCG companies, 
including Unilever and Dairygold. Kevin holds 
a First Class Honours Degree in Marketing 
from Trinity College Dublin and a Post 
Graduate Diploma in Digital Marketing.

Paul Graham 
GB General Manager 

Paul has worked in the FMCG industry for 20 
years holding a number of commercial roles 
across Mars Confectionery, United Biscuits 
and joined Britvic in September 2012. He was 
appointed to the role of GB General Manager 
in July 2013 and is currently supporting the 
change programme within the GB business 
to create a category led commercial 
organisation, with focus on innovation and 
great customer management. Paul has a 
BSc in Management Sciences from the 
University of Manchester.

Simon Stewart 
International Managing Director 

Simon joined Britvic in 2008 as Group 
Marketing Director from EMAP, where he was 
Chief Marketing Officer. Simon began his 
marketing career with the Coca-Cola Company 
in Australia and over eight years operated 
across brand management and strategic 
development. Simon was based in Sydney and 
Atlanta before finally moving on to Marketing 
Services for the South Pacific region. He then 
moved to Diageo where he ultimately became 
Vice President Marketing for the Smirnoff brand. 
Simon subsequently joined Allied Domecq as 
Senior Vice President of Marketing where he 
was responsible for global marketing of the 
Allied Domecq brands, moving to the position 
of Chief Marketing Officer in his final year with 
the company.

Clare Thomas 
General Counsel and Company Secretary

Clare Thomas joined the group as General 
Counsel and Company Secretary in September 
2013 and has responsibility for the legal, audit 
and risk, company secretarial, estates and 
plc quality, safety and environment teams. 
Clare has a corporate and commercial legal 
background and prior to joining Britvic spent 
15 years as a corporate / M&A lawyer at law 
firm Addleshaw Goddard LLP, including six 
years as a partner, with a particular focus on 
FMCG clients.

Governance Board of Directors (continued)

39

Jean-Luc Tivolle 
Managing Director, Britvic France 

Jean-Luc Tivolle was appointed Managing 
Director of Britvic France 2010, after 14 years 
as Vice-Chairman of Fruité Entreprises, which 
was acquired by Britvic at that time. Prior to 
this, he held senior roles in Tetra Pak and a 
variety of positions at Chocolat Poulain 
(Cadbury Schweppes Group).

Matt Barwell 
Chief Marketing Officer 

Matt is responsible for Britvic’s global marketing, 
innovation and sustainability strategies. He 
joined Britvic from Diageo in 2013 where he 
held a number of senior positions over 15 
years including Marketing and Innovation 
Director, Africa. Matt started his career with 
Mars where he worked for 10 years in both 
the confectionary and pet food businesses.

Senior independent director

The Senior Independent Director is available 
to shareholders if they have concerns which 
are not resolved through the normal channels 
of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or Chief 
Financial Officer, or for which such contact is 
inappropriate. 

From left to right:  
John Gibney, Doug Frost,  
Simon Stewart, Paul Graham,  
Simon Litherland, Jean-Luc Tivolle,  
Clare Thomas, Matt Barwell,  
Kevin Donnelly

Tenure of Non-Executive 
Directors
The Code provides that the length of tenure is a factor to consider when 
determining the independence of Non-Executive Directors. The table 
below shows the tenure and independence of each of our Non-Executive 
Directors since the date of their first election by shareholders.

Date first 
elected by 
shareholders

Years from  
first election  
to 2015 AGM

Considered 
to be  
independent 
by the board

Gerald Corbett

January 2007

Joanne Averiss

January 2007

Ben Gordon

January 2009

Bob Ivell

January 2007

Ian McHoul3

Silvia Lagnado4

-

-

8

8

6

8

-

-

1

No2

Yes2

Yes2

Yes2

Yes2

Notes:
1   The company considers that, on appointment, the Chairman was independent for 

the purposes of provision A.3.1 of the Code. 

2.   Joanne Averiss is Senior Vice President Law, General Counsel, Europe of Pepsico 
and is the PepsiCo d Non-Executive Director. Accordingly she is not considered to 
be independent by the board. In addition to her fiduciary obligations to act in the 
best interests of the company, Joanne Averiss is required under her letter of 
appointment to discharge her duties in the interests of the company 
notwithstanding her connection with PepsiCo. With the exception of Joanne 
Averiss, the Non-Executive Directors are all independent of management and free 
from any business or other relationship, including those relationships and 
circumstances referred to in provision B.1.1 of the Code that could materially 
interfere with the exercise of independent and objective judgement. 
3.   Appointed on 10 March 2014 and will stand for election at the AGM.
4.  Appointed on 2 June 2014 and will stand for election at the AGM.

Service contracts and letters of 
appointment
Details of the Executive Directors’ service contracts and the 
Chairman’s and the Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment 
are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 72. The 
letters of appointment of Gerald Corbett, Joanne Averiss, Ben Gordon 
and Bob Ivell have been extended for a further three year term to 14 
December 2017 with the exception of Ben Gordon whose letter of 
appointment runs to 14 April 2017. This will allow the board time to 
successfully recruit successors for both Bob and Gerald, in due 
course, and to enable a sufficient handover. These documents are 
available for inspection at the registered office of the company during 
normal business hours and at the AGM.

Conflicts of interest 
The company’s articles of association allow the board to authorise 
potential conflicts of interest that may arise and to impose limits or 
conditions, as appropriate. Any decision of the board to authorise a 
conflict of interest, whether matter-specific or situational, is only 
effective if it is agreed without the participation of the conflicted  
director(s), and in making such a decision, as always, the directors

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance40 Governance Board of Directors (continued)

must act in a way they consider in good faith will be most likely to 
promote the success of the company. The company has an 
established procedure whereby actual or potential conflicts of interest 
are reviewed annually and for the appropriate authorisation to be 
sought prior to the appointment of any new director or if a new 
conflict arises. The board authorised, as a potential conflict of interest, 
the Chairman’s appointment as a member of the Advisory Committee 
of Spencer Stuart, whom the Nomination Committee, having also 
received a presentation from another service provider, had appointed 
during the year for the purpose of recruiting the two newly appointed 
Non-Executive Directors and, more recently, to assist with the search 
for a successor to the Senior Independent Director. 

Induction and development
The Chairman is responsible for preparing and co-ordinating an 
induction programme for newly appointed directors, including 
presentations from senior management on different aspects of the 
business, as well as guidance on their duties, responsibilities and 
liabilities as a director of a listed company. Business familiarisation 
involves directors visiting sites in the UK, Ireland and France. The 
Non-Executive Directors are encouraged to visit group manufacturing 
sites to enable them to gain a greater understanding of the group’s 
activities and to meet senior managers throughout the business. 
Every director has access to appropriate training as required 
subsequent to his appointment and is encouraged to develop his 
understanding of the company. To strengthen the directors’ 
knowledge and understanding of the company, board meetings 
regularly include updates and briefings on specific areas of the 
company’s activities and board meetings, where possible, are held 
offsite at other Britvic sites.

Following Ian McHoul’s and Silvia Lagnado’s appointments to the 
board, the Company Secretary arranged a comprehensive induction 
programme for each. The programme was tailored based on their 
experience and background and the requirements of their roles. For 
Silvia, a one-to-one meeting was arranged with our external legal 
advisors to discuss the duties and requirements of being a UK listed 
company director. Acknowledging Ian’s in-depth understanding of the 
UK company listing regime, his induction focused primarily on his role 
as a director and the role of the board in general. Both inductions 
included one-to-one meetings with members of the Executive Team 
and with the Director of plc Finance and Investor Relations.

Independent advice
The board has approved a procedure for directors to take 
independent professional advice at the company’s expense if 
necessary. No such advice was sought by any director during the 
year. In addition, the directors have direct access to the advice and 
services of the Company Secretary.

Independence
In light of the performance review, the board considers the performance 
of each director to be effective and has concluded that the board and 
its committees provide the leadership and control required. Tenure is 
just one indicator of potential non-independence and the experience 

and knowledge of Bob Ivell, who has served on the board for almost 
eight years since his first election by shareholders, will be important in 
facilitating a structured handover and in providing continuity during 
the search for and following the appointment of his successor.

Indemnification of directors
In addition to the indemnity granted by the company to directors in 
respect of their liabilities incurred as a result of their office in 
accordance with our articles of association, we maintain a directors’ 
and officers’ liability insurance policy throughout the year. Neither our 
indemnity nor the insurance provides cover in the event that a director 
has proven to have acted dishonestly or fraudulently. 

Internal control
The board has overall responsibility for the group’s system of internal 
control and risk management and for reviewing its effectiveness. In 
discharging that responsibility, the board confirms that it has established 
the procedures necessary to apply the Code, including clear operating 
procedures, lines of responsibility and delegated authority. These 
procedures have been in place since the company listed and are 
regularly reviewed by the board. 

Business performance is managed closely and the board and the 
executive team have established processes, as part of the normal 
good management of the business, to monitor:

•  Strategic plan achievement, through a regular review of progress 

towards strategic objectives;

•  Monitoring and maintenance of insurance cover to insure all risk 

areas of the group;

•  Financial performance, within a comprehensive financial planning 
and accounting framework, including budgeting and forecasting, 
financial reporting, analysing variances against plan and taking 
appropriate management action;

•  Capital investment and asset management performance, with 

detailed appraisal, authorisation and post investment reviews; and

•  Principal risks and risk management processes, which accords with 

the Turnbull guidance published by the FRC in October 2005 and is 
supported by reports from the Director of Internal Audit and Risk 
that the significant risks faced by the group are being identified, 
evaluated and appropriately managed, having regard to the balance of 
risk, cost and opportunity. The board has delegated the management 
of risk to the executive team, chaired by the Chief Executive Officer, 
which reviews the risk register on a quarterly basis, and reports to 
the Audit Committee.

Management, with the assistance of the finance function, is 
responsible for the appropriate maintenance of financial records and 
processes that ensure all financial information is relevant, reliable, in 
accordance with the applicable laws and regulations, and distributed 
both internally and externally in a timely manner. A review of the 
consolidation and financial statements is completed by management 
to ensure that the financial position and results of the group are 
appropriately recorded, circulated to members of the board and 
published where appropriate. All financial information published by the 
group is subject to the approval of the board, on the recommendation 
of the Audit Committee.

Governance Board of Directors (continued)

41

Board performance evaluation

2013 Evaluation 

Recommendations

Actions agreed and delivered in 2013-14

Increase focus on Non-Executive 
succession planning and also executive 
talent management.

Two new Non-Executive Director appointed during 2014. A refresh 
of the talent and succession management process within the 
organisation has also commenced.

Revisit the board skills matrix and match 
candidate specifications to the new 
strategy.

Job profiles created and matched with candidate profiles for two 
new Non-Executive Director appointments which included additional 
FMCG and international skills.

Ensure development plans and detailed 
induction processes for new directors are 
put in place.

Appropriately detailed and individually tailored induction plans were 
agreed with, and implemented for, each of the new Non-Executive 
Directors.

Create more opportunities for the Non-
Executive Directors to interact more 
frequently with senior management 
outside of board meetings.

Create more opportunities for the board 
to discuss significant risks at board 
meetings, particularly in relation to the 
operational side of the business.

Board lunches are now held on board meeting days (at head office 
and off-site at Britvic sites) to which members of the Executive Team 
and other senior management are invited.

A significant improvement to risk articulation has been made and 
more time is now allocated to risk on the board agenda. 

Improve the content and timeliness of 
circulating board papers in advance of 
board and committee meetings.

The quality of pre-reads has improved to include deeper analysis and 
review. The Secretariat is also reviewing electronic board portals to 
support a more efficient process for circulation of board papers.

2014 Evaluation 

Recommendations

Actions agreed in 2014

Continue to focus on succession planning 
for a successor to the Senior Independent 
Director and other key positions and on 
talent management development.

Opportunities to develop relationships 
amongst board members and Non-
Executive Directors to spend more time in 
the business, including trade visits. 

The recruitment process is underway to find a successor to Bob 
Ivell. The Nomination Committee is also keeping the Chairman’s 
succession under review.

Informal occasions when the board can be together without the 
management present are being arranged as well as trade visits for the 
Non-Executive Directors.

Request for more updates on the board 
committee activities.

More time to be spent on board agenda, updating members of the 
board on the activities of the committees.

Each year the performance of the board, its committees and directors 
is evaluated. As required by the Code, every third year the evaluation 
should be conducted by an external adviser. Following the externally 
facilitated evaluation in 2013, the board felt it was appropriate to 
conduct an internal board and committee review in 2014. 

The 2014 evaluation was led by the Chairman with the assistance of 
the Company Secretary. The appraisal questionnaires used in the 
process were wide-ranging and based on questions outlined in the 
Code, covering both the performance of the board and its committees 
and that of the Chairman. The questions were designed to encourage 
broad discussions on the performance and effectiveness of the board 
and its procedures as well as the effectiveness of the Chairman. 

The appraisal output is used to identify strengths and development 
areas and confirmed that the board and its committees were operating 
effectively. Individual performance was also appraised by the Chairman 
following a meeting with each of the other directors.

The findings were presented to the board and the Nomination 
Committee together with a proposed action plan. The balance 
between the Board and its committees was felt to be appropriate and 
no changes in this area were identified outside of the rotation of 
directors agreed as part of the board’s ongoing succession planning. 

A table of actions arising from this and the prior year’s performance 
evaluation is set out above and progress against these actions will be 
monitored by the board throughout the year.

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance42 Governance Board of Directors (continued)

Risk management process
Britvic operates a robust risk management process that has been 
further strengthened over recent years. Further details can be found 
on page 7. Through its monitoring processes, the board has 
conducted a review of the effectiveness of the system of internal 
control during the year. The system of internal control is designed to 
manage, rather than eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve business 
objectives and it must be recognised that it can only provide 
reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement 
or loss. In that context, the review, in the opinion of the board, did not 
indicate that the system was ineffective or unsatisfactory and the 
board is not aware of any change to this status up to the date of 
approval of this report. 

Shareholder Engagement
Investor Relations
The board is committed to maintaining good communications with 
shareholders. Senior executives, including the Chairman, Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have regular dialogue 
with individual institutional shareholders in order to develop an 
understanding of their views which is then discussed with the board. 
All directors are offered the opportunity to meet with major 
shareholders to listen to their views and, in addition to a monthly 
report prepared by the Chief Financial Officer, receive regular reports 
prepared by an independent capital markets advisory firm which 
provides comprehensive information relating to the company’s major 
shareholders.

Attendance at meetings of the 
board
The attendance of directors at board meetings during the year was as 
follows: 

Membership and attendance

 Number of meetings 
attended/held

Gerald Corbett

Simon Litherland

Joanne Averiss

John Gibney

Ben Gordon 

Bob Ivell

Ian McHoul1

Silvia Lagnado1

Michael Shallow2

10/10

10/10

10/10

9/10

10/10

10/10

6/6

3/3

8/8

Notes:
1.   Meetings attended by Ian McHoul and Silvia Lagnado subsequent to their 

appointments on 10 March and 2 June 2014, respectively.

2.   Meetings attended by Michael Shallow up until his date of resignation on 1 July 2014.

The board scheduled 10 meetings during the year excluding ad hoc 
conference calls and committee meetings to approve the financial 
results.

Presentations are made to analysts, investors and prospective 
investors covering the annual and interim results and the company 
seeks to maintain a dialogue with the various bodies which monitor 
the company’s governance policies and procedures. The Strategic 
Report set out on pages 1 to 29 details the financial performance of 
the company as well as setting out the risks it faces. 

Private Investors
We are keen to hear the views of our private shareholders and we 
encourage them to use our shareholder mailbox (investors@britvic.
co.uk) for detailed inquiries and to access our website for our 
company reports and business information. The website also 
provides direct access to Shareview (www.Shareview.co.uk) which 
enables shareholders to manage their shareholding account online. 
Specific inquiries to the Company Secretary may be sent to the 
Secretariat mailbox (company.secretariat@britvic.co.uk) or sent to the 
registered office.

At the AGM, the Chief Executive Officer gives a regular update on the 
positioning and outlook for the business. Shareholders are invited to 
ask questions formally during the meeting and to follow up these 
discussions with directors on a one to one basis afterwards. The 
chairmen of the board committees and the Senior Independent 
Director are present and available to respond to questions at the 
AGM. We look forward to welcoming all our shareholders to our 2015 
AGM in January and to updating them on our business 
developments.

Governance 

43

Audit Committee 

Objective
To provide independent scrutiny of the group’s financial reporting, the 
internal control environment and processes in place to monitor this, 
the adequacy of the risk management framework and the activities of 
the external auditors.

Responsibilities
•  Reviewing the financial results announcements and financial 
statements and any significant financial reporting issues and 
judgements which they may contain;

•  Advising the board on whether the annual report and accounts, 
taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and 
provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the 
company’s performance, business model and strategy;

•  Ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards and 

reviewing the appropriateness of accounting policies and practices 
in place;

•  Assessing the adequacy of the internal control environment and the 
processes in place to monitor this, including reviewing the activities 
and performance of the internal audit team;

•  Reviewing risk management processes and considering the 

adequacy of the actions being taken to identify risks and reduce 
the exposure of the group to those risks;

•  Overseeing the relationship with the external auditors, reviewing 
their activities and performance and advising the board on their 
appointment and remuneration;

•  Ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place for individuals to raise 
issues with the board where a breach of conduct or compliance, 
including any financial reporting irregularity, is suspected.

Membership and meetings

Membership and Attendance

Ian McHoul1 (Chairman)

Bob Ivell

Ben Gordon

Michael Shallow2

Number of Meetings
Attended/Held

3/3

4/4

4/4

 3/3

Notes:  
1.   Meetings attended by Ian McHoul subsequent to his appointment on 10 March 2014.
2.   Meetings attended by Michael Shallow up until his date of resignation on 1 July 2014.

The Committee comprises independent Non-Executive Directors, Ben 
Gordon, Bob Ivell and myself as Chairman. The board is satisfied that 
I have recent and relevant financial experience as required by the 
Code, being a serving finance director with Amec Foster Wheeler plc.

Ian McHoul
Audit Committee Chairman
I am delighted to have been 
appointed to the role of chair of 
Britvic’s Audit Committee, taking 
over from Michael Shallow in 
June this year. 

I have found the Committee to be well set up to undertake the key 
responsibilities described in the report below and have been pleased 
by the focus on governance and control that I have seen. 

The Committee’s undertaking to ensure appropriate oversight over 
the financial reporting, internal control processes and risk management 
is well supported by the reporting and insight provided by management, 
internal audit and the external auditors. Additional information and 
reporting has been provided on request and there is an open dialogue 
between the Committee and the Director of Internal Audit and Risk 
and the external auditors throughout the year.

The Committee discusses a broad range of topics and raises challenges 
and questions to support understanding and ensure that all appropriate 
considerations have been made. The most significant matters discussed 
over the course of the year are described in the report below.

Over the course of this year we have also discussed the impact of the 
new EU legislation regarding external audit on our business, particularly 
in relation to the re-appointment of our existing external auditors and 
tender process that was planned for FY15. Given that the detail of how 
this legislation will be adopted in the UK is not yet determined in full, we 
have decided to defer the tender until such time as this is clear, to ensure 
that we are in the best place to fully comply with the new requirements.

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance 
44 Governance Audit Committee (continued)

The Committee typically meets three times a year; in November and 
May to review the annual report and accounts and interim report 
respectively and to consider the external audit findings, and in 
September to review the activities of the previous year, the plan for 
the year ahead and to consider any emerging issues. At each meeting 
the performance and findings of the internal audit team are reviewed 
and the most recent key risks are considered. An additional meeting 
was held during the year, in March, to approve additional non-audit 
consulting spend with the company’s auditors in respect of the final 
phase of the Value Organisation Programme.

Attendees at each of the meetings are the Committee’s members as 
well as, by invitation, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial 
Officer, the Group Financial Controller, the General Counsel, the Director 
of Audit and Risk and the external auditor, Ernst and Young LLP. 

Each meeting allows time for the Committee to speak with key people 
without the presence of the others, in particular the external auditor 
and the Director of Audit and Risk.

Main activities during the year 
The Committee supports the board in carrying out its responsibilities 
in relation to financial reporting, risk management and assessing 
internal controls. It also reviews the effectiveness of the company’s 
internal audit function and manages the relationship with the external 
auditor. The Audit Committee also ensures that the company has 
appropriate provision for confidential and impartial whistle blowing in 
line with good practise. 

Committee meetings usually take place prior to a board meeting, 
where I report to the board on the activity of the Committee and 
matters of particular relevance to the board.

Following the revision to the UK Corporate Governance Code, which 
applies to financial years commencing on or after 1 October 2012, 
the board asked the Committee to advise them on whether the 
annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced  
and understandable and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the company’s performance, business model 
and strategy.

The Committee’s terms of reference have been amended to reflect 
this and can be found on our website at britvic.com/corporate-
governance.aspx 

The Committee undertook the following activities during the course of 
the year to discharge its responsibilities:

Financial reporting 
The role of the Committee in relation to financial reporting is to ensure 
that the half year and annual financial statements are appropriate. 
Reviews are carried out with both management and the external 
auditor through the year, and focus areas include evaluating whether:

•  The annual report and financial accounts represent a fair, balanced 

and understandable view of information for shareholders;

•  The financial statements comply with all applicable financial 
reporting standards and any other required regulations;

•  Material areas of significant judgement have been given due 

consideration by management and reviewed with external auditors;

•  The application of acceptable accounting policies and practices is 

consistent across the group; 

•  The disclosures provided are clear and as required by financial 

reporting standards;

•  Any correspondence from regulators has been received in relation 

to our financial reporting.

The reviews are based on information provided by the Chief Financial 
Officer and his team as well as reports from the external auditor 
based on the outcomes of their half year review and annual audit. 

Primary areas of focus considered by the Committee in relation to the 
2014 accounts, and how these were addressed were:

Valuation of goodwill and 
indefinite lived assets
The review of goodwill and intangible assets is based on a calculation 
of value in use, using cash flow projections based on financial budgets 
prepared by senior management and approved by the board of directors. 
The challenging economic conditions in the UK and Europe increase 
the risk of impairment and the committee addressed this by receiving 
reports from management outlining the basis for assumptions used 
for cash generating units together with sensitivities. Business plans 
are signed off by the board and assessment models are reviewed as 
part of the audit, for which the external auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, 
provide reporting to the Committee. 

Revenue recognition
The group recognises revenue when goods are delivered and accepted 
by customers. The Committee reviewed the testing and controls of 
the revenue cycle, including long term discounts, promotional discounts 
and account development funds to ensure that a consistent IFRS 
compliant policy is in place and it is complied with. In addition in 2014 
the Committee requested and reviewed papers prepared by management 
on governance process and controls, with particular reference to the 
application of discounts for major customers.

Exceptional items
The Committee reviewed the classification and disclosure of exceptional 
items, defined by the group as significant items of income and expense 
which because of the size, nature and infrequency merit separate 
presentation.

Derivative and hedging activities
The group has derivative instruments to which hedge accounting is 
applied and which swap principal and interest of US Private Placement 
notes. The Committee reviewed comparisons of valuations to external 
confirmations, assessment of hedge effectiveness and the quality of 
financial statement disclosures including new requirements from the 
introduction of IFRS 13.

Governance Audit Committee (continued)

45

Taxation
Any uncertain tax positions within the group were reviewed to ensure 
that the balance sheet provisions are appropriate and the group 
effective tax rate is calculated at an acceptable level.

Defined benefit pension scheme 
valuation
The Committee reviewed benchmarks and assumptions that are provided 
by the group’s actuaries and used to value the pension liabilities for the 
three defined benefit schemes. The underlying assumptions based on 
market conditions and the characteristics of the schemes are 
reviewed by management and the external auditors and reported on 
to the Committee.

Internal audit and control
The Committee agreed the audit plan to be undertaken by the Internal 
audit team prior to the start of the year and, during each of the meetings 
throughout the year, progress against this plan was reviewed. The plan 
was assessed on the basis of providing appropriate coverage over the 
internal control environment to provide the Committee with a balanced 
overview across the group, taking into account the level of risk and 
previous coverage. Additional areas of review were added to the plan 
as required where circumstances gave rise to an increased level of 
risk and any changes to the agreed audit plan were agreed by the 
Committee. The Committee received an update from the Director of 
Audit and Risk at each meeting summarising the findings of the 
internal audits undertaken and the progress made against actions 
agreed from previous audits. Detailed updates on specific areas are 
provided at the request of the Committee.

Risk management
The risk management process is reviewed annually by the Committee 
to ensure that it is set up to deliver appropriate risk management across 
the group. The risk management process is continually improving, in 
particular in relation to embedding across new and developing areas 
of the business. The Committee believe that the improvements will 
continue to strengthen the way that the business understands and 
manages risk. In addition, the Committee reviewed the key risks on the 
corporate risk register at the time of each meeting. A detailed report was 
provided to the Committee from the Director of Audit and Risk, showing 
movements in major risks and an update on risk mitigation activity 
undertaken in relation to those risks. A summary of the key risks and 
uncertainties to which the business is exposed to can be found on 
pages 28 and 29.

External audit 
There are a number of areas that the Committee considers in relation 
to the external auditors; their performance in discharging the audit 
and interim review of the financial statements, their independence and 
objectivity, and their reappointment and remuneration.

External auditor performance
The external auditors, Ernst and Young LLP, provided the Committee 
with their plan for undertaking the year end audit at the Committee meeting 
in May 2014. This highlighted the proposed approach and scope of 
the audit for the coming year and identified the key areas of audit risk, 
including the audit approach for these areas. These key areas were 
primarily identified as areas of judgement and complexity and included 
the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite lived assets, the accounting 
for the group’s derivatives and hedging activities, revenue recognition 
and the valuation of the defined benefit pension scheme. The Committee 
reviewed and appropriately challenged the basis for these before 
agreeing the proposed approach and scope of the external audit. 

The external auditors prepared a detailed report of their audit findings 
at the year end, which they took the Committee through at the 
meeting in November. The findings were reviewed and discussed in 
detail by the Committee, particularly in relation to the areas highlighted 
above. A similar review of the external auditors’ report of their findings 
at the half year review is undertaken by the Committee. As part of this 
review the Committee questioned and challenged the work 
undertaken, the findings and the key assumptions made, with 
particular attention to the areas of audit risk identified.

Independence and reappointment
The Committee reviews the independence of the auditors when 
considering their reappointment following the year end close each 
year, and during the year. The external auditor is required to rotate the 
lead audit partner every five years. The current lead auditor partner 
began his tenure for the financial year ended 30 September 2012. 
Ernst and Young LLP have been the company’s auditors since its 
stock market listing in 2005 (9 years). During that time the external 
audit has not been formally tendered; however, the Committee will 
continue to regularly consider this in accordance with the audit tendering 
provisions in the UK Corporate Governance Code and EU legislation. 

I have regular contact with the external audit partner outside of Committee 
meetings and without the management of the business present. 

The group has a policy regarding the provision of non-audit services 
by the external auditors, based on common practice of a maximum 
audit to non-audit fee ratio of 1:1, except in exceptional circumstances. 
There will be a transition to this policy with the intention to implement 
for the financial year ending 27 September 2015. In the meantime, 
control over non-audit fees is exercised by ensuring non-audit 
projects, where fees are expected to exceed £50,000, are subject to 
my prior approval and that of the Chief Financial Officer. If non-audit 
fees on a certain project are expected to exceed £150,000, prior 
approval of the Audit Committee is required. 

The Committee has scrutinised the internal procedures of the company’s 
auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, during the year and satisfied itself that 
the independence and objectivity of the external auditors has not 
been affected by the non-audit work undertaken by them. Non-audit 
fees are disclosed in note 7 to the report and accounts. The Committee 
has reviewed the recent EU legislation and response from the UK 
regulatory bodies and considered the impact on the reappointment of 
the external auditors. The company had intended to tender the 
external audit for the FY15 financial year end however given the EU 
regulatory changes and the uncertainty about how these will be 
adopted in the UK this has been deferred until the detail of the new 
regulations in the UK is clear. 

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance46

Governance 

Nomination Committee 

Main activities during the year
The Committee considered and made recommendations to the board 
in respect of:

•  The appointment of two Non-Executive Directors (details of the 

recruitment process are is set out below);

•  Review of the board and committee membership following the 

changes to the composition of the board;

•  Succession planning for a successor for Senior Independent 

Director to Bob Ivell and my role as Chairman; and

•  Review the findings of the board evaluation (for more information 

see page 41).

Appointment of Directors
There is a formal, rigorous and transparent procedure for the appointment 
of new directors to the board under which the Committee interviews 
suitable candidates who are proposed either by existing board members 
or by an external search firm. Careful consideration is given to ensure 
proposed appointees have enough time available to devote to the role 
and that the balance of skills, knowledge and experience on the 
board is maintained. When discussions relate to the appointment of 
my successor, the Senior Independent Director chairs the Committee 
instead of me. When the Committee has found a suitable candidate, 
as Chairman of the Committee, I make a proposal to the whole 
board, which has retained responsibility for all such appointments.  
I also report on the outcome of Committee meetings to the board.

During the year, we welcomed Ian McHoul and Silvia Lagnada to the 
board. Michael Shallow also stepped down from the board.

Appointment processes
Non-Executive Director
The recruitment procedure described above was undertaken during 
the year for the appointments of Ian McHoul and Silvia Lagnado. The 
Nomination Committee appointed Spencer Stuart, which held no 
other existing relations with the company, as the search consultancy, 
and the following process was undertaken:

•  role profiles were prepared against which potential candidates were 

considered;

•  as Chairman, I interviewed an initial list of candidates, from which a 

shortlist of preferred candidates was selected;

•  other Non-Executive and Executive board members interviewed the 
shortlist of candidates and provided feedback to the Committee;

•  the Committee considered these views in its deliberations before 

recommending a preferred candidate to the board; and

•  the board approved the appointment as recommended. 

Succession planning
Succession planning has been an area of focus of the Committee during 
the year. This has included the independence of longer standing members of 
the board, in particular, Bob Ivell, Senior Independent Director and 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and also my own succession 
as Chairman.

Succession planning below board level is also important.

Gerald Corbett
Nomination Committee Chairman

Objective
To lead the process for board and senior management appointments 
and to make recommendations to the board.

Responsibilities
The Committee is responsible for considering and recommending to 
the board candidates who are appropriate for appointment as 
Executive and Non-Executive Directors and for other senior 
management roles, so as to maintain an appropriate balance of skills 
and experience within the company and on the board and to ensure 
progressive refreshing of the board. 

Membership and meetings

Membership and Attendance

Gerald Corbett (Chairman)

Bob Ivell

Ben Gordon

Ian McHoul1

Michael Shallow2

Number of Meetings 
Attended/Held

4/4

4/4

4/4

3/3

3/3

Notes: 
1.   Meetings attended by Ian McHoul subsequent to his appointment on 10 March 2014. 
2.   Meetings attended Michael Shallow up until his date of resignation on 1 July 2014.

The Committee comprises independent Non-Executive Directors, Ben 
Gordon, Bob Ivell and Ian McHoul and myself as Chairman. The Chief 
Executive Officer also attends by invitation.

The Committee meets as necessary and at least twice a year.

 
Governance Nomination Committee (continued)

47

Diversity
The Committee monitors diversity on behalf of the board. At Britvic, 
we see diversity as a wider topic than simply gender and the board 
recommend to the company that, in order to achieve its future growth 
aspirations, it should remain committed to building a pipeline of 
diverse talent and to regularly review its HR processes, including 
recruitment and performance management frameworks. 

I am pleased to say that we have a number of women in senior 
management roles and that we have been in a position to welcome a 
further female director to the board during the year. The directors’ 
view, however, remains that we do not feel in a position to publish a 
target of the percentage of women on the board. Further details of 
the company’s statistics on gender diversity may be found on page 8 
of the Strategic Report. 

Board evaluation
Details of the review of the board and its committees, including this 
committee and my effectiveness as Chairman, undertaken during the 
year can be found on page 41.

Having reviewed the results of the evaluation, the Committee has 
confirmed to the board that the present board and its committees 
continue to operate effectively and that all of the Non-Executive 
Directors remained independent in accordance with the Code and 
should stand for re-election (or election in the case of Ian McHoul and 
Silvia Lagnado) at the AGM. 

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Strategic reportGovernanceGovernance 
 
48

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49

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance50

Governance 
Governance 

Remuneration 
Committee

Bob Ivell
Remuneration Committee Chairman

Objective
To agree remuneration policy and to set individual compensation for 
directors and senior management. 

Membership and meetings 

Membership and Attendance

Number of Meetings 
Attended/Held

Bob Ivell (Chairman)

Gerald Corbett

Ben Gordon

Ian McHoul1

Michael Shallow2

5/5

4/5

5/5

3/3

2/2

Notes:  
1.   Meetings attended by Ian McHoul subsequent to his appointment on 10 March 2014.
2.   Meetings attended by Michael Shallow up until his date of resignation on 1 July 2014.

The Committee comprises Gerald Corbett, Ben Gordon, Ian McHoul 
and myself, as Chairman. The company Chairman and Chief 
Executive Officer (who may attend by invitation) do not attend 
meetings when their individual remuneration is discussed.

The Committee meets as necessary and at least three times a year. 
As Chairman, I report on the outcome of the Committee’s meetings 
to the board. 

Main activities during the year
Full details of the Committee’s responsibilities and of its activities are 
set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 51 to 72.

Committee evaluation
The Committee was included in the board evaluation performed 
during the year, the details of which can be found on page 41.

Governance 
Governance 

51

Directors’  
remuneration report

Annual Statement from the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee
I am pleased to present the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report 
for the year ended 28 September 
2014, which was a strong year 
for Britvic and our shareholders.

The contents of this annual statement provide an 
overview of the remuneration outcomes for the 
period ending on 28 September 2014 and also 
cover the changes that we intend to make to the 
Remuneration Policy for directors from the 2014/15 
year along with the supporting rationale.
The remainder of the report sets out:

•  An ‘at a glance’ summary of the key pay decisions taken over the 
year and proposed Remuneration Policy for directors in 2014/15 
and beyond

•  The proposed Remuneration Policy for directors that will take effect 
subject to shareholder approval from the Annual General Meeting 
(AGM) in January 2015

•  The annual report on remuneration which is subject to an advisory 
shareholder vote at the January 2015 AGM and sets out the detail 
of payments made to directors in respect of the year ended  
28 September 2014

This is the first Britvic remuneration report prepared under the new 
remuneration reporting regulations and it is the intention of the 
Remuneration Committee (the Committee) to operate the proposed 
Remuneration Policy from the January 2015 AGM for a period of 
three years. However it may be necessary to bring amendments to 
the Remuneration Policy back to shareholders for approval in 
advance of this in certain circumstances (e.g. such as a significant 
unanticipated strategic change to the company).

Remuneration outcomes from 
2013/2014
As a result of our performance against profit before tax, net revenue 
and cash flow targets set at the outset of the year annual bonus pay 
outs for Executive Directors are at 72% of maximum which reflects 
another strong year for Britvic. 

Against the three-year EPS, TSR and ROIC performance conditions 
attaching to our long-term incentive awards made in December 2011 the 
Executive Directors’ share options (ESOP) will vest at 69% of maximum 
and the Performance Share Plan (PSP) will vest at 50% of maximum.

In line with the remuneration reporting regulations, details of the 
performance targets and actual achievement against these are set 
out in the Annual Report on Remuneration.

Proposed Remuneration Policy 
for 2014/15 and beyond
During the year, the Committee undertook a review of remuneration to 
ensure our Executive Directors and senior leadership team participate 
in a simple and effective set of incentive arrangements that are directly

aligned with our growth ambitions. In undertaking the review, we also 
carefully considered the views of our shareholders, market practice 
and the wider governance environment as well as consulting with 
many of our largest shareholders and other stakeholders. 

As a result of the review we have made a number of key changes to 
our Remuneration Policy for 2014/15 and beyond. For all senior 
management participants we propose to simplify and improve the 
alignment of our long-term incentive plans (LTIPs) with our growth 
ambitions by using a common EPS metric across both the PSP and 
ESOP. While this creates a simpler focus for participants on long-term 
EPS growth, we will retain a link of 25% of the PSP to our relative 
Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance against an identified 
group of comparators. To further simplify and take account of our 
growing international footprint we have decoupled the link to RPI for 
the EPS measure and have moved to an absolute EPS growth metric 
designed to reflect stretching long-term performance standards over 
the future business cycles. The revised EPS range is more challenging 
than that used in prior years and we have reduced vesting for 
threshold performance to 20% of the maximum award to further 
strengthen the link between pay and performance and reflect 
emerging investor views on this point. 

In recognition of feedback received from some investors during the 
consultation period, the Committee will also consider underlying ROIC 
performance delivered over the performance period prior to 
determining the final vesting outcome of the PSP and may scale back 
vesting if appropriate for the level of EPS growth achieved.

Finally, for the CEO, the Committee intends to increase his maximum 
PSP award to 150% of salary to recognise his and Britvic’s continued 
strong performance by aligning his total package more closely with 
market norms for a company of Britvic’s size and scope. In addition 
and in recognition of investor feedback, the Committee also intends 
to double the CEO’s long-term shareholding requirement to 200% 
from the current 100% of salary. This change will ensure his interests 
remain closely aligned with sustained long-term value creation for our 
shareholders and also consistent with emerging best practice guidance. 

In addition, as the rules for the current PSP and ESOP will expire in 
2015, a new set of rules for these plans will be submitted to 
shareholders for approval at the AGM in 2015. The new rules are 
materially the same as the current rules and are in line with the 
proposed policy set out in this remuneration report.

The Committee strongly believes that our simplified remuneration 
policies will support Britvic’s plans to grow our core and international 
businesses, provide an appropriate balance of growth and returns in 
our long-term incentive mix and ensure a strong line of sight for 
participants between performance and reward. 

The Committee and I are also committed to ensuring an open dialogue 
with our shareholders and recognise there are a number of competing 
views across the various stakeholders. The proposed changes described 
above are intended to represent what the Committee believes to be 
an appropriate balance of opinions. Therefore, should you have any 
questions relating to our approach to executive remuneration, please 
feel free to contact me at investors@britvic.co.uk. 

In the meantime, I look forward to receiving your support on both 
parts of the remuneration report at the January 2015 AGM.

Bob Ivell 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernanceDirectors’  

remuneration report

52 Governance Directors’ remuneration report (continued)

Britvic remuneration at a glance
This section summarises the remuneration outcomes for the 2013/14 year, how the proposed Remuneration Policy will be implemented for 
2014/15 and the link between remuneration and our strategy.

Single total figure of remuneration for Executive Directors 2013/2014

Executive Directors

Salary

Benefits

Bonus

LTIP

Pension

Total

£’000

Simon Litherland

John Gibney

546.2

355.9

21.1

20.5

552.0

308.3

672.0

923.9

139.5

80.9

1,930.8

1,689.5

Summary of incentive outcomes for 2013/14
Annual Bonus

Performance measure

Weighting (% of 
bonus maximum)

PBT1

Revenue1

Free cash flow1

Total

50%

20%

30%

100%

Performance 
required for target 
payout
£m

128.5

1,397.0

82.0

Actual 
performance
£m

132.9

1,359.7

88.9

2014 bonus awarded  
(% of maximum)

CEO

84.4%

0.0%

100.0%

72.2%

CFO

84.4%

0.0%

100.0%

72.2%

Note 
1:   Profit before tax (PBT) – Profit before tax before exceptional and other items
  Revenue – Actual revenue performance translated at budgeted foreign exchange rates
  Free cash flow – Cash flow excluding movements in borrowings, dividend payments, exceptional and other items

These measures and definitions are consistently used throughout this Remuneration Report.

Long Term Incentives

Plan

ESOP

PSP

Performance conditions  
and targets set

Performance outcome

Level of award vesting for CEO 
and CFO (% of maximum)

3-year EPS2 growth of RPI + 3% 
- 7% p.a.

EPS growth in excess of RPI of 
5.4% p.a. was achieved 

3-year Relative TSR (50% 
weighting): Ranking between 
median and upper quartile vs the 
comparator group 

Britvic’s TSR was positioned 
in the upper quartile vs the 
comparator group

ROIC of 20.7% was achieved 

69.0%

50.0%

3-year average ROIC (50% 
weighting): 21.5% - 22.3%

Note 
2:  EPS – Adjusted diluted earnings per share

This definition is used consistently throughout this Remuneration Report.

 
Governance Directors’ remuneration report (continued)

53

Summary of intended implementation of proposed Remuneration Policy for 2014/15

Summary for 2014/15

Notes

Base Salary

CEO: £560,000 increasing to £580,000 from 1 January 2015

CFO: £360,000 increasing to £374,400 from 1 January 2015

The Committee have agreed to increase base 
salaries by 3.6% to £580,000 for the CEO and 
4% to £374,400 for the CFO from 1 January 
2015 which is consistent with the 2% to 4% 
range planned for the wider GB-based staff.

Annual Bonus

Target and maximum opportunities are:

No change from 2013/14.

•  70% and 140% of base salary for the CEO

•  60% and 120% for the CFO

The following performance metrics and weightings apply to 
the bonus:

•  PBT 50%

•  Revenue 20%

•  Free cash flow 30%

ESOP

The maximum opportunities are

No change in award levels.

•  300% of base salary for the CEO

•  250% of base salary for the CFO

For ESOP grants made in 2014/15, performance is measured 
using EPS. 20% of the maximum award vests for achieving 
threshold performance of 6% p.a. EPS growth increasing on 
a straight line basis to 100% vesting for EPS growth of 12% 
p.a.

The maximum opportunity is 150% of base salary for the CEO 
and 100% for the CFO. 

For PSP grants made in 2014/15, performance on 75% of 
the award is measured using 3-year EPS growth. 20% of the 
maximum award vests for achieving threshold performance 
of 6% p.a. EPS growth increasing on a straight line basis to 
100% vesting for EPS growth of 12% p.a..

The performance on the remaining 25% of the PSP award 
made in 2014/15 is based on 3-year relative TSR. 20% of the 
maximum award vests for achieving threshold performance of 
the median of the comparator group, increasing on a straight 
line basis to 100% vesting for upper quartile performance.

The Committee will also consider underlying ROIC over the 
performance period to ensure it remains appropriate relative 
to the EPS growth delivered. 

200% of salary for the CEO and 100% of salary for the CFO.

EPS remains the performance measure for the 
ESOP awards albeit on a tougher performance 
range.

Threshold vesting has been reduced to 20% for 
2014/15 from 25% in 2013/14.

EPS (75% weighting) and TSR (25% weighting) 
have replaced the previous performance 
measures of TSR and ROIC which were equally 
weighted.

Threshold vesting has been reduced to 20% for 
2014/15 from 25% in 2013/14.

A ROIC underpin has also been maintained.

The CEO’s requirement has increased from 
100% of salary in 2013/14.

PSP

Shareholding 
requirements

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance54 Governance Directors’ remuneration report (continued)

Linking remuneration and strategy
The table below sets out how Britvic’s key incentives and their supporting performance metrics link to our strategy.

Incentive

Purpose

Metric

Link to strategy

Profit before  
tax (PBT)

Annual Bonus

To motivate employees and 
incentivise delivery of annual 
performance targets.

Revenue

LTIPs (ESOP 
and PSP)

To motivate and incentivise 
delivery of sustained, long-term 
performance and encourage 
share price and dividend 
growth over the performance 
period of the awards.

Free cash flow

Three year  
EPS growth

Three year 
relative TSR

ROIC

PBT is a measure of the company’s financial performance 
and, in particular, how successful the company has been 
at accelerating its profitability from the various strategic 
initiatives in place. For bonus purposes PBT is pre-
exceptional items and other items in order to reflect the 
underlying financial performance of the business.

Reflects the core strategic objective of growing revenues 
in all the company’s markets, particularly in international 
markets.

Free cash flow is a measure of the company’s financial 
health, a key corporate objective of improving cash 
conversion. It is vitally important in ensuring our ability to 
continue investing in international opportunities as well as 
maintain our goal of a progressive dividend policy.

EPS is an important long-term financial metric linked to 
long-term value creation for our shareholders and also 
supports our continued goal of a progressive dividend 
policy.

Relative TSR strongly links share price growth and  
dividends to the rewards executives receive. The relative 
nature of the measure ensures participants only receive 
awards if outperformance is achieved against a basket  
of peers.

Return on invested capital is an important financial  
discipline to ensure long-term investment returns to 
shareholders are value enhancing.

Governance Directors’ remuneration report (continued)

55

Directors’ Remuneration Policy
The Remuneration Policy set out in this section is intended to apply 
for three years from the date of the 2015 AGM, subject to shareholder 
approval.

There is no intention to revise the policy more frequently than every 
three years. However the Committee will review the Remuneration 
Policy annually in order to ensure it remains aligned with the 
company’s strategy, appropriately positioned against the market and 
aligned with corporate governance requirements.

In the event a change to the policy is required, the Committee will 
consult with Britvic’s major shareholders prior to submitting the policy 
for approval by all shareholders.

Our overall approach to remuneration
The principal objective of our executive Remuneration Policy is to 
support a performance-based culture that will help drive the 
successful execution of our business strategy. We aim to provide 
competitive levels of remuneration opportunity for our senior 
Executives and leadership team, a significant portion of which is in the 
form of variable pay. 

In setting the Remuneration Policy the Committee carefully 
considered corporate governance best practice and the company’s 
environmental and social responsibilities. 

Remuneration Policy table
The table below sets out the Remuneration Policy the Committee will 
apply to Directors in 2014/15 subject to Shareholder approval at the 
2015 AGM.

Performance  
measures

n/a

Element and  
link to strategy

Base Salary 

Element of fixed 
pay that reflects 
the individual’s role, 
position, experience 
and contribution to 
the group.

Operation 

Maximum opportunity  
and payment at target

Base salaries are paid in cash and reviewed 
annually, with any changes normally taking 
effect from 1 January.

Out of cycle reviews may be conducted if 
considered appropriate by the Committee.

Base salaries are set with reference to 
comparator groups made up of similar sized 
UK listed companies (both pan-sector and 
from the food and beverages sector).

The Committee also has reference to 
international food and beverages companies.

Alternative peer groups may be considered 
depending on the location and domicile of 
Directors based outside of the UK.

Whilst there is no prescribed formulaic 
maximum, annual increases will normally 
be in the context of overall business 
performance and the level awarded to the 
general GB-based workforce.

Higher increases may be made where 
there have been significant changes in the 
responsibility and accountability in a role, 
where there are large

variances to the market, for example in the 
case of a new Executive Director appointed 
on a salary below the market median, or 
where there is a significant change in the 
relationship of the company relative to the 
peer group. Any significant increases will be 
fully explained.

Benefits

To provide market 
typical benefits 
which are valued 
by recipients and 
allow Executives to 
carry out their duties 
efficiently.

Benefits and allowances include but are not 
limited to: annual car benefit (or allowance), 
membership of the company’s private 
medical healthcare plan, and the ability to 
‘buy’ or ’sell’ holiday under the company’s 
flexible benefits plan, payment of up to two 
subscriptions to recognised professional 
bodies, and life assurance.

There is also a relocation policy which 
provides for reasonable expenses to be paid 
subject to the Committee’s approval.

Other benefits may be provided from 
time to time if considered reasonable 
and appropriate by the Committee and 
will be explained in the Annual Report on 
Remuneration for the relevant year.

The maximum levels of benefit provision are:

n/a

•  Provision of a company car or car 

allowance paid in cash. The company car 
rental cost would not exceed £10,800 and 
a cash allowance would not exceed 
£10,634 per annum

•  Private medical insurance on a private 

basis

•  The value of any professional subscriptions 
paid by the company may vary but would 
not be excessive

•  Life assurance cover of 4 times base salary

The value of any relocation allowance 
provided is dependent on the relevant 
circumstances when the need arises. 
However the Committee would not pay more 
than necessary in such situations. 

Up to 5 days holiday may be sold at a 
prorated value of the individual’s salary.

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance56 Governance Directors’ remuneration report (continued)

Element and  
link to strategy

Operation 

Maximum opportunity  
and payment at target

Performance  
measures

Pension

Supports a 
market aligned 
compensation 
package and assists 
participants plan for 
retirement.

Pension provision is provided in the 
form of a defined contribution (DC) 
pension or a cash allowance where 
the individual opts out of the pension 
scheme as a result of exceeding the tax 
efficient pension savings limits set by 
HMRC.

A legacy defined benefit pension and 
Executive Top Up Scheme (BETUS), 
a securitised unfunded unregistered 
pension scheme, closed to future 
accrual on 10 April 2011. Current 
Executive Directors have accrued 
benefits under these arrangements.

Annual Bonus 

To motivate 
employees and 
incentivise delivery of 
annual performance 
targets.

Annual bonuses are paid after the year 
end of the financial year to which they 
relate.

Targets are set at the beginning of the 
performance year which runs from the 
start to the end of each financial period. 

The Committee has the discretion to 
adjust the bonus outcome if the pure 
application of a formula is not felt to 
produce an appropriate result in light

of overall underlying performance. 
In particular the Committee has 
the discretion to adjust payments 
downwards if profits have fallen. Any 
adjustment made using this discretion 
will be explained.

Malus and clawback may be applied 
in respect of the bonus in certain 
situations where the payment of 
the bonus resulted from a material 
misstatement in the company’s 
accounts or an error in the assessment 
of the satisfaction of a performance 
condition.

For the defined contribution pension, 
the maximum annual contribution is:

n/a 

•  28% of base salary for the CEO

•  25% of base salary for the CFO

For the cash allowance, the maximum 
contributions reflect those under the 
DC pension less a deduction to ensure 
the cash allowance is broadly cost 
neutral to the company from a National 
Insurance perspective.

A discounted one-off cash settlement of 
the BETUS may be offered to an eligible 
member of the legacy defined benefit 
plan who is leaving or retiring from the 
company. 

Target and maximum opportunities are:

•  70% and 140% of base salary for the 

CEO

•  60% and 120% for the CFO

The level of payment at threshold is set 
on an annual basis but will not exceed 
25% of the maximum award value.

The specific measures, targets and 
weighting may vary from year to year in 
order to align with the group’s strategy, 
but always with a substantial proportion 
based on key financial metrics.

For 2014/15 the annual bonus will be 
based 100% on key financial metrics.

The performance conditions are set 
annually based on the metrics the 
Committee feels are most appropriate 
for the business and create value for 
shareholders. These may include, 
but are not limited to, profit, revenue 
and cash flow metrics. Strategic KPIs 
may be chosen to support particular 
objectives for the year. 

Annual bonus targets are set with 
reference to internal budgets and analyst 
consensus forecasts, with maximum 
pay-out requiring performance well 
ahead of budget.

Further details of performance measures 
for the 2014/15 annual bonus are given 
on page 64.

Governance Directors’ remuneration report (continued)

57

Element and  
link to strategy

Operation 

Maximum opportunity  
and payment at target

Performance  
measures

Long-Term Incentives 
– Executive Share 
Option Plan (ESOP) and 
Performance Share Plan 
(PSP)

To motivate and incentivise 
delivery of sustained, 
long-term performance and 
encourage share price and 
dividend growth over the 
performance period of the 
awards.

The Committee believes 
that long-term incentive 
plan measures should 
be simple, aligned to 
sustainable long-term 
shareholder value creation 
as well as providing line of 
sight to management so 
that they are meaningful 
and incentivising. 

ESOP - Allows for annual grants 
of market value options. Awards 
vest after three years, subject 
to performance conditions. 
Options expire 10 years 
following the grant date.

PSP - Allows for annual grants 
of performance share awards. 
Awards vest after three years, 
subject to performance 
conditions. 

Under the PSP participants are 
entitled to dividend equivalents 
between award and vesting in 
respect of awards that vest.

Malus and clawback may 
be applied in respect of LTIP 
awards in certain situations 
where the vesting of an LTIP 
award resulted from a material 
misstatement in the company’s 
accounts or an error in the 
assessment of the satisfaction 
of a performance condition.

ESOP -The maximum 
opportunities are:

•  300% of base salary for  

the CEO

•  250% of base salary for  

the CFO

PSP - The maximum 
opportunity is 150% of base 
salary for the CEO and 100%  
for the CFO.

Under the ESOP and PSP 20% 
of the maximum award vests for 
achieving threshold performance 
increasing to 100% of the 
maximum opportunity vesting 
for achieving maximum 
performance on a straight line 
basis.

The Committee chooses performance metrics 
measured over three years that support the 
company’s long-term strategic priorities, provide 
a direct link with shareholder value and ensure 
a clear line of sight for participants between 
performance and reward. 

For ESOP grants made in 2014/15, performance 
will be measured using an EPS performance 
condition.

For PSP grants made in 2014/2015, 75% 
of performance will be measured using the 
same EPS performance condition as for the 
ESOP, with the remaining 25% of performance 
measured using relative TSR. ROIC over the 
performance period will also be considered by 
the Committee in determining the level of vesting 
at the end of the period. 

EPS growth is a key measure of our success in 
growing value for shareholders over time. The 
setting of the EPS targets takes into account 
analyst consensus forecasts, internal projections, 
and the levels of performance required over the 
long-term to deliver absolute value appreciation 
for shareholders.

Relative TSR strongly links share price growth 
and dividends to the rewards executives 
receive. The relative nature of the measure 
ensures participants only receive awards if 
outperformance is achieved against a basket of 
investment comparables.

ROIC is an important financial discipline to 
ensure growth in the business continues to be 
value enhancing over the long-term.

The Committee may adjust the performance 
measures for future awards and the weighting of 
these measures if it feels this will create greater 
alignment with business and strategic priorities.

A significant change to the measures used 
would only be adopted following consultation 
with major shareholders.

Shareholding Guidelines

To encourage long-term 
share ownership by the 
Executive Directors so that 
interests are aligned with 
other long-term investors

Executive Directors are to 
acquire and then hold a certain 
shareholding from the date of 
their appointment to the board. 

Shareholdings are set at 200% 
of base salary for the CEO and 
100% for the CFO from the date 
of appointment to the board. 

n/a 

The Committee will monitor 
progress on this requirement  
on an annual basis.

Until this holding is acquired, 
the Executive Directors may 
not sell any shares received 
through the long term incentives 
operated by the company 
other than to finance the cost 
of exercising share options and 
any tax liabilities arising from the 
vesting of long-term incentive 
plans, unless approved by the 
Committee (for example, in 
cases of financial hardship).

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance58 Governance Directors’ remuneration report (continued)

Element and  
link to strategy

All-employee  
Share Plans

To allow Executives 
to participate in 
share plans on the 
same terms as other 
employees.

Chairman and  
Non-Executive 
Director (NED) fees

To attract and retain 
experienced and 
skilled Non-Executive 
Directors.

Operation 

Maximum opportunity  
and payment at target

Performance  
measures

•  Free share awards, up to a 

maximum of 4% of earnings, 
capped at £3,600 per annum. 

•  Partnership shares, up to £1,800 

The Committee has the discretion to 
limit the free share awards in light of 
performance against internal profit 
targets.

per year.

•  Matching shares, on a one for one 

basis up to a maximum of £650 per 
year. 

The maximum fee level for each NED 
is set by reference to fees paid in UK-
listed companies of a similar size and 
scope to Britvic.

n/a

Any planned increases in fees 
will take into account general 
increases across the wider employee 
population.

Executive Directors may participate 
in the Britvic Share Incentive Plan, 
which is an all-employee HMRC 
approved share plan open to 
employees based in Great Britain. 
The plan has three parts, all of which 
the Directors participate in:

•  Free share awards, which are made 
annually subject to the company’s 
performance and at the discretion 
of the Committee

•  Partnership shares, which are 

purchased by employees through 
payroll deductions

•  Matching shares, which are 
provided by the employer to 
individuals purchasing partnership 
shares

The Committee reserves the right 
to use its discretion to amend the 
operation of the all-employee share 
plan from time to time.

The fees paid to the Chairman are 
determined by the Committee, while 
the fees of the NEDs are determined 
by the Board with affected persons 
absenting themselves from the 
discussions as appropriate.

Annual fees are paid to the Chairman 
and other NEDs on a monthly basis. 

Additional fees are paid to NEDs who 
are members of and who chair a 
board Committee and to the Senior 
Independent Director (SID).

NED fee levels are periodically 
reviewed by the board (for NEDs) and 
the Committee (for the Chairman). 
Any increases to fees are normally 
effective from 1st January. 

NEDs do not participate in company 
incentive arrangements, and do not 
receive any form of pension provision.

NEDs will be reimbursed by the company 
for all reasonable expenses incurred 
in performing their duties of office.

Governance Directors’ remuneration report (continued)

59

Remuneration Policy notes
Differences in Remuneration Policy for all employees
All employees are entitled to base salary and benefits and may also 
receive bonus, pension, and share awards the value of which vary 
according to the individual’s seniority and level of responsibility.

Share awards made prior to the implementation of 
approved Remuneration Policy
Unvested ESOP and PSP awards will continue to pay out in 
accordance with the relevant plan rules. Any payments under these 
plans will be disclosed in the Annual Report on Remuneration as 
required by the regulations. A summary of the operation of the 
outstanding awards is set out below:

Illustrations of the application of Remuneration 
Policy 
A key element of the company’s Remuneration Policy is to provide a 
significant part of potential reward through performance based 
incentive plans. Set out below is the reward mix for both Executive 
Directors at minimum performance, on-target performance and 
maximum performance as proposed under the Remuneration Policy. 
The potential total rewards available to the Executive Directors, 
ignoring any change in share price and roll-up of dividends, are set 
out in the illustration below. The Committee believes that the mix and 
variability in the reward package is aligned with our performance-
orientated remuneration principles and business objectives already 
described above.

Element 

Summary of  
operation 

ESOP awards made 
prior to the 2014/15 
financial year

PSP awards made 
prior to the 2014/15 
financial year

Maximum PSP opportunity 
is 100% of salary for the 
CEO and CFO. ESOP is as 
shown in the main policy 
table.

Threshold payout is 25% of 
the maximum opportunity 
increasing to maximum on  
a straight line basis.

Performance 
measures

100% EPS 
growth 

50% relative 
TSR

50% ROIC

3,000

2,500

2,000

0
0
0
,
’
£

1,500

1,000

£748

£2,662

41%

31%

£1,815

36%

22%

100%

41%

28%

500

0

  LTIP

  Short term incentives

  Total fixed pay

£1,593

£1,106

41%

36%

20%

44%

28%

31%

£489

100%

Committee discretion
In addition to the discretion set out in this policy report, the 
Committee may apply discretion in operating the Remuneration Policy 
in certain matters including the following:

•  The timing of any payments

•  The impact of a change of control or restructuring

•  Any adjustments to performance conditions or awards required as 
a result of a corporate event (such as a transaction, corporate 
restructuring event, special dividend or rights issue)

•  The operation of malus and clawback provisions

•  Minor administrative matters to improve the efficiency of operation 

of the plans or to comply with local tax law or regulation

Discretion regarding the treatment of leavers is set out in Service 
contracts and the policy on the payment for loss of office section.

The Committee also reserves the right to make a remuneration 
payment that originated from before the individual became an 
Executive Director.

In relation to the annual bonus and LTIP plans, the Committee retains 
the ability to amend the performance conditions and/or measures in 
respect of any award or payment if one or more event(s) have 
occurred which would lead the Committee to consider that it would 
be appropriate to do so, provided that such an amendment would 
not be materially less difficult to meet.

If the Committee used any of the discretions set out above these 
would, where relevant, be disclosed in the next Annual Remuneration 
Report and the views of major shareholders may also be sought.

  Min 

Max 
Target 
Simon Litherland  

Min 

Target 

Max

               John Gibney

The above chart has been prepared using the following assumptions:

1)   Base salaries are as proposed as at 1 January 2015

2)   Benefits reflect those estimated to be paid in 2014/15

3)   Target bonus is calculated at 50% of maximum opportunity 

4)  

5)  

 Target vesting for the PSP is 60%, being the mid-point between 
threshold and maximum vesting level 

 Options awarded under the ESOP are valued on the standard 
market value for options of 30% of the face value of award. A 
target vesting of 60% values the ESOP award at 18% of the 
maximum value

Statement of consideration of employment 
conditions elsewhere in Britvic
The Committee is kept regularly updated on pay and conditions 
across the Group and has reference to average pay increases and the 
average salaries for the wider employee population. These metrics are 
considered by the Committee when reviewing the remuneration for 
Executive Directors.

The company did not consult with employees when drawing up the 
Remuneration Policy.

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance 
 
60 Governance Directors’ remuneration report (continued)

Statement of consideration of shareholder views
The Committee is committed to on-going dialogue with the company’s 
shareholder base. This can take a variety of forms, such as: 

•  Meetings with major shareholders to consider significant potential 

changes to policy or specific issues of interest to particular 
shareholder groups

•  Other dialogue to update shareholders and take their feedback on 

planned refinements to arrangements

In drawing up the Remuneration Policy presented in this report, the 
Chair of the Committee wrote to Britvic’s major shareholders and key 
institutional representative bodies and held several follow up 
meetings. The views expressed by our shareholders during this 
process have been considered in the development of the 
Remuneration Policy.

Approach to remuneration on recruitment
When hiring a new Executive Director, or making internal promotions 
to the Board, the Committee will in principle apply the same policy as 
for existing Executive Directors, as detailed in the Remuneration 
Policy. The rationale for the package offered will be explained in the 
next Annual Remuneration Report.

For internal promotions any commitments made prior to appointment 
may continue to be honoured as the Executive is transitioned to the 
new remuneration arrangements.

Our recruitment Remuneration Policy aims to give the Committee 
sufficient flexibility to secure the appointment and promotion of 
high-calibre Executives to strengthen the management team and 
secure the skill sets to deliver our strategic objectives. The details are 
set out in the table below:

Area 

Base salary

Policy and operation 

•  Base salary would be set at an appropriate level to recruit the best candidate based on their skills, 

experience and current remuneration. In some instances it may be appropriate to recruit on a salary at 
the lower end of the typical market range and progress salary increases above the typical rate of 
increases provided to the wider employee workforce to align with performance and policy over time

Benefits and pension

•  Benefits and pension would be in line with normal policy and may include, where appropriate, relocation 

benefits or other benefits reflective of normal market practice in the territory in which the Executive 
Director is employed

Annual bonus

•  Awards would be made under the annual bonus plan in line with the Remuneration Policy

Normal LTIP awards  
(ESOP and PSP)

Additional LTIP awards 
(ESOP and PSP)

Replacement awards

Service contracts

•  Maximum opportunity would not exceed 140% of base salary

•  Awards would be made under the LTIP plans in line with the Remuneration Policy

•  Under the ESOP, maximum opportunity would not exceed 300% of base salary

•  Under the PSP, maximum opportunity would not exceed 150% of base salary

•  On the recruitment of a director the Committee may make a one-off performance linked award under 

the ESOP and PSP subject to the below limits. Under the ESOP an award of up to 500% of base salary 
may be made in a year to an executive (inclusive of the normal annual award that would be granted to 
an executive)

•  Under the PSP an award of up to 200% of base salary may be made in a year to an executive (inclusive 

of the normal annual award that would be granted to an executive)

•  The Committee will normally seek to avoid using replacement awards. However where, in exceptional 
circumstances, replacement awards are considered by the Committee to be necessary, they are not 
subject to a formal maximum, although would be designed to reflect only the value of remuneration 
forgone by the recruited Executive or less. In making any buyout awards the Committee would take into 
account any additional LTIP awards made as set out above

•  The Committee may agree a contractual notice period with the Executive which initially exceeds twelve 
months, as applies to other Executives, particularly if it is necessary to attract Executives who will be 
required to relocate their families

•  This will reduce to a twelve month rolling notice period once the individual is twelve months from the 

end of their initial notice period

Governance Directors’ remuneration report (continued)

61

Service contracts and policy on payment for loss of office 
The table below sets out items that are contained within the service contracts for the Executive Directors. It is the policy that these will apply to 
any future Director.

Item

Policy

Notice period

Remuneration

Benefits

•  12 months if given by the company
•  6 months if given by the Executive

•  Base salary and pension
•  Eligibility to participate in the annual bonus and LTIP and other share incentive plans

•  Provision of company car or cash alternative
•  Payment of professional subscriptions for up to two recognised professional bodies
•  Eligibility for private medical insurance

Contractual 
termination payment

•  The company may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time and with immediate effect and will pay the 

Executive an after tax sum in lieu of notice equal to the basic salary which the Executive would have been entitled to 
receive during their notice period. A payment may also be made in respect of outstanding untaken holiday 
entitlement accrued up to and including the date of termination

•  Payments in lieu of notice would be paid monthly and are subject to mitigation if the Executive obtains alternative 

income during the period

•  If the Executive is terminated for reasons such as gross misconduct no payment in lieu of notice will be due
•  The Committee may at its discretion put the Executive on garden leave for any period provided that base salary and 
contractual benefits are paid during this period. The Committee would only use this discretion when appropriate 
and would seek to minimise the cost to the company if such discretion was required

Non-Executive 
Directors

•  The NEDs do not have service contracts but instead have letters of appointment for a three-year term
•  On termination NEDs shall only be entitled to accrued fees as at the date of termination

In the event of a settlement agreement, the Committee may agree payments it considers reasonable in settlement of legal claims. This may 
include reasonable reimbursement of professional fees in connection with such agreements.

The table below sets out details of how an Executive Directors incentives and pension would be treated on termination. Items of fixed pay are 
detailed in the previous table.

Incentives

Treatment

Annual Bonus

•  In the case of retirement with the agreement of the Committee, redundancy, death in service, or such other reason 
as the Committee may in its discretion approve, the bonus will be pro-rated to the date of termination and paid on 
the normal payment date

•  Executives leaving for any other reason will normally forfeit their awards

ESOP & PSP

•  Awards for executives who are treated as a ‘good leaver’ under the rules of the LTIPs (reasons include ill health, 

injury, disability, redundancy, change of control, retirement with the consent of the company, and any other reason 
at the Committee’s discretion) will vest at the normal vesting date unless the Committee determines the awards 
should vest at an alternative date taking into consideration the extent to which any performance conditions have 
been satisfied and time served over the performance period

•  If the executive is not a ‘good leaver’, the awards will lapse immediately on termination
•  If the executive ceases to be a director as a result of death, awards will vest as soon as practicable taking into 
consideration the extent to which any performance conditions have been satisfied and time served over the 
performance period

Pension

•  The Committee may consider offering a discounted one-off cash settlement to a member who is leaving the company 

to reduce the company’s balance sheet exposure to the BETUS liability. This is normally used at retirement

•  All members of the defined benefits section of the pension plan (Plan) may benefit from the Enhanced Early Retirement 
Facility (‘EERF’) which allows the Plan members to retire within five years of reaching normal pension age without a 
reduction in their pension. The EERF includes benefits payable from BETUS and is non-contractual. Continuation of 
the EERF formed part of the agreement with the Plan trustee on the closure of the defined benefit section of the Plan. 
The company has given notice to all of the Plan members that the EERF will be withdrawn by 5 April 2016

Other appointments 
The Executive Directors are not permitted to have any engagement with any other company during the term of their appointment without the 
prior written consent of the board. 

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance62

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63

Annual report 
on remuneration 

Consideration by the Directors of matters relating to directors’ remuneration

Advisors 
In August 2014 the Committee undertook a review of remuneration 
advisors and following a competitive tender process, PwC were 
appointed as the advisors to the Committee. The company is also 
advised by PwC on other remuneration-related items and provided 
consulting support on non remuneration-related issues. PwC is a 
member of the Remuneration Consultants Group (the professional 
body for executive remuneration consultants). PwC’s fees in respect 
of advice to the Committee in the year under review were £28,900 
and were charged on the basis of that firm’s standard terms of 
business for advice provided.

The Committee also received advice from Towers Watson during the 
year. Towers Watson were appointed as advisors in 2005 and have 
also provided advice on other remuneration related items. Towers 
Watson’s fees in respect of advice to the Committee in the year under 
review were £42,040 and were charged on the basis of that firm’s 
standard terms of business for advice provided.

During the year, Addleshaw Goddard LLP were also engaged by the 
Committee to provide legal advice on contractual arrangements, 
share schemes and pension matters.

Unless otherwise stated, these advisors have no other connection 
with the company and the Committee, based on its experience, is 
satisfied that the advice it received from these organisations was 
objective and independent. 

Membership of the 
Remuneration Committee
During the year, the Committee consisted wholly of independent 
Non-Executive Directors:

• Bob Ivell (Chairman) 
• Michael Shallow (up until resignation on 1 July 2014) 
• Ben Gordon  
• Gerald Corbett 
• Ian McHoul (following appointment on 10 March 2014)

At the invitation of the Chairman of the Committee, the Chairman, 
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Human Resources, IT 
& Change Director, Director of Compensation & Benefits, General 
Counsel & Company Secretary attend the meetings of the Committee 
to provide input to assist the Committee in the consideration of 
particular items, except when their own remuneration is under 
consideration. Details of the attendance by Committee members at 
Committee meetings are shown in the Corporate Governance section 
on page 50.

Composition and terms 
of reference 
The Committee’s composition and terms of reference are in line with 
the UK Corporate Governance Code and are available on the 
company’s website or on request from the Company Secretary. While 
the Chairman, who was independent on initial appointment, is a 
member of the Remuneration Committee, he is not present when his 
own remuneration is under discussion.

The Committee meets no less than three times a year and has 
responsibility for:

•  Reviewing Executives’ remuneration in terms of the pay policy of 
the company as a whole, pay and conditions elsewhere in the 
Group, and the overall cost to the shareholders

•  Determining, within agreed terms of reference, and taking into 
account corporate performance on environmental, social and 
governance issues, the remuneration of the Chairman and specific 
remuneration packages for each of the Executive Directors and 
other members of the Executive team, including pension rights, any 
compensation payments and benefits

•  Approving the design and operation of the company’s incentive 

arrangements, both short and long-term. This includes agreeing the 
targets that are applied to awards made to senior Executives

•  Responsibility for all of the company’s employee share plans and 

the share dilution position

•  Ensuring, via regular reviews, that the company’s pay policies 

remain appropriate and relevant

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance64 Governance Annual report on remuneration (continued)

Changes made to the 2014/15 
Remuneration Policy 
Following the change to the company’s strategy announced in May 
2013 the Committee undertook a review of our Remuneration Policy 
to ensure the Executive Directors and senior leadership team 
participate in a simple and effective set of incentive arrangements that 
are directly aligned with the company’s strategy and growth 
aspirations. The review focused on the annual bonus, PSP and ESOP. 
The Committee also carefully considered the views of our shareholders 
(meeting with several during the review process), market practice and 
the wider governance environment. As a result of this review, the 
Committee deemed it appropriate to propose the following changes to 
Remuneration Policy for 2014/15, the first year that the policy will 
require a binding vote of approval at the 2015 AGM. 

1. Greatly simplify and improve the effectiveness of both LTIPs by 
adopting the same EPS performance condition for vesting of 
2014/15 and future awards under the ESOP and PSP. The revised 
PSP will vest based 75% on EPS and retain 25% dependent on the 
current relative TSR measure. The Committee will also consider 
underlying ROIC performance over the performance period when 
assessing the outcome of the PSP.

2. Provide a tougher and simpler performance range that is consistent 
with sector peer practice by adopting a three-year absolute EPS range 
of 6% - 12% p.a. rather than the current RPI+ 3% to 7% p.a. condition.

3. Reduce the threshold vesting under both share plans to 20% from 
the current 25% of maximum – a material strengthening of the 
whole performance range. 

4. Align the CEO’s total package more closely with competitive market 

norms by increasing his PSP award by 50% of salary. 

5. Strengthen the CEO’s alignment with long-term shareholder interests 

by doubling his shareholding requirement to 200% of salary.

The Committee is satisfied that the revised package provides a much 
simpler set of LTIPs that are more directly aligned with the company’s 
strategic goals and long-term shareholder interests. 

Statement of implementation 
of Remuneration Policy in the 
following year
The Remuneration Policy will be implemented from 
the 2015 AGM in accordance with the policy as 
follows:

Base salary
Following the year-end review, the Committee made the following base 
salary decisions to take effect from 1 January 2015 which are in line 
with the disclosed policy in this report.

2014  
base salary
£’000

2015  
base salary
£’000

Simon Litherland

John Gibney

560.0

360.0

580.0

374.4

Increase

3.6%

4.0%

In reviewing salary for 2015 the Committee took into account a range 
of factors including the typical salary increase made for GB-based 
employees of 2% to 4%.

Benefits and pension
Implemented in line with policy.

Annual Bonus 
Implemented in line with policy. The performance measures and 
weightings are: 

•  Profit before tax (50%)

•  Revenue (20%)

•  Free cash flow (30%) 

Target award amounts for the CEO and CFO are 70% and 60% of 
base salary respectively, and maximum award values are 140% and 
120% of base salary.

The Committee is of the view that the performance targets under the 
bonus plan are commercially sensitive and that it would be detrimental 
to the interests of the company to disclose them before the start of the 
financial year. Disclosure of targets in advance could lead the company 
to be at a disadvantage as many competitors are not subject to the 
same levels of disclosure. Targets and the performance against them 
will be disclosed in the remuneration report following the end of the 
financial year.

Governance Annual report on remuneration (continued)

65

Long-term incentive plans (PSP and ESOP)
Implemented in line with policy.

Following the year-end review, the Committee has determined that subject to shareholder approval at the AGM the following awards be made 
in 2014/15 in line with the disclosed policy of this report:

Award at 
threshold 
vesting, 20% 
of maximum 
(% salary)

Award at 
maximum 
vesting (% of 
salary)

Estimated 
Face value of 
awards
£’000

60%

300%

£1,680

30%

150%

£840

Award type

Performance measure

Share options

Simon 
Litherland

Performance 
shares

Threshold vesting for EPS growth 
of 6% p.a.

Maximum vesting for EPS growth 
of 12% p.a.

EPS growth (75% weighting):

Threshold vesting for EPS growth 
of 6% p.a.

Maximum vesting for EPS growth 
of 12% p.a.

Relative TSR (25% weighting): 

Threshold payout for ranking at 
median vs the comparator group 
of 18 companies and maximum 
payout for ranking at or above the 
upper quartile.

Threshold vesting for EPS growth 
of 6% p.a.

Share options

Maximum vesting for EPS growth 
of 12% p.a.

50%

250%

£900

John Gibney

Performance 
shares

EPS growth (75% weighting):

Threshold vesting for EPS growth 
of 6% p.a.

Maximum vesting for EPS growth 
of 12% p.a.

Relative TSR (25% weighting): 

Threshold payout for ranking at 
median vs the comparator group 
of 18 companies and maximum 
payout for ranking at or above the 
upper quartile

20%

100%

£360

Performance 
Period

3 years 
commencing 
29th September 
2014

3 years 
commencing 
29th September 
2014

3 years 
commencing 
29th September 
2014

3 years 
commencing 
29th September 
2014

Note 
1:  EPS will be measured using adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share.
2:  The option exercise price will be disclosed retrospectively next year after the options have been granted under the ESOP.
3:  The Committee will also consider underlying ROIC over the performance period when assessing the vesting of the PSP to ensure it remains satisfactory.
4:   The relative TSR comparator group is currently made up of the following 18 companies; AG Barr plc, Associated British Foods, C&C Group, Dairy Crest, Diageo, Fuller 
Smith & Turner, Glanbia, Greencore, Greene King, Marston’s, Nichols, Origin Enterprises, Premier Foods, Reckitt Benckiser, SABMiller, Smith & Nephew, Tate and Lyle, 
Wetherspoon.

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance66 Governance Annual report on remuneration (continued)

Single total figure of Directors remuneration (subject to audit)
Non-Executive Directors
Details of the total fees paid to Non-Executive Directors and the Chairman for the year ended 28 September 2014 and 29 September 2013 are 
set out in the table below. 

Basic Fee
£’000

Remuneration 
Committee 
Chair fee
£’000

Audit  
Committee 
Chair fee
£’000

Nomination 
Committee 
Chair fee
£’000

SID fee
£’000

Total fees paid
£’000

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

Joanne Averiss

Ben Gordon

Bob Ivell

Michael Shallow*

Ian McHoul**

Silvia Lagnado***

50.7

50.7

50.9

39.4

27.5

15.7

49.7

49.7

49.7

49.7

-

-

Gerald Corbett

230.0

213.7

* Michael Shallow resigned on 1 July 2014

** Ian McHoul was appointed on 10 March 2014

*** Silvia Lagnado was appointed on 2 June 2014

-

-

-

-

8.0

8.0

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6.2

4.3

-

-

-

-

-

8.0

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

8.0

8.0

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

50.7

50.7

66.9

45.6

31.8

15.7

49.7

49.7

65.7

57.7

-

-

230.0

213.7

Executive Directors
The table below sets out the total and a breakdown of the remuneration received by each Executive during the year under review. Additional 
details of each component are set out below the table. 

Salary

Benefits

Annual Bonus

LTIP

Pension or cash in lieu

Total

Simon Litherland

John Gibney

2014
(£’000)

546.2

21.1

552.0

672.0

139.5

2013
(£’000)

307.5

27.8

703.8

-

75.5

2014
(£’000)

355.9

20.5

308.3

923.9

80.9

1,930.8

1,114.6

1,689.5

2013
(£’000)

339.6

22.5

401.1

-

74.6

837.8

i)    Base salary - Corresponds to the amounts received during the year

 During the year under review Simon Litherland’s salary was increased from £510,000 to £560,000 on 1 January 2014 and John Gibney’s 
salary was increased from £345,000 to £360,000 on 1 January 2014. The 2013 salary for the CEO relates to salary paid following Simon 
Litherland’s appointment in February 2013.

ii)  

 Benefits - Corresponds to the taxable value of all benefits paid in respect of the year

 Benefits comprise car allowance, private medical assurance, life assurance, free and matching shares under the Share Incentive Plan. For 
2013, Simon Litherland became eligible for a payment of £20,000 in September 2013 as per his employment terms as MD GB prior to his 
appointment as CEO. This payment was made in November 2013 following approval by the Committee and is included in the single figure 
above.

iii)  Annual bonus - Corresponds to the total bonus earned under the bonus plan in respect of 2014 performance

 
 
 
 
Governance Annual report on remuneration (continued)

67

iii)  Annual bonus (continued)

The table below sets out the bonus outcome for each Executive and the respective performance targets and performance against these.

Performance 
measure

PBT

Revenue

Free cash flow

Total

Weighting 
(% of 
bonus 
maximum)

Performance 
required for 
target payout

Actual  
performance

£128.5m

£132.9m

£1,397.0m

£1,359.7m

£82.0m

£88.9m

50%

20%

30%

100%

2014 maximum 
bonus opportunity
(% of salary)
CFO

CEO

70%

28%

42%

60%

24%

36%

140%

120%

2014 bonus  
earned 
(£’000)

2014 bonus  
earned  
(% of salary)

CEO

CFO

CEO

323

0

229

552

180

0

128

308

59%

0%

42%

101%

CFO

51%

0%

36%

87%

iv)  Long-term incentives

Vesting outcome and estimated value of the ESOP and PSP with three year performance periods ending on 28 September 2014.

ESOP

Simon 
Litherland

Performance  
conditions and  
targets set

Threshold vesting for EPS growth 
of RPI + 3% p.a.

Maximum  
potential value 

Performance outcome

Level of 
award 
vesting
(% of 
maximum)

Total 
value of 
vesting 
(£‘000)

Number 
of shares

Maximum vesting for EPS growth 
of RPI + 7% p.a.

200% of salary 

Vesting is on a straight line basis 
between threshold and maximum.

EPS growth in excess 
of RPI of 5.4% p.a. was 
achieved

69.0%

415.2

120,692

John Gibney

Exercise price for the options is 
331.6 pence.

250% of salary

69.0%

570.9

165,946

Performance  
conditions and  
targets set

Maximum  
potential value 

Performance  
outcome

Level  
of award 
vesting

Total 
value of 
vesting 
(£‘000)

Number  
of shares

PSP

Simon 
Litherland

Relative TSR (50% weighting): 
Threshold payout for raking at 
median vs the comparator group 
of 18 companies and maximum 
payout for ranking at or above the 
upper quartile.

ROIC (50% weighting): Threshold 
payout for total ROIC of 21.5%    
over the three year performance 
period and maximum payout for 
ROIC of 22.3%

80% of salary 

Britvic’s TSR was 
positioned above upper 
quartile vs the comparator 
group resulting in a vesting 
of 50%. 

3 year average ROIC of 
20.7% p.a. was achieved 
resulting in 0% of the total 
award vesting.

Rolled up dividends earned 
over the period are included 
within the total value of the 
vesting award.

50%

256.8

37,980

50%

353.0

52,221

John Gibney

Vesting is on a straight line basis 
between threshold and maximum. 

100% of salary 

Note 
1: The combined PSP and ESOP vesting values were estimated at £672,000 for Simon Litherland and £923,900 for John Gibney.
2:  A share price estimate of 676.0p was used to calculate the value of the above awards which is based on the average share price over the last quarter of the financial year.
3:   The relative TSR comparator group is made up of the following 18 companies; AG Barr plc, Associated British Foods, C&C Group, Dairy Crest, Diageo, Fuller Smith & Turner, 

Glanbia, Greencore, Greene King, Marston’s, Nichols, Origin Enterprises, Premier Foods, Reckitt Benckiser, SABMiller, Smith & Nephew, Tate and Lyle, Wetherspoon.

4:    Threshold vesting is set at 25% of maximum.

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance68 Governance Annual report on remuneration (continued)

Total pension entitlements (subject to audit) 
The table below sets out the value of the cash allowance paid to Directors for the year under review and the increase in value of the accrued 
pension.

Value of cash allowance  
paid during year to  
28 September 2014
(£’000)

Value of pension accrued  
during the year to 
28 September 2014
(£’000)

Total value of pension for  
year ending 28 September 2014 
shown in Total Single Figure table.
(£’000)

Simon Litherland

John Gibney

139.5

80.9

Nil

Nil

139.5

80.9

Simon Litherland’s and John Gibney’s normal retirement age is 60.

John Gibney continues to have a deferred pension in the defined benefit section of the Plan and also the Britvic Executive Top Up Scheme 
(‘BETUS’), the company’s unfunded retirement benefits scheme. Both the Plan and BETUS are closed to future accrual on 10 April 2011. The 
total accrued pension and transfer value in the combined Plan and BETUS are £202,300 p.a. and £4.26m respectively, as at 28 September 
2014. They have been calculated based on entitlements accrued to 10 April 2011 but using market conditions at 28 September 2014. These 
figures also include increases to accrued pension since the date of leaving defined benefit service for this member, as required under the rules 
of the Plan and BETUS. The aim of these increases is to increase the benefits in line with price inflation between the date of leaving pensionable 
service in the Plan and BETUS and the date when benefits are drawn. The increase due on the 1 October 2014 has been included in the 
above figures. 

In line with all members of the defined benefits section of the Plan, John Gibney may benefit from the Enhanced Early Retirement Facility 
(‘EERF’) which allows the Plan members to retire within five years of reaching normal pension age without a reduction in their pension. The 
EERF includes benefits payable from BETUS and is non-contractual. Continuation of the EERF formed part of the agreement with the Plan 
trustee on the closure of the defined benefit section of the Plan. The company has given notice to all of the Plan members that the EERF will be 
withdrawn by 5 April 2016. 

Where a BETUS member is retiring, the Committee may consider offering a discounted one-off cash settlement to the member at the point of 
retirement to reduce the company’s balance sheet exposure to the BETUS liability.

The cash allowance payable to the executives:

•  Reflects contributions the company would have made to the defined contribution section of the Plan had these individuals elected to join, 

less a deduction to ensure the cash allowance is cost neutral to the company from a National Insurance perspective. 

•  Is paid at a rate of 24.6% of pensionable pay (base salary only) for the CEO and 22.0% of pensionable pay (base salary only) to the CFO.

Outside appointments
Simon Litherland is a Director of The British Soft Drinks Association. John Gibney is a Director of Interactive Screen Media Limited.

Governance Annual report on remuneration (continued)

69

Scheme interests awarded during the year (subject to audit) 
The following tables set out the ESOP and PSP awards granted to Executive Directors under the LTIP during the year under review (2013/14). 
All awards are subject to performance conditions:

ESOP

Performance conditions  
and targets set

Threshold vesting for EPS growth of 
RPI + 3% p.a.

Award at 
threshold 
vesting, 25% 
of maximum 
(% salary)

Maximum  
potential value 

Face value  
of awards
(£’000)

Performance period

Simon 
Litherland

Maximum vesting for EPS growth of 
RPI + 7% p.a.

75%

300% of salary 

1,680

Vesting is on a straight line basis 
between threshold and maximum.

John Gibney

Exercise price for the options is 
664.5pence.

62.5%

250% of salary

900

3 years commencing 29th 
September 2013

PSP

Performance conditions  
and targets set

Award at 
threshold 
vesting, 25% 
of maximum 
(% salary)

Maximum  
potential value 

Face value  
of awards
(£’000)

Performance period

Simon 
Litherland

Relative TSR (50% weighting): 
Threshold payout for raking at 
median vs the comparator group of 
18 companies and maximum payout 
for ranking at or above the upper 
quartile.

ROIC (50% weighting): Threshold 
payout for total ROIC of 21.5% over 
the three year performance period 
and maximum payout for ROIC of 
22.3%.

25%

100% of salary 

560

3 years commencing 29th 
September 2013

John Gibney

Vesting is on a straight line basis 
between threshold and maximum. 

25%

100% of salary 

360

Note  
1:  The share price used to determine the award levels for the PSP and ESOP was 664.5p 
2:   The relative TSR comparator group is made up of the following 18 companies; AG Barr plc, Associated British Foods, C&C Group, Dairy Crest, Diageo, Fuller Smith & 

Turner, Glanbia, Greencore, Greene King, Marston’s, Nichols, Origin Enterprises, Premier Foods, Reckitt Benckiser, SABMiller, Smith & Nephew, Tate and Lyle, 
Wetherspoon.

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance70 Governance Annual report on remuneration (continued)

Directors’ shareholding requirements and interests in shares (subject to audit)
The table below sets out the shareholding and requirements as at 28 September 2014. A shareholding requirement of 100% of salary has 
applied to the CEO and CFO. The CEO was appointed to role in February 2013 and therefore currently has a shareholding of 40% of salary. As 
such he may not sell any vested shares from the company LTIPs (except to settle taxes and the payment of exercise prices) until the 
shareholding requirement has been satisfied. The CFO has a shareholding in the company of 472% which is in excess of the requirement.

Provided the new Remuneration Policy is approved at the January 2015 AGM, the CEO’s shareholding requirement for the 2014/15 year and 
beyond will be 200% of base salary.

Interest in shares in the Company as at 28 September 2014

Ordinary shares

Total shares

% of salary1

Performance 
shares
Subject to 
performance 
conditions

Share options

Subject to 
performance 
conditions

Vested but 
unexercised

Exercised in  
the period

Simon Litherland

John Gibney 

Gerald Corbett

Joanne Averiss 

Ben Gordon 

Bob Ivell 

Ian McHoul 

Silvia Lagnado

32,592

244,636

53,695

14,696

11,393

10,870

10,000

-

40%

472%

266,009

228,817

763,045

572,046

-

-

284,879

405,746

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1.  Based on 12 month average share price of 694.47p and 100% of salary as at 28 September 2014. 

 In the period 29 September to 25 November 2014 there has been no change in the directors’ interests above other than through the monthly purchases in October and 
November partnership and matching shares under the Share Incentive Plan. 

Performance graph and table 
The graph below shows the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) for Britvic plc and the FTSE 250 excluding investment trusts over the five year 
period ended 28 September 2014. The table overleaf shows total remuneration for the Chief Executive over the same period. 

Britvic’s Historical TSR Performance Growth in the value of a hypothetical £100

FTSE 250 Excluding Investment Trusts

Britvic

£250

£200

£150

£100

£50

£0

27 Sept 2009

03 Oct 2010

02 Oct 2011

30 Sept 2012

29 Sept 2013

28 Sept 2014

 
Governance Annual report on remuneration (continued)

71

The committee considers the FTSE 250 (excluding Investment Trust Index) is a relevant index for total shareholder return as it represents a 
broad equity index in which the company is a constituent member.

Remuneration history for Chief Executive from 2010 to 2014

£’000

Simon Litherland total single figure of remuneration

2010

n/a

2011

n/a

Paul Moody total single figure of remuneration

1,955.3

1,819.7

Bonus (% of maximum)

95%

0%

2012

n/a

670.1

0%

LTIP (% of maximum)

100%
(ESOP 100%
PSP 100%)

89.6%
(ESOP 86%
PSP 91%)

0%
(ESOP 0%
PSP 0%)

2013

2014

1,930.8

n/a

72.2%

63.6%

(ESOP 69.0%

PSP 50%)

1,114.6

1,412.6

98.6% 
for Simon 
Litherland

0% for 
Paul Moody

0% for 
Paul Moody
(ESOP 0%

PSP 0%)
n/a for 
Simon
 Litherland

Percentage change in remuneration for CEO
The table below shows how the percentage change in the Chief Executive’s salary, benefits and bonus between 2013 and 2014 compared 
with the percentage change in the average of each of those components for all full-time equivalent employees based in Great Britain (GB). The 
GB employee workforce was chosen as a suitable comparator group as the CEO is based in GB (albeit with a global role and responsibilities) 
and pay changes across the Group vary widely depending on local market conditions.

Element

Base salary

Taxable benefits

Bonus

Chief Executive
% increase

GB Employees
% increase

3.6%

22.6%

(21.6)%

3.5%

5.1%

(13.4)%

Relative importance of spend on pay 
The following chart sets out this information as it applies to the company, comparing figures for the year under review and the previous year. 
Profit after tax and capital expenditure are also shown below for context. For the purposes of this table capital expenditure is defined as net 
cash flow from the purchase and sale of both tangible and intangible assets: 

Distribution statement

x
e
p
a
C

% change

64.2%

FY14

FY13

£57.3m

£34.9m

1
x
a
t

r
e
t
f
a

t
u
o
y
a
p

t
fi
o
r
P

d
n
e
d
v
D

i

i

% change

20.9%

FY14

FY13

% change

10.1%

FY14

FY13

£46.8m

£42.5m

£99.9m

£82.6m

% change

0.8%

y
r
a
a
S

l

l
l

o
r

FY14

FY13

£120.4m

£119.4m

Note  
1: The profit after tax is before the deduction of exceptional and other items.

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance 
 
 
72 Governance Annual report on remuneration (continued)

Statement of voting outcomes at general meeting
The table below sets out the votes received for the Directors Remuneration Report at the AGM in 2014. 

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Votes for

Votes against

2013

174,219,763

(90.41%)

9,661,732

(5.01%)

Withheld

8,809,241

(4.57%)

Payments made to past Directors (subject to audit)
No payments were made to past Directors during the year.

Payments made for loss of office (subject to audit)
No payments were made for loss of office during the year.

Directors’ contracts
Details of the Executives’ service contracts and the Non-Executive Directors letters of appointment are set out below. All directors’ service 
contracts and letters of appointment are available for inspection at the company’s registered office and at the AGM up until the start of the 
meeting.

Directors

Simon Litherland

John Gibney

Gerald Corbett**

Joanne Averiss**

Ben Gordon**

Bob Ivell**

Michael Shallow*

Ian McHoul*

Silvia Lagnado*

Effective date 
of contract 

14 February 2013

14 December 2005

14 December 2014

14 December 2014

14 April 2014

14 December 2014

14 December 2011

10 March 2014

2 June 2014

Unexpired term 
(approx. months)

12

12

36

36

28

36

-

30

33

Executive Directors contracts operate on a 12 month rolling basis.

* 

 Michael Shallow stepped down from the board on 1 July 2014 and Ian McHoul and Silvia Lagnado were appointed to the board on the 10 March 2014 and 2 June 2014, 
respectively.

**   The Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment have been extended for a further three year term to 14 December 2017 with the exception of Ben Gordon whose 

letter of appointment has been extended to 14 April 2017.

On behalf of the board 

Bob Ivell 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

making life’s everyday moments more enjoyable

working out

73

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance74

Governance 

Directors’ report 

The directors present their report and the audited consolidated 
financial statements of the company and the group for the year ended 
28 September 2014.

Business model and strategy
The group’s business model and strategy are summarised on pages 
6 to 7. 

Results and dividends 
The group’s profit before taxation attributable to the equity 
shareholders amounted to £120.1m (2013: £82.6m) and the profit 
after taxation amounted to £89.7m (2013: £61.9m).

An interim dividend of 6.1p (2013: 5.4p) per ordinary share was paid 
on 11 July 2014. 

The directors have proposed a final dividend of 14.8p (2013: 13.0p) 
per ordinary share payable on 6 February 2015 to shareholders on 
the register at the close of business on 5 December 2014, giving a 
total dividend in respect of 2014 of 20.9p (2013: 18.4p ). 

2015 Annual general meeting
The AGM will be held at Nomura, One Angel Lane, London EC4R 
3AB at 11.00am on 27 January 2015. Details of the resolutions to be 
proposed at the AGM are set out in the separate circular which has 
been sent to all shareholders with this annual report.

Articles of Association
The company’s articles may only be amended by a special resolution 
at a general meeting of shareholders. No amendments to the articles 
are being proposed at the AGM.

Directors 
The following were directors of the company during the year: Gerald 
Corbett, Simon Litherland, John Gibney, Joanne Averiss, Ben Gordon, 
Bob Ivell, Ian McHoul (appointed 10 March 2014), Silvia Lagnado 
(appointed 2 June 2014) and Michael Shallow (resigned on 1 July 2014). 

Subject to company law and the company’s articles, the directors 
may exercise all of the powers of the company and may delegate 
their power and discretion to committees. The Executive Team is 
responsible for the day-to-day management of the group.

The articles give the directors power to appoint and replace directors. 
Under the terms of reference of the Nomination Committee, any 
appointment must be recommended by the Nomination Committee for 
approval by the board. The articles also require directors to retire and 
submit themselves for election to the first annual general meeting 
following appointment and to retire at the AGM held in the third calendar 
year after election or last re-election, but to comply with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code all of the directors will submit themselves 
for election (Silvia and Ian) or re-election at the AGM. The biographical 
details of the directors are set out on page 34 and 35 of this report. 

Directors’ interests 
The directors’ interests in ordinary shares of the company are shown 
within the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 70. No director has 
any other interest in any shares or loan stock of any group company.

Other than Joanne Averiss, who is a director of a number of PepsiCo’s 
subsidiaries, no director was or is materially interested in any contract, 
other than his service contract, which was subsisting during or existing at 
the end of year and which was significant in relation to the group’s 
business. Further details of Joanne Averiss’ appointments are set out on 
page 35 and 39 in the Corporate Governance Report.

Directors’ liabilities
As at the date of this report, customary indemnities are in place under 
which the company has agreed, to the extent permitted by law and 
the company’s articles, to indemnify:

•  The directors, in respect of all losses arising out of, or in connection 
with, the execution of their powers, duties and responsibilities as 
directors of the company or any of its subsidiaries; and 

•  Directors of companies which are corporate trustees of the group’s 
pension schemes, against liability incurred in connection with those 
companies’ activities as trustees of such schemes.

Directors’ remuneration
The Remuneration Committee, on behalf of the board, has adopted a 
policy that aims to attract and retain the directors needed to run the 
group effectively. The policy is contained within the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 51 to 72. 

People
For information on our people see pages 8 and 9 in the Strategic 
Report.

Political donations
No political donations were made by the group and its subsidiaries 
(2013: Nil).

Major shareholders
As at 25 November 2014 the company has been notified, pursuant to 
DTR5 of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure and 
Transparency Rules, of the following notifiable voting rights in its 
ordinary share capital: 

Number of
ordinary 
shares

Percentage 
of voting 
rights

Nature of 
holding

24,832,016

10.044% Direct/Indirect

Standard Life 
Investments Ltd

Kames Capital

12,295,181

4.97% Direct/Indirect

PepsiCo, Inc.

11,813,032

APG Asset 
Management N.V.

10,053,317

4.88%

4.07%

Direct

Direct

9,983,560

4.038%

Direct

TIAA-CREF 
Investment 
Management, 
LLC

Governance Directors’ report (continued)

75

Share capital
The company’s issued share capital comprised a single class of 
shares divided into ordinary shares of 20 pence each (referred to as 
“ordinary shares”). Full details of the ordinary shares in issue are given 
in note 21 to the financial statements on page 110.

Rights and restrictions attaching 
to shares
On a show of hands at a general meeting of the company, every 
holder of ordinary shares present in person and entitled to vote shall 
have one vote, and on a poll, every member present in person or by 
proxy and entitled to vote shall have one vote for every ordinary share 
held. Any notice of general meeting issued by the company will 
specify deadlines for exercising voting rights and in appointing a proxy 
or proxies in relation to resolutions to be proposed at the general 
meeting. All proxy votes are counted and the numbers for, against or 
withheld in relation to each resolution are announced at the general 
meeting and published on the company’s website after the meeting.

There are no restrictions on the transfer of ordinary shares in the 
company other than:

Financial risk management
It is the group’s objective to manage its financial risk so as to minimise 
the adverse fluctuations in the financial markets on the group’s reported 
profitability and cash flows. The policies for managing each of the group’s 
main financial risk areas are referred to in the Treasury Management 
section of the Chief Financial Officer’s Review on page 19, and in 
more detail within note 25 of the consolidated financial statements.

Research and development
The group carries out research and development necessary to support 
its principal activities as a manufacturer and distributor of soft drinks.

Directors’ statement as to 
disclosure of information to auditors
So far as each director is aware, there is no relevant audit information 
(as defined by the Companies Act 2006) of which the auditors are 
unaware. Each director has taken all steps that ought to be taken by 
a director to make himself aware of, and to establish, that the auditors 
are aware of any relevant audit information.

•  Certain restrictions which may from time to time be imposed by 
laws and regulations (for example, insider trading laws); and

•  Pursuant to the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority 

and Britvic’s share dealing code whereby certain employees of the 
group require the approval of the company to deal in its ordinary 
shares.

A copy of the financial statements is placed on the company’s website. 
The maintenance and integrity of this website is the responsibility of 
the directors. The work carried out by the auditors does not involve 
consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept 
no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the 
financial statements since they were initially presented on the website.

The company is not aware of any agreements between shareholders 
that may result in restrictions on the transfer of securities and/or 
voting rights.

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

Shares held in employee benefit trusts
Under the rules of the Britvic Share Incentive Plan (‘the Plan’) eligible 
employees are entitled to acquire shares in the company. Plan shares 
are held in trust for participants by Equiniti Share Plan Trustees 
Limited (‘the Trustees’). Voting rights are exercised by the Trustees on 
receipt of participants’ instructions. If a participant does not submit an 
instruction to the Trustees no vote is registered. In addition, the 
Trustees do not vote on any unawarded shares held under the Plan 
as surplus assets. As at 25 November 2014, the Trustees held 0.19% 
(2013: 0.07%) of the issued share capital of the company.

Similarly, if First Names (Jersey) Limited, as Trustee of the Britvic 
Employee Benefit Trust (‘the Trustee’), holds ordinary shares on trust 
for the benefit of the executive directors, senior executives and 
managers of the group, a dividend waiver is in place. The Trustee is 
not permitted to vote on any unvested shares held in the trust unless 
expressly directed to do so by the company. The Trustee did not hold 
any ordinary shares as at 25 November 2014 (2013: Nil).

Change of control provisions
There are no agreements between the company and its directors or 
employees providing for compensation for loss of office or 
employment (whether through resignation, purported redundancy or 
otherwise) that occurs because of a takeover bid. The company’s 
banking arrangements are terminable upon a change of control of the 
company. Certain other indebtedness becomes repayable if a change 
of control leads to a downgrade in the credit rating of the company. 
The company’s agreements with PepsiCo are terminable upon a 
change of control, details of which are included on page 28.

Going concern 
In presenting the financial statements on a going concern basis, the 
directors have considered both the business activities and principal 
risks and uncertainties as set out in the Strategic Report on pages 28 
to 29. In addition, the directors have considered the following factors: 
the group’s ability to generate cash flows, the financial resources available 
to it, headroom under bank covenants, and exposure to credit risk. 
Based on the group’s cash flow forecasts and projections, the board 
is satisfied that the group will be able to operate within the level of its 
facilities for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the group continues 
to apply the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements. 

Auditors
Ernst & Young LLP have indicated their willingness to accept 
re-appointment as auditors of the company and a resolution proposing 
their re-appointment is contained in the Notice of AGM and will be put 
to the shareholders at the forthcoming AGM. 

By order of the board

Clare Thomas 
Company Secretary

25 November 2014

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernanceOther informationGovernance76

Governance 

Statement of directors’ 
responsibilities

Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed on pages 
34 and 35, confirms that:

•  to the best of their knowledge, the consolidated financial 

statements and the company financial statements, which have 
been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and 
IFRS as adopted by the EU and UK GAAP respectively, give a true 
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of 
the company on a consolidated and individual basis;

•  to the bet of their knowledge, the Strategic Report contained in the 

annual report and accounts includes a fair review of the 
development and performance of the business and the position of 
the company on a consolidated and individual basis, together with 
a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces; 
and

•  they consider the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, is 
fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the company’s performance, 
business model and strategy.

Simon Litherland 
Chief Executive Officer 

25 November 2014  

John Gibney 
Chief Financial Officer

25 November 2014

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and 
Accounts, including the consolidated financial statements and the 
company financial statements, the Directors’ Report, including the 
Remuneration Report and the Strategic Report, in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements 
for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared the 
consolidated financial statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the EU, and the 
company financial statements and the Remuneration Report in 
accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards (United Kingdom generally accepted accounting practice, 
UK GAAP). In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the 
directors have also elected to comply with IFRS, issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Under company 
law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless 
they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of 
affairs of the company on a consolidated and individual basis and for 
the profit or loss of the company on a consolidated basis for that 
period.

In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently;

•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

•  state that the consolidated financial statements comply with IFRS 
as issued by the IASB and IFRS adopted by the EU and, with 
regard to company financial statements, that applicable UK 
Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

•  prepare the consolidated financial statements and company 
financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is 
inappropriate to presume that the company, on a consolidated and 
individual basis, will continue in business, in which case there 
should be supporting assumptions or qualifications as necessary.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the company on a consolidated and individual 
basis, and to enable them to ensure that the consolidated financial 
statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the 
IAS Regulation and the company financial statements and the 
Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are 
also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and its 
subsidiaries and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention 
and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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.

 
 
 
Financial statements

77

03  Financial 

statements

Independent auditors report to the members of Britvic plc

78 
81  Consolidated income statement

82  Consolidated statement of comprehensive income/(expense)

83  Consolidated balance sheet

84  Consolidated statement of cash flows 

85  Consolidated statement of changes in equity

86  Notes to the consolidated financial statements

135  Company balance sheet

136  Notes to the company financial statements 

78

Financial statements 
Independent auditors report 
to the members of Britvic plc

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion:
•  the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the 
group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 28 September 
2014 and of the group’s profit for the 52 week period then ended;

•  the group financial statements have been properly prepared in 

accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 
as adopted by the European Union; 

•  the parent company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice; and

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the group 
financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

What we have audited
We have audited the financial statements of Britvic plc for the 52 
week period ended 28 September 2014 which comprise the 
consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income/(expense), the consolidated balance sheet, 
the consolidated statement of cash flows, the consolidated statement 
of changes in equity and the parent company balance sheet, the 
parent company reconciliation of movements in shareholders’ funds 
and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has 
been applied in the preparation of the group financial statements is 
applicable law and IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The 
financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 
of the parent company financial statements is applicable law and 
United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice).

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in 
accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006.  
Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the 
company’s members those matters we are required to state to them 
in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent 
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to 
anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a 
body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have 
formed.  

Respective responsibilities of 
directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement 
set out on page 76, the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on 
the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and 
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards 
require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical 
Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the 
financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements are free from material 
misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an 
assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the 
group’s and the parent company’s circumstances and have been 
consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of 
significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and the 
overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all 
the financial and non-financial information in the annual report to 
identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements 
and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect 
based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by 
us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any 
apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the 
implications for our report.

Our assessment of risk of 
material misstatement
We identified the following risks of material misstatement 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:

•  the assessment of the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite lived 

assets (AC, AP, J&E*);

•  the valuation of  the group’s derivatives and assessment of hedging 

activities (AC, AP, J&E*);

•  revenue recognition – in particular the treatment of discounts given 
to customers in the form of long term discounts or promotional 
discounts and the timing of revenue recognition (AC, AP*);

•  the  assessment of the assumptions used to assess the obligations 

for the defined benefit pension schemes (AC, AP, J&E*);  and

•  the risk of management override of internal control which we 

considered to exist particularly in the areas of revenue discounts, 
classification of exceptional and other items and provisions.

*  These risks are discussed in other areas of the Annual report as noted by the 

following key.

AC – See Audit Committee Report on pages 43 to 45

AP – See note 3 accounting policies on pages 86 to 94

J&E – See note 3 Key judgements and sources of estimation 
uncertainty on page 93

Financial statements Independent auditors report to the members of Britvic plc (continued)

79

Our application of materiality 
We determined materiality for the group to be £6.3 million (2013: £5.2 
million), which is approximately 5% (2013: 5%) of adjusted pre-tax 
profit. We used adjusted pre-tax profits to exclude those items classified 
as “exceptional and other items” as defined on page 96 of the annual 
report because, in our view, this is the most relevant measure of the 
underlying financial performance of the group. This provided the basis 
for determining the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures, 
and identifying and assessing the risk of material misstatement.

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment 
of the group’s overall control environment, our judgement was that 
overall performance materiality (i.e. our tolerance for misstatement in 
an individual account or balance) for the group should be 75% (2013: 
75%) of planning materiality, namely £4.7 million (2013: £3.9 million). 
Our objective in adopting this approach was to ensure that the total 
corrected and uncorrected audit differences did not exceed our 
materiality of £6.3 million for the financial statements as a whole.

Audit work at individual components is undertaken based on a 
percentage of our total performance materiality. The performance 
materiality set for each component is based on the relative size of the 
component and our view of the risk of misstatement at that 
component. In the current year the range of performance materiality 
allocated to components was £0.5 million to £4.5 million.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the 
Committee all audit differences in excess of £0.32 million (2013: 
£0.26 million), as well as differences below that threshold that, in our 
view warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

We evaluate any uncorrected misstatements against both the 
quantitative measures of materiality discussed above and in the light 
of other relevant qualitative considerations.

An overview of the scope of our 
audit 
In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the group financial 
statements, our group audit scope focused on four operations, of 
which two were subject to a full scope audit for the 52 week period 
ended 28 September 2014. The remaining two operations were 
subject to a specific scope audit, where the extent of the audit work 
was based on our assessment of the risk of material misstatement 
and the materiality of the group’s business operations at those 
operations. Together with the group functions, which were also 
subject to a full scope audit these operations represent the principal 
business units of the group and account for 98% (2013: 100%) of the 
group’s total assets, 93% (2013: 100%) of the group’s revenue and 
100% (2013: 100%) of the group’s adjusted profit before tax. 

The Senior Statutory Auditor leads the audit at one full scope 
operation, which accounts for 93% of profit before tax and both 
specific scope locations, as well as the group functions. The group 
audit team visited the other full scope location, which accounts for 
9% of profit before tax, reviewed key working papers, participated in 
the component teams planning including the discussion of fraud and 
error and attended the closing meeting.  

Our response to the risks of material misstatement identified above 
included the following procedures:

The assessment of the carrying value of goodwill and 
indefinite lived assets 
•  we examined management’s methodology and models for assessing 

the valuation of significant goodwill and indefinite lived assets;

•  we critically assessed and corroborated the key inputs of the 
forecast cash flows, the discount rate used, the growth rate 
assumed and the historical accuracy of budgets and we used a 
valuation specialist to assist us with our consideration of the 
discount rate used;

•  we evaluated management’s sensitivity analysis by performing our own 
sensitivities to gain comfort over the level of headroom in the model; 

•  for indefinite lived assets where impairments had been recorded in 
the past, we challenged management’s assessment of whether 
conditions had sufficiently changed in the period to warrant an 
impairment reversal; and

•  we ensured that the financial statement disclosures met the 

requirements of accounting standards.

The valuation of the group’s derivatives and 
assessment of hedging activities
•  we obtained direct external confirmations of the valuation for each 

of the derivative instruments held and agreed these to the fair values 
of the derivatives recorded by the group;

•  we ensured that the requirements of IAS 39 were met by:

•  ensuring the appropriateness of  the methodology used by 

management to hedge account

•  using our own specialists to test a sample of valuations to ensure 

that the fair values of the derivatives had been reasonably 
calculated; and 

•  evaluating management’s documentation and assessment of hedge 

effectiveness; and

•  we ensured that the financial statement disclosures were in 

accordance with accounting standards.

Revenue recognition – including the treatment of 
discounts given to customers in the form long term 
discounts or promotional discounts and the timing of 
revenue recognition 
•  we carried out testing relating to controls over revenue recognition, 

including the timing of revenue recognition; 

•  we tested a sample of long term discounts and promotional 

discounts by agreeing balances through to supporting 
documentation and ensured that the revenue recognition policies 
adopted complied with IFRS;

•  we performed analytical procedures, journal entry testing and traced 
our revenue transaction testing through to the appropriate discounts 
to ensure the completeness of the amount of discounts recorded;

•  we performed revenue transaction testing, which included ensuring 

that, where necessary, the transaction had been appropriately 
recorded in the income statement;

•  we performed cut-off testing on customer delivery notes around the 

period end and journal testing around revenue; and

•  we ensured that the financial statement disclosures were in 

accordance with accounting standards.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements80 Financial statements Independent auditors report to the members of Britvic plc (continued)

In particular, we are required to consider whether we have identified 
any inconsistencies between our knowledge acquired during the 
Audit and the Directors’ Statement that they consider the annual 
report is fair, balanced and understandable and whether the annual 
report appropriately discloses those matters that we communicated 
to the Audit Committee which we consider should have been 
disclosed. 

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in 
our opinion:

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent 

company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 
from branches not visited by us; or

•  the parent company financial statements and the part of the 

Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 
with the accounting records and returns; or

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are 

not made; or

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require 

for our audit; or

•  a Corporate Governance Report has not been prepared by the 

company.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:

•  the Directors’ Statement, set out on page 75, in relation to going 

concern; and

•  the part of the Corporate Governance Report relating to the 

company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code specified for our review.

Simon O’Neill (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor 
Birmingham

25 November 2014

The assumptions used to the assess the obligations 
for the defined benefit pension schemes 
•  we challenged the key actuarial assumptions used by management 
in determining the pension obligation under IAS 19(R) and we used 
a pensions specialist to assist us with this procedure;

•  we understood and challenged management’s input into the 

assumptions underpinning the liability; and

•  we ensured that the financial statement disclosures were in 

accordance with accounting standards.

The risk of management override of internal control 
•  we performed tailored procedures, including analytical procedures 
and journal entry testing, sufficient to address the identified risk in 
respect of subjective areas which were considered to be most 
susceptible to management override which we considered to be 
revenue discounts, classification of exceptional and other items and 
provisions. 

There has been no change from the prior year in the areas which had 
the greatest effect on the overall audit strategy.

Opinion on other matters 
prescribed by the Companies 
Act 2006
In our opinion:
•  the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has 
been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 
2006; and

•  the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ 

Report for the financial period for which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the financial statements;

•  the information given in the Corporate Governance Report set out 
on page 33 with respect to internal control and risk management 
systems in relation to financial reporting processes and about share 
capital structures is consistent with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are 
required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following: 

Under the ISAs (UK and Ireland), we are required to report to you if, in 
our opinion, information in the annual report is: 

•   materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial 

statements; or 

•   apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent 

with, our knowledge of the group acquired in the course of 
performing our audit; or 

•  is otherwise misleading. 

Notes:

1.  The maintenance and integrity of the Britvic plc web site is the responsibility of the 
directors; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of 
these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any 
changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were 
initially presented on the web site.

2.  Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of 

financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Financial statements 
Consolidated income statement
For the 52 weeks ended 28 September 2014

81

52 weeks ended  
28 September 2014

52 weeks ended  
29 September 2013

Before
exceptional &
other items
£m

Exceptional
& other
items*
£m

Note

Total

£m

Before
exceptional &
other items
£m

Exceptional
& other
items*
£m

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling and distribution costs

Administration expenses

Operating profit/(loss)

Finance costs

Profit/(loss) before tax

Taxation

Profit/(loss) for the period 
attributable to the equity 
shareholders

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Adjusted basic earnings per share**

Adjusted diluted earnings per share**

*   See note 5.

6

9

10

11

11

11

11

1,344.4

(617.5)

726.9

(370.4)

(198.4)

158.1

(25.2)

132.9

(33.0)

99.9

-

-

-

-

(12.8)

(12.8)

-

(12.8)

2.6

(10.2)

-

-

-

-

(26.2)

(26.2)

0.7

(25.5)

4.8

(20.7)

1,344.4

1,321.9

(646.9)

675.0

(351.5)

(188.5)

135.0

(26.9)

108.1

(25.5)

82.6

(617.5)

726.9

(370.4)

(211.2)

145.3

(25.2)

120.1

(30.4)

89.7

36.5p

36.2p

41.8p

41.5p

Total

£m

1,321.9

(646.9)

675.0

(351.5)

(214.7)

108.8

(26.2)

82.6

(20.7)

61.9

25.5p

25.3p

35.2p

34.9p

**   Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share measures have been adjusted by adding back exceptional & other items (see notes 5 and 11) and amortisation relating to 

acquired intangible assets (see note 14).

All activities relate to continuing operations.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements82

Financial statements 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income/(expense)
For the 52 weeks ended 28 September 2014

52 weeks 
ended
28 September 
2014
£m

52 weeks 
ended
29 September 
2013
£m

Note

Profit for the period attributable to the equity shareholders

89.7

61.9

Other comprehensive income/(expense):

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Remeasurement losses on defined benefit pension schemes

Deferred tax on defined benefit pension schemes

Current tax on additional pension contributions

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss

Losses in the period in respect of cash flow hedges

Amounts recycled to the income statement in respect of cash flow hedges

Deferred tax in respect of cash flow hedges accounted for in the hedging reserve

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Tax on exchange differences accounted for in the translation reserve

Deferred tax on other temporary differences

23

10a

10a

26

26

10a

26

10a

10a

(12.3)

(2.0)

4.5

(9.8)

(11.9)

10.5

0.1

(3.9)

0.7

0.1

(4.4)

(32.4)

4.4

3.1

(24.9)

(1.4)

0.1

0.4

-

(2.9)

0.2

(3.6)

Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the period, net of tax 

(14.2)

(28.5)

Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to the equity shareholders

75.5

33.4

Financial statements 
Consolidated balance sheet
As at 28 September 2014

83

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Other receivables
Other financial assets
Pension asset

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Other financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current assets held for sale
Total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Bank overdrafts
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Other financial liabilities
Current income tax payable
Provisions
Other current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Deferred tax liabilities
Pension liability
Other financial liabilities
Provisions
Other non-current liabilities

Total liabilities
Net assets
Capital and reserves
Issued share capital
Share premium account
Own shares reserve
Share scheme reserve
Hedging reserve
Translation reserve
Merger reserve
Retained losses
Total equity

Note

13
14
16
26
23

17
18
26
19

20

24
19
22
26

28
27

22
10d
23
26
28
27

21

2014
£m

221.0
299.7
3.0
64.6
-
588.3

84.7
276.9
4.5
144.0
510.1
3.6
1,102.0

(379.7)
(0.7)
(22.4)
(1.6)
(25.4)
(4.1)
(0.4)
(434.3)

(539.9)
(23.3)
(8.4)
(9.9)
(1.6)
(1.5)
(584.6)
(1,018.9)
83.1

49.4
33.5
(2.9)
11.2
1.4
16.4
87.3
(113.2)
83.1

2013
£m

215.7
317.0
3.8
62.5
0.1
599.1

90.8
266.1
12.8
94.0
463.7
-
1,062.8

(381.5)
(2.5)
(91.6)
(1.4)
(17.0)
(10.5)
-
(504.5)

(458.3)
(27.8)
(19.4)
(10.0)
-
(1.9)
(517.4)
(1,021.9)
40.9

49.0
25.0
(1.1)
7.5
2.7
19.6
87.3
(149.1)
40.9

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 25 November 2014. They were signed on its behalf by:

Simon Litherland 
Chief Executive Officer 

John Gibney 
Chief Financial Officer

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
84

Financial statements 
Consolidated statement of cash flows
For the 52 weeks ended 28 September 2014

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit before tax

Finance costs

Other financial instruments

Impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Depreciation

Amortisation

Share based payments

Net pension charge less contributions

Decrease/(increase) in inventory

Increase in trade and other receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

(Decrease)/increase in provisions

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Income tax paid

Net cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Purchases of intangible assets

Net cash flows used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Interest paid

Interest bearing loans drawndown/(repaid)

Repayment of 2007 USPP Notes

Issue of 2014 USPP Notes

Issue costs paid

Issue of shares

Dividends paid to equity shareholders 

Net cash flows used in financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Exchange rate differences

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

Note

9

13,14

13

14

29

22

22

12

30

19

2014
£m

120.1

25.2

(1.3)

0.6

31.5

10.4

9.1

(22.9)

3.1

(15.8)

10.5

(4.8)

1.1

(20.2)

146.6

0.7

(49.2)

(8.8)

(57.3)

(24.2)

0.2

(76.8)

105.8

(0.4)

4.9

(46.8)

(37.3)

52.0

91.5

(0.2)

143.3

2013
£m

82.6

26.2

(6.0)

12.9

36.6

7.1

6.2

(17.2)

(14.9)

(4.7)

9.9

10.5

3.8

(11.2)

141.8

0.3

(26.3)

(8.9)

(34.9)

(26.6)

(0.9)

-

-

-

7.1

(42.5)

(62.9)

44.0

47.6

(0.1)

91.5

Financial statements 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the 52 weeks ended 28 September 2014

85

Issued
share
capital
£m

48.5

Share
premium
account
£m

Own
shares
reserve
£m

Share
scheme
reserve
£m

17.7

(0.8)

4.2

Hedging
reserve

Translation
reserve

 Merger
reserve

Retained
losses

£m

87.3

(145.9)

Total

£m

37.1

At 30 September 2012

Profit for the period

Other comprehensive 
income

-

-

-

-

-

-

Issue of shares

0.5

7.3

Own shares utilised for 
share schemes

Movement in share 
based schemes

Current tax on share 
based payments

Deferred tax on share 
based payments

Payment of dividend

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(2.1)

1.8

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1.8)

5.1

-

-

-

£m

3.6

-

(0.9)

(0.9)

-

-

-

-

-

-

£m

22.5

-

(2.9)

(2.9)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

61.9

61.9

(24.7)

(28.5)

37.2

33.4

-

1.4

-

1.0

5.7

1.4

5.1

1.0

(0.3)

(0.3)

(42.5)

(42.5)

At 29 September 2013

49.0

25.0

(1.1)

7.5

Profit for the period

Other comprehensive 
income

-

-

-

-

-

-

Issue of shares

0.4

8.5

Own shares utilised for 
share schemes

Movement in share 
based schemes

Current tax on share 
based payments

Deferred tax on share 
based payments

Payment of dividend

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(5.4)

3.6

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(3.5)

7.2

-

-

-

2.7

-

(1.3)

(1.3)

19.6

-

(3.2)

(3.2)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

87.3

(149.1)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

89.7

(9.7)

80.0

-

1.3

-

0.8

0.6

(46.8)

At 28 September 2014

49.4

33.5

(2.9)

11.2

1.4

16.4

87.3

(113.2)

40.9

89.7

(14.2)

75.5

3.5

1.4

7.2

0.8

0.6

(46.8)

83.1

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements86

Financial statements 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1.  General information
Britvic plc (the ’company’) is a company incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006. It is a public limited company 
domiciled in England & Wales and its ordinary shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange. Britvic plc and its subsidiaries (together the 
‘group’) operate in the soft drinks manufacturing and distribution industry, principally in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and France.

The operating companies of the group are disclosed within note 32.

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the board of directors on 25 November 2014.

2.  Statement of compliance
The financial information has been prepared on the basis of applicable International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European 
Union (IFRS), as they apply to the financial statements of the group. 

3.  Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis except where measurement of balances at fair value is 
required as explained below. The consolidated financial statements of the group are presented in pounds sterling, which is also the functional 
currency of the company, and all values are rounded to the nearest 0.1 million except where otherwise indicated.

Going concern
The directors are confident that it is appropriate for the going concern basis to be adopted in preparing the financial statements. As at 28 
September 2014, the consolidated balance sheet is showing a net assets position of £83.1m (29 September 2013: net assets of £40.9m).

Group reserves are low due to the capital restructuring undertaken at the time of flotation. This does not impact on Britvic plc’s ability to make 
dividend payments.

The liquidity of the group remains strong in particular with £520.2m of private placement notes with maturity dates between 2014 and 2026 
and a £400m bank facility maturing in March 2016. Agreement has been reached to refinance this facility with an expected revised maturity 
date of November 2019. 

Basis of consolidation 
The consolidated financial statements of the group incorporate the financial information of the company and the entities controlled by the 
company (its subsidiaries) in accordance with IAS 27 ‘Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements’. The financial statements of 
subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the company, using consistent accounting policies. All intra-group transactions, 
balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. The results of subsidiary undertakings acquired or disposed of in the year are 
included in the consolidated income statement from the date the group gains control or up to the date control ceases respectively. Control 
comprises the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the investee so as to obtain benefit from its activities and is achieved 
through direct or indirect ownership of voting rights; currently exercisable or convertible potential voting rights; or by way of contractual 
agreement. 

Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the group and the revenue can be reliably 
measured, regardless of when payment is being made.

Revenue is recognised when goods are delivered and accepted by customers, when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the 
goods have passed to the buyer and the amount can be measured reliably.

Revenue is the value of sales, excluding transactions with or between subsidiaries, after the deduction of sales related discounts and rebates, 
value added tax and other sales related taxes. Sales related discounts comprise:

•   Long term discounts and rebates – which are sales incentives to customers to encourage them to purchase increased volumes and are 

related to total volumes purchased and sales growth

•   Short term promotional discounts – which are directly related to promotions run by customers

For sales related discounts that must be earned, management make estimates related to customer performance, sales volume and agreed 
terms, to determine total amounts earned and to be recorded in deductions from revenue. 

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

87

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Cost comprises the aggregate 
amount paid and the fair value of any other consideration given to acquire the asset and includes costs directly attributable to making the asset 
capable of operating as intended. Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, on a 
straight-line basis, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Plant and machinery

Vehicles (included in plant and machinery)

Equipment in retail outlets (included in fixtures, fittings, tools and equipment)

Other fixtures and fittings (included in fixtures, fittings, tools and equipment)

Land is not depreciated.

Freehold properties are depreciated over 50 years.

3 to 20 years

5 to 7 years

5 to 10 years

3 to 10 years

Leasehold properties are depreciated over 50 years, or over the unexpired lease term when this is less than 50 years.

An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the 
continued use of the asset. Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with carrying amount, and are included in 
the consolidated income statement in the period of derecognition.

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the 
carrying value may not be recoverable and are written down immediately to their recoverable amount. Useful lives and residual amounts are 
reviewed annually and where adjustments are required these are made prospectively.

Non-current assets held for sale
The group classifies non-current assets as held for sale if their carrying amounts will be recovered principally through a sale rather than 
continuing use. Such non-current assets as held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying value and fair value less costs to sell. 

Property, plant and equipment and intangibles assets are not depreciated or amortised once classified as held for sale.

Assets classified as held for sale are presented separately as current items in the statement of financial position.

Goodwill
While the original acquisition of Britannia Soft Drinks Limited was accounted for under the merger method, business combinations on or after 4 
October 2004 have been accounted for under IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ using the acquisition method. On acquisition, the assets, 
liabilities and contingent liabilities of a subsidiary are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition. Any excess of the cost of acquisition 
over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recognised as goodwill. Any deficiency of the cost of acquisition below the fair 
values of the identifiable net assets acquired (discount on acquisition) is credited to the consolidated income statement in the period of 
acquisition.

Following initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is not amortised.

Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be 
impaired. As at the acquisition date, any goodwill acquired is allocated to the group of cash-generating units expected to benefit from the 
combination’s synergies by management. Impairment is determined by assessing the recoverable amount of the group of cash-generating 
units to which the goodwill relates. Where the recoverable amount of the cash-generating units is less than the carrying amount, an impairment 
loss is recognised immediately in the consolidated income statement. 

On disposal of a subsidiary the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

Intangible assets

Software costs

Software expenditure is recognised as an intangible asset only after its technical feasibility and commercial viability can be demonstrated. 
Acquired computer software licences and software developed in-house are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and bring 
to use the specific software. Costs include resources focussed on delivery of capital projects where the choice has been made to use internal 
resource rather than external resources. These costs are amortised over their estimated useful lives of three to seven years on a straight line 
basis.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements88 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Intangible assets (continued)

Trademarks, franchise rights and customer lists

Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at the fair value of consideration paid.  Following initial recognition, 
intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation or impairment losses. An intangible asset acquired as part of a business 
combination is recognised outside goodwill, at fair value at the date of acquisition, if the asset is separable or arises from contractual or other 
legal rights and its fair value can be measured reliably.

The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed to be either finite or indefinite.  Amortisation is charged on assets with finite lives on a 
straight-line basis over a period appropriate to the asset’s useful life.

The carrying values of intangible assets with finite and indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are also tested for impairment annually either individually or, if the intangible asset does not generate 
cash flows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets, as part of the cash generating unit to which it belongs. 
Such intangibles are not amortised. The useful life of an intangible asset with an indefinite life is reviewed annually to determine whether 
indefinite life assessment continues to be supportable. If not, the change in the useful life assessment from indefinite to finite is made on a 
prospective basis.

Research and development

Research costs are expensed as incurred. Development expenditure is recognised as an intangible asset when the group can demonstrate:

•  The technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that the asset will be available for use

•  Its intention to complete and its ability to use the asset

•  How the asset will generate future economic benefits

•  The availability of resources to complete the asset

•  The ability to measure reliably the expenditure during development

•  The ability to use the intangible asset generated

Following initial recognition of development expenditure as an asset, the asset is carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and 
accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation of the asset begins when development is complete and available for use. It is amortised over the 
period of expected future benefit. During the period of development, the asset is tested for impairment annually.

Impairment of intangible assets
The group assesses at each reporting date whether there is an indication that an asset may be impaired. If any such indication exists, or when 
annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the group makes an estimate of the asset’s recoverable amount. An asset’s recoverable 
amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and its value in use and is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset 
does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets. Where the carrying amount of an 
asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount. In assessing value in 
use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects senior management’s 
estimate of the cost of capital. Impairment losses of continuing operations are recognised in the consolidated income statement in those 
expense categories consistent with the function of the impaired asset.

An assessment is made at each reporting date as to whether there is any indication that previously recognised impairment losses may no 
longer exist or may have decreased. If such an indication exists, the recoverable amount is estimated. A previously recognised impairment loss 
is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss 
was recognised. If that is the case the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. That increased amount cannot 
exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in 
prior years. Goodwill impairment losses cannot subsequently be reversed.

Inventories and work in progress
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs 
and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing inventories to their present location and condition. Cost is determined using the 
weighted average cost method. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to 
be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

89

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Financial assets
The group determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition. When financial assets are recognised initially, they are 
measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price, plus directly attributable transaction costs for those financial assets not 
subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. The group assesses at each reporting date whether a financial asset or group of 
financial assets is impaired.

Loans and receivables

The group has financial assets that are classified as loans and receivables. Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed 
or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market, do not qualify as trading assets and have not been designated as either fair 
value through profit or loss or available for sale. Such assets are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method if the time value of 
money is significant. Gains and losses are recognised in the consolidated income statement when loans and receivables are derecognised or 
impaired, as well as through the amortisation process.

Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables, which generally have 30-90 day terms, are recognised at the lower of their original invoiced value and recoverable amount.

Provision is made when collection of the full amount is no longer considered probable. Balances are written off when the probability of recovery 
is assessed as being remote. 

Fair value
The group measures financial instruments, such as derivatives, at fair value at each balance sheet date.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants 
at the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability 
takes place either:

•  In the principal market for the asset or liability; or

•  In the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability

The fair value of an asset or liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, 
assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.

The group uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstance and for which sufficient data is available to measure fair value, 
maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs.

All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the financial statements are categorised within the fair value hierarchy, 
described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:

Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

For assets and liabilities that are recognised in the financial statements on a recurring basis, the group determines whether transfers have 
occurred between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation at the end of each reporting period.

Derivative financial instruments and hedging
The group uses derivative financial instruments such as forward currency contracts and interest rate swaps to hedge its risks associated with 
foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations. All derivative financial instruments are initially recognised and subsequently remeasured at fair 
value. Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities when the fair value is negative.

The fair value of forward currency contracts is calculated by reference to current forward exchange rates for contracts with similar maturity 
profiles. The fair value of interest rate swap contracts is determined by reference to market values for similar instruments.

For those derivatives designated as hedges and for which hedge accounting is appropriate, the hedging relationship is documented at its 
inception. This documentation identifies the hedging instrument, the hedged item or transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged and how 
effectiveness will be measured throughout its duration. Such hedges are expected at inception to be highly effective.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements90 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Derivative financial instruments and hedging (continued)
Any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are taken to the consolidated 
income statement. The treatment of gains and losses arising from revaluing derivatives designated as hedging instruments depends on the 
nature of the hedging relationship, as follows:

Cash flow hedges

Hedges are classified as cash flow hedges when hedging exposure to variability in cash flows that is either attributable to a particular risk 
associated with a recognised asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction. For cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain 
or loss on the hedging instrument is recognised in other comprehensive income, while the ineffective portion is recognised in the consolidated 
income statement.  Amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income are transferred to the consolidated income statement in 
the period in which the hedged item affects profit or loss, such as when a forecast sale occurs. However, when the forecast transaction results 
in the recognition of a non-financial asset or liability, the amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income are included in the initial 
carrying amount of the asset or liability.

If a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income are transferred to the 
consolidated income statement. If the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised without replacement or rollover, or if its 
designation as a hedge is revoked, amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income remain in equity until the forecast 
transaction occurs and are then transferred to the consolidated income statement or included in the initial carrying amount of a non-financial 
asset or liability as above. 

Net investment hedges

Financial instruments are classified as net investment hedges when they hedge the group’s net investment in foreign operations. Some of the 
group’s foreign currency borrowings qualify as hedging instruments that hedge foreign currency net investment balances. The effective portion 
of gains or losses on translation of borrowings designated as net investment hedges is recognised in other comprehensive income.  Any 
ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the consolidated income statement. Upon disposal of the associated investment in foreign 
operations any cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in other comprehensive income is recycled through the consolidated income 
statement.

Fair value hedges

Hedges of the change in fair value of recognised assets or liabilities are classified as fair value hedges. For fair value hedges, the gain or loss on 
the fair value of the hedging instrument is recognised in the consolidated income statement. The gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to 
the hedged risk adjusts the carrying amount of the hedged item and is also recognised in the consolidated income statement. If the hedge 
relationship no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the hedged item would no longer be adjusted and the cumulative adjustment to 
its carrying amount would be amortised to the consolidated income statement based on a recalculated effective interest rate. The fair value 
gain on loss on the hedging instrument would continue to be recorded in the consolidated income statement.

Derecognition of financial instruments
The derecognition of a financial asset takes place when the contractual rights to the cash flows expire, or when the contractual rights to the 
cash flows have either been transferred or an obligation has been assumed to pass them through to a third party and the group does not retain 
substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset.

Financial liabilities are only derecognised when they are extinguished, that is, when the obligation is discharged, cancelled or expires.

Share-based payments
The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to the fair value at the date at which they are granted. Fair 
value is determined by an external valuer using an appropriate pricing model.  In valuing equity-settled transactions, no account is taken of any 
performance conditions, other than conditions linked to the price of the shares (‘market conditions’).

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the 
performance conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award (‘vesting date’). The 
cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date reflects the extent to which the 
vesting period has expired and the number of equity instruments that, in the opinion of the directors and based on the best available estimate 
at that date, will ultimately vest (or in the case of an instrument subject to a market condition, be treated as vesting as described below). The 
consolidated income statement charge or credit for a period represents the movement in cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning 
and end of that period.

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a market condition, 
which are treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not the market condition is satisfied, provided that all other performance conditions are 
satisfied.

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

91

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Taxation
The current income tax expense is based on taxable profits for the period, after any adjustments in respect of prior periods. It is calculated 
using taxation rates enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and is measured at the amount expected to be recovered 
from or paid to the taxation authorities.

Provision is made for deferred tax liabilities, or credit taken for deferred tax assets, on all material temporary differences between the tax base of 
assets and liabilities and their carrying values in the consolidated financial statements.

The principal temporary differences arise from accelerated capital allowances, provisions for pensions and other post-retirement benefits, 
provisions for share-based payments and unutilised losses incurred in overseas jurisdiction.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is regarded as probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the 
temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the asset or liability will be settled based on the tax 
rates enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when: the group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events; it is probable that an outflow 
of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and the amount can be reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future 
operating losses.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation using a pre-tax rate that 
reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation. The increase in the provision due to 
passage of time is recognised as interest expense.

Pensions and post retirement benefits
The group operates a number of pension schemes. These include both defined benefit and defined contribution plans.

Defined benefit plans

The defined benefit pension liability or asset in the balance sheet comprises the total for each plan of the present value of the defined benefit 
obligation less the fair value of plan assets out of which the obligations are to be settled directly. The cost of providing benefits is determined 
using the projected unit credit method, with actuarial valuations being carried out at the end of each reporting period.

Remeasurement, comprising actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling and the return on plan assets (excluding interest), is 
reflected immediately in the statement of financial position with a charge or credit recognised in other comprehensive income in the period in 
which they occur. Remeasurement recognised in other comprehensive income is reflected immediately in retained earnings and will not be 
reclassified to profit or loss.

Past service cost is recognised in profit or loss in the period of a plan amendment. Net interest is calculated by applying the discount rate at the 
beginning of the period to the net defined liability or asset. 

Defined benefit costs are categorised as follows:

•  Service cost (including current service cost, past service cost, as well as gains and losses on curtailments and settlements);

•  Net interest expense or income; and

•  Remeasurement

The retirement benefit obligation recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position represents the actual deficit or surplus in the 
group’s defined benefit plans. Any surplus resulting from this calculation is limited to the present value of any economic benefits available in the 
form of refunds from the plans or reductions in future contributions to the plans.

Defined contribution plans

Under defined contribution plans, contributions payable for the period are charged to the consolidated income statement as an operating expense.

Employee benefits
Wages, salaries, bonuses and paid annual leave are accrued in the period in which the associated services are rendered by the employees of 
the group.

Leases
Leases in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the leased asset are retained by the lessor are classified as operating 
leases by the group. Leases in which the group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases.

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to income on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Any lease incentives 
received are credited to the consolidated income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the leases to which they relate.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements92 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original 
maturities of three months or less, which are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in 
value. For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, bank overdrafts repayable on demand are a component of cash and cash equivalents.

Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Interest bearing loans and borrowings are initially recognised in the balance sheet at fair value less directly attributable transaction costs and are 
subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

Gains and losses arising on the repurchase, settlement or otherwise cancellation of liabilities are recognised respectively in finance income and 
finance cost.

On a refinancing any unamortised financing charges are accelerated through the consolidated income statement.

Foreign currencies

Functional and presentation currency

The consolidated financial statements of the group are presented in pounds sterling. The presentation currency of the consolidated financial 
statements is the same as the functional currency of the company.

Transactions and balances

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in 
foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. All differences are taken to the consolidated income 
statement, except when hedge accounting is applied and for differences in monetary assets and liabilities that form part of the group’s net 
investment in a foreign operation. These are taken in other comprehensive income until the disposal of the net investment, at which time they 
are recognised in profit and loss.

Foreign operations

The consolidated income statement and statement of cash flows of foreign operations are translated at the average rate of exchange during 
the period. The balance sheet is translated at the rate ruling at the reporting date. Exchange differences arising on opening net assets and 
arising on the translation of results at an average rate compared to a closing rate are both recognised in other comprehensive income. On 
disposal of a foreign operation, the accumulated exchange differences previously recognised in other comprehensive income are included in 
the consolidated income statement. 

Certain of the group’s financial instruments are classified as net investment hedges when they hedge the group’s net investment in foreign 
operations. See derivative financial instruments and hedging policy above for further detail.

Segmental reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief 
operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been 
identified as the board of directors of the company.

Issued share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a 
deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

Other reserves
Share premium account

The share premium account is used to record the excess of proceeds over the nominal value on the issue of shares.

Own shares reserve

The own shares reserve is used to record purchases by the group of its own shares, which will be distributed to employees as and when share 
awards made under the Britvic employee share plans vest.

Share scheme reserve

The share scheme reserve is used to record the movements in equity corresponding to the cost recognised in respect of equity-settled share 
based payment transactions. Amounts recognised in the share scheme reserve are transferred to retained losses upon subsequent settlement 
of any awards that vest either by issue or purchase of the group’s shares, or when awards lapse.

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

93

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Other reserves (continued)
Hedging reserve

The hedging reserve records the effective portion of movements in the fair value of forward exchange contracts, interest rate and cross 
currency swaps that have been designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges.

Translation reserve

The translation reserve includes cumulative net exchange differences on translation into the presentational currency of items recorded in group 
entities with a non-sterling functional currency net of amounts recognised in respect of net investment hedges.

Merger reserve

The merger reserve arose as a result of the non pre-emptive share placement which took place on 21 May 2010. It was executed using a 
structure which created a merger reserve under Section 612-3 of the Companies Act 2006. 

Own shares
The cost of own shares held in employee share trusts and in treasury is deducted from shareholders’ equity until the shares are cancelled, 
reissued or disposed. Where such shares are subsequently sold or reissued, the fair value of any consideration received is also included in 
shareholders’ equity.

Exceptional and other items
The group presents items as exceptional and other items on the face of the consolidated income statement to allow shareholders to 
understand better the elements of financial performance in the year, so as to facilitate comparison with prior periods and to assess trends in 
financial performance more readily. 

•  ‘Exceptional’ items include those significant items of income and expense which, because of the size, nature and infrequency of the events 

giving rise to them, merit separate presentation.

•  ‘Other’ items include fair value movements on financial instruments where hedge accounting cannot be applied. These items have been 

included within ‘exceptional and other items’ because they are non-cash and do not form part of how management assesses performance.

Key judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported 
for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the year. However, the nature of 
estimation means that the actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. In the process of applying the group’s accounting policies, 
management has made the following judgements which have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Post-retirement benefits

The determination of the pension and other post-retirement benefits cost and obligation is based on assumptions determined with independent 
actuarial advice. The assumptions include discount rate, inflation, pension and salary increases, expected return on scheme assets, mortality 
and other demographic assumptions. These key assumptions are disclosed in note 23.

Franchise rights

Franchise rights represent franchise agreements acquired as part of the Britvic Ireland business combination which provides long term rights to 
distribute certain soft drinks. These agreements have been allocated a 35 year useful economic life. The franchise agreement has a contract life 
less than the useful economic life. The useful economic life has been determined on the basis that the renewal of the franchise agreements is 
highly probable. A significant emphasis is made on developing relationships with Pepsico, which includes maintaining an appropriate level of 
communication to deal with on-going operational issues. This is further strengthened through the addition of Pepsico products to Britvic’s 
portfolio in recent years.

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives

Determining whether goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash 
generating units to which the goodwill/intangible asset has been allocated. Management considers these assets to have indefinite lives based 
on their historical longevity, and a business model and strategy that is based on development and expansion of Britvic’s brands. The value in 
use calculation requires an estimate of the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit and a suitable discount rate in 
order to calculate present value. Further details are given in note 15.

Cross currency interest rate swaps

The group measures cross currency interest rate swaps at fair value at each balance sheet date. The fair value represents the net present value 
of the difference between the projected cash flows at the swap contract rate and the relevant exchange/interest rate for the period from the 
balance sheet date to the contracted expiry date. The calculation therefore uses estimates of present value, future foreign exchange rates and 
interest rates. Information regarding cross currency interest rate swaps is provided in notes 22 and 26.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements94 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

3. Accounting policies (continued)

New standards adopted in the current period
During the period, the group adopted a number of interpretations and amendments to standards including IAS 19 (Revised) ‘Employee 
Benefits’ and IFRS 13 ‘Fair Value Measurement’, all of which had an immaterial impact on the consolidated financial statements of the group.

The most significant change for Britvic under IAS 19 (Revised) is the replacement of interest cost and expected return on plan assets with a 
finance cost component which is determined by applying the same discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation to the net 
defined benefit liability or asset. The difference between the actual return on plan assets and the discount rate will be presented in other 
comprehensive income. Other changes include the treatment of expenses paid in relation to the plans and the narrative disclosures.

New standards and interpretations not applied
The group has not applied the following IFRSs, which may be applicable to the group, that have been issued (although in some cases not yet 
adopted by the EU) but are not yet effective:

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

IFRS 9 / IAS 39

Financial Instruments – Classification and measurement

IFRS 10

IFRS 11

IFRS 12

IFRS 15

Consolidated financial statements

Joint arrangements

Disclosures of interests in other entities

Revenue recognition

International Accounting Standards (IAS)

IAS 27 (revised 2011) Separate financial statements

IAS 32

IAS 36

Amendment to IAS 32 – Offsetting of assets and liabilities  

Amendment to IAS 36 – Recoverable amount disclosures for non-financial assets

Effective date – periods 
commencing on or after

1 January 2015

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2017

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

IAS 39 / IFRS 9

Amendment to IFRS 9 – Novation of derivatives and continuation of hedge accounting

1 January 2014

Other

IFRIC Interpretation 21 IFRIC 21 – Levies

1 January 2014

The directors do not anticipate that the adoption of these standards, which will be adopted in line with the effective date will have a material 
impact on the group’s reported income or net assets in the period.

4.  Segmental reporting
For management purposes, the group is organised into business units and has five reportable segments as follows:

•  GB stills – United Kingdom excluding Northern Ireland

•  GB carbs – United Kingdom excluding Northern Ireland

•  Ireland – Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

•  France

•  International

These business units sell soft drinks into their respective markets.

Management monitors the operating results of its business units separately for the purpose of making decisions about resource allocation and 
performance assessment. Segment performance is evaluated based on brand contribution. This is defined as revenue less material costs and 
all other marginal costs that management considers to be directly attributable to the sale of a given product. Such costs include brand specific 
advertising and promotion costs, raw materials and marginal production and distribution costs. However, group financing (including finance 
costs) and income taxes are managed on a group basis and are not allocated to reportable segments.

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

95

4. Segmental reporting (continued)

Transfer prices between reportable segments are on an arm’s length basis in a manner similar to transactions with third parties.

GB
stills
£m

335.2

159.4

GB
carbs
£m

567.8

222.4

Total
GB
£m

903.0

381.8

Ireland

France International

£m

128.3

47.0

£m

254.9

67.1

£m

58.2

21.0

52 weeks ended 
28 September 2014

Revenue

Brand contribution

Non-brand advertising & promotion*

Fixed supply chain**

Selling costs**

Overheads and other costs*

Operating profit before exceptional & other items

Finance costs before exceptional & other items

Exceptional & other items

Profit before tax 

52 weeks ended 
29 September 2013

Revenue ***

Brand contribution ***

GB
stills
£m

340.1

154.5

GB
carbs
£m

536.4

200.1

Total
GB
£m

876.5

354.6

Ireland

France International

£m

136.9

49.0

£m

258.2

63.2

£m

50.3

18.8

Non-brand advertising & promotion *

Fixed supply chain**

Selling costs**

Overheads and other costs*

Operating profit before exceptional & other items

Finance costs before exceptional & other items

Exceptional & other items

Profit before tax 

Total

£m

1,344.4

516.9

(9.9)

(101.8)

(120.7)

(126.4)

158.1

(25.2)

(12.8)

120.1

Total

£m

1,321.9

485.6

(7.3)

(100.7)

(124.5)

(118.1)

135.0

(26.9)

(25.5)

82.6

* 

 Included within ‘administration expenses’ in the consolidated income statement. ‘Overheads and other costs’ relate to central expenses including salaries, IT maintenance, 
depreciation and amortisation.

**   Included within ‘selling and distribution costs’ in the consolidated income statement.

***  As part of the implementation of the new operating model, responsibility for France exports has been transferred to the international business and prior year numbers have 

been restated to ensure accurate comparisons.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements96 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

4. Segmental reporting (continued)

Geographic information

Revenues from external customers

The analysis below is based on the location where the sale originated.

United Kingdom

Republic of Ireland

France

Other

Total revenue 

Non-current assets

United Kingdom

Republic of Ireland

France

Other

Total

2014
£m

966.7 

109.2 

268.2 

0.3 

2013
£m

940.3

110.6

271.0

-

1,344.4 

1,321.9

2014
£m

233.7 

105.3 

183.6 

1.1 

523.7

2013
£m

236.7

107.8

192.0

-

536.5

Non-current assets for this purpose consist of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and other receivables.

5.  Exceptional and other items
Unless otherwise stated, exceptional and other items are included within administration expenses in the consolidated income statement.

Asset impairments

Gain on disposal of previously impaired assets

Strategic restructuring costs

Aborted merger costs

Other fair value movements

Write off of unamortised financing fees

Total exceptional and other items before tax

Note

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

52 weeks ended
28 September 2014
£m

52 weeks ended
29 September 2013
£m

(0.7)

0.7

(14.1)

-

2.3

(1.0)

(12.8)

(12.9)

-

(10.6)

(9.6)

7.6

-

(25.5)

a)  Asset impairments relates to the loss recognised on transfer of a property from property, plant and equipment to held for sale in Britvic GB 

following closure in 2014 as part of strategic cost initiatives announced in May 2013.

 In 2013, asset impairments related to the planned closure of GB factories, also as part of the strategic cost initiatives announced in May 
2013.

b)  Strategic restructuring costs in 2014 relate to the continuation of cost initiatives announced in May 2013, following the closure of two 

factories in Britvic GB and subsequent reorganisation as well as integration of GB and Ireland back office operations.

 In 2013 costs also related to the implementation of cost initiatives announced in May 2013, including costs associated with the closure of 
factories and planned changes to the business operating model.

c)  In 2013, costs related to the previously proposed merger of Britvic plc and A.G.Barr plc.

 
 
Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

97

5. Exceptional and other items (continued)

d)   Other fair value movements relate to the fair value movement of derivative financial instruments where hedge accounting cannot be applied. 
For the 52 weeks ended 28 September 2014, a gain of £1.3m is included within administration expenses (52 weeks ended 29 September 
2013: £6.9m gain) and a gain of £1.0m is included within finance costs (52 weeks ended 29 September 2013 £0.7m gain) in the 
consolidated income statement.

e)  Following the decision to refinance the group’s committed bank facility, unamortised financing fees of £1.0m have been written off to finance 

costs in the consolidated income statement (see note 9).

Details of the tax implications of exceptional and other items are given in note 10a.

6.  Operating profit/(loss)

This is stated after charging:

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense

Including: write-down of inventories to net realisable value

Research and development expenditure written off

Net foreign currency exchange differences

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of intangible assets

Operating lease payments – minimum lease payments

7.  Auditor’s remuneration

Audit of the group financial statements 

Audit of subsidiaries

Total audit

Audit related assurance services

Other assurance services

All taxation advisory services

Corporate finance services (excluding amounts included above in tax advisory and other assurance 
services)

Other non-audit services not covered above

Total non-audit services

Total fees

2014
£m

617.5

1.1

2.6

1.6

31.5

10.4

11.7

2014
£m

0.2

0.4

0.6

-

-

-

-

1.4

1.4

2.0

2013
£m

646.9

1.5

0.6

1.1

36.6

7.1

13.1

2013
£m

0.2

0.4

0.6

-

0.1

-

0.7

1.6

2.4

3.0

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements98 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

8.  Staff costs

Wages and salaries*

Social security costs

Net pension charge

Expense of share based compensation (note 29)

* 

In addition to the above, £7.5m (2013: £6.7m) is included within ‘strategic restructuring costs’ in exceptional and other items (note 5).

Directors’ emoluments

Aggregate gains made by directors on exercise of options

Number of directors accruing benefits under defined benefit schemes

The average monthly number of employees during the period was made up as follows:

Distribution

Production

Sales and marketing

Administration

9.  Finance costs

Finance costs

  Bank loans, overdrafts and loan notes

  Unwinding of discount in provisions

  Write off of unamortised financing fees (see note 5) 

Total finance costs

Finance income

  Bank loans, overdrafts and loan notes

  Fair value movement on interest rate swap (see note 26)

Total finance income

Net finance costs

2014
£m

120.4

19.8

11.1

9.1

160.4

2014
£m

2.5

1.5

2014
No.

-

2014
No.

300

1,389

911

559

3,159

2014
£m

(25.3)

(0.1)

(1.0)

(26.4)

0.2

1.0

1.2

2013
£m

119.4

20.3

8.7

6.2

154.6

2013
£m

2.7

-

2013
No.

-

2013
No.

331

1,508

979

458

3,276

2013
£m

(26.9)

-

-

(26.9)

-

0.7

0.7

(25.2)

(26.2)

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

99

10. Taxation
a)  Tax on profit on continuing operations

Income statement

Current income tax

  Current income tax (charge)/credit

  Amounts over/(under) provided in previous years

Total current income tax (charge)/credit

Deferred income tax

  Origination and reversal of temporary differences

  Amounts (under)/over provided in previous years

Total deferred tax credit/(charge)

Total tax (charge)/credit in the income statement

Statement of comprehensive income

Current tax on additional pension contributions

Deferred tax on defined benefit plans

Before exceptional
& other items
£m

Exceptional
& other items
£m

(36.2)

(2.0)

(38.2)

4.3

0.9

5.2

(33.0)

3.0

0.7

3.7

(0.4)

(0.7)

(1.1)

2.6

Deferred tax in respect of cash flow hedges accounted for in the hedging reserve

Tax on exchange differences accounted for in the translation reserve

Deferred tax on other temporary differences

Total tax credit in the statement of comprehensive income

Statement of changes in equity

Current tax on share options exercised

Deferred tax on share options granted to employees

Total tax credit in the statement of changes in equity

2014

Total

£m

(33.2)

(1.3)

(34.5)

3.9

0.2

4.1

(30.4)

4.5

(2.0)

0.1

0.7

0.1

3.4

0.8

0.6

1.4

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements100 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

10. Taxation (continued)

a) Tax on continuing operations (continued)

Income statement

Current income tax

  Current income tax (charge)/credit

  Amounts over/(under) provided in previous years

Total current income tax (charge)/credit

Deferred income tax

  Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Impact of change in UK tax rate on deferred tax liability

  Amounts (under)/over provided in previous years

Total deferred tax credit

Total tax (charge)/credit in the income statement

Statement of comprehensive income

Current tax on additional pension contributions

Deferred tax on defined benefit plans

Before exceptional
& other items
£m

Exceptional
& other items
£m

(26.9)

1.2

(25.7)

(0.5)

3.0

(2.3)

0.2

(25.5)

3.3

(1.1)

2.2

1.4

0.2

1.0

2.6

4.8

Deferred tax in respect of cash flow hedges accounted for in the hedging reserve

Tax on exchange differences accounted for in the translation reserve

Deferred tax on other temporary differences

Total tax credit in the statement of comprehensive income

Statement of changes in equity

Current tax on share options exercised

Deferred tax on share options granted to employees

Total tax credit in the statement of changes in equity

2013

Total

  £m

(23.6)

0.1

(23.5)

0.9

3.2

(1.3)

2.8

(20.7)

3.1

4.4

0.4

(2.9)

0.2

5.2

1.0

(0.3)

0.7

 
Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

101

10. Taxation (continued)

b)  Reconciliation of the total tax charge
The tax expense in the consolidated income statement is higher (2013: higher) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 22.0% 
(2013: 23.5%). The differences are reconciled below:

Profit/(loss) before tax

Profit/(loss) multiplied by the UK average rate of corporation tax of 22.0%

Permanent differences

Impact of change in UK tax rate on deferred tax liability

Tax underprovided in previous years

Overseas tax rates

Effective income tax rate 

Profit / (loss) before tax

Profit / (loss) multiplied by the UK average rate of corporation tax of 23.5%

Permanent differences

Impact of change in UK tax rate on deferred tax liability

Tax underprovided in previous years

Overseas tax rates

Effective income tax rate 

Before
exceptional
& other items
£m

132.9

(29.2)

0.4

(0.2)

(0.9)

(3.1)

(33.0)

24.8%

Before
exceptional
& other items
£m

108.1

(25.4)

0.4

3.0

(1.1)

(2.4)

(25.5)

23.6%

Exceptional
& other items

£m

(12.8)

2.8

0.1

0.1

(0.1)

(0.3)

2.6

Exceptional &
other items

£m

(25.5)

6.0

(0.6)

0.2

(0.1)

(0.7)

4.8

2014

Total

£m

120.1

(26.4)

0.5

(0.1)

(1.0)

(3.4)

(30.4)

25.3%

2013

Total

£m

82.6

(19.4)

(0.2)

3.2

(1.2)

(3.1)

(20.7)

25.0%

c)  Unrecognised tax items
The temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries for which a deferred tax liability has not been recognised total £7.5m 
(2013: £5.6m). No deferred tax has been provided in respect of these differences, since the timing of the reversals can be controlled and it is 
probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the future.

The group expects that future remittances of earnings from its overseas subsidiaries will be covered by the UK dividend exemption and so the 
un-remitted earnings of these subsidiaries are not disclosed above.

No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of unused tax losses of £4.3m (2013: £1.9m). Included in this amount are tax losses of 
£2.8m (2013: £0.8m) that will expire in 7-8 years. Other losses may be carried forward indefinitely. 

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements102 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

10. Taxation (continued)

d)  Deferred tax
The deferred tax included in the balance sheet is as follows:

Deferred tax liability

  Accelerated capital allowances 

  Acquisition fair value adjustments

  Other temporary differences

  Post employment benefits

Deferred tax liability

Deferred tax asset

  Employee incentive plan

  Unutilised losses incurred in overseas jurisdictions

  Other temporary differences

Deferred tax asset

Net deferred tax liability

2014
£m

(5.4)

(15.4)

-

(16.1)

(36.9)

5.7

6.6

1.3

13.6

(23.3)

2013
£m

(6.8)

(17.6)

(0.1)

(13.5)

(38.0)

3.7

5.1

1.4

10.2

(27.8)

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial 
reporting purposes:

Net deferred tax assets 

Net deferred tax liabilities 

The deferred tax included in the consolidated income statement is as follows:

Employee incentive plan

Accelerated capital allowances

Post employment benefits

Acquisition fair value adjustments

Unutilised losses incurred in overseas jurisdictions

Other temporary differences

Deferred tax credit 

2014
£m

-

(23.3)

(23.3)

2014
£m

1.4

1.5

(0.6)

1.0

1.3

(0.5)

4.1

2013
£m

-

(27.8)

(27.8)

2013
£m

0.4

3.0

1.5

1.3

0.7

(4.1)

2.8

In 2014, there is a £1.1m charge relating to exceptional items (2013: £2.6m credit) included within the overall £4.1m deferred tax credit (2013: 
overall £2.8m credit) in the consolidated income statement.

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

103

11. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit/(loss) for the period attributable to the equity shareholders of the 
parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to the ordinary equity shareholders of the parent by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be 
issued on the conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

The following table reflects the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:

Basic earnings per share

Profit  for the period attributable to equity shareholders

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for basic earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Profit  for the period attributable to equity shareholders

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share 

2014
£m

89.7

245.8

36.5p

89.7

247.5

36.2p

2013
£m

61.9

243.2

25.5p

61.9

244.7

25.3p

The group presents as exceptional and other items on the face of the consolidated income statement, those significant items of income and 
expense which, because of the size, nature and infrequency of the events giving rise to them, merit separate presentation to allow shareholders 
to understand better the elements of financial performance in the period, so as to facilitate comparison with prior periods and to assess trends 
in financial performance more readily.

To this end, basic and diluted earnings per share are also presented on this basis with the amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets 
also added back using the weighted average number of ordinary shares for both basic and diluted amounts as per the table below.

Adjusted basic earnings per share

Profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders

Add: Net impact of exceptional and other items

Add: Intangible assets amortisation (acquisition related)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for basic earnings per share

Adjusted basic earnings per share 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

Profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders before exceptional items and 
other items and acquisition related intangible assets amortisation

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for diluted earnings per share

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

Note

14

2014
£m

89.7

10.2

2.9

102.8

245.8

41.8p

102.8

247.5

41.5p

2013
£m

61.9

20.7

2.9

85.5

243.2

35.2p

85.5

244.7

34.9p

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements104 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

12. Dividends paid and proposed

Declared and paid during the period
Equity dividends on ordinary shares
  Final dividend for 2013: 13.0p per share (2012: 12.4p per share)
Interim dividend for 2014: 6.1p per share (2013: 5.4p per share)

Dividends paid
Proposed 
  Final dividend for 2014: 14.8p per share (2013: 13.0p per share)

13. Property, plant and equipment

At 30 September 2012, net of accumulated 
depreciation and impairment
Exchange differences 
Additions
Disposals at cost 
Depreciation eliminated on disposals
Depreciation charge for the year
Impairment *
At 29 September 2013 net of accumulated 
depreciation and impairment
Exchange differences 
Additions
Disposals at cost 
Depreciation eliminated on disposals
Depreciation charge for the year
Assets transferred to held for sale (note 20)
Reclassification
(Impairment)*/impairment reversal
At 28 September 2014 net of accumulated 
depreciation and impairment
At 28 September 2014
Cost (gross carrying amount)
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
Net carrying amount
At 29 September 2013
Cost (gross carrying amount)
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
Net carrying amount

Freehold
land and
buildings

Leasehold
land and
buildings

Plant and
machinery

£m

59.1

1.0
3.8
(0.1)
0.1
(2.4)
-

61.5

(2.1)
15.5
-
-
(2.5)
-
-
-

72.4

95.4
(23.0)
72.4

83.9
(22.4)
61.5

£m

27.8

0.4
2.5
-
-
(0.9)
(0.8)

29.0

(0.7)
0.9
-
-
(0.9)
(3.6)
-
(0.7)

24.0

35.9
(11.9)
24.0

43.1
(14.1)
29.0

£m

101.7

1.8
15.2
(3.5)
1.9
(20.3)
(10.4)

86.4

(2.6)
18.8
(2.9)
2.0
(17.6)
-
0.7
0.1

84.9

279.7
(194.8)
84.9

272.9
(186.5)
86.4

2014
£m

31.8
15.0
46.8

36.3

Fixtures,
fittings,
 tools and
equipment
£m

48.0

-
6.3
(12.4)
9.9
(13.0)
-

38.8

(0.1)
12.9
(15.2)
14.5
(10.5)
-
(0.7)
-

39.7

157.5
(117.8)
39.7

162.6
(123.8)
38.8

2013
£m

29.6
12.9
42.5

31.7

Total

£m

236.6

3.2
27.8
(16.0)
11.9
(36.6)
(11.2)

215.7

(5.5)
48.1
(18.1)
16.5
(31.5)
(3.6)
-
(0.6)

221.0

568.5
(347.5)
221.0

562.5
(346.8)
215.7

* 

 The impairment in 2014 relates to a loss on transfer of a property held in the GB stills segment  to non-current assets held for sale (see note 20), and has been included 
within exceptional and other items (see note 5). 

 The impairment in 2013 principally related to the write down of plant and machinery following the strategic cost initiative announcement in May 2013, and was included 
within exceptional and other items (see note 5).

 
 
Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

105

13. Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Finance leases
The net book value of freehold land and buildings and plant and machinery includes £0.1m and £nil respectively (2013: £0.2m and £0.1m 
respectively) in respect of assets held under finance leases. The assets are pledged as security for the finance lease liabilities.

14. Intangible assets

Trademarks

Cost as at 30 September 2012, net of 
accumulated amortisation
Exchange differences 
Additions
Amortisation charge for the period
Impairment **
At 29 September 2013
Exchange differences 
Additions
Disposals at cost
Amortisation eliminated on disposals
Amortisation charge for the period
At 28 September 2014
At 28 September 2014
Cost (gross carrying amount)
Accumulated amortisation and 
impairment
Net carrying amount
At 29 September 2013
Cost (gross carrying amount)
Accumulated amortisation and impairment
Net carrying amount

*   Acquisition related amortisation (see note 11).

£m

92.5

5.0
-
-
-
97.5
(6.5)
-
-
-
-
91.0

117.9

(26.9)

91.0

126.6
(29.1)
97.5

Franchise
rights
£m

Customer
lists
£m

Software
costs
£m

20.3

1.0
-
(0.7)*
-
20.6
(1.5)
-
-
-
(0.7)*
18.4

23.1

(4.7)

18.4

24.8
(4.2)
20.6

35.2

1.8
-
(2.2)*
-
34.8
(2.2)
-
-
-
(2.2)*
30.4

46.5

(16.1)

30.4

49.7
(14.9)
34.8

20.3

-
8.9
(4.2)
-
25.0
(0.1)
8.8
(0.4)
0.2
(7.5)
26.0

72.8

(46.8)

26.0

65.5
(40.5)
25.0

Goodwill

£m

136.9

3.9
-
-
(1.7)
139.1
(5.2)
-
-
-
-
133.9

196.6

(62.7)

133.9

205.6
(66.5)
139.1

Total

£m

305.2

11.7
8.9
(7.1)
(1.7)
317.0
(15.5)
8.8
(0.4)
0.2
(10.4)
299.7

456.9

(157.2)

299.7

472.2
(155.2)
317.0

**   The impairment in 2013 related to the write down of goodwill relating to the Water business following the strategic cost initiative announcement in May 2013, and has been 

included within exceptional and other items (see note 5).

Trademarks

Britvic Ireland and Britvic France

Trademarks represent those trade names acquired which the group plans to maintain. All trademarks have been allocated an indefinite life by 
management. A list of the trademarks held in respect of the Britvic Ireland and Britvic France segments is shown in note 15.

It is expected, and in line with existing well-established trademarks within the group, that the trademarks with indefinite lives in respect of Britvic 
France and Britvic Ireland will be held and supported for an indefinite period of time and are expected to generate economic benefits. The 
group is committed to supporting its trademarks and invests in significant consumer marketing promotional spend.

Franchise rights 
Franchise rights represent the franchise agreements acquired as part of the Britvic Ireland business combination which provide the long term 
right to distribute certain soft drinks. These agreements have been allocated a 35 year useful economic life. As at 28 September 2014 these 
intangible assets have a remaining useful life of 28 years. The franchise agreement itself has a contract life less than the useful economic life. 
The useful economic life has been determined on the basis that the renewal of the contract is highly probable.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements106 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

14. Intangible assets (continued)

Customer lists

Britvic France

Customer lists recognised on the acquisition of Britvic France relate to those customer relationships acquired. These intangible assets have 
been allocated useful economic lives of 20 years.  At 28 September 2014 these intangible assets have a remaining useful life of 16 years.

Britvic Ireland

Customer lists represent those customer relationships acquired which are valued in respect of the grocery and wholesale businesses. These 
customer lists have been allocated useful economic lives of between 10 and 20 years. At 28 September 2014 these intangible assets have a 
remaining useful life of between 3 and 13 years. 

Software costs
Software is capitalised at cost.  These intangible assets have been assessed as having finite lives and are amortised using the straight-line 
method over a period of 3 to 7 years.  As at 28 September 2014 these intangible assets have a remaining useful life of up to 7 years.

Goodwill
Goodwill is subject to an impairment review at each reporting date in accordance with IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’. Further detail is provided 
in note 15.

Intangible assets recognised on the acquisition of Britvic Ireland and Britvic France are valued in euros and translated to sterling at the reporting date.

15. Impairment testing of intangible assets
Carrying amount of goodwill and trademarks with indefinite lives
The carrying amount of goodwill acquired through business combinations, and trademarks with indefinite lives recognised as part of fair value 
exercises on acquisitions, are attributable to the following cash-generating units:

Goodwill
  Orchid
  Tango
  Robinsons
  Britvic Soft Drinks business (BSD)
  Britvic Ireland
  Britvic France

Trademarks with indefinite lives
  Britvic Ireland

Britvic
Cidona
Mi Wadi
Ballygowan
Club

  Britvic France
Teisseire
Moulin de Valdonne
Pressade
Fruité 

Total Trademarks

2014
£m

6.0
8.9
38.6
7.8
15.5
57.1
133.9

2014
£m

5.9
5.2
8.0
2.2
13.2
34.5

44.7
3.7
4.2
3.9
56.5
91.0

2013
£m

6.0
8.9
38.6
7.8
16.6
61.2
139.1

2013
£m

6.3
5.5
8.6
2.4
14.2
37.0

47.9
3.9
4.5
4.2
60.5
97.5

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

107

15. Impairment testing of intangible assets (continued)

The Britvic Ireland and Britvic France goodwill and trademarks with indefinite lives are valued in euros and translated into sterling at the 
reporting date. The movements in the carrying amount of goodwill from the prior year relate to translation movements.

With the exception of Britvic Ireland and Britvic France goodwill, all other goodwill amounts were recognised on acquisitions made within Britvic GB.

Trademarks with indefinite lives were recognised as part of the fair value exercises relating to the 2007 acquisition of Britvic Ireland and the 
2010 acquisition of Britvic France. They were allocated by senior management to the individual cash-generating units for impairment testing as 
shown in the table above.

Method of impairment testing

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives

Impairment reviews of goodwill and intangible assets are undertaken by senior management annually. Value in use calculations are performed 
for each cash-generating unit using cash flow projections and are based on the latest annual financial budgets prepared by senior 
management and approved by the board of directors. Senior management expectations are formed in line with performance to date and 
experience, as well as available external market data.

The group has considered the impact of the current economic climate in determining the appropriate discount rate to use in impairment testing.  
The applicable pre-tax discount rate for cash flow projections is:

Britvic GB
Britvic Ireland
Britvic France

At 28 September 2014

At 29 September 2013

9.6%
9.7%
10.5%

8.3%
10.2%
10.0%

Cash flows beyond a one year period are extrapolated based on growth and discount rates as described below. 

Key assumptions used in value in use calculations

The following describes each key assumption on which management has based its cash flow projections to undertake impairment testing of 
goodwill.

Volume growth rates – reflect senior management expectations of volume growth based on growth achieved to date, current strategy and 
expected market trends.

Discount rates – reflect senior management’s estimate of the pre-tax cost of capital adjusted where necessary to reflect the different risks of 
different countries in which the group operates. The estimated pre-tax cost of capital is the benchmark used by management to assess 
operating performance and to evaluate future capital investment proposals.

Marginal contribution – being revenue less material costs and all other marginal costs that management considers to be directly attributable to 
the sale of a given product. Marginal contribution is based on financial budgets approved by the Britvic plc board.  Key assumptions are made 
within these budgets about pricing, discounts and costs based on historical data, current strategy and expected market trends.

Advertising and promotional spend – financial budgets approved by senior management are used to determine the value assigned to 
advertising and promotional spend. This is based on the planned spend for year one and strategic intent thereafter.

Raw materials price, production and distribution costs, selling costs and other overhead inflation – the basis used to determine the value 
assigned to inflation is the forecast increase in consumer price indices in the relevant market. This has been used in all value in use calculations 
performed.

Intangible assets with finite lives

No indicators of impairment were identified on intangible assets with finite lives and no impairment was recognised against these assets.

Results and conclusions
No impairments have been identified during the 52 week period ended 28 September 2014. In 2013, following the strategic cost initiative 
announcement in May 2013, the carrying value of goodwill relating to the Water business of £1.7m was impaired, and the impairment charge 
recognised within exceptional and other items (see note 5).

Other than for the Britvic trademark within Britvic Ireland, the directors do not consider that a reasonably possible change in the assumptions 
used to calculate the value in use of remaining goodwill and intangible assets would result in any impairment. The key assumption to which the 
calculation of value in use for the Britvic trademark is most sensitive is the discount rate where a change of 0.1% could reduce the recoverable 
amount to carrying amount.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements108 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

16. Other receivables (non-current)

Operating lease premiums

Prepayments

Other

Total other receivables (non-current)

Operating lease premiums relates to the un-amortised element of lease premiums paid on inception of operating leases.

17. Inventories

Raw materials

Finished goods

Consumable stores

Returnable packaging

Total inventories at lower of cost and net realisable value

18. Trade and other receivables (current)

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Prepayments

2014
£m

2.4

-

0.6

3.0

2014
£m

27.5

49.1

6.7

1.4

84.7

2014
£m

250.0

9.0

17.9

276.9

2013
£m

1.8

1.5

0.5

3.8

2013
£m

27.1

54.9

7.0

1.8

90.8

2013
£m

236.4

10.1

19.6

266.1

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on credit terms usual for the markets in which the group operates. As at 28 
September 2014, trade receivables at nominal value of £1.2m (2013: £1.6m) were impaired and fully provided against. Movements in the 
provision for impairment of receivables were as follows:

At 30 September 2012

Charge for period

Utilised

Unused amounts reversed

At 29 September 2013

Charge for period

Utilised

Unused amounts reversed

At 28 September 2014

Total
£m

 2.5

2.5

(1.9)

(1.5)

1.6

2.5

(0.5)

(2.4)

1.2

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

109

18. Trade and other receivables (current) (continued)

The group takes the following factors into account when considering whether a provision for impairment should be made for trade receivables:

•  Payment performance history; and

•  External information available regarding credit ratings.

The ageing analysis of trade receivables is as follows:

Total Neither past due 
nor impaired
£m

£m

250.0 

236.4 

222.7 

218.1 

 <30 days

£m

13.1 

7.3 

30 – 60
days
£m

3.1 

4.1 

Past due but not impaired

60 – 90
days
£m

1.3 

0.9 

90 – 120
days
£m

0.4 

1.2 

> 120 days

£m

9.4 

4.8 

2014 

2013 

The credit quality of trade receivables that are neither past due nor impaired is considered good. Refer to note 25 for details of the group’s 
credit risk policy. The group monitors the credit quality of trade receivables by reference to credit ratings available externally.

19. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand 

Deposits 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Bank overdrafts 

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows 

2014
£m

25.3 

118.7 

144.0 

(0.7) 

143.3 

2013
£m

16.5 

77.5 

94.0 

(2.5) 

91.5 

During the year, short-term deposits are made for varying periods depending on the immediate cash requirements of the group, and earn 
interest at the respective short-term deposit rates. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is equal to the book value.

At 28 September 2014 the group had available £400.0m (2013: £400.0m) of un-drawn committed borrowing facilities in respect of which all 
conditions precedent had been met. Agreement has been reached to refinance this facility with an expected revised maturity date of November 
2019.

Where available, the group operates cash pooling arrangements whereby the net cash position across a number of accounts is recognised for 
interest purposes.

20. Non-current assets held for sale

Net transfer from property, plant and equipment 

2014
£m

3.6

2013
£m

 -

£2.8m of the transfer relates to a property held for sale in Britvic Ireland. The sale of the property completed on 2 October 2014 and resulted in 
a gain on disposal of £0.8m.

£0.8m of the transfer relates to a property held for sale in GB. An impairment loss of £0.7m was recognised on transfer of this property from 
property, plant and equipment to non-current assets held for sale.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements110 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

21. Issued share capital
The issued share capital is wholly comprised of ordinary shares carrying one voting right each. The nominal value of each ordinary share is 
£0.20. There are no restrictions placed on the distribution of dividends, or the return of capital on a winding up or otherwise.

Issued, called up and fully paid ordinary shares

At 30 September 2012 

Shares issued 

At 29 September 2013 

Shares issued 

At 28 September 2014 

No. of
shares

Value
£

242,344,551 

48,468,910 

2,746,477 

549,295 

245,091,028 

49,018,205 

2,138,087 

427,618 

247,229,115 

49,445,823 

Of the issued and fully paid ordinary shares, 409,725 shares (2013: 231,547 shares) are own shares held by an employee benefit trust. This 
equates to £81,945 (2013: £46,309) at £0.20 par value of each ordinary share. These shares are held for the purpose of satisfying the share 
schemes detailed in note 29.

An explanation of the group’s capital management process and objectives is set out in note 25.

22. Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Current 

Finance leases 

Bank loans 

Private placement notes 

Less: unamortised issue costs 

Total current 

Non-current 

Finance leases 

Bank loans 

Private placement notes 

Less: unamortised issue costs 

Total non-current 

Total interest bearing loans and borrowings 

2014
£m

(0.1) 

(0.8) 

(21.8) 

0.3 

(22.4) 

2014
£m

(0.2) 

(0.6) 

2013
£m

(0.2) 

(0.2) 

(92.1) 

0.9 

(91.6) 

2013
£m

(0.3) 

(0.8) 

(540.1) 

(459.1) 

1.0 

(539.9) 

(562.3) 

1.9 

(458.3) 

(549.9) 

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

111

22. Interest bearing loans and borrowings (continued)

The table below provides an analysis of amounts included within current and non-current interest bearing loans and borrowings:

Finance leases

2007 Notes

2009 Notes

2010 Notes

2014 Notes

Accrued interest

Bank loans

Capitalised issue costs

Analysis of changes in interest-bearing loans and borrowings

At the beginning of the period 

Net bank loans (drawndown)/repaid

Partial repayment of 2007 Notes

Issue of 2014 Notes

Issue costs

Repayment of finance leases

Amortisation of issue costs and write off of financing fees

Net translation gain/fair value adjustment

Accrued interest

At the end of the period 

Derivatives hedging balance sheet debt *

Debt translated at contracted rate

2014
£m

(0.3)

(180.9)

(160.5)

(111.7)

(105.2)

(3.6)

(1.4)

1.3

2013
£m

(0.5)

(270.3)

(164.8)

(112.2)

-

(3.9)

(1.0)

2.8

(562.3)

(549.9)

2014
£m

(549.9)

(0.4)

76.8

(105.8)

0.4

0.2

(1.9)

18.0

0.3

(562.3)

38.1

(524.2)

2013
£m

(559.3)

0.6

-

-

-

0.4

(0.9)

8.6

0.7

(549.9)

56.1

(493.8)

* 

 Represents the element of the fair value of interest rate currency swaps hedging the balance sheet value of the private placement notes. This amount has been disclosed 
separately to demonstrate the impact of foreign exchange movements which are included in interest bearing loans and borrowings. 

Bank loans
The bank loans classified as non-current are repayable by December 2018 (2013: December 2018).

Loans outstanding at 28 September 2014 attract interest at an average rate of 4.21% for euro denominated loans (2013: 4.03%) and 11.00% 
for Indian Rupee denominated loans (2013: nil). There were no sterling denominated bank loans outstanding at 28 September 2014 (2013: 
£nil).

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements112 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

22. Interest bearing loans and borrowings (continued)

Private placement notes
The group holds loan notes with coupons and maturities as shown in the following table:

Year issued

2007

2007

2009

2010

2010

2014

2014

Maturity date

February 2019

February 2017 – February 2019

December 2014 – December 2019

December 2017

December 2017 – December 2022

February 2021 – February 2024

February 2024 – February 2026

Amount

£13m

$273m

$250m

£7.5m

$163m

£35m

$114m

Interest terms

UK£ fixed at 5.94%

US$ fixed at 5.90% - 6.00%

US$ fixed at 4.07% - 5.24%

UK£ fixed at 3.74%

US$ fixed at 3.45% - 4.14%

UK£ fixed at 3.40% - 3.92%

US$ fixed at 4.09% - 4.24%

The group entered into a number of cross-currency swap agreements in relation to the loan notes to manage any foreign exchange risk on 
interest rates or on the repayment of the principal borrowed. These swaps expire in line with the loan notes and are discussed in note 26.

See note 25 for an analysis of the interest rate profile and the maturity of the borrowings and related interest rate swaps.

Partial repayment of 2007 Notes
On 20 February 2014, in line with the maturity profile of the 2007 Notes, Britvic plc repaid US$102m (equivalent to £51.8m) and £25m of 
Senior Notes in the United States private placement market (USPP) using funds received from the issuance of 2014 Notes (see below).

Issue of 2014 Notes
On 20 February 2014, Britvic plc issued US$114m (equivalent to £70.8m) and £35m of Senior Notes in the United States private placement 
market (the ‘2014 Notes’). The proceeds from the 2014 Notes were principally used to repay amounts due in relation to the maturity of certain 
tranches of the 2007 Notes.

Issue costs of £0.4m incurred in the period relate to the issue of the 2014 Notes.

The 2014 Notes are unsecured and rank pari passu in right of repayment with other senior unsecured indebtedness of the group.

23.  Pensions
The group’s principal pension scheme for GB employees, the Britvic Pension Plan (‘BPP’) has both a defined benefit and contribution section. 
The defined benefit section was closed to new members from 1 August 2002 and closed to future accrual for active members from 1 April 
2011, with new members moving to the defined contribution section for future service benefits.

Contributions are paid into the defined benefit section of the BPP as determined by the trustee, agreed by the company and certified by an 
independent actuary in the Schedule of Contributions. The latest formal actuarial valuation for contribution purposes was carried out as at 31 
March 2013. No additional employer contributions have been requested as the funding level has improved since the 2010 actuarial valuation.

The BPP is a limited partner of Britvic Scottish Limited Partnership (‘Britvic SLP’), which in turn is a limited partner in both Britvic Property 
Partnership (‘Britvic PP’) and Britvic Brands LLP (‘Britvic Brands’). Britvic SLP, Britvic PP and Britvic Brands are all consolidated by the group. 
The investment held by BPP does not represent a plan asset for accounting purposes and is therefore not included in the fair value of the plan 
assets.

In 2010/11 properties were transferred to Britvic PP at a value of £28.6m and in 2011/12 certain group brands to the value of £72.4m were 
transferred to Britvic Brands, all of which are leased back to Britvic Soft Drinks Limited. The group retains operational flexibility over the 
properties and brands including the ability to substitute the properties and brands held by Britvic PP and Britvic Brands respectively.

The BPP is entitled to a share of the profits in Britvic SLP until 2026. At the end of this period, the partnership capital allocated to the BPP will 
be changed to an amount equal to any funding deficit of the BPP at this time, up to a maximum of £105m.

In addition to the expected partnership income of at least £5m per annum, the group will make payments to the BPP of £15m per annum by 
31 December each year, from 2014 to 2017. Additional contributions of £15m per annum by 31 December in the years 2018 and 2019 will be 
made should the formal actuarial valuation in 2016 reveal that these contributions are necessary to return the BPP to full funding on a self-
sufficiency basis by 31 March 2020. During this year £20m of additional contributions were paid to the BPP, of which £15m was paid by the 
group and £5.0m relates to income received from the pension funding partnership (‘PFP’) structure.

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

113

23.  Pensions (continued)

All members of the defined benefit section of the BPP may benefit from the Enhanced Early Retirement Facility (‘EERF’), which is a non-
contractual benefit that allows members to retire within five years of reaching the normal pension age without a reduction in their pension, and 
to benefit from smaller reductions in their pension if they retire more than five years before reaching normal pension age. The company has 
given notice to all Plan members that the EERF will be withdrawn from 5 April 2016.

The amount recognised as an expense in relation to the BPP defined contribution scheme in the consolidated income statement for 2014 was 
£10.8m (2013: £10.6m).

Britvic’s business in GB also has a secured unfunded unregistered retirement benefit scheme called The Britvic Executive Top Up Scheme 
(‘BETUS’) which provides benefits for members who have historically exceeded the Earnings Cap, or the Lifetime Allowance whilst members of 
the defined benefit section of the BPP. BETUS closed to future accrual on 10 April 2011 which coincided with the closure of the defined benefit 
section of the BPP. 

The Britvic Northern Ireland Pension Plan (‘BNIPP’) is a defined benefit pension plan which was closed to new members on 28 February 2006, 
and since this date new employees have been eligible to join a Stakeholder plan with Legal & General. The latest formal actuarial valuation for 
contribution purposes was carried out as at 31 December 2011.

The Britvic Ireland Pension Plan (‘BIPP’) is a defined benefit pension plan. Following legislative changes made in 2012 no deficit recovery 
contributions are currently required. The next triennial valuation is due as at 1 January 2015.  The trustee has been undertaking investment 
de-risking to protect the on-going funding position achieved as a result of the 2012 changes.

The amount recognised as an expense in relation to the Irish defined contribution schemes in the consolidated income statement for 2014 was 
£0.8m (2013: £0.8m).

Britvic France operates two defined benefit schemes: in the first, employees receive long-service cash payments at various stages throughout 
their careers. From the second, employees receive a lump sum at retirement. Payment amounts are dependent upon salary and service with 
the company. The schemes are unfunded therefore these benefits are paid directly as they fall due.

All group pension schemes are administered by trustees who are independent of the group’s finances, except for the Britvic France schemes 
which are operated directly by the company.

The assets and liabilities of the pension schemes were valued on an IAS 19 (Revised) basis at 28 September 2014 by Towers Watson (BPP 
and the French schemes), Invesco (BIPP) and Buck (BNIPP).

Impact of IAS 19 (Revised)
The most significant change for Britvic under IAS 19 (Revised) is the replacement of interest cost and expected return on plan assets with a 
finance cost component which is determined by applying the same discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation to the net 
defined benefit liability or asset. The difference between the actual return on plan assets and the discount rate will be presented in other 
comprehensive income. Other changes include the treatment of expenses paid in relation to the plans and the narrative disclosures.

Risks
•  For defined contribution sections and plans, the group’s liability is limited to the requirement to pay contributions on behalf of each employee. 

In these arrangements the associated risks are borne by the members.

•  For defined benefit sections and plans, the group bears the risks of operation. The main risk that the group runs in respect of the defined 

benefit schemes is that additional contributions are required to pay for the benefits if investment returns are not sufficient. The contributions 
required for the schemes are in general determined at each triennial actuarial funding valuation. The key factors that will affect the need for 
additional contributions include levels of long-term inflation and interest rates and the assessment of how long members are expected to live, 
along with the level of investment return achieved. The level of investment return achieved is subject to a range of risks typical of the asset 
classes held, in particular market risk on equities, credit risk on corporate bonds and exposure to the property market. The discount rates 
used to calculate the liabilities are set by reference to yields on high quality corporate bonds. There is therefore a mismatch between the 
assets held and the way that the liabilities are calculated, meaning that the net balance sheet position disclosed under IAS 19 could 
fluctuate.

•  For the BPP, the trustee holds the power to determine the contribution rates that the group should pay, although the group fully uses the 

opportunity to make representation to the trustee on this point.

•  The trustee of the BPP agreed to implement a revised investment strategy following the completion of the 31 March 2013 valuation. The 
revised investment strategy will consist of a diverse range of fixed interest and index-linked securities, which will provide a partial hedge 
against inflation and interest rate risk. The removal of equities from the investment portfolio will also reduce investment risk.

•  The BPP is exposed to specific non-financial risks in respect of the non-contractual EERF benefit available to all members of its defined 

benefit section. If more members than expected choose to exercise this option, it will serve to increase the pension liability. An allowance for 
some members to exercise this option has already been made within the liabilities and the facility will be withdrawn from 5 April 2016, at 
which point this risk will be removed.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements114 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

23.  Pensions (continued)

Risks (continued)
The funding partnership mitigates the risk that additional cash contributions will be required after 31 March 2026, as the partnership will pay up 
to £105m to remove any funding deficit at 31 March 2026. 

Principal assumptions 
Financial assumptions

Discount rate

Rate of compensation increase

Pension increases 

Inflation assumption

Discount rate

Rate of compensation increase

Pension increases 

Inflation assumption

* Rate dependent on employee and business unit.

Demographic assumptions

ROI
%

3.00

2.75

NI
%

3.90

3.60

France
%

1.86

1.00-4.00*

-

2.10-2.30

1.75

2.30

-

-

ROI
%

4.25

3.00

NI
%

4.60

3.75

France
%

3.12

1.00-4.00*

2014

GB
%

4.00

n/a

1.90-2.95

3.20

2013

GB
%

4.55

n/a

-

1.95-2.45

2.00

2.45

-

-

1.95-3.05

3.35

The most significant non-financial assumption is the assumed rate of longevity. This is based on standard actuarial tables, which for the BPP 
are known as SAPS Series 1. An allowance for future improvements in longevity has also been included. The following life expectancy 
assumptions have been used:

Current pensioners (at age 65) – males

Current pensioners (at age 65) – females

Future pensioners currently aged 45 (at 
age 65) – males

Future pensioners currently aged 45 (at 
age 65) – females

2014
ROI
Years

20.9

23.4

23.3

25.5

2014
NI
Years

22.2

24.9

24.0

26.4

2014
GB
Years

21.3

24.3

23.1

26.2

2013
ROI
Years

22.7

24.5

25.6

26.8

2013
NI
Years

22.0

25.0

23.3

26.6

2013
GB
Years

22.2

24.8

24.4

27.1

The mortality assumptions used to calculate the GB pension obligation were revised in 2014 following a mortality analysis carried out as part of 
the actuarial valuation of the BPP at 31 March 2013.

For the French arrangements mortality follows the INSEE 2012 tables. As benefits are paid on retirement, the mortality assumption is of much 
less significance for these arrangements than for the GB and Irish arrangements.

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

115

23.  Pensions (continued)

Principal assumptions (continued)
Sensitivities

Changes in assumptions used for determining retirement benefit costs and obligations may have a material impact on the consolidated income 
statement and balance sheet. The main assumptions are the discount rate, the rate of inflation and the assumed mortality rate. The following 
table provides an estimate of the potential impact of each of these variables on the principal pension plans.

Assumption

Change in
assumption

Impact on ROI
liabilities

Impact on NI
liabilities

Impact on France
liabilities

Impact on GB
liabilities

Discount rate

Increase by 0.5%

Decrease by £8.0m Decrease by £3.1m Decrease by £0.2m Decrease by £54.1m

Decrease by 0.5%

Increase by £9.4m

Increase by £3.1m

Increase by £0.2m

Increase by £63.0m

Inflation rate

Increase by 0.25%*

Increase by £2.1m

Increase by £0.8m

n/a

Decrease by 0.25%* Decrease by £2.0m Decrease by £0.8m n/a

Longevity rates

Increase by 1 year

Increase by £1.2m

Increase by £0.9m

n/a

Increase by £25.2m

Decrease by £19.4m

Increase by £20.3m

*   The sensitivity to inflation assumption includes corresponding changes to future salary (applicable only to France) and future pension increase assumptions.
Net benefit income/(expense)

Current service cost

Net interest on net defined benefit asset/(liability)

Curtailment gain

Settlement gain

Net income/(expense)

Current service cost

Net interest on net defined benefit asset/(liability)

Settlement gain

Net income/(expense)

ROI
£m

(0.8)

(0.1)

0.4

-

(0.5)

ROI
£m

(0.8)

-

-

NI
£m

(0.1)

-

-

-

France
£m

(0.1)

(0.1)

-

-

(0.1)

(0.2)

NI
£m

(0.2)

-

-

France
£m

(0.1)

(0.1)

-

(0.2)

(0.8)

(0.2)

GB
£m

-

-

-

1.3

1.3

GB
£m

-

(0.1)

3.8

3.7

2014

Total
£m

(1.0)

(0.2)

0.4

1.3

0.5

2013

Total
£m

(1.1)

(0.2)

3.8

2.5

Other than stated below, the net income detailed above is recognised in arriving at net profit from continuing operations before tax and finance 
costs/income, and is included within cost of sales, selling and distribution costs and administration expenses.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements116 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

23.  Pensions (continued)

Taken to the statement of comprehensive income

Actual return on scheme assets

Less: Return on plan assets (excluding amounts 
included in net interest expense)

Gains/(losses) due to demographic assumptions

Losses due to financial assumptions

Experience gains

Remeasurement losses taken to the statement of 
comprehensive income

Actual return on scheme assets

Less: Return on plan assets (excluding amounts 
included in net interest expense)

Gains due to demographic assumptions

Gains/(losses) due to financial assumptions

Experience gains

Remeasurement gains/(losses) taken to the statement of 
comprehensive income

Net (liability)/asset

Present value of benefit obligation

Fair value of plan assets

Net (liability)/asset

Present value of benefit obligation

Fair value of plan assets

Net (liability)/asset

ROI
£m

8.5

(2.2)

6.3

4.3

(12.5)

0.4

(1.5)

ROI
£m

3.5

(2.4)

1.1

4.1

0.6

(0.6)

5.2

ROI
£m

(60.5)

58.0

(2.5)

ROI
£m

(54.8)

53.2

(1.6)

NI
£m

2.8

(1.2)

1.6

(0.2)

(3.3)

0.2

(1.7)

NI
£m

2.2

(1.2)

1.0

-

(1.7)

2.5

1.8

NI
£m

(30.5)

30.4

(0.1)

NI
£m

(26.6)

26.7

0.1

France
£m

-

-

-

-

(0.4)

-

(0.4)

France
£m

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

France
£m

(2.7)

-

(2.7)

France
£m

(2.2)

0.1

(2.1)

GB
£m

48.0

(25.1)

22.9

16.8

(48.4)

-

(8.7)

GB
£m

39.9

(23.9)

16.0

-

(59.7)

4.3

(39.4)

GB
£m

(598.7)

595.6

(3.1)

GB
£m

(562.4)

546.7

(15.7)

2014

Total
£m

59.3

(28.5)

30.8

20.9

(64.6)

0.6

(12.3)

2013

Total
£m

45.6

(27.5)

18.1

4.1

(60.8)

6.2

(32.4)

2014

Total
£m

(692.4)

684.0

(8.4)

2013

Total
£m

(646.0)

626.7

(19.3)

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

117

23.  Pensions (continued)

Movements in present value of benefit obligation

At 29 September 2013

Exchange differences

Curtailment gain

Settlement gain

Current service cost

Member contributions 

Interest cost on benefit obligation

Benefits paid

Remeasurement gains/(losses)

At 28 September 2014

ROI
£m

(54.8)

3.7

0.4

-

(0.8)

(0.2)

(2.2)

1.2

(7.8)

NI
£m

(26.6)

-

-

-

(0.1)

-

(1.2)

0.7

(3.3)

(60.5)

(30.5)

France
£m

GB
£m

2014

Total
£m

(2.2)

(562.4)

(646.0)

-

-

-

(0.1)

-

(0.1)

0.1

(0.4)

(2.7)

-

-

1.3

-

-

(25.1)

19.1

(31.6)

3.7

0.4

1.3

(1.0)

(0.2)

(28.6)

21.1

(43.1)

(598.7)

(692.4)

Weighted average duration of the liabilities 

23 years

20 years

14 years

22 years

At 30 September 2012

Exchange differences

Settlement gain

Current service cost

Member contributions 

Interest cost on benefit obligation

Benefits paid

Remeasurement gains/(losses)

At 29 September 2013

ROI
£m

(53.6)

(3.0)

-

(0.8)

(0.3)

(2.4)

1.2

4.1

NI
£m

(26.8)

-

-

(0.2)

-

(1.2)

0.8

0.8

(54.8)

(26.6)

France
£m

GB
£m

2013

Total
£m

(2.0)

(0.1)

-

(0.1)

-

(0.1)

0.1

-

(2.2)

(503.9)

(586.3)

-

3.8

-

-

(24.0)

17.1

(55.4)

(3.1)

3.8

(1.1)

(0.3)

(27.7)

19.2

(50.5)

(562.4)

(646.0)

Weighted average duration of the liabilities

22 years

20 years

14 years

22 years

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements118 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

23.  Pensions (continued)

Movements in fair value of plan assets

At 29 September 2013

Exchange differences

Interest income on plan assets

Return on scheme assets excluding interest income

Employer contributions

Member contributions 

Benefits paid

At 28 September 2014

At 30 September 2012

Exchange differences

Interest income on plan assets

Return on scheme assets excluding interest income

Employer contributions

Member contributions 

Benefits paid

At 29 September 2013

ROI
£m

53.2

(3.4)

2.1

6.3

0.8

0.2

(1.2)

58.0

ROI
£m

47.2

2.6

2.4

1.1

0.8

0.3

(1.2)

53.2

NI
£m

26.7

-

1.2

1.6

1.6

-

(0.7)

30.4

NI
£m

23.8

-

1.2

1.0

1.5

-

(0.8)

26.7

France
£m

0.1

-

-

-

-

-

(0.1)

-

France
£m

0.2

-

-

-

-

-

(0.1)

0.1

GB
£m

546.7

-

25.1

22.9

20.0

-

(19.1)

595.6

GB
£m

511.4

-

23.9

16.0

12.5

-

(17.1)

546.7

2014

Total
£m

626.7

(3.4)

28.4

30.8

22.4

0.2

(21.1)

684.0

2013

Total
£m

582.6

2.6

27.5

18.1

14.8

0.3

(19.2)

626.7

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

119

23. Pensions (continued)

Categories of scheme assets as a percentage of the fair value of total scheme assets

UK equities

Overseas equities

Properties

Corporate bonds

Fixed interest gilts

Index linked gilts

Cash and other assets

Total

UK equities

Overseas equities

Properties

Corporate bonds

Fixed interest gilts

Index linked gilts

Cash and other assets

Total

ROI
£m

0.9

23.9

-

-

29.3

-

3.9

58.0

ROI
£m

1.4

29.3

-

-

21.9

-

0.6

53.2

NI
£m

7.4

7.6

-

4.6

4.6

6.1

0.1

30.4

NI
£m

6.8

6.9

-

3.8

3.8

5.0

0.4

26.7

France
£m

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

France
£m

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.1

0.1

GB
£m

98.8

47.5

5.5

196.2

-

245.7

1.9

595.6

GB
£m

118.6

106.7

7.6

142.1

18.0

150.6

3.1

546.7

2014

Total
£m

107.1

79.0

5.5

200.8

33.9

251.8

5.9

684.0

2013

Total
£m

126.8

142.9

7.6

145.9

43.7

155.6

4.2

626.7

2014

Total
%

16

11

1

29

5

37

1

100

2013

Total
%

20

23

1

23

7

25

1

100

The fair values of the above equity and debt instruments are determined based on quoted market prices in active markets whereas the fair 
values of properties are not based on quoted market prices.

Normal contributions of £0.8m are expected to be paid into the defined benefit pension schemes during the 2015 financial year.

Additional contributions of £21.5m are expected to be paid into the defined benefit pension schemes during the 2015 financial year, of which 
£16.5m is expected to be paid by the group and £5.0m by the partnership.

24. Trade and other payables (current) 

Trade payables

Other payables

Accruals and deferred income

Other taxes and social security

Trade payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on 60 - 90 day terms.

2014
£m

248.4

4.5

81.5

45.3

379.7

2013
£m

237.1

4.9

99.2

40.3

381.5

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements120 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

25. Financial risk management objectives and policies
Overview
The group’s principal financial instruments comprise derivatives, borrowings and overdrafts, and cash and cash equivalents. These financial 
instruments are used to manage interest rate and currency exposures, funding and liquidity requirements and share price exposure arising 
under the group’s employee incentive schemes. Other financial instruments which arise directly from the group’s operations include trade 
receivables and payables (see notes 18 and 24 respectively).

It is, and has always been, the group’s policy that no derivative is entered into for trading or speculative purposes.

The main risks arising from the group’s financial instruments are interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. Additionally, 
the group is exposed to commodity price risk and share price risk. The board of directors review and agree policies for managing these risks as 
summarised below.

Interest rate risk
The group’s policy is to manage its interest cost by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. The group’s policy is to have an average 
over the next three years of between 25% and 80% of its borrowings at fixed rates of interest. To manage this, the group enters into interest 
rate swaps, cross currency swaps and forward rate agreements to hedge underlying debt obligations. At 28 September 2014 after taking into 
account the effect of these instruments, approximately 75% of the group’s borrowings are at a fixed rate of interest (2013: 79%).

Interest rate risk table
The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, on the 
group’s profit before tax (through the impact on floating rate borrowings) and equity (through the change in fair values of applicable derivative 
instruments). 

2014

Sterling

Euro

2013

Sterling

Euro

Increase/
(decrease) in
basis points

Effect on
profit/(loss)
before tax
£m

Effect on
equity

£m

200

(200)

200

(200)

200

(200)

200

(200)

0.1

(0.1)

(0.2)

0.1

-

-

0.7

(0.8)

25.0

(29.1)

5.6

(6.5)

18.7

(22.1)

6.5

(7.6)

Foreign currency risk
Foreign currency risk is primarily in respect of exposure to fluctuations to the sterling-euro, sterling-US dollar and euro-US dollar rates of 
exchange. The group has operations in euro-denominated countries and finances these partly through the use of foreign currency borrowings 
and cross currency swaps which hedge the translation risk of net investments in foreign operations. Additionally cash generation from 
euro-denominated operations can be utilised to meet euro payment obligations in sterling denominated companies, providing a natural hedge.

The group also has transactional exposures arising from purchases of prime materials, capital expenditure and interest costs in currencies other 
than the functional currency of the individual group entities. Non functional currency purchases and interest costs are mainly in the currencies of 
US dollars and euros. As at 28 September 2014 the group has hedged 72% (2013: 65%) of forecast net exposures 12 months in advance 
using forward foreign exchange contracts.

Where funding is raised in a currency other than the currency ultimately required by the group, cross currency interest rate swaps are used to 
convert the cash flows to the required currency. These swaps have the same duration and other critical terms as the underlying borrowing.

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

121

25.   Financial risk management objectives and policies (continued)

Foreign currency risk (continued)
The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in the US dollar and euro exchange rates, with all other 
variables held constant, of the group’s profit before tax (due to changes in the fair value of monetary assets and liabilities) and the group’s equity 
(due to changes in fair value of forward exchange contracts).

2014

Sterling/euro

Sterling/US dollar

Euro/US dollar

2013

Sterling/euro

Sterling/US dollar

Euro/US dollar

Increase/
(decrease) in
currency rate
%

Effect on
profit
before tax
£m

10

(10)

10

(10)

10

(10)

10

(10)

10

(10)

10

(10)

(2.1)

2.1

(0.4)

0.4

(0.5)

0.5

(1.1)

1.1

(0.5)

0.5

(1.1)

1.1

Effect on
equity

£m

4.0

(4.0)

1.0

(1.0)

1.9

(1.9)

6.5

(6.5)

1.3

(1.3)

1.6

(1.6)

Credit risk
The group trades only with recognised creditworthy third parties. It is the group’s policy that all customers who wish to trade on credit terms are 
subject to credit verification procedures. In addition, receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with the result that the group’s 
exposure to bad debts is not significant. The maximum exposure is the carrying amount disclosed in note 18. For transactions that do not 
occur in the country of the relevant operating unit, the group does not offer credit terms without the approval of the Head of Finance Shared 
Services. There are no significant concentrations of credit risk within the group.

The group maintains a policy on counterparty credit exposures with banks and financial institutions arising from the use of derivatives and financial 
instruments. This policy restricts the investment of surplus funds and entering into derivatives to counterparties with a minimum credit rating maintained by 
either Moody’s, Standard & Poors or Fitch.  The level of exposure with counterparties at various ratings levels is also restricted under this policy. The level 
of exposure and the credit worthiness of the group’s banking counterparties is reviewed regularly to ensure compliance with this policy.

Commodity price risk
The main commodity price risk arises in the purchases of prime materials, being polyethylene terephthalate (PET), sugar, steel and frozen 
concentrated orange juice. Where it is considered commercially advantageous, the group enters into fixed price contracts with suppliers to 
hedge against unfavourable commodity price changes.

Share schemes equity price risk
The group operates several employee incentive share schemes. It has an exposure to the share price for the schemes in which shares are 
purchased in the market to satisfy the requirements of the plan. To hedge this risk the group has entered into a number of total return share 
swaps against schemes maturing in 2014.

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in the Britvic plc share price, with all other variables held 
constant, of the group’s profit before tax (due to changes in the fair value of the share swaps).

2014

2013

Increase/
(decrease) in
share price
%

Effect on
profit
before tax
£m

10

(10)

10

(10)

0.9

(0.9)

0.8

(0.8)

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements122 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

25. Financial risk management objectives and policies (continued)

Liquidity risk
The group monitors its risk of a shortage of funds using rolling cash flow forecasts. These forecasts consider the maturity of both its financial 
investments and financial assets (e.g. accounts receivable, other financial assets) and projected cash flows from operations. The objective of 
the group’s liquidity policy is to maintain a balance between continuity of funds and flexibility through the use of bank loans and overdrafts and 
long term private placement issuance. The bank loans entered into under the £400.0m bank facility are unsecured however £0.8m of 
outstanding Britvic France bank loans are secured. At 28 September 2014, £22.4m of the group’s debt will mature in less than one year (2013: 
£91.6m).

The table below summarises the maturity profile of the group’s financial liabilities at 28 September 2014 based on contractual undiscounted 
payments and receipts including interest:

2014

Bank loans 

Private placement notes

Derivatives hedging private placement notes - payments

Derivatives hedging private placement notes - receipts

Interest rate swap - payments

Interest rate swap - receipts

Trade and other payables (excluding other taxes and social security)

Finance leases

Other financial liabilities

2013

Bank loans 

Private placement notes

Derivatives hedging private placement notes - payments

Derivatives hedging private placement notes - receipts

Interest rate swap - payments

Interest rate swap - receipts

Trade and other payables (excluding other taxes and social security)

Finance leases

Other financial liabilities

Less than
1 year
£m

0.8

44.8

34.9

(42.0)

37.7

1.3

(0.2)

1.1

334.4

0.1

1.6

1 to 5
years
£m

0.6

360.0

272.1

(301.7)

330.4

0.4

-

0.4

-

0.2

-

> 5 years

Total

£m

-

277.7

226.8

(241.4)

263.1

-

-

-

-

-

-

£m

1.4

682.5

533.8

(585.1)

631.2

1.7

(0.2)

1.5

334.4

0.3

1.6

375.7

331.6

263.1

970.4

Less than
1 year
£m

0.2

113.2

67.9

(75.0)

106.1

1.6

(0.3)

1.3

341.2

0.2

1.4

1 to 5
years
£m

0.8

285.7

229.2

(256.4)

258.5

2.1

(0.3)

1.8

-

0.3

-

> 5 years

£m

0.1

253.4

215.7

(226.6)

242.5

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total

£m

1.1

652.3

512.8

(558.0)

607.1

3.7

(0.6)

3.1

341.2

0.5

1.4

450.4

261.4

242.6

954.4

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

123

25.   Financial risk management objectives and policies (continued)

Liquidity risk (continued)
In respect of the private placement notes, the periods when the cash flows are expected to occur (as shown by the tables above) and when 
they are expected to affect the consolidated income statement are the same.

Details with regard to derivative contracts are included in note 26.

All bank loans outstanding at year end were secured loans from inception.

Fair value

Hierarchy

The group uses the following valuation hierarchy to determine the carrying value of financial instruments that are measured at fair value:

Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

2014

Level 1

Level 2   - Derivatives used for hedging

- Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss

- Fair value of fixed rate borrowings

Level 3

Total

2013

Level 1

Level 2   - Derivatives used for hedging

- Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss

- Fair value of fixed rate borrowings

Level 3

Total

Assets
£m

Liabilities
£m

-

66.5

2.6

-

-

-

(9.6)

(1.9)

(584.5)

-

69.1

(596.0)

Assets
£m

-

74.0

1.3

-

-

Liabilities
£m

-

(8.5)

(2.9)

(572.6)

-

75.3

(584.0)

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements   
   
   
   
124 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

25. Financial risk management objectives and policies (continued)

Fair value (continued)
Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market, do not 
qualify as trading assets and have not been designated as either fair value through profit or loss or available for sale. Non-derivative financial 
liabilities are carried at amortised cost.

All derivatives are valued using valuation techniques with market observable inputs; this covers cross currency interest rate swaps, interest rate 
swaps, FX forwards, FX swaps and share swaps. The most frequently applied valuation techniques include forward pricing and swap models 
using present value calculations. In assessing the fair value of derivatives the non-performance risk of both Britvic and its derivative trading 
counterparties has been taken into consideration. Default credit risk has been measured and the potential impact on derivatives valuations 
quantified. As at 28 September 2014, the potential impact from non-performance risk on the fair value of the derivatives portfolio is not 
material.

As in the prior year, the carrying value of financial assets and liabilities disclosed in notes 18, 19, 22, 24 and 26 are considered to be reasonable 
approximations of their fair values, except for fixed rate borrowings which, at 28 September 2014, have a book value of £562.0m (2013: 
£540.1m) compared to a fair value £584.5m (2013: £572.6m).

The fair value of the group’s fixed rate interest-bearing borrowings and loans are determined by using discounted cash flow methods using 
discount rates that reflect the group’s borrowing rate as at the end of the reporting period. The own non-performance risk as at 28 September 
2014 was assessed to be insignificant.

Capital management

The group defines ‘capital’ as being net debt plus equity. The group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern and maintain an appropriate capital structure to balance the needs of the group to grow, whilst operating with 
sufficient headroom within its bank covenants.

The group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it, in light of changes in economic conditions. To maintain or adjust the 
capital structure, the group has a number of options available to it including modifying dividend payments to shareholders, returning capital to 
shareholders or issuing new shares. In this way, the group balances returns to shareholders between long term growth and current returns 
whilst maintaining capital discipline in relation to investing activities and taking any necessary action on costs to respond to the current 
environment.

The group monitors capital on the basis of the adjusted net debt/EBITDA ratio. Adjusted net debt is calculated as being the net of cash and 
cash equivalents, interest bearing loans and borrowings and the element of the fair value of interest rate currency swaps hedging the balance 
sheet value of the US private placement notes. Adjusted net debt is shown in note 30. The adjusted net debt/EBITDA ratio enables the group 
to plan its capital requirements in the medium term. The group uses this measure to provide useful information to financial institutions and 
investors.

26. Derivatives and hedge relationships
Derivatives not designated as part of hedge relationships

Interest rate swaps

The 2009 USPP cross currency swaps converted an amount of US dollar borrowings into a floating rate euro liability. To mitigate exposure to 
changes in euro interest rates on this liability, €75.0m of interest rate swaps were transacted. These 5-year fixed rate swaps had an effective 
start date of December 2010.

Share swaps

The group operates several employee incentive share schemes. It has an exposure to the share price for the schemes in which shares are 
purchased in the market to satisfy the requirements of the plan. To hedge this risk the group has entered into a number of total return share 
swaps against schemes maturing in 2014.

FX swaps

As part of operational cash management €127.4m of euro/sterling FX swaps were in existence at 28 September 2014 (2013: €82.5m).

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

125

26. Derivatives and hedge relationships (continued)

Hedging activities
The group has a number of derivative contracts which are designated as part of effective hedge relationships. These are included in other 
financial assets and liabilities as follows:

Consolidated balance sheet

Non-current assets: other financial assets

Fair value of the 2007 USD GBP cross currency fixed interest rate swaps¹

Fair value of the 2009 USD GBP cross currency floating interest rate swaps ³

Fair value of the 2009 GBP euro cross currency floating interest rate swaps ²

Current assets: other financial assets

Fair value of the 2007 USD GBP cross currency fixed interest rate swaps¹

Fair value of the 2009 USD GBP cross currency floating interest rate swaps ³

Fair value of forward currency contracts ¹

Fair value of share swaps

Current liabilities: other financial liabilities

Fair value of forward currency contracts ¹

Fair value of foreign exchange swaps

Fair value of interest rate swaps

Non-current liabilities: other financial liabilities

Fair value of the 2010 USD GBP cross currency fixed interest rate swaps¹

Fair value of the 2010 GBP euro cross currency fixed interest rate swaps ²

Fair value of the 2010 USD GBP cross currency floating interest rate swaps ³

Fair value of the 2014 USD GBP cross currency fixed interest rate swaps ¹

Fair value of interest rate swaps

¹   Instruments designated as part of a cash flow hedge relationship.

²   Instruments designated as part of a net investment hedge relationship.

³   Instruments designated as part of a fair value hedge relationship.

2014
£m

2013
£m

34.4

15.1

15.1

64.6

-

0.7

1.2

2.6

4.5

(1.5)

(0.1)

-

(1.6)

(4.9)

(0.2)

(0.9)

(2.1)

(1.8)

(9.9)

36.9

20.2

5.4

62.5

11.4

-

0.1

1.3

12.8

(1.2)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(1.4)

(4.9)

(1.6)

(0.8)

-

(2.7)

(10.0)

There have been no significant changes to derivative contracts designated as part of effective hedge relationships in the period. As at the 28 
September 2014 these hedging relationships are categorised as follows:

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements126 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

26. Derivatives and hedge relationships (continued)

Cash flow hedges

Forward currency contracts
The forward currency contracts hedge the expected future purchases in the period to October 2015 and have been assessed as part of 
effective cash flow hedge relationships as at 28 September 2014. All cash flows under forward currency contracts fall due within one year.

Cross currency interest rate swaps 

USD GBP cross currency interest rate swaps
The group has a number of cross currency interest rate swaps relating to the 2007, 2010 and 2014 USPP Notes. These cross currency interest 
rate swaps have the effect of fixing both the value of the USD borrowings into sterling and the rate of interest payable. The cross currency 
interest rate swaps are designated as part of a cash flow hedge relationship with the Notes.

The cross currency interest rate swaps were assessed to be highly effective hedges as at 28 September 2014.

Cash flows due under these cross currency interest rate swaps match the interest payment dates and maturity profile of the USPP Notes. The 
maturity profile of the USPP Notes can be seen in note 22.

Cash flow hedge net unrealised gains/(losses) and related deferred tax assets/(liabilities):

2014

Forward currency contracts

2007 cross currency swaps

2010 cross currency swaps

2014 cross currency swaps

2013

Forward currency contracts

2007 cross currency swaps

2010 cross currency swaps

2014 cross currency swaps

Fair value hedges

Net unrealised
gain/(loss) within equity
£m

Related deferred tax
asset/(liability)
£m

(0.3)

5.1

(1.4)

(1.4)

(0.1)

(1.0)

0.3

0.3

Net unrealised
gain/(loss) within equity
£m

Related deferred tax
asset/(liability)
£m

(1.2)

6.5

(1.9)

-

0.3

(1.3)

0.4

-

Cross currency interest rate swaps
The group has a number of cross currency interest rate swaps in respect of the 2009 and 2010 USPP Notes. These instruments swap the 
principal and interest from fixed rate US dollar into floating rate sterling (the ‘2009 and 2010 USD GBP cross currency interest rate swaps’). The 
cross currency interest rate swaps are designated as part of a fair value hedge relationship with the Notes.

The fair value movements on the 2009 and 2010 USD GBP cross currency interest rate instruments are recorded in the consolidated income 
statement, as is the fair value movement in the Notes. 

The cross currency interest rate swaps were assessed to be highly effective hedges as at 28 September 2014.

The decrease in fair value of the cross currency interest rate swaps of £4.5m (2013: £9.3m decrease) has been recognised in finance costs 
and offset with a similar gain on the borrowings. No ineffectiveness has been recognised in the consolidated income statement (2013: £nil).

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

127

26. Derivatives and hedge relationships (continued)

Net investment hedges

2009 and 2010 GBP EUR cross currency interest rate swaps

These instruments swap sterling liabilities arising from the 2009 and 2010 USD GBP cross currency interest rate swaps into euro liabilities and 
have been designated as part of effective hedges of the net investments in Britvic France and Britvic Ireland.

The GBP EUR cross currency interest rate swaps, along with the underlying loan instruments, are being used to hedge the group’s exposure to 
foreign exchange risk on these euro investments. Movements in the fair value of the GBP EUR cross currency interest rate swaps are taken to 
equity where they offset foreign exchange movements on the translation of the net investments in Britvic France and Britvic Ireland.

No ineffectiveness has been recognised in the consolidated income statement (2013: £nil).

Impact of derivatives and hedge relationships on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Amounts recycled to the income statement in respect of cash flow hedges

Forward currency contracts*

2007 cross currency interest rate swaps**

2010 cross currency interest rate swaps**

2014 cross currency interest rate swaps**

Gains/(losses) in the period in respect of cash flow hedges

Forward currency contracts

2007 cross currency interest rate swaps

2010 cross currency interest rate swaps

2014 cross currency interest rate swaps

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Movement on 2009 GBP euro cross currency interest rate swaps

Movement on 2010 GBP euro cross currency interest rate swaps

Exchange movements on translation of foreign operations

* Offsetting amounts recorded in cost of sales.

** Offsetting amounts recorded in finance costs.

2014
£m

2013
£m

(3.2)

12.5

0.5

0.7

10.5

4.1

(14.0)

-

(2.0)

(11.9)

9.7

1.4

(15.0)

(3.9)

0.6

(0.4)

(0.1)

-

0.1

0.1

(1.6)

0.1

-

(1.4)

(5.7)

(4.0)

9.7

-

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements128 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

27. Other liabilities

Current

Non-current

Firm commitment

A firm commitment exists in respect of the receipt of the 2009 and 2010 Notes. 

28. Provisions

At 30 September 2012

Provisions made during the year

Provisions utilised during the year

Exchange differences

At 29 September 2013

Provisions made during the year

Provisions utilised during the year

Unused amounts reversed

Unwinding of discount

Exchange differences

At 28 September 2014

Current

Non-current

Total

2014
£m

0.4

1.5

1.9

Restructuring
£m

Other
£m

-

11.4

(2.9)

(0.1)

8.4

6.7

(10.8)

(0.5)

-

-

3.8

3.8

-

3.8

2.4

-

(0.4)

0.1

2.1

-

(0.2)

-

0.1

(0.1)

1.9

0.3

1.6

1.9

2013
£m

-

1.9

1.9

Total
£m

2.4

11.4

(3.3)

-

10.5

6.7

(11.0)

(0.5)

0.1

(0.1)

5.7

4.1

1.6

5.7

Restructuring provisions
Restructuring provisions at 28 September 2014 and 29 September 2013, primarily relate to contract termination costs, consultation fees and 
employee termination benefits, recognised by the group following the implementation of cost initiatives announced in May 2013.

Other provisions
Other provisions at 28 September 2014 and 29 September 2013, primarily relate to onerous lease provisions that have arisen due to the exit of 
certain group premises, and the period over which these will be settled ranges from 2 to 9 years.

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

129

29. Share-based payments
The expense recognised for share-based payments in respect of employee services received during the 52 weeks ended 28 September 2014, 
including national insurance of £1.8m (2013: £1.1m) and dividend equivalents of £nil (2013: £nil), is £9.1m (2013: £6.2m). This expense arises 
from transactions which are expected to be equity-settled share-based payment transactions. 

The Britvic Share Incentive Plan (‘SIP’)
The SIP is an all-employee plan approved by HMRC. The plan allows for discretionary annual awards of free ordinary shares with a value of 3% 
of salary (subject to HMRC maximum limits) together with an offer of matching shares on the basis of one free matching share for each ordinary 
share purchased with a participant’s savings, up to a maximum of £50 (2013: £50) per four week pay period.  Employees are entitled to receive 
the annual free share award, where granted by the group, provided they are employed by the company on the last day of each financial year 
and on the award date. There are no cash settlement alternatives.

Awards made during the period are shown in the table below. The fair value of these awards is equivalent to the intrinsic value of the shares.

Annual free shares award

Matching shares award – 1 free share for every ordinary share purchased

2014
No. of shares

2013
No. of shares

-

-

115,377

185,563

The Britvic Executive Share Option Plan (‘Option Plan’)
The Option Plan allows for options to buy ordinary shares to be granted to selected employees. The option price is the average market price of 
Britvic plc’s shares on the three business days before the date of grant. Options become exercisable on the satisfaction of the performance 
condition and remain exercisable until ten years after the date of grant.

The performance condition requires average growth in EPS of 7% pa over a three year period in excess of the average growth in RPI over the 
same period for the options to vest in full.  If EPS growth averages 3% per annum in excess of RPI growth, 25% (2013: 25%) of the options will 
vest.  Straight-line apportionment will be applied between these two levels to determine the number of options that vest and no options will 
vest if average EPS growth is below the lower threshold.

In some circumstances, at the discretion of the company, an option holder who exercises his/her option may receive a cash payment rather 
than the ordinary shares under option.  The cash payment would be equal to the amount by which the market value of the ordinary shares 
under option exceeds the option price.  However, it is expected that this plan will be equity-settled and as a consequence has been accounted 
for as such.

The following table illustrates the movements in the number of share options during the period:

Outstanding at 30 September 2012

Granted during the period

Exercised during the period

Forfeited during the period

Lapsed during the period

Outstanding at 29 September 2013

Granted during the period

Exercised during the period

Forfeited during the period

Lapsed during the period

Outstanding at 28 September 2014

Exercisable at 28 September 2014

Number of
share 
options

10,440,020

1,583,878

(2,220,417)

(573,284)

(1,994,425)

7,235,772

858,126

(1,249,325)

(195,906)

(1,306,732)

5,341,935

1,700,841

Weighted 
average
exercise 
price
(pence)

318.0

427.5

253.7

367.7

364.4

347.1

664.5

281.9

400.2

464.6

383.9

255.5

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements130 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

29. Share-based payments (continued)

The Britvic Executive Share Option Plan (‘Option Plan’) (continued)
The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the period was 656.2p (2013: 491.1p).

The share options outstanding as at 28 September 2014 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 6.9 years (2013: 6.8 years) and 
the range of exercise prices was 221.0p – 664.5p (2013: 221.0p – 464.6p).

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the period was 127.6p (2013: 79.8p).

The fair value of equity-settled share options granted is estimated as at the date of grant using a binomial model, taking account of the terms 
and conditions upon which the options were granted.

The Britvic Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’)
The PSP allows for awards of ordinary shares or nil cost options to be made to selected employees with vesting subject to the satisfaction of a 
performance condition.  Different performance conditions apply to different groups of employees. Awards up to and including 2008 were made 
in respect of ordinary shares. Awards granted since 2009 have been in respect of nil cost options. Nil cost options become exercisable on the 
satisfaction of the performance conditions and remain exercisable until 10 years/7 years after the date of grant for employees based in the UK/
Ireland respectively.

The performance condition applying to the total number of awards granted to members of the senior leadership team during the current period 
is divided equally between the total shareholder return (‘TSR’) and return on invested capital (‘ROIC’) performance conditions described below. 

The TSR condition measures the company’s TSR relative to a comparator group (consisting of 18 companies) over a three year performance 
period.  The awards will not vest unless the company’s position in the comparator group is at least median.  At median 25% (2013: 25%) will 
vest, rising on a straight-line basis to 100% vesting at upper quartile.

For the award granted during the 52 weeks ended 28 September 2014, the ROIC performance condition requires the company’s ROIC to be 
at least 23.8% (2013: 21.5%) over the three year performance period for the award to vest in full. If ROIC is 23.4% (2013: 20.7%) over the 
performance period, 25% (2013: 25%) of the award will vest. Straight-line apportionment will be applied between these two levels to determine 
the percentage of awards that vest and no awards will vest if ROIC is below the lower threshold.

Awards granted to members of the senior management team vest solely subject to a performance condition which requires average growth in 
EPS of 7% pa over a three year period in excess of the growth in RPI over the same period for the awards to vest in full.  If EPS growth 
averages 3% pa in excess of RPI growth, 25% (2013: 25%) of the awards will vest.  Straight-line apportionment will be applied between these 
two levels to determine the number of awards that vest and no awards will vest if average EPS growth is below the lower threshold.

In some circumstances, at the discretion of the company, vested awards may be satisfied by a cash payment rather than a transfer of ordinary 
shares. However, it is expected that this plan will be equity-settled and as a consequence has been accounted for as such.

The following tables illustrate the movements in the number of shares and nil cost options during the period.

Outstanding at 30 September 2012 and 29 September 2013

Lapsed during the period

Outstanding at 28 September 2014

Number of
shares subject to
TSR condition

Number of
shares subject to
EPS condition

Number of
shares subject to
ROIC condition

52,625

-

52,625

194,176

(10,575)

183,601

52,622

-

52,622

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

131

29.   Share-based payments (continued)

The Britvic Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’) (continued)

Outstanding at 30 September 2012

Granted during the period

Forfeited during the period

Lapsed during the period

Outstanding at 29 September 2013

Granted during the period

Forfeited during the period

Lapsed during the period

Outstanding at 28 September 2014

Number of nil cost 
optionssubject to 
TSR condition

Number of nil cost 
options subject to
EPS condition

Number of nil cost
options subject to
ROIC condition

1,117,815

372,514

(116,080)

(353,192)

1,021,057

191,610

(49,450)

(299,594)

863,623

2,030,366

746,155

(244,435)

(578,173)

1,953,913

516,014

(148,530)

(468,851)

1,852,546

1,117,815

372,514

(116,080)

(353,192)

1,021,057

191,610

(49,450)

(299,594)

863,623

There were no nil cost options exercisable at 28 September 2014 (2013: nil).

The nil cost options outstanding as at 28 September 2014 had a weighted average remaining contracted life of 8.0 years (TSR condition) 
(2013: 8.2 years), 7.8 years (EPS condition) (2013: 8.3 years) and 8.0 years (ROIC condition) (2013: 8.2 years).

The weighted average fair value of nil cost options granted during the period was 355.9p (TSR condition) (2013: 203.1p), 624.2p (EPS 
condition) (2013: 381.5p) and 624.2p (ROIC condition) (2013: 250.2p).

Key assumptions used to determine the fair value of the options
The fair value of equity-settled shares and nil cost options granted is estimated as at the date of grant using separate models, taking account 
of the terms and conditions upon which the shares and nil cost options were granted. The fair value of the options subject to the TSR condition 
is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. The fair value of all other options is calculated using the share price at the date of grant, adjusted 
for dividends not received during the vesting period.

The following table lists the inputs to the model used in respect of the Option Plan and PSP awards granted during the 52 weeks ended 28 
September 2014. The comparative shows the inputs to the model used in respect of the awards granted during the 52 weeks ended 29 
September 2013.

Dividend yield (%)

Expected volatility (%)

Risk-free interest rate (%)

Expected life of option (years)

Share price at date of grant (pence)

Exercise price (pence)

2014

4.15

29.8

0.8

5.0

664.0

664.5

2013

4.45

32.2

0.8

5.0

421.0

427.5

The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may also not necessarily be the 
actual outcome.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements132 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

30. Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement
Analysis of net debt

Cash and cash equivalents

Bank overdrafts

Debt due within one year

Debt due after more than one year

Derivatives hedging the balance sheet debt *

Adjusted net debt

Cash and cash equivalents

Bank overdrafts

Debt due within one year

Debt due after more than one year

Derivatives hedging the balance sheet debt *

Adjusted net debt

2013

Cash flows

£m

94.0

(2.5)

(91.6)

(458.3)

(458.4)

56.1

(402.3)

£m

50.4

1.6

76.6

(105.8)

22.8

-

22.8

2012

Cash flows

£m

49.5

(1.9)

(0.6)

(558.7)

(511.7)

65.0

(446.7)

£m

44.4

(0.4)

0.9

-

44.9

-

44.9

Exchange
differences
£m

Other
movement
£m

(0.4)

0.2

11.4

6.6

17.8

(18.0)

(0.2)

-

-

(18.8)

17.6

(1.2)

-

(1.2)

Exchange
differences
£m

Other
movement
£m

0.1

(0.2)

(0.3)

9.0

8.6

(8.9)

(0.3)

-

-

(91.6)

91.4

(0.2)

-

(0.2)

2014

£m

144.0

(0.7)

(22.4)

(539.9)

(419.0)

38.1

(380.9)

2013

£m

94.0

(2.5)

(91.6)

(458.3)

(458.4)

56.1

(402.3)

*    Represents the element of the fair value of interest rate currency swaps hedging the balance sheet value of the Notes. This amount has been disclosed separately to 

demonstrate the impact of foreign exchange movements which are included in debt due after more than one year.

31. Commitments and contingencies
Operating lease commitments
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Within one year

After one year but not more than five years

After more than five years

Land and
buildings
£m

2.3

10.0

39.0

51.3

Other

£m

8.6

14.6

-

23.2

2014

Total

£m

10.9

24.6

39.0

74.5

Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

133

31.   Commitments and contingencies (continued)

Operating lease commitments (continued)

Within one year

After one year but not more than five years

After more than five years

Finance lease commitments
Future minimum lease payments under finance leases are as follows:

Within one year

After one year but not more than five years

More than five years

Land and
buildings
£m

3.2

14.9

41.0

59.1

Other

£m

8.4

17.0

-

25.4

2014
£m

0.1

0.2

-

0.3

2013

Total

£m

11.6

31.9

41.0

84.5

2013
£m

0.2

0.3

-

0.5

Due to the timing of the expiry of the finance lease commitments, there is no material difference between the total future minimum lease 
payments and their fair value.

Capital commitments
At 28 September 2014, the group has commitments of £3.6m (2013: £8.0m) relating to the acquisition of new plant and machinery.

Contingent liabilities
The group had no material contingent liabilities at 28 September 2014 (2013: none).

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements134 Financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

32. Related party disclosures
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Britvic plc and the subsidiaries listed in the table below. Particulars of 
dormant and non-trading subsidiaries which do not principally affect the group results have been excluded. A full list of all subsidiaries is 
annexed to the annual report submitted to Companies House.

Name

Directly held

Britannia Soft Drinks Limited

Britvic Finance No 2 Limited

Indirectly held

Principal activity

Holding company

Financing company

Country of  
incorporation

% equity
interest

England and Wales

Jersey

Britvic International Limited

Marketing and distribution of soft drinks

England and Wales

Britvic Soft Drinks Limited

Manufacture and sale of soft drinks

England and Wales

Britvic Irish Holdings Limited

Holding company

Republic of Ireland

Britvic Ireland Limited

Manufacture and marketing of soft drinks

Republic of Ireland

Britvic Northern Ireland Limited

Marketing and distribution of soft drinks

Republic of Ireland

Aquaporte Limited

Supply of water-coolers and bottled water

Republic of Ireland

Britvic Worldwide Brands Limited

Marketing and distribution of soft drinks

Republic of Ireland

Counterpoint Wholesale (Ireland) Limited

Wholesale of soft drinks to the licensed trade

Republic of Ireland

Counterpoint Wholesale (NI) Limited

Wholesale of soft drinks to the licensed trade

Northern Ireland

Britvic North America LLC

Marketing and distribution of soft drinks

Britvic France SNC

Fruité Entreprises SAS

Fruité SAS

Bricfruit SAS

Unisource SAS

Teisseire SAS

Holding partnership

Holding company

Manufacture and sale of soft drinks

Manufacture and sale of soft drinks

Manufacture and sale of soft drinks

Manufacture and sale of soft drinks

Teisseire Benelux SA

Marketing and distribution of soft drinks

Britvic Soft Drinks PTE Limited

Holding company

Britvic India Manufacturing Private Limited

Manufacture and sale of soft drinks

USA

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

Singapore

India

Key management personnel are deemed to be the executive and non-executive directors of the company and members of the Executive 
Committee. The compensation payable to key management in the period is detailed below.

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share-based payments

See note 8 for details of directors’ emoluments.

There were no other related party transactions requiring disclosure in these financial statements.

2014
£m

6.7

0.2

1.5

8.4

2013
£m

6.6

0.1

1.1

7.8

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Financial statements 
Company balance sheet
At 28 September 2014

135

Non-current assets

Investments in group undertakings

Other financial assets

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Deferred tax asset

Other financial assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Other financial liabilities

Other current liabilities

Net current assets/(liabilities)

Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Other financial liabilities

Other non-current liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Issued share capital

Share premium account

Own shares reserve

Share scheme reserve

Hedging reserve

Merger reserve

Retained earnings

Equity shareholders’ funds

Note

6

11

8

7

11

9

10

11

12

10

11

12

13,14

14

14

14

14

14

14

2014
£m

757.8

64.6

822.4

160.1

-

0.7

160.8

(65.3)

(26.1)

(0.1)

(0.4)

(91.9)

68.9

891.3

(539.1)

(9.9)

(1.5)

(550.5)

340.8

49.4

33.5

(2.9)

11.2

2.2

87.3

160.1

340.8

2013
£m

748.7

62.5

811.2

59.2

0.7

11.4

71.3

(69.8)

(117.9)

(0.1)

-

(187.8)

(116.5)

694.7

(457.2)

(10.0)

(1.9)

(469.1)

225.6

49.0

25.0

(1.1)

7.5

4.6

87.3

53.3

225.6

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 25 November 2014. They were signed on its behalf by:

Simon Litherland 
Chief Executive Officer 

John Gibney 
Chief Financial Officer

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
136

Financial statements 
Notes to the company financial statements

1.  Parent undertaking
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention except for the measurement of derivative instruments at fair value. 
They have been drawn up to comply with applicable accounting standards in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 

These accounts have been prepared under UK Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and present information about the company as an 
individual undertaking, and not about its group.

The company has taken advantage of the exemption permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to publish its individual profit 
and loss account and related notes.

The company is exempt from the requirements of Financial Reporting Standard No.1 (Revised) “Cash Flow Statements”.

2.  Accounting policies
Investments
The company recognises its investments in subsidiaries at cost less any provisions made for impairment.

In respect of FRS 20 ‘Share-based payment’, the company records an increase in its investment in subsidiaries to reflect the share-based 
compensation expense recorded by its subsidiaries.

Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Interest bearing loans and borrowings are initially recognised at fair value less directly attributable transaction costs and are subsequently 
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method or at fair value.

Finance costs arising from the outstanding loan balance and finance charges are charged to the profit and loss account using an effective 
interest rate method.

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in 
foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. All differences are taken to the profit and loss 
account. 

Issued share capital 
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. 

Dividends
Dividend income is recognised when the company’s right to receive payment is established. Final dividends are recorded in the financial 
statements in the period in which they are approved by the company’s shareholders. Interim dividends are recorded in the period in which they 
are declared.

Deferred taxation
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised, subject to certain exceptions, in respect of all material timing differences between the 
recognition of gains and losses in the financial statements and for tax purposes. Those timing differences recognised include accelerated 
capital allowances, unrelieved tax losses and short term timing differences. Timing differences not recognised include those relating to the 
revaluation of fixed assets in the absence of a commitment to sell the assets, the gain on sale of assets rolled into replacement assets and the 
distribution of profits from overseas subsidiaries in the absence of any commitment by the subsidiary to make the distribution.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is regarded as more likely than not that they will be recovered and to the extent that it is 
regarded as probable that future taxable profits will be available against which temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred tax is measured on a non-discounted basis at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which timing differences 
reverse, based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Financial statements Notes to the company financial statements (continued)

137

2. Accounting policies (continued)

Derivative financial instruments and hedging 
The company uses cross currency interest rate swaps to hedge its risks associated with foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations classified as 
cash flow hedges (when hedging exposure to variability in cash flows that is either attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognised 
asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction). All derivative financial instruments are initially recognised and subsequently re-measured 
at fair value. Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities when the fair value is negative. 

For those derivatives designated as hedges and for which hedge accounting is desired, the hedging relationship is documented at its inception. 
This documentation identifies the hedging instrument, the hedged item or transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged and how 
effectiveness will be measured throughout its duration. Such hedges are expected at inception to be highly effective.

Any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are taken to the profit and loss 
account. The treatment of gains and losses arising from revaluing interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments is as follows: 

For cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognised directly in equity, while the ineffective 
portion is recognised in the profit and loss account. Amounts taken to equity are transferred to the profit and loss account when the hedged 
transaction affects profit or loss, such as when a forecast sale or purchase occurs.

If a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, amounts previously recognised in equity are transferred to the profit and loss account. If 
the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised without replacement or rollover, or if its designation as a hedge is revoked, 
amounts previously recognised in equity remain in equity until the forecast transaction occurs and are transferred to the profit and loss account. 
If the related transaction is not expected to occur, the amount is taken to the profit and loss account. 

For fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the fair value of the hedging instrument is recognised in the profit and loss account. The gain or loss 
on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk shall adjust the carrying amount of the hedged item and be recognised in the profit and loss 
account. If the hedge relationship was ineffective the hedged item would no longer be adjusted and the fair value gain or loss on the hedging 
instrument would continue to be recorded in the profit and loss account.

3.  Auditor’s remuneration
Auditor’s remuneration has been borne by another group undertaking. For further details, refer to note 7 of the consolidated financial statements.

4.  Profit of the company
The company made a profit of £152.3m in the period (2013: profit £23.4m).

5.  Directors’ remuneration
The remuneration of the directors of the company is borne by another group company.

Directors’ emoluments

Aggregate gains made by directors on exercise of options

Number of directors accruing benefits under defined benefit schemes

6.  Investments in group undertakings

Cost and net book value at the beginning of the period

Capital contribution

Cost and net book value at the end of the period

2014
£m

2.5

1.5

2014
£m

-

2014
£m

748.7

9.1

757.8

2013
£m

2.7

-

2013
£m

-

2013
£m

742.5

6.2

748.7

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements138 Financial statements Notes to the company financial statements (continued)

6. Investments in group undertakings (continued)

The following is a list of the principal subsidiary undertakings of which Britvic plc is, either directly or through subsidiary companies, the 
beneficial owner of the whole of the equity share capital. Particulars of dormant and non-trading subsidiaries have been excluded.

Name

Directly held

Britannia Soft Drinks Limited

Britvic Finance No 2 Limited

Indirectly held

Principal activity

Holding company

Financing company

Country of 
incorporation

% equity 
interest

England and Wales

Jersey

Britvic International Limited

Marketing and distribution of soft drinks

England and Wales

Britvic Soft Drinks Limited

Manufacture and sale of soft drinks

Britvic Irish Holdings Limited

Holding company

England and Wales

Republic of Ireland

Britvic Ireland Limited

Manufacture and marketing of soft drinks

Republic of Ireland

Britvic Northern Ireland Limited

Marketing and distribution of soft drinks

Republic of Ireland

Aquaporte Limited

Supply of water-coolers and bottled water

Republic of Ireland

Britvic Worldwide Brands Limited

Marketing and distribution of soft drinks

Republic of Ireland

Counterpoint Wholesale (Ireland) Limited

Wholesale of soft drinks to the licensed trade

Republic of Ireland

Counterpoint Wholesale (NI) Limited

Wholesale of soft drinks to the licensed trade

Northern Ireland

Britvic North America LLC

Marketing and distribution of Soft drinks

Britvic France SNC

Fruité Entreprises SAS

Fruité SAS

Bricfruit SAS

Unisource SAS

Teisseire SAS

Holding partnership

Holding company

Manufacture and sale of soft drinks

Manufacture and sale of soft drinks

Manufacture and sale of soft drinks

Manufacture and sale of soft drinks

Teisseire Benelux SA

Marketing and distribution of soft drinks

Britvic Soft Drinks PTE Limited

Holding company

Britvic India Manufacturing Private Limited

Manufacture and sale of soft drinks

USA

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

Singapore

India

7.  Deferred tax

Opening balance

Profit and loss account

Closing balance

Analysed as tax on timing differences related to:

Other

8.  Trade and other receivables

Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings

2014
£m

0.7

(0.7)

-

-

2014
£m

160.1

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

2013
£m

0.9

(0.2)

0.7

0.7

2013
£m

59.2

Financial statements Notes to the company financial statements (continued)

139

9.  Trade and other payables

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings

Accruals and deferred income

10.  Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Current

Bank overdrafts

Private placement notes

Unamortised issue costs

Total current

Non-current

Private placement notes

Unamortised issue costs

Total non-current

2014
£m

(62.9)

(2.4)

(65.3)

2014
£m

(4.6)

(21.8)

0.3

(26.1)

(540.1)

1.0

(539.1)

2013
£m

(68.7)

(1.1)

(69.8)

2013
£m

(26.7)

(92.1)

0.9

(117.9)

(459.1)

1.9

(457.2)

Private placement notes
The group holds loan notes with coupons and maturities as shown in the following table:

Year issued

Maturity date

Amount

Interest terms

2007

2007

2009

2010

2010

2014

2014

February 2019

February 2017 – February 2019

December 2014 – December 2019

December 2017

December 2017 – December 2022

February 2021 – February 2024

February 2024 – February 2026

£13m

$273m

$250m

£7.5m

$163m

£35m

$114m

UK£ fixed at 5.94%

US$ fixed at 5.90% - 6.00%

US$ fixed at 4.07% - 5.24%

UK£ fixed at 3.74%

US$ fixed at 3.45% - 4.14%

UK£ fixed at 3.40% - 3.92%

US$ fixed at 4.09% - 4.24%

The group entered into a number of cross-currency swap agreements in relation to the loan notes to manage any foreign exchange risk on 
interest rates or on the repayment of the principal borrowed. These swaps expire in line with the loan notes and are discussed in note 26.

See note 25 for an analysis of the interest rate profile and the maturity of the borrowings and related interest rate swaps.

Partial repayment of 2007 Notes

On 20 February 2014, in line with the maturity profile of the 2007 Notes, Britvic plc repaid US$102m (equivalent to £51.8m) and £25m of 
Senior Notes in the United States private placement market (USPP) using funds received from the issuance of 2014 Notes (see below).

Issue of 2014 Notes

On 20 February 2014, Britvic plc issued US$114m (equivalent to £70.8m) and £35m of Senior Notes in the United States private placement 
market (the ‘2014 Notes’). The proceeds from the 2014 Notes were principally used to repay amounts due in relation to the maturity of certain 
tranches of the 2007 Notes. 

Issue costs of £0.4m incurred in the period relate to the issue of the 2014 Notes.

The 2014 Notes are unsecured and rank pari passu in right of repayment with other senior unsecured indebtedness of the group.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements140

Financial statements Notes to the company financial statements (continued)

11.   Other financial asset and financial liabilities

Other financial assets: non-current

Cross currency interest rate swaps relating to the 2007 Notes

Cross currency interest rate swaps relating to the 2009 Notes

Other financial assets: current

Cross currency interest rate swaps relating to the 2007 Notes

Cross currency interest rate swaps relating to the 2009 Notes

Other financial liabilities: current

Foreign exchange swaps

Interest rate swaps

Other financial liabilities: non-current

Cross currency interest rate swaps relating to the 2010 Notes

Cross currency interest rate swaps relating to the 2014 Notes

Interest rate swaps

12.   Other non-current liabilities

Current

Non-current

Firm commitment

2014
£m

34.4

30.2

64.6

-

0.7

0.7

(0.1)

-

(0.1)

(6.0)

(2.1)

(1.8)

(9.9)

2014
£m

0.4

1.5

1.9

2013
£m

36.9

25.6

62.5

11.4

-

11.4

-

(0.1)

(0.1)

(7.3)

-

(2.7)

(10.0)

2013
£m

-

1.9

1.9

A firm commitment exists in respect of the receipt of the 2009 and 2010 Notes. 

13.   Issued share capital
The issued share capital is wholly comprised of ordinary shares carrying one voting right each. The nominal value of each ordinary share is 
£0.20. There are no restrictions placed on the distribution of dividends, or the return of capital on a winding up or otherwise. 

Issued, called up and fully paid ordinary shares 

No. of shares

Value
£

At 30 September 2012

Shares issued

At 29 September 2013

Shares issued 

At 28 September 2014

242,344,551

48,468,910

2,746,477

549,295

245,091,028 

49,018,205 

2,138,087

427,618

247,229,115

49,445,823

Of the issued and fully paid ordinary shares, shares 409,725 (2013: 231,547 shares) are own shares held by an employee benefit trust. This 
equates to £81,945 (2013: £46,309) at £0.20 par value of each ordinary share. These shares are held for the purpose of satisfying the share 
schemes detailed in note 29.

An explanation of the group’s capital management process and objectives is set out in note 25 of the consolidated accounts.

Financial statements Notes to the company financial statements (continued)

141

14.   Reconciliation of movement in equity shareholders’ funds

Issued 
share 
capital
£m

Share 
premium 
account
£m

Own 
shares 
reserve
£m

Share 
scheme 
reserve
£m

49.0

-

0.4

-

-

-

-

25.0

-

8.5

-

-

-

-

(1.1)

-

(5.4)

3.6

-

-

-

7.5

-

-

(3.5)

7.2

-

-

At 29 September 2013

Profit for the year

Issue of shares

Own shares utilised 
for share schemes

Movement in share 
based schemes

Movement in cash flow 
hedges

Payment of dividend

At 28 September 2014

49.4

33.5

(2.9)

11.2

15.   Dividends paid and proposed

Declared and paid during the period

Equity dividends on ordinary shares

  Final dividend for 2013: 13.0p per share (2012: 12.4p per share)

Interim dividend for 2014: 6.1p per share (2013: 5.4p per share)

Dividends paid

Proposed 

  Final dividend for 2014: 14.8p per share (2013: 13.0p per share)

16.   Contingent liabilities
The company is co-guarantor of the group’s bank loan and overdraft facilities.

Hedging 
reserve

 Merger 
reserve

Retained 
earnings

£m

4.6

-

-

-

-

(2.4)

-

2.2

£m

87.3

-

-

-

-

-

-

87.3

£m

53.3

152.3

-

1.3

-

-

(46.8)

160.1

2014
£m

31.8

15.0

46.8

36.3

Total

£m

225.6

152.3

3.5

1.4

7.2

(2.4)

(46.8)

340.8

2013
£m

29.6

12.9

42.5

31.7

17.   Related party transactions
The company has taken advantage of the exemption under FRS 8 available to a parent company not to disclose transactions with its wholly 
owned subsidiaries within its financial statements.

Financial statementsOther informationStrategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements 
142

04  Other 

information

143 Shareholder information

Other information

Other information 

143

Shareholder information

Shareholder profile as at 28 September 2014

Range of holdings

Number of Holdings

Percentage of 
total holdings

Ordinary shares 
(million)

Percentage 
Issued capital

1-199

200-499

500-999

1000-4999

5000-9999

10000-49999

50000-99999

100000-499999

500000-999999

1000000 Plus

Totals

223

271

431

986

215

182

73

136

27

54

8.58%

10.43%

16.59%

37.95%

8.28%

7.01%

2.81%

5.23%

1.04%

2.08%

2,598

100.00%

14,925

88,615

301,021

2,083,419

1,405,068

4,244,450

5,275,130

31,132,066

19,154,521

183,529,900

247,229,115

0.01%

0.04%

0.12%

0.84%

0.57%

1.72%

2.13%

12.59%

7.75%

74.23%

100.00%

Category

Number of Holdings

Percentage of 
total Holdings

Ordinary shares
(million)

Percentage of 
issued share capital

Private Individuals

Nominee

Limited Company

Other Organisation

Pension Fund, Insurance Companies 
and Banks

Total

2014 Dividends

Interim

Final

1,592

531

420

52

3

2,598

61.28%

20.43%

16.17%

2.00%

0.12%

100.00%

4,652,642

201,568,721

27,495,265

13,388,715

123,772

247,229,115

1.88%

81.53%

11.12%

5.42%

0.05%

100.00%

O
t
h
e
r

i

n
f
o
m
a
t
i
o
n

Dividend mandates
Shareholders who wish dividends to be paid directly into a bank or 
building society account should contact the Registrar for a dividend 
mandate form or the form can be downloaded from the company’s 
website www.britvic.com/investor-centre/shareholder-centre/dividends

This method of payment removes the risk of delay or loss of dividend 
cheques in the post and ensures that your account is credited on the 
due date. 

Dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) 
Shareholders can choose to reinvest dividends received to purchase 
further shares in the company through the company’s DRIP. A DRIP 
application form is available via the Registrar or for download from 
the company’s website www.britvic.com/investor-centre/
shareholder-centre/dividends

Payment Date

11 July 2014

6 February 2015

Amount per share

6.1p

14.8p

Share dealing services
The company’s Registrar, Equiniti Financial Services Limited, offer a 
telephone and internet dealing service, Shareview, which provides a 
simple and convenient way of buying and selling shares. For 
telephone dealings call 08456 037 037 between 8.00am and 
4.30pm, Monday to Friday, and for internet dealings log onto www.
shareview.co.uk/dealing 

Individual Savings Accounts 
(ISAs) 
ISAs in Britvic plc ordinary shares are available through Equiniti 
Financial Services Limited. Further information may be obtained 
through their ISA Helpline, telephone 0845 300 0430. 

Financial statementsStrategic reportGovernance 
144 Other information Shareholder information continued

Electronic communications
Shareholders can elect to receive shareholder documents 
electronically by registering with Shareview at www.shareview.co.uk 
This will save on printing and distribution costs, creating 
environmental benefits. When you register, you will be sent an email 
notification to say when shareholder documents are available on our 
website and you will be provided with a link to that information. When 
registering, you will need your shareholder reference number which 
can be found on your share certificate or proxy form. Please contact 
Equiniti if you require any assistance or further information.

Contacts
The Company Secretary is Clare Thomas. The registered office is 
Breakspear Park, Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire 
HP2 4TZ, telephone +44 (0)1442 284411, fax +44 (0)1442 284402, 
website www.britvic.com 

Shareholder inquiries to the Company Secretary may also be 
submitted to company.secretariat@britvic.co.uk

Investor Relations enquiries may be submitted to: www.britvic.com/
investor-centre

This report is available to download via the company’s website www.
britvic.com/investor-centre/results-and-presentations/2014

The company’s Registrar is Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, 
Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA, telephone 0871 384 2550* (UK 
callers), +44 121 415 7019 (non-UK callers).

*    For those with hearing difficulties, a textphone is available on 0871 384 2255 for 
UK callers with compatible equipment. Calls to 0871 numbers are charged at 8p 
per minute plus network extras.

American Depository Receipts 
(ADRs)
Britvic American Depository Receipts are traded on the Over The 
Counter (OTC) market under the symbol BTVCY. One ADR represents 
two Britvic plc ordinary shares. This is a sponsored Level 1 ADR 
programme for which The Bank of New York Mellon acts as both 
Depositary Bank and Registrar. For the issuance and management of 
ADRs and any general ADR questions, please contact:

The Bank of New York Mellon 
Investor Services 
P.O. Box 11258 
Church Street Station 
New York, NY 10286-1258  
USA

Investor Helpline:   +1-888-BNY-ADRs (USA caller, toll free) 

+1 201 680 6825 (non-USA caller)

Email: shrrelations@bnymellon.com

Website: http://www.bnymellon.com/shareowner

Warning to shareholders – boiler 
room fraud and other investment 
scams
Share or investment scams are often run from ‘boiler rooms’ where 
fraudsters cold-call investors offering them worthless, overpriced or 
even non-existent shares, or offer to buy their shares in a company at 
a higher price than the market value. Shareholders are advised to be 
very wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount, 
or offers of free reports about the company. Even seasoned investors 
have been caught out by such fraudsters and it is estimated that 
£200 million is lost in this way in the UK each year.

The FCA have some helpful information about such scams on their 
website, including tips to protect your savings and how to report a 
suspected investment scam. Britvic encourages shareholders to read 
the information on the site which can be accessed at www.fca.org.
uk/consumers/scams/investment-scams

Financial calendar 

Ex-dividend date

Record date

4 December 2014

5 December 2014

Annual general meeting

27 January 2015

Payment of final dividend

6 February 2015

Interim results announcement

20 May 2015

Britvic takes care of the environment by choosing pureprint ® environmental print technology. All the electricity used in the production of this report was generated from 
renewable sources and vegetable oil based inks were used throughout. The printer is a CarbonNeutral ® company and certificated to Environmental Management 
System, ISO 14001 and registered to EMAS, the Eco Management and Audit Scheme. 

The paper used in this production is made from 100% recycled waste with FSC® certification.

Designed by SG Design [sg-design.co.uk] Photography by Ben Fisher [benfisherphotography.com]

 
 
 
 
 
 
making life’s everyday 
moments more enjoyable

Britvic plc 
Breakspear Park 
Breakspear Way 
Hemel Hempstead 
HP2 4TZ

Tel: +44 (0)121 711 1102

www.britvic.com