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Britvic

bvic · LSE Consumer Cyclical
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Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Beverages - Non-Alcoholic
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2020 Annual Report · Britvic
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ENJOYING LIFE’S 
EVERYDAY MOMENTS

Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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0

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
2  Britvic in numbers
4  Our brands at a glance
6  Our response to COVID-19 
8  Market drivers
10  Business model
12  Strategy
14  Delivering value to our stakeholders
20  Promoting the success of the company
22  Chairman’s statement
24  Chief Executive Officer’s statement
28  Our four strategic pillars
32  Sustainable business
45  Streamlined Energy and Carbon 

Reporting (SECR)
47  TCFD framework
48  Chief Financial Officer’s review
52  Risk management
54  Principal risks and uncertainties
60  Viability statement

Corporate Governance
61  Chairman’s introduction
63  Corporate Governance Code compliance 

statement

64  Board of Directors
66  Group Executive team
67  Board leadership and company purpose
75  Division of responsibilities
77  Composition, succession and evaluation: 

Nomination Committee Report
82  Audit, risk and internal control: Audit 

Committee Report

87  Directors’ Remuneration Report
107 Directors’ Report
110  Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

2

BRITVIC IN 
NUMBERS

Financial Statements
111  Independent Auditor’s Report to the members 

of Britvic plc

120 Consolidated income statement
121  Consolidated statement of comprehensive 

income/(expense)

122 Consolidated balance sheet
123 Consolidated statement of cash flows
124  Consolidated statement of changes in equity
125 Notes to the consolidated financial statements
177 Company balance sheet
178 Company statement of changes in equity
179 Notes to the company financial statements

Cautionary note regarding forward- 
looking statements
This report 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.

Additional Information
187 Shareholder information
190 Non-GAAP reconciliations
IBC Glossary

22

CHAIRMAN’S 
STATEMENT

24

CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
OFFICER’S  
STATEMENT

AT BRITVIC, WE ARE DEDICATED 
TO GROWING OUR MUCH-LOVED 
BRANDS THROUGH CONTINUOUS 
INNOVATION ACROSS ALL OUR MARKETS. 
OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY 
IS INTEGRAL TO OUR BUSINESS 
STRATEGY, AS IS OUR PURPOSE, 
VISION AND VALUES-LED CULTURE. 
TOGETHER, WE STRIVE TO BE THE MOST 
DYNAMIC SOFT DRINKS COMPANY, 
CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW.

32

SUSTAINABLE 
BUSINESS

61

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE

48

CHIEF FINANCIAL 
OFFICER’S REVIEW

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Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

1

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Britvic in numbers

PERFORMANCE 

Revenue

£1,412.4m

(8.6%)

A robust performance, demonstrating the resilience of our 
business and the strength of our balance sheet, with progress 
against our strategic goals despite market challenges and 
unprecedented uncertainty.

Adjusted EBIT 

£165.8m

(22.6%)

Free cash flow 

£90.0m

+1.8%

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

1,412.4 

1,545.0 

1,503.6 

1,430.5 

1,431.3 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

165.8 

206.0 

205.5 

195.5 

186.1 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

90.0 

88.4 

39.7 

29.7 

(11.2)

Alignment to strategy

Alignment to strategy

Alignment to strategy

Why do we measure this?
Revenue growth measures our ability 
to increase price and/or increase the 
volume sold.

Why do we measure this?
Adjusted EBIT measures the underlying 
profitability of the company, excluding any 
one-off costs.

Performance
Revenue decreased by 8.6%, including 
the impact of foreign currency movements. 
Revenue, excluding the impact of currency, 
decreased by 6.8%.

Performance
Adjusted EBIT decreased by 22.6%, 
including the impact of foreign currency 
movements. Adjusted EBIT, which excludes 
the impact of currency, decreased by 21.9%.

Why do we measure this?
Free cash flow measures the cash 
generated by the business to fund 
payments to our shareholders and 
acquisitions.

Performance
Free cash flow was £90.0m, with the 
increase from 2019 primarily driven by 
reduced capital investment in response 
to the impact on cash inflows of 
COVID-19 restrictions. 

Profit after tax1

£94.6m

+16.9%

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Adjusted earnings per share

Dividend per share

43.2p

(27.8%)

94.6 

80.9 

117.1 

111.6 

114.5 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

21.6p

(28.0%)

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

43.2 

59.8 

56.3 

52.9 

49.3 

21.6 

30.0 

28.2 

26.5 

24.5 

Alignment to strategy

Alignment to strategy

Alignment to strategy

Why do we measure this?
Profit after tax is a statutory measure of 
financial performance which takes into 
account adjusted EBIT, interest, taxation 
and adjusting items. 

Why do we measure this?
Adjusted earnings per share measures 
the profit per share of the company and 
is used by investors to compare the 
performance of a company against peers.

Why do we measure this?
Dividend per share measure enables 
shareholders to calculate the amount 
of profit that is returned to them by the 
company in cash.

Performance
Profit after tax increased by 16.9%, 
reflecting the 22.6% decline in adjusted 
EBIT being offset by the 55.1% reduction 
in adjusting items.

Performance
Adjusted EPS declined 27.8% primarily due 
to the decline in adjusted EBIT.

Performance
DPS declined 28.0% due to the adjusted 
EPS decline and maintaining the 50% 
pay-out ratio.

1  Adjusting items includes restructuring costs of £12.9m, acquisition related amortisation of £8.8m, an impairment charge of £8.4m and other adjusting items of £5.4m. More detail provided 

on pages 48 − 51.

Alignment to strategy key

Build local favourites and global premium brands

Flavour billions of water occasions

2

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Healthier People, Healthier Planet

Innovate to access new spaces

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Non-financial information statement 
The information on this page and incorporated by cross-reference complies with the relevant non-financial reporting regulations. The content shown 
below fulfils the requirements under Section 414CB of the Companies Act for content on environmental matters, the company’s employees and 
social matters. Further information about targets, outcomes and impact in these areas can be found in the Sustainability section on pages 32 – 47. 
Content on human rights can be found on page 43. Content on anti-bribery and corruption and a description of the company’s approach to policy 
compliance can be found on page 108, and information on the company’s business model can be found on pages 10 – 11.

PEOPLE 

Employee wellbeing and support*

Women in leadership

Average calories per 250ml

78% & 81%

GB & Ireland

Brazil

78% 

81%

Percentage of employees who agreed that 
“Britvic cares about my wellbeing during this time.”

40%

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

25.5 kcal

40% †

38% 

33% 

33% 

35% 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

25.5 †

27.5 

31.3 

35.3 

36.0 

Alignment to strategy

Alignment to strategy

Alignment to strategy

Why do we measure this?
Measuring employee wellbeing helps 
the company ensure its employees 
feel physically and psychologically 
well at Britvic. 

Why do we measure this?
Measuring women in leadership helps 
the company track the diversity of its 
employee population as it aims for its 
employee base to reflect consumers, 
offer diverse ideas and fresh thinking 
to complete in today’s world.

Why do we measure this?
Providing healthier consumer choices 
is at the heart of the company’s strategy, 
measuring average calories per serve is 
a lead indicator of success in this area. 

Further information
Healthier People on pages 35 – 39

Further information
Employee engagement on page 39

Further information
Healthier consumer choices on page 35

PLANET

Manufacturing carbon 
intensity ratio

24.06 tCO2e/ ’000 
tonnes product**

Manufacturing energy from 
renewable sources

47%

Primary plastic packaging 
removed in GB through light-
weighting

539 tonnes

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

24.06 †

27.41 

26.64 

30.23 

30.02 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

47% †

46% 

28% 

18% 

7% 

2020

2019

2018

2017

539 †

646 

598 

308 

Alignment to strategy

Alignment to strategy

Alignment to strategy

Why do we measure this?
Measuring carbon intensity supports the 
company’s ambition for greater energy 
efficiency and its transition to a low 
carbon business.

Why do we measure this?
Measuring energy from renewable 
sources enables the company to track 
progress towards creating a low 
carbon economy.

Why do we measure this?
Measuring the reduction of plastic 
packaging tracks the company’s progress 
in waging war on waste. 

Further information
Climate action on page 45

Further information
Climate action on page 46

Further information
Packaging and the circular economy 
on page 42

*  The Great Place to Work (GPTW) survey was replaced by an employee pulse survey focused on the support and wellbeing of each of our employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
**  This is measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted per thousand tonnes of product produced.
†  Figure independently assured by Ernst & Young LLP as part of a limited assurance engagement.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Our brands at a glance

BRITVIC SETS ITSELF APART FROM COMPETITORS WITH AN 
UNRIVALLED COMBINATION OF MARKET LEADING BRANDS, 
A STRONG TRACK RECORD IN INNOVATION, EXPERT KNOWLEDGE 
OF THE SOFT DRINKS MARKET, LONGSTANDING RELATIONSHIPS 
WITH PARTNERS, INCLUDING PEPSICO, AND A HIGHLY TALENTED 
AND ENGAGED WORKFORCE.

ADULTS

FAMILIES

®

®

KIDS

PORTFOLIO

TM

4

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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VOLUME BY REGION

 Great Britain
 Brazil
 Rest of World

% share by 

region Million litres
1621.0
69%
251.0
11%
469.8
20%

REVENUE BY REGION

 Great Britain
 Brazil
 Rest of World

% share by 
region
63%
8%
29%

£m
884.9
113.1
414.4

From left to right
Aqua Libra, Ballygowan Activ+, Ballygowan 
Sparklingly Fruity, Ballygowan Still, Britvic Mixers, 
Cidona, Club Mixers, Drench, Energise Edge, 
Energise Sport, J2O, J2O Spritz, The London 
Essence Company, Mathieu Teisseire, Moulin de 
Valdonne, Natural Tea, Purdey’s, Puro Coco, 
Robinsons Fruit Cordial, Robinsons Refresh’d, 
R.White’s, Teisseire Gourmet Drops

From left to right
Ballygowan, Bela Ischia, C&C, Club Orange, Club 
Zero, Da Fruta, Maguary, MiWadi, MiWadi Mini, 
MiWadi 0% Sugar, Pressade, Robinsons, 
Robinsons Fruit Cordial, Robinsons Fruit 
Creations, Robinsons Refresh’d, Robinsons 
Squash’d, Tango, Teisseire, Teisseire Max, TK

From left to right
Ballygowan Kids, Fruit Shoot Hydro, Fruit Shoot 
Juiced, Maguary Fruit Shoot, Robinsons Fruit 
Shoot, Teisseire Fruit Shoot, Teisseire Fruit Shoot 
Au Jus

BRAND CONTRIBUTION BY REGION

From left to right
7UP, 7UP Free, Diet Pepsi, Gatorade, Lipton Ice 
Tea, Mountain Dew, Pepsi, Pepsi MAX, Rockstar 
Energy Drink, V Water

 Great Britain
 Brazil
 Rest of World

% share by 
region
69%
5%
26%

£m
351.0
24.6
129.6

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

5

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Our response to COVID-19

DECISIVE ACTION TO PROTECT 
OUR PEOPLE, DELIVER FOR OUR 
CUSTOMERS, SUPPORT OUR 
COMMUNITIES AND MAINTAIN 
OUR FINANCIAL STRENGTH

•  A company portal has been put in place so 
everyone can access the latest information 
for where they live, along with dedicated 
advice for employees in self-isolation, social 
distancing, working from home (including for 
those with childcare responsibilities), ways 
of working, travel and wellness.

•  For employees not already doing valuable 

work in our supply chain, we have 
provided one extra community day per 
month for them to support their local 
communities where safe to do so.

Delivering for our customers 
and consumers
We have been working collaboratively with 
suppliers and customers everywhere to ensure 
the continuity of supply of raw materials, to 
maintain the availability of our products in store 
and offer financial support where it is needed. 
We are proud to say we’ve maintained high 
service levels for customers throughout, which 
is a huge credit to the hard work, courage and 
determination of our supply chain team.

Protecting our employees
We have followed and implemented the 
World Health Organization and national 
government health measures in each of 
our markets. All employees classified as 
vulnerable, or with a vulnerable family 
member, were identified early on and 
special measures put in place to support 
and safeguard them. 

Where possible our employees have 

For our customers who were forced 

been working from home, using enabling 
technology solutions and working flexibly 
around their domestic circumstances. 

Our employees unable to work from 
home, primarily our factory-based supply 
chain teams, have proved to be an inspiration, 
working hard to maintain production levels and 
keep our products on customer shelves and in 
consumers’ fridges – all the while following 
government guidance and best practice in 
health and safety. From the beginning, we 
implemented both social distancing and 
elevated health measures, including 
temperature checking and additional cleaning 
regimes, to ensure the safety of our people. 
We have also put additional measures 
in place to support the health and wellbeing 
of all our employees in these uncertain 
times, including:

•  We have a 24/7 employee assistance 
programme – with access to free and 
confidential counselling and support, as 
well as financial and physical wellbeing 
advice.

•  A bank of volunteers within the business 
have taken on the role of Wellbeing 
Warriors – trained in all the support that 
Britvic offers and able to point employees 
in the direction of the right resources. 
We have also started training Mental 
Health First Aiders.

•  We have offered a series of ‘lunch and 

learn’ seminars focused on all aspects of 
wellbeing.

•  Every employee working as a key worker 
at our sites has been given a free case of 
product after every shift, and a free meal 
on every shift.

to temporarily shut down due to government 
restrictions, we joined the Morning 
Advertiser’s #UnitedWeStand campaign 
to support the trade and we converted our 
trade facing Sensational Drinks marketing 
portal into a one-stop shop for supporting 
the on-trade. The site now offers links to 
information regarding access to grants, 
mental health support, and information 
on how to keep equipment in working order 
during long periods of inactivity.

For our consumers, we developed 

Craft O’Clock – offering a new video every 
weekday on our Robinsons Facebook page 
to support creativity at home for families. 
We have shared these videos on international 
brand pages through MiWadi in Ireland and 
Fruit Shoot in the United States. 

I AM PROUD AND HUMBLED 
BY THE RESILIENCE AND 
DEDICATION SHOWN BY THE 
ENTIRE BRITVIC TEAM DURING 
THIS CHALLENGING AND, AT 
TIMES, HEARTBREAKING TIME. 
OUR PRIORITIES THROUGHOUT 
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAVE 
BEEN CLEAR: PROTECT OUR 
EMPLOYEES, DELIVER FOR OUR 
CUSTOMERS, SUPPORT OUR 
COMMUNITIES AND MAINTAIN 
OUR FINANCIAL STRENGTH.

SIMON LITHERLAND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BRITVIC

Throughout the pandemic, our 
number one priority at all times 
has been the health, safety and 
emotional wellbeing of our people 
– from those working on sites in 
our supply chain to those working 
at home. 

Alongside protecting our people, 
we feel a strong sense of duty to 
do what we can to support the 
communities we live and work in, 
and the customers we serve. We 
believe that we are all stronger 
together and to underline our 
commitment to doing our bit, 
we joined businesses across the 
country in March in signing up 
to the C-19 Business Pledge. The 
Pledge aimed to help the UK and 
its most vulnerable citizens 
pull through the coronavirus 
pandemic. Founded by former 
Cabinet Minister Justine 
Greening and entrepreneur 
David Harrison, the national 
scheme encourages businesses 
to join the COVID-19 effort by 
pledging to help their employees, 
customers and communities across 
Britain get through the pandemic.

6

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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•  We delivered products to local food banks, 
hospices and hospitals in Ireland, France 
and Brazil.

•  We donated products to hospitals in 

Gibraltar – and delivered more than 450 
cases of Teisseire 0% to 10 healthcare 
institutions in the Netherlands.
In February, when masks and hand sanitiser 
were not available in Singapore, we sent 
supplies to help keep bartenders safe.

• 

Alongside donating drinks, we’ve also tried 
to help in other ways, including sending 
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to 
medical staff in France, supporting the 
University of Hertfordshire’s production of 
hand sanitiser, and providing warehouses in 
Norwich for the storage and distribution of 
PPE and to put together care packages.

Maintaining our financial strength
Early in the pandemic, we believed it was 
important to communicate with investors 
and be transparent in our estimation of the 
impact of the pandemic on our business. 
On 23 March 2020 we updated the markets. 
We noted that the closure of on-trade outlets 
and restrictions in people movement in 
each of our markets would significantly 
affect consumption in bars, restaurants 
and on-the-go – and that we anticipated a 
material impact to the company’s revenue 
and earnings in 2020.

We outlined a number of actions we 
took to mitigate the profit impact through cost 
control and reduced discretionary spend – and 
that we were taking further action to ensure 
the security of our cash flow, while also 
seeking to give appropriate support to our 
customers and suppliers.

Looking ahead, we are well placed to 
manage through the continuing COVID-19 
pandemic and subsequent recovery for the 
following reasons:

•  Britvic is a multi-market, multi-channel 
business, operating in a highly resilient 
category.

•  We have an exceptional portfolio of 

well-known brands, most of which are 
number one or number two brands in 
their categories and are trusted, family 
favourites.

•  Our business is well invested, with 
a multi-site, flexible supply chain.

•  We have an amazing team of talented and 
committed people, who have built a track 
record of successfully dealing with change 
and volatility.

•  We are a liquid and cash generative 

business (for more information, see p.48).

1 million

DRINKS DONATED TO HOSPITALS, 
HOSPICES, CHARITIES, EMERGENCY 
SERVICES AND FOOD BANKS

Supporting our communities 
At Britvic, everyone across the business 
wanted to find a way to support people and 
communities to show that we care and that 
we’re stronger together. 

In March, we began sending drinks to 

hospitals, hospices, charities, emergency 
services and food banks – anywhere we 
thought they might bring a tiny smile on a 
tough day. Since then, we have donated 
more than one million drinks, in conjunction 
with PepsiCo.

As part of our donations, we were 

pleased to be able to support the NHS 
Nightingale hospitals. They were looking 
for donations and within 24 hours of being 
contacted, our people and partners had 
sourced 20 double-door chillers and 
transported them, along with 38,000 drinks, 
to NHS Nightingale London, the temporary 
hospital built at the ExCeL centre, less than 
two miles from our Beckton factory. This rose 
to more than 106,000 drinks in total and we 
then went on to support Nightingale hospitals 
in Manchester, Harrogate and Bristol.

Further examples of donations since 
March include:

•  Our Leeds factory has been sending 

drinks donations to a local community 
centre which has been making up 250 
food parcels a day to give to local people 
in need. The Leeds team has also donated 
drinks to Thomas Franks which is making 
up food parcels for the Yorkshire 
Ambulance Service.

•  We have donated drinks to Age UK’s food 

• 

and drink parcels for the elderly and 
vulnerable.
In GB, Ireland and the Channel Islands we 
have donated drinks to those key workers 
on the front line, including delivery drivers 
on their shifts.

WE ENTERED THE COVID-19 
CRISIS IN MARCH WITH 
STRONG MOMENTUM, HAVING 
DELIVERED A ROBUST FIRST 
HALF PERFORMANCE, AND WE 
HAVE CONTINUED TO PERFORM 
WELL IN THE CHANNELS WHICH 
REMAINED OPEN TO US. AS 
A BUSINESS AND AS A TEAM, 
WE HAVE REPEATEDLY 
DEMONSTRATED OUR AGILITY 
AS WELL AS OUR ABILITY TO 
SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE 
TOUGH HEADWINDS. WHILE 
THESE TIMES ARE CLEARLY 
UNPARALLELED, SOFT DRINKS 
HAS PROVEN ITSELF TO BE A 
RESILIENT CATEGORY TIME AND 
TIME AGAIN. CONSUMERS HAVE 
INCREASINGLY TURNED TO 
TRUSTED BRANDS DURING 
THE PANDEMIC, GIVING US 
CONFIDENCE THAT OUR  
LONG-TERM STRATEGY WILL 
CONTINUE TO CREATE VALUE 
FOR ALL OUR STAKEHOLDERS.

SIMON LITHERLAND
CEO BRITVIC

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

7

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Market drivers

Britvic’s insight team tracks the consumer and market trends 
impacting the soft drinks category. Here we highlight some of 
these key trends and how Britvic is leading the way to meet 
consumer demands.

RESPONSIBLE BRANDS
Protecting the environment is a priority for consumers, 
customers, investors, employees, and suppliers 

HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Sugar reduction and demand for more natural products are 
key drivers influencing soft drinks purchasing decisions

What’s happening?
•  As awareness and urgency around the climate challenge grows, and the impact 
of pollution, waste and resource overuse is seen around the world, people are 
increasingly interested in how companies behave, what sustainable choices 
they offer, and what they are doing more broadly to tackle the big issues. 
•  Organised climate protests around the world have drawn attention to the need 
for urgent action from nation states, the private sector and civil society to reach 
net zero emissions by 2050 in order to prevent a global temperature rise of more 
than 1.5°C.

•  Meanwhile the global plastics pollution challenge continues amid fears the 
response to this may be delayed by the onset of COVID-19. While plastic 
packaging is an integral part of the global economy, and it provides many 
benefits, the traditionally linear value chains currently represent environmental 
challenges. By 2050, projected growth in plastics production could lead, in a 
business-as-usual scenario, to the entire plastics industry consuming 20% 
of total oil production and accounting for 15% of the annual carbon budget.1 

What’s happening?
•  The most significant and persistent global megatrends affecting beverages 
continue to be the desire to live a healthier lifestyle and the shift towards 
natural ingredients, with sales of organic food and drinks in growth for eight 
consecutive years.3 

•  Removing perceived unhealthy ingredients, especially sugar, is increasingly 
important for consumers. According to Euromonitor’s international survey, 
sugar reduction is near or at the top of consumer concerns about food 
and beverage intake in every global region.4

•  Further, the importance of prevention, rather than treatment, of obesity is 

being reflected in government policy. 

•  COVID-19 has encouraged a more holistic view of health, with emotional 

and mental wellbeing, especially in the workplace, gaining parity alongside 
physical health.

The impact
•  Public health is increasingly seen as a societal challenge, with obesity and 

The impact
•  Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) businesses are increasingly focused 

on creating a more circular economy for resources, in the face of this 
mounting pressure from consumers and increased regulatory action, 
particularly in European markets. 

•  While shoppers still value convenience and price, 55% of consumers globally 

• 

say they will pay more for products that are better for the environment.2
•  The EU Single Use Plastics directive has enacted bans on certain plastic 

products and minimum levels of recycled content in others, and set tough 
targets for plastic bottle collection – encouraging countries without deposit 
return schemes to consider implementing them. The UK has committed to 
introducing a plastic packaging tax on material that does not contain 30% 
recycled content. 
In response, the food and drink industry is taking action – reducing the 
amount of plastic packaging in its products, and introducing pledges to 
make packaging reuseable, recyclable or compostable. 

• 

What we are doing 
•  Like our stakeholders, we are committed to protecting the environment. 
Our Healthier Planet ethos, which is a key tenet of our business strategy, 
is focused on protecting our planet through the thoughtful use of resources, 
for us and future generations.
In February 2020, Britvic secured its first sustainability linked credit facility, 
which links Britvic’s progress towards sustainability targets to the cost of the 
facility, with any consequent changes to the margin being donated to charities.

• 

•  Our carbon reduction targets have been independently verified by the 

Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) – Britvic is the first UK soft drinks 
company to have an approved 1.5 °C target. 

•  We entered into a long-term agreement with Esterform Packaging Limited 
for the supply of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). Britvic has 
provided a £5m investment support package for the construction of new 
rPET manufacturing facilities at Esterform’s site in North Yorkshire, UK.
In October 2020, Britvic announced its intent to make all plastic bottles 
in GB from 100% rPET by the end of 2022.

• 

1  World Economic Forum: The New Plastics Economy
2  Kantar Global Monitor 2019 

associated non-communicable diseases putting pressure on health services. 
Consequently, accountability for dealing with it is shifting from individuals to 
society with government-led interventions, whether through direct measures 
such as taxes like the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) and Sugar Sweetened 
Drinks Tax (SSDT), or by imposing restrictions and obligations on businesses.
In the EU, the Farm to Fork Strategy has prioritised the use of nutrient 
profiles to restrict the promotion of High in Fat, Salt and/or Sugar (HFSS) 
food and drink, and a harmonised approach to mandatory front-of-pack 
nutrition labelling.

•  The UK Government has recommitted to measures that restrict HFSS 

promotions in store and reduce the amount of advertising for these products 
that children see. 

What we are doing 
•  Our Healthier People ethos, which is embedded in our business strategy, 

is focused on our employees and our consumers. 

•  Across Britvic, we are dedicated to establishing an inclusive and diverse 
working environment where wellbeing is prioritised, and our people feel 
empowered to be themselves so they can thrive and grow in our highly 
dynamic workplace. 

•  For our consumers, we want to ensure that our products help all people 
enjoy life’s everyday moments, as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. 
Leading the industry in low and no calorie drinks, we offer consumers real 
choice through a portfolio led by great tasting drinks that are better for them. 
•  As an industry leader on health, we have taken bold steps to help consumers 

• 

make healthier choices and our Responsible Marketing Code means, where 
available, we will always promote no sugar options in our advertising.
In 2020, 75% of all volume sold globally (as consumed) were no/low calorie 
drinks, and in GB and Ireland, 97% of innovation activity in 2020 was in no/
low calorie drinks. 

3  Soil Association, Organic Market Report 2020
4  Euromonitor – Soft Drinks Global Industry Overview slide 26 

TO FIND OUT MORE, PLEASE SEE OUR STRATEGIC OVERVIEW ON PAGES 28 – 31

TO FIND OUT MORE, PLEASE SEE OUR STRATEGIC OVERVIEW ON PAGES 28 – 31

8

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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ELEVATED EXPERIENCES
A drive towards premium options and tailored experiences

ON-DEMAND LIVING
The retail landscape is adapting to consumer demand 
for convenience

What’s happening?
•  Shoppers are looking for higher-quality, better ingredients with authentic 

provenance, which is driving increasing demand for premium products. 
Indulgent snacks and drinks were among the fastest growing grocery products 
in 2019.5 

•  60% of people are looking for new experiences or sensations to liven up their 

everyday lives6, while COVID-19 has seen people increasingly looking for ways 
to create elevated experiences at home, at times when it is more difficult to 
socialise out of the home. 

What’s happening?
•  The traditional retail landscape continues to change. Consumers live busier 
lives and once-rigid routines are becoming more flexible. At the same time, 
choices available to people continue to multiply. They expect to find the right 
product, in the right place, at the right time. To capitalise on this expectation, 
retailers are seeking to capture as many shopper occasions as possible through 
consolidation and diversification (e.g. mini supermarkets in petrol stations 
and university campuses, coffee shops in clothes stores, convenience 
stores in hospitals).

•  The trend is being fuelled by an ageing population combined with rising global 
wealth and disposable income, prompting consumer demand for sophisticated 
propositions and new, tailored experiences. The economic impacts of 
COVID-19 will not halt this demand, as experience shows that in recessions 
consumers still want ‘treats’ so long as they provide value for money.7 

•  More consumers are shopping online. In 2019 online sales of ambient 
groceries in the UK rose to 7.9% of value8. This is particularly relevant 
for younger consumers (aged 25 – 34) who are enthusiastic about the 
convenience of having groceries delivered, with 61% of this group doing 
some online grocery shopping.9 

The impact
•  Adult soft drinks are a growing opportunity for manufacturers, representing 

a premium, attractive alternative for everyday consumption and on special 
occasions.

•  Craft and artisanal soft drinks products continue to gain momentum.
•  Plant-based formulations (e.g. coconut and other plant waters) with 

a premium, single-serve positioning are gaining popularity.

•  There is an increased availability of lower alcohol, alcohol free, and premium 

soft drinks which address the social, political and economic concerns 
associated with alcohol consumption and drive demand for no/low 
alcohol alternatives.

What we are doing 
•  Britvic is well placed to capitalise on the premiumisation trend, having 

invested significantly in premium innovations and brand extensions such as: 
Robinsons Cordials, Purdey’s natural energy multi-vitamin drink and our 
Mathieu Teisseire bartender range.

•  The biggest growth channel continues to be discounters, which are seen 
to be offering high-quality products at competitive prices – and will be 
increasingly important during the forthcoming economic turbulence 
brought on by COVID-19.

The impact
•  Online retailers, convenience stores and discounters are increasingly 

gaining relevance due to the convenience of shopping they provide paired 
with extensive choices and easy product-price comparison. In the UK in 
2019, online purchases delivered 9.6% of take home soft drinks value.10 
In the UK, discounters are projected to grow from their current 12% 
value share to above 20% by 2025 – some of this growth propelled 
by store openings.11

• 

What we are doing 
•  Britvic’s diverse portfolio and flexible supply chain capability, combined with 
our strong customer relationships, mean that we are well positioned to make 
the most of the evolving retailer landscape. 

•  Britvic’s incubator company, WiseHead Productions, super-premium and 

•  Our portfolio of brands means that we can deliver the range of products to 

naturally light London Essence Company tonics and sodas are now listed in 
34 markets and in more than 8,600 outlets globally.

5  Nielsen
6  Kantar Global Monitor 2019 
7  Mintel – Food and drink brands can learn from the 2008-09 recession 

meet retailer needs and satisfy the full range of consumer occasions.

•  The pandemic has triggered a step change in e-commerce growth. This was 
already an area of major focus for Britvic, and we have now reallocated even 
greater resources across our business units to further accelerate our 
progress. We have continued to build our presence online, both through the 
established home delivery routes of the major grocers, pureplay operators 
and through wholesaler platforms. We have outperformed online with retail 
value growth of 56% compared to category value growth of 48%, increasing 
our share to over 22% of online grocery sales12. 

8  Kantar, 2019 
9  Mintel research, 30 April 2020
10  Kantar, 2019
11  Kantar Omnichannel report 2020
12  Kantar Panel : Data wc 30/9/19 to 21/9/20

TO FIND OUT MORE, PLEASE SEE OUR STRATEGIC OVERVIEW ON PAGES 28 – 31

TO FIND OUT MORE, PLEASE SEE OUR STRATEGIC OVERVIEW ON PAGES 28 – 31

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

9

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Our value creation framework: 
Business model

BRITVIC IS A 
LEADING SUPPLIER 
OF SOFT DRINKS 
WITH A BROAD 
PORTFOLIO OF 
MARKET LEADING 
BRANDS. 

We make, market and sell 
our products in Great Britain, 
Brazil, France and Ireland. 
Elsewhere we have a commercial 
presence in markets such as 
the Netherlands, Belgium and 
the United States. In Great 
Britain and Ireland, we are 
a proud partner of PepsiCo, 
bottling, marketing and selling 
its range of brands alongside 
our owned brand portfolio.

Our model is underpinned by our 
Healthier People, Healthier Planet 
sustainable business strategy. Across the 
whole of Britvic, we are committed to 
promoting health, wellness and wellbeing, 
providing consumers with balanced 
lifestyle choices and protecting our planet 
through the responsible use of resources 
today to create a better tomorrow.

Our business model is 
underpinned by our commitment 
to the United Nations Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs)

SEE PAGE 33 FOR MORE 
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR 
ALIGNMENT TO OUR SDG GOALS

OVERVIEW

1

CONSUMER  
INSIGHT
The starting point of our business is a detailed 
understanding of how we can best meet 
the diverse requirements of our consumers 
and customers. We take a category approach 
to insight to build a longer-term view; 
understanding emerging trends and the wider 
context the category operates in, as well as 
current consumer needs. This enables us to 
build and develop brands that consumers love 
and deliver retail solutions that maximise the 
growth opportunity for our customers.

2

SOURCING 

Britvic is committed to producing high-
quality soft drinks that are sourced 
and manufactured in a fair, ethical and 
environmentally responsible way. Our team 
takes a global approach to sourcing the raw 
materials we need, and we spend hundreds of 
millions of pounds each year on ingredients and 
packaging in the manufacturing of our brands. 
Our main ingredients are fruit juice, flavour 
concentrates, water, sugar and low-calorie 
sweeteners. We offer a range of pack formats 
including rPET, PET, glass and aluminium. 

OUR SUSTAINABLE APPROACH
Our insight is underpinned by our Healthier 
People ambition to help consumers make 
informed and healthier choices. Through our 
consumer insight, we can understand what 
motivates consumers to make healthier 
choices and act accordingly.  

We work closely and in collaboration with our 
suppliers to understand the environmental 
and social footprint of our collective activities 
and drive efficient use of natural resources, 
which are the key aspects to addressing the 
climate challenge and reducing carbon 
emissions throughout the value chain.  

SEE PAGES 32 – 47 FOR MORE INFORMATION 
ABOUT OUR HEALTHIER PEOPLE, HEALTHIER 
PL ANET ETHOS

SEE PAGES 32 – 47 FOR MORE INFORMATION 
ABOUT OUR HEALTHIER PEOPLE, HEALTHIER 
PL ANET ETHOS

Underpinned by our sustainable business programme – Healthier People, Healthier Planet

THE VALUE WE 
CREATE FOR OUR 
STAKEHOLDERS

Shareholders 
Delivering Total Shareholder 
Returns (TSR) through 
dividends and share price 
movement. In 2020 our 
TSR was 14.6%.

Employees 
We provide jobs in a diverse 
and inclusive environment, 
creating local purchasing 
power. In 2020, £165.6m 
was paid in salaries 
and wages. 

Customers 
We build and maintain 
long-term, trusting 
relationships with our 
customers to co-create 
joint business plans and 
drive growth. 

10 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
 
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3

MANUFACTURING  
AND DISTRIBUTION
In each of our core markets we have our 
own factories where we manufacture 
most of our brands and these are operated 
to the highest standards. We are committed 
to ensuring our employees work in safe 
environments that support their health and 
wellbeing and we monitor this closely across 
all our markets. We also work with carefully 
selected manufacturing partners to produce 
our smaller brands, innovate on new 
packaging solutions and, during peak times, 
deliver additional capacity. We work with 
specialist transport companies to distribute 
our products rather than operate our own 
fleet of vehicles. 

 4

CUSTOMERS 

Our customers – retailers, wholesalers and 
licensed and leisure outlets – are all essential to 
our business as our main route to market, and 
as partners on joint business plans where we 
can create shared value with our category-led 
approach. We share our expertise with our 
customers to drive category growth. As befits 
these close partnerships, we engage regularly 
with customers through face-to-face meetings, 
conferences and events, webinars and hosting 
customer facing websites and online platforms. 
As well as day-to-day operational contact, we 
have regular reviews of joint business plans 
to ensure that we deliver beyond what is 
necessary to reach our shared goals.

5

MARKETING 
AND SALES
We invest in world class marketing to build 
brands that our consumers love. We have 
a track record of delivering award-winning 
advertising and marketing campaigns across 
multiple platforms, and this work is critical to 
the success of our own international portfolio 
of brands and the brands we bottle and market 
as part of our agreement with PepsiCo. Our 
marketing complies with all relevant Britvic 
policies, such as the Ethical Business Policy 
and our Responsible Marketing Code, which 
sets out the principles we adopt in all 
marketing and advertising activity globally.

We operate our factories to the highest 
standards, and we are committed to 
reducing the environmental impact of our 
manufacturing and distribution activity. We 
set targets related to water usage, waste 
and carbon emissions annually, through 
our Healthier People, Healthier Planet 
business ethos. 

We share a commitment with our customers 
to establish and drive a sustainable approach 
to business. We proactively engage with our 
customers to share knowledge and best 
practices across packaging innovation trends 
and create solutions to minimise the impact 
of our collective carbon footprint related to 
our operations.  

Our Healthier People, Healthier Planet 
ethos is embedded in our marketing 
strategies. Through clear and consistent 
campaigns and consumer labelling, we 
aim to increase consumer understanding 
of the need to create a circular economy 
for plastic and we always promote and 
market healthier options in line with our 
marketing code to encourage people to 
make healthier choices.

SEE PAGES 32 – 47 FOR MORE INFORMATION 
ABOUT OUR HEALTHIER PEOPLE, HEALTHIER 
PL ANET ETHOS

SEE PAGES 32 – 47 FOR MORE INFORMATION 
ABOUT OUR HEALTHIER PEOPLE, HEALTHIER 
PL ANET ETHOS

SEE PAGES 32 – 47 FOR MORE INFORMATION 
ABOUT OUR HEALTHIER PEOPLE, HEALTHIER 
PL ANET ETHOS

Consumers
Our purpose is dedicated 
to enjoying life’s everyday 
moments. We aim to produce 
great tasting drinks for multiple 
occasions to bring happiness to 
people in those moments.

Suppliers 
We engage with our local and 
national suppliers to address 
challenges and drive positive 
change through our procurement 
and supplier quality assurance 
teams and processes, as well as 
through conferences and training 
sessions for suppliers.

Trade associations 
Britvic plays an active role 
in promoting the growth, 
development and understanding 
of our business and the wider 
industry, and we are proud to 
work alongside and support a wide 
variety of relevant trade bodies and 
associations in our key markets.

Government 
We support the development of 
public infrastructure, healthcare, 
education and local services, 
through paying taxes in the 
markets where we operate. 
We seek to contribute proactively 
to relevant policy consultations 
and are committed to promoting 
health, wellness and wellbeing.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Our value creation framework: 
Strategy

WE WILL DELIVER ON 
OUR VISION THROUGH  
A CLEAR PURPOSE  
AND STRATEGY

LAST YEAR WE TOOK 
THE OPPORTUNITY TO 
EVOLVE OUR BUSINESS 
STRATEGY TO ENSURE 
IT CONTINUED TO ALIGN 
WITH THE CHANGING 
CONSUMER AND RETAIL 
LANDSCAPE. WE ARE 
CONFIDENT IN THIS 
STRATEGY, A GROWTH 
STRATEGY, THAT WILL 
STAND THE TEST OF 
TIME AND DELIVER 
EXCELLENT RETURNS 
IN THE FUTURE, AND 
WE BELIEVE THIS 
STRATEGY IS EVEN 
MORE RELEVANT IN 
LIGHT OF COVID-19.

OUR 
PURPOSE

OUR 
VISION 

Enjoying life’s 
everyday moments

Britvic is a purpose-driven organisation 
with a clear vision and a clear set of 
values. Our purpose, vision and values sit 
at the heart of our company, driving us 
forward together to achieve our strategic 
ambitions and create a better tomorrow.

At Britvic, our purpose is rooted in 
everyday life. It is our mission to bring joy 
to all people, everywhere, from all walks 
of life, through our beverages. There are 
so many tiny moments every day, and 
they can all be made more enjoyable 
with one of our delicious drinks.

Simon Litherland, CEO of Britvic plc, 
explains why our purpose is so important:

“Uniting behind a common purpose is 
a powerful driver of performance and 
culture. It’s a reason to exist, a reason 
to get up in the morning and get excited 
about what we’re trying to achieve as 
individuals and as a collective.

“The thought of people all over the world 
enjoying our drinks as part of their own 
special and totally unique everyday 
moments makes me smile.”

The most dynamic 
soft drinks 
company, creating 
a better tomorrow

At Britvic, our vision provides a clear 
view of the company we want to be. 
Our dynamism comes from our people 
whose unparalleled energy, spirit and 
creativity keep us constantly in motion, 
seizing opportunities to innovate and 
drive us forward. This dynamism means 
we act with pace and agility, fuelling the 
entrepreneurial spirit that is rooted in our 
heritage, to push boundaries and make 
things happen. 

At the same time, the scale of our 
business, our credibility within the 
market, and dedication to our Healthier 
People, Healthier Planet sustainability 
strategy mean we can turn our ideas into 
popular product propositions and deliver 
sustainable value to all our stakeholders, 
from consumers to customers to 
investors. Creating value today will help 
us create a better tomorrow.

12

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Our culture
Our workforce is central to our ability to 
succeed. As we transform our culture and 
capabilities to deliver our business strategy, 
our employees’ wellbeing, happiness, pride 
and spirit of togetherness are paramount. 
We will continue to focus on employee 
engagement to create a culture we are 
proud of and deliver our long-term goals.

READ MORE ON PAGES 37 – 39

OUR 
MARKETS

OUR STRATEGIC 
PILLARS

Build local favourites 
and global premium 
brands

READ MORE ON PAGE 28

Flavour billions of 
water occasions

READ MORE ON PAGE 29

Healthier People, 
Healthier Planet

READ MORE ON PAGE 30

Innovate to access 
new spaces

READ MORE ON PAGE 31

Each of our markets has a role 
to play delivering the strategy

•  We continue to see GB as a growth 

market and plan to build on our existing 
momentum to lead market growth.
•  Our international agenda continues 
with a drive to globalise our premium 
brands, notably The London Essence 
Company and Mathieu Teisseire. 
Across our Western European 
markets, the priority is to increase 
margins and profitability.
In Brazil, our ambition is to accelerate 
growth and expand our presence.

• 

CRITICAL 
ENABLERS

We have identified three key 
enablers to underpin and support 
the successful execution of 
our strategy:

•  Efficiency: Generate fuel for growth 

through appropriate focus on efficiency 
gains across our organisation.

•  Culture and capabilities: Transform 

our organisational culture and 
capabilities we need to become truly 
future-fit.

•  Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A): 

Selective M&A to accelerate progress 
towards our strategic goals.

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OUR VALUES

We live and breathe our values as part 
of daily life at Britvic. Together with our 
purpose and vision, our values are 
helping us to build a culture where 
people come first, and we can all thrive. 
This means creating an environment 
where every single one of our people 
feels free to act, inspired to grow, 
valued for their difference, trusted 
to deliver, energised and happy. 

We care

We’re courageous

Own it

Act with pace

Stronger together

EXPLORE HOW 
WE ARE DELIVERING  
VALUE TO OUR 
STAKEHOLDERS 
ON PAGES 14 – 19

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

13

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Delivering value to our stakeholders 

DELIVERING VALUE 
TO OUR CONSUMERS

Our business and our brands exist to help consumers enjoy life’s everyday moments. 
We offer our consumers a broad range of great tasting soft drinks. Our wide variety 
of drinks covers drinking occasions throughout the day and evening, providing 
unparalleled choice for all our consumers, whether they’re at home, on-the-go, 
enjoying a meal, or heading to the bar. 

SEE PAGES 4 – 5 FOR OUR BRANDS

32,716

CONSUMERS 
SPOKEN TO BY 
OUR CONSUMER 
ENGAGEMENT 
TEAM THIS YEAR

W e’ve listened to our consumers 

and we know they want a choice 
of healthier options. Health has 
always been a priority for us too. In our early 
days as The British Vitamin Company in the 
1930s, we offered an affordable source of 
vitamins to people at a time when diets lacked 
important nutrients. This heritage is just as 
important today, which is why 91% of our 
owned brands in GB are no or low calorie, 
and 75% of our brands globally are no 
or low calorie (including PepsiCo brands). 
Additionally, we have set ourselves a target 
of averaging no higher than 30 calories per 
250ml serve across our total drinks portfolio. 

Consumer feedback is a gift, and we 

engage directly with the people who love our 
drinks through our Consumer Engagement 
team. The team cares deeply about 
supporting anyone who has questions, 
concerns, suggestions, or ideas for 
improvements. In 2020, the team engaged 
with more than 32,000 consumers. 
The learnings from this engagement was 
collated, analysed and fed into our brand and 
R&D teams to make sure the consumer 
remains at the heart of everything we do.

SEE PAGES 35 – 39 FOR MORE 
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR 
HEALTHIER PEOPLE STRATEGY

14

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

WE CAN LEARN SO MUCH FROM 
LISTENING TO OUR CONSUMERS 
AND WE’RE CONSTANTLY LOOKING 
FOR WAYS TO DO MORE. DURING 
COVID-19, WE DELIVERED A 
PROJECT TO REVOLUTIONISE OUR 
ONLINE CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT 
RESPONSE TECHNOLOGY, MEANING 
WE CAN ENGAGE MORE AND 
RESPOND EVEN FASTER TO 
CONSUMERS IN ALL OUR MARKETS.

MARIE-PIERRE BURGESS 
HEAD OF CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT

 
WE BELIEVE IN ESTABLISHING SUSTAINABLE, 
FAIR AND COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS 
WITH OUR SUPPLIERS TO ENABLE US ALL 
TO DEVELOP, GROW, AND CREATE A 
BETTER TOMORROW.

MATT SWINDALL
CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER

DELIVERING VALUE 
TO OUR SUPPLIERS

Our suppliers range from orange farmers in Spain, to data analysts 
in London, advertising agencies in Brazil, and can converters and 
filling line manufacturers around the world. They are diverse in 
terms of the products and services they offer and by geography, 
culture, and size. We welcome and celebrate their diversity which 
helps us be more innovative and enables us to help more consumers 
enjoy life’s everyday moments.

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I nclusion is as important as diversity, 

and we want our suppliers to feel part 
of the Britvic team, united in a common 

purpose to help us make, market and 
distribute quality soft drinks in an ethical and 
sustainable way. To this end, over 80% of our 
direct supplier base is registered with Sedex, 
a supplier data platform which monitors a 
supplier’s approach to environmental risk 
management. This platform enables us to 
understand the environmental and social 
footprint of our collective activities and drive 
efficient use of natural resources.

We are proud to help our suppliers 

grow. This year construction commenced 
on a new rPET manufacturing facility, 
following our £5m investment support 
package in Esterform Packaging, a recycling 
manufacturer based in North Yorkshire, UK. 
The partnership will provide Britvic with 
access to UK-sourced rPET and has enabled 
Esterform to invest in a major capital project 
that will enhance the UK’s efforts to create 
a circular economy for plastics. 

We are always keen to share our 

expertise with our suppliers so we can all 
benefit and grow together. This year, our 
technical teams have invested time sharing 
product liquid development methods with 
three strategic flavour suppliers. 

Through this close collaboration, our suppliers 
have improved their capability to offer ‘right 
first time’ flavour options, and reduced the 
need for rework, as part of our value 
engineering programme.

It has clearly been a challenging time for 

some of our suppliers during the COVID-19 
pandemic, as they struggled to maintain 
operations while staff isolated at home. 
We worked together to find solutions. 
For example, one of our bottle cap suppliers 
did not have the resources to manufacture 
the caps and print them. To help, we agreed 
to run plain caps, it worked well and by late 
July, we were back to printed caps – the 
supplier managed to maintain production 
and we maintained our supply of drinks 
to customers.

88%

OF BRITVIC’S DIRECT 
SUPPLIERS ARE 
REGISTERED ON 
SEDEX, A DATA 
PLATFORM WHICH 
MONITORS ETHICAL 
AND ENVIRONMENTAL 
RISK MANAGEMENT

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

15

 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Delivering value to our stakeholders continued

DELIVERING VALUE 
TO OUR CUSTOMERS 

Our extensive portfolio, considerable knowledge of the soft drinks 
category, and strong customer service levels make us a trusted partner 
for our customers. We are well known for sharing our expertise with 
customers and helping them navigate fresh challenges and 
legislative changes.

I n what has been a difficult year for our 

customers, Britvic has done its bit to 
provide support. With the opportunity 
for face-to-face meetings, conferences and 
events curtailed, in GB we converted our 
trade facing Sensational Drinks website into 
a one-stop shop for supporting the licensed 
and hospitality trade. When pubs, clubs, 
bars and restaurants closed in March, 
Britvic was on hand to provide information 
on how to keep equipment in working order 
during the shutdown. In July, when these 
same venues re-opened, we offered 
instructional videos on restarting dispense 
equipment, top tips on how to boost sales 
and advice on the Government’s Eat Out to 
Help Out scheme. 

We were also able to offer free training through 
our partners. This included specific courses in 
response to COVID-19, including mental health 
and personal resilience for those in the 
hospitality industry. Our premium tonic brand, 
The London Essence Company, partnered with 
TV bartender, Merlin Griffiths, from First Dates, 
not only to help consumers re-create cocktails 
at home but to raise funds for The Drinks Trust 
Wellbeing Initiative. This initiative supports 
industry professionals through counselling and 
therapy, something that can be vital for those 
working in a community-focused industry 
during times of uncertainty and social isolation. 
So far The London Essence Company has 
pledged £10,000, as well as 10% of every 
sale from retailer The Whisky Exchange.

16

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

THROUGH DRINKS DONATIONS 
AND INITIATIVES LARGE AND 
SMALL, WE HAVE BEEN UNITED 
IN OUR DETERMINATION TO 
HELP THE COMMUNITIES 
WE SERVE ACROSS ALL 
OUR MARKETS.

SARAH WEBSTER
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS DIRECTOR

DELIVERING VALUE 
TO OUR COMMUNITIES 

Britvic’s belief that we are stronger together has never been more clearly 
demonstrated than during COVID-19. Thanks to the heroes in our supply 
chain we have been able to support the communities we serve and, together 
with PepsiCo, donate more than one million drinks to NHS hospitals, 
hospices, food banks and charities in the UK.

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I n the UK, Britvic donated more 

than a million drinks to hospitals, 
hospices, charities and emergency 

services up and down the country, 
with NHS Nightingale London, less than 
two miles from our Beckton factory, 
receiving delivery of 20 chillers and more 
than 106,000 drinks for healthcare workers. 
Our drinks were included in local food 
parcels, and, nationally, we committed 
to providing products to Age UK for the 
elderly and vulnerable. Britvic provided 
the University of Hertfordshire’s production 
of hand sanitiser by donating packaging. 

These efforts have been echoed around 
the world and across all our markets. From 
sending PPE to medical staff in France to 
donating products to communities and 
hospitals in Brazil, we have been united 
in our determination to be a force for good.

Online, we created Craft O’Clock: 

a series of weekday videos providing 
inspiration for arts and crafts activities 
at home using materials families often have 
around the house. And by sharing them on 
our Robinsons, MiWadi and Fruit Shoot 
Facebook pages, we were able to inspire 
creativity in families all around the world.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

17

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Delivering value to our stakeholders continued

DELIVERING VALUE 
TO OUR EMPLOYEES

Whether they are based in São Paulo or Solihull, Cork or Crolles, Britvic 
people are the heart of the company. Ask anyone who works here, and they 
will tell you that at the heart of our culture sits something very special. 

A t Britvic, we care. Of course, 

we care about our work, our 
consumers, our customers and our 
brands. We care about our relationships with 
our stakeholders, our standing in society and 
the market. Above all, we care for each other 
and our holistic wellbeing. This has never 
been more true than through our response 
to the COVID-19 crisis, which has tested us, 
and so many others, like never before. Our 
propensity to care, amplified by our pace, 
energy and resilience, combine to make 
Britvic a truly special place to be.

None of this happens by accident. 

To enable our unique spirit to flourish, we 
work hard to create the conditions where 
everyone can be their true self at work. 
We are restless in our desire to create the 
conditions where every Britvic person truly 
feels they are free to act, inspired to grow, 
valued for their difference, trusted to deliver, 
energised and happy. Everything we do to 
engage and inspire our people is born out of 
the strong intent for all our people to thrive 
in a dynamic, highly inclusive workplace that 
truly values each individual, while celebrating 
our unique Britvic spirit.

By doing all this, we attract and retain 

the very best talent, and the very best people. 
Britvic people are people who value integrity, 
respect and belonging. We work hard 
individually, but we always know we are 
stronger together.

TO FIND OUR MORE ABOUT OUR HEALTHIER PEOPLE 
ETHOS, PLEASE SEE PAGES 35 – 39

18

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

19

78%

OF EMPLOYEES 
AGREE THAT 
BRITVIC CARES 
ABOUT MY 
WELLBEING 
DURING 
THIS TIME 

BRITVIC IS A COMPANY WITH 
A UNIQUE SPIRIT, BORN OUT 
OF OUR PURPOSE AND VALUES. 
TOGETHER WE WANT TO 
NURTURE HAPPY, HEALTHY 
PEOPLE, THRIVING IN A 
DYNAMIC WORKPLACE, AND SO 
MAKE OUR ‘NEW NORMAL’ THE 
BEST POSSIBLE PLACE TO BE.

ZAREENA BROWN 
CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Promoting the success of the company (Section 172) 

SETTING THE RIGHT  
TONE FROM THE TOP

The Board has a duty under 
Section 172 of the Companies Act 
2006 to promote the success of 
the company, and in doing so 
the Board must have regard to 
a number of key matters in its 
decision-making. 

While the Board has always had regard 
to its responsibilities under Section 172, 
during this year we have updated the way 
that Board papers are written to ensure 
that our Section 172 considerations are 
clearly recorded. Each Board paper 
includes a section to ensure the Board 
has fully considered and recorded all 
Section 172 matters.

20 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

The Executive team receive
training on Directors’ duties to ensure
awareness of the Board’s responsibilities

Board papers include a table setting 
out Section 172 factors and relevant 
information relating to them

The Board continually  
engages with key stakeholders

READ MORE ON PAGES 72 – 74 

BOARD INFORMATION

Section 172 factors considered in 
the Board’s discussions on strategy, 
including how they underpin 
long-term value creation

The Board ensures that there is 
proper consideration of the potential 
impacts of its decisions

BOARD STRATEGIC DISCUSSION

The Board ensures Section 172 
factors are taken into consideration 
in its decision-making

The Executive team provides 
information on a timely basis and 
assurance where appropriate

BOARD DECISION

The Board is provided with updates 
and information on the outcomes of 
its decisions

Actions taken as a result of
Board engagement and dialogue 
with key stakeholders

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SECTION 172 IN ACTION
A clear example of the Board fulfilling its duties under Section 172 was the approval  
of the refinancing of the Group’s £400m bank facility due to mature in November 2021.

The refinancing of this facility involved 
approaching all current lenders as well as 
potential new lenders to establish the terms 
under which they would lend to Britvic under 
a new facility. 

This was Britvic’s first sustainability 
linked credit facility. The deal linked Britvic’s 
progress towards sustainability targets 
to the cost of the debt facility, with any 
consequent changes to the margin being 
donated to charities. 

This project required Board approval, and 
in making its decision the Board considered 
the matters set out in Section 172 as set 
out in the table below.

SECTION 172 MATTER

BOARD CONSIDERATIONS

Long-term consequences 
of the decision

Proceeding with the refinancing of the Group’s £400m bank facility ahead of the scheduled maturity date 
removed the risk of a deterioration in market conditions and secured long term financing at attractive rates 
to ensure the Group has sufficient liquidity. 

Securing this facility is also important to enable the continued investment in the business to support the 
delivery of the strategic goals set out in the company’s long-term business strategy.

Interests of the 
company’s employees

This decision had no direct impact on the Group’s employees, and the management of this facility continues 
to be in line with the management of previous facilities. However, the improved financial position for the 
business is within the interests of all employees along with the company’s shareholders.

Fostering relationships 
with suppliers, customers 
and others

This project introduced two new lending banks to the business, developed our banking relationships in both 
existing and potential new territories and also increased our access to expertise.

Impact on the community 
and environment

The new facility has sustainability linked targets whereby if Britvic meets certain defined sustainability targets 
the cost of the borrowing will reduce, and if the targets are not met the cost of borrowing will increase. 
Those targets include:

•  50% of all plastic bottles in Great Britain and Ireland to be made of rPET
•  50% reduction in carbon emissions (compared with 2017)
•  75% of the drinks portfolio globally to be either low or no calorie

If performance against these targets leads to a reduction in the cost of borrowing the difference will be 
donated to a charity selected by Britvic, and if failure to meet the targets results in an increased cost of 
borrowing the difference will be donated to a charity selected by the lenders.

Maintaining a reputation 
for high standards of 
business conduct

A thorough process was carried out to identify and analyse banks that were able to lend to Britvic, their 
pricing expectations and the key terms under which they would lend. An active dialogue was maintained with 
all existing and potential new banks during this process, sharing relevant information and understanding each 
other’s ways of working.

Acting fairly between 
members

This financing improves Britvic’s liquidity position and will result in a small reduction in finance costs 
going forward. This reduces the risk of Britvic having to raise additional funding under stressed market 
conditions and helps support the growth of the business. It is therefore fully aligned with the interests 
of our shareholders.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

21

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Chairman’s statement

BRITVIC HAS A FANTASTIC 
PORTFOLIO OF BRANDS AND A 
DEDICATED AND PASSIONATE 
TEAM WORKING HARD TO 
DELIVER EXCELLENT OUTCOMES. 
THE BOARD IS CONFIDENT 
THAT WHILE THE PANDEMIC 
HAS CREATED NEAR-TERM 
CHALLENGES, THE BUSINESS 
IS WELL-PLACED TO RECOVER 
AND DELIVER VALUE TO 
SHAREHOLDERS IN THE 
YEARS AHEAD.

22

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

REVIEW OF 
THE YEAR 

John Daly
Chairman

•  The ongoing employee, customer and 
community support offered by the 
company in response to the pandemic.
•  The sale of the juice production facilities 
and associated private label business 
in France.

•  Extending the relationship with PepsiCo 

in GB for another 20 years.

•  Continuing to build and nurture a portfolio 

of fantastic family favourite brands.

Dividend
In May, at our half year we deferred the 
decision on the dividend as the business 
focused on the impact of the pandemic. 
What was clear early on was the quality of 
the planning that was undertaken to model 
the potential impact on both profitability and 
liquidity. Joanne Wilson, who joined as Chief 
Financial Officer last September, did a fantastic 
job working alongside Simon managing the 
outlook for the business. While the Board was 
confident in both the robustness and prudence 
of the approach, we felt it sensible to defer 
the decision until after the key summer trading 
period. I am delighted to report that trading 
has been within our range of expectations and, 
despite the uncertainty that exists as we begin 
our new financial year, the Board has proposed 
a final dividend of 21.6p, maintaining the 50% 
payout ratio. 

W hen I wrote to you last year, 

the COVID-19 pandemic was 
unknown. Since then, 2020 

has turned out to be an extremely challenging 
year for us all. Most of us have been impacted 
by it in some way, either personally or 
professionally. Throughout, the loss of life 
has been tragic, and the commitment of 
key workers has been humbling. On behalf 
of the Britvic Board we offer our deepest 
condolences to those who have lost loved 
ones and our gratitude to those who have 
worked tirelessly to keep us safe. 

Throughout this period, the Board has 
worked closely with the Britvic team to help 
the company establish its strategic ambitions 
for the years ahead, while also navigating 
through the pandemic. I am grateful to 
Simon and his team for the strong leadership 
in responding to this crisis, while also 
positioning the company for current and 
future success. Simon will share more detail 
in his Chief Executive Officer’s statement, 
but the highlights I would call out include: 

•  How the business has continued to trade 
throughout the pandemic with no major 
disruption to customers or consumers.

•  The commitment of the supply chain 

team across all the markets, who kept 
the lines running and brands available to 
consumers.

Culture
The Board and the Executive team have a 
vital role to play in shaping and embedding 
a healthy corporate culture, and this continued 
to be a focus in 2020. During the year this 
was evidenced by the launch of a new values 
framework, as well as B-Seen, our employee 
network celebrating diverse ability and 
supporting employees with disabilities, and 
B-Diverse, our Black, Asian and Minority 
Ethnic (BAME) employee network.

Directors
The composition of the Board brings a range 
of views and experience to Britvic and both 
supports and challenges the Executive team 
in the execution of the strategy. The Board 
and the Executive team have spent time 
together this year shaping the strategic focus 
for the years ahead. As well as regular Board 
meetings, the Non-Executives are on hand to 
support Simon and his team throughout the 
year and we make ourselves available to 
answer shareholder questions both at the 
Annual General Meeting (AGM) and during 
the year. The Board also shared with the 
Executive team its learnings from other 
organisations, especially in relation to 
dealing with COVID-19.

Remuneration 
Our approach to reward aims to link 
remuneration with the delivery of the Group’s 
key strategic objectives while delivering 
long-term, superior and sustainable returns 
to shareholders. We believe in offering fair 
remuneration, where colleagues are rewarded 
for performance aligned to the long-term 
sustainable success of the business. 

More information on how we ensure 

that our approach to remuneration supports 
our strategy is available in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 87 – 106.

Looking ahead 
Britvic has a fantastic portfolio of brands 
and a dedicated and passionate team 
working hard to deliver excellent outcomes. 
The Board is confident that while the 
pandemic has created near-term challenges, 
the business is well placed to recover and 
deliver value to shareholders in the years 
ahead. The AGM will be held on 28 January 
2021. Further information is available in the 
Notice of Meeting, which is available on the 
Britvic website at www.britvic.com/agm. 

JOHN DALY
CHAIRMAN
25 November 2020

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REASONS TO INVEST IN BRITVIC PLC

1 A portfolio of market leading brands. In GB and Ireland, Britvic 

has a full portfolio of market leading family favourites, both owned and as 
the bottler for PepsiCo. In France and Brazil, the portfolios are all owned 
brands in a smaller number of categories. In each market we are the 
leading supplier of flavour concentrates, including Robinsons, Teisseire, 
MiWadi and Maguary.

2 A well-invested infrastructure. In GB, following the completion of 

the business capability supply chain programme we have invested in new 
production lines, warehousing and the consolidation of production across 
three sites.

3 A long-term agreement with PepsiCo. In October 2020 we signed a 

new and exclusive 20 year franchise bottling agreement for the production, 
distribution, marketing and sales of its soft drink brands in GB, which 
provides access to a portfolio of global brands, including Pepsi MAX, 7UP 
and now Rockstar. The GB agreement runs to December 2040. 

4 A sustainable business. Britvic’s Healthier People, Healthier Planet 

sustainability ethos underpins every element of our business strategy to 
ensure we deliver sustainable value for all our stakeholders, and we create 
a better tomorrow.

Britvic has both long-term United States private placement debt and a 
£400m sustainability-linked multi-bank revolving credit facility at its disposal.

5 A cash generative business. Britvic has a strong financing platform. 
6 A track record of growth. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic Britvic 

delivered excellent returns for shareholders since the appointment of 
Simon Litherland as Chief Executive Officer in 2013. Through a progressive 
dividend policy that delivered a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) 
of 8.5% between 2013 and 2019 and share price growth, Britvic’s total 
shareholder return outperformed both the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 over 
the six year timeframe.

7 A resilient and growing category. As a consumer staple the soft 

drinks category performance is consistent and relatively stable. Growth 
is achievable, both through increasing consumption by innovating to meet 
emerging consumer needs and through premiumisation, which consumers 
are prepared to pay more for.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

23

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Chief Executive Officer’s statement

Simon Litherland
Chief Executive Officer

WHILE NONE OF US WOULD 
HAVE WISHED FOR THE 
CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES 
2020 HAS BROUGHT, I AM 
VERY PROUD OF HOW WE 
HAVE RESPONDED AS A 
BUSINESS AND DELIVERED 
ON THE PRIORITIES WE SET 
OURSELVES AT THE START 
OF THE PANDEMIC. OUR 
PORTFOLIO OF TRUSTED 
BRANDS, DEDICATED PEOPLE, 
STRONG RELATIONSHIPS 
AND OPERATIONAL AGILITY 
MEAN WE HAVE PERFORMED 
STRONGLY WHERE WE HAVE 
BEEN ABLE TO COMPETE, 
AND WE CONTINUE TO 
SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE 
THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE.

24 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Response to COVID-19
Today we report our financial results for the 
full year, however, before turning to these 
results, I would like to share my reflections 
on how we have responded to the COVID-19 
pandemic. The last eight months have been 
unparalleled in terms of challenge and change 
for us as individuals and for our families and 
friends, just as it has been for businesses and 
governments around the world. This period 
has without doubt been the most difficult I 
have experienced in my working life. As the 
pandemic unfolded, we moved quickly to 
establish our key priorities – safeguarding 
our people, maintaining operational agility, 
supporting our communities and retaining 
our financial strength. It has been our focus 
on these priorities that has enabled Britvic not 
just to deliver a solid performance against an 
exceptionally challenging backdrop, but more 
importantly to continue to make progress 
against our longer-term strategy, which 
is focused on creating value for all 
our stakeholders.

We have come together across 
Britvic as a team and successfully managed 
through this period. The courage, resilience, 
care and commitment demonstrated has 
been incredible, and the collective impact of 
us working together as a team has been both 
inspiring to see and humbling to be part of. 
This is a very special company, and I have 
no doubt that we will emerge from this crisis 
stronger than before.

Safeguarding our people
Where possible, all our employees are 
working from home, using enabling technology 
solutions and working flexibly around their 
domestic circumstances. For those employees 
who wish to be in the office and for our 
factory-based teams, we have implemented 
both social distancing and elevated health 
measures, including temperature checking and 
cleaning regimes, to ensure the safety of our 
people. All employees classified as vulnerable, 
or with a vulnerable family member, were 
identified early on and special measures 
put in place to support and safeguard them. 
As you would expect, we have adopted all 
government and public health authority 
guidelines in each of our markets. We have 
also put additional measures in place to 
support the health and wellbeing of all 
our employees in these uncertain times.

Maintaining operational agility
Changing buying behaviours, restrictions 
placed on the hospitality sector and reduced 
movement of people have impacted each of 
our business units. Our supply chain teams 
have responded with pace, optimising 
production schedules and operations to 
mitigate some of the adverse impacts on 
our business. All factories have remained 
operational across our markets, except for 
the water factory in Ireland closing for a short 
period as demand dropped early in the spring 
lockdown. The investment we made in the 
Business Capability Programme has allowed 
us to operate with increased flexibility and we 

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PepsiCo 2040

EXTENDED CARBONATES 
RELATIONSHIP WITH PEPSICO 
IN GB TO 2040 

100% rPET

ANNOUNCED INTENT TO USE 100% 
RECYCLED PET (rPET) ACROSS THE 
GB BRAND PORTFOLIO BY END 
OF 2022 

£45.8m

DISCIPLINED CASH MANAGEMENT 
ENABLING A £45.8M REDUCTION IN 
ADJUSTED NET DEBT

have successfully collaborated with suppliers 
and customers to prioritise key SKUs and 
ensure continuity of supply and on-shelf 
availability, particularly during the height 
of the pandemic. We also reviewed and 
reduced discretionary spend across the entire 
business, including A&P and overheads, to 
mitigate some of the profit and cash impacts 
from COVID-19.

Supporting our customers, 
suppliers and communities
We were an early signatory to the C-19 
business pledge, founded by former UK 
cabinet minister Justine Greening and UK 
entrepreneur David Harrison. It aims to 
harness the power of business as a force 
for good in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, 
through a focus on employees, customers 
and the community.

We have been working highly 

collaboratively with both suppliers and 
customers across our markets to ensure the 
continuity of supply of raw materials, maintain 
high service levels, support simplification to 
maximise availability, and to offer financial 
support where needed. Across each of 
the markets in which we operate, we have 
supported our local communities, including 
supplying product to hospitals, food banks, 
schools and hospices. In France, we have 
supplied PPE to local hospitals and in the UK, 
chillers and product to the NHS Nightingale 
Hospitals, as well as providing warehousing 
facilities in Norwich for the storage of PPE 
and care packages.

Retaining our financial strength
We entered the pandemic in a robust 
position, with strong trading momentum 
and a solid Balance Sheet, benefitting 
from the refinancing earlier in the year 
of our Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) and 
approximately £150m of private placement 
notes. We took decisive action early in 
the pandemic to protect our cash position. 
Capital spend was scaled back as we focused 
on business-critical projects, marketing spend 
was reduced by £20m and we cancelled 
non-essential discretionary spend. As a 
result of this disciplined cash management, 
we have been able to reduce debt by £46m. 
We did not seek to access furlough support 
or the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility 
(CCFF) offered by the UK government.

Performance impact summary
We started the year with strong momentum, 
reporting Q1 revenue 2.6% ahead of last year. 
During the second quarter, the COVID-19 
pandemic began to have an impact across 
our business units, most significantly in the 
GB and Ireland markets, where we have a 
strong presence in the Out-of-Home sector. 
Consequently, at the half-year, the increase 
in revenue was 1.4%, while in Q3, which 
bore the full impact of lockdown restrictions, 
revenue declined 16.3%. As restrictions were 
lifted in the summer, we saw an improvement 
in trading, with revenue in Q4 11.3% down 
on last year on a constant currency basis. 
The performance in the At-Home channels 
has been robust, with increased demand for 

REVENUE

 GB
 Brazil 
 Rest of World

63%
8%
29%

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

25

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Chief Executive Officer’s statement continued

our trusted portfolio of brands in larger pack 
formats, and we have taken market share. 
The Out-of-Home channels continue to be 
impacted by trading restrictions and social 
distancing measures reducing capacity, and 
people continuing to work from home for the 
foreseeable future. We will continue to support 
affected customers through the current 
challenges, to ensure both we and they are 
well-placed for the recovery as it unfolds.

Progress towards our 
strategic priorities
Last year we took the opportunity to 
evolve our strategy, ensuring we are best 
positioned to access growth opportunities 
in the changing consumer and retail 
landscape across our markets. With a 
portfolio of market-leading brands, multi-
channel route to market and collaborative 
customer relationships in all our geographies, 
we believe we are well-placed to continue to 
deliver excellent returns to shareholders and 
our other stakeholders. In the future, we will 
focus on four key strategic priorities:

•  Build local favourites and global 

premium brands

•  Flavour billions of water occasions
•  Healthier People, Healthier Planet
Innovate to access new spaces
• 

Each of our markets has a defined role to play 
delivering the strategy:

•  GB – to lead market growth
•  Rest of World – to globalise premium 
brands & improve profitability in 
Western Europe

•  Brazil – to accelerate growth and expand 

our presence

Underpinning this strategy are three 
critical enablers:

•  Generate fuel for growth through efficiency
•  Transform organisational capability & culture
•  Selective M&A to accelerate growth

We are confident that our strategy will stand 
the test of time and deliver excellent returns 
to shareholders and our other stakeholders. 
Despite the pandemic, we have made 
significant strategic progress this year, 
using our agility to adapt to ever evolving 
market circumstances.

Build local favourites and global 
premium brands
We have a broad portfolio across our 
markets of trusted, leading brands, which 
are predominantly low or no sugar. We 
are focused on stretching and growing 
our core brands to capture future growth 
opportunities. In October, we announced 
we had signed a new agreement in Great 

26

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Britain with PepsiCo for a new and exclusive 
20-year franchise bottling agreement for the 
production, distribution, marketing and sales 
of its carbonated soft drink brands, including 
Pepsi, 7UP and Mountain Dew. The new 
agreement extends the relationship, which 
commenced in 1987, to 2040. Importantly 
it also allows Britvic to broaden our portfolio 
further by taking on the Rockstar energy 
brand, increasing our participation in the large 
and growing energy category, from natural 
energy with Purdey’s to the mainstream 
energy segment – leaving us even better 
positioned to achieve our aim of leading 
market growth.

Performance this year on our core 
brands was strong in the At-Home channel, 
where our already powerful plans benefited 
further from people spending more time at 
and near home and turning to known and 
trusted brands. In the GB At-Home channel, 
we gained market share, with value growth of 
11.3% compared to market growth of 1.5%, 
led by our core brands of Pepsi, Robinsons, 
7UP and Tango. In Ireland, a weaker water 
category performance impacted Ballygowan, 
whereas we delivered a strong performance 
in MiWadi and Pepsi. In GB and Ireland this At 
Home outperformance was however, more 
than offset by the impact COVID-19 had on 
the Out-of-Home channel and on-the-go 
consumption. In Brazil, we achieved a record 
performance across both concentrates and 
ready-to-drink juice, becoming the number 
one supplier in this category. Pleasingly, 
following a couple of years of performance 
pressure, France returned to growth in Q4, 
led by Teisseire. This year we launched new 
pack formats and variants into the market to 
optimise on-shelf pricing and broaden appeal 
to more consumers. As with our other 
markets, France also benefited from an 
increase in demand for flavour concentrates 
as consumers spent more time at home.

The pandemic inevitably restricted our 
ability to drive the levels of growth we were 
seeking in our predominately out-of-home 
oriented global premium portfolio, though 
we successfully responded by pivoting our 
portfolio more towards socialising At-Home, 
for example, by increasing distribution 
of London Essence Company in the 
grocery channel.

Flavour billions of water occasions 
In response to consumers’ desire for a 
healthier lifestyle and greater protection 
for the planet, we know that tap water 
consumption is in significant growth. As the 
world leader in liquid concentrates, we are 
leaning into our unrivalled ability to provide 
flavour for consumers wherever they may be, 
which we can offer at great value and a very 
low average calories per serve, without 
compromising on taste. Building on our 
investment and prioritisation of this part of 

our strategy, and with people spending more 
time at home, sales of our portfolio of flavour 
concentrate brands, including Robinsons, 
MiWadi, Teisseire and Maguary, accelerated 
in the second half of the year to +7.4%.

In GB, Robinsons continued to perform 

well, with Robinsons retail market value, as 
measured by Nielsen, increasing 9.4% to 
£204m. Robinsons achieved this growth 
despite the cancellation of the Wimbledon 
tennis championships, which has traditionally 
been an important marketing activation 
programme. During the peak of the pandemic 
lockdown in the spring an additional 1.3m 
new shoppers bought the brand. In Ireland, 
MiWadi built upon a very successful first half, 
growing revenue and gaining market share. 
Growth was driven by the Zero sugar and 
Minis ranges that were introduced to broaden 
appeal and usage occasions and supported 
by marketing campaigns such as the “Create 
Your Own” which will see the launch of Fruit 
Explosion, created by 11-year old Ollie Smith. 
In both France and Brazil our flavour 

concentrate brands also benefited from 
consumers spending more time at home and 
seeking healthy hydration. In both markets 
we continued to rejuvenate our core brands 
with new liquids and new pack formats to 
broaden appeal and increase affordability.

Healthier People, Healthier Planet 
Healthier People and Healthier Planet sit at 
the core of our strategy. Consumers’ focus 
on their own health has increased during 
the pandemic. Britvic continues to lead the 
soft drinks industry by keeping our average 
calories per serve low across our entire 
portfolio, achieving an average of 25.5 
calories this year across the world and with 
93% of our GB portfolio outside of the sugar 
levy. As well as our consumers, we also 
prioritise health, wellbeing and belonging 
for our employees and local communities. 
In a challenging year, on top of our significant 
response to the COVID-19 crisis, we have 
delivered against our key non-financial 
Healthier People performance targets, 
with a further reduction in calories per 
serve and achieving our target of at least 
40% of women in leadership roles.

Under Healthier Planet, we were the 
first UK soft drinks company to commit to 
carbon reduction measures based on the very 
highest global standard of reducing climate 
change to less than 1.5 degrees. We also 
advocate for a well-designed, industry-run 
and not-for-profit deposit and return scheme 
(DRS), to contribute in a fair and meaningful 
way to a circular packaging economy. 
In October 2020, we announced our intent for 
all GB plastic bottles to be manufactured from 
100% rPET by 2022, surpassing our previous 
target of 50% rPET by 2025. We now send 
zero product to landfill across the world.

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We have made good progress against our 
carbon intensity ratio, following the conversion 
to bioenergy in Brazil and fewer line change-
overs due to COVID-19 SKU prioritisation, 
however, absolute emissions increased due 
to the natural gas fuelled Combined Heat and 
Power plant in the UK, which we continue to 
optimise. By contrast, we have made good 
progress against our water intensity target 
of 1.98m3/tonne produced for the full year, 
achieving 1.91. In January, as a sign of our 
commitment to conducting business in the 
right way, we refinanced our credit facility 
with a coupon rate that varies according to 
the achievement of our Healthier People, 
Healthier Planet goals.

Innovate to access new spaces
We will continue to innovate from our core 
brands or with new ones to access new 
growth spaces, whether they be emerging 
consumer needs, blurring retail channels or 
different drinking occasions. Increasingly our 
focus is not merely on continuing our 
successful track record in product innovation, 
but also in equipment and technology.

Across our flavour concentrates portfolio, 

we have launched innovation to both broaden 
appeal and affordability. Robinsons extended 
the Cordials range with the launch of two 
superfruit variants: Orange and Acerola Cherry, 
and Raspberry and Goji Berry. In France, 
following the launch last year of the Teisseire 
Fraîcheur de Fruits range which contains 85% 
concentrated fruit juice, we launched new pack 
sizes to optimise on-shelf pricing and the 
“Arômes Naturels” range, with no preservatives 
and new recipes to appeal to consumers 
seeking healthy, more natural hydration.

In Brazil, our Puro Coco coconut water 
brand has now exceeded 15% market share 
and is the third biggest brand in the category. 
This year we launched Dafruta Tropical, which 
uses the liquid technology of Robinsons, and 
Maguary POP pouches – both new variants 
providing simpler and more affordable liquid 
concentrate options for consumers. Also, in 
Brazil, we introduced a new 150ml Fruit 
Shoot pack format and a plant-based 
chocolate variant, as well as launching Britvic 
Mixers and Mathieu Teisseire, as we seek to 
expand our portfolio further beyond the core 
flavour concentrates and juices categories.

In GB we brought to market at the start 
of the year a dispense solution called London 
Essence Fresh Serve, allowing consumers to 
choose a premium, freshly infused tonic on 
draught, using patented micro-dosing 
technology. While also providing an elevated 
consumer experience, it has significant 
sustainability benefits by reducing packaging 
usage by up to 96% and offering much lower 
carbon emissions. The rollout was temporarily 
interrupted by COVID-19, but installations had 
restarted prior to the recent increase in 
restrictions in GB.

This year we also accelerated our access to 
beyond the bottle solutions through the small 
but strategic acquisition of The Boiling Tap 
Company, which installs and services 
proprietary integrated tap solutions for still, 
sparkling and hot water to a wide range of 
primarily commercial customers in GB. Like 
Britvic, this small company has innovation at 
its heart, offering industry leading technology 
across a broad range of water solutions, 
including touchless. It opens up a broader 
customer base with equipment solutions 
beyond the bottle and we are excited by its 
potential alongside our existing dispense 
solutions and packaged portfolio.

The pandemic has triggered a step 
change in e-commerce growth. This was 
already an area of major focus for Britvic, 
and we have now reallocated even greater 
resources across our business units to further 
accelerate our progress. We have continued 
to build our presence online, both through 
the established home delivery routes of the 
major grocers, pureplay operators and through 
wholesaler platforms. We have outperformed 
online with retail value growth of 56% 
compared to category value growth of 48%, 
increasing our share to over 22% of online 
grocery sales. In GB we launched the 
Sensational Drinks portal last year to 
enable direct engagement with the on-trade. 
The portal was repurposed to great effect 
during the early stages of the pandemic to 
support the trade by pulling together news, 
advice and training during the lockdown, and 
over 15,000 new outlets signed up in the year.

Generate fuel for growth 
through efficiency
It is essential that we continually drive 
improvement in our operations to release 
funds for reinvestment behind our growth 
drivers. While in recent years we have 
transformed our GB supply chain capacity 
and flexibility, and we will continue to invest 
where it makes financial sense to do so, our 
focus is firmly on optimising our footprint in 
each of our markets. We are responding to 
customers’ drive for simpler ranges and more 
recession-oriented value solutions through 
portfolio optimisation and continuing our 
revenue management journey.

We are also pursuing a comprehensive 

technology roadmap which will further enable 
our ability to execute all aspects of our strategy 
as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Transform organisational capability 
and culture
At the outset of this strategic evolution, we 
recognised that in order to achieve our future 
growth ambitions, we would need to build on 
the organisational capabilities which have 
delivered such a strong performance track 
record, with new ones which would ensure the 
company can continue to thrive in the years 

ahead. This year we have reallocated resources 
behind both the strategy and the marketplace 
which has been reshaped by COVID-19, 
ensuring the alignment of both people and 
investment to our growth drivers and releasing 
some cost to fund them. We have invested in 
key areas where we are seeking to shift 
capability, such as by creating a centre of 
expertise in digital consumer experience.

While we had already invested in remote 
working technology prior to the pandemic, like 
many organisations we have adopted home 
working to a new level over the course of the 
year. Our future working patterns will be quite 
different but equally effective, embracing the 
learnings from this year in more flexible 
working practices which still facilitate effective 
and agile collaboration across the business, 
while increasing employee engagement and 
effectiveness – a great example of a positive 
which has emerged from the challenges of 
the pandemic.

Selective M&A to accelerate growth
While we can achieve much of our ambition 
organically, we do see opportunities to 
accelerate the pursuit of our strategy through 
disciplined inorganic expansion. This year we 
acquired The Boiling Tap Company as outlined 
above, though much of our inorganic activity 
was focused on executing the disposal in 
France of the juice production facilities and 
associated private label business to Refresco, 
which completed on September 30. In Western 
Europe we are focused on improving our 
profitability, and this disposal works towards 
this objective by simplifying our operations and 
enabling the local management team to focus 
on the higher-margin branded portfolio.

Outlook
Looking ahead, 2021 brings both continued 
uncertainty and an opportunity to capitalise on 
the trends which have accelerated as a result of 
COVID-19. We have started the new financial 
year with some form of restrictions on either 
trading and/or the movement of people in all our 
markets, and this will undoubtedly continue to 
affect performance, especially in the first half of 
the financial year. We have carefully planned our 
approach to the year ahead, which gives us 
confidence that we can continue to respond 
positively and with agility as events unfold. 
Soft drinks have repeatedly proven to be a 
highly resilient category, and Britvic fully 
intends to be at the forefront of its recovery.

SIMON LITHERLAND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
25 November 2020

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Strategic Report
Our four strategic pillars

At the start of the year, recognising the changing consumer trends and retail landscape, we took 
the opportunity to evolve our overall business strategy, focusing on four key areas.

BUILD LOCAL FAVOURITES 
AND GLOBAL PREMIUM 
BRANDS

W e are focused on growing our 

favourite local brands, which are 
predominantly number one or 
number two in their categories, low or no 
calorie, and are well positioned for future 
growth. We have a proven track record of 
growing, stretching and revitalising our brands 
such as Robinsons, Pressade and more 
recently Tango. And we have consistently 
done a fantastic job growing PepsiCo brands 
and gaining market share. 

At the same time we know that our 

consumers are looking for a wider choice of 
premium drinks and elevated experiences 
when they relax and socialise. We are seeking 
to create a winning portfolio of premium 
brands in each of our markets around the 
world that will include The London Essence 
Company and Mathieu Teisseire syrups.

We believe choice is key to growing our 

local favourites and global premium brands. 
No market and no consumer is the same, so 
we need localised solutions, created by a 
diverse workforce, to give consumers what 
they want. To continue our growth trajectory, 
therefore, we are empowering our people 
– those closest to the consumers in each 
market – to drive the identification of 
opportunities, create the solutions that meet 
consumers’ needs and build the capabilities 
to deliver brilliant execution at the point of 
purchase. By combining the power of our 
global business with the wisdom and 
experience of local teams, we will achieve 
the greatest possible impact in each market.

28 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

The Maguary brand heritage dates back to 
1953 and similar to the European flavour 
concentrates brands, is consumed by 
families at home. This heritage and family 
awareness enabled Fruit Shoot to be 
launched in Brazil as Maguary Fruit Shoot 
– following the same principle Britvic has 
followed in Europe, where Robinsons and 
Teisseire are the halo brands. More recently 
the local team has expanded the brand’s 
presence further with the launch of a new, 
more affordable, 150ml pack format as well 
as launching a plant-based chocolate drink.

New category launches in recent years 
have included Puro Coco and Natural Tea, 
both of which are ready-to-drinks formats 
in the coconut and ice tea categories.

The expansion of the portfolio continued 
in 2020. Dafruta Tropical was launched in 
the flavour concentrates category, utilising 
the technical know-how of the Robinsons 
formulation. This new range uses real fruit, 
has a range of flavours and is pre-
sweetened, differentiating it from the 
traditional concentrates in Brazil which 
require sugar to be added by the consumer. 
This year has also seen the portfolio expand 
with the launch of Britvic Mixers and the 
premium Mathieu Teisseire range of 
concentrates for cocktails. While the new 
launches are still a very small part of the 
business today, they provide exciting 
growth opportunities for the future.

EXPANDING THE PORTFOLIO 
IN BRAZIL

In 2015 Britvic acquired the Ebba 
business in Brazil, including the Maguary 
and Dafruta brands. At that time, the 
business was largely focused on the 
flavour concentrates and ready-to-drink 
juices categories. In 2017 Britvic acquired 
Bela Ischia, which improved our presence 
in locations such as Rio de Janeiro. With 
these three brands Britvic now had a 
stronger national presence, but primarily 
in the same categories. Since then the 
local management team has expanded 
the portfolio range with new category 
launches and improved the offering 
in the core categories by leveraging 
the capability and portfolio of the 
Britvic Group.

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FLAVOUR BILLIONS OF 
WATER OCCASIONS 

of two Superfruit Cordials, Orange & Acerola 
Cherry, and Raspberry & Goji Berry. 

In France, the Teisseire brand has 
undergone a similar rejuvenation, expanding 
into new occasions with new flavours in the 
Classiques range, the launch of Arômes 
Naturels, a range without preservatives, Zero 
– which has no sugar or calories, Fraîcheur de 
Fruits, with 85% fruit juice and Les Bios, 
offering an organic range of syrups.

In Brazil this year the range has 
expanded to follow the European brands, 
offering a pre-sweetened, consistent dilution 
ratio, called Dafruta Tropical. Meanwhile the 
Maguary brand launched a 100ml pouch 
format called POP, that allows consumers 
to access the brand at a lower price point.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an 
increased focus on health and wellbeing and 
the Britvic range of flavour concentrates has 
benefited from increased consumption as 
people have spent more time at home, 
wanting an affordable, healthy and great 
tasting way to hydrate. 

I n each market Britvic offers the leading 

flavour concentrate brands, including 
Robinsons, MiWadi, Teisseire and 
Maguary, which continue to go from strength 
to strength. We plan to leverage this 
leadership and expertise in concentrating 
flavour, along with the strength of our local 
favourite brands in each of our markets to 
collectively flavour billions of new water 
occasions. At the same time, we are making 
our offer more natural, more premium, more 
convenient and more sustainable. 

The increase in consumption of water 

and the consumer focus on health and 
wellbeing offers a large-scale opportunity 
for Britvic to expand the use of flavour 
concentrates. These include expanding 
the consumer base beyond family drinking 
occasions at home to ranges aimed at adults 
and offerings to encourage consumption 
out of the home. In each market new pack 
formats have been launched to support 
this. In GB, Robinsons Squash’d, a super 
concentrate 66ml package that creates the 
same number of drinks as a one litre bottle 
was launched. This was followed by similar 
launches in Ireland and France under the 
MiWadi and Teisseire brands.

More recently Robinsons expanded its 

range. Fruit Creations was launched with twice 
the fruit of the everyday range to appeal to a 
more grown up audience with a range of juicier, 
fruitier flavours. Robinsons Fruit Cordials was 
also launched using a combination of real fruit 
and botanical flavours. In 2020 the Cordials 
range was extended further with the launch 

ROBINSONS

Before the pandemic, we had 
prioritised flavouring water within 
our strategy. With people spending 
more time at home and an increased 
awareness of living healthier 
lifestyles, sales of our portfolio of 
flavour concentrate brands, including 
Robinsons, MiWadi, Teisseire and 
Maguary, accelerated throughout the 
year. In GB, Robinsons continued to 
perform well, building on the growth 
achieved in 2019. Across the range, 
we generated substantial volume 
and revenue growth with the 
Fruit Creations and Cordials range 
attracting new consumers to buy 
the brand. 

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Strategic Report
Our four strategic pillars continued

HEALTHIER PEOPLE, 
HEALTHIER PLANET

For this reason, when we set our commercial 
strategies and plans across the business, we 
are working towards our Healthier People and 
Healthier Planet goals being given the same 
priority as financial performance. The specific 
nature of these goals will vary by market as 
each business unit has a distinct role to play. 
Taken together though, these goals support 
our overarching performance ambition, as 
well as our vision to be the most dynamic soft 
drinks company, creating a better tomorrow.

TO READ MORE ABOUT OUR HEALTHIER PEOPLE, 
HEALTHIER PL ANET STRATEGY, INCLUDING OUR GOALS 
AND PROGRESS TO DATE, PLEASE READ PAGES 32 – 47

ALL GB BOTTLES TO BE MADE 
FROM 100% RPET 

In October 2020, Britvic announced its 
intent for all its plastic bottles in GB to 
be made from 100% rPET by the end 
of 2022 – surpassing our previous 
target of 50% rPET by 2025. This will 
cover the entire GB portfolio of 
Britvic-owned and PepsiCo brands, 
and demonstrates our commitment 
to sustainability and to a Healthier 
Planet. This is the latest in a series 
of sustainable business measures, 
including Britvic’s recent move in 
Ireland to rPET for Ballygowan 500ml 
bottles and Fruit Shoot Hydro switching 
to 100% rPET in September.

A key part of our Britvic vision is to 

create a better tomorrow for all our 
stakeholders. We want to be a net 

positive contributor to the people and the 
world around us and provide consumers with 
the trusted and authentic purpose-driven 
brands they increasingly want, and deserve. 
This means ensuring sustainable practices 
are embedded in every element of our 
business strategy. 

Doing good while doing well has been 

at the heart of Britvic’s ethos since the 
creation of The British Vitamin Company back 
in the 19th century by chemist Mr Rawlings, 
our founder. Like Mr Rawlings, we believe the 
most pressing challenges facing and shaping 
society globally are centred around health, 
individual health and the health of society as 
a whole, including our environment. Today, 
we continue to build on our heritage, by 
embedding Healthier People, Healthier Planet 
– a key tenet of our commercial strategy – 
into every part of our business, from 
manufacturing to marketing. We see this 
drive as fundamental to Britvic’s resilience, 
to delivering the value our stakeholders 
deserve and to building a company that 
we can all be proud of.

30 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

INNOVATE TO ACCESS 
NEW SPACES

W e know routes to our consumers 

are shifting, and equipment 
technology is advancing 

significantly. Looking ahead, as well as the 
traditional bricks and mortar retailers and 
e-commerce players, we can imagine a world 
where technology works naturally alongside 
us, enabling new channels and solutions to 
seamlessly anticipate consumer needs and 
automate purchasing habits. 

So, we’re building our technology 
strength across all our markets, developing 
key capabilities and deepening our partner 
network to develop new brand innovations 
and create new differentiated propositions 
that deliver for customers, shoppers 
and consumers.

As part of this technology drive to 

access new spaces, we were delighted to 
acquire The Boiling Tap Company (TBTC) 
earlier this year. Currently, TBTC supplies 
state of the art smart touch taps to a wide 
range of commercial customers all over the 
country, offering hot, cold, and sparkling 
water. The taps eliminate the need for 
bottles, supporting Britvic’s sustainable 
innovation ambition to deliver more beyond 
the bottle products for our customers.

THE LAUNCH OF LONDON 
ESSENCE FRESH SERVE

In late 2019 Britvic launched London 
Essence Fresh Serve in GB, a range 
of premium tonics served though an 
eye-catching bar fount. Since then, 
we have installed more than 200 
founts in premium bars across 
the country.

The fount uses a patented micro-
dosing technology that delivers a 
range of freshly infused distilled 
botanical tonic flavours on draught. 
The built-in technology then delivers 
data straight to us in real time 
so we can monitor consumption 
levels and flavour choices, and 
innovate accordingly.

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Research shows that consumers want a 
great experience and are looking for more 
interesting, more premium drinks. The 
range of London Essence Company 
flavours have been created in collaboration 
with industry experts, are low in calories, 
and designed to be paired with a variety of 
gins to offer the consumer a personalised 
experience. The fount, which serves only 
chilled and carbonated drinks, also 
produces lower carbon dioxide emissions 
and offers a 96% reduction in packaging 
compared to current packaged tonics. 
Britvic is currently the only supplier offering 
premium tonics on draught, a competitive 
advantage in the category.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 
progress stalling for several months as the 
pub and restaurant trade closed its doors 
across late March to early July. When the 
trade re-opened in early summer, Britvic 
began to install London Essence Fresh 
Serve into outlets, with discussions 
ongoing for further expansion in 2021.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

31

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

BRITVIC IS DEDICATED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING BY OUR EMPLOYEES, 
CONSUMERS, CUSTOMERS AND COMMUNITIES − AS WELL AS OUR BUSINESS 
OVERALL. OUR HEALTHIER PEOPLE, HEALTHIER PLANET STRATEGY SETS OUT 
HOW WE PLAN TO DO THIS AND REFLECTS OUR COMMITMENT TO CREATING 
A BETTER TOMORROW FOR EVERYONE.

JOANNE WILSON, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND CHAIR OF THE ESG COMMITTEE

Our Healthier People, Healthier Planet strategy focuses on eight elements.

 1

 2

 3

 4

Give consumers 
healthier choices to 
enjoy everyday 
moments.

Making a meaningful 
contribution to the 
communities in which 
we operate.

Our employees  
are empowered to be 
their best selves to 
deliver great 
performance.

Our employees  
feel physically and 
psychologically 
well.

OUR HEALTHIER PEOPLE, HEALTHIER PLANET STRATEGY

 2

SUSTAINABLE
COMMUNITIES

 3

BE YOURSELF

 1

HEALTHIER
CONSUMER
CHOICES

 8

COMMUNICATION
EDUCATION &
ENGAGEMENT

HEALTHIER PEOPLE, 
HEALTHIER PLANET

 4

HEALTH, 
 WELLNESS AND  
WELLBEING

 5

ENERGY – CARBON
NEUTRAL 2050

 7

SUSTAINABLE
SUPPLY CHAIN
INCLUDING WATER
EFFICIENCY

 6

PACKAGING
CIRCULAR
ECONOMY

8

 7

 6

 5

Use the unique reach 
and scale of our 
brands to educate and 
inspire change.

Understand the 
environmental and 
social footprint of our 
supply chain and drive 
efficient use of natural 
resources.

Create a world where 
great packaging never 
becomes waste.

Transition to a low 
carbon circular 
economy by 
maximising energy 
efficiency and 
using renewable 
energy sources.

W e are operating in a global 

society facing both health and 
environmental crises. These 

challenges cannot be solved by governments 
and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) 
alone. We believe that the business 
community must work collaboratively with 
governments, industry, regulators, NGOs, 
and scientists to solve these challenges, 
particularly in a post COVID-19 world. We 
have the innovative and entrepreneurial 
spirit to make a difference, and we take our 
responsibility seriously. 

At Britvic, we are proud to make, market 

and sell soft drinks that millions of people 
around the world drink as they enjoy life’s 
everyday moments. With our energy, culture 
and ambition to win, we are driven by a vision 
to be the most dynamic soft drinks company, 
creating a better tomorrow. This speaks to 
our broader role in society – as a net positive 
contributor to the people and the world 
around us.

Healthier People, Healthier Planet is  
a key tenet of our 2025 business strategy, 
fundamental to our resilience and future 
success, as we create a better tomorrow.

During the year we demonstrated our 

commitment to embedding sustainability 
into day-to-day business practices by securing 
our first sustainability linked credit facility of 
£400m. The deal links our progress towards 
meeting our carbon, packaging and calorie 
targets to the cost of the debt facility, with 
any consequent changes to the margin being 
donated to charities. This was also the first 
year that we included our sustainability 
strategy within the annual operating planning 
process for each of our business units. 
Progress will be tracked via our quarterly 
business review process.

32

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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HEALTHIER PEOPLE, HEALTHIER PLANET: 
2025 GOALS

Our Healthier People, Healthier Planet strategy was built upon 
our progress to date, our commitment to creating a better tomorrow 
and delivering timely responses to the health and environmental 
challenges we are currently facing on a global level. In line with 
our commitments and accountability towards our wider stakeholders 
and the environment, we have fully integrated the UN’s Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs) into our strategy and aligned our 
objectives and targets with these goals.

While we acknowledge we contribute, both directly and 

indirectly, to all the 17 goals and that they are all inherently 
interlinked, we have identified 12 goals that are most material to 
our business and where we have greatest opportunity to make 
a positive impact and build a business that is fit for the future. 

HEALTHIER PEOPLE, HEALTHIER PLANET ALIGNED WITH SDGS | COMMITMENTS

PILLARS

FOCUS AREAS

SDGs

2025 TARGETS 

HEALTHIER 
PEOPLE

HEALTHIER 
PLANET

•  Healthier consumer 

choices
•  Sustainable 
communities

•  Employee 

engagement
•  Health, wellness 

& wellbeing

•  Energy & carbon 

reduction (Scope 1, 2 
& 3)

•  Packaging – circular 

economy
 – Recyclability 

programme Deposit 
Return Scheme 
(DRS)

 – Light-weighting and 
beyond the bottle 
solutions

•  Sustainable supply 

chain including water 
efficiency, responsible 
sourcing, zero waste to 
landfill

Indirect contribution 

•  <30 calories per 250ml* 

serve

•  Double employee 
community days 
(vs 2020 baseline)
•  >85% Employee 
engagement 
(vs 2020 baseline)

•  >83% Employee wellbeing 

(vs 2020 baseline)

•  Reduce Scope 1 & 2 carbon 
emissions by 50% by 2025 
(vs 2017 baseline)**
•  Reduce Scope 3 carbon 

emissions by 35% by 2025 
(vs 2017 baseline)**

•  Reduce packaging per serve 
by 20% (vs 2020 baseline)
•  Packaging 100% recyclable & 
all bottles in GB to be made 
from 100% rPET by the end 
of 2022

•  Reduce manufacturing 

water intensity ratio by 20% 
(vs 2020 baseline)

https://sdgs.un.org/goals

*  Britvic has led the charge to reduce calories in soft drinks with 75% of drink volumes sold containing low or no calories. Our 2025 target of 30 calories per serve, reflects the growth 

ambitions of our Brazilian business unit, where calories per serve are on the downward trajectory, however they remain above Britvic’s overall average.

**  The GHG protocol defines Scope 1 emissions as direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, Scope 2 as are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy, and 

Scope 3 as all indirect emissions (not included in Scope 2) that occur in the value chain of the reporting company, including both upstream and downstream emissions.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

33

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Sustainable business continued

Healthier People, Healthier Planet: 
progress against our 2020 goals
2020 was the final year of the A Healthier 
Everyday sustainable business strategy 
and the table below shows our performance 
compared with our 2020 goals.

While we made good progress, we still have 
work to do in some areas such as packaging 
and waste and these remain a focus as we 
work towards our 2025 ambitions. 

PILLARS 

2020 TARGETS

ACHIEVEMENT OF TARGETS

SUSTAINABLE 
BUSINESS 
REFERENCE

HEALTHIER 
PEOPLE

•  73% of drinks volume sold is in low/no 
calorie drinks (as consumed) across 
the group.

75%† of drinks volume sold in 2020 was low/no calorie drinks 
as consumed across the group.

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGES 35 – 39 

•  Women are represented in 40% of 

senior manager roles (Band D+) across 
the company.

•  Continue to support our corporate 

charity Diabetes UK by donating over 
£300,000.

•  All employees have access to wellbeing 
programmes and achieve a wellbeing 
score of 81% in the Great Place To Work 
(GPTW) survey across the company.

Women represented in 40%† of senior manager roles 
in 2020. An increase of 2% compared with last year.

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGES 35 – 39 

Since the beginning of our partnership in 2019 we have 
contributed £320,000+ through corporate donations.

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGES 35 – 39 

Our priority this year has been the wellbeing of our 
employees and instead of participating in the GPTW survey 
we asked employees about the support they were getting 
from the business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 78% of 
employees in GB and Ireland and 81% in Brazil felt they could 
get the support from the business they needed.

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGES 35 – 39 

HEALTHIER  
PLANET

•  7% reduction in location-based Scope 1 
and 2 manufacturing emissions intensity.

We reduced our location-based Scope 1 and 2 manufacturing 
emissions intensity by 12.2% to 24.06 tCO2e† in 2020.

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGES 40 – 47

•  Launch science-based targets 

and roadmap.

We have officially committed to the Science Based Targets 
initiative (SBTi) in December 2019 and we are developing a 
roadmap for decarbonisation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGES 40 – 47

•  Achieve a water intensity ratio of 

1.98m³/tonne produced across our 
global manufacturing sites.

We have reduced our water intensity ratio by 12.4% across 
our global manufacturing sites, to a water intensity ratio of 
1.91 m3/tonne†. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGES 40 – 47

•  Achieve zero waste to landfill across our 

global manufacturing sites.

• 

Increase rPET in our GB and Ireland 
portfolio at 15% with 100% recycled 
content for at least two brands.

•  By year end 100% of all our trade and 
consumer advertisements in GB and 
Ireland carry a recycling message.

•  Remove over 500 tonnes of primary 
plastic through light-weighting 
initiatives.

We sent zero manufacturing waste to landfill across GB, 
Ireland and France and diverted 99.6% † of manufacturing 
waste generated from landfill overall. In the final quarter of 
the year we are pleased to report that Brazil achieved zero 
waste to landfill.

Although we didn’t achieve our rPET target for 2020, we 
have made progress towards our rPET goals during the year 
with Ballygowan 500ml and Fruit Shoot Hydro now being 
made from 100% rPET, and we are well placed to accelerate 
our rPET implementation over the next two years.

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGES 40 – 47

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGES 40 – 47

Both our consumer and trade advertisements in GB and 
Ireland include recycling messages. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGES 40 – 47

We have removed over 539† tonnes of primary plastic 
through light-weighting initiatives in 2020.

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGES 40 – 47

Achieved

Achieved in the final quarter of 2020

Not achieved

Changed basis of reporting during the year

34 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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HEALTHIER PEOPLE

AN OVERVIEW
Our Healthier People philosophy aims  
to create a business where work is 
purposeful and rewarding, as well as fun, 
and to provide consumers with a choice  
of great tasting drinks that are better 
for them.

To grow and thrive in a global and 

expanding market, against ever stronger 
competition, we need diverse talent with 
fresh thinking and bold ideas. It is this 
talent that sets us up to get ahead and 
stay ahead – whether it be through 
growing local favourites and global 
premium brands, innovating to access 
new spaces, flavouring billions of water 
occasions – or a combination of all three. 
We know that diverse ideas and insights 
significantly improve how we work, not 
only to improve our speed, agility and 
responsiveness, but also to create greater 
efficiencies to fuel our growth.

As the world around us changes 

fast, so too does the world of work, 
especially in these times of COVID-19. 
Entirely consistent with our fervent wish 
to create a better tomorrow, we 
recognise that great talent decides to join 
and stay with companies that are keen to 
be a net positive contributor to society – 
companies that value non-financial 
performance alongside financial – 
companies that want to give back and are 
unafraid to lead with their heart as well as 
their head. To attract and retain the very 
best talent therefore, it is critical that we 
place a premium on creating and 
sustaining a truly inclusive culture. 

WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS A HIGHLY DIVERSE BRITVIC, IN WHICH 
HAPPY AND HEALTHY EMPLOYEES THRIVE IN AN INCLUSIVE AND DYNAMIC 
WORKPLACE. WE WANT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES TO FEEL 
THEY CAN BRING THEIR TRUE SELVES TO WORK. WE ARE FOSTERING AN 
ENVIRONMENT WHERE LOOKING AFTER OUR OWN WELLBEING, AND THAT 
OF ONE ANOTHER, IS SECOND NATURE. 

ZAREENA BROWN, CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

CONSUMERS
Healthier consumer choices
Back in the 1930s the genesis of Britvic 
was to provide consumers an affordable 
source of vitamins. Today, our consumers 
face different health challenges, particularly 
obesity. The impact of the global obesity 
crisis has been amplified this year with those 
categorised as obese being more severely 
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Providing consumers with healthier choices 
remains at the heart of our strategy as we 
continue to reduce calories in our products.

Average calories per 250ml serve

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

25.5 †

27.5 

31.3 

35.3 

In 2013 we set ourselves the goal of reducing 
the number of calories in our drinks by 20% 
by 2020 and have been cutting calories from 
our portfolio every year since. We achieved 
this goal a year earlier than planned and this 
year we reduced the calories per serve even 
further from 27.5 to 25.5† calories per 250ml 
serve, this is a 27% reduction vs 2013. This 
achievement was principally driven by strong 
sales of Pepsi MAX, Tango Sugar Free and 
Robinsons, supported by the launch of Pepsi 
MAX Raspberry and three new sugar free 
Tango flavours. Across the Group 75%† of all 
volume sold (as consumed) was in low/no 
calorie drinks.

98% of Britvic owned drinks, made 
and sold in GB and Ireland are suitable for 
vegetarians and vegans. Our Aqua Libra, 
Britvic, J2O, Drench, R. White’s and Robinsons 
ranges have been accredited by The Vegetarian 
Society. These drinks all meet the Society’s 
strict criteria and are suitable for vegetarians 
and vegans. This accreditation strengthens our 
commitment to provide our consumers with 
more informed choices about our products.
It is important that we help our consumers 
to find the right products by providing them 

with the information they need to make the 
right choices. We use transparent front of 
pack nutritional profiling to give them both 
the information and the comfort they 
need. Furthermore, we adhere to our strict 
Responsible Marketing Code across all of our 
markets, which sets out the principles we 
adopt in all marketing and advertising activity, 
including not advertising high sugar products 
to under 16s in GB, and we are proud that we 
did not advertise any high sugar products in 
GB during 2020. 

ROBINSONS 
SUPERFRUIT CORDIALS 
We constantly adapt and develop 
our portfolio to respond to changing 
consumer needs and preferences, while 
maintaining an excellent product with 
great taste. This year Robinsons, the UK’s 
number one squash brand, launched two 
new flavours – Superfruit Cordials Orange 
& Acerola Cherry and Raspberry & Goji 
Berry. The new Superfruit Cordials boast 
health credentials and have no artificial 
colours or flavourings. The range also 
contains the added benefits of health 
supporting vitamins and minerals. 
Robinsons’ new range is the latest 
example of how it has offered 
refreshment over the decades 
while continuing to innovate.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

35

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Sustainable business continued

COMMUNITIES
Sustainable communities
We want the communities in which we operate 
to thrive and, through our community support 
programmes, we offer a variety of mechanisms 
by which our employees can support their 
communities including paid community days, 
matched fundraising and drinks donations. 
Britvic and its people want to make a 
meaningful contribution to our communities 
through our myGiving programme. We offer 
community volunteering days to enable our 
employees to support the causes that mean 
most to them. More generally, where we are 
able to do so, we encourage employees to 
fundraise on behalf of a registered charity 
close to their hearts.

Funds raised for Diabetes UK

 2019

 2020

£190,000+ 

£130,000+† 

Total contribution of

£320,000+

The principle element of our sustainable 
communities programme this year was our 
COVID-19 community response. Each and 
every one of our business units played a key 
role in supporting their local communities, 
including the donation of over one million 
soft drinks in the UK.

As part of our ongoing commitment to 
addressing societal health issues that affect 
both our consumers and employees, this year 
we began the second year of a three year 
partnership with Diabetes UK, for which we 
support their healthier school programmes – 
encouraging and equipping local schools to 
properly provide for pupils with Type 1 
Diabetes. The Good Diabetes Care in School 
Awards have been given to 151 schools 
celebrating their hard work and dedication 
in supporting their pupils living with Type 1 
diabetes. This scheme provides parents 
and families with much needed support, 
enabling their children to take part in all 
school activities and thrive. 

Over the course of our partnership with 

Diabetes UK, Britvic aims to raise £500,000 
to directly improve the lives of children and 
families affected by diabetes. Through our 
corporate donations and employee 
fundraising we delivered over £190,000 in 
the first year and can proudly say we have 
contributed over £130,000† in our second 
year to a total of £320,000+. Our network 
of charity champions has played an important 
role in this achievement, encouraging 

36 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

colleagues to take part in the One Million 
Step Challenge this year. The challenge 
not only encourages participation and 
engagement in our partnership but also 
challenges people to move more and create 
healthy habits. Our team of 50 raised £3,669 
and have so far collectively completed over 
35 million steps this year.

Community Engagement – Stem
Our Britvic Science, Technology, 
Engineering, Maths (STEM) group 
represented Britvic at an inspiration week 
organised by our local STEM hub. The 
week was split by STEM areas with Britvic 
presenting on the science day. This event 
was for students aged 14 – 15 and our 
session reached 650 students. We 
spoke about how drinks are made from 
the farm through to reaching the consumer, 
focusing on the science of formulating 
drinks, sensory science and the process 
of scaling up. We received great feedback 
and hope to get involved in similar events 
in the future to showcase the great work 
we do at Britvic and inspire the next 
generation to go into STEM based careers.

In Ireland, the Britvic MiWadi team 
continued its support of the Temple Street 
Foundation for the eighth year in a row. 
The team helped to raise funds for vital, 
life-saving equipment for the children’s 
hospital through its annual Trick or Treat for 
Temple Street campaign, a total of €1500 
was raised. 

COVID-19 
RESPONSE
During the COVID-19 crisis we provided 
much needed refreshment to hospitals, 
hospices, food banks, emergency 
services and charities. In the UK alone, 
we have donated more than a million 
drinks so far, as well as providing fully 
stocked chiller units to NHS Nightingale 
hospitals up and down the country. 

This centrally co-ordinated approach to 
giving back has been echoed by many of 
our own front-line employees who have 
donated the free case of drinks given to 
each employee per shift, to local people 
and communities. 

In France, we have focused on donating 
PPE to medical professionals and in Brazil 
we have been donating soft drinks to 
communities and hospitals. 

Each part of our business has played 
a role. Our GB commercial team 
repurposed our Out-of-Home Sensational 
Drinks portal, to support small businesses 
with practical support such as maintaining 
equipment while their businesses were 
closed. Meanwhile, our Robinsons and 
MiWadi brand teams created Craft 
O’Clock tutorials on Facebook, supporting 
those with young families with activities 
during the height of lockdown. 

We also supported the Irish Cancer 
Society through the ‘Marathon in a Month’ 
campaign. Our Ireland team covered 
1,883km and raised an impressive €15,200.

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EMPLOYEES
COVID-19 employee support 
This year we chose not to take part in the 
GPTW survey. We have moved instead to 
a real-time survey mechanic so that we can 
listen to understand and act more quickly 
to improve employee satisfaction. This was 
especially helpful during the COVID-19 
response period, where we focused largely 
on employee wellbeing. During this time, 
employees in GB, Ireland and Brazil took 
part in a questionnaire and we were pleased 
to learn that 78% of employees in GB and 
Ireland and 81% of employees in Brazil felt 
they were getting the support they needed 
from their manager. We continue to work 
towards ensuring all our employees have 
the support they need and feel valued.

We also launched Project Phoenix – 

a highly visible portal on our intranet where 
employees can find all the resources they 
need to support them through the pandemic. 
The purpose was to make life during the 
pandemic as easy as possible and emerge 
on the other side stronger than ever. 
See page 39. 

Percentage of employees who felt 
supported during the pandemic*

Great Britain and Ireland

Brazil

78% 

81% 

*  Due to business restructuring in France they did 

not take part in the survey.

Diversity & inclusion 
At Britvic, we encourage and celebrate 
our keen sense of belonging to one family. 
This sense is fuelled by our business-wide 
diversity and inclusion agenda, where every 
individual’s unique and varied contributions 
are valued, and we are able to be our true 
selves at work, remembering too that we 
are always stronger together.

We want our employees to mirror the 

richness of the markets and communities 
where we operate. As with many consumer 
industries, the soft drinks category is rapidly 
changing. Consumers are becoming more 
discerning, turning to healthier, trusted 
brands. They are looking for more tailored 
experiences, and are expecting more from 
the products they purchase, as well as from 
the companies who make them. As we see 
habits change, we see the need for new, 
innovative solutions. Being diverse and 
including the views of all, enables Britvic to 
keep pace with what’s changing, and stay 
relevant for our customers and consumers. 

BELONGING 
AT BRITVIC
Our employee-led Diversity and Inclusion 
action groups and champions form the 
foundation of our belonging strategy. 
Through these groups, and their initiatives, 
we are working hard to create a culture 
where every employee feels like they can 
bring their true selves to work. This means 
listening to our employees and their ideas 
about how to create a more diverse and 
inclusive working environment.

A key aspect of our diversity and inclusion 
strategy is to ensure that we have the 
right levels of leadership commitment 
and accountability to create change for now 
and decades to come. We are pleased to 
report that all our senior leaders are strong 
advocates of our diversity and inclusion 
agenda, and are actively committed 
to creating a fully inclusive culture. In line 
with this commitment, we continuously 
reinforce our speakUp framework and 
equip line managers with skills to tackle 
any bullying, harassment and discrimination, 
and build confidence in our people to 
challenge negative behaviours. We 
have also undertaken a full review of 
our current benefits package to ensure 
it is fully inclusive. 

HEALTHIER 
PEOPLE

B-Diverse promotes increased 
diversity and inclusion in the 
business and supports Black, 
Asian and Minority Ethnic 
(BAME) employees in bringing 
their true selves to work.

B-Empowered supports the 
attraction, development and 
retention of great female talent. 
It enables women to reach their 
full potential and thrive within 
the company. 

B-Proud champions inclusion 
and celebrates diversity. 
Supported by diversity charity 
Stonewall, this network offers 
advice and support to LGBTQ+ 
employees and straight allies.

B-Seen is passionate about 
Britvic attracting, retaining and 
championing employees with 
disabilities. B-Seen celebrates 
diverse ability and Britvic is a 
proud member of The Valuable 
500, a global campaign aiming to 
eradicate the exclusion of people 
with disabilities from business.

We have made strong progress against 
our Healthier People agenda this year, 
fuelled by the incredible employee support 
for our diversity and inclusion, or belonging, 
programme. The formal part of this agenda 
is directed by a multi-market and cross-
functional steering committee, Executive 
committee sponsorship and employee 
volunteers. Self-nominated working groups 
collaborate to ensure different aspects of 
diversity and inclusion are enshrined in our 
policies, procedures, communications and 
core ways of working. 

Since the start of this programme, we 

have launched four network groups in GB, 
and also appointed external partners or 
signed up to a series of public commitments, 
to frame the good work of each. 
Our B-Empowered women’s network 
is focused on supporting, developing and 
retaining great female talent within Britvic. 
Our B-Proud network represents our 

LGBTQ+ community, and has partnered with 
Stonewall, the leading LGBTQ+ campaigning 
charity, to help it drive lasting change. Our 
B-Seen network represents diverse abilities 
across our organisation, and our B-Diverse 
network represents colleagues from all ethnic 
minorities. See above. Supplementing our 
more formal people strategy, our employee 
networks have gone from strength to 
strength this year, with nearly 500 employees 
now active members in total. Each has its 
own dedicated expansion and engagement 
plan, fully aligned with our overarching 
business strategy.

All of this work is cemented and 
enhanced by the grassroots support across 
our employee base. This in turn enables us 
to tap into and harness the energy of the 
myriad of different cultures and communities 
represented across our workforce, helping us 
to be stronger together.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

37

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Sustainable business continued

Gender and equality
The gender balance across all employees 
within the business at year end was 29% 
female and 71% male. This figure is broadly 
indicative of our industry, with a high 
proportion of operations-based employees 
typically (or at least historically) being male. 
This year, the proportion of women in 
leadership roles increased to 40%†, an 
increase of 2% from last year. We are 
delighted to have achieved this goal, and 
going forward we are also committed to 
improving ethnic diversity within our 
leadership population. We will be leaning 
into our B-Diverse employee network for 
counsel as to the most appropriate targets  
in this regard.

More broadly, embracing diversity 
underpins our commitment to providing 
equal opportunities to our current and 
potential employees, and applying fair and 
equitable employment practices everywhere. 
We codify this through our Equality and 
Diversity Policy and in how we live and lead 
through our Culture – Purpose, Vision 
and Values.

Women in leadership

40%

2020

2019

2018

2017

40 †

38 

33 

33 

GB Gender pay gap 
The following results show our GB gender 
pay gap for the 1,751 people who were 
employed by Britvic on 5 April 2020. The 
gender pay gap is the difference between the 
average earnings of men and women across 
the business regardless of the nature of their 
work. It is different from equal pay. Equal pay 
relates to men and women being paid equally 
for equivalent jobs. This is a legal requirement 
in the UK and one that Britvic believes in fully 
across all of our markets. We are confident 
that men and women are paid equally for 
equivalent work, however because different 
jobs pay differently and the number of men 
and women performing these jobs varies, 
a gender pay gap exists. 

38 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

The mean pay gap is the difference between 
average hourly rate of men and women. The 
median pay gap is the difference between the 
midpoints in the ranges of hourly rate of men 
and women. In both cases, a positive figure 
indicates that men receive higher pay and a 
negative figure indicates that women do.
Our total gender pay gap is skewed 

towards women which means that the 
average earnings of women are higher 
than men. Britvic has a -12% median pay 
difference against the UK average of 15.5% 
median. The primary driver of this is the 
structure of our workforce which, in line 
with the industry we operate in, is weighted 

towards manufacturing and distribution 
operations, where the balance of the 
workforce is predominantly male (7:1). 
The roles in our manufacturing and distribution 
operations have, on average, lower salaries 
and bonus payments than those in our office 
functions. We have proportionally fewer 
women in our leadership roles that, on 
average, attract higher pay rates, as shown 
by the upper quartile pay gender split (71.6% 
men). The mean bonus payment is 6.8% in 
favour of males primarily because higher 
bonuses are paid at a senior Executive level.

PAY QUARTILE GENDER SPLIT (%)

GB EMPLOYEES BY GENDER

Upper quartile (%)

 71.8

28.2 

Upper middle quartile (%)

 62.1

37.9 

 Male
 Female

70%
30%

Lower middle quartile (%)

GENDER DIVERSITY

4
(44%)

5
(56%)

Board

2
(20%)

8
(80%)

140
(40%) 

213
(60%)

1,232
(29%)

3,075
(71%)

Executive
Team

Senior
Managers
(Band D+)

All
Employees

 Male

 Female

PROPORTION OF MEN AND
WOMEN RECEIVING A BONUS (%)
Male

88.1% 

Female

82.9% 

 75.3

24.7 

Lower quartile (%)

 70.5

29.5 

DIFFERENCE IN PAY  
BETWEEN GENDERS (%)

MEAN

-4

MEDIAN

-12

DIFFERENCE IN BONUS PAYMENTS 
BETWEEN GENDERS (%)

MEAN

7.2

MEDIAN

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MY GIVING
The gift that gives. We know that doing 
good deeds for one another makes us feel 
good. Connecting with charities or local 
communities through volunteering or 
fundraising can be rewarding, both personally 
and professionally. Full-time employees can 
take up to two paid days off for voluntary 
work each year – and we encourage them  
to support the charities that mean the most  
to them, including Diabetes UK, our corporate 
charity partner, and more recently all 
healthcare professionals in the wake of the 
COVID-19 crisis. As well as being the right 
thing to do, this also benefits employee 
engagement, motivation and morale – in turn 
helping to create a more collaborative and 
productive working environment.

During the year, 40 employees from 

across the business volunteered to be 
Wellbeing Warriors. The Warriors, who are 
based across our offices and sites, have been 
trained in all the support that Britvic offers 
and they are able to point colleagues in the 
direction of the right resources. We have also 
recruited a further 15 employee volunteers as 
Mental Health First Aiders who can support 
our employees and direct them to all mental 
health resources. We are developing a 
comprehensive programme of activity to 
educate and upskill our employees on the 
topic of mental health, helping to ensure our 
people know how to access the support they 
need and also recognise when others might 
need help. 

The myLife app was launched in 
November 2019 and is supported by a suite 
of resources, including a comprehensive 
digital resource hub provided by LifeWorks. 
This provides Britvic people and their families 
with access to a wide range of training, 
support, guidance and information, plus direct 
links to a variety of external, as well as internal, 
experts. We use this to raise awareness to 
support and to communicate at all times – 
and it forms a critical tenant of our COVID-19 
employee response programme.

Underpinning both Belonging and 
Wellbeing pillars sits our digital learning 
platform, myLearning, where we have 
created dedicated communities, content and 
conversations. So far, our learning library in 
this area is centred around such topics as 
unconscious bias, mental health and how to 
effectively work from home. All this is made 
available to all employees through both 
company and personal devices, including 
mobile phones. 

Health and safety
Throughout 2020, we have acted with pace 
to provide a robust and timely response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic, to implement the right 
controls to keep our people and our partners 
safe and to respond to changing government, 
local Public Health and World Health 
Organization (WHO) guidance. Our response 

Health, wellness and wellbeing
Championing the holistic wellbeing 
of employees, and respecting their 
individual work-life blends.

Our people are our lifeforce and we care 
about their health and wellbeing. We all need 
to manage and sustain our own energy if we 
are to emerge stronger from COVID-19 and 
deliver the enduring performance and growth 
ambition set out in our business strategy.

In everything we do, we aim to create 

a working environment that supports our 
employees’ whole lives, while also meeting 
our business needs. One way we do this is 
through dynamic working – providing our 
employees with safe, flexible working 
practices and technology, enabling them to 
work highly effectively from anywhere, at any 
time – which has clearly been tested through 
the COVID-19 pandemic.

Britvic’s wellbeing framework is made 
up of the following interconnected elements:

MY MOJO
Promoting good health, energy and physical 
wellbeing. We encourage our people to take 
care of themselves, and ensure that they have 
access to the latest advice and expertise in 
all aspects of health, energy and physical 
wellbeing. We also offer regular health checks, 
encourage healthy hydration, regular exercise 
and a healthy and balanced diet. 

MY JOY
Building emotional health, resilience and 
mindfulness. We support our employees 
to feel confident and manage the various 
challenges and pressures life throws at 
them. We take mental health and wellbeing 
seriously, actively promoting an open culture 
where people are encouraged to talk about 
how they feel. Our leaders attend training 
sessions to help them identify early signs of 
mental or emotional health problems – and 
learn how they can direct employees to the 
right places for help and support through our 
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). 

MY MONEY
Encouraging financial security. Whatever our 
individual circumstances, we all know that 
financial security and planning for our futures 
and those of our families can be very significant 
sources of fret and worry. And unlike the kind of 
stress felt during a physical challenge or project 
deadline, it is all too often enduring. Through our 
new EAP, we are able to offer expert help to 
staff on issues such as budgeting to help 
combat stress and building financial confidence.

PHOENIX PORTAL 
The mental health and wellbeing of our 
people has never been more important 
to our business considering the global 
pandemic the world is currently facing. 
Most of our employees, except for those 
critical workers in supply chain, have 
been working from home since March. 
This brings both advantages and 
disadvantages – depending as much on 
the psyche of each individual as it does 
their personal and family circumstances. 
With that in mind, we swiftly developed 
and launched our Phoenix portal, which 
provided our people with support in 
dealing with the new working patterns, 
helped them to stay connected and 
embrace the new ways of working as a 
team even when they are apart. Phoenix 
also provided rich and specific content to 
enhance the user’s experience and led to a 
series of conversations that helped us all 
adjust both personally and professionally.

to COVID-19 has been swift in the territories 
where we operate to provide the right controls, 
protection and awareness for our employees 
and partners as the situation continues to 
evolve and develop. We have also ensured 
COVID safe workplace for supply chain and 
more general workplaces when the time for 
return to work is necessary.

Our efforts have also continued to centre 

on creating a zero harm culture through 
behavioural safety observations, near miss and 
hazard reporting. Across the Group, our focus 
has been on improving our safety performance 
and standardising the proactive mechanisms 
we have in place to identify hazards and 
control the risks from our operational activities. 
Key to this has been building our new reporting 
tool called Integrity for health, safety and 
environment. This will support compliance 
with internal and external standards and help 
deliver our external certification roadmap. 
The sophisticated business intelligence offered 
by Integrity, also enables us to access data and 
respond to trends faster and with greater 
agility resulting in a year on year improvement 
versus last year. We achieved an accident 
frequency rate of 2.52, a reduction of 7.2%, 
and a lost time injury frequency rate of 0.66†, 
a 17.7% reduction compared to last year.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

39

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Sustainable business continued

HEALTHIER PLANET

AS A LEADING CONSUMER GOODS BUSINESS WE ARE PASSIONATE FOR OUR 
BRANDS TO PLAY THEIR FULL PART IN HELPING TO CREATE A HEALTHIER PLANET, 
AS WELL AS HEALTHIER PEOPLE. AT THE HEART OF THIS SITS THE CARBON CRISIS. 
RECOGNISING OUR WORLD IS INTERCONNECTED, WE TAKE AN INTEGRATED 
APPROACH ACROSS OUR ENTIRE VALUE CHAIN, TO ENSURE WE MINIMISE OUR 
FOOTPRINT, AS WELL AS ALL FORMS OF WASTE. CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW, 
STARTS TODAY.

MATT BARWELL, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

ENERGY – CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2050 
We are also committed to achieving net zero carbon 
emissions by 2050. Through innovation, utilising low 
carbon technology and energy sources, and having 
a sustainable supply chain, we will play our part in 
securing a healthy future for our planet.

2017

We have used our baseline  
year value chain GHG emissions  
analysis to identify opportunities  
for reduction initiatives.

Offices, travel & other

Manufacturing

Retail, use  
and disposal

Logistics

Equipment

Packaging

3%
9%

10%

12%

14%

21%

Ingredients

31%

2025

We aim to reduce the emissions  
from our operations by 50% and our 
upstream and downstream emissions 
by 35%, giving a 36% reduction overall.

36%
REDUCTION TARGET

2050

Through innovation, future 
developments in technology and 
building on our progress by 2025, 
we have committed to net zero carbon 
emissions by 2050 to ensure we play 
our part in securing a healthy future 
for our planet.

0%

NET ZERO TARGET

AN OVERVIEW
As a soft drinks business, our long-term 
success depends on our ability to source 
ingredients and raw materials, and a 
stable, healthy environment. As we 
emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic 
we fully support the green recovery 
required to address the climate challenge 
and are committed to playing our part, 
like any responsible business. 

The core elements of our Healthier 

Planet strategy are to build a resilient 
Britvic through responsible use of the 
natural resources, significantly reducing 
the impact of our operations on the 
environment and transitioning to a low 
carbon business. 

To protect and repair our planet for 
a better tomorrow we have set targets to 
significantly reduce our carbon footprint, 
use more sustainable packaging, adopt 
stronger water stewardship and eliminate 
waste to landfill.

Last year we set ambitious targets 
aligned with the Science Based Targets 
Initiative (SBTi) and publicly committed  
to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 carbon 
emissions by 50% and Scope 3 carbon 
emissions by 35% by 2025 (vs 2017 
baseline) as well as pledging to become 
carbon neutral by 2050.

40 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Manufacturing carbon 
emissions intensity ratio (tCO2e)*

2020 

2019

2018

2017

24.06 †

27.41 

26.64 

30.23 

*  Tonnes of CO2e/thousand tonnes of product. 

Includes manufacturing location based emissions 
only and therefore differs from our SECR disclosure 
which covers emissions from all sources.

Carbon reduction 
During the year we continued to source 100% 
renewable electricity at all of our sites in the UK, 
Ireland and Brazil with total energy sourced 
from renewables for manufacturing this year 
consistent at 46.6%† overall. Our French 
business unit expects to use 100% renewable 
electricity from 2021. Additionally, hybrid and 
electric vehicles in our GB company car fleet 
increased from 27% to 43% during the year. 
In 2020, we also benefited from the full-year 
carbon reduction from the biomass boiler 
installed at our Araguari plant in Brazil last year.
In 2019, we commissioned a combined 

heat and power plant (CHP) at our Rugby 
manufacturing site. This significantly improved 
our energy resilience and has enabled us to 
generate the power needed to support our 
business’s growth ambitions. While the CHP 
plant provides an efficient way to generate heat 
and electricity for our manufacturing operations, 
it is powered by natural gas. Since we 
previously sourced renewable electricity from 
the grid, the switch to generating our own 
electricity with natural gas has increased our 
carbon emissions at the site and has offset 
some of the benefits from the carbon reduction 
initiatives at our other manufacturing sites. 

To improve our CHP plant’s performance, 
our engineers implemented a number of 
measures. This includes incorporating 
recovered heat into our Cleaning in Place 
(CIP) process as well as commissioning 
the CHP plant’s absorption chiller.
Additionally, we completed a thorough energy 
savings audit through the Energy Savings 
Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and have 
created an action plan for each production 
site to implement additional measures in GB 
and Ireland, in 2021. Further details of these 
planned initiatives can be found on page 46. 
In 2020, we saw an improvement in our 
location-based emissions and intensity ratio, 
however our market-based carbon emissions 
increased, driven by an increase in production 
volume and our CHP plant. We are fully 
committed to our science-based targets and 
we are exploring a range of opportunities to 
reduce our carbon emissions through three 
main activities: improving energy efficiency 
in our operations; utilising low-carbon 
technology and/or energy sources; and 
working in partnership with our key 
suppliers to reduce carbon emissions 
in our supply chain, see sidebar. 

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SUPPLIER ENGAGEMENT 
Supplier and customer engagement is 
key to addressing the climate crisis and 
reducing carbon emissions throughout 
the value chain. Encirc one of our glass 
suppliers and co-packers, has used a 
simple and innovative energy solution 
at its plant in Northern Ireland. 

The site’s air compressors generate high 
levels of heat in their immediate vicinity. 
The engineers at Encirc designed and built a 
heat exchange solution that not only cooled 
the area by taking the heat away, but in turn 
created new energy to heat the newly built 
employee gym and shower block, together 
with heating the administration building and 
the cold end of the factory. 

The successful scheme has led to 
an annual saving of almost 110 tonnes 
of CO2e, which in turn reduces our 
Scope 3 emissions.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

41

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Sustainable business continued

Packaging – a circular economy
At Britvic we are taking proactive steps to 
reduce the environmental impact of plastic 
packaging and future-proofing ‘beyond 
plastic’. Packaging doesn’t just keep our 
products safe, secure and of optimum quality. 
Packaging has become part of modern life. 
With the growth in packaging has come an 
unintended consequence, packaging waste. 
More needs to be done about it and as an 
industry leader, we play a crucial role in 
dealing with this issue. 

We are a trusted partner to our 
customers through our engagement and 
commitment to finding the packaging 
solutions as we aim to create a world where 
great packaging never becomes waste, and 
work towards creating a circular economy. 

We also work in close collaboration 
with our industry peers, government and 
the waste management sectors to improve 
infrastructure and systems to promote better 
material recovery, and as part of this we 
advocate for an industry run Deposit Return 
Scheme (DRS).

A well-designed DRS will address 
several packaging waste issues and has been 
found to improve recycling quantity, improve 
recycling quality, encourage wider behaviour 
change around waste, and supports the 
transition to a circular economy – by using 
recycled materials over and over again.

Primary plastic packaging 
removed in GB through light-
weighting (tonnes)

We made progress towards our rPET goals 
during the year with Ballygowan 500ml and 
Fruit Shoot Hydro now being made from 
100% rPET. While we missed our annual 
target for rPET in 2020 due to COVID-19 
production priorities, we recently made the 
strategic and responsible decision to 
accelerate our plans in this area. We intend 
that all PET bottles in GB will be made from 
100% rPET by the end of 2022 – surpassing 
our previous target of 50% rPET by 2025.
Britvic entered a supply agreement  
with Esterform Packaging Ltd to provide 
us with a secure, long term supply of UK 
sourced rPET. We have provided a £5m 
investment support package for the 
construction of Esterform’s new rPET 
manufacturing facility to move towards  
an improved circular economy in both 
GB and Ireland.

Building on Britvic’s existing work to 
protect the environment, the company has 
joined forces with other global businesses  
to promote a ground-breaking recycling 
technology that aims to bring about a circular 
economy for plastics. The new BP Infinia 
technology means opaque and difficult to 
recycle PET plastic waste can be made into 
new plastic again and again, with no loss  
in quality. 

A key tenet of our packaging 

transformation plan is to provide consumers 
and customers with solutions beyond the 
bottle when they are Out-of-Home, at work,  
in bars and food outlets. A major milestone  
in this ambition was the 100% acquisition  
of The Boiling Tap Company (TBTC).

2020

2019

2018

2017

539 †

646 

598 

308 

During the year we removed 539 tonnes of 
primary plastic packaging† from our products 
and have removed a total of 2,091 tonnes 
since 2017.

We have completed several light-
weighting initiatives across our key brands 
including a plastic reduction of 13.8% in our 
1L Robinsons, a 11.7% reduction of the 500ml 
bottle used for our key Pepsi, Tango and 7UP 
products, and a 12.5% reduction in plastic 
weight in our children’s brand Fruit Shoot.

42 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

FRUIT SHOOT HYDRO
Our Fruit Shoot brand is all about 
combining healthier options with great 
tasting soft drinks for children. We have 
continued to evolve the brand this year 
and switched our Fruit Shoot Hydro 
bottles to 100% rPET – a change that 
will save another 640 tonnes of virgin 
plastic a year. 

BALLYGOWAN
Ballygowan is a leading Irish natural 
mineral water brand available in the UK 
and Ireland, sourced deep underground 
from the town of Newcastle West. 

The Ballygowan range has become a 
closed loop sustainable bottled water 
by moving to 100% rPET in its 500ml 
bottles. This is part of an environmental 
refresh across the full range in the 
coming year and will remove around 150 
million virgin plastic bottles from Ireland’s 
environment in the next three years. 
Making Ireland’s most trusted water also 
one of the most sustainable choices for 
consumers in Ireland. 

LONDON ESSENCE FRESH SERVE
Aligned with our 2025 target to reduce 
our packaging per serve by 20%, we have 
introduced London Essence Fresh Serve. 
Freshly infused flavours are mixed on 
the premises through this beyond the 
bottle innovation, delivering not only an 
experience filled with the same 
wonderful and tasty drinks but also 
contributing to the health of our planet. 
Each pack makes up to 1,000 serves 
reducing packaging per serve by 96% 
compared with traditional glass bottles.

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Water efficiency
Understanding the environmental impact  
as a result of our collective business and 
value chain operations is of paramount 
importance. It enables transformational 
change through collaboration and drives 
the efficient use of natural resources. 

Water is our most important ingredient 

and a precious shared resource which is 
coming under increasing pressure across the 
markets in which we operate. It is vital to the 
ecosystems, local economies, communities 
in which we live and work, and especially to 
grow many of our ingredients. 

Constraints on the quality and quantity 

of the water available limit our ability to 
operate effectively, meet the needs of our 
consumers and for our consumers to enjoy 
our brands in life’s everyday moments. 
Managing our impact on water, and being 
good water stewards, is one of our highest 
environmental priorities.

At Britvic we take our responsibility 

for strong water management seriously 
and we are looking at ways to improve our 
water stewardship

In 2020, our engineering team 
took steps to improve our water efficiency 
across our manufacturing sites. This led to 
optimising the running time of our CIP 
process, a key step in cleaning our lines 
between products. The outcome of this 
project at our largest manufacturing site in 
Rugby, resulted in cutting on average 30,000 
tonnes of water per day, contributing to our 
improved water intensity ratio this year of 
1.91 m3 of water per tonne of product†, which 
also benefited from the closure of our factory 
in Norwich. Overall, we have decreased this 
manufacturing intensity ratio by 12.4% versus 
last year.

Manufacturing water intensity 
ratio (m3)*

2020

2019

2018

2017

1.91†

2.18 

2.14 

2.07 

*  m3 of water used per tonne of production

WATER RECOVERY AND REUSE 
PROJECT – BRAZIL 
Minimising our water consumption is a 
key priority for Britvic, especially within 
our manufacturing operations. 

Our Astolfo Dutra site in Brazil developed 
water recovery and reuse projects 
between 2018 and 2020. These included 
water recovery from filtering and pulping 
processing which generated cumulative 
water savings of 4,000m3 in the first eight 
months of 2020. Other positive impacts 
seen included the increase of water 
availability for use in the public water 
supply and a decrease in electricity 
consumption related to water treatment. 
Beyond the environmental benefits, it 
was also possible to identity economic 
and social benefits such as a decrease 
of production costs which subsequently 
created direct and indirect jobs.

Sustainable supply chain
Building strong relationships with our supply 
chain partners, where both parties promote 
socially and environmentally responsible 
business practices, is not just good for 
safeguarding business continuity but also 
for a healthier planet and healthier people. 
In 2020, we developed and launched 
our supply chain engagement programme, 
including a discovery questionnaire which 
was shared with a number of our most 
material suppliers and covered the key 
sustainable business aspects. The outcome 
was a clear picture of our combined 
environmental impacts which is now being 
used to support our planning for a low carbon 
economy journey. We intend to roll out the 
engagement programme to the majority of 
our suppliers over the next two years.

Sedex
% of direct suppliers linked to us on 
Sedex 

2020  

2019

2018

% of high-risk suppliers with SMETA 
audits in place

2020

2019

2018

88% †

92% 

57% 

17% †

40% 

25% 

Suppliers 
We engage with suppliers to address 
challenges and drive positive change 
through our procurement and supplier quality 
assurance teams and processes, as well as 
through conferences and training sessions for 
suppliers. We are committed to sourcing the 
materials we need and the ingredients of our 
drinks in a responsible manner and continually 
strive for the highest ethical standards, holding 
our suppliers and partners to the same criteria. 
Our Ethical Business Policy details our 
commitment to human rights and covers 
bribery and corruption, conducting business 
with respect, integrity and equality, and 
managing personal activities and interests.

Our approach is guided by international 
conventions and standards, including the UN 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 
the UN Guiding Principles on Business and 
Human Rights. Our policy extends to our 
suppliers and other trading partners and 
compliance is monitored through our 
responsible sourcing programme. Since fully 
integrating all Britvic business units into our 
responsible sourcing programme in 2018, we 
are proud to confirm the percentage of direct 
suppliers linked to us on Sedex, the ethical 
supply chain data platform we use, is 88%† 
across the Group over the course of 2020. 
In addition, 17% of high-risk suppliers† have 
had Sedex Member Ethical Trade Audits 
(SMETA) carried out in 2020. The decrease 
compared to 2019 for these metrics is linked 
to the introduction of a new Sedex risk 
assessment tool, in March 2020, which 
inherently increased the number of high risk 
suppliers. Furthermore, the impact of the 
COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced the 
number of on-site audits that took place in 
manufacturing sites this year. In response to 
the COVID-19 pandemic, Sedex launched the 
Sedex Virtual Assessment in October 2020, 
to enable remote workplace and site audits 
through the use of video conferencing. This is 
something that Britvic will be promoting 
among our higher risk suppliers in 2021.

Further details on our Sedex scorecard 
and our approach to protecting human rights 
and preventing modern slavery across our 
business can be found within our Modern 
Slavery Statement published on our website 
at www.britvic.com/modernslavery.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

43

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Sustainable business continued

Materiality and reporting
We regularly engage with internal and 
external stakeholders to ensure that our 
sustainability strategy is addressing the 
material issues. Insight gathered confirmed 
that plastic packaging and calorie reduction 
remain priorities. This year we also witnessed 
an increase in interest in carbon reduction 
and the impact of our supply chain on our 
environment and our communities. 
Further information on our full 
sustainability programme, including 
performance datasheets, can be found on 
our corporate website www.britvic.com/
sustainable-business. Britvic’s 2020 Basis 
of Reporting is available on our website 
and outlines the Scope and methodological 
principles for the collation of our key 
sustainability metrics. We continue to 
enhance the robustness of our performance 
data. To further improve quality this year 
we launched a global compliance software 
platform to monitor and track the progress 
of our key environmental performance 
indicators. We have also implemented 
cloud-based reporting solutions for several 
of our other non-financial Key Performance 
Indicators (KPIs). 

Governance
Our Executive committee is accountable for 
the delivery of our Healthier People, Healthier 
Planet strategy. 

On behalf of the Executive committee 

the Environmental, Social and Governance 
(ESG) committee oversees the development 
of Britvic’s Healthier People, Healthier Planet 
strategy and roadmap, ensuring performance 
and activity align with our ambitions in this 
area. Meeting quarterly, the ESG Committee 
reviews the risks and opportunities relating 
to the sustainable business agenda and 
non-financial reporting requirements and 
making recommendations to the Executive 
team and business units on how to 
address these. 

The committee also provides assurance 

to the Executive team that statutory non-
financial reporting requirements are fulfilled 
and makes recommendations and/or decisions 
on voluntary company disclosures. 
An overview of our corporate 

governance framework, including an 
introduction to our Board, Executive team 
and the key practices and policies that are in 
place, is set out in the Corporate Governance 
section of this report, starting on page 61.

Independent assurance 
Britvic plc appointed Ernst & Young LLP to 
provide limited independent assurance over 
selected sustainability content within the 
Strategic Report (the ‘Report’), as at and 
for the period ended 30 September 2020. 
The assurance engagement was planned 
and performed in accordance with the 
International Standard for Assurance 
Engagements (ISAE) 3000 Revised, 
Assurance Engagements other than Audits 
or Reviews of Historical Financial Information. 
These procedures were designed to conclude 
on the accuracy and completeness of the 
sustainability performance indicators, which 
are indicated in the Report with an obelus (†). 
A limited assurance report was issued and is 
available on www.britvic.com/sustainable-
business, along with further details of the 
Scope, respective responsibilities, work 
performed, limitations and conclusions.

44 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

STREAMLINED ENERGY AND 
CARBON REPORTING (SECR) 

Scope 1 and 2 Market Based Emissions 2017-2020 (tCO2e)
60,000

 54,843 

 48,462 

31,752

 23,091 

 31,048 

 17,414 

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0

 38,251 

 28,060 

 10,191 

40,952

23,067

 17,885 

2016/2017

2017/2018

2018/2019

2019/2020

 Scope 1

 Scope 2

 Total

Britvic plc – 
Global Emissions
Scope 1

Scope 2
Total

Unit
tCO2e

tCO2e
tCO2e

Intensity Metrics
Scope 1 & 2 
Emissions Intensity
Production

per thousand tonnes 
of production
Tonnes

Location-Based Emissions

Market-Based Emissions

2016/2017
 31,752 

2017/2018
 31,048 

2018/2019
 28,060 

 35,578 
 67,330 

 31,067 
 62,115 

 34,765 
 62,825 

2019/2020

 17,885† 

 36,916† 
54,801†

2016/2017
 31,752 

2017/2018
 31,048 

2018/2019
 28,060 

 23,091 
 54,843 

 17,414 
 48,462 

 10,191 
 38,251 

2019/2020

 17,885† 

 23,067† 
40,952† 

31.7
 2,124,268 

29.03
 2,140,036 

28.86

24.98†
2,177,113  2,194,043 

25.82
 2,124,268 

22.65
 2,140,036 

17.57

18.67†
 2,177,113  2,194,043 

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Britvic Scope 1, 2 and 3 Emissions 2017 – 2020

Category

Scope 1
Scope 2 – Market Based
Scope 3
Upstream emissions of purchased fuels
Upstream emissions of purchased electricity and heat
Transmission and distribution losses
Waste
Water supply
Effluent
Business travel
Logistics
Electricity from refrigeration on customer sites
Total Scope 1, 2, & 3

2016/2017

2017/2018

2018/2019

2019/2020

Emissions 
(tCO2e)

Emissions 
(tCO2e)

Emissions 
(tCO2e)

Emissions 
(tCO2e)

 31,752 
 23,091 

 31,048 
 17,414

 28,060 
 10,191 

 17,885†
23,067†

 NR 
 NR 
 3,142 
 446 
 1,515 
 NR 
 3,947 
 47,804 
 42,095 
 152,277 

 NR 
 NR 
 3,236 
 594 
 1,576 
 NR 
 4,700 
 53,711 
 53,114 
 165,393 

 NR 
 NR 
 2,340 
 534 
 1,633 
 NR 
 4,136 
 52,050 
 46,541 
 145,486 

 2,561 
5,247
1,589† 
604†
1,441† 
1,203
1,959†
50,744† 
45,379† 
151,679 

For our SECR disclosure we have applied the methodology per the GHG protocol. Scope 1 and 2 figures include all manufacturing and non-manufacturing related emissions. In 2020, our GB 
operations accounted for 47% of total energy consumption and 71% of total GHG emissions. For the full breakdown showing split by country, refer to the sustainability datasheet on our corporate 
website at www.britvic.com/sustainable.

The Scope 3 categories included in the SECR disclosure, reflect the areas that we have robust and current data for. We continue to expand the categories of Scope 3 GHG emissions that we 
measure and disclose, and this will be reflected in future reporting.

2020 figures refer to the 52 weeks ended 30 September 2020. Please refer to Britvic’s 2020 Basis of Reporting available at www.britvic.com/sustainable for full scope, boundary, and 
methodology disclosure for our GHG reporting. This data is independently assured by Ernst & Young LLP.

The GHG Protocol (2015) defines location-based Scope 2 emissions as reflecting ‘the average emissions intensity of grids on which energy consumption occurs’ and market-based Scope 2 
emissions as reflecting ‘emissions from electricity that companies have purposefully chosen’.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

45

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Sustainable business continued

Global energy consumption – Britvic Soft Drinks
Energy Consumption (kWh)
Natural Gas
LPG
Diesel
Medium/Heavy Fuel Oil
Solid fuel e.g. coal (gross CV) – Specify
Biogas
Biomass – cashew shells
Biomass – firewood
Biomass – wood chip
Electricity
Electricity CHP
Steam CHP
Company cars
Total

2016/2017
97,528,211
8,935,010 
675,548
32,526,095 
–
–
21,929,776 
2,296,576 
126,789 

2018/2019
2017/2018
94,283,035
90,316,710
8,217,703 
8,876,310 
709,809 
948,547 
22,168,771
28,044,459 
–
–
–
130,000
–
–
–
–
48,751,783 
33,088,775
127,583,347 134,095,829 123,259,862
13,912,779
27,074,613
5,935,590

2019/2020
70,023,173 
5,954,637 
1,021,505 
1,165,125 
–
–
–
–
77,380,317 
98,862,129 
40,386,699 
59,696,681 
2,442,030 
298,346,826 305,096,509  344,313,945 356,932,295 

–
–
6,745,475 

–
–
9,595,880

Energy efficiency actions
This year Britvic initiated a number of energy efficiency projects that will reduce cost as well as lower our GHG emissions. Some examples include:

•  At our Rugby factory we used recovered heat from the CHP plant to incorporate into our CIP process, improving overall efficiency.
•  At Rugby we also brought online the CHP’s absorption chiller which allowed us to create chilled water from waste heat for use in other 

processes.

•  At Rugby we have started to investigate the use of recovered heat further to be used for CO2 vaporisation in 2021. This will help reduce our 

demand for steam which lowers our overall natural gas usage and improves energy efficiency.

•  We have also implemented energy saving projects at our other sites. For example, at our Beckton factory we installed an economiser to a main 

boiler. This coupled with our new blowdown heat recovery system, has reduced energy demand and lowered GHG emissions.

In summary, we completed 15 different projects in 2020 that are expected to reduce annual energy consumption by 10,806,504 kWh.

Looking ahead to 2021, our engineering team has 46 projects in the pipeline, 18 of these are agreed and are ready to be implemented for 2021, 
and 28 are being investigated further for possible implementation. The combined energy savings of these projects is estimated to reduce energy 
consumption by an additional 2,469,200 kWh.

46 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

 
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TASK FORCE ON CLIMATE-RELATED 
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

Strategy: identifying risks 
and opportunities
As a soft drinks manufacturer, our 
business’s direct operations and supply chain 
is exposed to the physical and transition risks 
and opportunities stemming from climate 
change. In 2020, we began the initial stages 
of understanding our climate-related risks 
more thoroughly through qualitative scenario 
analysis. For our analysis we used the 2.6 and 
8.5 Representative Concentration Pathways 
(RCP) adopted by the Intergovernmental 
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These 
scenarios represent the best-case scenario 
of less than 2°C of warming and the 
worst-case scenario of 4°C of warming 
by the end of the century. 

To establish how our direct operations 

could be impacted by physical risks, we 
conducted preliminary sessions with our risk 
team and site engineers to understand what 
present day exposures currently exist. This 
‘risk baseline’ was then considered with the 
projections in both climate scenarios to 
formulate assumptions on future risk. It was 
recognised that acute and chronic physical 
risks such as extreme weather events, 
flooding, prolonged high temperatures, 
drought, and rising mean temperatures could 
have an impact on our business in the future. 
Further assessments to financially quantify all 
the material impacts of climate change to our 
business under these scenarios over different 
time horizons will progress further in 2021. 

We have also taken initial steps to  
begin determining how our business will 
be impacted by a transition to a low-carbon 
economy. We started by using the TCFD 
recommendations as a guide under the same 
two scenarios and considered the risk and 
opportunities in the policy and legal, 
technology, market and reputation categories. 
GHG pricing, investing in the right low-carbon 
technologies and changes to the market 
conditions are key areas we will explore further.
The output of the scenario analysis  

will inform us in planning and prioritising 
future business strategies,investments and 
establishing policies to improve our business’s 
resilience and continuity long term.

Risk management
We have an established risk management 
framework to identify, assess, mitigate and 
monitor the climate-related risks and 
opportunities we face as a business. The risk 
management framework incorporates both a 
top down approach to identify the company’s 
principal risks and a bottom up approach to 
identify specific operational risks. The ESG 
committee is responsible for identifying, 
managing and monitoring the principal risks, 
which includes climate change. The Board, 
(where our CFO represents the ESG 
committee), is accountable for the overall 
risk management process and determining 
the effectiveness of the Executive team’s 
risk management strategy. Similarly, all 
business units and functions are responsible 
for identifying and assessing their risks. 
This includes both current and emerging 
risks, and then measuring them against the 
defined criteria, considering the likelihood 
of occurrence and the potential impact on 
the company. This process applies to 
climate-related risk and our risk team work 
closely with our sustainable business team 
to update our principal risks as it relates to 
climate change.

Metrics and targets
A full view of our global energy consumption 
and GHG emissions data for the last four years 
can be found on pages 45 – 46 within our 
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting 
(SECR) disclosure. In addition, we have set 
approved science based carbon reduction 
targets in line with what the latest climate 
science says is necessary to meet the goals of 
the Paris Agreement and limit global warming 
to well below 2°C. This entails reducing our 
Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50%, and our 
Scope 3 emissions by 35% by 2025. We have 
also pledged to be a carbon-neutral business 
by 2050. Further details can be found in the 
sustainable business section. In addition to 
these targets, we will also look to include key 
climate change related risk indicators into our 
risk management strategy to monitor our risk 
and progress in building resilience and 
mitigation controls. 

Climate-related disclosures
Climate change is the defining issue of 
our time and the greatest challenge to 
sustainable development, affecting every 
country, business and person on the planet. 
We recognise that future climate change 
represents physical risk which includes 
impacts resulting from acute weather events, 
or chronic risk stemming from longer-term 
shifts in climate like higher temperatures, 
prolonged heat waves, and drought. We 
also acknowledge that the transition risk 
(regulatory, technology, market, reputation) 
to move our business to a low carbon one 
will become greater as the world economy 
moves to a more sustainable future. 

We are committed to working towards 

incorporating the recommendations laid  
out by the Task Force on Climate-Related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in full and are 
aiming to be fully aligned by 2022. In the 
subsequent paragraphs entitled Governance, 
Strategy, Risk Management & Metric and 
Targets we will summarise our progress 
to date. 

Governance
Our Executive committee has overall 
responsibility for climate-related risks and 
opportunities. The Board is given updates  
on our sustainability and climate-related KPIs a 
minimum of twice a year by our Chief Finance 
Officer who is Chair of the ESG committee. 
Our ESG committee is accountable for 
managing the progress of our key sustainability 
and climate change targets as well as 
understanding and responding to climate-
related risks and opportunities identified 
through our on-going climate risk assessment. 
The ESG committee is also responsible for 
reviewing our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) 
emissions disclosures and understanding 
what intervention is required to ensure we 
accomplish our science-based GHG reduction 
targets. Major plans of action, investment, risk 
management policies, as well as setting key 
objectives are also taken up by the ESG 
committee and presented as needed to 
the Executive committee, and the Board 
for decision making. This includes reviewing 
and approving investment required for energy 
efficiency and low-carbon investments, as 
well as climate change adaptation. 

Our focus on addressing climate change 

and climate-related risks is backed by our 
commitment to achieving our science-based 
carbon reduction targets. As a result of this 
target, we have begun making progress in 
embedding climate-related decision making 
right across our business. 

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

47

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Chief Financial Officer’s review

Joanne Wilson
Chief Financial Officer

WE HAVE, ONCE AGAIN, 
DEMONSTRATED FLEXIBILITY 
AND OPERATIONAL AGILITY 
ACROSS THE BUSINESS TO 
BALANCE TRADE-OFFS AND 
RESPOND QUICKLY TO EVENTS 
AS THEY UNFOLDED. WE 
RIGOROUSLY MANAGED OUR 
CASH POSITION AND HAVE 
AMPLE LIQUIDITY WHICH 
ENABLES US TO CONTINUE 
TO INVEST IN OUR MEDIUM 
AND LONGER TERM 
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES.

Overview
We saw positive trading momentum in the first half of our financial year with revenue, adjusted EBIT and margin all increasing. From March, however, 
the impact of trading restrictions and social distancing measures in each of our markets adversely impacted our financial performance in the second 
half of the year. We took decisive and rapid action to reduce costs across our business which helped to mitigate some of the profit and cash impacts.
Full year revenue declined 6.8%, on a constant currency basis, while adjusted EPS decreased 27.8% year-on-year, on an actual basis. 
Adjusted EPS growth was also impacted by a higher effective tax rate, due to the one-off revaluation of deferred tax following the reversal of the 
planned 2% reduction in UK corporate tax as well as our geographic mix of profits. Interest costs were down year-on-year following our successful 
refinancing earlier in the year. Profit after tax increased 16.9% due to significantly lower adjusting items more than offsetting the decline in 
adjusted EBIT.

The Board has proposed a final dividend of 21.6p, which equates to a 50% pay-out ratio in line with our stated dividend policy. As a result of 
tight cash management, we have been able to reduce our net debt balance by £45.8m ending the year with an adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio 
of 2.4 times.

Below is a summary of the segmental performance and explanatory notes related to items including taxation, interest and free cash 

flow generation.

GB

Volume (million litres)
ARP per litre
Revenue
Brand contribution
Brand contribution margin

12 months 
ended
30 September 
2020 
£m
 1,621.0
 54.6p
 884.9
 351.0 
39.7%

52 weeks 
ended 
29 September
 2019*
£m
 1,656.8
 57.1p
 945.4
389.2
41.2%

% change 
actual 
like-for-like
(2.2%)
(4.4%)
(6.4%)
(9.8%)
(150bps )

Volume and revenue declined, reflecting the significant impact of restrictions placed upon the Out-of-Home channels and On-the-Go 
consumption. At-Home channel revenue increased, as consumers stayed home, benefiting family favourite brands Robinsons, Pepsi, Tango and 
7UP, resulting in market volume and value share gains. Margin was adversely impacted by the shift to larger At-Home pack formats but was partly 
offset by significant savings in A&P spend, as the business took early and decisive action to manage both its profitability and cashflow.

48 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Brazil

Volume (million litres)
ARP per litre
Revenue
Brand contribution
Brand contribution margin

12 months 
ended
 30 September 
2020 
£m
 251.0
 45.1p
 113.1 
 24.6
21.8%

52 weeks 
ended
 29 September 
2019 
£m
 222.2
 56.2p
 124.8 
 28.3
22.7%

% change 
actual
like-for-like
13.0%
(19.8%)
(9.4%)
(13.1%)
(90bps)

% change
like-for-like
at constant
exchange 
rate
13.0%
(0.4%)
12.4% 
7.9%
(90bps)

Revenue increased 12.4%, due to strong sales of ready-to-drink juices, Puro Coco and Fruit Shoot, which benefited from new pack formats 
broadening appeal and affordability. While flavour concentrates performance was weak in the first half of the year, due to increased competition 
from local brands, it grew strongly in the second half, as revenue increased 14.5% and our portfolio increased market share – reflecting our focus on 
rejuvenating the category, specific regional targeting, and the consumer switch to At-Home consumption. Revenue and brand contribution benefited 
from a PIS/COFINS tax rebate relating to historic balances. Excluding this tax benefit, brand contribution was 19.3%, with the year-on-year decline 
driven by the sales mix.

Rest of World

Volume (million litres)
ARP per litre
Revenue
Brand contribution
Brand contribution margin

12 months 
ended 
30 September 
2020
 £m
 469.8 
 88.2p
 414.4 
 129.6 
31.3%

52 weeks 
ended

29 September* 
2019 
£m
 501.9 
94.6p
 474.8 
146.0
30.7%

% change
like-for-like at
constant
exchange
 rate
(6.4%)
(5.8%)
(11.8%)
(10.4%)
50bps

% change
actual
like-for-like
(6.4%)
(6.8%)
(12.7%)
(11.2%)
60bps

Note: Rest of World consists of France, Ireland and other international markets. Volumes and ARP include own-brand soft drinks sales and include 
factored product sales included within total revenue and brand contribution. Concentrate sales are included in both revenue and ARP but do not 
have any associated volume.

Revenue in France returned to growth in the final quarter due to increased sales of Teisseire. Performance in the Ireland At-Home channel was 
robust; however, it was more than offset by Out-of-Home declines and the extended closures in the licensed channel impacting Counterpoint 
sales. Revenue declined across all the main markets, reflecting the impact of restrictions on Out-of-Home consumption and the Travel and Export 
channels, as well as the exit from Fruit Shoot multi-pack in the United States in 2019. A&P savings partially offset the decline in revenue and 
contributed to margin improving by 50 basis points.

Fixed costs – pre-adjusting items

Non-brand A&P
Fixed supply chain
Selling costs
Overheads and other
Total

12 months 
ended
 30 September 
2020 
£m
(10.2)
(131.8)
(77.4)
(120.0)
(339.4)

52 weeks 
ended 
29 September*
 2019 
£m
(10.5)
(120.4)
(83.0)
(135.5)
(349.4)

% change
actual
like-for-like
2.9%
(9.5%)
6.7%
11.4%
2.9%

% change 
like-for-like
constant
exchange 
rate
2.9%
(10.4%)
4.0%
10.2%
1.4%

Total A&P investment
A&P as a % of own brand revenue

(46.0)
3.3%

(65.9)
4.4%

A&P spend declined by £19.9m as marketing activity was scaled back in response to the impact of pandemic restrictions. Fixed supply chain costs 
increased by 10.4%, due to an increase in depreciation, sustainability-related costs, including the purchase of producer responsibility notes, and 
COVID-19 related spend, including stock write-offs. Overheads and other decreased by 10.2%, due to lower variable reward and discretionary spend.

*  Reclassification of certain FY19 costs in GB (£9.7m) and Ireland (£2.7m) from variable to fixed costs to allow like-for-like comparison with FY20.

Interest 
The net adjusted finance charge for the 12 months to 30 September for the Group was £18.9m, including interest on leases under IFRS16, 
compared with £19.2m in the prior year.

Adjusting items – pre-tax
In the period we incurred, and have separately disclosed, a net charge of £35.7m (2019: £84.6m) of pre-tax adjusting items. The most significant 
of these include:

•  Charges of £12.9m relating to a restructure undertaken in the final quarter of the year and costs relating to the Norwich site closure;
•  M&A-related costs of £5.0m which includes charges relating to the disposal of our French private label juice business and the acquisition 

of The Boiling Tap Company;

•  An £8.4m impairment charge related to Counterpoint; and
•  Acquisition-related amortisation of £8.8m.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

49

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Chief Financial Officer’s review continued

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 rates, while managing 
the Group’s debt and liquidity, currency and 
commodity risk, interest rate risk, and cash 
position. The Group uses financial 
instruments to hedge against raw materials, 
interest rate and foreign currency exposures.
On 30 September 2020, the Group 

had £1,030m of committed debt facilities, 
consisting of a £400m undrawn bank facility 
which matures in 2025, and a series of private 
placement notes with maturities between 
December 2020 and May 2035.

At 30 September 2020, the Group’s 
net debt of £555.5m (excluding derivative 
hedges) mainly comprised of £664.4m 
of private placement notes and £3.4m of 
accrued interest, offset by net cash and cash 
equivalents of £109.2m and unamortized loan 
issue costs of £3.2m. Including 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 £520.4m, which compares with 
£566.2m at 29 September 2019.

Pensions
At 30 September 2020, the Group had IAS 
19 pension surpluses in Great Britain and 
Northern Ireland totaling £101.8m and IAS 19 
pension deficits in Ireland and France totaling 
£10.7m, resulting in a net pension surplus of 
£91.1m (29 September 2019: net surplus 
of £127.5m).

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 1 April 2011, with 
new employees being invited to join the 
defined contribution scheme. The Northern 
Ireland scheme was closed to new members 
on 28 February 2006 and future accrual from 
31 December 2018, and new employees 
are eligible to join the defined contribution 
scheme. All new employees in Ireland join 
the defined contribution plan.

Contributions are paid into the defined benefit 
section of the GB plan as determined by the 
Trustee, agreed by the company and certified 
by an independent actuary in the Schedule 
of Contributions. In addition to expected 
partnership income of at least £5m per annum, 
the Group was expected to make a payment of 
£15m by 31 December 2019. However, the 
Group is seeking clarity through the courts as 
to the construction of the wording in the Plan 
rules on the employer’s ability to unilaterally 
set an alternative rate of pension increase. The 
original judgment in January 2020 was not in 
the Group’s favour and it has now been 
granted leave to appeal that judgment. This 
appeal is expected to be heard in 2021.

Pending the outcome of the appeal 
hearing, the Trustee agreed that the Schedule 
of Contributions be amended to the effect 
that £10m be paid into a blocked account by 
30 September 2020 and £5m by 2 October 
2020. Future deficit funding payments of £5m 
per annum will also be paid into the blocked 
account. Subject to the outcome of the legal 
appeal and actuarial certification on funding 
requirements, the monies in the blocked 
account will return to the Group and/or be 
paid to the pension plan as a contribution, 
taking into account any change in future 
pension increases.

The latest triennial valuation as of 
31 March 2019 was completed in June 2020 
and has resulted in future deficit funding 
payments reducing from £20m to £10m per 
annum. The Ireland and Northern Ireland 
defined benefit pension plans have an 
investment strategy focused on managing 
the risks as the funding position improves. 
The GB pension plan mainly has credit-type 
investments and the Trustees have developed 
proposals to manage the investment risks.

EU Withdrawal
Following the UK’s referendum decision 
to leave the EU in 2016, Britvic established 
a steering committee, which includes 
representatives from each relevant business 
unit and function to ensure that we are 
prepared for the end of the transition period 
on 31 December. The Steering Committee 
is responsible for putting in place post 
withdrawal processes to ensure the 
continuation of uninterrupted trade and for 
assessing the potential impact of a no-deal 
withdrawal on our business. We are well 
prepared for the practical changes associated 
with a smooth exit, including movement of 
goods, regulatory and people impacts. Britvic 
manufactures most of its goods locally and 
there is relatively little Group cross-border 
trading between the UK and the EU, reducing 
our exposure.

Taxation 
The adjusted tax charge was £32.1m, which 
equates to an effective tax rate of 23.2% 
(2019: 19.9%). The increase primarily resulted 
from a one-off revaluation of deferred tax 
balances following the government decision 
to reverse the planned reduction in UK 
corporation tax rate from 19% to 17%. 
The reported net tax charge was £16.6m 
(2019: £29.4m), which equates to an 
effective tax rate of 14.9% (2019: 26.7%). 

Earnings per share (EPS)
Adjusted EPS for the period was 43.2 pence, 
a decrease of 27.8% (at actual exchange 
rates) on the same period last year. Basic EPS 
for the period was 35.6 pence, an increase of 
16.3% on last year.

Dividends
Since Britvic floated in 2005, we have 
consistently returned capital to shareholders 
through our progressive dividend policy, 
which is a core part of our capital allocation. 
Following the prudent position taken at interims 
to defer the decision on the dividend until later 
in the year, the Board is recommending a final 
dividend of 21.6 pence per share, with a total 
value of £57.7m, maintaining our 50% pay-out 
policy. The final dividend for 2020 will be paid 
on 3 February 2021 to shareholders on record 
as at 18 December 2020. The ex-dividend date 
is 17 December 2020.

Free cash flow
Free cash flow (defined as cash generated 
from operating activities, less capex, interest 
and repayment of lease liabilities) was an 
inflow of £90.0m, compared with £88.4m 
in the previous year.

There was a working capital outflow 

of £3.0m (2019: £25.6m outflow) driven 
by a reduction in Creditors of £45.3m (2019: 
increase of £4.5m) following the significant 
year-on-year drop in Q4 trading due to 
COVID-19, which resulted in lower raw 
materials and packaging purchases, and 
lower indirect tax. Furthermore, there 
was a reduction of overdue payables 
as we tightened our processes.

This reduction in creditors was offset 

by increased provisions of £8.0m (2019: 
decrease of £1.6m) along with reduced 
inventory of £11.9m (2019: increase of £7.8m) 
and reduced receivables of £22.4m (2019: 
increase of £20.7m), both also reflecting 
lower trading in Q4 and rigorous cash 
collection processes.

Free cash flow also benefited from 

reduced capital expenditure of £50.0m 
(2019: £74.8m), with non-essential 
investment delayed.

50 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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We have taken steps to mitigate possible 
impacts of the transitional period ending 
without a negotiated free trade agreement. 
The key risks identified, and the actions taken 
are as follows:

• 

Imports to the UK. The UK government has 
indicated the potential tariffs on imports in 
the absence of a free trade agreement. 
We expect these to have a modest impact 
on the Group due to the level of raw 
material purchases from the EU.

•  Disruption to EU-UK logistics. 

Where appropriate, we have plans to 
increase inventory levels to partially 
mitigate the risk.

COVID-19 update
With the impact of the global pandemic and 
resulting social and commercial restrictions 
continuing in 2021, we have developed a 
flexible plan based on the learnings of 2020, 
that will enable Britvic to respond to severe 
but plausible scenarios and their potential 
impact on revenue, profit and cash. During 
the year, government restrictions on trading 
activity in the Out-of-Home channel and on 
the movement of people in each of our 
markets had a significant impact on our 
business. As expected, the largest 
impacts have been seen in our markets 
with significant exposure to Out-of-Home, 
namely GB and Ireland. The actions planned 
to mitigate the adverse impact, which 
included reduced A&P spend, variable reward 
and discretionary spend as well as stopping 
all non-essential and non-committed capex, 
have been successfully implemented in 2020.

In March 2020, we shared sensitivity 

analysis that quantified the expected impact 
on our business of a full lockdown in all our 
markets of £12m-18m per month for the 
second half of 2020, reflecting peak seasonal 
trading. This estimate has proved to be 
reasonable during the period of the most 
widespread restrictions in 2020, and in 
assessing the impact of any future restrictions 
we now have a greater level of clarity on the 
trends we would expect to see in each of our 
markets and the mitigating actions we can 
take. In 2021 the possibility of continued and 
potentially increased restrictions means there 
is a high degree of uncertainty in predicting 
the potential outlook for our business.

Taking into account the learnings from 

this year, we have continued to analyse a 
range of possible scenarios to model different 
levels of impact on revenue, profit and cash, 
and the offsetting effect of the controllable 
mitigating actions over the course of the next 
12 months. We have tested the possibility of 
the debt covenants being breached in March 
2021. This is the most sensitive test point, 
as the EBITDA modelling assumes a full 
12 months of reduced trading due to the 
impact of restrictions, on top of our usual 

working capital peak ahead of summer 
trading. Under all the scenarios modelled, and 
after taking mitigating actions available in the 
first half of the year including the phasing of 
A&P and capital spend into the second half of 
the year, our forecasts do not indicate breach. 
This is also the case for the forecast covenant 
test at the end of September 2021.

These scenarios include a range of 

estimated impacts, primarily based on the 
length of time various levels of restrictions are 
in place, and the severity of the consequent 
impact of those restrictions on our At-Home 
and Out-of-Home channels. For each of our 
markets we have sensitised the revenue, 
profit and cash flow impact of reduced trading 
activity in our Out-of-Home channel and 
changes in product mix, including lower 
on-the-go volumes, for the key At-Home 
channels. The assumptions used reflect the 
trends we have seen in 2020. The scenarios 
are most sensitive to the assumptions made 
for GB and Ireland, where we have more 
significant exposure to Out-of-Home 
channels. France and Brazil are predominantly 
At-Home markets and therefore drive less 
sensitivity. The scenarios include an 
assumption that a level of restrictions on 
movement and social distancing will remain at 
current or increased levels during the first half 
of 2021, with Out-of-Home volumes gradually 
improving during the second half of 2021. 

Under each scenario, mitigating actions 

are all within management control, can be 
initiated as they relate to discretionary spend, 
and do not impact our ability to meet demand. 
We continue to believe that the risk of enforced 
factory closure is low and during 2020 
implemented additional health and safety 
measures in each of our factories to reduce the 
risk of a major supply disruption. We have also 
put contingency supply arrangements in place 
for key raw materials should they be required.
In all the scenarios we have modelled, 
there remains significant liquidity headroom 
under our existing debt facilities at each 
month end. On 30 September, the adjusted 
net debt position was £520.4m and our 
covenant net debt to EBITDA ratio was 2.4x, 
with a covenant EBITDA to Net Interest 
Expense ratio of 11.0x. The RCF of £400m 
was undrawn, with an additional £109.2m of 
cash holdings. In addition, we have access to 
private placement notes totalling approximately 
£625m, with maturities out to 2035. £65m of 
the USPP notes are due to be repaid before 
February 2021. No further USPP notes mature 
until December 2022. During 2020 we also 
re-financed our £400m RCF up to 2025, 
with the potential to extend maturity to 2027 
with lender consent. The RCF also offers an 
accordion facility of £200m, again with lender 
consent. Covenants are set at a maximum of 
3.5x Net Debt to EBITDA and a minimum of 
3.0x EBITDA to Net Interest Expense in all 
our lending agreements.

Risk management process
As with any business, we face risks and 
uncertainties. We believe that effective 
risk management supports the successful 
delivery of our strategic objectives. The 
management of these risks is based on a 
balance of risk and reward, determined 
through assessment of the likelihood and 
impact, as well as the Group’s risk appetite. 
The Executive team performs a formal robust 
assessment of the principal risks facing the 
Group bi-annually, which is reviewed by the 
Board. Similarly, all business units and 
functions perform formal risk assessments 
that consider the Group’s principal risks and 
specific local risks relevant to the market in 
which they operate.

Risks are monitored throughout the 

year with consideration given to internal 
and external factors and the Group’s risk 
appetite. Updates to risks and mitigation 
plans are made as required. In response to 
the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk team has 
supported each of our markets and functions 
to identify the actions required to ensure 
business continuity.

We have also reassessed our 

principal risks in light of the pandemic 
and have identified a specific risk that 
considers reduced demand in the Out-of-
Home channel, volatility in the At-Home 
channel, cancellation of key marketing events 
and the potential impact on liquidity and debt 
covenants. It also considers the impact of 
new ways of working on employees, our 
ability to meet statutory deadlines and risks 
associated with supply of products across 
our various markets.

A number of controls and mitigations have 
been put in place at a Group level in response to 
this risk, including frequent monitoring of cash, 
financial scenario planning and cost mitigation 
actions, as well as additional health and safety 
procedures in each of our factories.

Our supply chain teams have responded 

with pace, optimising production schedules and 
operations to mitigate some of the adverse 
impacts on our business. All our plants are 
operational and operating with increased agility 
during these times. We have been successfully 
collaborating with suppliers and customers to 
prioritise key SKUs and ensure continuity of 
supply and protect on-shelf availability. This has 
enabled us to limit the impact on our customer 
service levels. 

We have increased the likelihood of our 

Legal & Regulatory Principal Risk given the 
level of change in regulation, both new and 
modifications to existing laws. A new Principal 
Risk was added in reference to Brexit. 

JOANNE WILSON
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
25 November 2020

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

51

 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Risk management

OUR APPROACH  
TO RISK

Site risk reviews – We have 
reinvigorated our risk reviews with 
sites and now have a consistent and 
well-established risk process for 
our production and logistics 
network in GB and Ireland. Each 
site has its own registers which the 
central Risk team supports and 
helps update on a quarterly basis. 
We have also used these sessions 
to update site emergency plans 
and conduct desktop emergency 
scenario planning. Next year, 
we’ll look to establish this for 
our sites in France and Brazil (a 
process delayed by COVID-19) and 
introduce a new risk register tool to 
enhance the usability and analytics 
of the central risk register. 

The viability statement on page 60 provides 
a broader assessment of the long-term 
liquidity and solvency of the company 
after consideration of the principal risks. 

• 

Key areas of focus
The risks facing Britvic continue to be wide 
ranging with both external and internal factors 
providing a high level of uncertainty across 
the year. COVID-19 has obviously been, and 
continues to be, a dominating risk for Britvic, 
our employees and, in fact, across all our 
stakeholders, from suppliers to customers, 
consumers and shareholders. 

As the pandemic unfolded at the 

beginning of 2020, risk management and 
the safety of our employees have been 
at the core of everything we have done. 
The following key actions were undertaken 
with this in mind: 

• 

In February 2020, as details of COVID-19 
emerged more prevalently, we focused 
on the restrictions in China from a 
procurement and travel perspective. 
We reviewed the level of materials coming 
from impacted areas, assessed availability 

of alternative suppliers and put in place 
measures to restrict travel to this area. 
•  We formed a central response team in 
February, made up of employees from 
across the business, to co-ordinate our 
response to the pandemic across supply, 
production, health and safety, and 
wellbeing. This group continues to monitor 
the advice of local governments, and work 
with external stakeholders, to protect our 
employees and business. 

•  As a lockdown was imposed across most 

of our markets, our production sites 
remained open, as our employees were 
deemed to be key workers operating in 
the food and drink sector. Social distancing 
measures were put into place to allow our 
employees to continue to work safely with 
PPE, temperature checking, additional 
cleaning and other safety measures 
introduced, all supported by 
comprehensive and dynamic COVID-19 
risk assessments. Similar measures were 
taken to support our field staff return to 
customer sites as the markets slowly 
re-opened in the summer. 
In line with the local government advice in 
our markets, we closed our offices for all 
roles that could operate from home. 
We supported our employees to work 
effectively at home, providing additional 
virtual mental health support as well as 
access to appropriate Display Screen 
Equipment (DSE). We have gradually 
re-opened our offices over the past few 
months once all COVID-secure social 
distancing measures were put in place. 
There is no requirement for employees 
who can work from home to work in 
the office and we continue to monitor 
government advice in this area. 
Office capacity is restricted via a desk 
booking app, we have enabled track and 
trace, and additional cleaning and 
sanitation measures have been 
implemented. 

Joanne Wilson
Chief Financial Officer 

Our approach
As with any business, we face risks and 
uncertainties especially as we look to grow 
our business here in the UK and around the 
world. Effective risk management helps 
support the successful delivery of our 
strategic objectives. We have an 
established risk management framework to 
identify, assess, mitigate and monitor the 
risks we face as a business and help deliver 
a balance between risk and opportunity. 
The risk management framework 
incorporates both a top down approach to 
identify the company’s principal risks and a 
bottom up approach to identify operational 
risks. The Executive team is responsible for 
identifying, managing and monitoring the 
principal risks. The Board is accountable 
for the overall risk management process 
and determining the effectiveness of 
the Executive team’s risk management. 
Similarly, all business units and functions 
are responsible for identifying and 
assessing their risks, both current and 
emerging, and measuring them against the 
defined criteria, considering the likelihood of 
occurrence and the potential impact to the 
Group. This review includes an assessment 
of the movement in the risks, the strength 
of the controls relied upon and the status of 
the mitigation actions. 

52

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RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

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Board of Directors
Assesses principal risks and sets risk appetite. Overall responsibility 
for maintaining sound risk management and internal controls.

Audit Committee
Sets the risk management framework. Assesses the effectiveness 
of the Group’s risk framework and internal control systems.

Executive team
Identifies and monitors principal risks and undertakes reviews of operational 
risks reported from business units.

Risk team
Co-ordinates risk management activity, provides expertise and support to 
business risk owners and reports risk information across the organisation.

Internal Audit 
Internal audit provides independent and objective assurance that the system 
of internal control is adequately designed and is operating effectively to 
mitigate key risks.

Operational management
Owns and reviews operational risks, operates controls and implements 
mitigation actions.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

53

Although the risk landscape has been 
dominated by COVID-19, the risk over 
the UK’s exit from the European Union 
continues to pose an operational challenge. 

The company has a Brexit steering group 

in place to ensure that we are being proactive 
in monitoring developments and acting 
where appropriate. As with previous potential 
no-deal deadlines, we are taking the necessary 
steps to prepare. We are working closely with 
our suppliers to refresh our raw material 
contingency plans and the potential tariff impact 
if there is no trade agreement from January 
2021. Where the outcome is known (e.g. 
the requirement to produce export paperwork, 
label changes) we continue with making the 
necessary changes, to both our systems and 
processes, to ensure we are ready for the 
changes coming in from January 2021. 

Risk appetite
The UK Corporate Governance Code 
requires companies to determine their risk 
appetite. This is an expression of the amount 
and types of risk that the company is willing 
to take in order to achieve its strategic and 
operational objectives. We have agreed a set 
of company appetite statements for our 
principal risks. A risk that can seriously affect 
the performance, prospects or reputation of the 
company is deemed a principal risk. These are 
aligned to the company’s strategic goals and 
priorities. We use the articulation of risk appetite 
in decision making across the company, and to 
define and validate the mitigating activities 
required to manage our risks.

Emerging risks
We consider emerging risks throughout our 
risk processes. Through both the top down 
and bottom up risk discussions held across the 
business, new and emerging risks are under 
constant review. The plc Risk team also use 
their knowledge, from internal and external 
sources, to flag any emerging risks. COVID-19 
and its wider impact dominate the long term 
picture as the risk of a deep recession, 
customer failures, permanent changes to 
retailer landscape with online growth escalating, 
changes to the way (and where) we work all set 
to pose a risk to our performance and success 
in the next few years. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Principal risks and uncertainties

The table below sets out the principal 
risks faced by the company, the link to 
the company’s strategies, movement in the 
risk score, examples of relevant controls, 
mitigating factors, and recent developments. 
The company is exposed to a wide range of 
risks in addition to those listed. 

The risk score movement from the prior year 
for each principal risk is presented as follows:

Alignment to strategy key

Build local favourites and global premium brands

No change

Increased

Decreased

Flavour billions of water occasions

Healthier People, Healthier Planet

Innovate to access new spaces

CONSUMER PREFERENCE: INNOVATION

Principal risk
Failure to successfully evolve our portfolio to take advantage of growth 
categories and/or re-invent our core brands to meet consumer needs 

Risk description
Consumer preferences, tastes and behaviours change over time and differ 
between the markets in which we operate. As part of this, the consumer’s 
desire for healthier choices and premiumisation are significant trends. Our ability 
to anticipate these trends, innovate and ensure the relevance of our brands is 
critical to our competitiveness in the market place and our performance. 

Controls and mitigating activities
•  We have a broad portfolio of products across a number of sub-
categories and markets to meet evolving consumer trends.

2020 developments
•  Over 200 London Essence Fresh Serve founts now available in restaurants 

and pubs across the UK. 

•  Continuous assessment of consumer/customer trends, insight and 

•  We have purchased The Boiling Tap Company (TBTC) to help access new 

behaviours in order to anticipate changes in preferences and match our 
offering to these trends.

spaces in consumer landscape. 

•  We launched ready-to-drink tea and coconut water in Brazil with the Puro 

•  The Category Board focuses on a plan for the next 18 months and 

Coco and Natural Tea brands.

putting strategic plans in place by category. 

•  We have continued to innovate with our flavours, introducing the 

•  Ongoing prioritisation exercise ensuring a clear innovation pipeline balanced 

between long-term and more immediate opportunities. 

Robinsons Superfruit Cordials this year and Les Bios, our organic ranges 
of syrups in France.

HEALTH CONCERNS

Principal risk
The continued focus on health and obesity results in a decline in the soft 
drinks category and/or our share of it, and the risk of additional complexity 
and cost as a result of further regulation after the successful 
implementation of SDIL.

Risk description
There is a high and ever increasing level of media and government scrutiny on 
health and obesity in all of the markets we operate in, highlighted in the UK by 
the potential introduction of regulation over high in HFSS products. It is 
important that we continue to take a leadership position on health issues.

Controls and mitigating activities
•  We have a wide range of soft drinks, many of which are low or no 
calorie, which means we are well placed to take advantage of the 
consumer’s increased demand for healthier products.

•  Ongoing evaluation and development of the brand portfolio and 

innovation pipeline; our innovation pipeline is weighted towards lower 
calorie or nutritionally enhanced brands.

•  We work closely with non-government organisations and trade 

associations in our markets to fully participate in the debate and help shape 
solutions.

2020 developments
•  UK Government Obesity Strategy announced (July 2020) with some key 
details outstanding. Initial assessments performed of HFSS regulation 
included within this strategy and our impact assessment will be refreshed 
as more details are announced. 

•  We set a strategic aim to have fewer than 30 calories per 250ml serve by 

2025 to drive a continuation of our calorie reduction programme.

54 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
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RETAILER LANDSCAPE AND CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Principal risk
We may not be able to maintain strong relationships with our key customers 
or respond to changes in the retailer landscape (e.g. consolidation).

Risk description
Maintaining strong relationships with our existing customers and building 
relationships with new customers and technology-enabled channels is critical 
for our brands to be readily available and well presented to our consumers. A 
failure to do this may impact our ability to obtain competitive pricing and trade 
terms and/or the availability and presentation of our brands.

Controls and mitigating activities
•  We operate across many different customer channels and markets and 

2020 developments
•  Significant disruption in this area as a result of COVID-19. For example, 

continuously monitor customer performance and trends. 

promotions were significantly reduced by grocers across Q3. 

•  We develop joint business plans with customers that include investment 

•  Our London Essence Company founts offer a forward thinking trade 

and activation plans.

•  We have capabilities in the soft drinks category, which enable us to find 

new ways to improve customer performance and enhance our 
relationships.

•  We have trade credit insurance in place to cover our sales in both the UK 

and France and payment plans to mitigate credit risk. 

dispense system that serves flavoured tonic water infusions and provides 
a new opportunity for us and our customers.

•  We work with all our customers, including through category partnerships 
and range reviews, to match our product offering to consumer needs.

THIRD PARTY RELATIONSHIPS

Principal risk
Partnerships may not be renewed or are renewed on less favourable terms. 

Controls and mitigating activities
•  Robust governance and management of relationship with PepsiCo and 

other partners. 

Risk description
We currently bottle and co-market a number of PepsiCo products in GB and 
Ireland, including 7UP and Pepsi. Additionally we have a relationship with a 
number of partners to grow our family, adult and kids brands outside of our core 
markets. Our partnership with PepsiCo and distributors and franchisees is an 
important part of our business and delivery of our strategy going forward. 

2020 developments
• 

In October 2020, Britvic reached an agreement with PepsiCo for a new 
and exclusive 20-year franchise bottling agreement for the production, 
distribution, marketing and sales of its carbonated soft drink brands − 
including Pepsi, 7UP and Mountain Dew in Great Britain. 

•  The new agreement includes the Rockstar energy brand, for which Britvic 

will take responsibility from 1 November this year.

SUPPLY CHAIN

Principal risk
Supplier failure, market shortage or an adverse event in our supply chain 
impacts sourcing of our products and the cost of our products is 
significantly affected by commodity price movements.

Risk description
Our business depends on purchasing a wide variety of products and services, 
efficient manufacturing and distribution processes. Brexit presents a specific 
risk, which is explored in further detail below.

Controls and mitigating activities
•  Flexibility in dual site supply for key products and strong relationships 
with contract packers to support business interruption or changes in 
demand.

•  We have robust supplier strategy, selection, monitoring and 

management processes. 

•  We monitor market conditions for commodities and, where appropriate, 

hedge our contractual positions. 

•  Externally certified management systems across the supply chain.

2020 developments
• 

Improved our business resilience through various projects, including 
improving site accessibility to allow for additional can supply and running 
table-top scenario disaster emerging planning sessions with sites in GB. 

•  Record output as new lines moved into business as usual (BAU). 
•  Maintained high service levels despite COVID-19.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Principal risks and uncertainties continued

SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT

Principal risk
Climate change presents a risk to our ability to source, manufacture 
and market our drinks. The increased focus from all stakeholders (from 
governments, customers and consumers) on sustainability means there is 
increased risk of regulation on our packaging, to source sustainably and 
appropriately report on the impact of a changing climate. 

Risk description
Increasing regulatory requirements and growing societal pressure with 
regards to packaging (plastics in particular) may present a financial and/or 
reputational risk to our existing packaging portfolio and impact upon our 
ability to market our products. In addition, climate change presents risks, 
both financially and reputationally, across the business from reduced stock 
availability to supply interruption. 

Controls and mitigating activities
•  Within our Healthier People, Healthier Planet sustainability programme we 
make environmental commitments, including carbon emission reductions, 
water savings and reducing the environmental impact of our packaging.
•  We have externally certified management systems in place to monitor 
and reduce the environmental impact of our operations and ensure 
compliance with environmental legislation.

•  We were a founding signatory to The UK Plastics Pact and 100% of our 

cans, glass and plastic bottles are recyclable in the UK. 

•  Through our trade associations and directly, we continue to proactively 
engage with government on the feasibility of a deposit return scheme 
system and other actions to increase recycling and reduce littering. 

2020 developments
•  Entered our first sustainability-linked credit facility, allowing us to borrow 
up to £400 million over the next five years while linking the margin of the 
facility to our sustainability goals. 

•  Entered into a supply agreement with Esterform Packaging Limited, the 
largest independent converter of PET in the UK, for the long-term supply 
of UK-sourced rPET.

•  We have moved Fruit Shoot Hydro and 500ml Ballygowan into 100% rPET.
•  We have announced our intent for all bottles in GB to be made from 100% 

rPET by the end of 2022.

•  Developing a roadmap for decarbonisation to meet science-based targets.
•  We have significantly reduced our manufacturing water intensity ratio this 

year by 12.4%.

INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION 

Principal risk
Failure to grow our business internationally in line with strategic aims due to 
the risks associated with start-up profitability (new markets and new 
brands) and regulations.

Risk description
To achieve our strategy of growing internationally, it is important that we have 
the appropriate governance, systems and processes in place and that our 
brand propositions respond appropriately to local consumer preferences. 

Controls and mitigating activities
•  Strategic plan in place for international business unit built on Global 

Premium Adult channels.

•  We carry out extensive due diligence prior to entering a new market. 
•  Monitoring of regulations (current and proposed or future changes).

2020 developments
•  Across our international markets we have focused on actions that aim to 
improve margin and performance and concentrated on growing our 
premium brands internationally. 

•  We have completed the transaction to dispose of our juice manufacturing 

sites in France.

•  We have made good progress on growing our innovation brands and 

products in Brazil. 

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QUALITY OF OUR PRODUCTS AND THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR PEOPLE

Principal risk
Risk that a faulty or contaminated product, either through malicious 
contamination, human error or equipment failure, is supplied to the market.

Risk associated with the health and safety of our employees, contractors 
and visitors when working on Britvic sites and when working or travelling 
on behalf of Britvic or on customer premises.

Risk description
The quality of our products and the health and safety of our employees is 
of the utmost importance to us and it is essential that we manage safety, 
product quality and integrity.

Controls and mitigating activities
•  We have robust quality management standards applied and rigorously 

2020 developments
•  All sites in GB and Ireland, bar one of our Irish sites due to limitations on 

monitored. 

•  Where incidents do occur, we have a clear Incident Management Policy 

and conduct annual scenario testing across all markets.

•  We have dedicated central teams to oversee quality and supplier 

assurance, working closely with the business units.

site visits during COVID-19, achieved FSSC22000, a food safety 
certification. 

•  All suppliers now listed and processed on QADEX, food safety and quality 
self-assessment questionnaire risk assessment and audit tool. This has 
been rolled out in all our markets.

•  External compliance and system audits performed regularly through 

•  Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) and Lost time accident frequency all under 

accredited bodies.

target.

•  Programme of integrated QSE audits in place.
•  Conduct unannounced site security penetration tests and form action 

plans to address any findings. 

LEGAL AND REGULATORY

Principal risk
Non-compliance with local laws or regulations or breach of our internal 
policies and standards.

Controls and mitigating activities
• 

In-house legal and compliance functions responsible for ensuring 
compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations. They work 
closely with the rest of the business and external advisers and other key 
stakeholders regarding current and changes to legislation.

•  Global policies are in place with local variations as appropriate and 

training rolled out as required.

TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SECURITY

Principal risk
We experience a major failure of our IT infrastructure or suffer a breach in 
our system or information security.

Controls and mitigating activities
•  Disaster recovery plans across the Group tested every year with 

annual penetration testing also performed. 

•  Central governance and decision-making processes for system 

• 

• 

changes.
Information and IT policies are in place and are regularly reviewed. 
Quarterly internal phishing campaigns are run and followed up with 
training and guidance. 
Incident response plans are in place, recognising that while this risk 
can be managed it cannot be eliminated. 

Risk description
Britvic is subject to a wide range of legislation, regulation, guidance and 
codes of practice in areas such as labelling, packaging, marketing, advertising, 
safety, environment, competition, data privacy, ethical business and tax. 
Failure to comply with such requirements could have a significant impact 
on our reputation and/or incur financial penalties.

2020 developments
•  New compliance system in place providing one-stop-shop for policies 
and logging conflicts of interest and Gifts and Hospitality (G&H) and 
whistleblowing.

•  Updated Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC) training rolled out to 

employees along with face-to-face competition training provided to 
commercial teams. 

•  Horizon scanning process refreshed for legal and regulatory purposes 

and utilises third party experts.

Risk description
We interact electronically with customers, suppliers and consumers, 
and our supply chain operations are dependent on reliable IT systems and 
infrastructure. Disruption to our IT systems could have a significant impact on 
our sales, cash flows and profits. Additionally, cyber security breaches could 
lead to unauthorised access to, or loss of, sensitive information. 

Implementation of cyber controls framework on track.

2020 developments
• 
•  Updated cyber incident response plan in place. 
•  We have completed the majority of the actions from a third party audit 

on cyber security controls.

•  Cyber insurance in place for FY20 and renewed for FY21. 

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Principal risks and uncertainties continued

TREASURY, TAX AND PENSION

Principal risk
Changes to exchange, interest or tax rates can have an impact on profits 
and cash flows. Business changes also present a risk as to how we are 
financed or taxed. 

Risk description
Britvic is exposed to a variety of external financial risks relating to treasury, tax 
and pensions. Changes to exchange rates and interest rates can have an 
impact on business results and the cost of interest on our debt.

Additionally, the GB and Ireland businesses have defined benefit pension 
plans which, while closed to new employees, are exposed to movements 
in interest and inflation rates, values of assets and increased life expectancy. 

The group is seeking clarity through the court on its ability to determine 
the rate of pension increase and revaluation of deferred benefits in the 
Britvic Pension Plan in GB. Refer to note 22 of the financial statements 
for further detail.

The risk score has increased due to the level of change in the external 
tax environment.

2020 developments
•  Triennial Valuation agreed in June 2020 delivered a mutually agreeable 

funding basis.

•  On track with identifying and implementing the changes required for Brexit 

and Making Tax Digital.
In FY20, we refinanced our Revolving Credit Facility and USPP notes 
which were maturing.

Controls and mitigating activities
•  Robust monitoring of exchange rates and interest rates.
•  Active risk management and hedging strategies are in place to manage 

exchange and interest fluctuations, overseen by the Treasury 
Committee.

•  Monitoring of investment and funding strategies for the pension fund. 

• 

Quarterly updates provided on the funding position to Trustees.

•  Strong relationships with external stakeholders and third party experts 
to ensure that a high standard of advice is provided to the business.

•  Group tax policy in place.

TALENT

Principal risk
Limited capacity, capability and resilience impacts the business’ ability to 
deliver ambitious plans for our business strategy and post COVID-19 
recovery – we rely on key individuals, the risk is greater if they also face 
sustained high levels of business pressure or encounter personal issues.

Risk description
We rely on key individuals to contribute to the success of Britvic, we need our 
people to continue to develop and be fit for the future. 

The risk score has increased due to the impact of COVID-19

Controls and mitigating activities
•  Talent and succession planning processes in place. 
•  Regular pulse surveys take place across the company to obtain 

employees feedback on a wide range of topics. 

•  Annual performance management processes in place.

2020 developments
• 

Introduction of Wellbeing Warriors and Mental Health First Aiders to 
provide online support during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the future.
•  MyLearning launched, a one-stop-online-shop for learning & development 

at Britvic.

•  Britvic established B-Diverse, a BAME network, this year and launched 

See-Me, our diverse ability network. 

58 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

 
 
 
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COVID-19

NEW

COVID-19 (Health and Safety and COVID-19) 
The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to unprecedented disruption, with 
Government enforced sustained lockdowns in all our markets impacting our 
employees, production and customers globally. Significant economic 
uncertainty remains with the risk of a global recession and no readily 
available vaccine.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to a significant challenge to Health and 
Safety, increasing pressure on our sites, with on-going risk of an outbreak or 
increased absenteeism due to self-isolation requirements along with an 
increase in mental health concerns as a result of lockdown measures. 

Controls and mitigating activities
•  Financial modelling in place to assess the impact of Out-of-Home 

closures, restrictions on movement of people, and differing potential 
supply and demand implications for our grocery business. This is 
regularly monitored and updated depending on development of 
COVID-19 and lockdown rules. 

•  COVID-19 Response team from plc and BU level set up and operational.
•  Dynamic risk assessments in place for all sites and offices.
•  Weekly monitoring of supply chain risks, supplier monitoring, forward 

purchasing/sourcing alternative supply of raw materials where 
necessary. Optimising SKUs and production schedules across all our 
markets.

BREXIT

Risk description
The uncertain nature of the severity of the pandemic and the duration of the 
restrictions imposed by local governments in all our markets has resulted in 
raising this new risk.

•  We are tracking employees who are self-isolating and who have been 

confirmed to have contracted COVID-19.

•  Social distancing measures put in place across our factories and offices to 

reduce the risk and adhere to local government advice.

•  Additional cleaning procedures in place across our sites especially for high 

traffic or high touch points.

•  We continue to monitor government advice in all our markets to ensure 

the safety of our employees. 

•  For more details on our response to COVID-19, see Chief Financial 

Officer’s review on page 51.

Brexit 
Increased costs and process complexity due to Brexit, including risk of port 
disruption, stock build-up, additional warehousing and new tariff processes. 

Risk description
UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 with a transition phase in place which 
will end on 31 December 2020, however, if there is no or a limited trade 
agreement reached by the two parties, then there could still be delay at 
borders, tariffs and there will be additional paperwork for imports/exports. 

Controls and mitigating activities
•  Brexit Steering committee in place with stakeholders from across the 

2020 developments
•  System review underway with IT to manage the impact of potential export 

business (Risk, GB and Ireland Commercial, DSP, Tax, Procurement and 
Communications) meeting on regular basis.

•  Raw Material and Finished Goods stock build up took place in run up to 
the December 2019 “No Deal” deadline and contingency warehouses 
were secured.

•  Close collaboration with relevant trade federations so we are up to date 

with the latest developments and additional support.

paperwork that may be required. 

•  We have monitored the political situation and trade/future relationship 
talks and made a decision on the need to build up stock as required.
•  We have continued our work to add dual Food Business Operator (FBO) 
addresses to our product to adhere to new labelling requirements. 

•  Supplier readiness work was refreshed to ensure we are prepared for the 
introduction of tariffs (e.g. confirming commodity codes) and for any 
potential port delays.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

59

 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report
Viability statement

In accordance with the UK’s Corporate 
Governance Code, the Directors assessed 
the viability of the company, taking into 
consideration the company’s current financial 
position, our strategy and business model and 
the principal risks as set out in the Strategic 
Report. See pages 54 – 59 which details how 
we manage and control the principal risks. The 
Directors have determined that a three year 
period is an appropriate timeframe for the 
assessment given the dynamic nature of 
the FMCG sector. 

The starting point for the viability 
assessment is the strategic and financial plan, 
which makes assumptions relating to the 
economic climate in each of our markets 
(including costs related to Brexit and 
COVID-19), the growth of the soft drinks 
category, input cost inflation and growth from 
the company’s value drivers. We have also 
included a range of impacts related to the 
COVID-19 pandemic in the model. This range 
includes estimates of the impact of COVID-19 
primarily based on the length of time various 
levels of restrictions are in place and the 
severity of the consequent impact of those 
restrictions on our At-Home and Out-of-Home 
channels. The most severe scenario for the 
impact of COVID-19 on the Group includes 
an assumption that a level of restrictions 
will remain in place until October 2021 with 
Out-of-Home outlets only gradually returning 
towards pre-COVID-19 levels at the beginning 
of 2022. 

Our principal risks, by their nature, can 

also have a significant impact on the business’ 
viability. As a result, our going concern and 
viability model takes into consideration how 
these risks may be realised and the impact 
this may have on Britvic’s financial resilience, 
including adherence to our covenant and 
liquidity requirements, on top of the potential 
future impact of COVID-19 as described 
above. On their own, none of the principal risk 
events would cause a significant challenge in 
the Group’s ability to meet its covenant and 
liquidity requirements. While each principal risk 
could have an impact on the business, we 
modelled only those which would represent a 
severe but plausible event if they materialised, 
based on the likelihood and impact score 
assigned to each principal risk, as signed 
off by the Board. 

60 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

As part of the analysis, the Directors considered 
the mitigating actions available to the company 
to protect against these downside scenarios, for 
example, reducing advertising and promotional 
spend or reducing capital investment. The 
viability model combines the adverse impacts 
of several unconnected risks to assess our 
resilience. These scenarios are then reviewed 
against the company’s current and projected 
debt and liquidity position, and after considering 
the repayments of loan notes falling due 
during the viability period with no new facilities 
assumed, to assess if this would lead to a 
breach of our covenant position. 

Based on the results of this analysis, 

the Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the company will be able to continue 
in operation and meet its liabilities as they 
fall due over the three year period to 
September 2023.

Going concern
The Directors consider that the Group and 
the company have adequate resources to 
remain in operation for the foreseeable future 
and have therefore continued to adopt the 
going concern basis in preparing the 
financial statements.

The table below summarises each of the risk 
events, modelled in the viability analysis, to 
its related principal risks:

Principal risk
Health concerns

Retailer 
landscape and 
customer 
relationship
Supply chain

Sustainability 
and environment

Quality of our 
products 
Legal and 
regulatory
Technology and 
information 
security
COVID-19 
(including H&S 
impact)
Brexit

Associated risk event 
in viability model
Introduction of HFSS 
regulation and associated 
restrictions
Major customer fallout

Failure to supply due to 
internal issue and due to a 
third party supplier failure
Additional sustainability 
costs (e.g. introduction 
of a Plastics Tax)
Product recall

Non-compliance with 
regulation 
Cyber incident impacting 
one of our sites

Shutdown of a site for two 
weeks due to a COVID-19 
outbreak
The introduction of tariffs 
as a result of no trade 
agreement being agreed 
between the UK and the 
EU at the end of the 
transition period

The Strategic Report was approved 
by the Board and signed on its behalf by

SIMON LITHERLAND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
25 November 2020

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Chairman’s introduction to governance

LEADING WITH  
PURPOSE

John Daly
Non-Executive Chairman

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present the Corporate 
Governance Report for the year ended 
30 September 2020. The report sets out our 
governance framework, the Board’s key actions 
during the year, our approach to the alignment 
of purpose, values, culture and strategy and our 
engagement with stakeholders.

UK Corporate Governance Code
This report also sets out how we have 
complied with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2018 (the 2018 Code). Our 2018 Code 
compliance statement can be found on 
page 63. A comprehensive review of our 
governance framework was carried out in 2019 
which enabled a refresh of our policies and 
practices and stood us in good stead for 2020.

The Board’s response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic
As a Board, we have held all our meetings 
virtually since March 2020 and the Executive 
team have kept us well informed of 
developments within each of the company’s 
markets and operating businesses. 
Having taken advice from the company’s 
brokers and lawyers, we discussed the 
potential scenarios and the range of possible 
effects of COVID-19 on the company and our 
key stakeholders, and kept investors up to 
date with the impact of the pandemic on the 
company. We wholeheartedly supported 
initiatives to help our people, communities, 
customers, suppliers and other stakeholders, 
and in particular, our commitment to joining 
the C-19 Business Pledge founded in March. 
The company’s response to the COVID-19 
pandemic is outlined in detail on pages 6 – 7. 

The Board’s involvement in setting 
the business strategy 
In 2019, we supported and encouraged 
the Executive team to evolve the long-term 
business strategy, explained on pages 10 – 19, 
and we remain confident in its approach. 
We recognised the importance of the 
development of the business strategy and we 
were particularly supportive of the Healthier 
People, Healthier Planet and flavouring billions 
of water occasions strategic pillars. 

Throughout 2020, we have focused our efforts 
on implementing and delivering the strategy 
and ensuring Board agendas follow the strategic 
pillars and Britvic values. Further information on 
how the Board supports the company’s 
strategy can be found on page 62.

Section 172 and stakeholder engagement
This is the first year we have set out our Section 
172 statement, which can be found on pages 
20 – 21. As part of our compliance with Section 
172, the Board is required to consider a number 
of factors in its decision-making, including the 
interests of its stakeholders. Further details on 
how the company and the Board engage with 
stakeholders can be found on pages 14 – 19 
and 72 – 74.

Fair, balanced and understandable
The Board as a whole is responsible for the 
preparation of the Annual Report and Accounts 
and ensuring that they are fair, balanced and 
understandable. Drafts of this document have 
been reviewed by the Committee Chairs and 
the Board as a whole. The Audit Committee 
recommended to the Board, following its 
in-depth review, that this Annual Report and 
Accounts is, in its opinion, fair, balanced and 
understandable (page 85). The Board has 
reviewed the Annual Report and Accounts, 
drawing on its collective knowledge of the 
business and updates from management 
during the year, and the opinion of the Audit 
Committee, and I can confirm that the Board 
believe this Annual Report and Accounts 
presents a fair, balanced and understandable 
assessment of the company, and provides 
shareholders with information necessary to 
assess the company’s position, performance, 
business model and strategy.

Future outlook
The Board believes in our strategy and its 
importance across all our markets, and in the 
coming year, will focus on the company’s 
progression and the implementation and 
articulation of the business strategy.

JOHN DALY
NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
25 November 2020

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

61

Board focus areas in 2019/20

•  Reviewed the company’s long-term 
business strategy and, in particular, 
the strategic pillars

•  Received information on, and 

discussed, the impact of COVID-19 
across the business

•  Approved the company’s 

financial statements following 
recommendations from the 
Audit Committee

•  Engaged with key stakeholders, 

including the workforce
•  Received information on the 

company’s culture and results 
of employee surveys

READ MORE ON PAGES 70 – 71

WE WHOLEHEARTEDLY 
SUPPORTED INITIATIVES 
TO HELP OUR PEOPLE, 
COMMUNITIES, CUSTOMERS, 
SUPPLIERS AND OTHER 
STAKEHOLDERS DURING 
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Chairman’s introduction to governance continued

HOW GOVERNANCE SUPPORTS OUR STRATEGY 

The Board works closely with the Executive team to review and agree 
the Group’s long-term strategy, which is set out on pages 10 – 31. 
Setting strategic direction is a key part of promoting the success 
of the company, and the Board carefully considers the long term 
consequences of the key pillars such as building on strengths to ensure 
the stability of the business, while paying close attention to changes in 
consumer preferences to ensure future growth. The Healthier People, 
Healthier Planet pillar puts community and environment considerations 
on the same basis as performance, but these are addressed in all four 
pillars. As well as the commitment to using rPET for plastic packaging, 
the focus on concentrates both in and out of the home will have an 

impact as will changes in the routes to consumers and use of new 
technology. Communities are being considered by aiming to give 
wider choices and continuing to maintain or reduce calorie count. 
High standards of business conduct are imperative to embed trust 
with consumers and business partners and embedding sustainable 
practices in every element of our business strategy is key. Overall, the 
strategy is designed to carry the business forward, providing benefit 
not only for all shareholders but providing a stable and caring yet 
exciting workplace for employees as we move into new ways of 
working and growing. 

STRATEGIC PILLAR:

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGE 28

STRATEGIC PILLAR:

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGE 29

Build local favourites and global 
premium brands

Flavour billions 
of water occasions

The Board’s governance role
The Board reviews information, market drivers, and progress reports from 
the Executive teams in each of our business units and provides advice 
from its own experience to support brand and market growth.

The Board’s governance role
The Board reviews the implementation of the Group’s strategy and the 
ways in which the business units are able to become more sustainable and 
provide consumers with market leading flavour concentrate brands. 

What we considered in 2020
•  Regular reports from the CEO covering market and trading performance
•  Monitoring the performance of each business unit and the company 

What we considered in 2020
•  Monitoring the performance and growth of our flavour concentrate brands
•  Monitoring the company’s progress in sustainability issues such as 

through the CFO’s regular financial reports

packaging

•  Regular reviews of the Company’s markets and supply chain
•  Understanding key customer relationships and market drivers

STRATEGIC PILLAR:

Healthier People, 
Healthier Planet

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGE 30

STRATEGIC PILLAR:

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
SEE PAGE 31

Innovate to access  
new spaces

The Board’s governance role
The Board is provided with updates on its workforce, employee wellbeing, 
culture and the results of employee surveys. It also receives and discusses 
detailed information on the company’s environmental targets and its 
progress against those targets.

What we considered in 2020
•  Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on employees, the supply 

The Board’s governance role
The Board reviews information on new channels and solutions which 
anticipate consumer needs and purchasing behaviours, and the technology 
requirements of the business units.

What we considered in 2020
•  Reviewing the technology investment programme as a key 

component of strategy 

chain and mitigating actions

•  Regular updates on technology and investment requirements of the 

•  Monitoring information on the company’s culture and employee wellbeing 
•  Reviewing the updated Diversity & Inclusion Policy
•  Reviewing the results of the employee engagement survey
•  Engaging with employees on the Board’s visit to the manufacturing 

site in Rugby

•  Understanding the company’s culture
•  Regular reviews on key sustainability issues and the environmental 

impact of the business strategy

•  Regular reports on the company’s key performance indicators 

covering environmental, and health and safety performance targets

business

•  Approving the acquisition of The Boiling Tap Company
•  Understanding consumer needs and trends, and our partner networks 

and the different propositions that our customers and consumers require

62

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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THE UK CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE 2018: OUR COMPLIANCE

The Board is supportive of the standards set by the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2018 and is pleased to report that the company 
has applied the principles and complied with the provisions set out 
in the 2018 Code during the year under review. A copy of the 2018 
Code, issued by the Financial Reporting Council can be found at 
www.frc.org.uk. 

This Governance Statement, including the Nomination Committee, 
Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee Reports, explains 
how we have applied the principles and complied with the provisions 
of the 2018 Code. 

SECTION 1: BOARD LEADERSHIP 
AND COMPANY PURPOSE

SEE PAGE

SECTION 3: COMPOSITION, 
SUCCESSION AND EVALUATION

SEE PAGE

A.  Effective and entrepreneurial board to 

promote the long-term sustainable success of 
the company, generating value for shareholders 
and contributing to wider society

B.  Purpose, values and strategy with alignment to 

culture

C.  Resources for the company to meet its objectives 
and measure performance. Controls framework 
for management and assessment of risks
D.  Effective engagement with shareholders and 

stakeholders

E.  Consistency of workforce policies and practices 

to support long-term sustainable success

•  Chairman’s introduction to governance

•  Strategic Report

•  Section 172 statement

•  Purpose, values and culture

•  Board’s key activities

61

1 – 60

20

68

70 – 71

•  Board engagement with key stakeholders

72

SECTION 2: DIVISION OF 
RESPONSIBILITIES

F.  Leadership of Board by chair 
G.  Board composition and responsibilities
H.  Role of NEDs
I.  Company secretary, policies, processes, 

information, time and resources

•  Board composition

•  Roles and responsibilities

•  Appointment, tenure and re-election

•  Conflicts of interest

•  Time commitment and external appointments

SEE PAGE

78

75

76

76

76

J.  Board appointments and succession plans for 
Board and senior management and promotion 
of diversity

K.  Skills, experience and knowledge of Board and 

length of service of Board as a whole

L.  Annual evaluation of Board and Directors and 
demonstration of whether each Director 
continues to contribute effectively

•  Board composition

•  Nomination Committee Report

•  Diversity, inclusion and belonging

•  Board, Committee and Director 

performance evaluation

78

77 – 81

78

80 – 81

SECTION 4: AUDIT, RISK AND 
INTERNAL CONTROLS

SEE PAGE

M.  Independence and effectiveness of internal and 
external audit functions and integrity of financial 
and narrative statements

N.  Fair, balanced and understandable assessment 

of the company’s position and prospects

O.  Risk management and internal control 

framework and principal risks company is willing 
to take to achieve its long-term objectives

•  Audit Committee Report 

•  Risk Management

•  Fair, balanced and understandable assessment

•  Going concern

•  Viability statement

82 – 86

52 – 59

85

60

60

SECTION 5: REMUNERATION

SEE PAGE

P.  Remuneration policies and practices to support 
strategy and promote long-term sustainable 
success with executive remuneration aligned 
to company purpose and values

Q.  Procedure for executive remuneration, Director 

and senior management remuneration
R.  Authorisation of remuneration outcomes

•  Directors’ Remuneration Report

87 – 106

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Board of Directors 
(as at 30 September 2020)

THE RIGHT SKILLS TO 
DELIVER OUR STRATEGY

John Daly
Non-Executive Chairman

Simon Litherland 
Chief Executive Officer

Joanne Wilson
Chief Financial Officer

John Daly was appointed Chairman 
of the Board in September 2017. He 
joined the Board as a Non-Executive 
Director in January 2015 and became 
Senior Independent Director in 
January 2016.

Skills, competence 
and experience:
John brings strong international 
and consumer expertise to the 
Board, having held various executive 
leadership positions over the course of 
20 years at British American Tobacco 
plc (BAT). 

His most recent positions at 
BAT were Chief Operating Officer 
(2010-2014) and Regional Director 
for Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong 
(2004-2010). John is a former 
Director of Reynolds American Inc., 
which at the time was a US public 
company owned 42% by BAT. Prior 
to his time with BAT, he held various 
sales and marketing positions with 
Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers 
Squibb, Pennwalt Corporation, 
Schering-Plough and Ferguson plc. 

Committee membership:
N    R

External public directorships:
Non-Executive Chairman of Vivo 
Energy plc.

Non-Executive Director of Glanbia plc 
and a member of the Remuneration 
Committee.

Board attendance

Membership and attendance
John Daly
Simon Litherland
Joanne Wilson 
Suniti Chauhan
Sue Clark 
William Eccleshare 
Ian McHoul 
Euan Sutherland1 

Simon has been Chief Executive 
Officer since February 2013, having 
joined Britvic in September 2011 as 
Managing Director, GB.

Skills, competence 
and experience:
Simon’s earlier career was 
with Diageo plc, a global leader in 
alcoholic beverages. His last role was 
Managing Director of Diageo Great 
Britain, having previously run Diageo’s 
businesses in South Africa, Ireland 
and Central and Eastern Europe. Prior 
to this he led various functions and 
held a variety of international finance 
director roles in Diageo, IDV and 
Grand Metropolitan.

Simon was the President of 
the Incorporated Society of British 
Advertising from 2015 to 2017.

Simon was born in Zimbabwe 

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

External public directorships:
Non-Executive Director of Persimmon 
plc and a member of the Audit, 
Nomination and Remuneration 
Committees.

Joanne has served as Chief Financial 
Officer since September 2019. She 
is responsible for financial, risk and 
audit management, and IT and 
master data teams. She has primary 
responsibility for all financial related 
activities including the development 
of financial and operational strategies, 
strategic planning, deal analysis and 
negotiations, and investor relations. 
Joanne also chairs Britvic’s 
ESG Committee.

Skills, competence 
and experience:
Joanne has extensive financial and 
international experience with a strong 
background in the retail sector. Prior 
to joining Britvic, Joanne was 
Chief Financial Officer at dunnhumby, 
a global leader in customer data 
science and part of the Tesco group. 
Prior to this, she held a variety of 
financial and commercial roles at 
Tesco, working internationally as 
well as in the UK (2006-2019). 
Joanne started her career at KPMG 
(1997-2006), where she qualified as 
a Chartered Accountant and spent 
three years in Hong Kong.

Joanne studied Economics and 

Politics at Trinity College Dublin and 
holds the INSEAD Certificate in 
Corporate Governance.

External public directorships:
None.

Suniti Chauhan 
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Suniti was appointed as a Non-
Executive Director in November 2017.

Skills, competence 
and experience:
Suniti brings over 20 years of 
experience in strategy, finance and 
M&A through a career in corporate 
development and investment banking, 
most recently as Director of Corporate 
Development for Rexam plc, a 
multinational consumer packaging 
company. Formerly, Suniti was a 
Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, 
focused on UK M&A and the consumer 
and retail industry. She is currently a 
partner at Tulchan Communications 
and advisor to GrowthEnabler, a digital 
platform providing intelligence on tech 
start-ups globally to facilitate corporate 
innovation, and she has previously 
served as Trustee of Breakthrough 
Breast Cancer, the leading breast 
cancer research charity in the UK. 

Suniti graduated from Dartmouth 

College in the United States with a 
degree in Economics and attended the 
General Management Program 
at Harvard Business School.

Committee membership:

 A

External public directorships:
None.

Number of 
Board
 meetings2
9/9
 9/9
9/9
 9/9
9/9
9/9
9/9
8/9

Number of 
Audit 
Committee 
meetings
–
– 
– 
 4/4
 – 
– 
4/4
4/4 

Number of 
Nomination 
Committee 
meetings
 3/3 
–
– 
 – 
– 
– 
 3/3
2/3 

Number of 
Remuneration 
Committee 
meetings
5/5 
 –
– 
– 
5/5 
5/5 
 5/5 
– 

AGM 
attendance

1  Euan Sutherland was unable to attend one Board meeting and Nomination Committee meeting due to a personal family matter.
2  Two Board meetings were additional unscheduled meetings with full attendance.

64 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Key

 A  Audit Committee

 N  Nomination Committee

 R  Remuneration Committee

 Chair of the Committee

Ian McHoul
Senior Independent Director

Ian was appointed as Senior 
Independent Director in September 
2017, having joined the Board as a 
Non-Executive Director in March 2014.

Skills, competence 
and experience:
Ian served as Chief Financial Officer 
of Amec Foster Wheeler plc for nine 
years. Prior to this, he was Finance 
Director of Scottish & Newcastle plc 
and Finance and Strategy Director of 
the Inntrepreneur Pub Group Ltd. 
In addition, Ian spent 10 years with 
Foster’s Brewing Group in a variety of 
roles. He brings substantial financial 
expertise, and extensive knowledge 
and experience of strategy and the 
beverage and retail industry, to the 
Board. Ian was a Non-Executive 
Director and Chairman of the Audit 
Committee of Premier Foods plc 
(2004 − 2013), the last year of 
which he was also the Senior 
Independent Director.

Euan Sutherland
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Euan was appointed as a Non-
Executive Director in February 2016. 

Skills, competence 
and experience:
Euan currently serves as Group Chief 
Executive Officer of Saga plc. Prior 
to this, he served as Group Chief 
Executive Officer of SuperGroup Plc 
for five years and as Group Chief 
Executive Officer for the Co-op group 
of companies. Earlier in his career he 
was Group Chief Operating Officer 
at Kingfisher plc, Chief Executive 
Officer of B&Q and Chief Executive of 
AS Watson UK, owner of Superdrug. 
Euan has over 23 years’ experience 
within the retail and FMCG sectors 
having held roles with Boots, Dixons, 
Coca-Cola and Mars.

Euan has a first class 

Honours degree in Managerial 
and Administrative Studies from 
Aston University. 

Sue Clark
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

William Eccleshare
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

William was appointed as a Non-
Executive Director in November 2017.

Skills, competence 
and experience:
William has strong international 
experience in business 
transformation, expansion, marketing, 
branding, restructuring and digital 
innovation. He has run the European 
divisions of major advertising 
agencies WPP and Omnicom and is 
a former partner of McKinsey & Co 
where he led the firm’s European 
Marketing practice. William also 
served as a Non-Executive Director 
of Hays plc from 2004 to 2014.

William is Chief Executive 
Officer of Clear Channel Outdoor 
Holdings Inc., and led the global 
Out-of-Home advertising business 
through a major digital transformation.

William is also a Director of 
Donmar Warehouse Projects Ltd. 

Sue was appointed as a Non-
Executive Director in February 2016 
and since September 2017 has been 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

Skills, competence 
and experience:
Sue has strong international credentials 
and has worked in the global FMCG 
sector for the last 16 years. In her 
executive career, Sue held the role of 
Managing Director of SABMiller Europe 
and was an Executive Committee 
member of SABMiller plc. She joined 
SABMiller in 2003 as Corporate Affairs 
Director and was part of the executive 
team that built the business into a top 
FTSE company. 

Previously, Sue held a 
number of senior roles in UK/listed 
companies, including that of Director 
of Corporate Affairs for Railtrack 
Group and Scottish Power plc.

Sue has an MBA from 
Heriot-Watt University and was a 
Director on the Board of Edinburgh 
Business School from 2017 to 2019. 
She is also a Non-Executive Director 
of Tulchan Communications Group 
LLP, a leading advisory firm. 

Committee membership:

 R

External public directorships:
Non-Executive Director of Bakkavor 
Group plc. 

Member of the Supervisory Board 
of AkzoNobel N.V.

Non-Executive Director and Senior 
Independent Director of Imperial 
Brands PLC and Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee.

Committee membership:

Committee membership:

 R

A    N    R

Committee membership:
 A    N

External public directorships:
Non-Executive Director and Senior 
Independent Director of Centaur 
Media plc.

External public directorships:
Chairman of Vitec Group plc.

External public directorships:
Executive Director of Saga plc.

Non-Executive Director of Young & 
Co’s Brewery plc and Chair of the 
Audit Committee.

Non-Executive Director of Bellway 
plc, Chair of the Audit Committee and 
a member of the Remuneration and 
Nomination Committees.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

65

 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Group Executive team  
(as at 30 September 2020)

1

3

5

7

9

11

2

4

6

8

10

12

66 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

1. Simon Litherland
Chief Executive Officer

See Simon’s biography on page 64.

2. Joanne Wilson
Chief Financial Officer

See Joanne’s biography on page 64.

3. Matt Barwell 
Chief Marketing Officer

Matt is the Chief Marketing Officer of 
Britvic Soft Drinks Plc, a key member 
of the Executive team responsible for 
all aspects of global brand strategy, 
execution and innovation, corporate 
affairs and the company’s 
sustainability agenda. 

Matt joined Britvic in 2014 from 
Diageo, the world’s leading premium 
drinks business, where he was a 
senior member of the marketing team 
for more than 15 years. Matt was 
Marketing and Innovation Director 
for Diageo Europe and prior to that 
Marketing and Innovation Director 
for Africa. He also worked and lived 
in Italy for a number of years with 
the company. 

He started his career as a 

graduate trainee at Mars, working in 
sales and marketing across the pet 
care and confectionery businesses. 
Matt is currently the Chair of 

the Marketing Group of Great Britain, 
a former Chair of the Advertising 
Association’s Front Foot group and a 
Fellow of the Marketing Society. 

sites. Prior to joining Britvic, he held 
senior management, production and 
planning roles at Greencore, Procter 
& Gamble and CeDo. 

Clive has a BEng in Engineering 

from the Royal Naval Engineering 
College.

6. Steve Potts 
Strategic Programmes Director

Steve joined the business in October 
2014 with responsibility for IT. He 
took on the additional responsibility 
for the ‘One Britvic’ transformation 
in May 2016, which created a new 
operating model within Britvic. Steve 
joined the Britvic plc Executive team 
in June 2018, when he also became 
responsible for Britvic’s overall digital 
approach. With effect from October 
2020, Steve was appointed Managing 
Director, Beyond the Bottle.

Prior to joining Britvic, Steve 
was at Marks & Spencer plc where 
he was responsible for IT for UK 
stores, the international businesses 
in more than 40 countries, and the 
critical commercial and supply chain 
systems used across the foods 
business. Earlier in his career, he 
worked for both Procter & Gamble 
and Reckitt Benckiser, where he 
performed a number of director-level 
roles within IT, and was CIO at 
Tarmac Group, where he combined 
running the IT function with the 
Programme Director role of Tarmac’s 
Business Transformation Programme.

4. Zareena Brown 
Chief People Officer

7. Paul Graham 
Managing Director, GB

Zareena was appointed as Chief 
People Officer in June 2018 and 
is responsible for global talent 
management, capability building, 
diversity, organisation development, 
reward and all aspects of the people 
strategy for the Group. 

Zareena has extensive HR 
experience over a 25 year career with 
major multinational companies. Before 
joining Britvic, she worked for 
InterContinental Hotels Group in a 
variety of senior human resources 
positions including Senior Vice 
President Talent, Learning and 
Leadership Development and Vice 
President of Human Resources, Asia, 
Middle East and Africa. Her earlier 
career was with Hilton Hotels and a 
number of FTSE 100 retailers. She has 
experience of living and working in Asia.

5. Clive Hooper 
Chief Supply Chain Officer

Clive was appointed Chief Supply 
Chain Officer in October 2016 having 
joined the business in 2006 as 
Production Director. Clive has 
responsibility for production, logistics 
and warehousing across all Britvic 

Paul joined Britvic in September 
2012 having worked in a range of 
commercial roles across all trade 
channels for United Biscuits and Mars 
Confectionery. He was promoted 
to the role of GB Managing Director 
in July 2013 and leads the largest 
business unit in the group.

Paul is a graduate of the 
University of Manchester and is the 
Vice President of the British Soft 
Drinks Association.

8. Kevin Donnelly 
Managing Director, Ireland

Kevin joined Britvic Ireland in 
September 2008 as Marketing 
Director and was appointed Managing 
Director in June 2013. He has over 30 
years’ experience in sales, marketing 
and general management in FMCG 
companies, including Unilever and 
Dairygold. He is Chair of the Prepared 
Consumer Foods Council, part of Ibec, 
Ireland’s largest business lobby group.
Kevin holds a first class Honours 

degree in Marketing from Trinity 
College Dublin and a postgraduate 
diploma in Digital Marketing.

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Board leadership and company purpose

OUR GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK 

SHAREHOLDERS
2,699 SHAREHOLDERS AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2020

BOARD
The role of the Board is to promote the long-term success of the company for the benefit of all 
stakeholders and focuses on strategy, leadership and people, performance and monitoring, internal 
control and risk management, and governance and shareholder matters.

FURTHER DETAIL ON THE ROLE OF THE BOARD AND ITS ACTIVITIES: PAGES 69 – 71
BIOGRAPHIES: PAGES 64 – 65
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE OF THE BOARD: PAGE 79

NOMINATION 
COMMITTEE

AUDIT 
COMMITTEE

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE

Responsible for Board 
appointments, succession 
planning and reviewing 
the structure, size and 
composition of the Board, 
ensuring that there is a 
healthy balance of skills, 
knowledge, experience and 
diversity on the Board. 

Monitors the integrity 
of the Group’s external 
reporting and provides 
oversight and governance 
of the Group’s internal 
controls, risk management 
and the relationship 
with external auditors. 

Responsible for setting 
the Remuneration Policy 
and individual compensation 
for the Chairman, Executive 
Directors and senior 
management to ensure that 
it is in line with the long-term 
interests of the Group. 

COMMIT TEE REPORT 
PAGES 77 – 81

COMMIT TEE REPORT 
PAGES 82 – 86

COMMIT TEE REPORT 
PAGES 87 – 106

EXECUTIVE TEAM

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Chief  
Marketing 
Officer

Managing 
Director,  
GB

Managing 
Director, 
Brazil 

Managing 
Director, 
France

Chief Supply 
Chain Officer

Managing 
Director, 
Ireland

Managing 
Director, 
International

Chief People 
Officer

Strategic 
Programmes 
Director

BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF THE EXECUTIVE TEAM: PAGES 66 – 67

GENERAL COUNSEL AND COMPANY SECRETARY 
The General Counsel and Company Secretary is the senior legal officer for the Group and supports 
the Board and the Executive team on all corporate governance matters.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION SEE PAGE 75

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

67

9. João Caetano de 
Mello Neto 
Managing Director, Brazil

João Caetano joined Britvic following 
the acquisition of Ebba in September 
2015. He was co-founder of Ebba, 
creating a new company with two 
iconic brands in Brazil – Maguary 
and Dafruta. He brings with him over 
30 years of executive management 
experience in the consumer 
goods industry.

Previously, João Caetano 

worked for Cia. Müller de Bebidas 
(Caninha 51) where he spent 14 years 
and acted as Chief Executive Officer 
for seven of those years. He then 
worked for J. Macedo for seven years 
as Chief Executive Officer of Hidracor, 
a leading decorative paint company 
in Brazil, before founding Ebba.

10. Hessel de Jong 
Managing Director, International

Hessel joined the business in 
September 2015 with over 20 years 
of management experience in the 
international FMCG industry.

Prior to joining Britvic, Hessel 

held various regional and global 
leadership positions at Coca-Cola, 
Heineken and SCA Group.

Hessel is based in Amsterdam 

and holds a Master of Business 
Administration from INSEAD and a 
Bachelor of Business Administration 
from Nyenrode University.

11. Olivier Mercier 
Managing Director, France

Olivier joined Britvic France in 2015 as 
Commercial Director and was appointed 
Managing Director in January 2018. 
Prior to joining Britvic, Olivier worked for 
large multinational FMCG businesses 
including Heineken, Kellogg’s and Kraft 
Mondelez, and has strong international 
experience having worked in both 
Russia and the Middle East.

Olivier holds a Master of 

Business Administration from 
HEC Paris.

12. Clare Thomas 
General Counsel and 
Company Secretary

Clare joined Britvic as General 
Counsel and Company Secretary in 
September 2013 and is responsible 
for the Legal, Company Secretarial 
and Estates teams across Britvic.

Clare has extensive legal and 

corporate governance experience 
over a 20 year career and prior to 
joining Britvic was a corporate/M&A 
partner at law firm Addleshaw 
Goddard LLP, where she had a 
particular focus on FMCG clients.
Clare holds a degree in law 

from the University of Bristol.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Board leadership and company purpose continued

PURPOSE, VALUES 
AND CULTURE

How the Board supports the 
company’s strategy
The Board is responsible for setting the 
long-term business strategy and establishing 
the company’s purpose, vision and values 
which together inspire the day-to-day culture 
of the business.

In November 2019 Britvic took the 
opportunity to evolve the business strategy 
to ensure it continued to be aligned to the 
changing consumer and retail landscape. 
The Board is confident in this strategy, which 
is explained in detail on pages 10 – 19 and 
28 – 31.

Throughout the 2020 financial year, the 
Board has focused on delivering the strategy, 
ensuring all meeting agendas further Britvic’s 
strategic priorities and all decisions are made 
in accordance with the Britvic values. 
For example, presentations and updates to 
the Board, in particular those provided by the 
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief 
Financial Officer (CFO) in their commercial 
and financial updates, share progress made 
against the four strategic focus areas of the 
strategy, including:

•  Build local favourites and global premium 

brands Read more on page 28
•  Flavour billions of water occasions 

Read more on page 29

•  Healthier People, Healthier Planet 

• 

Read more on page 30
Innovate to access new spaces 
Read more on page 31

How the Board monitors culture
Central to Britvic’s culture is the belief 
that the workforce is fundamental to the 
company’s ability to succeed. As such, the 
Board and the business have continued to 
focus on employee engagement to create a 
culture that everyone can be proud of, where 
people come first and everyone is committed 
to delivering Britvic’s long-term goals. This 
approach is helping to create an environment 
where every single person at Britvic feels free 
to act, inspired to grow, valued for their 
difference, trusted to deliver, energised and 
happy in their role. The Board fully endorses 
this approach and is committed to promoting 
the company’s culture through its actions and 
decisions. For more information on the 
company’s culture see pages 37 – 39.

In assessing culture, the Chief People 

Officer has regularly provided the Board with 
updated information on culture and employee 
engagement initiatives, including insights into 
how employees are feeling and their evolving 
expectations throughout the year. In particular, 
the Board discussed the company’s workplace 

68 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

culture in depth at its January meeting. 
The Board also received the results of 
engagement surveys which gave the Board a 
rich insight into the kind of culture employees 
wish to co-create alongside the implementation 
of the business strategy. The Chief People 
Officer also provided the Board with a 
comprehensive presentation on the impact 
of COVID-19 on the company’s employees, 
supply chain and communities, and actions 
the business has taken to protect employees’ 
health and wellbeing during this challenging 
time, whether they be key workers based on 
site or working from home. More information 
about the company’s COVID-19 response can 
be found on pages 6 – 7.

During the year, the Board, and in 
particular, the Nomination Committee, 
supported and endorsed the creation of a 
more diverse and inclusive culture with the 
launch of the B-Empowered, B-Seen and 
B-Diverse employee groups and the 
Wellbeing Warriors whose role is to support, 
promote and champion wellbeing across the 
business. For further detail on diversity and 
inclusion, see page 37.

Britvic’s employees are critical to the 
company’s success and the Board believes 
their hard work and dedication should be 
recognised and rewarded in a fair and 
consistent way, in accordance with the 
company’s values. In Britvic’s local markets, 
the company provides a package of relevant 
benefits focused on employee health and 
wellbeing. In addition, employees are eligible 
to receive a bonus typically linked to financial 
performance, as well as their individual 
performance. Further information on employees 
can be found on pages 37 – 39 and in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 95.

Board leadership
As explained above the Board is collectively 
responsible for establishing the company’s 
purpose, values and strategy in order to 
promote the long-term sustainable success 
of the company, while generating value for 
shareholders and contributing to wider 
society. The Board members’ strong mix of 
skills and experience, both nationally and 
internationally, in a wide range of industries 
proves invaluable in Board discussions and in 
their engagement with the Executive team. 
The Board assesses the basis on which the 
company generates and preserves value over 
the long term through numerous focus areas:

evolution of the long-term business strategy in 
2019, the Board received regular updates on 
the implementation of the strategy, including 
purpose, values and culture, from the Executive 
team. The Board is responsible for assessing 
and monitoring culture and ensuring it is aligned 
with the company’s purpose, vision and values.

Performance and monitoring
The Board ensures that the necessary financial 
resources, assets and skills are in place for the 
company to meet its objectives, and monitors 
and evaluates the company’s performance. 
It is also responsible for approving results, 
dividends, annual budget, major capital 
commitments, material acquisitions and 
disposals and announcements, including 
the going concern and viability statements. 
Performance monitoring also includes 
non-financial matters such as health and 
safety, employees, quality, environmental and 
social factors and ethical business practice.

Internal controls and risk management
The Board has ultimate responsibility for 
internal control and risk management systems 
operating in the business and considers regular 
reviews carried out by the Audit Committee, 
which has responsibility for monitoring 
such systems. Further information on risk 
management can be found on pages 52 – 59.

Leadership and people
The Board is responsible for succession 
planning and Remuneration Policy for the 
Chairman, NEDs, Executive Directors, the 
Company Secretary and Executive team, 
following advice and recommendations 
made by the Nomination Committee. 
It ensures that workforce policies and 
practices are consistent with the company’s 
values and support its long-term sustainable 
success. One of the Board’s responsibilities 
is to engage with the workforce via a number 
of different channels including meeting with 
workers at all levels at site visits, engagement 
with the Executive team and wider leadership 
population, and regular reporting from 
employee surveys. The Board also ensures 
that provision is made for the workforce to 
raise concerns in confidence. The Audit 
Committee routinely reviews this and 
reports arising from its operation are provided 
to the Board. Further information can be 
found in the Audit Committee Report on 
pages 82 – 86. 

Strategy
The Board provides strategic leadership and 
oversight, and has a detailed forward-looking 
agenda to enable the Directors to understand, 
contribute and consider economic, social, 
environmental and political issues and 
regulatory matters and any other relevant topics 
that may influence or affect the company’s 
achievement of its objectives. Following the 

Governance and stakeholders
The Board takes the views of, and effects on, 
key stakeholders into consideration in Board 
discussions and when making its decisions, 
including shareholders with whom it engages 
at appropriate times on appropriate subject 
matters during the year. The Board is 
accountable to shareholders for all the 
actions of the company and regularly reports 

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to shareholders through the Annual Report, 
quarterly trading updates and half-year and 
full-year results announcements, as well as 
other statutory non-financial statements. 

Sustainability
The Board monitors and evaluates the 
company’s sustainability targets, which 
include the Group’s environmental impact, 
targets and performance, and subsequent 
actions taken (and to be taken) by the 
business units to achieve targets and lower 
the Group’s impact on the environment. 
Other sustainability factors the Board takes 
account of include the drive to provide 
healthier consumer choices, diversity across 
the Group, employee wellbeing, carbon 
footprint, water usage, waste, packaging, 
and community programmes.

Detailed information on Britvic’s 
sustainable business can be found on 
pages 32 – 47.

Statement of Authorities
The Britvic Statement of Authorities is an 
internal reference document which sets out 
the authority limits and delegations at Board, 
Executive team and business unit level. 
It provides a structured framework for the 
business to ensure the correct levels of 
delegations, scrutiny and approvals are sought 
and covers matters such as contracts, capital 
expenditure, tax, treasury, legal and HR.

How the Board operates
The company’s governance framework is set 
out on page 67. This provides an overview of 
the roles of the Board, its committees and 
the members of the Executive team. The 
Company Secretary, with input from 
the Chairman and CEO, prepares an annual 
programme of business for the Board prior 
to the start of each financial year to ensure 
appropriate subject matters are covered at 
the appropriate times during the year, along 
with sufficient time allocated for in-depth 
discussions by the Directors. This annual 
programme is prepared in conjunction with 
the annual programme for the Executive team 
meetings to ensure consistency and fluid 
reporting to the Board as and when required.
It is the Chairman’s responsibility to 
lead and ensure the effective working of 
the Board in a manner that is transparent and 
accountable, while creating a culture of 
openness and debate. This aims to facilitate 
the effective contribution of all Board members 
while harnessing constructive Board relations. 
The Chairman aims to create an environment 
whereby no one NED dominates decision-
making and NEDs are able to balance their 
constructive challenge and guidance around 
strategy and performance, and also hold 
management to account as and when required.
The Board met seven times during the 

year as scheduled, with an additional two 

MATTERS RESERVED FOR THE BOARD

The Board has a formal schedule of matters 
specifically reserved for its decision-making 
and approval. The matters that the Board 
considers suitable for delegation are 
contained in the terms of reference of 
each Board Committee and the company’s 

Statement of Authorities. The matters 
reserved for the Board is regularly reviewed 
and updated to reflect any changes made to 
the committees’ terms of reference and the 
Statement of Authorities and is approved by 
the Board.

Major capital 
commitments

Company’s 
purpose, values, 
vision and culture

Business 
strategy and 
approval of 
long-term 
aims and 
objectives

BOARD

Group 
financial 
reporting  
and results 
announcements

Corporate 
governance 
including Board 
and committee 
evaluation

Risk management 
and internal 
controls

Material 
acquisitions 
and disposals

Engagement with 
key stakeholders

Approval of 
Annual Report and 
Accounts

meetings to discuss the impact of COVID-19 
and changes to the operating model to align 
to strategic priorities, and sub-committee 
meetings to approve financial results. 
There were further sub-committee meetings 
held to deal with the matters relating to the 
disposal of Britvic’s private label juice 
business in France, the refinancing of Britvic 
plc and the acquisition of The Boiling Tap 
Company Limited. All meetings were held in 
person between October and February and 
were then held virtually when UK 
Government restrictions and guidance came 
into force. The table showing individual Board 
and committee attendance can be found on 
page 64.

The Chairman regularly meets with 
the NEDs without the Executive Directors 
present, both collectively and individually, and 
did so during the year. In addition, the 
Chairman discussed matters relevant to 

the Audit and Remuneration Committees 
with the Chairs of each on a regular basis. 
The NEDs also met during the year without 
the Chairman to discuss his performance. 
Further information on Board performance 
can be found on pages 80 – 81.

The Chairman and the Company 
Secretary ensure that all the Directors receive 
timely information on all relevant matters prior 
to each Board meeting and, if required, 
sub-committee meeting. Board papers are 
circulated electronically via a secure Board 
portal in advance of meetings to ensure there 
is adequate time for them to be read and 
considered, and to facilitate focused, robust 
and informed discussions. The portal is also 
used to distribute reference documents, 
including company policies and other useful 
resources as required by the Directors from 
time to time.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

69

 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Board leadership and company purpose continued

KEY ACTIVITIES OF THE BOARD IN 2019/20

The Board’s key activities and their link to Section 172 factors are shown below.
The company’s Section 172 statement can be found on pages 20 – 21. 

STRATEGY

•  Received reports from the CEO at each Board meeting covering market and trading performance, 

investor feedback and discussions from Executive team meetings

•  Reviewed, discussed and adopted the Group’s long-term business strategy
•  Reviewed and approved the acquisition of The Boiling Tap Company and the disposal of the French 

juice factories

•  Received updates on the company’s supply chain
•  Received information on COVID-19 and discussed its impact across the business and necessary 

mitigation actions

•  Discussed the impact of Brexit
•  Reviewed and discussed the PepsiCo renewal agreement

PERFORMANCE 
AND MONITORING

•  Received reports from the CFO at each Board meeting covering Group and business unit performance 

for each period, market data, budgets, outlook, cash flow and liquidity

•  Approved the company’s quarterly trading updates, half-year and full-year results and market 

announcements, including the going concern and viability statements

•  Approved dividend policy and payments and deferral of the interim dividend 
•  Approved the Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year ended 29 September 2019
•  Reviewed and approved the Group budget
•  Reviewed and approved the Group’s financing strategy, including the Group’s £400m bank facility
•  Reviewed and approved the Group’s annual insurance renewal
•  Received regular updates on the quality, safety and environmental KPIs covering environmental and 

safety performance against targets, consumer complaints and the zero harm strategy

INTERNAL CONTROLS AND 
RISK MANAGEMENT

•  Received information on key risks, risk reviews and mitigation plans
•  Received updates on information technology investment and cyber security
•  Reviewed and approved changes to the Group’s Statement of Authorities

LEADERSHIP & PEOPLE

•  Received regular updates on people and wellbeing covering engagement survey results, progress 

against the key areas of focus (Creating Great Britvic Managers, Re-Inventing Learning, Diversity & 
Inclusion and Employee Experience), the impact of COVID-19 on employees and workforce 
engagement

•  Received reports from the Chair of the Remuneration Committee on its activities regarding 

remuneration of the Executive Directors and Executive team, and the fees paid to the Chairman and 
NEDs

•  Received reports from the Chair of the Nomination Committee on its activities concerning succession 

plans

70 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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GOVERNANCE

STAKEHOLDERS

•  Received regular updates on the company’s governance practices and procedures
•  Received regular updates on legal and regulatory matters
•  Received updates on and discussed sustainability matters, in particular the plans and actions taken by 

Britvic during the COVID-19 crisis

•  Reviewed and adopted updated Group policies on matters including whistleblowing, cyber security, 
anti-bribery & corruption, Statement of Authorities, anti-fraud, conflicts of interest and authorised 
signatories

•  Reviewed and adopted updated committee terms of reference
•  Discussed the Board’s ways of working to become more simple, focused and agile
•  Conducted the annual Board evaluation in respect of the effectiveness of the Board and its committees 

and discussed the actions to be taken in the upcoming year
•  Approved the resolutions to be put to shareholders at the AGM

•  Received reports from Investor Relations on investor activity, recent investor/analyst engagement and 

investor views, and feedback from the investor roadshow

•  Received regular reports on investor activity from an independent capital market advisory firm
•  Carried out workforce engagement activities, including site visits and ‘lunch & learn’ sessions
•  Received reports from the Executive team on customers and market share data
•  Reviewed and discussed supplier contracts
•  Received regular updates on consumer data and held detailed discussions on the community work the 

company has undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic

•  Received regular reports on consumer complaints and customer service levels
•  Received reports on consumer market share and customer engagement
•  Received updates on the COVID-19 pandemic response in relation to Britvic’s workforce including 
supporting our employees, the creation of a dedicated employee wellbeing and resource portal, 
protection of the workforce and the safe return to work.

•  Received regular reports on the zero harm safety performance for our workforce in relation to accidents 

in the workplace and the effectiveness of Britvic’s safety management.

•  Received updates on Britvic’s community initiatives in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic, 

including donating chillers and soft drinks to NHS Nightingale hospitals, delivering products to local food 
banks and hospices and providing products for Age UK’s food and drink parcels for the elderly and 
vulnerable.

•  Regular updates on People and Wellbeing covering engagement survey results, progress against the 
key areas of focus (Creating Great Britvic Managers, Re-Inventing Learning, Diversity & Inclusion and 
Employee Experience) and workforce engagement

•  Received regular updates on the sustainability Key Performance Indicators covering Britvic’s 

performance against targets including calories per serving, community programmes and leadership 
roles held by women

ENVIRONMENT

•  Received information on the environmental impact of the long-term business strategy
•  Received regular updates on environmental, social and governance matters including the DRS 

(Scotland)

•  Received regular updates on the environmental Key Performance Indicators covering Britvic’s 
performance against targets including carbon ratio, water ratio, waste to landfill and rPET.

Section 172 matters

Long-term consequences of a decision

Interests of company’s employees

Fostering relationships with suppliers, customers and others

Impact on community and environment

  Maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct

Acting fairly between members

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Board leadership and company purpose continued

How the Board engages with 
key stakeholders
The company’s purpose, values and 
culture mean the Board actively encourages 
and carries out engagement with its key 
stakeholders and considers this to be 
paramount to the long-term success and the 
performance of the business. Our Section 
172 statement outlined on pages 20 – 21 
explains how Section 172 matters, including 
engaging with key stakeholders, are taken 
into consideration by the Board in its 
decision-making. 

The Board recognises, along with 
the company’s purpose and values, the 
contribution the company makes to society, 
the environment, and to each of its key 
stakeholders. It seeks to understand the views 
of its key stakeholders and predominantly 
engages with those stakeholders through the 
Executive Directors who ensure the Board is 
kept informed of any key issues or changes. 
It also keeps engagement mechanisms under 
constant review to ensure they remain 
effective. Information on how the Board has 
engaged with key stakeholders during the year 
follows, with further information on how the 
company engages with its key stakeholders 
detailed on pages 14 – 19.

Consumers, customers and suppliers
The company actively engages with its 
consumers and the communities it serves on 
a daily basis with Executive team members 
providing the Board with key information from 
the business units. The CEO met with the 
company’s key suppliers and customers during 
the year, both in person and virtually, to help 
maintain important relationships, connect with 
the broader supply chain community, discuss 
customer strategy and brand portfolio and 
share expertise and knowledge, and reported 
back to the Board on the outcomes of those 
discussions. Members of the Executive team 
regularly meet with our suppliers and 
customers, and details of these are reported to 
the CEO who then informs the Board on any 
key matters. The Board is also kept abreast 
of any engagement activities and significant 
discussions that are carried out by the 
company with trade bodies across its markets.

Workforce
The Board is committed to engaging with 
employees throughout the company on 
subjects that affect them and providing them 
with updates on the company’s performance. 
Towards the end of 2019, the Board 
considered at length the ways in which it 
engages with the workforce and how it could 
continue and improve on taking into account 
the views of the workforce. There was 
debate around the best workforce 
engagement method for the company and it 
was agreed that the Board would continue to 
enhance its current engagement activities by 
carrying out a programme of engagement to 
facilitate a two-way dialogue with employees. 
The Directors agreed and set, with input 

from the Company Secretary, an agenda for 
FY20 to enhance its workforce engagement 
activities. This included the Board’s visit to 
the company’s manufacturing site in Rugby 
and its National Distribution Centre near 
Lutterworth in October 2019 (details can be 
found on page 73), attendance at town halls, 
visiting the company’s international sites and 
attending leadership and employee forums 
during the year. As restrictions and limitations 
were imposed due to COVID-19, the Board 
was unable to physically meet with 
employees as much as it had hoped. 
However, these plans will now form the 
basis for engagement activities in FY21. 
In the meantime, the Board continues to 
receive regular updates from the Executive 
Directors, the Executive team and in 
particular, from the Chief People Officer.

In addition to the NDC and Rugby site 
visit, the CEO and CFO visited the Irish and 
Brazilian factories in October. The CEO visited 
the Brazilian factory again in March, to meet 
with senior employees, and review the 
development of plans and progress made for 
each site, and the infrastructure and facilities 
to ensure they are fit for purpose in the 
delivery of the company’s business strategy. 
Visits were also helpful to understand the 
future investment potential of each site. 
They were unable to visit factories in France 
due to the restrictions and limitations 
imposed during the pandemic. Plans are 
in place to carry out these visits in FY21. 

The company launched mySpeakup, a 
new whistleblowing reporting platform, 
in December 2019, to replace the existing 
whistleblowing process. ‘mySpeakup’ allows 
employees to raise any concerns they may 
have in confidence and anonymously if they 
wish (further detail can be found in the Audit 
Committee Report on pages 82 – 86). The 
Board received reports on all concerns raised 
and any investigations and follow up actions, 
which are carried out by the Company 
Secretary and Director of Internal Audit 
& Risk.

As explained on page 61, the Board 

held various robust conversations about 
the COVID-19 impact on people including 
employees, those in the supply chain and 
in the communities the company serves. 
Reports were provided to the Board on 
actions taken by business units to help 
its employees during the pandemic. 

The Board received the results of 
the yearly employee surveys from the Chief 
People Officer and was able to understand 
in more detail how the company’s strategy 
aligned to its values, vision and culture through 
the views of the company’s employees.

THE BOARD AND THE BUSINESS 
HAS CONTINUED TO FOCUS ON 
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT TO 
CREATE A CULTURE THAT 
EVERYONE CAN BE PROUD OF, 
WHERE PEOPLE COME FIRST, 
AND EVERYONE IS COMMITTED 
TO DELIVERING BRITVIC’S LONG-
TERM GOALS.

CLARE THOMAS
GENERAL COUNSEL AND  
COMPANY SECRETARY

72

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

BOARD VISIT TO RUGBY AND 
NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTRE

In October 2019, the Board visited the company’s Rugby 
manufacturing site and its National Distribution Centre near 
Lutterworth. The visit allowed the Board to meet and congratulate 
the team who had delivered the multi-year supply chain transformation 
programme, completed in September 2019, as well as the team 
of Britvic and partner company staff who operate the National 
Distribution Centre. The Board was able to see the impact of the 
transformation at the Rugby site including the fully operational new 
bottling and canning lines and fully automated high bay warehouse 
and assess the plans for the modernisation of the National Distribution 
Centre. As part of the Board’s commitment to engage in two-way 
dialogue with employee stakeholders ,they also spent time over lunch 
in the Rugby site canteen with employees from across a number of 
shifts and grades.

THE BENEFITS OF GETTING TO TALK TO 
EMPLOYEES ON THE GROUND AT TWO OF OUR 
MAJOR GB SITES WERE ENORMOUS. NOT ONLY 
DID WE GET A DETAILED TECHNICAL VIEW OF SITE 
UPGRADES BUT HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO 
TALK TO A VARIETY OF COLLEAGUES IN DIFFERENT 
ROLES IN AN INFORMAL SETTING WAS A 
FANTASTIC WAY TO GET INSIGHT INTO THE DAILY 
ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF THE WORKFORCE.

JOHN DALY
CHAIRMAN

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SUE CLARK, NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR: ‘LUNCH & LEARN’ 

We held a virtual event organised by our women-in-the-
workplace network, B-Empowered, at which one of our 
NEDs, Sue Clark, spent time talking to over 100 employees 
about her highly successful business career. Sue talked and 
answered questions from participants about her experiences 
of career planning, mentoring and sponsorship, building a 
personal brand and balancing family and career.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

73

 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Board leadership and company purpose continued

Shareholders
The Board values maintaining strong lines 
of communication with investors which it 
believes should be an ongoing process. 
The Board’s primary contact with existing 
and prospective institutional shareholders 
is through the Director of Investor Relations 
who is responsible for all primary contact with 
shareholders, potential investors and equities 
research professionals. The CEO, CFO and 
Chief Strategy Officer provide regular 
engagement support with other Executive 
team members and functional specialists 
involved as required. 

The Chairman regularly proactively 

engages with investors to understand their 
views on governance and the performance 
of the company against its strategy and on 
any other matters specifically concerning 
the company. In addition, the Audit and 
Remuneration Committee Chairs engage 
with investors on matters relevant to those 
committees. They are each regularly available 
for investor meetings on request during the 
year and will do so through a variety of 
channels such as face-to-face and virtual 
meetings. During 2020, the Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee liaised with the 
company’s top 20 institutional shareholders 
concerning potential changes to the 
company’s current Remuneration Policy. 
Further information on this engagement 
and the Remuneration Policy can be found 
on pages 87 – 88 and 91 – 97.

There is a regular programme of 

meetings with major institutional shareholders 
to consider the Group’s performance and 
prospects. The Group reports its financial 
performance to shareholders four times a year: 

half year and full-year announcements and Q1 
and Q3 trading updates. 

The Director of Investor Relations 
and various members of the Executive team 
engage directly with investors throughout 
the year, including one-to-one meetings 
and group meetings, as well as attending 
conferences both virtually and physically. 
The Group’s investor reach is global, and the 
company has liaised with investors in the UK, 
United States, Canada, France, Italy, 
Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden 
and Australia during the last financial year.

The Board receives reports on investor 
relations activity from the Director of Investor 
Relations at each Board meeting and 
additionally receives regular reports from an 
independent capital market advisory firm, 
which provides comprehensive information 
relating to the company’s major shareholders. 
The Board is also kept up to date with 
information from any meetings with major 
shareholders. The Directors discuss such 
feedback which influences the decision 
to actively meet as required with major 
shareholders on matters specific to the 
company. The CEO and CFO held several 
meetings with the company’s brokers and 
in addition, meetings were held to introduce 
the CFO to investors during the year.

Prior to the AGM, the Board receives 

and considers principles of ownership, 
corporate governance and voting guidelines 
issued by the company’s major institutional 
shareholders, representative bodies and 
proxy advisory organisations. 
Private shareholders are encouraged to access 
the company’s website for company reports 
and business information and to contact 

the company via email with any queries 
(investors@britvic.com). Enquiries about 
specific shareholder matters should 
be addressed to the company’s Registrar, 
Equiniti, in the first instance (refer to page 187). 
The CEO provides an update on the 

performance, positioning and outlook for the 
Group at each AGM. Shareholders are invited 
to ask questions formally during the meeting 
which may be followed up by one-to-one 
discussions with the Directors afterwards if 
required. Our 2020 AGM was well attended, 
and all proposed resolutions were passed. 

The 2021 AGM will be held on Thursday 
28 January 2021 at 11.00am at the company’s 
head office at Breakspear Park, Breakspear 
Way, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 
4TZ as a closed meeting, due to the ongoing 
restrictions and limitations on public gatherings 
imposed by the Government. Shareholders are 
encouraged to vote by appointing the Chair as 
proxy and will be unable to attend in person. 
The Board encourages shareholders to submit 
questions in advance to investors@britvic.com 
and by 6.30pm on Tuesday 26 January 2021 
which will be answered either via reply email or 
via the company’s website following the AGM. 
The Board will monitor the situation in relation 
to the AGM with particular regard to any 
changes to the UK Government restrictions and 
guidance and other factors relating to the health 
and safety of shareholders and the Board. 
The Board will consider opening up the AGM 
if it believes it appropriate to do so having 
regard to such factors. Any such changes 
will be communicated to shareholders in 
advance through the company’s website 
at www.britvic.com/agm and, where 
appropriate, by RIS announcement.

KEY SHAREHOLDER ACTIVITIES DURING THE YEAR

Q1 •  Preliminary results 2019 roadshow

•  Citi Global Consumer Conference

Q2 •  Broker, investor and ESG analyst 

engagement visits and virtual 
meetings

•  COVID-19 calls with investors
•  ODDO BHF European Mid-Cap 

Conference

Q3 • 

Interims 2020 virtual meetings
•  Deutsche Bank Consumer Virtual 

Conference

Q4 •  Executive remuneration discussions 

with investors 

•  Barclays consumer virtual 

conference Investor calls and 
virtual meetings

•  HSBC European Consumer 

Conference

74

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

RANGE OF HOLDINGS

CATEGORY

Range of holdings

 1 – 199
 200 – 499
 500 – 999
 1,000 – 4,999
 5,000 – 9,999
 10,000 – 49,999
 50,000 – 99,999
 100,000 – 499,999
 500,000 – 999,999
 1,000,000 plus

Number of 
shareholders
473
338
352
871
206
168
71
143
33
44

Category

 Private individuals
 Nominee companies
  Limited and public limited 
companies
 Other corporate bodies
  Pension funds, insurance 
companies and banks

Number of 
shareholders
1,874
558

212
51

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Division of responsibilities

Roles and responsibilities
The roles of Chairman and CEO are separate. There is a clear division of responsibilities between the two and they may not be exercised by the 
same individual. The following table outlines the roles of each Board member and the Company Secretary:

ROLE

DIRECTOR

RESPONSIBILITY

Non-Executive Chairman

John Daly

Chief Executive Officer

Simon Litherland

Chief Financial Officer

Joanne Wilson

Senior Independent 
Director

Ian McHoul

The Chairman leads the Board and is responsible for the creation of the conditions 
necessary for overall Board and individual Director effectiveness in directing 
the company. 

The Chairman acts as the company’s external representative, seeking regular 
engagement with major shareholders in order to understand their views on 
governance and performance against the strategy.

The CEO 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 the agreed strategy. He is supported by the other members of his 
Executive team.

The CFO is responsible for the financial, risk and audit management, and IT and 
master data teams. She has primary responsibility for all financial related activities 
including the development of financial and operational strategies, strategic planning, 
deal analysis and negotiations, and investor relations. The CFO also chairs Britvic’s 
ESG Committee.

The Senior Independent Director (SID) works closely with the Chairman, acting as a 
sounding board and providing support, and acting as an intermediary for other Directors 
as and when necessary. 

He is available to shareholders and other NEDs to address any concerns or issues 
they feel have not been adequately dealt with through the usual channels of 
communication (i.e. through the Chairman, the CEO or CFO), or for which such 
contact is inappropriate.

Independent Non-
Executive Directors

Suniti Chauhan, Sue Clark, 
William Eccleshare, Euan 
Sutherland

The NEDs’ role is to provide critical and constructive challenge to the Executive 
Directors, while scrutinising and holding their performance to account against agreed 
performance objectives.

General Counsel and 
Company Secretary

Clare Thomas

They bring independent judgement and oversight on issues of strategy, performance 
and resources, and, through the Board’s committees, on matters such as remuneration, 
risk management systems, financial controls, financial reporting, the appointment of 
further Directors and sustainability.

All Directors have access to the advice of the General Counsel and Company 
Secretary. The General Counsel and Company Secretary is the senior legal officer for 
the Group and is responsible for advising the Board on all governance matters and 
ensuring that Board procedures are followed. Support is also provided to the Chairman 
in ensuring that the Directors receive accurate, timely and clear information.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

75

 
 
 
 
Time commitment and 
external appointments
NEDs are required to devote sufficient time 
to their role and responsibilities as a member 
of the Board and its committees. The 
Nomination Committee considers any 
existing time commitments of potentially new 
Directors as part of its selection process and 
prior to any new appointment being approved. 
All new Directors are required to provide 

confirmation to the Company Secretary of 
their external appointments on joining the 
Board. In addition, Directors are required to 
consult with the Chairman in the first instance 
on any new external appointment. If approved 
by the Chairman, all appointments will then 
be approved by the Board, prior to their 
commencement. In accordance with 
governance best practice, Executive Directors 
are not permitted to take on more than one 
appointment as a director of another listed 
company. The Company Secretary’s office 
maintains a record of all external 
appointments held by the Directors.

As noted in the Nomination Committee 

Report on page 78, following the voting 
outcome of Resolution 7 (re-election of 
William Eccleshare) and Resolution 9 
(re-election of Ian McHoul) at the company’s 
AGM held on 31 January 2020 and 
subsequent engagement with major 
shareholders, the Nomination Committee 
determined that both William Eccleshare 
and Ian McHoul have sufficient capacity 
to meet their respective commitments 
to the company and remain effective 
independent NEDs.

Corporate Governance
Division of responsibilities continued

Delegation of authority to CEO
The Board delegates authority for the 
Executive management of the company to 
the CEO, other than those matters reserved 
for decision by the Board, matters delegated 
to committees of the Board and limitations 
set out in the Statement of Authorities 
approved by the Board from time to time.

Committees of the Board
The Board delegates matters to formally 
constituted standing committees as 
appropriate. Each committee has full terms 
of reference that are reviewed annually and 
approved by the Board. The standing 
committees comprise the Audit, Nomination 
and Remuneration Committees. Each of the 
reports of these committees and their key 
activities can be found on pages 77 – 106 and 
the terms of reference of the committees can 
be found on the company’s website at 
www.britvic.com/investors/corporate-
governance.

The Board also has a Disclosure 

Committee which meets when required 
and is responsible for overseeing the 
disclosure of information by the company 
to meet its obligations as a listed company. 
The Disclosure Committee met once during 
the year to discuss the company’s approach 
to the impact of the pandemic on the 
business, mitigating actions, and approve 
a market announcement.

The Board may constitute further 
committees for regular long-term duties or to 
address specific short-term situations, as set 
out in the company’s articles of association. 
The Board may also call on a number of 
Directors to form a sub-committee for an 
individual decision or authorisation, such 
as the approval of quarterly results.

Appointment, tenure and re-election
Succession planning and the process for 
appointments to the Board are delegated to 
the Nomination Committee. Appointments 
to the Board are subject to a formal, rigorous 
and transparent procedure, based on merit 
and compatibility with the needs of the 
company, while promoting diversity of 
gender, social and ethnic backgrounds and 
cognitive and personal strengths. When 
making new appointments, the Board takes 
into account other demands on Directors’ 
time. Open advertising and/or external 
search consultancies are used to facilitate 
the production of diverse candidate lists 
for all appointments.

The Nomination Committee is mindful of 
the requirement that the Chairman, who was 
independent on appointment, should not 
remain in post beyond nine years from the 
date of his first appointment to the Board, 
other than in exceptional circumstances. 

All Directors are subject to annual 

re-election by shareholders under the 
company’s articles of association. 
NED appointments are initially for a period 
of three years and may be renewed for two 
further terms of three years subject to 
recommendation from the Nomination 
Committee, taking into account both individual 
contribution, length of service of the Board 
overall and its future needs. As per the 2018 
Code and the matters reserved for the Board, 
the appointment and removal of the Company 
Secretary is a matter for the whole Board.

Conflicts of interest
All Directors have a duty to avoid conflicts 
of interest, and where they arise to declare 
conflicts to the Board, including significant 
shareholdings. The Board authorises any 
potential conflict and the conflicted Director 
may not participate in any discussion or vote 
on the authorisation. Any such authorised 
conflicts are reviewed at least annually by 
the Nomination Committee.

Independent advice
Any Director is entitled to obtain independent 
professional advice on any matters related 
to their responsibilities to the company. 
Where advice is to be sought, the Director 
will first discuss it with the Chairman and 
will use the Company Secretary’s office 
to facilitate the obtaining of such advice.

Access to employees
The Board is authorised to seek any 
information it requires from any employee 
of the company, including the Company 
Secretary, in order to perform its duties.

Independence
The Nomination Committee reviews the 
independence of the NEDs during the year 
and confirmed to the Board that it considers 
each of Suniti Chauhan, Sue Clark, William 
Eccleshare, Ian McHoul and Euan Sutherland 
to be independent in accordance with the 
provisions stipulated in the 2018 Code. 

76

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Nomination Committee Report

Nomination Committee focus 
areas in 2019/20

•  Reviewed the results of the Board 

evaluation in terms of the composition 
of the Board and its committees
•  Reviewed the composition of the 
Board and, Executive team with 
respect to leadership needs of the 
company, diversity and inclusion, 
and unexpired terms of contracts
•  Reviewed Directors’ independence, 
re-election and conflicts of interests
•  Reviewed and approved the Group’s 

Diversity & Inclusion Policy

Attendance at Nomination 
Committee meetings 

John Daly (Chair)
Ian McHoul
Euan Sutherland¹

Meetings 
attended
3/3
3/3
2/3

1  Euan Sutherland was unable to attend one 

Nomination Committee meeting due to a personal 
family matter.

Nomination Committee 
membership
The Nomination Committee is comprised 
solely of independent NEDs: the Chairman 
and two NEDs. Attendees at each meeting 
comprises Nomination Committee 
members and by invitation as appropriate, 
the CEO, Chief People Officer and any 
members of the senior management team 
the Committee feels necessary for a full 
discussion on agenda items. External 
advisors may be invited to attend as and 
when appropriate. There have been no 
changes to the Nomination Committee 
during the year. 

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COMPOSITION, 
SUCCESSION AND 
EVALUATION

John Daly
Nomination Committee Chair

O n behalf of the Nomination 

Committee (the ‘Committee’), I am 
pleased to present its report for the 

year ended 30 September 2020. The report 
describes how the Committee has carried out 
its responsibilities during the year. 

Committee meetings
The Committee met three times during 
the year at scheduled meetings which took 
place prior to a Board meeting, with myself 
as Committee Chair subsequently reporting 
the activities of the Committee and any 
matters of particular relevance to the Board. 
Meetings were held in person and then 
virtually when UK Government restrictions 
and guidance came into force.

Role of the Committee
The Committee’s role is to regularly 
review the structure, size and composition 
of the Board and of its committees with 
recommendations on any change made to the 
Board to meet current and future needs. The 
Committee also ensures that plans are in place 
for the succession of Directors, Executive 
team members and other members of senior 
management as appropriate while overseeing 
the development of a diverse talent pipeline, 
taking into account the challenges and 
opportunities facing the company and the 
skills, experience and knowledge required 
on the Board in the future. 

The Committee is responsible for 

identifying and nominating candidates for 
appointment to the Board for approval by the 
Board and for approving changes to the 
Executive team, and ensuring the procedure 
for appointing Directors is formal, rigorous, 
transparent, objective, merit based and has 
regard for diversity. 

The Committee takes cultural measures 
into account, keeping them under review and 
ensuring their alignment with the company’s 
purpose, values and strategy. Directors’ time 
commitment, independence, external 
appointments and the annual performance 
evaluation results relating to the composition 
of the Board are reviewed by the Committee 
each year.

Key responsibilities
•  Reviewing the leadership needs of 
the business, both Executive and 
Non-Executive, with a view to ensuring 
the continued ability of the business to 
compete effectively in the market place
•  Ensuring that plans and processes are 
in place for the orderly succession of 
Directors, Executives and other members 
of senior management

•  Overseeing the development of a diverse 
pipeline for succession, considering the 
challenges and opportunities facing the 
company and the skills, experience and 
knowledge required on the Board in the 
future
Identifying and nominating candidates to 
fill Board vacancies as and when they arise

• 

•  Reviewing annually the independence, 

time commitment and external 
appointments of the Directors

•  Reviewing annually any conflict declarations 

by the Directors and any conflict 
authorisations granted by the Board
•  Reviewing annually the results of the 

Board evaluation process that relate to 
the composition of the Board

•  Keeping under review cultural measures 
and their alignment with the company’s 
purpose, values and strategy

•  Making recommendations to the Board 

concerning suitable candidates for the role 
of SID

•  Making recommendations to the Board 
for membership of Board committees

•  Making recommendations on the 
reappointment of any NED at the 
conclusion of their specified term of office

•  Making recommendations for the 

re-election by shareholders of each 
Director having due regard to their 
performance, ability and contribution 
to the Board in the light of their skills, 
experience and knowledge

•  Reporting to the Board on how it has 

discharged its responsibilities

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

77

 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Nomination Committee Report continued

The Committee’s terms of reference, which 
are reviewed annually, are available on the 
company’s website at www.britvic.com/
investors/corporate-governance.

Activities during the year
The Committee discussed the following key 
matters during the year:

•  Renewal of three year contracts 

of appointment for John Daly and 
Ian McHoul

•  Review of the size, structure and 

composition of the Board and Executive 
team with respect to leadership needs of 
the organisation, diversity and unexpired 
terms of NED contracts

•  Review of the findings of the 2020 Board 

evaluation with respect to the composition 
of the Board and its committees (refer to 
pages 80 – 81)

•  Review of Directors’ potential conflicts 

of interest and independence

•  Review and approval of an updated 

Diversity & Inclusion Policy

•  Review and approval of the updated 

Committee terms of reference

•  Discussion and approval of any changes 

to the Executive team

Succession planning
The Committee was satisfied with the 
composition of the Board and its committees 
following the internal evaluation carried out in 
2019 and no Directors left or joined the Board 
in 2020. Both John Daly and Ian McHoul 
completed their three year term contracts 
during the year and the Committee 
considered and approved the renewal of each 
for a further three years. None of the NEDs 
participated in discussions or voted with 
respect to their own contract renewal.

In its review of the composition of the 

Board, the Committee was mindful of the 
requirement of the 2018 Code for both 
appointments and succession plans for the 
Board and the Executive team to be based 
on merit and objective criteria, thereby 
promoting diversity (gender, ethnic and 
social backgrounds), cognitive and personal 
strengths and developing a diverse pipeline.
The Committee regularly reviews and 

assesses the aggregate skills, experience and 
knowledge of each of the Directors in light of 
the current and future needs of the Board 
and does so in particular when considering 
contract renewals. The Company Secretary 
retains records of the length of service, 
independence, conflicts of interest and time 
commitments including external appointments 

of each of the company’s Directors, which 
are presented to and actively used by the 
Committee to assist it in determining the 
skills, experience, knowledge and diversity 
requirements of the Board. The Committee 
reviews each Director’s independence in 
detail in advance of the AGM and during the 
year ensuring compliance with the 2018 
Code. Further information on Directors’ 
independence can be found on page 76. The 
Committee will once again, in FY21, carry out 
a review of the overall composition of the 
Board and the Executive team to ensure their 
continuing appropriateness for the future. 
For the appointment of new Directors 

to the Board, the Committee follows a formal, 
rigorous and transparent process which 
includes the approval of search criteria, the 
need for a diverse list of potential candidates 
to support its development of a diverse 
pipeline, the use of an external search 
consultancy, and stage by stage interviews. 
There were no changes to the composition 
of the Board during the year and therefore 
the Committee has not been required to lead 
the process for any new Board appointments. 
The Board’s last appointment was the 
company’s CFO, Joanne Wilson, in 2019. 
The search followed the process noted above 
and is explained on page 55 of the company’s 
2019 Annual Report and Accounts. The Chief 
People Officer provides the Committee with 
detailed succession plans for all members 
of the Executive team which are reviewed in 
depth by the Committee. The Committee 
was satisfied that both short and long-term 
succession is regularly evaluated. 

Following the voting outcome of 

Resolution 7 (re-election of William 
Eccleshare) and Resolution 9 (re-election 
of Ian McHoul) at the company’s AGM held 
on 31 January 2020, the Board, including 
Committee members, sought to actively 
engage with major shareholders who lodged 
votes against these resolutions in order to 
better understand the reasons behind their 
voting decisions. Taking into account the 
expanded focus by institutional investors and 
proxy advisors on the time commitments of 
individual directors, the Board, and therefore 
this Committee, concluded that both William 
Eccleshare and Ian McHoul remain active and 
effective independent NEDs of the company. 
The Committee also determined that each 
has sufficient capacity to meet their 
respective commitments to the company. 
However, recognising investor concerns, 
the Committee has kept during the year, 
and will continue to, keep all external 
appointments and time commitment of 
each of the Directors of the Board under 
constant review.

Board and Committee evaluation
The 2020 Board evaluation was conducted 
internally with an explanation of the process, 
outcomes, and actions from both this year’s 
and last year’s evaluations provided in detail 
on pages 80 – 81.

The Committee reviewed the results 
of the internal Board evaluation in particular 
with regard to Board composition and time 
commitment of the NEDs. The results stated 
that these were rated good or excellent. 
The Committee also reviewed its own 
performance and was satisfied that it 
continues to perform effectively and was 
rated highly by members.

I am pleased to confirm that as a Board 

we continue to comprise of a majority of 
independent NEDs and that all Directors 
remain committed to their roles with no 
unauthorised conflicts of interest.

Diversity, inclusion and belonging
As part of the implementation of the 
company’s long-term business strategy 
(explained on pages 10 – 19 and 28 – 31), the 
Committee was presented with an updated 
Diversity & Inclusion Policy (the Policy) by the 
Chief People Officer at its meeting in July 
2020. The Committee considered the 
changes proposed to the Policy in light of the 
diversity of the Board, the Executive team 
and the wider workforce. Changes were also 
proposed to bring the Policy in line with 
the aims of the business strategy to support 
the company’s employees’ wellbeing and 
attract a more diverse workforce and 
included the establishment of three groups: 
B-Empowered, B-Seen and B-Diverse. The 
Committee wholeheartedly supported the 
changes to the Policy and the adoption of 
the Policy globally. The Chief People Officer 
provides the Committee with regular 
updates on the progress of the Policy and 
the achievement of the company’s diversity 
and inclusion targets.

More information on the detail of the 
company’s Diversity & Inclusion Policy, its 
implementation and progress can be found 
on page 37. 

In accordance with the 2018 Code, 

the Committee has considered the gender 
balance of the Executive team and its direct 
reports and receives information on these 
from both the Company Secretary and the 
Chief People Officer on a regular basis. 
Details of the gender balance of the Board 
and of the Executive team and its direct 
reports form part of this report and can 
be found on page 79. 

78

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

DIVERSITY OVERVIEW
All information is shown as at 30 September 2020

BOARD GENDER DIVERSITY

AVERAGE AGE OF THE BOARD

BOARD SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Directors at 30 September 2020

 Male
 Female

%
62.5%
37.5%

Age range

 40 – 50 years old
 51 – 60 years old
 61+

Average age 55

GEOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE

 MANUFACTURING

 RETAIL/MARKETING

 CONSUMER

 INTERNATIONAL

 FINANCE/INVESTMENT

 STRATEGY

BOARD COMPOSITION

 EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

 INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

 CHAIRMAN

Director
Sue Clark
John Daly
Joanne Wilson
Simon Litherland
Ian McHoul
Suniti Chauhan
William Eccleshare
Euan Sutherland

UK

Europe

Brazil /Latin 
America

USA

RoW

 (Global)

 (Multinational)

BOARD TENURE

 3+ YEARS

 (Asia)

 0 – 3 YEARS

 (South Africa)

GENDER BALANCE OF EXECUTIVE
TEAM AND DIRECT REPORTS

 (Asia)

 (Middle East, Australia & Asia)

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74

*  Employee diversity information can be found on pages 37 – 38.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

79

 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Nomination Committee Report continued

BOARD COMMITTEE AND DIRECTORS’ 
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION CYCLE

2019 evaluation
A year two internal evaluation was carried out in the summer of 2019. The process was carried 
out in three stages, as is explained on page 53 of the 2019 Annual Report and Accounts, with the 
results reviewed by the Board. The review noted that there was good alignment reported among 
Board members with priority areas and actions for 2020 as follows:

FOCUS AREA

ACTIONS

Development of 
the Remuneration 
Policy to reflect 
alignment with 
strategy and 
non-financial 
metrics.

Additional 
focus on culture, 
diversity, internal 
talent and 
succession.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the Remuneration Committee proposed that 
the current Directors’ Remuneration Policy be extended for a further year with 
a commitment to reflect certain governance changes as detailed in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 87 − 97. These changes will be put 
to shareholders for approval at the 2021 AGM. Detail can also be found in the 
2021 AGM Notice. 

The Board was presented with updates from the Chief People Officer following 
the results of the employee survey and discussed the key focus areas: Creating 
Great Britvic Managers, Re-Inventing Learning, Diversity & Inclusion and 
Employee Experience.

The Board discussed ways it can further engage with the wider workforce 
to enhance a two-way dialogue.

The Board supported the establishment of B-Diverse, a BAME network. The 
company is committed to increase BAME representation in the business, increase 
focus on diverse shortlists and BAME talent and elevate the BAME voice across 
the business. The Board also supported the launch of B-Empowered and B-Seen 
employee groups as noted on pages 37 and 68.

The Nomination Committee approved the implementation of an updated 
Diversity & Inclusion Policy, which will be introduced globally across the 
business. Further detail can be found in the Nomination Committee Report 
on page 78 and on page 37.

Succession plans were discussed in detail at Nomination Committee meetings 
with participation and presentations from the Chief People Officer.

Continued focus 
on key risks 
and control 
environments.

Risk reviews were undertaken throughout the year including discussions by the 
Board following the addition of principal key risks including COVID-19 and health 
and safety following the COVID-19 outbreak. The Board also considered the 
COVID-19 scenario planning undertaken by the internal audit function.

There has been progress made on cyber security and cyber awareness including 
the adoption of the National Institute of Standards and Technology cyber security 
framework and an assessment of Britvic’s adoption of the UK Government’s ‘10 
step process’. The Board was provided with updates on the review of the 
monitoring system following phishing attempts, annual penetration testing and 
website testing.

The Director of Internal Audit & Risk presented the Audit Committee with 
opportunities and proposed improvements for the control environment including 
building controls into new systems from the outset, more automated controls and 
introducing a culture more focused on control at all levels of the business. The 
Audit Committee was presented with the results of the testing of the minimum 
control framework and subsequent finance process improvements.

The Board was presented with an Incident Management team review and lessons 
learnt exercise.

The Board received information on a regular basis to enable it to monitor 
consumer behaviour and the markets in which the company operates.

The CEO and other Executive team members provided an update to the Board 
on key stakeholder engagement activities.

Build on existing 
monitoring of 
markets, 
consumers 
and other key 
stakeholders.

Director development
All newly appointed Directors are offered a 
tailored, comprehensive and personalised 
induction programme on joining the Board, 
which is prepared by the Chairman with the 
support of the Company Secretary. The 
induction includes but is not limited to 
face-to-face meetings with Board members 
and the Executive team as appropriate, 
briefings on the company’s strategy, investor 
relations, workforce engagement activities, 
Board policies, procedures and processes 
and training on the role of a director of a 
listed company. New Directors also conduct 
site visits to enhance and develop their 
understanding of the business and the 
workforce. If appropriate, new Directors 
also meet with institutional investors, the 
company’s external auditor and remuneration 
consultants.

Continuing training and education is 
available to all Directors to enable them to 
fulfil their responsibilities as Directors and to 
develop their understanding of the business.

Performance evaluation
A formal and rigorous annual evaluation 
of the performance of the Board and its 
committees is carried out each year, including 
consideration of the Board’s composition, 
diversity and how well members work 
together to achieve objectives. Individual 
evaluation is also carried out annually to 
demonstrate that each Director continues to 
contribute effectively to the Board’s decision-
making. The evaluation is externally facilitated 
at least once every three years. Lintstock, 
an independent consultant that has no 
connection with the company, was appointed 
on a three year arrangement in 2018 and 
carried out a fully external review that year 
(year one). An internal evaluation was carried 
out in 2019 (year two) and in 2020 (year three) 
using Lintstock’s questionnaires, including 
questions bespoke to the company. Our next 
external evaluation is expected to be carried 
out in 2021. 

The Chairman acts on the results of the 

evaluation by recognising the strengths and 
addressing any weaknesses of the Board. 
Each Director engages with the process and 
takes appropriate action when development 
needs have been identified.

Performance of individual Directors 

is also reviewed annually to assess whether 
each Director continues to contribute 
effectively. The performance of the Chairman 
is evaluated by the NEDs led by the SID. 
Details on the 2019 and 2020 
evaluations form part of this report and 
are explained opposite and on page 81.

JOHN DALY 
NOMINATION COMMITTEE CHAIR
25 November 2020

80 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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2020 evaluation
A year three evaluation was carried out in the autumn of 2020 and was facilitated with the help of Lintstock using its standard questionnaires 
with the addition of questions bespoke to the company, covering areas such as the effectiveness of the Board’s response to the COVID-19 
pandemic and remote Board meetings. The process was divided into three stages:

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

STAGE 3

The Company Secretary, with input 
from the Chairman and CEO, devised 
questionnaires using Lintstock’s standard 
questions covering best practice and 
included additional questions specific 
to the company and, with the help of 
Lintstock, circulated these to each of 
the Directors. The questionnaires built 
on the prior year questions and evaluation 
outcomes and included requests for 
comments and feedback on the 
actions from the previous evaluation. 
Directors were also requested to 
provide additional comments where 
they felt it necessary in response to the 
questionnaires. Additional questionnaires 
were also issued covering the Chairman’s 
performance, individual Director 
self-assessments and the performance of 
each committee. The SID led the review 
of the Chairman’s performance following 
discussions with the other NEDs.

THE BOARDROOM ATMOSPHERE 
HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY 
STRONG AND EVERYBODY HAS 
A CHANCE TO CONTRIBUTE 
AS THEY WISH, WITH VIRTUAL 
MEETINGS WORKING WELL.

2020 BOARD EVALUATION RESULT

The Board reviewed the report and 
recommendations and agreed on action 
plans for the forthcoming year to 
improve areas noted by the evaluation.

Lintstock collated the responses and 
produced a report compiling the outcomes 
and feedback and/or comments provided 
by each Director. The Company Secretary 
reviewed the responses and the report 
from Lintstock, and presented the 
conclusions on the effectiveness of the 
Board, its committees and the Directors 
to the October 2020 Board meeting. 
The report included recommendations 
for actions for the forthcoming year. 

Outcomes
Further to discussion of the evaluation 
findings, the Board agreed a number of 
actions to further improve effectiveness 
and support the business over the next year:

•  Additional focus on culture, diversity 
and inclusion and internal talent 
and succession

•  Reviewing and monitoring progress 

on strategic priorities

•  Building on existing understanding 
of the wider stakeholder population

Findings
The evaluation covered areas including Board 
composition and expertise, the company’s 
long-term business strategy, culture, risk 
management, COVID-19 response and 
succession planning. Overall the effectiveness 
of the Board, its committees and the Chairman 
was rated good to excellent.

Good alignment was reported among Board 
members on the priority areas for the 
coming year:

•  Focusing on implementing the strategy 
and increasing Board engagement with 
the key strategic priorities

•  Talent, succession planning, capability 

and diversity and inclusion to deliver the 
strategy

•  Continuing to develop the Board’s 

understanding of the ESG agenda and 
ESG stakeholders

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

81

 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Audit Committee Report

Audit Committee focus areas 
in 2019/20

•  Recommended the approval of the 

2019 Annual Report and Accounts and 
2020 half-year interim statements to 
the Board

•  Reviewed the going concern and 

viability statements

•  Approved the external and internal 

audit plans for 2020

•  Carried out further reviews of the 
internal audit plans in light of 
COVID-19

•  Reviewed the Group’s internal control 
framework and risk management
•  Focused on those areas of the 2020 

Annual Report and Accounts that may 
be impacted by COVID-19

Attendance at Audit 
Committee meetings 

Member
Ian McHoul (Chair)
Suniti Chauhan
Euan Sutherland

Meetings 
attended
4/4
4/4
4/4

Audit Committee membership
The Audit Committee is comprised of 
independent NEDs and attendees at each 
meeting are Audit Committee members 
and by invitation as appropriate, the 
Chairman, CEO, CFO, Director of 
Financial Control and Governance, the 
Director of Internal Audit & Risk, and the 
external auditor, EY, as well as any other 
members of the senior management 
team to allow for a full discussion on 
matters presented to the meeting. 
The Board is satisfied that Ian McHoul 
has recent and relevant financial 
experience as required by the 2018 Code 
and that the Audit Committee as a whole 
has competence relevant to the sector in 
which the company operates. There have 
been no changes to the Audit Committee 
during the year.

82 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

AUDIT, RISK AND 
INTERNAL CONTROL

Ian McHoul
Audit Committee Chair

O n behalf of the Audit Committee 

(the Committee), I am pleased to 
present the report for the year 
ended 30 September 2020. This report 
describes how the Committee has carried 
out its responsibilities during the year.

The Committee has an open dialogue with 
the Director of Internal Audit & Risk and the 
external auditor so questions and challenges 
can be raised, and discussions can be held to 
communicate and share independent opinion 
and experience.

Committee meetings
The Committee met four times during 
the year to carry out its responsibilities. 
Committee meetings usually take place 
prior to a Board meeting and the Chair of 
the Committee subsequently reports on the 
activities of the Committee and matters of 
relevance to the Board. There is time available 
at each meeting for the Committee to discuss 
matters with key individuals such as the 
external auditor and the Director of Internal 
Audit & Risk, without others present.

Role of the Committee
The Committee’s role is to monitor the 
integrity and preparation of the Group’s 
financial and narrative reporting statements, 
and provide advice to the Board on whether 
the Annual Report and Accounts taken as a 
whole are fair, balanced and understandable 
and provide shareholders with the necessary 
information to assess the company’s 
performance, business model and strategy. 
In addition, the Committee has 

established procedures to oversee the 
internal control framework and periodically 
reviews the effectiveness of internal control 
and risk management systems. It provides 
advice to the Board on how the company’s 
prospects have been assessed, the time 
period, and the outcomes. It also reviews the 
integrity of the Group’s external and internal 
audit processes, including assessing the 
independence and objectivity of, and 
the company’s relationship with, the 
external auditor. 

The Committee holds discussions 
throughout the year on a broad range of 
topics and meetings are held with 
management, and internal and external audit, 
providing the Committee with insight into the 
company’s progress towards its targets and 
full-year performance. 

Key responsibilities
•  Monitoring and reviewing the integrity 

of the financial and narrative statements, 
including results and company performance 
announcements, significant financial 
reporting issues and judgements which 
they may contain and recommending these 
for approval by the Board

•  Providing advice to 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 accounting 
standards and policies, and reviewing 
and challenging the application of such 
standards and policies and if unsatisfied, 
reporting its views to the Board

•  Establishing procedures to oversee the 

internal control framework and reviewing 
the effectiveness of the company’s 
internal audit team and internal control 
and risk management systems

•  Providing advice to the Board, taking into 
account the company’s position and 
principal risks, on the assessment of the 
viability of the company

•  Reviewing for approval by the Board 
the company’s going concern and 
viability statements

•  Overseeing the company’s relationship 
with its external auditor, reviewing their 
activities, conducting the tender process, 
and making recommendations to the 
Board on their remuneration for both 
audit and non-audit services, terms of 
engagement, independence, objectivity 
and effectiveness of the external 
audit process

•  Developing and implementing the 

company’s formal policy on non-audit 
services, engagement of the external 

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auditor to carry out non-audit services, 
and assessing whether non-audit services 
have a direct or material effect on the 
audited financial statements

•  Reviewing the company’s arrangements 

and procedures while ensuring appropriate 
safeguards are in place for individuals to 
raise any concerns where a breach of 
conduct or compliance including any 
financial reporting irregularity, is suspected 

•  Reporting to the Board on how it has 

discharged its responsibilities

The Committee’s terms of reference which 
are reviewed annually are available on the 
company’s website at www.britvic.com/
investors/corporate-governance.

Review of 2020 Annual Report and 
Accounts
The Committee focused in particular 
on the areas of the 2020 Annual Report 
and Accounts that may be impacted by 
COVID-19, and at the request of the Board, 
the Committee considered whether the 2020 
Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a 
whole, are fair, balanced and understandable. 
Details of this process are shown on page 85 
and the Board statement is on page 61.

Activities during the year
Review of financial statements
For both the interim and full-year results 
statements, the Committee reviewed:

•  Any changes to accounting policies
•  Key accounting judgements and 

considered potential issues raised, 
particularly in the context of the COVID-19 
external environment – details of 
significant areas considered are shown in 
the table on page 86

•  The external audit findings, including any 

accounting and audit adjustments

•  Goodwill and assets

Evaluation 
The Committee was evaluated as part of 
the internal evaluation of the Board and its 
Committees (details of which can be found 
on pages 80 – 81). The conclusion of the 
evaluation was that the Committee continues 
to work effectively and was rated good to 
excellent by members.

Internal Audit 
The internal audit function carries out work 
across the company, providing independent 
assurance and advice to help the Company 
identify and mitigate any potential control 
weaknesses. Both the internal audit and 
risk management functions have a role 
in identifying emerging risks that may 
threaten achievement of the company’s 
strategic priorities.

Prior to the start of the new financial year, 
the Committee reviewed and agreed the 
internal audit plan for the upcoming year. The 
Committee also reviewed those plans again 
during the year in light of COVID-19. The 
internal audit plan is risk based and takes 
an independent view of what internal audit 
considers to be the highest known and 
emerging risks and strategic priorities facing 
the business. The planned audits will assess 
the adequacy and effectiveness of the 
internal control environment, identifying 
weaknesses and ensuring these are 
addressed within agreed timelines.

The internal audit function provides 
internal audit reports detailing significant audit 
findings, progress of and any changes to the 
internal audit plan and updates on agreed 
management actions to rectify control 
weaknesses. Where appropriate the Director 
of Internal Audit & Risk will provide a deep 
dive into an issue where either the 
Committee has requested more information, 
or the Director feels it is pertinent. Annually, 
the Director of Internal Audit & Risk will give 
an overview of maturity and development of 
the overall control environment. 

The internal audit function had to 

change direction and focus in light of the 
COVID-19 pandemic and imposed working 
restrictions. As national lockdowns were 
imposed, the team took a risk based approach 
to the rest of the year, redeploying some of 
the internal audit resource into the business 
to provide operational support while the rest 
of the team established new ways of 
working. A number of high risk audits were 
conducted remotely and others were deferred 
into FY21 where appropriate. The FY21 audit 
plan has considered all existing and emerging 
risks and what was deferred from FY20, 
incorporating both elements where 
appropriate. The ability to achieve the FY21 
internal audit plan in spite of continued 
lockdown and social distancing restrictions 
has also been considered. 

Whistleblowing
The Group’s whistleblowing policy contains 
arrangements for an independent service 
provider to receive, in confidence, reports of 
breaches of any legal or company policy 
requirements, including those related to 
accounting, auditing, risk, internal control and 
related matters. The Committee reviews 
these arrangements on a regular basis and 
confirms that appropriate processes have 
been in place throughout the year to the 
Board. Any disclosures raised through these 
arrangements, and the actions taken to 
investigate and resolve them, are reported 
to the Board.

The company changed the 

reporting methodology following a change in 
independent service provider from Navex to 
Convercent and launched a more user-friendly 

platform, mySpeakup, in December 2019, 
which allows employees to raise any 
concerns they may have in confidence and 
anonymously if they wish. The new platform 
also provides a clear audit trail of cases and 
enables more detailed reports to be produced 
and provided to the Committee. In launching 
mySpeakup, internal communications, 
including translation into local languages, 
were sent to employees to inform them of 
the usage of the new platform. There are 
plans for FY21 to further promote mySpeakup 
internally and review the platform guidance 
to ensure it is as user friendly as possible. 

Internal control and risk management
One of the Committee’s responsibilities, 
delegated by the Board, is to establish 
procedures to oversee the internal control 
framework and review the effectiveness of 
the company’s internal control and risk 
management systems. 

A robust assessment of the emerging 

and principal risks facing the company is 
carried out by the Executive team each year. 
Details of the overall risk management 
process, including designation of emerging 
and principal risks and a summary of the 
principal risks and uncertainties, including 
those affected by COVID-19, to which the 
company is exposed, can be found on pages 
54 – 59.

The internal audit function provides 
information to the Committee at each of 
its meetings to enable it to review the risk 
management process to ensure that it is 
designed to deliver appropriate risk 
management and effective prioritisation 
across the Group. The Committee also 
reviewed the adequacy and effectiveness 
of the Group’s internal control procedures, 
covering financial, operational and compliance 
controls. Following detailed discussions, it 
was satisfied that procedures were in place 
during the year and up to the date of this 
Annual Report and Accounts, and that such 
procedures concur with the requirements of 
the Guidance on Risk Management, Internal 
Control and Related Financial and Business 
Reporting published by the FRC.

The Committee, with input and 
guidance from the internal audit function, 
monitored any identified areas of weakness 
or areas for improvement to ensure they 
were addressed within agreed time frames. 
The Committee confirms that no significant 
failings or weaknesses were identified in the 
review for the 2020 financial year, other than 
the payment of prior year dividends as noted 
on pages 84 and 86.

External audit
As part of the Committee’s responsibilities, 
there are a number of areas that it considers 
in relation to the external auditor including 
their performance in discharging the audit 

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

83

 
 
 
 
A critical follow up related to certain dividends 
paid in prior years for which, due to incorrect 
interpretation of technical guidance relating 
to the Companies Act 2006, insufficient 
distributable reserves were available in the 
parent company, despite a significant excess 
of distributable profits being available within 
the Group as a whole (as noted on page 86). 
A resolution to release shareholders and 
Directors of any liability in relation to the 
dividends will be put to shareholders for 
approval at the 2021 AGM. Full details of 
the resolution are included in the 2021 
AGM Notice. 

Viability statement
The Committee reviewed management’s 
work in conducting a robust assessment of 
those risks which could threaten the business 
model and the future viability of the company. 
This assessment included identifying severe 
but plausible scenarios for each of the 
Group’s principal risks as well as considering 
inter-dependencies and scenarios involving 
multiple risks. Additionally, stress testing was 
carried out, allowing the Committee to model 
circumstances that could render the business 
unable to pay its liabilities as they fall due. To 
support the final conclusion on viability, the 
assessment also took into account the 
mitigations available to the company to 
protect against these downside scenarios. 
Based on this analysis, the Committee 
recommended to the Board that it could 
make the viability statement on page 60.

Corporate Governance
Audit Committee Report continued

and the interim review, their independence 
and objectivity, and their reappointment and 
remuneration. The Committee’s Chairman 
has regular contact with the external audit 
partner outside of Committee meetings 
without the presence of management.

The external auditor, EY, following its 

reappointment at the company’s AGM in 
January 2020, provided the Committee with 
their plan for undertaking the year-end audit 
which 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. 
The Committee reviewed and, where 
appropriate, robustly challenged the basis for 
the audit plan before agreeing the proposed 
approach and scope of the external audit. 

EY undertook their audit remotely due to 

the restrictions and guidance imposed by the 
UK Government and prepared a comprehensive 
report of their audit findings at the year end, 
which they took the Committee through at its 
meeting in November 2020. The findings were 
reviewed and discussed in detail by the 
Committee, particularly in relation to the key 
areas of audit risk previously identified. A similar 
review of the external auditor report of their 
findings at the half year was undertaken 
by the Committee.

The Committee considered the 
effectiveness of the audit in relation to its 
robustness, the quality of the audit delivery 
and the quality of the people and service. 
The EY UK 2020 Transparency Report was 
taken into account as part of this process, 
and the Committee concluded that EY 
remain effective as external auditor.

Independence and reappointment 
of the external auditor
The Committee reviewed the independence 
and objectivity of the external auditor during 
the year and confirmed that it considers EY 
to remain independent. The Committee 
confirmed compliance with the Statutory 
Audit Services for Large Companies Market 
Investigation (Mandatory Use of Competitive 
Tender Processes and Audit Committee 
Responsibilities) Order 2014, having last 
carried out a competitive tender for audit 
services in 2016. EY have been auditor 
to the company since flotation in 2005.
The external auditor is required to 
rotate the lead audit partner every five years. 
The current lead partner has been in place 
since the FY18 audit. Based on the 
Committee’s recommendation, the Board is 
proposing that EY be reappointed to office 
at the AGM in January 2021.

Non-audit services
The Committee considers that certain 
non-audit services should be provided by 
the external auditor and is responsible for 
developing and implementing the company’s 
formal policy on the engagement of the 
external auditor to carry out non-audit 
services and assessing whether non-audit 
services have a direct or material effect on 
the audited financial statements. The 
company’s policy is reviewed regularly by 
the Committee to safeguard the ongoing 
independence of the external auditor and 
ensure the company complies with the 
FRC’s Ethical Standard. 

The non-audit fees incurred were 
disclosed and approved in line with the 
company’s policy and can be found in note 7 
to the financial statements on page 139. 
The ratio for non-audit services to those for 
audit services for the year was 15%, within 
the 70% cap in the FRC’s guidance. 
Control over total non-audit fees is exercised 
by reviewing spend on all activities proposed 
or provided by the external auditor and the 
Committee confirms that these are within 
scope and the maximum level of fees set 
out in the FRC’s Ethical Standard. The policy 
states that any non-audit services provided 
must be pre-approved by the Committee’s 
Chair unless the activity will have a total 
value of less than £5,000 and falls within the 
allowed services defined by FRC guidance.

The Committee considered the nature 

and level of non-audit services provided by 
the external auditor and was satisfied that the 
objectivity and independence of the external 
auditor was not compromised by the 
non-audit work undertaken during the year. 

Interactions with Financial 
Reporting Council
The company received a letter in June 2020 
from the Conduct Committee of the FRC 
regarding its annual review of annual 
accounts, strategic reports and directors’ 
reports of public and large private companies. 
The FRC requested additional information 
on four accounting disclosure areas in 
the company’s 2019 Annual Report and 
Accounts. These were cash flow hedging, 
defined benefit pension asset, impairment of 
non-financial assets and distributable profits 
to support dividend payments. The company, 
following Board approval, responded to the 
FRC with information on each of the four 
disclosure areas and confirmation of the 
inclusion of additional disclosures in this 
Annual Report. The FRC closed the review 
process following the company’s response. 

84 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Fair, balanced and understandable assessment
At the request of the Board, the Committee considered whether the 2020 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 position and performance, business model and 
strategy. To enable the Board to have confidence in making this statement, the Committee considered the elements in the table below:

FAIR

BALANCED

UNDERSTANDABLE

Is there a clear framework to the report?

Are the important messages highlighted 
appropriately throughout the document?

Is the layout clear with good linkage throughout 
in a manner which reflects the whole story?

Is the whole story being presented?

Has any sensitive material been omitted that 
should have been included?

Are the key messages in the narrative reflected 
in the financial reporting?

Are the KPIs disclosed at an appropriate level 
based on the financial reporting?

Is there a good level of consistency between 
the narrative in the front section and the 
financial reporting in the back section of 
the report?

Is the Annual Report considered a document fit 
for shareholders?

Are statutory and adjusted measures explained 
clearly with appropriate prominence?

Are the key judgements referred to in the 
narrative reporting and the significant issues 
reported in the Audit Committee Report 
consistent with the disclosures of key 
estimation uncertainties and critical 
judgements set out in the financial statements?

How do they compare with the risks that the 
external auditor plan to include with their report?

To form its opinion, the Committee reflected 
on the information and reporting it received 
from management and the external auditor 
and the discussions that took place during the 
year. Key considerations for the Committee in 
2020 included the following:

To ensure that these considerations are met, 
reviews took place based on information 
provided by the CFO and her team at each 
Committee meeting as well as reports from 
the external auditor based on the outcomes 
of their half-year review and annual audit.

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•  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 the 
external auditor

•  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

•  Reporting and commentary provides 
a fair and balanced view of company 
performance

•  Any correspondence from regulators 
received in relation to our financial 
reporting is considered and disclosures 
are updated if required

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

85

 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Audit Committee Report continued

Financial statements and significant areas considered

Going concern basis 
for the financial 
statements and 
viability statement

The Committee reviewed and challenged management’s assessment of going concern, longer-term prospects and viability 
statement with consideration of forecast cash flows that took into account potential impacts of COVID-19 restrictions and other 
principal risks including uncertainties arising from Brexit. The Committee also considered the Group’s financing facilities including 
twice-yearly covenant tests and future funding plans. 

Based on this, the Committee confirmed that the application of the going concern basis for the preparation of the financial 
statements continued to be appropriate and recommended the approval of the viability statement.

FRC review of 2019 
Annual Report and 
Accounts

The FRC reviewed the Group’s 2019 Annual Report and Accounts as part of its routine monitoring activity. As part of this review a 
breach of the Companies Act in respect to certain dividends paid in prior years was highlighted, relating to the treatment of share 
based payments within distributable reserves.

In addition, further information was requested relating to cash flow hedging, calculation of the defined benefit pension asset and 
impairment of non-financial assets. 

The Committee reviewed management responses to the FRC, and a full review of distributable reserves and share based payments 
along with the proposed actions to rectify the breach.

The FRC confirmed the satisfactory conclusion of its review in August 2020.

Revenue recognition

Revenue recognition is a key area of focus. In particular, the Committee has reviewed management reporting and updates on 
specific areas including the recognition of certain indirect tax benefits in Brazil and a review of the control environment relating to 
rebates in EMEA.

Valuation of goodwill 
and assets

The review of goodwill and intangible assets is based on a calculation of value in use, using cash flow projections based on market 
measures and financial budgets prepared by senior management and approved by the Board of Directors. 

The Committee has considered management reports on potential triggers of impairment and the outcome of sensitivity testing for all 
areas of the Group, including the potential impact of COVID-19 restrictions.

The Committee reviewed the methodology and assumptions used by management in concluding the carrying values of the 
underlying assets are supportable along with the conclusion to impair goodwill, customer lists and assets in the Counterpoint 
business.

Adjusting items

Adjusting items are not reported as part of the financial statements but are used in the Annual Report and Accounts to provide clarity 
on underlying performance for users of the accounts. 

The classification of adjusting items is defined by a Group policy, as approved by the Committee, and includes items of significant 
income and expense which, due to their size, nature or frequency, merit separate presentation to allow shareholders to understand 
better the elements of financial performance during the year. The Committee reviewed and challenged items to be included 
throughout the year in order to confirm appropriateness. 

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 reporting on comparisons of valuations to external confirmations and assessment of 
hedge effectiveness in order to be satisfied with the quality of financial statement disclosures.

Taxation

Uncertain tax positions and key activities within the Group such as restructuring in Brazil were reviewed to ensure that the balance 
sheet provisions are complete, and that the Group effective tax rate is calculated appropriately.

The restatement of the opening 2019 balance sheet for certain tax balances was reviewed following a management review of 
historical balance sheet positions. Further detail can be found in note 3 on page 128.

Defined benefit 
pension scheme 
liabilities valuation

The Committee reviewed the assumptions that are provided by the Group’s actuaries and used to value the pension liabilities for the 
four defined benefit schemes. The underlying assumptions based on market conditions and the characteristics of the schemes are 
reviewed by management and conclusions reported to the Committee.

Acquisition and 
divestment 
accounting

The accounting for the sale of three factories and the private label juice business in France, as well as the acquisition of The Boiling 
Tap Company in GB was reported to the Committee, including the proposed resulting goodwill and intangible assets.

The Committee subsequently recommended to the Board that, taken as a whole, the company’s 2020 Annual Report and Accounts are fair, 
balanced and understandable and that they provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, 
business model and strategy. The Board statement is on page 110.

IAN MCHOUL
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR
25 November 2020

86 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Directors’ Remuneration Report

Remuneration Committee focus 
areas in 2019/20

•  Approval of 2019/20 bonus and 
LTIP measures and targets

•  Review and consult with shareholders 

on the revised Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy and consideration 
of their feedback

•  Consideration of the 2020/21 
annual bonus, ESOP and PSP 
scheme measures

•  Consider the impact of COVID-19 
on the Executive and all employee 
remuneration arrangements 

READ MORE ON PAGE 99

Attendance at Remuneration 
Committee meetings

Sue Clark (Chair)
John Daly
William Eccleshare
Ian McHoul

Meetings 
attended
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5

Remuneration Committee 
membership
The Remuneration Committee is composed 
of three independent NEDs, plus the company 
Chairman who was independent on appointment. 
The company Chairman is not present when his 
own remuneration is discussed. Attendees at 
each meeting comprised Committee members 
and, by invitation, as appropriate, the CEO, 
the CFO, Chief People Officer and Director of 
Reward. External advisors are also invited to 
attend as and when appropriate. There have 
been no changes to the Remuneration 
Committee during the year.

REMUNERATION 
AND REWARD IN 
CHALLENGING TIMES

Sue Clark
Remuneration Committee Chair

Dear Shareholder, 
As Chair of the Remuneration Committee, 
I am pleased to present the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report for the year ended 
30 September 2020. This report describes 
how the Committee has carried out its 
responsibilities during the year. 

This year has essentially been one 

of two halves, pre and post the impact of 
the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the 
Government’s enforced closure of pubs, 
restaurants and other on-premise venues 
the business was performing strongly.

Since the implementation of measures 

to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus 
across Europe and particularly in the UK, the 
CEO and the executive team have worked 
hard to bring as much clarity and certainty 
as possible in these very unpredictable times. 
Where channels have been open, the 
business has performed well. Total grocery 
market share has increased as consumers 
turned to trusted brands in these volatile 
times and everyone has worked around the 
clock to maintain supply and expand our 
e-commerce activities. Where employees 
have been continuing to come to work at 
our plants, we have ensured that appropriate 
protocols have been put in place. 

The Board has been impressed with 

the ability of management to adjust the 
operations quickly, maintaining high levels 
of service to our customers. The company’s 
agility in adapting to the new ways of working 
and its positive impact on the community 
have been particularly noteworthy. 
The provision of drinks and fridges to supply 
NHS Nightingale hospitals is an excellent 
example of Britvic’s operational execution 
capability and commitment to its broader 
stakeholders. Focused cost management has 
also been vital; it has been carefully judged 
and has not been at the expense of prudent 
investment, including in the wellbeing of our 
employees at a time when much has been 
demanded of them. Despite the many 
challenges the company has not sought any 
Government financial support in the UK.

The company delivered a strong performance 
in the first five months of the year and the 
Board is pleased with the financial outcome 
for the year as a whole which, although it is 
well behind what we had envisaged a year 
ago, is in line with the revised forecasts and 
investors’ expectations. The share price has 
also been relatively resilient through the 
pandemic, and over the last three financial 
years Britvic’s total shareholder return (TSR) 
was 22% against -26% for our TSR peer 
group and -9% for the FTSE 250 (excluding 
investment trusts).

The Directors’ Remuneration Policy
The Committee was in the midst of a 
comprehensive review of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy when the pandemic 
and the measures to control COVID-19 
started to take effect. We therefore decided 
against making any major changes and 
instead to seek approval for broadly the same 
policy last approved in 2018 with a view to 
making more substantive changes in 2022. 
I engaged with our major shareholders over 
the summer to take their views and received 
very helpful input. We listened and I hope 
that the approach we have taken will be 
supported. The updated policy will take 
effect following the AGM in January 2021.

The two key changes to the policy are:

•  The CEO’s current cash pension allowance 
of 24.6% of salary will, from the end of 
December 2022, be aligned to the pension 
contribution for all other GB-based 
employees. This is currently 7.5% of 
salary. (The CFO’s pension arrangement 
is already aligned.)

•  The Executive Directors will be required 
from January 2021 to retain shares after 
they step down from the Board to the 
value of the lower of 200% of salary or 
their existing shareholding for the first year 
after leaving and 100% of salary for the 
second year.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

87

 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

We have made some additional changes 
to the policy – see page 92 – 97 – which 
are designed to give the Committee 
additional flexibility and we are also seeking 
shareholders’ approval for some changes 
to the long-term incentive plan (LTIP) share 
plan rules which will allow the Committee, 
among other things, to override the formulaic 
outcomes of the vesting of awards under 
the Executive Share Option Plan, and the 
Performance Share Plan.

We have also committed that new 

arrangements will be put in place as part of 
the revised policy, which we expect to be 
approved at the 2022 AGM, and that share 
options will no longer be granted to Executive 
Directors as of the policy period commencing 
1 October 2021.

As part of the consultation we also 
asked shareholders to consider the inclusion 
of non-financial and/or strategic measures 
within the annual bonus plan and, as a result, 
proposed changes to 2020/21 measures are 
set out later in this letter. 

Business performance and remuneration 
decisions and outcomes for the year 
The Committee has thought more carefully 
than ever about the pay outcomes in the year 
in the context of the challenges brought about 
by COVID-19, having a number of additional 
Committee meetings. We have taken a wide 
range of factors into account, including the 
suspension of the interim dividend and the 
recommendation on the final dividend, our 
duties as Directors and the experience of our 
shareholders. We have taken into account the 
treatment of the broader workforce and we 
are pleased to note that a discretionary bonus 
will be paid to members of the supply chain 
who have worked throughout the pandemic. 
We have concluded that the formulaic 
outcomes of the various incentive schemes 
are appropriate. However, the Executive 
Directors have decided to waive their right to 
the small bonus payment which would have 
been payable to them.

The incentive performance targets and 

achievement against them, as set at the 
commencement of the year, are detailed in 
the Annual Report on Remuneration. 

The outlook for FY21 remains challenging 
with the uncertainty in the business climate 
coupled with continuing limited visibility 
around Brexit and its potential impact. The 
Committee has therefore delayed the setting 
of full-year targets until the end of the first 
quarter, and is satisfied that the targets it will 
set for both the annual bonus and LTIP will 
represent an appropriate level of challenge 
and stretch for the executives, reflect the 
impact of the restrictions implemented to 
control the COVID-19 pandemic and be in 
line with our principles. The Committee is 
considering setting annual bonus targets 
separately for the first six months and the 
second half of the financial year. We shall 
keep under review the 2018 and 2019 LTIP 
awards so that the formulaic outcomes are 
appropriate and in line with our remuneration 
objectives.

We will re-commence our work on 
reviewing our Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
in the coming year, which will be put to a vote 
at the 2022 AGM. We will again consult with 
major shareholders and proxy agencies and 
welcome your feedback. The Committee is 
mindful of the implications of the 2018 Code 
and other guidance which will be considered 
when setting the new policy.

The remainder of the Directors’ 

Remuneration Report comprises:

I.  A summary of the remuneration outcomes 
for 2019/20 and the application of the 
Remuneration Policy for 2020/21 on pages 
89 – 97.

II.  The Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which 
is subject to a binding vote at the January 
2021 AGM, pages 92 − 97.

III. The Annual Report on Remuneration, 

which is subject to an advisory 
shareholder vote at the January 2021 
AGM and sets out the details of payments 
made to Directors in respect of the year 
ended 30 September 2020 on pages 
98 – 106.

I look forward to receiving your support for 
both the Annual Report on Remuneration and 
the Directors’ Remuneration Policy at the 
January 2021 AGM. If you have any questions 
on Executive remuneration, please feel free 
to contact me at investors@britvic.com.

SUE CLARK
REMUNERATION COMMITTEE CHAIR 
25 November 2020

 The outcomes for 2019/20 are: 

•  The formulaic outcome for bonus for the 
Executive Directors is 3.5% of salary for 
Simon Litherland and 3.0% for Joanne 
Wilson; however as noted above they 
have waived their rights to any 
bonus payment.

•  The 2017 LTIP awards partially vested; 
25% of the performance shares under 
award have vested owing to Britvic’s 
strong three year TSR performance 
placing the company in the top quartile of 
the peer group, resulting in full vesting of 
that element. 75% of the PSP award is 
measured against EPS and this element 
will lapse in full.

•  The 2017 share options awarded under 
the Executive Share Option Plan (ESOP) 
lapsed in full as the lower threshold of the 
EPS growth range of 3% to 8% per year 
was not met.

Looking ahead to 2020/21
The key points to highlight are as follows:

•  Given the overwhelming positive 

encouragement from the shareholder 
consultation, we are introducing non-
financial measures into the annual bonus 
scheme for the 2020/21 financial year 
effective from 1 October 2020 and they 
will account for 30% of the total bonus 
opportunity. We believe a 30% non-
financial weighting is appropriate and gives 
us the ability for greater alignment with 
our Healthier People, Healthier Planet 
strategy.

•  Awards of share options and performance 
shares will be made after the AGM in 
January 2021. The Committee has decided 
that EPS and relative TSR remain the best 
measures for the long-term share plans, 
albeit the weighting of the relative TSR 
measure on the PSP will be increased to 
50%, measured against the FTSE 250 
(excluding investment trusts). The Britvic 
share price has remained resilient and 
therefore awards will continue to be made 
at the usual levels. The Committee has 
determined that before the target range 
for EPS is set, it should review the first 
quarter’s trading and the latest assessment 
of any continuing measures to control the 
pandemic. The EPS range will be 
announced in the RNS following the AGM 
in January when the awards are made.
•  The annual salary increase for all Britvic’s 
employees is effective from 1 January. 
The general level of workforce increase 
will be 2.5%, and this will also apply to the 
Executive Directors. The Chairman and the 
NEDs will not take any increase this year.

88 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Remuneration at a glance
Our remuneration principles
Our Directors’ Remuneration Policy is designed to support our overall vision to become the world’s most dynamic soft drinks company, creating 
a better tomorrow. Our people are at the heart of our business. Our aim is to attract, engage and retain the very best talent from across our global 
sector. To determine the shape, size and variability of each element of pay the Committee follows five key remuneration principles:

COMPETITIVE 
MARKET POSITIONING 
AND OPPORTUNITY

PAY ALIGNED WITH 
SUSTAINABLE LONG-
TERM PERFORMANCE

INCENTIVE METRICS 
ALIGNED WITH OUR 
STRATEGY AND KEY 
PERFORMANCE 
INDICATORS

ALIGNMENT OF 
EXECUTIVE AND 
SHAREHOLDER 
INTERESTS

To attract, retain and engage the Executive talent we need to realise our vision and deliver our strategy and plans, our 
remuneration arrangements need to be sufficiently competitive but not excessive.

The mix between both fixed and variable pay, as well as the balance between rewarding short versus long-term 
performance, are critical to ensure that we reward those behaviours that will lead to the realisation of our long-term vision 
without compromising short-term gain. 

All forms of variable pay are only fully delivered in return for performance materially above the standards required by Britvic 
and our shareholders – in other words, the superior pay opportunity available can only be realised in return for superior 
performance.

The performance measures selected to determine both our annual bonus and long-term incentive plans have been carefully 
considered to focus on a simple and effective selection of those key drivers of our strategy and long-term value creation for 
our shareholders.

To ensure the continued alignment of Executive and shareholder interests, the greatest potential pay opportunity for 
executives is via our long-term incentive plans. Share-based awards are dependent on a balance of absolute and relative 
growth in long-term value creation for shareholders. In particular, the mix of share options and performance shares is 
designed to ensure that Executives are only rewarded for superior market performance and the realisation of our vision. 
This is further reinforced by meaningful shareholding guidelines for executives so that their long-term wealth remains 
tied to Britvic’s sustained long-term success.

MINDFUL OF OUR 
WIDER STAKEHOLDER 
RESPONSIBILITIES

In support of our vision, our Executive Directors’ pay arrangements are not only focused on financial returns but also mindful 
of performance against our wider long-term stakeholder goals. The Committee takes great care to set appropriate targets 
that do not compromise our wider stakeholder aspirations. Both malus and clawback provisions are in place to address 
potentially inappropriate actions or risk-taking when determining incentive plan payouts.

Single total figure of remuneration for Executive Directors 2019/20
Through the implementation of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy and principles, the total remuneration received for 2019/20 by Executive 
Directors is as follows:

Executive Directors
Simon Litherland
Joanne Wilson

Fixed pay

Performance related pay1

Total

Salary 
£’000
639.1
395.0

Benefits
 £’000
14.2
11.8

Pension
 £’000
157.2
26.7

Total 
 fixed pay 
£’000
810.5
433.5

Annual 
bonus
 £’000
0.0
0.0

Total 
performance 
related pay 
£’000
249.1
0.0

LTIP
 £’000
249.1
0.0

£’000
1,059.6
433.5

Notes:
1   Variable pay outcomes are summarised in the tables on page 90.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Corporate Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Summary of performance related pay for 2019/20
i) Annual bonus
Shown below are the performance outcomes versus the performance measures set for the annual bonus:

Measure

Weighting

Threshold

Target

Maximum

% maximum 
achieved

% maximum 
bonus 
achieved

Adjusted profit before tax 
& amortisation

50%

£142.3m 

Net revenue
Net revenue  
from innovation
Adjusted free  
cash flow

20%

£1,444.5m 

10%

20%

 £197.8m 

 £201.8m 

£209.8m 

0.0% 

0.0% 

0.0% 

0.0% 

 £1,560.5m 

 £1,592.0m 

 £1,606.8m 

25.0% 

2.5%

£64.8m 

0.0% 

0.0% 

 £60.0m 

 £69.6m 

 £77.1m 

£73.2m 

 £115.0m 

 2.5% 

 0%

Total

100%

 £120.0m 

 £130.0m 

50%

100% 

2.5%

Notes: 
1   Adjusted profit before tax & amortisation (PBTA) – profit before tax and adjusting items.
2   Net revenue – net revenue performance on a constant currency basis.
3   Net revenue from innovation – net revenue from innovation products on a constant currency basis.
4   Adjusted free cash flow – cash flow excluding movements in borrowings, dividend payments and adjusting items.

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

ii) Long-term incentives
Shown below are the outcomes versus the performance conditions set and vesting levels for the 2017 PSP and 2017 ESOP:

ESOP

Measure

EPS

PSP

Weighting

Threshold

Target

Maximum % maximum vesting achieved

-6.5%  

100%

3.0% CAGR

8.0% CAGR 

0.0%

Measure

Weighting

Threshold

Target

Maximum % maximum vesting achieved

EPS

TSR

Total

75%

25%

-6.5% 

 3.0% CAGR

 Median

25.0%

8.0% CAGR 

100% 

0.0%

Upper quartile 

25.0%

100%

 0%

100% 

25.0%

90 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Summary of implementation of the 2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy
The table below shows how the Directors’ Remuneration Policy will be implemented for the two Executive Directors for 2021:

Policy element

Base salary

Pension

Simon Litherland (CEO)

Joanne Wilson (CFO)

Key changes from previous Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy

£659,057 
2.5% increase.

24.6% of base salary paid as a 
cash allowance.

£404,875 
2.5% increase.

Employer contribution of 7.5% of salary 
per annum in line with pension provision 
for the wider UK employee workforce. 
Paid as £3,000 employer contribution to 
pension with £23,396 paid as cash in lieu.

The policy commits that incumbent 
Executive Directors’ pension 
contributions will all be aligned to the 
employee rate by the latest at the end 
of December 2022.

Annual bonus

Target 70% of salary to maximum 140% 
of salary.

Target 60% of salary to maximum 120% 
of salary.

Annual bonus measures

For 2020/21, the following performance metrics and weightings apply to the bonus:

30% adjusted PBTA, 20% total net revenue 20% adjusted free cash flow and 30% from 
strategic and non-financial measures.

Inclusion of non-financial/strategic 
measures.

The Committee is considering setting 
annual bonus targets for the first six 
months and the second half of the 
financial year.

ESOP

ESOP measures

PSP

PSP measures

Maximum 300% of salary with a two year 
post vest holding period, awarded in 
market priced options.

Maximum 200% of salary with a two year 
post vest holding period, awarded in 
market priced options.

100% EPS with targets to be announced in the RNS confirming the award following the 
AGM in January 2021.

Three years will remain the usual 
performance period.

Maximum 150% of salary with a two year 
post vest holding period.

Maximum 100% of salary with a two year 
post vest holding period.

50% based on EPS with targets to be announced in the RNS confirming the award 
following the AGM in January 2021.

Three years will remain the usual 
performance period.

Payment for threshold 
performance

Malus and clawback

50% based on relative TSR with threshold performance requiring median ranking 
against the FTSE 250 (excluding investment trusts) comparator group, increasing on a 
straight line basis to 100% vesting for upper quartile performance or better.

The Committee will also consider underlying return on invested capital (ROIC) over the 
performance period to ensure that it remains appropriate relative to the EPS delivered.

For the annual bonus, 0% of maximum will be awarded.

For the ESOP and PSP, 20% of maximum will be awarded.

Malus and clawback may be applied to annual bonus and LTIP awards in certain 
conditions 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.

Shareholding requirement

200%

200%

Post cessation shareholding 
requirement

The lower of an Executive Director’s shareholding and 200% of basic salary at cessation 
of employment for the first year after ceasing to be a Director and 100% of basic salary 
for the second year. Vested share awards from future incentive grants and future 
purchases will count towards the post cessation guideline.

Introduction of post cessation 
shareholding requirements for 
shares awarded following the AGM 
in January 2021.

Our overall approach to remuneration
The principal objective of our Directors’ 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.

The Remuneration Policy presented here is similar to the one approved by shareholders in 2018 but has been updated to reflect corporate 
governance developments, good practice and the company’s environmental and social responsibilities.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

91

 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Policy

2020/21 DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION POLICY
The table below sets out the company’s Directors’ Remuneration Policy that will be presented to shareholders at the 2021 AGM and, subject 
to shareholder approval, will take effect for the 2020/21 financial year.

Given the extraordinary circumstances of the last financial year the Committee has sought to minimise the changes implemented for this policy. 
Although normally there is no intention to revise the policy more frequently than every three years, a further policy review will be conducted to ensure 
that it remains aligned with the company’s strategy, appropriately positioned against the market and aligned with corporate governance requirements. 
The Committee will consult with the company’s major shareholders in spring 2021 prior to submitting the policy for approval again in 2022. 
The Remuneration Committee worked with its advisors to develop the new policy and, at the appropriate points, sought the view of the CEO being 
mindful of the importance of his contribution to the formulation of the policy and the need to minimise and indeed avoid any conflicts of interest.

Element and
link to strategy

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

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

Operation

Base salaries are paid in cash and 
typically 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 drink 
sector). 

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

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

Benefits and allowances include but 
are not limited to: annual car benefit 
(or allowance), membership of the 
company’s private medical healthcare 
plan, 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. 

Maximum opportunity  
and payment at target

Performance measures

While 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. 

n/a

Higher increases may be made, for 
example, where there have been 
significant changes in the responsibility 
and accountability in a role, to recognise 
experience, where there are large 
variances to the market, 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.

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 p.a.

•  Private medical insurance
•  The value of any professional 

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

subscriptions paid by the company 
may vary but would not be excessive

•  Life assurance cover of four times 

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.

Pension 
Supports a workforce 
aligned compensation 
package and assists 
participants’ plans 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.

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 five days’ holiday may be sold at a 
pro rated value of the individual’s salary.

The maximum annual contribution is:

n/a

•  24.6% of base salary in cash for the 
CEO, reducing to the general GB 
workforce contribution rate, by no 
later than the end of December 2022
•  The CFO’s contribution rate (as well 
as any other Executive Directors 
appointed to the Board) is equal to 
the GB workforce contribution rate, 
which is currently 7.5% of salary.

•  Payment can be made as a 

contribution to the DC section of the 
Britvic pension scheme or as a cash 
payment in lieu (or a mix of both).

92

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Maximum opportunity  
and payment at target

Target and maximum opportunities are: 

•  70% and 140% of base salary for the 

CEO

•  60% and 120% of base salary 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.

ESOP – The maximum opportunities are: 

• 
• 

 300% of base salary for the CEO
 250% of base salary for the CFO

PSP – The maximum opportunities are: 

•  150% of base salary for the CEO
•  100% of base salary for the CFO

Under the ESOP and PSP 20% of the 
maximum award vests for achieving 
threshold performance, increasing on a 
graduated scale to 100% of the 
maximum opportunity vesting for 
achieving maximum performance.

Element and
link to strategy

Annual bonus 
To motivate employees 
and incentivise delivery 
of annual performance 
targets.

LTIP – 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. The 
Committee believes that 
LTIP measures should be 
simple, aligned to 
sustainable long-term 
shareholder value 
creation and provide line 
of sight to management 
so that they are 
meaningful and 
incentivising.

Operation

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

Targets are normally set at the beginning 
of the performance period and are 
assessed at 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. 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

ESOP – Allows for grants of market value 
options. Awards normally vest after three 
years, subject to performance conditions. 
A two year holding period then applies 
following the vesting period to provide 
further alignment with shareholders. 
Options expire 10 years following the 
grant date.

PSP – Allows for grants of performance 
share awards. Awards normally vest after 
three years, subject to performance 
conditions. A two year holding period 
applies following the vesting period to 
provide further alignment with 
shareholders. 

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.

No ESOP awards may be granted to 
Executive Directors from 1 October 2021 
under this policy.

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Performance measures

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. 

The performance conditions are set 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. 

Bonus targets are typically set with reference 
to internal budgets and analyst consensus 
forecasts, with maximum payout requiring 
performance well ahead of budget.

The Committee chooses performance metrics 
measured over the performance period 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 2020/21, 
performance will be measured using an EPS 
performance condition.

For PSP grants made in 2020/21, 50% of 
performance will be measured using the same 
EPS performance condition as for the ESOP, 
with the remaining 50% 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 is a key measure of our success in 
delivering value for shareholders over time. 
The setting of the EPS targets takes into 
account the business plan, analyst consensus 
forecasts and the levels of performance 
required over the long-term to deliver absolute 
value for shareholders.

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

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

The Committee may change 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 normally only be adopted following 
consultation with major shareholders.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

93

 
 
 
 
Maximum opportunity  
and payment at target

Shareholding guidelines are set at 200% 
of base salary for the CEO and CFO. The 
Committee will monitor progress on this 
requirement on an annual basis.

Executive Directors must retain a holding 
to the lower of shares held at cessation of 
being a Director and 200% of basic salary 
for the first year post cessation and 100% 
for the second year. Only vested share 
awards from incentive grants made after 
the approval of this policy will count 
towards the post cessation guideline and 
the Committee reserves the right to waive 
compliance with the guideline, for 
example in compassionate circumstances.

•  Free share awards, up to a maximum 
of 4% of earnings, capped at £3,600 
p.a. 

•  Partnership shares, up to £1,800 p.a. 
•  Matching shares, on a one for one 
basis up to a maximum of £650 p.a.

Performance measures

n/a

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

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.

Corporate Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Element and
link to strategy

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

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

Chairman and NED 
fees 
To attract and retain 
experienced and skilled 
NEDs.

Operation

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

Until this holding is acquired, the Executive 
Directors may not sell any shares received 
through the long-term incentives operated 
by the company unless approved by 
the Committee.

Executive Directors are also normally 
required to retain a holding of shares 
post cessation.

Executive Directors may participate in the 
Britvic Share Incentive Plan, which is an 
all-employee HMRC approved share plan 
open to employees based in GB. 

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.

An Executive Director based in another 
jurisdiction may participate in an equivalent 
plan.

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 four weekly basis. 

Additional fees are paid to NEDs who are 
members of, and who chair, a Committee 
and to the SID. 

NED fee levels are periodically reviewed 
by the Board and the Committee (for the 
Chairman only). Any increases to fees are 
normally effective from 1 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 and may 
have any tax thereon paid by the company.

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Illustration of the application of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy for 2020/21
As described in the remuneration principles section on page 89, the Committee believes that our Executive remuneration packages should 
provide a significant part of potential reward through performance-based incentive plans. Set out below are the potential total pay outcomes for 
Simon Litherland and Joanne Wilson across four performance scenarios under the current Remuneration Policy. The four scenarios are minimum, 
on target, maximum and maximum together with an assumed 50% increase in share price. For simplicity, the illustrations below are calculated 
before any change in share price and roll-up of dividends. 

Illustration of the application of Directors’ Remuneration Policy
The chart has been prepared using the following assumptions: 

•  Base salary as of 1 October 2020
•  Benefits reflect those estimated to be paid in 2020/21
•  Target bonus is calculated at 50% of maximum opportunity
•  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

•  LTIP at 50% share price growth is calculated as the sum of (150% of maximum PSP award) + (50% of maximum ESOP award)

4000

3000

0
0
0

’

£

2000

1000

0

£815

100%

Min

£4,127

58.4%

£3,259

47.4%

27.6%

21.8%

25.0%

19.8%

£2,191

42.3%

20.5%

37.2%

Target

Max

CEO, Simon Litherland

Max (with 50%
share price growth)

 Total fixed pay (Base salary and pension)

 STIP

 LTIP

£1,049

36.1%
22.6%
41.3%

Target

£433

100%

Min

£1,539

41.1%

30.8% 

28.1%

Max

£1,895

52.1%

25.0%

22.9%

Max (with 50%
share price growth)

CFO, Joanne Wilson

Implementation of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy for other employees
The implementation of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy described above applies specifically to Executive Directors. Where possible, principles 
set out in the policy have been applied to all employees to achieve alignment as per the below table:

Element

Base salary

Benefits

Pension

Application of policy for other employees

Paid in cash and reviewed annually, normally taking effect 1 January. Salaries are set with reference to internal pay levels, as well as local 
market competitiveness compared with roles of a similar nature and size of responsibility.

Britvic provides local market typical benefits focused on employee health and wellbeing. The majority of UK employees participate in the 
company’s flexible benefits plan.

Subject to local market practice and regulations.

GB employees have rights under the GB legacy defined benefit pension arrangement, which is now closed to future accrual (the plan 
was closed to executives at the same time). A defined contribution pension scheme was introduced following the closure of the defined 
benefit pension scheme in which UK employees are entitled to participate, with the wider workforce having a maximum employer 
contribution of 7.5%.

Annual bonus

Approximately 250 leaders and senior managers participate in bonus arrangements with measures aligned to those of the 
Executive Directors.

Typically, employees are eligible to receive a bonus linked to profit and revenue, as well as their individual performance.

Long-term incentives

The PSP is awarded to approximately 90 leaders globally each year. Approximately 25 leaders also receive options under the ESOP. 
Performance conditions for both awards are linked to those of the Executive Directors.

All-employee share plans Where possible, we offer employees annual free share awards linked to company performance as well as the opportunity to purchase 

Britvic shares. In some locations, alternative local profit-sharing arrangements are available, depending on local market practices 
and legislation.

The value of each element that the employee may receive will vary according to the employee’s seniority and level of responsibility.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

95

 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Remuneration Policy notes 
Key changes to the Directors’ Remuneration Policy
The key changes to the Directors’ Remuneration Policy from the policy approved by shareholders at the 2018 AGM are to align the remuneration 
structure with best practice expected by shareholders and wider stakeholders. The changes are summarised as follows:

•  That the CEO’s pension provision be aligned to the rate available to the general workforce by the end of December 2022 at the latest and any 

newly appointed Directors’ to be workforce aligned upon appointment to the Board
Introduction of a two year post cessation shareholding guideline

• 

Differences in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy and the remuneration policy for all employees 
All employees are entitled to base salary and benefits and may also receive bonus, pension and share awards the values of which vary according to 
the individual’s seniority and level of responsibility. Details on implementation of the Remuneration Policy for all employees can be found on page 95.

Share awards made prior to the implementation of the approved Remuneration Policy 
Unvested ESOP and PSP awards will pay out in accordance with the relevant plan rules and the previously approved Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy in effect at the time of award, save where the terms of such awards are varied in accordance with any subsequent Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy. Any payments under these plans will be disclosed in the Annual Report on Remuneration as required by the regulations. 

Committee discretion 
In addition to the discretion set out in this Directors’ Remuneration 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 (for example 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 the ‘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 and targets in 
respect of any award or payment if one or more events 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. Recognising the dynamic nature of the Group’s business and in order to 
provide flexibility in the near term, the Committee retains discretion to vary the targets for the performance measures as the business may require over 
the next three years. The Committee may also make adjustments to the formulaic outcomes of incentives where, in the opinion of the Committee, they 
do not reflect the underlying performance of the business or the individual, or they would not deliver the intention of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy. 

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.

Statement of consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the Group 
The Company has not consulted with employees when drawing up this Directors’ Remuneration Policy. The Committee is, however, 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. Workforce engagement 
activity is described on pages 72 – 73 and remuneration was among the topics discussed informally with colleagues during the Rugby visit. This and 
external market data are the main remuneration comparison measurements that are taken into account when developing remuneration policy.

Statement of consideration of shareholder views 
The Committee is committed to ongoing 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 proposed Director’s Remuneration Policy, the Chair of the Committee engaged with Britvic’s major shareholders and key 
institutional representative bodies. The views expressed by our shareholders during this process have been considered in the development 
of the Director’s 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 Directors’ 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:

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Area

Base salary

Benefits and 
pension

Annual bonus

Normal LTIP 
awards (ESOP 
and PSP)

Additional LTIP 
awards (ESOP 
and PSP)

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 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

•  Awards would be made under the annual bonus plan in line with the Directors’ Remuneration Policy
•  Maximum opportunity would not exceed 140% of base salary

•  Awards would be made under the LTIP plans in line with the Directors’ 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 an executive the Committee may make a one-off performance linked award under the ESOP and PSP subject to the 
below limits. Any awards above the normal award levels as set out in the main policy table will only be used to compensate for awards 
forgone from previous employment

•  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)

Replacement 
awards

•  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 buy-out awards the Committee would take into account any 
additional LTIP awards made as set out above

Service contracts

•  The Committee may agree a contractual notice period with the executive which initially exceeds 12 months, as applies to other executives, 

particularly if it is necessary to attract executives who will be required to relocate their family

•  This will reduce to a 12 month rolling notice period once the individual is 12 months from the end of their initial notice period

Service contracts and the policy on the 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
• 
•  The Committee may at its discretion put the executive on garden leave for any period provided that base salary and contractual benefits are 

If the executive is terminated for reasons such as gross misconduct no payment in lieu of notice will be due

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

NEDs

•  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 
Director’s incentives and pension would be treated on termination. Items of fixed pay are detailed in the previous table.

Incentives treatment

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 and 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

• 
• 

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.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Corporate Governance
Annual Report on Remuneration

Role and responsibilities
The Committee’s terms of reference are in line with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code and can be found at www.britvic.com/governance. 
The revised Code came into effect from January 2019 and have therefore applied to Britvic for the first time for the financial year under review.

The Committee has responsibility for the following:

•  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 on behalf of 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

•  Reviewing workforce remuneration and related policies and the alignment of incentives and rewards with culture, taking these into account 

when setting the policy for Executive Director remuneration

•  Engaging as required with the wider workforce and shareholders on Executive pay structures, and how Executive remuneration aligns with 

wider company pay policy

•  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

Committee meetings
The Committee meets no fewer than three times a year. At the invitation of the Chair of the Committee, the CEO, CFO, Chief People Officer, 
Director of Reward and the Company Secretary may attend the meetings of the Committee to provide input to assist with the consideration of 
particular items, except when their own remuneration is under consideration. The attendance of the Committee for each meeting during the year 
can be found on page 64.

The Key agenda items the Committee discussed during the year included:

•  Review and approval of the 2018/19 Directors’ Remuneration Report
•  Approval of the 2018/19 annual bonus outcomes, subject to final accounts being approved by the Board
•  Approving the terms of the 2019/20 annual bonus scheme including the choice of measures and setting of targets
•  Update on Executive Directors’ shareholding requirements
•  2020 salary reviews for the Executive Directors and Executive Committee members
•  Review of share dilution from share schemes and their fulfilment
•  Commencement of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy review including potential changes to structures and measures
•  An update from the Committee’s advisers on the market following the pandemic
•  Consideration of feedback from shareholders on the proposed Directors’ Remuneration Policy
•  Approve the measures (but not the targets) for the 2020/21 annual bonus scheme and the 2020/21 ESOP and PSP awards

Advisors 
PwC advised the Committee at the commencement of the financial year and FIT Remuneration Consultants LLP (FIT) were appointed as the 
independent advisor to the Committee in December 2019 following a competitive tender process. PwC advises the company on other non-
remuneration related matters and the company received no other advice from FIT. Both advisors are members of the Remuneration Consultants 
Group (the professional body for executive remuneration consultants). Both advisors charged their fees partly on a fixed fee basis and partly on a 
time and expenses basis. PwC’s fees in respect of advice to the Committee in the year under review were £10,000 and FIT’s fees were £124,047. 

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

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

Statement of implementation of the Director’s Remuneration Policy in 2021
The Remuneration Policy outlined on pages 89 – 97 will be effective subject to shareholder approval at the AGM in January 2021, and will be 
implemented as follows:

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Base salary
Implemented in line with Policy.

The CEO and CFO will both receive a salary increase of 2.5%, effective 1 January 2021, in line with the wider UK employee population.

Simon Litherland
Joanne Wilson

Benefits and pension
Implemented in line with Policy.

Annual bonus 
Implemented in line with Policy. 

2020
base salary 
£’000
643.0
395.0

2021 
base salary 
£’000
659.1
404.9

Increase
2.5%
2.5%

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

The Committee reviewed the annual bonus measures in the context of the company’s short-term aims and the global pandemic and consulted 
shareholders on potential changes. Taking on board the feedback received, the 2020/21 annual bonus will include a strategic/non-financial element 
to incorporate objectives relating to our Healthier People, Healthier Planet strategy. 

Accordingly, the bonus measures¹ and weightings for 2020/21 are: 

•  Adjusted PBTA (30%)
•  Total net revenue (20%)
•  Adjusted free cash flow (20%)
•  Non-financial and strategic measures (30%)

The Committee is considering setting annual bonus targets for the first six months and the second half of the financial year. 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 Directors’ 
Remuneration Report following the end of the financial year.

Note: 
1  Performance measures defined as follows:

Total net revenue – measured on a constant currency basis.

•  Adjusted profit before tax and amortisation (PBTA) – measured before adjusting items on a constant currency basis.
• 
•  Adjusted free cash flow – measured excluding movements in borrowings, dividend payments and adjusting items.
•  Non-financial and strategic measures will be a combination of net revenue from innovation on a constant currency basis plus measures aligned to our Healthier People, Healthier 

Planet strategy

Long-term incentive plans (ESOP and PSP)
The ESOP and PSP awards to be made in 2021 in respect of 2020/21 will remain in line with the current remuneration policy and the proposed 
policy. It is expected that the CEO’s awards will comprise a 300% of salary award under the ESOP and 150% under the PSP. The CFO’s award 
will be made up of a 200% of salary ESOP award and a 100% of salary PSP award. Reflecting the share price recovery from the initial COVID-19 
impact and the fact that it is trading broadly in line with the level it was at two years ago, the award levels are expected to be the same as those 
that applied in the prior year although, before finalising the awards, the Committee will consider the share price at the time of the award. 
The Remuneration Committee will ensure that any gains at the end of the performance period are proportionate and aligned to shareholder 
value creation.

When considering the value of the award to the Executives, the methodology is explained on page 95. The maximum potential value of ESOP 
awards is valued at 30% of the face value, reflecting that no gain is made unless share price growth is achieved in addition to the performance 
conditions. 

ESOP awards and half of the PSP awards will be subject to an EPS measure and the other half of the PSP will be subject to a relative TSR 
condition (measured against the constituents of the FTSE 250 excluding investment trusts). The EPS targets will be disclosed in a stock exchange 
announcement at the time of grant. 

Awards vesting under the ESOP and PSP will be subject to a two year post vest holding period. 

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Corporate Governance
Annual Report on Remuneration continued

Single total figure of Directors’ remuneration (subject to audit)
Chairman and NEDs
Details of the total fees paid to NEDs and the Chairman for the year ended 29 September 2019 and 30 September 2020 are set out in the table 
below. The NEDs’ basic fee increased by 1.5% on 1 January 2020 from £57,502 to £58,365. Increases were awarded to the Chairman of 2.5% 
from £240,000 to £246,000. The Chairs of the Audit and Remuneration Committees were increased by £2,000 from £9,000 to £11,000. The 
Senior Independent Director fees were increased by £1,000 from £9,000 to £10,000.

Basic fee 
£’000

Remuneration Committee 
Chair fee 
£’000

Audit Committee
 Chair fee
 £’000

Senior Independent 
Director fee
 £’000

Total fees paid
£’000

2020

10.5

2020
244.5
58.1
58.1
58.1
58.1
58.1

2019
240.0
57.2
57.2
57.2
57.2
57.2

2019
–
–
9.0
–
–
–

2020

10.5

2019
–
–
–
–
9.0
–

2020

9.8

2019
–
–
–
–
9.0
–

2020
244.5
58.1
68.6
58.1
78.4
58.1

2019
240.0
57.2
66.2
57.2
75.2
57.2

John Daly
Suniti Chauhan
Sue Clark
William Eccleshare
Ian McHoul
Euan Sutherland

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

Salary
Benefits
Pension
Total fixed pay
Annual bonus
LTIP23
Total performance related pay
Replacement awards
Grand total

Simon Litherland (CEO)

Joanne Wilson (CFO)1

2020 
£’000
639.1
14.2
157.2
810.5
0.0
249.1
249.1
–
1,059.6

2019 
£’000
623.5
18.0
153.4
794.9
409.0
2,554.0
2,953.0
–
3,747.9

2020 
£’000
395.0
11.8
26.7
433.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
–
433.5

2019
 £’000
23.5
0.7
1.5
25.7
–
–
–
706.3
732.0

Notes:
1   The details of Joanne Wilson’s replacement awards were set out in last year’s report and the shares awarded are disclosed in the Directors’ shareholding table on page 103.
2   2019 LTIP values restated based on the share price at vesting of 867.85p on 2 December 2019.
3   2020 LTIP values based on the average share price over the last quarter of 2020 of 819.73p.

i) Base salary – Corresponds to the amounts earned during the year
During the year under review, Simon Litherland received a salary increase of 2.5% in line with the wider employee population. Joanne Wilson’s 
salary remained unchanged during the year.

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 and, for Simon Litherland, free and matching shares under the Share 
Incentive Plan.

iii) Pension 
The table below sets out the value of the defined contribution (DC) pension contributions and the cash allowances earned by Directors for the year 
under review.

Simon Litherland
Joanne Wilson

Value of 
defined 
contribution 
pension 
contributions 
£’000
0.0
5.3

Total value of 
pension shown 
in Total Single 
Figure table 
£’000
157.2
26.7

Value of cash 
allowance paid 
£’000
157.2
21.4

Simon Litherland’s normal retirement date is March 2024 and Joanne Wilson’s normal retirement date is September 2035. Joanne Wilson 
contributed to the DC section of the Britvic Pension Plan up to the HMRC annual pension allowance per scheme. The balance of their entitlement 
is paid as a cash allowance.

The cash allowance payable to the Executives reflects contributions the company would have made to the DC section of the plan, less a 
deduction to ensure that the cash allowance is cost neutral to the company from a National Insurance perspective.

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•  Simon Litherland receives a cash allowance of 24.6% of pensionable pay (base salary only).
•  Joanne Wilson is entitled to a pension contribution of 7.5% of salary in line with the wider workforce. Joanne receives part of the contribution through 
company contributions into the DC arrangement and the remainder as a cash payment. The balance between pension contribution and cash payment 
was amended in April 2020 to take account for the revised HMRC annual allowances. The cash received in the year was 5.4% of pensionable pay.

iv) Annual bonus – Corresponds to the total bonus earned under the bonus plan in respect of 2020 performance
The table below sets out the bonus outcomes that apply to both for the CEO and the CFO, and the respective performance targets and actual 
achieved performance. Although bonuses are normally paid wholly in cash, the Executive Directors waived their rights to any payments for the 
2019/20 performance period. 

Performance measure
Adjusted PBTA
Net revenue
Net revenue from innovation
Adjusted free cash flow
Total

Performance measure
PBTA
Net revenue
Free cash flow
Net revenue from innovation
Total

Performance 
required for 
threshold 
payout
£’000
197.8
1,560.5
60.0
115.0

Performance 
required for 
target payout
£’000
201.8
1,592.0
69.6
120.0

Performance 
required for 
maximum 
payout
£’000
209.8
1,606.8
77.1
130.0

Actual 
performance
£’000
142.3
1,444.5
64.8
73.2

Weighting % 
of bonus 
maximum
50%
20%
10%
20%
100%

2020 maximum bonus 
opportunity % of salary

2020 bonus earned 
% of salary

2020 bonus earned
 £’000

CEO
70.0%
28.0%
28.0%
14.0%
140.0%

CFO
60.0%
24.0%
24.0%
12.0%
120.0%

CEO
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
3.5%
3.5%

CFO
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
3.0%
3.0%

CEO
 −
−
−
22.4
22.4

CFO
0.0
0.0
0.0
11.9
11.9

v) Long-term incentives – Corresponds to the vesting outcome of the 2017 ESOP and PSP with three-year performance periods ended 
30 September 2020

2017 ESOP
Simon Litherland

Performance conditions and targets set
Threshold vesting for EPS growth of 3% p.a. 

Maximum 
potential value 

Performance 
outcome
(6.5)

Level of award 
vesting% of 
maximum
0

Total value of 
vesting 
£’000
0

Number of 
shares
0

Maximum vesting for EPS growth of 8% p.a.

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

Exercise price for the options is 792.00p.

2017 PSP
Simon Litherland

Performance conditions and targets set
EPS (75% weighting):

Maximum 
potential value 

Performance 
outcome
(6.5)

Level of award 
vesting% of 
maximum
0

Total value of 
vesting 
£’000
0

Number of 
shares
0

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

Maximum vesting for EPS growth of 8% p.a.

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

Upper 
quartile

25%

249.1

30,389

Relative TSR (25% weighting):

Threshold payout for ranking at median vs the 
comparator group of 15 companies and maximum 
payout for ranking at or above the upper quartile.

Notes: 
1  A share price estimate of 819.73p was used to calculate the value of the above awards which is based on the average closing share price over the last quarter of the financial year.
2   The relative TSR comparator group was made up of the following 15 companies; AG Barr plc, Associated British Foods, C&C Group, Diageo, Fuller, Smith & Turner, Glanbia, Greencore, 

Marston’s, Nichols, Origin Enterprises, Premier Foods, Reckitt Benckiser, Smith & Nephew, Tate and Lyle, Wetherspoon.

3   Threshold vesting for this award is set at 20% of maximum for both PSP and ESOP.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Corporate Governance
Annual Report on Remuneration continued

Scheme interests awarded during the year 
The following tables set out the ESOP and PSP awards granted to the CEO under the LTIP during the year under review (2019/20). All awards are 
subject to performance conditions and were granted on 4 December 2019. ESOP awards are granted as market price options and PSP awards are 
granted as conditional share awards. 

ESOP
Simon Litherland

Performance conditions and targets set
Threshold vesting for EPS growth of 3% p.a.

Maximum vesting for EPS growth of 8% p.a.

Award at 
threshold 
vesting
(20% of 
maximum) 
% of salary
60%

Maximum 
potential value
300% of 
salary

Face value
of awards
£’000
1,881.9

Performance 
period
3 years 
ending 30 
September 
2022

Joanne Wilson

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

40%

200% of 
salary

790.0

Exercise price for the options is 819.70p.

Award at 
threshold 
vesting 
(20% of 
maximum)
% of salary
30%

Maximum 
potential value
150% of 
salary

Face value
of awards
£’000
940.9

Performance 
period
3 years 
ending 30 
September 
2022

20%

100% of 
salary

395.0

PSP
Simon Litherland

Performance conditions and targets set
EPS growth (75% weighting):

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

Joanne Wilson

Maximum vesting for EPS growth of 8% p.a.

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

Relative TSR (25% weighting):

Threshold payout for ranking at median vs the comparator 
group of 15 companies and maximum payout for ranking at or 
above the upper quartile.

Notes: 
1   The share price used to determine the award levels for the PSP and ESOP was 963.0p as at the date of grant, based on the average of the preceding three days.
2   The Committee will also consider underlying ROIC over the performance period when assessing the vesting of the PSP to ensure that it remains satisfactory.
3   The relative TSR comparator group was made up of the following 15 companies: AG Barr plc, Associated British Foods, C&C Group, Diageo, Fuller, Smith & Turner, Glanbia, Greencore, 

Marston’s, Nichols, Origin Enterprises, Premier Foods, Reckitt Benckiser, Smith & Nephew, Tate and Lyle, Wetherspoon.

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Directors’ shareholding requirements and interests in shares
The table below sets out the shareholding of Directors and connected persons and requirements as at 30 September 2020. A shareholding 
requirement of 200% of salary for the CEO and 200% for the CFO applies. The CEO was appointed in February 2013 and currently has a 
shareholding of 412% of salary. The CFO was appointed on 9 September 2019 and currently has a shareholding of 27% of salary. Under the 
shareholding requirement arrangement both Executive Directors may not sell any vested shares from the company LTIPs (except to settle 
taxes and the payment of exercise prices or following approval by the Committee) until their shareholding requirement has been satisfied. 

Interest in shares in the company as of 30 September 2020

Ordinary shares

Performance 
shares

Share options

Shares without performance 
conditions

John Daly

Simon Litherland1,2
Joanne Wilson1,3
Suniti Chauhan
Sue Clark
William Eccleshare
Ian McHoul 
Euan Sutherland

Total shares
15,000

314,154
12,572

16,703

10,000

Subject to 
performance 
conditions

Subject to 
performance 
conditions

% of salary

Vested but 
unexercised

Exercised in 
the period

Subject to 
service 
conditions

412
27

337,280
41,983

646,676
82,035

487,094

752,789

28,838

Note: 
1   Based on 12 month average share price of 842.4p and salaries as at 30 September 2020 of £642,983 for the CEO and £395,000 for the CFO.
2   On 4 February 2020 Simon Litherland exercised 708,820 share options under the Executive Share Option plan and 43,969 nil cost options under the Performance Share plan. The share price 
on the date of exercise was 941.057p and the exercise price of the share options was 331.59p in respect of 120,691 options, 427.52p in respect of 357,881 options and 664.50p in respect of 
230,248 options. The total gain realised on the exercise was £3,623,577.

3.  On 11 May 2020 Joanne Wilson received the first tranche of 23,360 shares pursuant to her buy-out award agreement of which 11,018 shares were sold at 720.50p to cover tax and National 

Insurance, retaining 12,342 shares.

As at the date of this report, Simon Litherland and Joanne Wilson had both acquired a further 48 shares through the Share Incentive Plan since the 
year end.

Outside appointments
Executive Directors are allowed external appointments with the permission of the Board. Simon Litherland is a Non-Executive Director of 
Persimmon plc, for which he received £57,000 in fees in the year to 30 September 2020.

Performance graph and table 
The graph below shows the TSR for Britvic plc and the FTSE 250 excluding investment trusts over the 10 year period ended 30 September 2020. 
The table on the following page shows total remuneration for the CEO over the same period. 

Britvic’s historical TSR performance growth in the value of a hypothetical £100
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.

400

300

0
0
0
’
£

200

100

0

03 Oct 2010

02 Oct 2011

30 Sept 2012

29 Sept 2013

28 Sept 2014

27 Sept 2015

02 Oct 2016

01 Oct 2017

30 Sept 2018

9 Sept 2019

30 Sep 2020

 FTSE 250 Excluding Investment Trusts

 Britvic

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Corporate Governance
Annual Report on Remuneration continued

Remuneration history for CEO from 2011 to 2020

£’000
Simon 
Litherland total 
single figure 
of remuneration
Paul Moody 
total single 
figure of 
remuneration
Bonus (% of 
maximum)

LTIP (% of 
maximum)

2011
n/a

2012
n/a

2013
1,114.6

2014
1,964.3

2015
3,075.2

2016
1,734.5

2017
2,086.3

2018
2,147.4

2019
3,747.9

2020
1,059.6

1,819.7

670.1

1,412.6

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

72.2%

53.3%

80.6%

82.1%

88.9%

46.9%

0.0%

63.6% 
ESOP
69.0%,
PSP
50%)

100%
(ESOP  
100%,
PSP
100%)

91.0%
 (ESOP 
100%,
PSP
65.8%)

59.4%
(ESOP 
61.1%,
PSP
56.2%)

37.5%
(ESOP 
33.3%,
PSP
50.0%)

78.0%  
(ESOP 
76.0%,
PSP
82.0%)

8.3% 
(ESOP 
0.0%,  
PSP  
25.0%)

0.0%

0.0%

89.6%
(ESOP 
86.0%,  
PSP  
91.0%)

0.0%
(ESOP
0.0%,
PSP
 0.0%)

98.6%  
for Simon 
Litherland, 
0% 
 for Paul 
Moody
n/a for 
Simon 
Litherland 
0.0%
for Paul 
Moody 
(ESOP
0.0%
PSP
0.0%

Percentage change in remuneration of the Directors
The table below shows how the percentage change in the directors’ salaries, benefits and bonuses between 2019 and 2020 compared with the 
percentage change in the weighted average of each of those components for all full-time equivalent employees based in GB. The GB employee 
workforce was chosen as a suitable comparator group as the directors are 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 benefits2
Bonus3

Simon 
Litherland, 
CEO
%
2.5
-21.1
-100.0

Joanne 
Wilson, 
CFO1
% 
n/a
n/a
n/a

John Daly
%
1.9
n/a
n/a

Suniti 
Chauhan
 %
1.6
n/a
n/a

Sue Clark
%
3.6
n/a
n/a

William 
Eccleshare
%
1.6
n/a
n/a

Ian McHoul
%
4.3
n/a
n/a

Euan 
Sutherland
%
1.6
n/a
n/a

GB 
employees 
increase 
%
2.5
-55.9
-62.4

Notes: 
1   Joanne Wilson was employed for less than a month in FY19 and so no comparator is provided.
2   The decrease in taxable benefits reflects the provision of free private healthcare to employees (lowering the taxable benefit), proportionally impacts the CEO less than the general workforce.
3  Bonuses for GB-based employees for 2019/20 are driven by the discretionary arrangements in supply chain where some bonuses have been paid, and so have reduced employee bonuses by 

less than the CEO’s has reduced.

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CEO Pay Ratio
The table below sets out the comparisons between the 25th, median and 75th percentile employees in the UK with reference to 30 September 
2020 and the CEO’s salary and salary and benefits as detailed in the single figure table. The Company has decided to use the prescribed Option B 
methodology when calculating the pay ratios. This is the first year of publication under the regulations and it is envisaged that the ratio will 
fluctuate year on year and may not always coincide with the underlying performance of the business in a single year.

Year
2020 salary
2020 total remuneration

CEO
25th percentile employee
Median employee
75th percentile employee

25th 
percentile 
pay ratio
20:1
31:1

Median pay 
ratio
18:1
28:1

75th 
percentile 
pay ratio
13:1
20:1

Salary

Total 
Remuneration
£639,062 £1,059,550
£34,520
£38,118
£54,327

£31,181
£36,118
£50,865

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:

Distribution statement (£m)

Wages and salaries

Dividend payout

Adjusted profit after tax

Capex

 2020

 2019

 2020

 2019

 2020

 2019

 2020

 2019

 2020

 2019

Notes:
1   Capital expenditure is defined as net cash flow from the purchase and sale of both tangible and intangible assets.
2   Profit after tax is before the deduction of adjusting items.

165.6 

 166.6 

57.6 

75.6 

106.0 

147.7 

50.0 

74.3 

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Corporate Governance
Annual Report on Remuneration continued

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 for loss of office were made during the year. 

Directors’ contracts
Details of the Executive Directors’ service contracts and the NEDs’ 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.

Director
John Daly
Simon Litherland
Joanne Wilson
Ian McHoul
Suniti Chauhan¹
Sue Clark
William Eccleshare¹
Euan Sutherland

Date of appointment
27 January 2015
14 February 2013
9 September 2019
10 March 2014
29 November 2017
29 February 2016
29 November 2017
29 February 2016

Unexpired term (approx. months)
35
12
12
29
1
17
1
17

Executive Directors‘ contracts operate on a 12 month rolling notice basis.

1  The notice periods of Suniti Chauhan and William Eccleshare are shown as 1 month remaining as at the date of this report. They have both already signed new letters of appointment which 

will be effective on 29 November 2020 for 36 months.

Statement of voting outcomes at the Annual General Meeting
The following chart sets out the result from the advisory vote on the Annual Statement and Annual Report on Remuneration for the past four 
years at the relevant AGMs and the binding vote on the Directors’ Remuneration Policy at the 2018 AGM. As evidenced by the voting outcomes 
below, Britvic has consistently received support for its remuneration arrangements:

Report/Policy
2020 Remuneration Report
2019 Remuneration Report
2018 Remuneration Policy 
2018 Remuneration Report

SHAREHOLDER VOTING OUTCOME 

 4.6%

 95.4%

 12.5%

 87.5%

Votes For
172,582,297
174,473,526
172,687,645
187,072,865

Votes Against
25,171,913
26,341,914
24,644,840
8,960,245

Votes Withheld
7,172,538
1,081,841
193,481
1,492,855

 13.1%

 86.9%

 12.7%

 87.3%

2018
Remuneration Report

2018
Remuneration Policy

2019
Remuneration Report

2020
Remuneration Report

 For

 Against

106 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Directors’ Report

The Directors present their report and the audited consolidated financial statements of the company and the Group for the year ended 
30 September 2020.

Additional disclosures
Other information that is relevant to this report is incorporated by reference, including information required in accordance with the UK Companies 
Act 2006 and associated regulations, Listing Rules and Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTRs). For the purpose of DTR 4.1.8 R the 
management report comprises the Strategic Report and the relevant parts of this Directors’ Report. The corporate governance statement required 
under DTR 7.2.1 comprises the content on pages 61 – 106.

The following sets out where items required to be included in this report under Schedule 7 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and 
Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, that are not located in the Directors’ Report, can be found:

Indication of future developments
Financial risk management

Employment of disabled persons
Employee engagement
Engagement with suppliers and customers

Greenhouse gas emissions

Strategic report
CFO’s review
Note 25 to the accounts
Sustainable Business
Sustainable Business
Delivering value to our stakeholders
Sustainable Business
Sustainable Business

Pages 1 – 60
Pages 48 – 51
Pages 160 – 163
Page 37
Pages 37 – 38
Pages 15 – 16
Page 41
Page 45

The following sets out where items required under Listing Rule 9.8.4, that are not located in the Directors’ Report, can be found:

Directors’ interests

Remuneration Report 

Page 103

Operations and performance
Dividends and dividend waiver
The Group’s profit before taxation attributable to the equity shareholders amounted to £111.2m (2019: £110.3m) and the profit after taxation 
amounted to £94.6m (2019: £80.9m). The Directors deferred the decision to pay an interim dividend in July 2020, following the impact of COVID-19.

Subject to shareholder approval, the Directors have proposed a final dividend of 21.6p (2019: 21.7p) per ordinary share payable on 3 February 2021 
to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 18 December 2020, giving a total dividend in respect of 2020 of 21.6p (2019: 30.0p), a 
decrease of 28% per cent on the previous year.

The trustees of the Britvic Share Incentive Plan have elected to waive dividends on shares held under trust relating to dividends payable during the year.

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

Events since the balance sheet date
On 20 October, we announced that Britvic has a new and exclusive 20-year franchise bottling agreement with PepsiCo for the production, 
distribution, marketing and sales of its carbonated soft drink brands in Great Britain, including the Rockstar Energy brand. We also announced on 
20 October Britvic’s intention for all plastic bottles in GB to be made from 100% recycled plastic (rPET) by the end of 2022, three years earlier than 
originally planned, and ahead of the previous target of 50%.

Environmental reporting
The Directors have a responsibility to consider the impact on the environment and the likely consequences of any business decisions in the long 
term. Disclosures in respect of this are included with the Strategic Report on pages 40 – 47 and in our Section 172 statement, which can be found 
on pages 20 – 21.

Shares and shareholders
Share capital
The company’s issued share capital comprised a single class of shares divided into ordinary shares of 20p each (ordinary shares). As at 
30 September 2020, the company’s issued share capital comprised 266,916,062 ordinary shares.

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:

•  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.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

107

 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Directors’ Report continued

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

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 30 September 2020, the Trustees held 1.08% (2019: 1.14%) of the issued 
share capital of the company. 

Similarly, if IQ EQ (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 Trustees held 0.14% (2019: 0.44%) of the issued share 
capital as at 30 September 2020.

Major shareholders
At 30 September 2020, the company had been notified, in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, of the following interests 
amounting to 3% or more of the voting rights in the issued ordinary share capital of the company: 

APG Asset Management NV
FMR LLC
M&G Investment Management Ltd
Invesco Ltd

Blackrock Inc
Incentive AS
The Vanguard Group Inc
Ameriprise Financial Inc

Number of 
ordinary shares
17,841,191
17,626,443
14,193,560
13,336,906

Percentage of 
voting rights
6.68%
6.60%
5.32%
4.99%

12,122,118
11,514,148
11,480,381
8,042,567

4.54%
4.31%
4.30%
3.01%

Governance
Articles of association
The company’s articles may only be amended by a special resolution at a general meeting of shareholders. The articles were last updated in 
January 2019 to incorporate best practice and current legal and governance standards.

Compliance
Britvic has a global compliance function responsible for overseeing the compliance agenda, including working with policy owners to ensure that 
individual policies form a coherent framework across the business. Objectives of this function are to ensure that policies remain relevant, identifying 
and addressing new policy areas and advising on implementation and monitoring. Each policy is assigned to a global policy owner who is responsible 
for ensuring that the policy is kept up to date and is properly implemented. Local policy owners are responsible in different countries to ensure that 
policies are amended in line with requirements of local regulation. New employees are required to read and complete training on key policies, and the 
compliance function runs a rolling programme of updates in order that the workforce, including contractors, review relevant policies at regular intervals.

Anti-bribery and corruption
Britvic has an anti-bribery and corruption policy that applies across the Group. Training is provided to employees through an e-learning platform. 
Face to face training is also deployed to relevant areas of the business, including to the Executive team and the Board. Training includes details of the 
rules and limits around giving and receiving gifts and hospitality and how to record these. Central records are kept by the Company Secretary and 
reviewed annually. Bribery and corruption risks are addressed within the Group risk management framework under the legal and regulatory principal 
risk (see page 57). In addition, during the course of the financial year 2020, Britvic conducted an internal review of its anti-bribery and corruption 
adequate procedures across the Group and has formulated a detailed roadmap to increase the robustness of those procedures even further.

Britvic also provides a confidential ‘Speak-Up’ whistleblowing hotline, operated by an independent third party, enabling employees, contractors, 
suppliers and anyone associated with Britvic to report suspected wrongdoing. The Audit Committee reviews the process in place for reporting to 
ensure it is fit for purpose, and all reports received, and follow up actions, are reported to the Board. 

There was one Speak-Up report received in the financial year 2020 alleging an undeclared conflict of interest relating to a member of management 
at the Rugby plant and relationships with certain suppliers. A separate allegation was received that a Britvic supplier had provided services to the 
same member of management for personal gain but had charged the costs to Britvic. A formal independent investigation was undertaken for each 
of the allegations and the conclusion of this investigation was that on both matters, there was no evidence to support the claims made by the 
whistleblower, although the potential conflict of interest should have been disclosed at the outset. A number of process improvements were 
recommended and implemented as a result of the investigation.

Going concern and viability
The Directors consider that the Group and the company have adequate resources to remain in operation for the foreseeable future and have 
therefore continued to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. The UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 requires 
the Directors to assess and report on the prospects of the Group over a longer period. This longer-term viability statement is set out on page 60. 
Please refer to note 3 for our basis of preparation accounting policy.

108 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Branches
As a global Group, our interests and activities are held or operated through subsidiaries and branches which are established in, and subject to the 
laws and regulations of, many different jurisdictions. 

Political donations
No political donations were made by the Group and its subsidiaries during the financial year (2019: nil).

Annual General Meeting
The 2021 AGM will be held on Thursday 28 January 2021 at 11.00am at the company’s head office at Breakspear Park, Breakspear Way, Hemel 
Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4TZ as a closed meeting due to the ongoing restrictions and limitations on public gatherings imposed by the UK 
Government. Shareholders are encouraged to vote by appointing the Chair as proxy and will be unable to attend in person. The Board encourages 
shareholders to submit questions in advance to investors@britvic.com and by 6.30pm on Tuesday 26 January 2021 which will be answered on the 
company’s website following the AGM. The Board will monitor the situation in relation to the AGM with particular regard to any changes to the UK 
Government restrictions and guidelines and other factors relating to the health and safety of shareholders and the Board. The Board will consider 
opening up the AGM if it believes it appropriate to do so having regard to such factors. Details of the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM are set 
out in the separate circular which has been sent to all shareholders and is available on the Britvic website at www.britvic.com/agm.

Directors
The following were Directors of the company during the year: John Daly, Simon Litherland, Joanne Wilson, Suniti Chauhan, Sue Clark, William 
Eccleshare, Ian McHoul and Euan Sutherland. The biographical details of the Directors are set out on pages 64 – 65 of this report. The service contracts 
of the Executive Directors and letters of appointment of the Non-Executive Directors are available for inspection at the company’s registered office.

Directors’ powers
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 company’s articles require that each Director retires at the end of each AGM of the company unless elected or 
re-elected at the meeting, and that a Director who has been appointed by the Board during the year, retires at the next AGM following their appointment.

Contracts of significance
No Director has any other interest in any shares or loan stock of any Group company other than those disclosed in the Remuneration Committee 
Report on page 103. No Director was or is materially interested in any contract, other than under their service contract or letter of appointment, 
which was subsisting during or existing at the end of year and which was significant in relation to the Group’s business. There are procedures in 
place to deal with any conflicts of interest and these have operated effectively during the year.

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.

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. 

Disclaimer
The purpose of this Annual Report and Accounts is to provide information to the members of the company, and it has been prepared for, and only for, 
the members of the company as a body, and no other persons. The company, its Directors and employees, agents and advisors do not accept or assume 
responsibility to any other person to whom this document is shown or into whose hands it may come, and any such responsibility or liability is expressly 
disclaimed. A cautionary statement in respect of forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report appears on the inside front cover of 
this document.

The Directors’ Report was approved by the Board on 25 November 2020. 

By Order of the Board

CLARE THOMAS
COMPANY SECRETARY
Britvic plc 
Company No. 5604923

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

109

 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in respect of the Annual Report and the financial statements
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements 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 elected to prepare 
the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union, and the 
parent company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards and applicable law), including Financial Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (‘FRS 101’).

Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the 
state of affairs of the Group and company and of their profit or loss for that period.

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

•  Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
•  Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
• 

In respect of the Group financial statements, state whether IFRSs as adopted by the European Union have been followed, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements

•  Provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs is insufficient to enable users to understand the 

• 

impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the Group’s financial position and financial performance
In respect of the parent company financial statements, state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards, including FRS 101, have been 
followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements

•  Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company and/or the Group will 

continue in business

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the parent company’s transactions 
and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and the Group and enable them to ensure that its financial 
statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, with respect to the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They are 
also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention of fraud and 
other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also responsible for preparing a Strategic Report, Directors’ Report, Remuneration Report 
and Corporate Governance Statement that comply with that law and those regulations.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the company’s website. 
Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Directors’ declaration in relation to relevant audit information
The Directors who were members of the Board at the time of approving the Directors’ Report are listed on pages 64 – 65. Having made enquiries 
of fellow Directors and of the company’s auditor, each of these Directors confirms that:

•  To the best of each Directors’ knowledge and belief, there is no information relevant of which the company’s auditor is unaware
•  Each Director has taken all the steps a Director might reasonably be expected to have taken to be aware of relevant audit information and 

to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information

Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect of the Annual Report
The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

•  The consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union give a true and fair view of the 

assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the company and undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole;

•  The Annual Report, including the Strategic Report, includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position 
of the company and undertakings included in the consolidation as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties 
that they face; and

•  Having taken into account all matters considered by the Board and brought to the attention of the Board during the year, the Directors consider 
that the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable. The Directors believe that the disclosures set out in this Annual 
Report provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the company’s performance, business model and strategy.

On behalf of the Board

SIMON LITHERLAND  
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER  
25 November 2020 

JOANNE WILSON
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
25 November 2020

110 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

 
 
 
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Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Britvic plc

Opinion
In our opinion:

•  Britvic plc’s group financial statements and parent company 

financial statements (the “financial statements”) give a true and fair 
view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs 
as at 30 September 2020 and of the group’s profit for the period 
then ended;

•  the group financial statements have been properly prepared 
in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;
•  the parent company financial statements have been properly 

Basis for opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on 
Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under 
those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities 
for the audit of the financial statements section of our report below. 
We confirm we are independent of the group and parent company in 
accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of 
the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard 
as applied to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other 
ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

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

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

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

We have audited the financial statements of Britvic plc which 
comprise:

Group
Consolidated income statement 
for the 52 week period ended 
30 September 2020
Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income/(expense) 
for the 52 week period ended 30 
September 2020
Consolidated balance sheet as at 
30 September 2020

Parent company
Company balance sheet as at 
30 September 2020

Company statement of changes 
in equity for the 52 week period 
ended 30 September 2020

Related notes 1 to 15 to the 
financial statements including 
a summary of significant 
accounting policies

Consolidated statement of cash 
flows for the 52 week period 
ended 30 September 2020
Consolidated statement of 
changes in equity for the 52 week 
period ended 30 September 2020
Related notes 1 to 35 to the 
financial statements, including 
a summary of significant 
accounting policies

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the 
preparation of the group financial statements is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the 
European Union. The financial reporting framework that has been 
applied in the preparation of the parent company financial statements 
is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including 
FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework” (United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice).

Conclusions relating to principal risks, going concern and 
viability statement
We have nothing to report in respect of the following information in the 
annual report, in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to 
you whether we have anything material to add or draw attention to:

•  the disclosures in the annual report set out on pages 54 to 59 

that describe the principal risks and explain how they are being 
managed or mitigated;

•  the directors’ confirmation set out on page 51 in the annual report 

that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks 
facing the entity, including those that would threaten its business 
model, future performance, solvency or liquidity;

•  the directors’ statement set out on page 110 in the Directors’ 
responsibilities statement about whether they considered it 
appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in 
preparing them, and their identification of any material uncertainties 
to the entity’s ability to continue to do so over a period of at least 
twelve months from the date of approval of the financial 
statements;

•  whether the directors’ statement in relation to going concern 

required under the Listing Rules in accordance with Listing Rule 
9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained 
in the audit; or 

•  the directors’ explanation set out on page 60 in the annual report as 
to how they have assessed the prospects of the entity, over what 
period they have done so and why they consider that period to be 
appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a 
reasonable expectation that the entity will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period 
of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing 
attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Britvic plc continued

There is therefore a risk that management may override controls 
to intentionally misstate revenue by recording fictitious revenue 
transactions through inappropriate manual journal entries. 

Our response to this risk
•  We understood the group’s revenue recognition policies (refer to 

pages 128 and 129) and assessed the design effectiveness of key 
controls and how they are applied.

•  At all full scope locations, we tested journal entries posted to 

revenue accounts, applying a number of parameters designed to 
identify entries that were not in accordance with our expectations. 
This included analysing and selecting journals for testing which 
appeared unusual in nature either due to size, preparer or were 
manually posted and therefore outside the normal course of 
business. We verified any such journals to source documentation 
to confirm that the entries supported the revenue recognised. 
•  For the GB, France and Brazil components we performed data 

analysis over the entire revenue process from revenue recognition 
through to invoice settlement. Where the postings did not follow 
our expectation, we investigated anomalies and tested a sample of 
these entries above a certain threshold to ensure their validity by 
agreeing back to source documentation. 

•  At all full scope locations, we selected a sample of post period end 
credit notes and obtained corroborating evidence to demonstrate 
that any credit note related to the audit period had been 
appropriately recorded.

Within International Standard on Auditing (UK) 240 there is a 
presumption that there are risks of fraud in revenue recognition. 
We evaluated that the revenue transactions or assertions which give 
rise to such risks in the current period are those noted above.

Key observations communicated to the Audit Committee
Based on our procedures we have not identified evidence of 
inappropriate management override in respect of the amount of 
revenue recorded. 

RISK – MANAGEMENT OVERRIDE OF INTERNAL 
CONTROLS OVER CUSTOMER DISCOUNTS 

Description of risk
The risk of material misstatement due to management override of 
controls is considered a risk in every audit. Management has the 
primary responsibility to prevent and detect fraud. We are required by 
professional auditing standards to consider how this risk may manifest 
itself and design appropriate procedures. 

Consistent with industry practice, the group provides material 
discounts to customers. These include promotional discounts, long 
term discounts and account development funds which are deducted 
from revenue. The accounting for these discounts can be complex and 
judgemental.

Management could manipulate results through incomplete recording 
of discounts and related liabilities. We have associated this risk to the 
promotional discounts, long term discounts and account development 
funds of £107.3m that remain open as at 30 September 2020. 

Overview of our audit approach

Key audit matters

Audit scope

Materiality

• 

Inappropriate revenue recognition through 
manual journal entries 

•  Management override of internal controls 

• 

over customer discounts 
Incorrect accounting for significant and 
complex non-routine transactions resulting 
from the sale of the French juices business 
and the acquisition of The Boiling Tap 
Company 

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

•  Going concern
•  Distributions made other than in compliance 

with the Companies Act

•  We performed full audit procedures over 2 
group level functions in addition to the 
financial information of 4 trading components 
in GB, France and Brazil. We performed 
specified audit procedures over specific 
accounts for 4 further trading components 
in Ireland and EMEA.

•  The components where we performed full 

audit procedures accounted for 105% of the 
group’s profit before tax before adjusting 
items, 87% of revenue and 87% of total 
assets. The specific accounts for components 
where we performed specified procedures 
accounted for 13% of total assets.

•  Overall group materiality of £7.1m which 
represents approximately 5% of profit 
before tax before adjusting items, as 
defined on page 190. 

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most significant 
assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) 
that we identified. These matters included those which had the 
greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources 
in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. 
These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 
financial statements as a whole, and in our opinion thereon, and 
we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

The risks noted below are discussed in the Audit Committee Report 
on page 86 and in the accounting policy notes on pages 125 to 137.

RISK – INAPPROPRIATE REVENUE RECOGNITION 
THROUGH MANUAL JOURNAL ENTRIES

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 86); and note 5 of the 
group financial statements

Description of risk
The group has reported revenue of £1,412m (2019: £1,545m). 
Given the market focus on the group’s revenue performance we 
consider there to be a risk in relation to the potential overstatement of 
revenue. In addition, management reward and incentive schemes, 
which are in part based on achieving revenue and profit targets, may 
also incentivise management to manipulate revenue recognition in 
order to help achieve targets of profitability.

112 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Our response to this risk
For all full scope components:

•  We obtained an understanding of the group’s processes for the 

recognition and management of discounts provided to customers 
and assessed the design effectiveness of key controls and how 
they are applied.

•  We tested the operating effectiveness of the controls in respect 

of long term discounts in France.

•  We held bi-annual meetings with the customer account teams 
within the largest component, GB, to update our knowledge of 
the status of customer negotiations and the process by which 
discounts have been recorded.

•  We performed analytical procedures including the correlation 
of revenue to discounts to assess completeness of discounts.
•  We performed hindsight analysis, to determine the historical 
accuracy of management’s estimation and any required 
adjustments to accruals.

•  We performed targeted journal entry testing at both the general 

ledger and rebate transaction front-end system levels. Our testing 
was focused on manual journal entries posted, both to the period 
end accruals and to the rebate income statement accounts, with a 
particular focus on journal entries posted close to the period end.
•  We performed testing on a sample of post year end discounts, both 
settled and updated, as evidence of the appropriateness of discount 
accruals recognised at the year end. 

•  We selected a sample of post year end credit notes and ensured 
that, where audit evidence demonstrated that the credit note 
related to the audit period, that these credit notes were 
appropriately provided for in the financial statements.

•  For the GB component we performed data analysis over the entire 
discount process from cost recognition in the income statement 
through to settlement. Where the postings did not follow our 
expectation, we investigated anomalies and tested a sample of 
these entries above a certain threshold to ensure their validity by 
agreeing back to source documentation. 

•  For the France and Brazil components, we tested a sample of long 
term and promotional discount expenses and account development 
fund expenses throughout the period and a sample of period end 
accruals by agreeing balances through to supporting documentation 
including contractual agreements and ensured that the revenue 
recognition policies adopted complied with IFRS.

•  We validated the assumptions used in determining the customer 
claims provision in GB were appropriate by corroborating to 
supporting evidence.

•  We obtained direct confirmation of the terms of specific rebate 

agreements from a sample of customers within the GB business. 
•  We used bespoke data analysis procedures to identify transactions 
that appeared unusual based on our understanding of the process 
within the GB business. For those transactions identified, we 
obtained explanations from management and corroborated this 
to supporting documentation.

For EMEA, a specified procedures component, we used a subject 
matter expert to assist in the design and performance of certain 
procedures over the rebate balances in the income statement and 
balance sheet. This included:

•  testing a sample of rebate balances to ensure they were 

appropriately accounted for in accordance with the terms of the 
arrangements agreed with the customers and based on sales to 
those customers where relevant; 

•  direct confirmation of a sample of year end customer debtor and 

rebate balances and where no responses were received, alternative 
procedures were performed; 

•  testing a sample of post year end credit notes to ensure that the 
rebates had been recorded in the correct period; and performing 
year on year analytical review of the rebate balances for a sample 
of the largest customers.

Key observations communicated to the Audit Committee 
Based on our procedures, we identified no material instances of 
inappropriate management override of the discounts in the financial 
statements.

RISK – INCORRECT ACCOUNTING FOR SIGNIFICANT 
AND COMPLEX NON-ROUTINE TRANSACTIONS 
RESULTING FROM THE SALE OF THE FRENCH JUICES 
BUSINESS AND THE ACQUISITION OF THE BOILING 
TAP COMPANY 

Refer to the Audit Committee Report page 86; and note 34 of the 
group financial statements

Description of risk 
There are a number of significant complex and non-routine 
transactions which have taken place during the year. These significant 
transactions involve complex accounting and multiple events during 
the same period which increases the risk of accounting and/or 
disclosure errors.

Sale of the French juices business
The sale of the French juices business was completed on 
30 September 2020. There was a significant impairment recognised in 
2019 and the completion of this deal has resulted in a loss on disposal 
of £5.3m recognised in 2020. There were additional complexities due 
to the carve out of the assets and liabilities to be disposed from the 
French business unit at 30 September 2020.

Acquisition of The Boiling Tap Company
The acquisition of The Boiling Tap Company completed on 6 June 
2020. There is judgement in the identification and valuation of the 
acquired intangible assets, as well as the valuation of the contingent 
consideration which is dependent on the future financial performance 
of The Boiling Tap Company.

Our response to this risk
•  We understood the group’s process for accounting for these 

transactions and assessed the design effectiveness of key controls 
and how they are applied.

Sale of the French juices business
•  We reviewed the final signed deal documentation and reconciled 

the accounting entries to this documentation and, with the support 
of the France component audit team, confirmed the correct assets 
and liabilities had been disposed from the consolidated balance 
sheet.

•  We reviewed the previous assumptions relating to the fair value 
of the assets and liabilities being sold and confirmed these were 
updated appropriately.

•  We inspected the bank statements to confirm the receipt of the 

cash before year end, following completion of the deal.

•  We reviewed the appropriateness of the disclosures in the year end 

financial statements for compliance with IFRS requirements.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

113

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Britvic plc continued

Acquisition of The Boiling Tap Company
•  We reviewed the final signed deal documentation and reconciled 
the accounting entries to this documentation, including directly 
tracing the cash payments to bank statements.

•  We performed sample testing on the opening balance sheet and 
agreed assets and liabilities to supporting evidence as at 6 June 
2020.

•  Management engaged a third party specialist to support the 

identification and valuation of intangible assets. We engaged our 
valuations specialists to form an independent view and compared 
this with management’s valuation of the identified assets.

•  We assessed the forecast financial information, based on historical 

performance and recent forecasts that included the potential impact 
of COVID-19 on future performance, including the impact on the 
value of intangible assets and contingent consideration.

•  We reviewed the disclosures in the financial statements (note 34) 

for compliance with IFRS 3 requirements. We noted that 
management has not finalised the accounting for the acquisition 
given the uncertainty in the trading environment and these 
disclosures are highlighted as provisional.

Key observations communicated to the Audit Committee
Based on our procedures, we consider the group’s accounting and 
conclusions in respect of the significant complex and non-routine 
transactions to be fairly stated. The transactions are appropriately 
disclosed in the financial statements.

RISK – THE ASSESSMENT OF THE CARRYING VALUE OF 
GOODWILL AND INDEFINITE LIVED ASSETS 

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 86); and note 15 of the 
group financial statements

Description of risk 
The group has significant goodwill and other intangible assets including 
indefinite lived trademarks. There is a risk that the underlying results of 
the separately identified cash generating units (CGUs) do not support 
the carrying value of indefinite life intangible assets and goodwill.

Given the uncertainty that the current macroeconomic environment 
presents to forecasting on which the impairment assessment relies, 
this risk is greater in FY20. Our risk was focused on the most sensitive 
CGUs being Britvic Brands Ireland and Britvic Brazil. An impairment of 
£8.4m was recognised in the period relating to the Counterpoint 
Ireland business.

Our response to this risk
•  We understood the group’s process for preparing impairment 

review calculations and assessed the design effectiveness of key 
controls and how they are applied.

•  We assessed whether management’s identification of cash 

generating units was in accordance with IAS 36 by comparing the 
identified CGUs to internal management reporting demonstrating 
how the cash flows are monitored. 

•  We agreed 2020 financial performance data used in the models for 

each CGU to the audited consolidation system.

•  We reconciled the forecasts used in the CGU impairment models 
for 2021 and beyond to the scenario analysis prepared for use 
elsewhere in the group – e.g., the going concern review and 
viability assessment. We ensured these forecasts were aligned 
to the Board approved forecasts which include an estimate of 
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

114 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

•  We have assessed the key assumptions in the impairment analysis 
– identified as the discount rates and long term growth rates – with 
the support of valuation specialists to conclude on our independent 
range of values for these assumptions.

•  We have performed sensitivity analysis over key assumptions to 
understand the impact of reasonable changes in assumptions on 
the impairment models and conclusions.

•  Where specific assumptions were used for a CGU, different to the 
group wide assumptions of future growth, we obtained additional 
support for these specific assumptions such as comparison to prior 
period results and evidence of significant planned marketing activity 
and investment to support the assumptions.

•  We reviewed the disclosures in the financial statements (note 15) 

for compliance with IAS 36 requirements.

Key observations communicated to the Audit Committee
Based on our procedures, we concur with management’s assessment 
of the carrying value of the goodwill and indefinite lived assets. 
The disclosures prepared by management comply with IAS 36 and 
appropriately reflect the CGUs where a reasonable change in 
assumption could result in an impairment charge.

RISK – GOING CONCERN

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 86); and note 3 of the 
group financial statements

Description of risk 
The impact of COVID-19 on the group’s trading and cash flows, 
particularly in relation to the GB and Ireland Out-of-Home channel, 
resulted in increased risks to the going concern basis of preparation 
compared with previous periods. In assessing whether the financial 
statements should be prepared on the going concern basis, the 
directors are required to consider all available information about the 
future for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of 
the financial statements. The directors have considered a going 
concern period through to the end of March 2022. In conducting their 
assessment, the directors have concluded that there are no material 
uncertainties that may cast significant doubt over the group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern. A further description of this assessment 
is included in the accounting policies.

Our response to this risk
•  We obtained management’s going concern assessment and 

understood the process undertaken by management to evaluate 
the operational and economic impacts of COVID-19 on the group 
and to reflect these in the group’s forecasts.

•  We tested the clerical accuracy of the model used to prepare the 

group’s going concern assessment.

•  We obtained evidence to support the changes in the group’s 

financing arrangements in the period, including the refinancing of the 
group’s revolving credit facility to November 2025 and the additional 
£150m of private placement notes issued in the year. We confirmed 
that the repayment of private placement notes due in the going 
concern period had been appropriately considered by management 
within their forecasts and that there are no conditions that would 
prevent the group drawing on its committed facilities if required.
•  We challenged the detailed assumptions underpinning the group’s 

forecasts, in particular around sales in the GB Out of Home 
channel, given the uncertainties arising from COVID-19 and the 
group’s experience since social restrictions were eased in 
summer 2020 and noting that a further lockdown period has been 
announced since the year end. We corroborated the assumptions 
in management’s forecasts to the actual experience during the year. 
We also confirmed whether the group’s forecasts in the going 

concern assessment were consistent with other forecasts used 
by the group in its accounting estimates, including impairment.
•  We evaluated the assumptions relating to mitigating actions that 

the group could take, including an assessment of the quantum and 
timing of the assumed saving, and validated that these actions 
were within the control of management.

•  We considered, based on our own independent analysis, what 
reverse stress testing scenarios could lead either to a loss of 
liquidity or a covenant breach and whether these scenarios were 
plausible. Our reverse stress testing showed that should the impact 
on trading, that the group experienced in April-June 2020, be 
present for a further 12-months, including consideration of reduced 
costs from controllable mitigating actions, the group would not 
breach its covenant or liquidity requirements in the going concern 
period. 

•  We assessed the appropriateness of the group’s disclosure 

concerning the going concern basis of preparation in accordance 
with the accounting standards.

•  The audit procedures performed to address this risk were 

performed by the group audit team.

Key observations communicated to the Audit Committee
Based on our independent modelling, which considered what would 
have to happen to compromise the group’s ability to meet liquidity and 
covenant requirements during the going concern period and whether 
that was plausible, and our assessment of the mitigating actions that 
could be taken by management, we are satisfied that the directors’ 
conclusion that there are no material uncertainties over the group’s 
ability to continue as a going concern is appropriate and the associated 
disclosures are in accordance with the accounting standards. 

RISK – DISTRIBUTIONS MADE OTHER THAN IN 
COMPLIANCE WITH THE COMPANIES ACT

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 86); and note 12 of the 
company financial statements

Description of risk 
During the year it was identified that certain distributions relating to 
dividend payments in FY12, FY13, FY18 and FY19 were not made in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006. The distributions made 
other than in compliance with the Companies Act arose as a result 
of failings to comply with Company Law in the following areas: 
distributions when insufficient distributable reserves were available; 
and failure to file interim accounts with the Registrar (where these 
were needed as relevant accounts to support a distribution).

Our response to this risk
•  We obtained the analysis of reserves and distributions performed 
by management and tested the accuracy of the underlying data.
•  We discussed the matter with the group’s external legal advisors 
and checked the advice was consistent with the requirements of 
the Companies Act 2006. We checked the accounting 
considerations underpinning the legal advice were consistent with 
relevant accounting guidance in Tech Release 02/10.

•  We traced each of the transactions and distributions to the relevant 
accounts that were filed with Companies House. We corroborated 
to supporting evidence the timing of transactions and distributions 
to ensure the completeness of distributions identified that were 
made other than in compliance with the Companies Act.

•  We checked that the disclosures in the accounts regarding the 
presentation of equity, earnings per share and certain related 
party transactions were appropriate and in compliance with 
Accounting Standards. 

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Key observations communicated to the Audit Committee
The financial statements appropriately disclose the distributions made 
other than in compliance with the Companies Act and the remedial 
actions taken by the Company. 

An overview of the scope of our audit
Tailoring the scope
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and our 
allocation of performance materiality determine our audit scope for 
each entity within the group. Taken together, this enables us to form 
an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We take into 
account size, risk profile, the organisation of the group and 
effectiveness of group-wide controls, changes in the business 
environment and other factors such as recent Internal audit results 
when assessing the level of work to be performed at each entity.

In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the group financial 
statements, and to ensure we had adequate quantitative coverage of 
significant accounts in the financial statements, we performed full 
scope audit procedures on the 2 group level functions, we selected 4 
trading components covering operations in GB, France and Brazil 
business units within the group (“full scope components”). The full 
scope components were selected based on their size or risk 
characteristics. For 4 further components, Ireland, Northern Ireland, 
EMEA and Counterpoint Ireland businesses (“specified procedures 
components”), we performed specified audit procedures over specific 
accounts within each component that we considered had the potential 
for the greatest impact on the significant accounts in the financial 
statements either because of the size of these accounts or their 
risk profile. 

The reporting components where we performed full scope audit 
procedures accounted for 105% (2019: 103%) of the group’s profit 
before tax before adjusting items, 87% (2019: 90%) of the group’s 
revenue and 87% (2019: 91%) of the group’s total assets. The specific 
accounts for components where we performed specified procedures 
accounted for 12% of total assets. A number of loss making 
components were not assigned a full or specific scope which results 
in our coverage of profit before tax before adjusting items exceeding 
100%. The scoping of the audit compared to the prior year is 
summarised as follows;

2020

Profit 
before 
tax 
before 
adjusting 
items
87% 105%

Revenue

–

–

–

–

2019

Profit 
before 
tax 
before 
adjusting 
Total 
items
assets
90% 103% 91%

assets Revenue

Total 

87%

–

2%

3%

1%

12%

–

–

–

13%

8%
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

8% (6%)

(5%)

1%

Full scope audit
Specific scope 
audit
Specified audit 
procedures
Other 
components
Total Group

Of the remaining components that together represent -5% of the group’s 
profit before tax before adjusting items, none are individually greater than 
+/-5% of the group’s profit before tax before adjusting items. For these 
components, we performed other procedures, including analytical review, 
testing of consolidation journals and intercompany eliminations and foreign 
currency translation recalculations to respond to any potential risks of 
material misstatement to the group financial statements, in addition to the 
specified procedures for applicable components as detailed above.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

115

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Britvic plc continued

REVENUE

  GB & Group wide functions 
(Full scope)
 France (Full scope)
 Brazil (Full scope)
  Specific procedures (Ireland 
and EMEA)
 Other components

63%
16%
8%

12%
1%

PROFIT BEFORE TAX ADJUSTING ITEMS

  GB & Group wide functions 
(Full scope)
 France (Full scope)
 Brazil (Full scope)
  Specific procedures (Ireland 
and EMEA)
 Other components

TOTAL ASSETS

  GB & Group wide functions 
(Full scope)
 France (Full scope)
 Brazil (Full scope)
  Specific procedures (Ireland 
and EMEA)
 Other components

83%
16%
6%

-2%
-3%

60%
18%
9%

12%
1%

116 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Changes from the prior period 
Our scoping has changed from the prior year with specified procedures 
performed over the Ireland business (2019: full scope). This change 
was the result of our risk assessment procedures and the significance 
of the entity to the group. Additional specified procedures have also 
been performed over the EMEA, Northern Ireland and Counterpoint 
Ireland components following our risk assessment procedures. 
Specified procedures were performed over inventory and trade 
receivables across all entities to address COVID-19 related risks. 
Furthermore, specific rebates testing was also performed at the 
EMEA component. 

Involvement with component teams 
In establishing our overall approach to the group audit, we 
determined the type of work that needed to be undertaken at each of 
the components by us, as the primary audit engagement team, or by 
component auditors from other EY global network firms operating 
under our instruction. For the 3 components where the work was 
performed by component auditors, in France and 2 components in 
Brazil, we determined the appropriate level of involvement to enable 
us to determine that sufficient audit evidence had been obtained as 
a basis for our opinion on the group as a whole.

The primary team interacted regularly with component teams where 
appropriate during various stages of the audit process and through 
the review of planning and conclusion deliverables and other key 
working papers. 

The Senior Statutory Auditor leads the audit of the full scope 
component in the GB business, all specified procedures components 
within the Ireland and EMEA businesses, in addition to the audit of the 
group functions. These full scope components and the components 
covered by specified audit procedures represent 81% of the group’s 
profit before tax before adjusting items, 75% of group revenue and 
72% of total assets. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions occurred 
midway through the group’s financial year, site visits by the Senior 
Statutory Auditor to France and Brazil were not possible. Instead, 
we increased our interactions with the component teams which were 
held virtually through the use of video or teleconferencing facilities, 
including virtual meetings with local France and Britvic management. 
We held virtual planning meetings before the year end and weekly 
video conference calls were held with each of our France and Brazil 
teams from the beginning of October through to the full year results 
announcement in November 2020. 

The audit closing calls for each component were held via video 
conferencing and were attended by the Senior Statutory Auditor 
enabling direct interaction with local management teams as well 
as local audit teams. 

 For France and Brazil, the review of relevant audit workpapers was 
facilitated by the EY electronic audit platform and screen sharing of 
work. This allowed appropriate discussions with the component 
teams on audit strategy, risk identification and the results of audit 
procedures performed. 

Based upon the above approach we are satisfied that we have 
been able to perform sufficient and appropriate oversight of our 
component teams.

Our application of materiality
We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the 
audit, in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements on the audit 
and in forming our audit opinion. 

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Materiality
The magnitude of an omission or misstatement that, individually or in 
the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of the users of the financial statements. Materiality provides 
a basis for determining the nature and extent of our audit procedures.

We determined materiality for the group to be £7.1 million 
(2019: £9.3 million), which is approximately 5% of profit before tax 
before adjusting items (2019: 5% of profit before tax before adjusting 
items). We believe that profit before tax before adjusting items is the 
most relevant measure of the underlying financial performance of the 
group, as the primary metric used by stakeholders. 

Starting basis

Profit before tax of £111.2m as per the 
Annual Report

Adjustments

Add adjusting items before tax of £35.7m 
per the Annual Report

Materiality

Materiality set at £7.1m represents 
approximately 5% of profit before tax before 
adjusting items

We determined materiality for the Parent Company to be £9.8m 
(2019: £6.3m), which is 1.5% (2019: 1.5%) of equity. Equity is the 
most appropriate measure given the parent company is an investment 
holding company with no revenue. Where procedures were performed 
as part of the group audit, we performed our procedures to the group 
materiality level which was lower than the Parent Company materiality.

Performance materiality
The application of materiality at the individual account or balance level. 
It is set at an amount to reduce to an appropriately low level the 
probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected 
misstatements exceeds materiality.

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment 
of the group’s overall control environment, our judgement was that 
performance materiality be retained at 50% (2019: 50%) of our 
planning materiality, being £3.6m (2019: £4.6m).

Audit work at component locations for the purpose of obtaining 
audit coverage over significant financial statement accounts is 
undertaken based on a percentage of total performance materiality. 
The performance materiality set for each component is based on the 
relative scale and risk of the component to the group as a whole and 
our assessment of the risk of misstatement at that component. In the 
current period, the range of performance materiality allocated to 
components was £0.7m to £3.1m (2019: £0.9m to £4.1m). 

Reporting threshold
An amount below which identified misstatements are considered 
as being clearly trivial.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them all 
uncorrected audit differences in excess of £0.35m (2019: £0.5m), which 
is set at 5% of planning materiality, as well as differences below that 
threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

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

Other information 
The other information comprises the information included in the 
annual report set out on pages 1 to 110 and 187 to 192, other than the 
financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The directors are 
responsible for the other information.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other 
information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this 
report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our 
responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent 
with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit 
or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such 
material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are 
required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in 
the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other 
information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude 
that there is a material misstatement of the other information, we are 
required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

In this context, we also have nothing to report in regard to our 
responsibility to specifically address the following items in the other 
information and to report any uncorrected material misstatements of 
the other information where we conclude that those items meet the 
following conditions:

•  Fair, balanced and understandable set out on page 110 

– the statement given by the directors that they consider the annual 
report and financial statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced 
and understandable and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the group’s performance, business model 
and strategy, is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained 
in the audit; or 

•  Audit committee reporting set out on pages 82 to 86 – the 
section describing the work of the audit committee does not 
appropriately address matters communicated by us to the audit 
committee; or

•  Directors’ statement of compliance with the UK Corporate 

Governance Code set out on page 63 – the parts of the 
directors’ statement required under the Listing Rules relating to 
the company’s compliance with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code containing provisions specified for review by the auditor in 
accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.10R(2) do not properly disclose 
a departure from a relevant provision of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

117

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Britvic plc continued

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies 
Act 2006
In our opinion, the part of the directors’ remuneration report to be 
audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

•  the information given in the strategic report and the directors’ 

report for the financial period for which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and 

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered 
capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
The objectives of our audit, in respect to fraud, are; to identify and assess 
the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; 
to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed 
risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and 
implementing appropriate responses; and to respond appropriately to 
fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary 
responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both 
those charged with governance of the entity and management. 

•  the strategic report and the directors’ report have been prepared 

Our approach was as follows: 

in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

•  We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory 

frameworks that are applicable to the group and determined that the 
most significant frameworks which are directly relevant to specific 
assertions in the financial statements are those that relate to the 
reporting framework (IFRS, FRS 101, the Companies Act 2006 and 
UK Corporate Governance Code) and the relevant tax compliance 
regulations in the jurisdictions in which the group operates. 
In addition, we concluded that there are certain significant laws and 
regulations which may have an effect on the determination of the 
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements being the Listing 
Rules of the UK Listing Authority, and those laws and regulations 
relating to food safety, environmental, occupational health and safety 
and data protection. 

•  We understood how the group is complying with those frameworks 

by making enquiries of management, internal audit and those 
responsible for legal and compliance procedures. We corroborated 
our enquiries through our review of Board minutes, papers provided 
to the Audit Committee and any correspondence received from 
regulatory bodies.

•  We assessed the susceptibility of the group’s financial statements 
to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur by 
meeting with management from various parts of the business to 
understand where it considered there was susceptibility to fraud. 
We also considered performance targets and their influence on 
efforts made by management to manage earnings or influence the 
perceptions of analysts. We considered the programs and controls 
that the group has established to address risks identified, or that 
otherwise prevent, deter and detect fraud; and how senior 
management monitors those programs and controls. Where the 
risk was considered to be higher, we performed audit procedures 
to address each identified fraud risk. These procedures included 
testing manual journals and were designed to provide reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements were free from fraud 
or error.

•  Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to 
identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations identified 
in the paragraphs above. Our procedures involved: journal entry 
testing, with a focus on manual consolidation journals and journals 
indicating large or unusual transactions based on our understanding 
of the business; enquiries of legal counsel, group management, 
internal audit, divisional management and all full and specified 
procedures scope management; and focused testing, in relation 
to the revenue and management override key audit matters 
section above.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the 
parent company and its environment obtained in the course of the 
audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic 
report or the directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in 
relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to 
you if, in our opinion:

•  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.

Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement set 
out on page 110, the directors are responsible for the preparation of 
the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine 
is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are 
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible 
for assessing the group and parent company’s ability to continue as 
a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the 
directors either intend to liquidate the group or the parent company 
or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements 
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes 
our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a 
guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will 
always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can 
arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the 
aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

118 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at 
https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms 
part of our auditor’s report.

Other matters we are required to address
•  We were appointed by the company at the AGM on 31 January 
2019 to audit the financial statements for the 52 week period 
ending 30 September 2020 and subsequent financial periods. 
The period of total uninterrupted engagements including previous 
renewals and reappointments since Britvic became a standalone 
entity upon its flotation is 15 years, covering the 52 week period 
ending 1 October 2006 to the 52 week period ending 
30 September 2020.

•  The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard 

were not provided to the group or the parent company during the 
52 week period ended 30 September 2020 and we remain 
independent of the group and the parent company in conducting 
the audit. 

•  The audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the 

audit committee.

CHRISTABEL COWLING (SENIOR STATUTORY AUDITOR)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor  
Leeds 
26 November 2020

Notes:
1.  The maintenance and integrity of the Britvic group plc web site is the responsibility 

of the directors; the work carried out by the auditor does not involve consideration of 
these matters and accordingly the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes 
that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially presented 
on the website.

2.  Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of the 

financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

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Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

119

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Consolidated income statement

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling and distribution expenses
Administration expenses
Assets held for sale – impairment charge
Operating profit 
Finance income 
Finance costs
Profit before tax 
Taxation
Profit for the period attributable to the equity shareholders

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

All activities relate to continuing operations.

*  Please refer to note 3 for details of reclassification restatement.

12 months 
ended 
 30 September 
2020
£m
1,412.4
(851.6)
560.8
(229.0)
(201.1)
(0.4)
130.3
2.4
(21.5)
111.2
(16.6)
94.6

Restated*
52 weeks 
ended 
 29 September 
2019
 £m
1,545.0
(898.1)
646.9
(229.6)
(256.1)
(31.2)
130.0
1.0
(20.7)
110.3
(29.4)
80.9

35.6p
35.4p

30.6p
30.3p

Note
5

33
6
9
9

10

11
11

120 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income/(expense)

Profit for the period attributable to the equity shareholders

Other comprehensive income/(expense):
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Remeasurement (losses)/gains on defined benefit pension plans
Current tax on additional pension contributions
Deferred tax on defined benefit pension plans
Deferred tax on other temporary differences

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss
(Losses)/ gains in respect of cash flow hedges
Amounts recycled to the income statement in respect of cash flow hedges
Current tax on cash flow hedges accounted for in the hedging reserve
Deferred tax in respect of cash flow hedges accounted for in the hedging reserve
Exchange differences reclassified to profit or loss on disposal of foreign operations
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
Tax on exchange differences accounted for in the translation reserve

Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the period, net of tax
Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to the equity shareholders

*  Please refer to note 26 for details of restatement.

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12 months 
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 30 September 
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 £m
94.6

Restated* 
52 weeks
 ended 
29 September 
2019 
£m
80.9

Note

22
10a
10a
10a

26
26
10a
10a
20
20
10a

(43.3)
–
6.4
(0.1)
(37.0)

(4.9)
6.6
–
(0.2)
(2.3)
(38.2)
(0.6)
(39.6)
(76.6)
18.0

22.1
0.2
(4.2)
0.2
18.3

15.0
(7.5)
(0.2)
(1.3)
–
0.7
(0.2)
6.5
24.8
105.7

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

121

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Consolidated balance sheet

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Intangible assets
Other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax asset
Pension asset

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Current income tax receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets

Assets held for sale

Total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Commercial rebate liabilities 
Lease liabilities
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Current income tax payable
Provisions
Other current liabilities

Liabilities held for sale

Non-current liabilities
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Lease liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Pension liability
Derivative financial instruments
Provisions
Other non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Issued share capital
Share premium account
Own shares reserve
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Total equity

30 September 
2020 
£m

Note

Restated*
 29 September 
2019 
 £m

13
24
14

26
10f
22

16
17
10c
26
18
22

33

23a
23b
24
21
26
10c
27
28

33

21
24
10f
22
26
27
28

19

20

462.7
78.1
409.4
6.0
25.2
4.8
101.8
1,088.0

118.5
335.5
13.1
12.1
109.2
10.0
598.4
20.3
618.7
1,706.7

(358.8)
(107.3)
(9.6)
(78.7)
(2.2)
(2.4)
(13.6)
(10.2)
(582.8)
(0.1)
(582.9)

(586.0)
(70.2)
(69.4)
(10.7)
(3.3)
(1.1)
(7.6)
(748.3)
(1,331.2)

494.0
–
427.8
6.5
39.5
5.6
142.4
1,115.8

141.0
358.0
5.6
29.9
49.0
–
583.5
42.1
625.6
1,741.4

(412.4)
(98.7)
–
(166.3)
(0.7)
(4.6)
(4.1)
(2.5)
(689.3)
(28.4)
(717.7)

(517.2)
–
(69.8)
(14.9)
(3.1)
(3.2)
(0.1)
(608.3)
(1,326.0)

375.5

415.4

53.4
154.1
(3.7)
59.8
111.9
375.5

53.1
145.5
(10.3)
99.4
127.7
415.4

*  Please refer to note 3 for details of restatement.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 25 November 2020. They were signed on its behalf by:

SIMON LITHERLAND 

JOANNE WILSON

122 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit before tax
Net finance costs
Other financial instruments
Net impairment/(reversal of impairment) of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of right of use assets
Impairment of assets held for sale
Impairment of intangible assets
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation of right of use assets
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Amortisation
Share-based payments charge net of cash settlements
Net pension charge less contributions
Foreign exchange gains
Non-cash loss on disposal of assets held for sale
Decrease/(increase) in inventory
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
Increase in other current assets
(Decrease)/increase in trade, other payables and contract liabilities
Increase/(decrease) in provisions
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
Interest received
Divestment of subsidiary
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Net cash flows used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Interest paid, net of derivative financial instruments
Net movement on revolving credit facility
Other loans repaid
Payment of principal portion of lease liabilities
Payment of interest element of lease liabilities
Repayment of finance leases
Partial repayment of 2007 private placement notes
Repayment of 2009 private placement notes
Draw down of 2020 private placement notes
Other derivative cash payments
Issue costs paid
Issue of shares relating to incentive schemes for employees
Purchase of own shares
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
Net cash flows used in financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) 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

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 30 September 
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£m

52 weeks 
ended 
29 September 
2019 
£m

Note

9

13
24
33
14
13
24

14
29
22

34

22

34
34

21
21
24
24
21
21
21
21

21

12

18

111.2
19.1
(0.2)
(0.7)
0.2
0.4
8.1
43.0
11.0
4.3
15.9
0.1
(6.9)
(2.9)
0.9
11.9
22.4
(10.0)
(45.3)
8.0
(21.7)
168.8

–
(43.7)
(6.3)
0.7
13.2
(2.2)
(38.3)

(16.5)
(64.9)
(0.1)
(10.2)
(2.1)
–
–
(68.4)
152.2
(2.5)
(2.6)
6.7
(2.8)
(57.6)
(68.8)
61.7
49.0
(1.5)
109.2

110.3
19.7
–
(3.8)
–
31.2
–
51.7
–
11.9
18.5
11.3
(16.4)
–
–
(7.8)
(20.7)
–
4.5
(1.6)
(23.7)
185.1

0.3
(67.4)
(7.4)
0.9
–
–
(73.6)

(21.0)
8.7
(0.3)
–
–
(0.9)
(77.0)
–
–
–
–
2.2
(8.4)
(75.6)
(172.3)
(60.8)
109.5
0.3
49.0

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

123

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Consolidated statement of changes in equity

At 1 October 2018 (as previously reported)
Adjustment on correction of error*
At 1 October 2018 (restated)

Profit for the period
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income

Issue of shares 
Own shares purchased for share schemes
Own shares utilised for share schemes
Movement in share-based schemes
Current tax on share options exercised
Deferred tax on share options granted to employees
Payment of dividend
At 29 September 2019 (restated)

Profit for the period
Other comprehensive income/(expense)
Total comprehensive income/(expense)

Issue of shares 
Own shares purchased for share schemes
Own shares utilised for share schemes
Movement in share-based schemes
Current tax on share options exercised
Deferred tax on share options granted to employees
Payment of dividend
At 30 September 2020

*  Please refer to note 3 for details of restatement.

Issued 
share 
capital 
£m
52.9
–
52.9

Share 
premium 
account 
£m
139.1
–
139.1

Own 
shares 
reserve 
£m
(5.4)
–
(5.4)

Other reserves

Hedging 
reserve
 £m
(7.2)
–
(7.2)

Translation 
reserve 
£m
12.8
–
12.8

Merger 
reserve
 £m
87.3
–
87.3

Retained 
earnings
 £m
97.8
3.4
101.2

Note

3

–
–
–

0.2
–
–
–
–
–
–
53.1

–
–
–

0.3
–
–
–
–
–
–
53.4

–
–
–

6.4
–
–
–
–
–
–
145.5

–
–
–

8.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
154.1

–
–
–

(4.3)
(9.0)
8.4
–
–
–
–
(10.3)

–
–
–

(3.7)
(2.8)
13.1
–
–
–
–
(3.7)

–
6.0
6.0

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(1.2)

–
1.5
1.5

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
0.3

–
0.5
0.5

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
13.3

–
(41.1)
(41.1)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(27.8)

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
87.3

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
87.3

80.9
18.3
99.2

–
–
(7.5)
9.4
0.3
0.7
(75.6)
127.7

94.6
(37.0)
57.6

–
–
(17.1)
1.3
1.4
(1.4)
(57.6)
111.9

10a
10a
12

10a
10a
12

Total 
£m
377.3
3.4
380.7

80.9
24.8
105.7

2.3
(9.0)
0.9
9.4
0.3
0.7
(75.6)
415.4

94.6
(76.6)
18.0

5.2
(2.8)
(4.0)
1.3
1.4
(1.4)
(57.6)
375.5

124 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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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. The address of the registered office is Britvic plc, 
Breakspear Park, Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4TZ. 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, France and Brazil. The financial year 
represents the 12 months ended 30 September 2020 (the prior financial year comprised the 52 weeks ended 29 September 2019).

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 25 November 2020.

2. Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and IFRS Interpretations Committee 
(IFRS IC) interpretations as adopted by the European Union and with the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.

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
As part of the directors’ consideration of the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis in preparing the Annual Report and financial 
statements, a range of scenarios including a view of severe but plausible levels of COVID-19 restrictions across our markets have been reviewed. 
The assumptions modelled are based on the estimated potential impact of further COVID-19 restrictions to March 2022, along with an assessment 
of the impact of key risks defined in the viability statement, including Brexit, that could reasonably arise in the period, and our proposed responses. 

In particular, we have tested the possibility of the debt covenants being breached at the six monthly measurement dates, which are aligned to 
our reporting dates, to March 2022. March 2021 is the most sensitive test point as the EBITDA modelling assumes a full 12 months of reduced 
trading due to the impact of restrictions and a working capital peak ahead of summer trading. Under all the severe but plausible scenarios 
modelled, and after taking mitigating actions available in H1 including the phasing of certain A&P and Capex into H2 our forecasts did not 
indicate a breach at any point. This is also the case for September 2021.

The estimated impacts of COVID-19 restrictions are primarily based on the length of time various levels of restrictions are in place, and the 
severity of the consequent impact of those restrictions on our At-Home and Out-of-Home channels in each market. 

For each of our markets we have sensitised the revenue, profit and cash flow impact of reduced trading activity in our Out-of-Home channel and a 
negative impact of changes in product mix, including lower on-the-go volumes, for the At-Home channel. The scenarios are most sensitive to the 
assumptions made for GB and Ireland where exposure to the Out-of-Home channel is greater. France and Brazil are predominantly At-Home 
markets and therefore drive less sensitivity.

A key judgement applied is the likely time period of restrictions on trading activity in the Out-of-Home channel, and the possibility that restrictions 
will persist throughout 2021. The most severe scenario includes an assumption that a level of restrictions will remain in place until October 2021 
with Out-of-Home outlets only gradually returning towards pre-COVID levels at the beginning of FY22.

Under each scenario, mitigating actions are all within management control and can be initiated as they relate to discretionary spend, and do not 
impact the ability to meet demand. These actions include some of the savings from strategic restructuring completed during FY20 and the 
rephasing of A&P and non-essential capex into the second half of FY21.

As part of the going concern assessment COVID-19 scenarios have been combined with the potential impact of key risks that could reasonably arise 
in the period, to assess the extent to which further mitigating actions would be required, and confirm that they are within management control.

As at 30 September 2020, the consolidated balance sheet reflects a net asset position of £375.5m. In 2020 we re-financed our £400m bank 
facility with a maturity date of November 2025 and approximately £625m of private placement notes, at contracted rates, with maturity dates 
between 2020 and 2035. £65m of the private placement notes have a maturity date before February 2021. Undrawn facilities as at 30 September 
were approximately £400m and the RCF also offers an accordion facility of £200m, with lender consent. In all scenarios modelled our liquidity 
requirements are well within the £400m RCF facility.

Debt covenant limits are set at a ratio of 3.5x (rolling 12-month EBITDA/ Adjusted Net Debt) and 3.0x (rolling 12-month EBITDA/ Net Interest 
Expenses) in all of our lending agreements. At 30 September 2020, the net debt position was £520.4m, our covenant net debt EBITDA ratio 
was 2.4x and our covenant net interest EBITDA ratio was 11x.

On the basis of these reviews, the directors consider it is appropriate for the going concern basis to be adopted in preparing the Annual Report 
and financial statements.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

125

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

3. Accounting policies continued
Impact of COVID-19 on financial statements at 30 September 2020
Management has considered the impact on accounting policies, judgements and estimates in light of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions − in 
particular we have considered, expected credit loss for the Group’s trade debtors where customers have been assessed for potential risk, and a 
provision made for potential future debt which is not considered material to the Group’s receivables. The net realisable value of inventory for the 
Out-of-Home channel has also been assessed and a provision made which is not considered material to the inventory balance at 30 September 2020. 

Impairment reviews of goodwill and intangible assets have been performed for each cash-generating unit using cash flow projections and 
sensitised based on the severe scenarios reviewed for the going concern review. Please refer to note 15 for the outcome of these considerations. 

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 IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated financial statements’. Control is achieved when the company:

•  Has the power over the investee.
• 
•  Has the ability to use its power to affect its returns.

Is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee.

The financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared using consistent accounting policies. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and 
expenses are eliminated on consolidation. The results of subsidiary undertakings acquired 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. 

New standards adopted in the current period
Initial adoption of IFRS 16 – ‘Leases’
IFRS 16, the new financial reporting standard on accounting for leases replacing IAS 17, was adopted on 30 September 2019 using the ‘modified 
retrospective’ transition approach, meaning that comparative financial information at 29 September 2019, including disclosures, has not been 
restated. IFRS 16 eliminated the classification of leases as either operating leases or finance leases for the lessee and, instead, introduced a single 
lessee accounting model. Lessor accounting under IFRS 16 is substantially unchanged from IAS 17. 

Impact on lessee accounting
Applying IFRS 16, the Group:

a)  Recognises right-of-use assets and lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet, on transition at the present value of the future lease 

payments, with the right-of-use asset adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments.

b)  Recognises depreciation of right-of-use assets and interest on lease liabilities in the consolidated income statement;
c)  Separates the total amount of cash paid into a principal portion (presented within financing activities) and interest (presented within financing 

activities) in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Under IFRS 16, right-of-use assets are tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36.

For short-term leases (lease term of 12 months or less) and leases of low-value assets (leases less than £3,600) the Group recognises lease 
expenses on a straight-line basis as permitted by IFRS 16. 

The Group has used the following practical expedients when applying the modified retrospective to leases previously classified as operating 
leases under IAS 17: 

•  The Group has applied a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with reasonably similar characteristics.
•  The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for certain leases for which the lease term ends within 

12 months of the date of initial application.

The Group did not change the initial carrying amounts of recognised assets and liabilities at the date of initial application for leases previously 
classified as finance leases (i.e. the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities equal the lease assets and liabilities recognised under IAS 17). 

The most significant IFRS 16 judgements and estimations involve the selection of an appropriate incremental borrowing rate to calculate the 
lease liability. Where possible, lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the contract. Alternatively, the Group’s incremental 
borrowing rate is used. Further judgement was needed in determining the commencement date and duration of leases, these have been based 
on the dates within the lease contract, or in the case of the Rugby Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant asset, when management assessed 
that the leased asset was available for use for its intended purpose. 

Impact on lessor accounting 
IFRS 16 does not change substantially how a lessor accounts for leases. Under IFRS 16, a lessor continues to classify leases as either finance 
leases or operating leases and account for those two types of leases differently.

Under IFRS 16, an intermediate lessor accounts for the head lease and the sublease as two separate contracts. The intermediate lessor is 
required to classify the sublease as a finance or operating lease by reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the head lease (and not by 
reference to the underlying asset as was the case under IAS 17).

126 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Financial impact of initial application of IFRS 16 
The effect of adopting IFRS 16 on the statement of financial position at 30 September 2019 was as follows:

Assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Other receivables
Assets held for sale

Liabilities

Lease liabilities
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Provisions
Liabilities held for sale

Net assets

As at 29 September 2019, the Group had non-cancellable operating lease commitments of £51.9m. See below for a reconciliation between 
operating leases recognised as at 29 September 2019 and leases recognised under IFRS 16 as at 30 September 2019. 

Operating lease commitments at 29 September 2019
Within one year
After one year but not more than five years
After more than five years
Total
Additional lease commitments identified at 29 September 2019
Lease payments relating to renewal periods not included in operating lease commitments at 29 September 2019
Undiscounted operating lease commitments
Discounted operating lease commitments*
Less lease liabilities recognised within disposal groups held for sale
Add finance leases reclassified from interest bearing loans and borrowings
Lease liability at 30 September 2019 (note 24)

*  The weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied on transition was 2.4%.

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Total
£m

(0.8)
43.1
(1.3)
6.5
47.5

(42.6)
1.0
0.6
(6.5)
(47.5)
–

Total
£m

 7.9
15.8
28.2
51.9
8.1
5.8
65.8
48.1
(6.5)
1.0
42.6

IFRIC 23 ‘Uncertainty over income tax treatments’ 
The new interpretation is effective for the Group for the period commencing 30 September 2019. The Interpretation clarifies application of 
recognition and measurement requirements in IAS 12 ‘Income Taxes’. There was no material impact on the Group’s financial statements.

Restatement of expenses in the income statement
The Group has reclassified certain marginal expenses between selling and distribution and cost of sales to provide a more accurate split of costs 
in line with income statement categories.

Costs identified were more aligned to cost of sales in nature, for example, marginal production costs, certain employee costs and utility costs.

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling and distribution expenses
Administration expenses
Assets held for sale – impairment charge
Operating profit

As reported 
2019 
£m

Reclassification
£m

1,545.0
(734.0)
811.0
(393.7)
(256.1)
(31.2)
130.0

–
(164.1)
(164.1)
164.1
–
–
–

Restated 
2019
£m

1,545.0
(898.1)
646.9
(229.6)
(256.1)
(31.2)
130.0

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

127

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

3. Accounting policies continued
Restatement of tax balances
As part of continuous control improvements being undertaken, a detailed review of historical tax balance sheet positions was carried out. 
This highlighted that errors had arisen in calculating the tax charge predominantly due to incorrect recognition of historical prior year adjustments 
from 2015-2018. As a result, the current income tax receivable at 29 September 2019 was understated by £4.2m. The affected line items are 
current income tax receivables, deferred tax liabilities and retained earnings. 

Given the errors date back to years prior to 2019 the opening 2019 balance sheet has been corrected by restating each of the affected financial 
statement lines items as follows:

Current income tax receivables
Deferred tax liabilities

Capital and reserves
Retained earnings

Current income tax receivables
Deferred tax liabilities

Capital and reserves
Retained earnings

As reported 
29 September 
2019
 £m
1.4
(69.0)

Restated 
29 September 
2019
 £m
5.6
(69.8)

Correction
 £m
4.2
(0.8)

124.3

3.4

127.7

As reported 
1 October 
2018 
£m
2.3
(62.5)

Correction
 £m
4.2
(0.8)

Restated 
1 October
 2018 
£m
6.5
(63.3)

97.8

3.4

101.2

New internal controls have subsequently been implemented to prevent or detect future errors occurring. 

Revenue recognition
The Group recognises revenue from the sale of soft drinks to the wholesale market. Revenue is recognised when control of the goods has 
transferred, being when the goods have been delivered to the customer. Following delivery, the customer has full discretion over the manner of 
distribution and price to sell the goods, has the primary responsibility when on-selling the goods and bears the risks of obsolescence and loss in 
relation to the goods. A receivable is recognised by the Group when the goods are delivered to the customer as this represents the point in time 
at which the right to consideration becomes unconditional, as only the passage of time is required before payment is due.

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. Rebates to customers are deducted from revenue where the amounts paid are sales related or in 
relation to a good or service which results in an increase in sales in the customer’s outlet and therefore is not distinct from the sale of soft drinks 
to the customer and comprise: 

Long term discounts and rebates 
These discounts are typically for months rather than weeks and are usually part of the trading terms agreed with the customer. Long term 
discounts fall into three main categories:

•  Fixed – a defined amount over a period of time.
•  Pence per litre/case – a pence per litre/case rebate, based upon volumes sold.
•  % of net revenue – a percentage of net revenue, which may have associated hurdle rates.

Short term promotional discounts
Promotional discounts consist of many individual rebates across numerous customers and represent the cost to the Group of short-term deal 
mechanics. The common deals typically include BOGOFs, 3 for 2, and half price deals. 

Account development fund
The account development fund represents customer promotional activity which promotes Britvic’s products in the customer’s outlets. The Group 
agrees to pay the customer various amounts as part of the trading investment. Where these amounts are payable in relation to a good or service 
which results in an increase in sales in the customer’s store only, e.g. in-store promotional activity, management has concluded that this is not 
distinct, and it is accounted for as a reduction in revenue. Where these amounts are payable in relation to a good or service which results in an 
increase in Group sales more broadly, e.g. participation in trade shows or market research, management has concluded that the payment is for a 
distinct good or service. Where amounts paid to customers are deemed to be for a distinct service these are included as selling and distribution 
costs in the income statement.

128 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Variable consideration
The Group agrees to pay customers various amounts either in the form of sales related rebates and discounts earned or as part of the trading 
investment (e.g. sales driving investment, growth overrider investment, incentives for purchasing full loads, payment for new store openings, 
payment for listing new products). 

Where the consideration, the Group is entitled to, will vary because of a rebate, refund incentive or price concession or similar item, or is 
contingent on the occurrence or non-occurrence of a future event, e.g. the customer meeting certain agreed criteria, the amount payable is 
deemed to be variable consideration. 

The Group uses the most likely method to reflect the consideration that the Group is entitled to. Variable consideration is then only included to the 
extent that it is highly probable that the inclusion will not result in a significant revenue reversal in the future. Accruals are made for each individual 
promotion or rebate based on the specific terms and conditions of the customer agreement. Management makes estimates on an ongoing basis 
to assess customer performance and sales volume to calculate total amounts earned to be recorded as deductions from revenue. 

Commercial rebate liabilities
Commercial rebate liabilities are recognised where, as part of a contract with a customer, the Group has received consideration and expects to 
return part of that consideration in the form of a rebate against current or future sales invoices. Commercial rebate liabilities were described as 
contract liabilities in previous financial statements but have been renamed to better reflect the nature of the liability and to clarify that the Group 
has no outstanding performance obligations in respect of these liabilities.

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.

Assets under construction are carried at cost. Depreciation of these assets commences when they are ready for use.

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) 

3 to 20 years
5 to 7 years
5 to 15 years
5 to 15 years

Land is not depreciated.

Freehold properties are depreciated over 50 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.

Business combinations and 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. The consideration transferred 
in a business combination is measured at fair value which includes recording deferred consideration at discounted values where the impact of 
discounting is material.

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.

Deferred and contingent consideration, resulting from business combinations, is valued at fair value at the acquisition date as part of the business 
combination. When the contingent consideration meets the definition of a financial liability, it is subsequently remeasured to fair value at each 
reporting date. The determination of the fair value of deferred and contingent consideration is based on discounted cash flows and are classified 
as other liabilities in the balance sheet (see note 28). 

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

129

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

3. Accounting policies continued 
Business combinations and goodwill continued
After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill 
acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the Group’s cash-generating units that are expected to 
benefit from the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the acquiree are assigned to those units.

Where goodwill has been allocated to a Cash Generating Unit (CGU) and part of the operation within that unit is disposed of, the goodwill 
associated with the disposed operation is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal. 
Goodwill disposed in these circumstances is measured based on the relative values of the disposed operation and the portion of the cash-
generating unit retained.

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 focused on delivery of capital projects where the choice has been made to use internal resources 
rather than external resources. These costs are amortised over their estimated useful lives of three to seven years on a straight line basis.

Trademarks, franchise rights, technology 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 an 
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 goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that the carrying value may be impaired. For all remaining intangible assets the Group assesses at each reporting date whether there is an indication 
that an asset may be impaired. Where impairment testing for an asset is required, the Group makes an estimate of the asset’s recoverable amount or 
the recoverable amount of the CGU to which the asset belongs if it does not generate largely independent cash flows.

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.

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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 amortisation, 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 assets
Classification
The Group classifies its financial assets at amortised cost only if both the following criteria are met:

•  The asset is held within a business model whose objective is to collect the contractual cash flows
•  The contractual terms give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest

Recognition and derecognition 
Purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery of assets within a time frame established by regulation or convention in the market 
place (regular way trades) are recognised on the trade date, i.e. the date that the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset. Financial assets are 
derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred 
substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.

Measurement
At initial recognition, the Group measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss 
(FVPL), transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Transaction costs of financial assets carried at FVPL 
are expensed in profit or loss. 

Financial assets with embedded derivatives are considered in their entirety when determining whether their cash flows are solely payment of 
principal and interest.

Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. A trade 
receivable is recognised when the goods are delivered as this is the point in time that the consideration is unconditional because only the passage 
of time is required before the payment is due. Trade receivables are generally due for settlement within 30 − 90 days and are therefore all 
classified as current. Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at the amount of consideration that is unconditional, unless they contain 
significant financing components, when they are recognised at fair value. The Group holds the trade and other receivables with the objective of 
collecting the contractual cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 
Details about the Group’s impairment policies and the calculation of the loss allowance are provided below.

Transferred receivables
The Group has certain trade receivables which are subject to a discount factoring arrangement. Under this arrangement, the Group receives 
a cash advance from the factoring bank for a proportion of the invoice value less a factoring discount. The Group continues to service the trade 
receivables including collecting the amounts due from the debtor. Subsequent to the invoice due date, the Group repays the advance to the 
factoring bank. The factoring bank has no recourse to the Group in the event of non-payment by the debtor and therefore the Group considers it 
has transferred substantially all of the risks and rewards associated with the receivable to the factoring bank. Accordingly, the Group derecognises 
trade receivables in the programme to the extent it has received proceeds from the factoring bank. The factoring discount is recognised as interest 
expense in the income statement. Amounts collected from customers in respect of receivables that have been derecognised are recognised as a 
payable to the factoring bank until settled.

Fair value of transferred receivables
Due to the short-term nature of the current receivables, their carrying amount is considered to be the same as their fair value.

Impairment of financial assets
The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade 
receivables and contract assets. To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables have been grouped based on shared credit risk 
characteristics and the days past due.

The expected loss rates are based on the historical credit losses experienced within this period. The historical loss rates are adjusted to reflect 
current and forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the ability of the customers to settle the receivables. 

Financial liabilities
The Group classifies its financial liabilities into one of the categories discussed below, depending on the purpose for which the liability was acquired.

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Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

3. Accounting policies continued 
Financial liabilities continued
At amortised cost
Financial liabilities at amortised cost, including bank borrowings, are initially recognised at fair value net of any transaction costs directly attributable to 
the issue of the instrument. Interest-bearing liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, which 
ensures that any interest expense over the period to repayment is at a constant rate on the balance of the liability carried into the balance sheet.

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial 
recognition as at fair value through profit or loss. Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are incurred for the purpose of 
repurchasing in the near term. This category also includes derivative financial instruments entered into by the Group that are not designated as 
hedging instruments in hedge relationships. Details about the Group’s hedging policies are provided below in the policy for derivative financial 
instruments and hedging.

The Group has not currently designated any financial liability as at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition.

Gains or losses on liabilities held for trading are recognised in the income statement.

Derecognition of financial liabilities
A liability is derecognised when the contract that gives rise to it is settled, sold, cancelled or expires. Where an existing financial liability is 
replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an 
exchange or modification is treated as a derecognition of the original liability, such that the difference in the respective carrying amounts together 
with any costs or fees incurred are recognised in profit or loss.

Supply Chain Financing (reverse factoring) arrangements
The Group participates in a Supply Chain Financing (SCF) programme under which, certain of the Groups suppliers can elect on an invoice-by-
invoice basis, to receive a discounted early payment from the SCF agent bank or to be paid by the SCF agent bank in line with the invoice’s original 
terms. For those suppliers in the programme, the Group pays the SCF agent bank the full value of the invoices on the original payment terms 
regardless of whether the supplier has chosen to factor their invoices.

Balances outstanding under the SCF programme are classified as trade payables, and cash flows are included in operating cash flows, since the 
financing arrangements are agreed between the supplier and the SCF agent bank, and the Group does not provide additional credit enhancement 
nor obtain any working capital benefit from the arrangement.

Further details of the amounts outstanding under the programme are provided in Note 23a.

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 best economic interest.

The Group uses valuation techniques that are appropriate to the circumstances 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:
Level 2:
Level 3:

quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly. 
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.

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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.

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/(expense), while the ineffective portion is recognised in the 
consolidated income statement. Amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income/(expense) 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/
(expense) 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/(expense) 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/(expense) 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/(expense). 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/(expense) 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 or 
loss on the hedging instrument would continue to be recorded in the consolidated income statement.

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.

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, intangible assets, provisions for pensions and other post-retirement 
benefits, provisions for share-based payments and unutilised losses incurred in overseas jurisdictions.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

3. Accounting policies continued
Taxation continued
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 a finance cost.

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 the consolidated income statement 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 benefit 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.
•  Remeasurement.

The retirement benefit obligation recognised in the consolidated balance sheet represents the 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
The Group has applied IFRS 16 using the ‘modified retrospective’ transition approach and therefore comparative information has not been restated 
and is presented under IAS 17. The details of accounting policies under both IAS 17 and IFRS 16 are presented separately below.

Policies applicable from 30 September 2019 (IFRS 16)
Right-of-use assets 
The Group recognises right-of-use assets at the commencement date of the lease (i.e., the date the underlying asset is available for use). 
Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any remeasurement of 
lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments 
made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received. Unless the Group is reasonably certain to obtain ownership of the 
leased asset at the end of the lease term, the recognised right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight line basis over the shorter of its 
estimated useful life and the lease term. Right-of-use assets are subject to impairment reviews. 

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

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In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Group uses the incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date if the interest 
rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion 
of interest and reduced for the lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a 
change in the lease term, a change in the in-substance fixed lease payments or a change in the assessment to purchase the underlying asset. 

Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets 
The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases of machinery and equipment (i.e., those leases that 
have a lease term of 12 months or less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase option). It also applies the low value assets 
recognition exemption to leases of office equipment that are considered of low value (i.e., below £3,600). Lease payments on short-term leases 
and leases of low-value assets are recognised as expense on a straight line basis over the lease term. 

Policies applicable prior to 30 September 2019 (IAS 17)
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.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, on demand deposits 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.

The Group evaluates the nature of any restrictions on cash held in deposit accounts to determine whether the restriction results in the balance 
ceasing to be available on demand, highly liquid or readily convertible. Where this is the case, the deposit is classified within other assets in the 
consolidated balance sheet (see note 22).

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 other 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. For each entity the Group determines the functional currency and items, 
included in the financial statements of each entity, are measured using that functional currency.

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 the consolidated income statement.

Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date of the 
initial transaction. Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the 
fair value is determined. The gain or loss arising on translation of non-monetary items measured at fair value is treated in line with the recognition 
of the gain or loss on the change in fair value of the item (i.e. translation differences on items whose fair value gain or loss is recognised in other 
comprehensive income or profit or loss are also recognised in other comprehensive income or profit or loss, respectively).

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 for further detail (see note 26).

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.

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Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

3. Accounting policies continued
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.

Assets and liabilities held for sale 
The Group classifies assets and liabilities as held for sale if their carrying amounts will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than 
through continuing use. Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. 
Costs to sell are the incremental costs directly attributable to the disposal of an asset (disposal group), excluding finance costs and income tax expense.

The criteria for held for sale classification are regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the asset or disposal group is available for 
immediate sale in its present condition. Actions required to complete the sale should indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the sale 
will be made or that the decision to sell will be withdrawn. Management must be committed to the plan to sell the asset and the sale expected to 
be completed within one year from the date of the classification, with the exception of our Norwich site whereby the sale is expected to complete 
in winter 2022 due to activities that the buyer needs to complete.

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets are not depreciated or amortised once classified as held for sale.

Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are presented separately as current items in the statement of financial position.

Additional disclosures are provided in note 33. 

New standards and interpretations not applied
The new and amended standards and interpretations that are issued, but not yet effective, up to the date of issuance of the Group’s financial 
statements are disclosed below:

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
IFRS 17
Amendments to IAS 1
Amendments to IFRS 3
Amendments to IAS 16
Amendments to IAS 37
Annual Improvements 2018-2020
Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and 
IFRS 16 
Amendment to IFRS 16 Leases
Amendments to IFRS 3
Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS17
Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8
Amendments to References to the Conceptual 
Framework in IFRS Standards

Insurance Contracts
Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current
Reference to the Conceptual Framework
Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use
Onerous Contracts – Costs of Fulfilling a Contract

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2
Covid-19 Related Rent Concessions
Definition of a Business
Interest Rate Benchmark Reform
Definition of Material

Effective date 
– periods 
commencing 
on or after
1 January 2023
1 January 2023
1 January 2022
1 January 2022
1 January 2022
1 January 2022

1 January 2021
1 January 2020
1 January 2020
1 January 2020
1 January 2020

1 January 2020

The above standards and amendments are not expected to have a material impact on the Group’s financial statements. 

4. Key judgements and estimates
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 and estimates which have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Judgements
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 were allocated a 35 year useful economic life at the time of acquisition based on a third party 
assessment. As at 30 September 2020 these intangible assets have a remaining useful life of 22 years. As at 30 September 2020 the franchise 
agreement itself had a remaining contract life of 5 years which is less than the useful economic life. The useful economic life has been determined 
on the basis that the renewal of the franchise agreements, without significant cost, is highly probable. Evidence to support this conclusion is:

•  Significant emphasis on maintaining a strong relationship with Pepsi, strengthened through the addition of PepsiCo products to Britvic’s 

portfolio in recent years;

•  Lack of alternative suppliers; and
•  High barriers of entry to the Irish soft drinks bottling market.

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This is further supportable by the post balance sheet event (note 35) whereby in October 2020 Britvic signed a new and exclusive 20 year 
franchise bottling agreement with Pepsi for the production, distribution, marketing and sales of its soft drink brands in GB, which provides 
access to a portfolio of global brands, including Pepsi MAX, 7UP and now Rockstar. The GB agreement runs to December 2040.

Intangible assets with indefinite lives
Management has made a judgement that certain intangible assets relating to brands have indefinite lives.

It is expected that the trademarks with indefinite lives 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. 

Assets held for sale
On 12 November 2019, the Board of Directors announced its decision to enter into an exclusive discussion with Refresco over the potential sale 
by Britvic of its three juice manufacturing sites in France, its private label juice business, and the Fruité brand. Transactions relating to the sale 
were classified as a disposal group held for sale in the 2019 financial statements. Management applied judgement around the future costs to 
sell and the allocation of goodwill to the business sold. On the 30 September 2020 the transaction completed and the assets were successfully 
transferred to Refresco.

During 2020 assets within the Counterpoint ROI business and the land and buildings relating to our Norwich manufacturing site were reclassified 
into assets held for sale. 

The Board considered these transactions to meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale at the balance sheet date for the following reasons:

•  The assets are available for immediate sale and can be sold to the buyer in its current condition.
•  The actions to complete the sale were initiated and expected to be completed within one year from the date of initial classification, except for 

those activities to be completed that are beyond the control of the Group.

•  A potential buyer has been identified and negotiations as at the reporting date are at an advanced stage.

For more details on the Norwich asset held for sale refer to note 33 and for details of the French disposal refer to note 34.

The Boiling Tap Company acquisition accounting
The consideration for the acquisition of The Boiling Tap Company (TBTC) includes deferred consideration of £6.9m payable in May 2021 which has 
been discounted to fair value at the date of acquisition and subsequently measured at amortised cost.

Contingent consideration, resulting from business combinations, is also valued at fair value at the acquisition date as part of the business 
combination and subsequently remeasured to fair value at each reporting date. The determination of the fair value is based on discounted cash 
flows. Contingent consideration with an estimated fair value of £5.2m was recognised at the acquisition date. The initial accounting for the 
acquisition is provisional at the end of the reporting period due to the significant uncertainties posed by COVID-19 on the valuation of intangible 
assets and contingent consideration. In line with IFRS 3 the acquisition accounting may be subject to revision during the 12 months following the 
acquisition date. The maximum consideration to be paid is £6.0m if operating profit targets are achieved during an earn-out period. The key 
judgements take into consideration the probability of meeting future performance targets given the current economic environment and the 
discount rate (see note 34 for details).

The deferred and contingent consideration are classified as other liabilities in the balance sheet (see note 28).

Estimates
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 22.

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. 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.

Long term discounts and rebates
Amounts provided for discounts at the end of a period require estimation; historical data and accumulated experience is used to estimate the 
related provision using the most likely amount method and in most instances the discount can be estimated using known facts with a high level 
of accuracy. See note 3 for further details.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

137

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

5. 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 plc Executive team and Board of Directors of the company.

For management purposes, the Group is organised into business units and has five reportable segments. GB Carbs and GB Stills segments have 
been aggregated and are presented as GB for the year ended 30 September 2020 following a review of operating segments as follows:

•  GB – United Kingdom excluding Northern Ireland
•  Brazil
• 
•  France
• 

Ireland – Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

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.

12 months ended 
30 September 2020
Revenue from external customers
Brand contribution
Non-brand advertising & promotion*
Fixed supply chain**
Selling costs**
Overheads and other costs*
Adjusted operating profit***
Net finance costs
Adjusting items***
Profit before tax

Rest of world (RoW)

GB
£m
884.9
351.0

Brazil
 £m
113.1
24.6

Ireland
 £m
146.6
46.4

France
 £m
228.3
76.5

International
 £m
39.5
6.7

Total RoW
£m
414.4
129.6

Total
 £m 
1,412.4
505.2
(10.2)
(131.8)
(77.4)
(120.0)
165.8
(18.9)
(35.7)
111.2

* 

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.
*** See non-GAAP reconciliations on page 190 for further details on adjusting items.

The ‘Rest of world’ subtotal includes Ireland, France and International. The 2019 comparative table below has been updated to reflect this subtotal. 

52 weeks ended 
29 September 2019
Revenue from external 
customers
Brand contribution
Non-brand advertising 
& promotion*
Fixed supply chain**
Selling costs**
Overheads and other costs*
Adjusted operating profit***
Net finance costs
Adjusting items***
Profit before tax

GB

Brazil

Rest of world (RoW)

GB stills 
£m 

GB carbs 
£m

281.8
120.5

663.6
259.0

Total 
GB 
£m

945.4
379.5

Brazil 
£m

124.8
28.3

Ireland 
£m 

France
 £m 

International 
£m

Total 
RoW
£m

Total
 £m

175.8
52.0

244.9
80.0

54.1
11.3

474.8
143.3

1,545.0
551.1

(10.5)
(108.0)
(83.0)
(135.5)
214.1
(19.2)
(84.6)
110.3

* 

Included within ‘administration expenses’ in the consolidated income statement. ‘Overheads and other costs’ relate to central expenses including salaries, IT maintenance, depreciation 
and amortisation, and have been restated to exclude acquisition related amortisation.
**  Included within ‘selling and distribution costs’ in the consolidated income statement.
*** See non-GAAP reconciliations on page 190 for further details on adjusting items.

138 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Geographic information
Revenues from external customers
The analysis below is based on the location where the sale originated.

United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
France
Brazil
Other
Total revenue

Non-current assets 

United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
France
Brazil
Other
Total

Non-current assets for this purpose consist of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and other receivables.

6. Operating profit
This is stated after charging/(crediting):

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense
Write-down of inventories to net realisable value
Research and development expense
Net foreign currency exchange differences
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation of leased assets
Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of leased assets (note 24)
Impairments of intangibles* (note 14)
Net (reversal of impairment)/impairment of property, plant and equipment (note 13)
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Government grants
Operating lease payments – minimum lease payments
Loss on divestment of subsidiary** (note 34)
Assets held for sale impairment charge*** (note 33)

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2020 
£m
929.8
121.6
234.1
113.1
13.8
1,412.4

2020
 £m
490.5
126.9
190.2
70.7
0.4
878.7

2020 
£m
747.6
1.2
7.9
(2.5)
43.0
11.0
15.9
0.2
8.1
(0.7)
4.3
(4.6)
–
5.3
0.4

2019
 £m
998.9
148.7
250.8
124.8
21.8
1,545.0

2019 
£m
489.1
135.9
190.8
111.5
1.1
928.4

2019
 £m
887.2
0.4
7.6
1.4
51.7
–
18.5
–
–
(3.8)
11.9
(3.5)
9.9
–
31.2

*  Disclosed in the income statement within administration expenses.
**  Relates to the sale of part of the French business which was disposed of on 30 September 2020.
*** 2020 impairment charge relates to part of the Counterpoint business designated as held for sale (2019: related to part of the French business which was held for sale as at 29 September 

2019 and was disposed on 30 September 2020).

7. Auditor’s remuneration

Audit of the Group financial statements 
Audit of subsidiaries
Total audit services

Audit related assurance services 
Total non-audit services
Total fees

2020 
£m
0.2
1.1
1.3

0.2
0.2
1.5

2019 
£m
0.2
0.9
1.1

0.3
0.3
1.4

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

139

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

8. Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Net defined benefit pension (income)/expense (note 22)
Defined contribution pension expense
Expense of share based compensation (note 29)

Directors’ emoluments
Aggregate gains made by Directors on exercise of options

The average monthly number of employees during the period was made up as follows:

Distribution
Production
Sales and marketing
Administration

9. Finance income and costs

Finance income
Bank deposits
Ineffectiveness in respect of fair value hedges
Total finance income

Finance costs
Bank loans, overdrafts and loan notes
Interest on lease liabilities*
Total interest expense
Other finance costs
Ineffectiveness in respect of fair value hedges
Unwind of discount on contingent consideration (note 34)
Total finance costs

2020 
£m
165.6
24.3
(1.0) 
12.0
0.5
201.4

2020 
£m
1.8
0.2

2020 
No.
334
2,154
1,316
656
4,460

2020
 £m

1.5
0.9
2.4

(18.5) 
(2.1) 
(20.6) 
(0.6)
(0.1) 
(0.2) 
(21.5)

2019 
£m
166.6
26.3
5.0
8.4
11.3
217.6

2019 
£m
2.8
2.0

2019
 No.
365
2,317
1,430
683
4,795

2019 
£m

1.0
–
1.0

(20.2) 

–

(20.2) 

–
(0.5) 
–

(20.7) 

Net finance costs

(19.1) 

(19.7) 

* 

Interest on lease liabilities includes interest per note 24 as well as interest on lease liabilities classified within liabilities held for sale during the year.

10. Taxation
a) Tax on profit on continuing operations

Income statement
Current income tax

Current income tax charge
Amounts over provided in previous years

Total current income tax charge

Deferred income tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Amounts over provided in previous years

Total deferred tax charge
Total tax charge in the income statement

140 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

2020 
£m

(17.7) 
2.2
(15.5) 

(2.6) 
1.5
(1.1) 
(16.6) 

Restated
2019 
£m

(28.4) 
0.9
(27.5) 

(3.2) 
1.3
(1.9) 
(29.4) 

Statement of comprehensive income/(expense)
Current tax on additional pension contributions
Deferred tax on defined benefit plans
Deferred tax on cash flow hedges accounted for in the hedging reserve
Current tax on 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 charge in the statement of comprehensive income/(expense)

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

2020
 £m

–
6.4
(0.2) 
–
(0.6)
(0.1) 
5.5

1.4
(1.4) 
–

b) Reconciliation of the total tax charge
The tax expense in the consolidated income statement is lower (2019: higher) than the standard rate of UK corporation tax of 19.0% 
(2019: 19.0%). The differences are reconciled below:

Profit before tax
Profit multiplied by the UK average rate of corporation tax of 19.0% (2019: 19.0%)
Non deductible expenses
Non taxable income and other beneficial items
Impact of change in tax rates on deferred tax liability
Current tax/deferred tax rate differential
Tax over provided in previous years
Overseas tax rate differences
Movement in deferred tax not recognised

Effective income tax rate

2020 
£m
111.2
(21.1) 
(3.0)
11.0
(3.2)
0.3 
3.7
(2.7)
(1.6) 
(16.6) 

14.9%

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Restated
2019 
£m

0.2
(4.2) 
(1.3) 
(0.2) 
(0.2) 
0.2
(5.5) 

0.3
0.7
1.0

Restated
2019
 £m
110.3
(20.9) 
(8.5) 
–
(0.3) 
0.6
2.2
(2.5) 
–

(29.4) 

26.7%

Due to a change in the structure of the disposal of assets in France, a loss on disposal of these assets has been recognised in 2020, whereas 
no tax benefit was recognised against the impairment of these assets in 2019. This is reflected in non-taxable income and other beneficial items. 

Also included in beneficial items is the net impact of changes in deferred tax balances arising from the downstream merger of the Brazilian holding 
company into the operating companies.

During the year the UK government announced that the corporation tax rate would remain at 19%, effective from 1 April 2020, rather than 17% 
previously announced. As a consequence, deferred tax balances have been remeasured at the higher rate, being the rate at which they are now 
expected to unwind in the future, resulting in an increased tax charge for the year.

A reduction in the overall overseas tax rate difference reflects the changing profit mix in overseas jurisdictions. 

Prior year adjustments mainly relate to the release of uncertain tax positions from the remeasurement of probable outcomes or where the relevant 
statute of limitation has passed, and changes in deferred tax on fixed assets.

Movements in deferred tax not recognised relates to trading losses in Ireland for the business which has been transferred to assets held for sale 
and excess amortisation in Brazil following the merger.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

141

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

10. Taxation continued
c) Income tax

Income tax recoverable
Income tax payable

2020 
£m
13.1
(2.4) 
10.7

Restated*
2019 
 £m
5.6
(4.6) 
1.0

The net income tax receivable has increased partially due to movements in uncertain tax provisions and an increased receivable in France where 
previous payments on account now exceed the income tax due as a result of taxable losses arising from the disposal of assets. It is expected that 
these recoverable amounts will be used to reduce payments in future periods.

*  As part of continuous control improvements being undertaken, a detailed review of historical tax balance sheet positions was carried out. This highlighted that errors had arisen in calculating 
the tax charge predominantly due to incorrect recognition of historical prior year adjustments from 2015 – 2018. As a result, the current income tax receivable at 29 September 2019 was 
understated by a total £4.2m and the deferred tax liability was understated by £0.8m. See note 3 for further details.

d) Uncertain tax positions
Where the outcome of jurisdictional tax laws are subject to interpretation, management relies on its best judgement and estimates the likely 
outcomes to ensure all uncertain tax positions are adequately provided for in the Group financial statements. Settlement of tax provisions could 
potentially result in future cash tax payments; however, these are not expected to result in an increased tax charge as they have been provided 
for in accordance with management’s best estimates of the most likely outcomes.

e) Unrecognised tax items

No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of unused tax losses and other temporary differences of:

*  See above and note 3. 

2020 
£m
23.4

Restated*
2019 
£m
1.1

No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of losses from current and prior periods and other temporary differences in overseas 
jurisdictions, which at current exchange rates amounts to £23.4m (2019: £1.1m).

The Group considers that there will be no direct or withholding tax consequences of future remittances of distributable earnings from overseas 
subsidiaries and therefore no temporary differences arise in respect of its overseas investments. Accordingly, there is no amount of deferred tax 
provided or unprovided in respect of investments in subsidiaries. 

f) Deferred tax
The deferred tax included in the balance sheet is as follows:

Deferred tax liability
Accelerated capital allowances
Intangible assets
Post employment benefits
Other temporary differences
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

*  See above and note 3.

2020
 £m

(18.9) 
(26.8) 
(28.3) 
(1.0)
(75.0) 

3.1
7.3
–
10.4
(64.6) 

Restated*
2019 
£m

(17.9) 
(31.4) 
(33.1) 

–
(82.4)

6.4
7.9
3.9
18.2
(64.2) 

Deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect of intangible assets in Brazil, to the extent that future taxable profits are in excess of those 
arising from the reversal of existing taxable temporary differences. There are expected to be sufficient future operating profits to enable the 
deduction of amortisation of intangibles.

All existing tax losses may be carried forward indefinitely. However, in Brazil, losses may only be utilised to the extent of 30% of taxable profit in 
each year.

142 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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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

*  See above and note 3.

The deferred tax included in the consolidated income statement is as follows:

Employee incentive plan
Accelerated capital allowances
Post employment benefits
Intangible assets
Movement in losses in overseas jurisdictions
Other temporary differences
Deferred tax charge

2020 
£m
4.8
(69.4) 
(64.6) 

2020 
£m
(1.9) 
(1.8)
(2.4) 
7.7
0.1 
(2.8) 
(1.1) 

Restated*
2019
 £m
5.6
(69.8)
(64.2) 

Restated
2019 
£m
0.9
(2.2) 
(2.0) 
1.6
0.1
(0.3) 
(1.9)

The movements in employee incentive plans reflect the reversal of tax deductions on expected future benefits on employee share plans. 
The increase in deferred tax movement on intangible assets mainly relates to the recognition of the tax base on intangible assets as a result 
of the downstream merger in Brazil. 

The increase in other temporary differences relates to the release of acquisition contingencies in Brazil.

11. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit for the period attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted EPS 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 EPS 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
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares – share schemes
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for diluted earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

2020 
£m

94.6
265.9
35.6p

94.6
1.3
267.2
35.4p

2019
 £m

80.9
264.5
30.6p

80.9
2.4
266.9
30.3p

The Group has granted share options to employees which have the potential to dilute basic EPS in the future which have not been included in the 
calculation of diluted EPS as they are antidilutive for the periods presented (see note 29).

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

143

 
 
 
 
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 2019: 21.7p per share (2018: 20.3p per share) 
Interim dividend for 2020: nil per share (2019: 8.3p per share)
Dividends paid
Proposed
Final dividend for 2020: 21.6p per share (2019: 21.7p per share)

13. Property, plant and equipment

2020 
£m

57.6
–
57.6

57.7

Freehold 
 land and 
buildings 
£m

Leasehold
 land and 
buildings
 £m

Plant and 
machinery
 £m

Fixtures, 
fittings,
 tools and 
equipment
 £m

Assets 
under 
construction 
£m

112.6
0.5
5.8
24.8
(0.5) 
(21.8) 
3.8
0.2
(4.4) 

10.9

131.9

–

131.9

(4.6) 
2.4
11.1
(0.3)
(16.8)
0.2
(2.9) 
1.0

27.3
–
0.1
4.5
(0.2) 
–
–
0.2
(1.2) 

226.3
0.1
13.6
53.5
(72.4) 
(48.4) 

–
62.6
(32.7) 

–

26.5

30.7

229.1

–

(0.8) 

30.7
(0.1)
–
2.9
–
–
–
(1.1) 
–

228.3
(3.6)
20.8
17.3
(5.1)
–
1.8
(24.4)
–

65.4
–
7.5
12.7
(10.8) 
(1.9) 
–
9.1
(13.4) 

1.0

69.6

–

69.6
(0.5) 
3.7
3.6
(5.5)
–
4.7
(14.6) 
(0.3) 

At 1 October 2018 net of accumulated 
depreciation and impairment
Exchange differences
Additions
Reclassification 
Disposals at cost
Transfer to assets held for sale (note 33)
Impairment reversal
Depreciation eliminated on disposals
Depreciation charge for the period
Transfer depreciation of assets held for sale 
(note 33)
At 29 September 2019 net of accumulated 
depreciation and impairment
Reclassification to leased assets on adoption of 
IFRS 16 (note 3)
At 30 September 2019 net of accumulated 
depreciation and impairment
Exchange differences
Additions*
Reclassification
Disposals at cost
Transfer to assets held for sale (note 33)
Depreciation eliminated on disposals
Depreciation charge for the period
Impairment reversal/(impairment)
At 30 September 2020 net of accumulated 
depreciation and impairment

At 30 September 2020
Cost (gross carrying amount)
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
Net carrying amount

At 29 September 2019
Cost (gross carrying amount)
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
Net carrying amount

122.0

32.4

235.1

60.7

12.5

462.7

161.4
(39.4)
122.0

176.8
(44.9) 
131.9

51.5
(19.1) 
32.4

48.5
(17.8) 
30.7

463.5
(228.4)
235.1

448.4
(219.3) 
229.1

216.0
(155.3)
60.7

214.8
(145.2) 
69.6

12.5
–
12.5

32.7
–
32.7

904.9
(442.2)
462.7

921.2
(427.2) 
494.0

*  Additions for the year ended 30 September 2020 include £0.1m of property, plant and equipment resulting from the acquisition of The Boiling Tap Company Limited (note 34). 

144 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

2019
 £m

53.6
22.0
75.6

57.6

Total 
 £m

519.8
0.6
68.9
(1.8) 
(84.0) 
(72.1) 
3.8
72.1
(51.7) 

88.2
–
41.9
(97.3) 
(0.1) 
–
–
–
–

–

38.4

32.7

494.0

–

(0.8) 

32.7
(1.2) 
15.9
(34.9) 

–
–
–
–
–

493.2
(10.0) 
42.8
–
(10.9)
(16.8)
6.7
(43.0) 
0.7 

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Total
 £m
439.5
2.0
7.6
1.9
(13.2) 

(4.7)

13.2

(18.5) 
427.8
(15.7) 
15.2
6.2
–
(0.2) 

0.1

(15.9) 
(8.1) 

409.4

Other
 £m
0.8
–
–
–
–

–

–

(0.4) 
0.4
–
3.8
–
–
–

–

(0.3) 
–
3.9

(1.2) 
3.9

1.7

(1.3) 
0.4

(244.7)
409.4

653.6

(225.8) 
427.8

Trademarks 
£m
147.3
0.8
–
–
–

Franchise 
rights 
£m
18.1
–
–
–
–

Customer 
lists 
£m
45.6
0.5
–
–
–

Software 
costs 
£m
24.4
(0.1) 
7.6
1.9
(13.2) 

Goodwill 
£m
203.3
0.8
–
–
–

–

–

(0.7) 
17.4
0.2
–
–
–
–

–

(0.7) 
–
16.9

(0.2) 

–

(6.8) 
39.1
(2.7) 
4.8
–
–
–

–

(6.4) 
(3.9) 
30.9

–

13.2

(8.0) 
25.8
(0.2) 
–
6.2
–
(0.2) 

0.1

(7.1) 
–
24.6

(4.5) 

–

–
199.6

(7.4) 
6.6
–
–
–

–

–
(4.2) 

194.6

–

–

(2.6) 

145.5

(5.6) 
–
–
–
–

–

(1.4) 
–
138.5

176.2

(37.7)
138.5

14. Intangible assets

At 1 October 2018
Exchange differences 
Additions
Reclassification
Disposals at cost
Transferred to assets held for 
sale (note 33)
Amortisation eliminated 
on disposals
Amortisation charge for 
the period
At 29 September 2019
Exchange differences 
Acquisitions (note 34)
Additions
Reclassification
Disposals at cost
Amortisation eliminated 
on disposals
Amortisation charge for 
the period
Impairment (note 15)
At 30 September 2020

At 30 September 2020
Cost (gross carrying amount)
Accumulated amortisation 
and impairment
Net carrying amount

At 29 September 2019
Cost (gross carrying amount)
Accumulated amortisation 
and impairment
Net carrying amount

26.9

82.5

103.8

259.6

5.1

654.1

(10.0) 
16.9

(51.6)
30.9

(79.2) 
24.6

(65.0) 
194.6

184.2

26.4

84.4

97.9

259.0

(38.7) 
145.5

(9.0) 
17.4

(45.3) 
39.1

(72.1) 
25.8

(59.4) 
199.6

Trademarks
Britvic Ireland and Britvic France
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.

Britvic Brazil
Trademarks in Brazil have been allocated useful economic lives of 14.3 – 14.8 years. As at 30 September 2020 these intangible assets have 
an average remaining useful life of 10 years. 

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 were allocated a 35 year useful economic life at the time of acquisition based on a third party 
assessment. As at 30 September 2020 these intangible assets have a remaining useful life of 22 years. As at 30 September 2020 the franchise 
agreement itself had a remaining contract life of 5 years which is less than the useful economic life. The useful economic life has been determined 
on the basis that the renewal of the franchise agreements, without significant cost, is highly probable. Evidence to support this conclusion is:

•  Significant emphasis on maintaining a strong relationship with Pepsi, strengthened through the addition of PepsiCo products to Britvic’s 

portfolio in recent years;

•  Lack of alternative suppliers; and
•  High barriers of entry to the Irish soft drinks bottling market.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

145

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

14. Intangible assets continued
This is further supportable by the post balance sheet event (note 35) whereby in October 2020 Britvic signed a new and exclusive 20 year 
franchise bottling agreement with Pepsi for the production, distribution, marketing and sales of its soft drink brands in GB, which provides 
access to a portfolio of global brands, including Pepsi MAX, 7UP and now Rockstar. The GB agreement runs to December 2040.

Customer lists
Britvic France: £17.7m (2019: £19.2m)
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 30 September 2020 these intangible assets have a remaining useful life of 10 years.

Britvic Ireland: £2.8m (2019: £7.5m)
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 30 September 2020 these intangible assets 
have a remaining useful life of between 1 and 7 years.

Britvic Brazil: £5.7m (2019: £12.4m)
Customer lists recognised on acquisitions in Britvic Brazil relate to those customer relationships acquired. These intangible assets have been allocated 
useful economic lives of between 4 and 9 years. At 30 September 2020 these intangible assets have a remaining useful life of between 1 and 5 years.

The Boiling Tap Company: £4.7m (2019: £nil)
Customer lists recognised on acquisition of The Boiling Tap Company (note 34) relate to those customer relationships acquired. These intangible 
assets have been allocated useful economic lives of 14 years. At 30 September 2020 these intangible assets have a remaining useful life of 14 years.

Software costs
Software is capitalised at cost. As at 30 September 2020 these intangible assets have a remaining useful life of up to 5 years.

Other
The ‘Other‘ category of intangibles mainly comprises ‘Technology’ recognised on the acquisition of The Boiling Tap Company (note 34). The TBTC 
technology has an estimated total useful economic life of 14 years and at 30 September 2020 has a carrying value of £3.7m and a remaining 
useful economic life of 14 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, Britvic France and Britvic Brazil are valued in local currency and translated 
to sterling at the reporting date.

At the prior year end, there was an allocation of goodwill to ‘Assets held for sale’ related to the part of the French business being disposed 
of (see note 33).

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 CGUs
Britvic GB
Orchid
Tango
Robinsons
Britvic Soft Drinks business (BSD)
The Boiling Tap Company (note 34)

Britvic Ireland
Britvic France
Britvic Brazil

146 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

2020
 £m

6.0
8.9
38.6
7.8
6.6
18.0
86.7
22.0
194.6

2019 
£m

6.0
8.9
38.6
7.8
–
22.1
89.5
31.1
204.0

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Trademarks with indefinite lives
Britvic Ireland CGUs

Britvic
Cidona
MiWadi
Ballygowan
Club

Total Ireland

Britvic France CGUs

Teisseire
Moulin de Valdonne
Pressade
Total France

Total trademarks with indefinite lives

Goodwill amounts for Britvic GB were recognised on acquisitions made within Britvic GB.

2020 
 £m

2019 
£m

4.5
6.0
9.3
23.9
15.4
59.1

51.8
4.3
4.9
61.0

120.1

4.4
5.9
9.1
23.4
15.1
57.9

50.8
4.2
4.8
59.8

117.7

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 management to the individual CGUs for impairment testing as shown in the table above.

Goodwill in Brazil comprises goodwill relating to the acquisition of Ebba and Bela Ischia. Management considers this to be a single CGU based on 
the integration of Bela Ischia into the overall Britvic Brazil business.

Method of impairment testing
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives
Impairment reviews of goodwill and intangible assets are undertaken by management annually. Value in use calculations are performed for each 
CGU using cash flow projections and are based on the latest annual financial budgets prepared by management and approved by the Board of 
Directors. Management expectations are formed in line with performance to date and experience, as well as available external market data.

Discount rates reflect 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. The Group has considered the impact of the current economic climate in 
determining the appropriate discount rate to use in impairment testing, including the potential impacts of further COVID-19 restrictions and Brexit. 

The applicable pre-tax discount rate for cash flow projections is:

Britvic GB
Britvic Ireland
Britvic France
Britvic Brazil

At
 30 September 
2020
7.4%
7.0%
7.5%
12.0%

At
 29 September
 2019
7.7%
7.1%
8.7%
13.5%

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 management expectations of volume growth based on growth achieved to date, current strategy and expected 
market trends and will vary according to each CGU.

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 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.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

147

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

15. Impairment testing of intangible assets continued
Cash flows are based on the latest approved budgets for the following year and forecasts for up to a further four years. The applicable long term 
growth rates are:

Britvic GB
Britvic Ireland
Britvic France
Britvic Brazil

At 
30 September 
2020
2.1%
2.5%
2.0%
2.0%

At 
29 September 
2019
1.5%
2.9%
1.5%
2.2%

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
During the year an impairment charge of £8.4m was made to write-off the intangible assets (£3.9m), goodwill (£4.2m) and property, plant and 
equipment (£0.3m) relating to the Counterpoint business which was previously part of the Ireland CGU. During the period there has been a 
reallocation of the Britvic Ireland goodwill, with the portion allocated to Counterpoint impaired during the year.

Other than the goodwill held in Britvic Brazil and the Britvic Stills trademark (the intangibles brand name for Britvic juice and mixers) in Ireland 
the directors do not consider that a reasonable possible change in the assumptions used to calculate the value in use of remaining goodwill and 
intangible assets could result in any impairment.

Britvic Brazil is seen as a growth market where maturity is not expected for a number of years. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the 
impact of a reasonable change in key assumptions to the headroom of £4.9m. A 0.6% increase in discount rate or a reduction of the long term 
growth rate of 0.8% would result in an impairment of £0.1m.

The Britvic brands trademark in Ireland (juice and mixers) is particularly exposed to the On-Trade channel and the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. 
Sensitivity analysis on the headroom of £0.7m was performed and a volume reduction of 10%, which has been modelled as part of our scenario 
analysis for the potential impact of COVID-19, would result in a £0.1m impairment charge. A 0.7% increase in discount rate or a reduction of the 
long term growth rate of 0.9% would also result in an impairment of £0.1m. 

2020 
 £m
51.5
55.3
10.5
1.2
118.5

2020 
 £m
295.0
16.3
24.2
335.5

2019 
 £m
59.6
69.6
11.4
0.4
141.0

2019
 £m
318.1
11.2
28.7
358.0

16. Inventories

Raw materials
Finished goods
Consumable stores
Returnable packaging
Total inventories at lower of cost and net realisable value

17. Trade and other receivables (current)

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments

148 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on credit terms usual for the markets in which the Group operates. Trade and other 
receivables are stated net of allowance for expected credit losses. Movements in the allowance for expected credit losses were as follows:

At 1 October 2018
Exchange differences
Charge for period
Utilised
Unused amounts reversed
At 29 September 2019
Exchange differences
Charge for period
Transferred to assets held for sale
Utilised
Unused amounts reversed
At 30 September 2020

Expected credit losses

Trade 
receivables
£m
4.3
0.1
1.7
(0.6) 
(0.1) 
5.4
(1.0) 
3.7
–
(1.8)
(0.3) 
6.0

Other 
receivables
£m
–
–
–
–
– 
–
– 
0.6
(0.6)
–
– 
–

Total
£m
4.3
0.1
1.7
(0.6) 
(0.1) 
5.4
(1.0) 
4.3
(0.6)
(1.8)
(0.3) 
6.0

The Group takes the following factors into account when considering expected credit losses for trade receivables:

•  Payment performance history.
•  External information available regarding credit ratings.
•  Future expected credit losses.
•  Offset of rebate liabilities outstanding to customers.

The Group has considered its customer base and portfolio and uses a provision matrix to evaluate credit risk exposure on the Group’s trade 
receivables. The ageing analysis and allowance for expected credit loss of trade receivables at 30 September 2020 is as follows:

Gross carrying amount
Expected credit loss
Net carrying amount
Average expected credit loss rate

Total
 £m
301.0

(6.0) 

295.0
2.0%

Not 
past due 
£m
245.2
(0.4)
244.8
0.2%

< 30 
days
 £m
26.7
(0.1)
26.6
0.2%

Days past due

30 – 60
 days 
£m
5.0
–
5.0
0.5%

61 – 90 
days 
£m
2.9
(0.2)
2.7
7.9%

91 – 120 
days 
£m
2.9
(0.8)
2.1
24.7%

> 120 
days
 £m
18.3
(4.5)
13.8
24.9%

At 29 September 2019 the Group used a simplified provision matrix to evaluate credit risk exposure on the Group’s trade receivables in their entirety. 
The ageing analysis of trade receivables at 29 September 2019 is as follows:

Net carrying amount

Neither 
past due 
nor impaired 
 £m
264.4

Total 
£m
318.1

< 30 days 
£m
28.5

30 – 60 
days 
£m
5.3

60 – 90 
days 
£m
3.4

90 – 120 
days 
£m
2.3

> 120 days
 £m
14.2

Past due but not impaired

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.

Discount factoring
The Group has certain trade receivables which are subject to a discount factoring arrangement. The Group has derecognised these receivables to the 
extent it has received consideration from the factoring bank and has no continuing involvement in the transferred receivables. For further details see 
policy for transferred receivables in note 3. 

As at 30 September 2020 receivables totalling £32.8m were assigned under these programmes (2019: £39.9m) and £20.6m (2019: £24.9m) of 
receivables from customers were derecognised. At 30 September 2020, £0.2m (2019: £5.1m) had been collected from customers and were due for 
payment to the factoring bank. Balances payable to the factoring bank in respect of collected receivables are included within other payables in the 
balance sheet (note 23a).

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

149

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

18. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand
Deposits
Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows

2020 
£m
56.2
53.0
109.2

2019
 £m
28.2
20.8
49.0

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 30 September 2020 the Group had available £400.0m (2019: £333.0m) of undrawn committed borrowing facilities in respect of which all 
conditions precedent had been met. These facilities have a maturity date of February 2024.

Where available, the Group operates cash pooling arrangements whereby the net cash position across a number of accounts is recognised for 
interest purposes.

19. Share capital

Issued, called up and fully paid ordinary shares
At 1 October 2018
Shares issued relating to incentive schemes for employees
At 29 September 2019
Shares issued relating to incentive schemes for employees
At 30 September 2020

No. of 
shares
264,606,911
903,826
265,510,737
1,405,325
266,916,062

Value
 £
52,921,382
180,765
53,102,147
281,065
53,383,212

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.

Of the issued and fully paid ordinary shares, 369,448 shares (2019: 1,180,721 shares) are own shares held by an employee benefit trust. 
This equates to £73,890 (2019: £236,144) 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.

20. Other reserves

At 1 October 2018
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
Current tax on cash flow hedges booked to the hedging reserve
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (note 26)
Tax on exchange differences accounted for in the translation reserve
At 29 September 2019
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
Exchange differences reclassified to profit or loss on disposal of foreign 
operations (note 34)
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (note 26)
Tax on exchange differences accounted for in the translation reserve
At 30 September 2020

*  Please refer to Note 26 for details of restatement.

Restated*
Hedging 
reserve
 £m
(7.2)
15.0
(7.5)
(1.3)
(0.2)
–
–
(1.2)
 (4.9)
6.6
(0.2)

–
–
–
0.3

Translation 
reserve
 £m
12.8
–
–
–
–
0.7
(0.2)
13.3
–
–
–

(2.3)
(38.2)
(0.6)
(27.8)

Merger 
 reserve 
 £m
87.3
–
–
–
–
–
–
87.3
–
–
–

–
–
–
87.3

Restated*
Total 
£m
92.9
15.0
(7.5)
(1.3)
(0.2)
0.7
(0.2)
99.4
(4.9)
6.6
(0.2)

(2.3)
(38.2)
(0.6)
59.8

Share premium account
The share premium account is used to record the excess of proceeds over the nominal value on the issue of shares.

150 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Own shares reserve
The own shares reserve is used to record purchases and issues by the Group of its own shares, which will be distributed to employees as and 
when share awards are made under the Britvic employee share plans vest.

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 part of a cash flow hedge relationship.

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 − 613 of the Companies Act 2006.

21. 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

2020 
£m

–
(0.1)
(79.2)
0.6
(78.7)

2020
 £m

–
–
(588.6)
2.6
(586.0)

2019 
£m

(0.7)
(66.9)
(99.2)
0.5
(166.3)

2019
 £m

(0.3)
(0.1)
(518.0)
1.2
(517.2)

Total interest bearing loans and borrowings

(664.7)

(683.5)

Total interest bearing loans and borrowings comprise the following:

Finance leases
2009 notes
2010 notes
2014 notes
2017 notes
2018 notes
2020 notes
Accrued interest
Bank loans
Capitalised issue costs

2020
 £m
–
–
(90.5)
(123.3)
(175.0)
(121.3)
(154.3)
(3.4)
(0.1)
3.2
(664.7)

2019 
£m
(1.0)
(96.5)
(94.7)
(127.7)
(175.0)
(120.6)
–
(2.7)
(67.0)
1.7
(683.5)

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

151

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

21. Interest bearing loans and borrowings continued
Analysis of changes in interest-bearing loans and borrowings

At the beginning of the period
Net movement on revolving credit facility
Other loans repaid
Partial repayment of private placement notes*
Draw down of 2020 private placement notes
Issue costs
Reclass of finance leases on adoption of IFRS 16 (note 3)
Repayment of finance leases
Amortisation of issue costs and write-off of financing fees
Net translation gain and fair value adjustment
Accrued interest
At the end of the period
Derivatives hedging balance sheet debt**
Debt translated at contracted rate

2020
 £m
(683.5)
64.9
0.1
90.3
(152.2)
2.6
1.0
–
(1.1)
13.9
(0.7)
(664.7)
35.1
(629.6)

2019 
 £m
(769.1)
(8.7)
0.3
77.0
–
–
–
0.9
(0.3)
15.8
0.6
(683.5)
68.3
(615.2)

*  During the year ended 30 September 2020, the 2009 USPP Notes were repaid and the associated derivatives and firm commitment liability were settled, resulting in a net cash outflow of 
£68.4m. This comprised a payment of £92.7m in respect of the outstanding loans and borrowings of £90.3m and firm commitment of £2.4m and net cash proceeds received of £24.3m on 
maturity of the related cross currency interest rate swaps.

**  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
At 30 September 2020, the Group does not have any outstanding sterling denominated bank loans. Sterling denominated bank loans outstanding 
at 29 September 2019 had an average interest rate of 1.74%. Euro denominated loans outstanding at 30 September 2020 attract interest at an 
average rate of 0% (2019: 0.56%) and Brazilian Real denominated loans outstanding at 30 September 2020 attract interest at an average rate of 
3.60% (2019: 3.36%).

Private placement notes
The Group holds loan notes with coupons and maturities as shown in the following table:

Year issued
2010
2014
2014
2017
2017
2018
2018
2018
2020
2020
2020
2020

Maturity date
Amount
December 2020 – December 2022 $113m
£35m
February 2021 – February 2024
$114m
February 2024 – February 2026
£120m
February 2025 – February 2032
£55m
February 2027 – February 2032
£65m
June 2028 – June 2033
£20m
June 2030
€40m
June 2028
£70m
May 2030 – May 2032
€35m
May 2032
£30m
May 2035
€25m
May 2035

Interest terms
US$ fixed at 4.04% – 4.14%
UK£ fixed at 3.40% – 3.92%
US$ fixed at 4.09% – 4.24%
UK£ fixed at 2.31% – 2.76%
UK£ LIBOR plus 1.32% – 1.36%
UK£ fixed at 2.66% – 2.88%
UK£ LIBOR plus 1.06%
EURIBOR€ plus 0.65%
UK£ fixed at 2.09% – 2.19%
EUR fixed at 1.15%
UK£ LIBOR plus 1.45%
EURIBOR plus 1.15%

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 26 for an analysis of the interest rate profile and the maturity of the borrowings and related interest rate swaps.

152 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

S

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t

C
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o
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a
t
e
G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F
i
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a
n
c
i
a
l

S

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a
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m
e
n
t
s

A
d
d
i
t
i
o
n
a
l

I

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

2020

Total
 £m
(955.3)
1,046.4
91.1

101.8
(10.7)
91.1

2019

Total 
£m
(926.0)
1,052.2
1.3
127.5

142.4
(14.9)
127.5

GB 
 £m
(808.6)
898.4
89.8

ROI
 £m
(105.6)
97.7
(7.9)

NI 
£m
(38.3)
50.3
12.0

France 
£m
(2.8)
–
(2.8)

GB 
£m
(779.7)
906.7
–
127.0

ROI 
£m
(106.0)
94.8
–
(11.2)

NI 
 £m
(35.3)
50.7
–
15.4

France
 £m
(5.0)
–
1.3
(3.7)

22. Pensions
Net asset/(liability) by scheme

Present value of benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets
Net asset/(liability)

Pension asset
Pension liability
Net asset/(liability)

Present value of benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets
Transfer to assets held for sale (note 33)
Net asset/(liability)

Pension asset
Pension liability
Net asset/(liability)

GB schemes
The Group’s principal pension scheme for GB employees, the Britvic Pension Plan (BPP) has both a final salary defined benefit section and a 
defined 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 active members moving to the defined contribution section for future service benefits.

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 SLP, Britvic PP and Britvic Brands LLP 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.

Certain properties and Group brands have been transferred to Britvic PP and Britvic Brands LLP respectively, 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 LLP 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.

Contributions are ordinarily 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. In addition to the expected partnership income of at least £5m per annum, the Group 
was expected to make a payment to the BPP of £15m by 31 December 2019. 

However, the Group is seeking clarity through the court as to the construction of the wording in the Plan rules on the employer’s ability to 
unilaterally set an alternative rate of pension increase. The original judgment in January 2020 was not in the Group’s favour, and it has now been 
granted leave to appeal that judgment. This is expected to be heard in 2021.

Pending the outcome of the appeal hearing, the Trustee of the BPP agreed that the Schedule of Contributions be amended to the effect that £10.0m be 
paid into a blocked account by 30 September 2020 (held on the balance sheet as ‘Other current assets’) and £5.0m by 2 October 2020. Future deficit 
funding payments of £5.0m per annum will also be paid into the blocked account. Subject to the outcome of the legal appeal and actuarial certification on 
funding requirements, the monies in the blocked account will return to the Group and/or be paid to the BPP as a contribution, taking into account any 
change in future pension increases. The Group’s latest triennial valuation as at 31 March 2019 was completed during the year. The outcome of these 
activities has an impact on the level of future cash contributions made by the company.

The contributions required are determined based on the secondary funding deficit revealed at the last triennial actuarial funding valuation, currently 
at 31 March 2019. The secondary funding deficit will always differ from the accounting valuation surplus/deficit above.

Accounting standards require all companies to discount their projected cash flows at a standard rate based on high-quality corporate bonds and 
not to allow for prudence when calculating the value of the liabilities. This is in contrast to the funding valuation where prudence is a requirement 
when assessing the value of the liabilities. This, in combination with the plan being invested in relatively low-risk assets as part of the funding 
strategy agreed, results in the funding valuation being expected to show a higher deficit than the accounting valuation. The benefits of adopting 
a low risk approach to funding is that there is less volatility expected in the company’s future contribution requirements.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

153

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

22. Pensions continued 
In addition when comparing the surplus/deficit, consideration of the different dates of valuations need to be taken into account. The accounting 
valuation is assessed at the current balance sheet date of 30 September 2020, whereas the contributions agreed were based on the funding 
valuation at 31 March 2019.

The amount recognised as an expense in relation to the BPP defined contribution scheme in the consolidated income statement for 2020 was 
£10.8m (2019: £10.2m).

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 while 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.

IFRIC 14 ‘IAS 19 – The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction’
The rules of the Plan were updated in February 2010 to clarify that any surplus remaining on the death or leaving of the final member of the Plan 
may be returned directly to the company without prior trustee approval and a mechanism was provided within the rules for this to occur. As a 
result, the asset ceiling has not been applied to date. Potential trustee rights under the Plan to augment additional benefit have been assessed by 
management and their actuarial specialists in measuring the net defined benefit asset but are not considered a material risk to the company as the 
rules of the plan which provide for augmentation (“benefit increases”) require employer consent. These two points mean that IFRIC 14 does not 
have any practical impact on the Plan and so no allowance for it (and, in particular, no allowance for the asset ceiling) has been made in the 
calculated figures. BETUS is treated as unfunded for the purposes of IAS 19, so IFRIC 14 is not applicable.

Republic of Ireland scheme
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 Trustee has been undertaking investment de-risking to protect the on going funding position achieved as a result of the 
2012 changes. The latest triennial valuation was carried out as at 1 January 2018. The scheme remains open to future accrual for current members.

The amount recognised as an expense in relation to the Irish defined contribution schemes in the consolidated income statement for 2020 was 
£1.0m (2019: £0.8m).

Northern Ireland scheme
The Britvic Northern Ireland Pension Plan (BNIPP) is a defined benefit pension plan which was closed to new members on 28 February 2006 and 
to future accrual from 31 December 2018. Since this date all 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 2017.

Contributions are paid into the BNIPP as determined by the Trustee, agreed by the company and certified by an independent actuary in the 
Schedule of Contributions. During the year ended 30 September 2020 no additional contributions were paid (2019: £1.5m). 

The amount recognised as an expense in relation to the Northern Ireland defined contribution scheme in the consolidated income statement 
for 2020 was £0.1m (2019: £0.1m).

France schemes
Britvic France operates two defined benefit schemes: in the first, employees receive long-service cash payments at various stages throughout 
their careers. In 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.

Defined contribution pension expense
The total defined contribution pension expense for the year ended 30 September 2020 is £12.0m (see note 8) and includes £0.1m which relates 
to schemes for entities within the Group in addition to those mentioned above.

154 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Net defined benefit pension benefit/(expense)

Current service cost
Net interest on net defined benefit asset/(liability)
Past service cost
Net benefit/(expense)

2020 
Total*
 £m
(1.5)
2.5
–
1.0

2019 
Total 
 £m
(1.8)
2.8
(6.0)
(5.0)

*  Movements reflect those in the tables below as well as movements in pension liabilities classified as held for sale until the French disposal group was sold on 30 September 2020 (refer to 

note 34 for further details).

Other than stated below, the net benefit/(expense) detailed above is recognised in arriving at operating profit and is included within cost of sales, 
selling and distribution costs and administration expenses.

Taken to the statement of comprehensive income

Actual return on scheme assets
Less: Amounts included in net interest expense
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest expense)
(Losses)/gains due to demographic assumptions
Losses due to financial assumptions
Experience losses
Remeasurement (losses)/gains taken to the statement of comprehensive income

2020 
Total* 
 £m
21.2
(18.0)
3.2
(35.9)
(3.8)
(6.8)
(43.3)

2019 
Total
 £m
197.4
(24.7)
172.7
13.4
(163.4)
(0.6)
22.1

*  Movements reflect those in the tables below as well as movements in pension liabilities classified as held for sale until the French disposal group was sold on 30 September 2020 (refer to 

note 34 for further details).

Movements in present value of benefit obligation

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i
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a
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I

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a
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i
o
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At 30 September 2019
Exchange differences
Current service cost
Member contributions
Interest cost on benefit obligation
Benefits paid
Remeasurement (losses)/gains
At 30 September 2020
Weighted average duration of the liabilities

At 1 October 2018
Current service cost
Past service cost
Member contributions
Interest cost on benefit obligation
Benefits paid
Remeasurement (losses)
At 29 September 2019
Weighted average duration of the liabilities

GB 
£m
(779.7)
–
–
–
(13.8)
31.5
(46.6)
(808.6)
20 years

GB 
£m
(658.2)
–
(5.9)
–
(19.1)
31.4
(127.9)
(779.7)
20 years

ROI 
£m
(106.0)
(2.1)
(1.5)
(0.2)
(1.0)
2.2
3.0
(105.6)
23 years

ROI 
 £m
(87.6)
(1.4)
–
(0.3)
(1.8)
1.9
(16.8)
(106.0)
24 years

NI 
£m
(35.3)
–
–
–
(0.7)
1.2
(3.5)
(38.3)
20 years

NI 
£m
(30.2)
–
(0.1)
–
(0.9)
1.1
(5.2)
(35.3)
21 years

France 
 £m
(3.7)
0.3
–
–
–
0.1
0.5
(2.8)
15 years

France 
 £m
(4.0)
(0.4)
–
–
(0.1)
0.1
(0.6)
(5.0)
15 years

2020

Total 
£m
(924.7)
(1.8)
(1.5)
(0.2)
(15.5)
35.0
(46.6)
(955.3)

2019

Total
 £m
(780.0)
(1.8)
(6.0)
(0.3)
(21.9)
34.5
(150.5)
(926.0)

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

155

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

22. Pensions continued 
Movements in fair value of plan assets

At 30 September 2019
Exchange differences
Interest income on plan assets
Return on scheme assets excluding interest income
Employer contributions
Member contributions
Benefits paid
At 30 September 2020

At 1 October 2018
Interest income on plan assets
Return on scheme assets excluding interest income
Employer contributions
Member contributions
Benefits paid
At 29 September 2019

GB
 £m
906.7
–
16.1
2.1
5.0
–
(31.5)
898.4

GB
£m
739.2
21.7
157.2
20.0
–
(31.4)
906.7

ROI
 £m
94.8
1.9
0.9
1.3
0.8
0.2
(2.2)
97.7

ROI 
£m
82.2
1.6
11.7
0.9
0.3
(1.9)
94.8

NI 
£m
50.7
–
1.0
(0.2)
–
–
(1.2)
50.3

NI 
£m
45.5
1.4
3.8
1.2
–
(1.2)
50.7

2020

Total 
£m
1,052.2
1.9
18.0
3.2
5.8
0.2
(34.9)
1,046.4

2019

Total 
 £m
866.9
24.7
172.7
22.1
0.3
(34.5)
1,052.2

Principal assumptions
The assets and liabilities of the pension schemes were valued on an IAS 19 (Revised) basis at 30 September 2020, by Towers Watson (BPP and 
the French schemes), Invesco (BIPP) and Buck (BNIPP).

Financial assumptions

Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Pension increases
Inflation assumption
Indexation

Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Pension increases
Inflation assumption
Indexation

*  The France scheme is linked to the long-term interest rate of the European Central Bank (ECB). 

GB 
%
1.70
–
1.85 – 2.75
2.90
RPI

GB 
%
1.80
–
1.80 – 2.85
3.05
RPI

ROI
 %
1.10
2.00
–
1.00
CPI

ROI 
%
1.00
2.00
–
1.10
CPI

NI 
%
1.70
–
2.00 – 2.45
2.45
CPI

NI 
%
1.95
–
1.80 – 2.10
2.10
CPI

2020 

France 
%
0.60 – 0.95
2.00 – 3.00
–
2.00
ECB*

2019

France 
%
0.33 – 0.69
2.00 – 3.00
–
2.00
ECB*

156 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Demographic assumptions
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

2020 
GB 
Years
21.6
24.4

23.0

25.9

2020
ROI 
Years
21.7
24.1

24.0

26.1

2020 
 NI 
 Years
21.0
23.7

22.4

25.3

2019 
 GB 
Years
21.0
23.6

22.4

25.1

2019 
ROI 
 Years
21.5
24.0

23.9

26.0

2019
 NI 
 Years
21.0
23.6

22.4

25.3

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
Discount rate

Inflation rate

Longevity rates

Change in assumption
Increase by 0.5%
Decrease by 0.5%
Increase by 0.25%*
Decrease by 0.25%*
Increase by 1 year

Impact on GB liabilities
Impact on ROI liabilities
Impact on NI liabilities
Decrease by £77.9m Decrease by £11.0m Decrease by £3.5m
Increase by £3.8m
Increase by £12.8m
Increase by £86.2m
Increase by £1.2m
Increase by £28.0m
Increase by £2.1m
Decrease by £1.3m
Decrease by £21.1m Decrease by £2.1m
Increase by £1.4m
Increase by £3.1m
Increase by £38.7m

Impact on France liabilities
Decrease by £0.4m
Increase by £0.4m
Increase by £0.2m
Decrease by £0.2m
n/a

*  The sensitivity to inflation assumption includes corresponding changes to future salary (applicable only to France) and future pension increase assumptions.

Categories of scheme assets as a percentage of the fair value of total scheme assets

S

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UK equities
Overseas equities
Properties
Corporate bonds
Diversified funds
Liability-driven investments
Cash and other assets
Total

UK equities
Overseas equities
Properties
Corporate bonds
Fixed interest gilts
Diversified funds
Liability-driven investments
Cash and other assets
Total

GB 
£m
 – 
17.7 
30.1 
419.3 
 – 
420.1 
11.2 
898.4 

GB 
£m
–
19.6
30.2
415.8
–
–
430.8
10.3
906.7

ROI 
 £m
19.5 
 – 
21.5 
56.5
 – 
 – 
0.2 
97.7 

ROI 
 £m
1.1
17.8
–
–
55.4
–
–
20.6
94.8

NI 
 £m
 – 
 – 
 – 
7.6 
26.1
15.9 
0.7 
50.3 

NI 
 £m
–
–
–
7.5
–
27.4
14.4
1.4
50.7

Total 
£m
19.5 
17.7 
51.6 
483.4 
26.1 
436.0 
12.1 
1,046.4 

Total
 £m
1.1
37.4
30.2
423.3
55.4
27.4
445.2
32.3
1,052.2

2020

Total
 %
2
2
5
46
2
42
1
100

2019

Total 
 %
0
4
3
40
5
3
42
3
100

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

157

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

22. Pensions continued
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. The fixed interest and index linked asset classes include leveraged gilt funds.

Liability-driven investments are a portfolio of assets used in the GB scheme to hedge the exposure to changes in interest rates and inflation. 
It consists of equities, fixed interest gilts and index linked gilts including leveraged gilt funds. The fair value of these assets is derived from quoted 
market prices of the underlying funds held. These funds are held as part of the strategy by the trustees of the GB scheme to invest in low risk 
assets that provide a hedge against interest rates and inflation. 

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 has implemented an investment strategy which consists of a diverse range of fixed interest and index linked securities, 
which provides a significant hedge against inflation and interest rate risk. 

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.

23a. Trade and other payables (current)

Trade payables
Other payables
Accruals
Other taxes and social security

2020 
£m
214.3
9.3
44.3
90.9
358.8

2019 
£m
265.1
11.6
52.8
82.9
412.4

Trade payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on 60 – 90 day terms.

Trade payables include £11.2m (2019: £19.9m) that suppliers have chosen to early-fund under supplier financing arrangements (refer to note 3).

23b. Commercial rebate liabilities
The Group has the following liabilities outstanding to customers in respect of commercial rebates: 

Rebate accruals

2020
 £m
107.3

2019
 £m
98.7

158 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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24. Leases
The Group has lease contracts for properties, plant and machinery and vehicles. Leases of property have lease terms between 5 and 75 years, 
plant and machinery generally have lease terms between 5 and 10 years, while motor vehicles generally have lease terms between 2 and 4 years. 
There are several lease contracts that include extension and termination options. These options are negotiated by management to provide flexibility 
in managing the leased-asset portfolio and align with the Group’s business needs. Where a lease contract contains an extension or termination 
option, management use judgement to determine the lease term when measuring lease liabilities. At 30 September 2020, the undiscounted potential 
future rental payments relating to periods following the exercise date of extension and termination options that are not included in the lease term are 
not material.

Right-of-use assets
Set out below are the carrying amounts of right-of-use assets recognised and the movements during the period:

At 30 September 2019 net of accumulated depreciation*
Exchange differences
Acquisitions (note 34)
Additions
Depreciation charge for the period
Impairment charge
At 30 September 2020 net of accumulated depreciation

*  Right-of-use asset recognised on adoption of IFRS 16, see note 3.

Leased 
property
£m
30.3
(0.1)
0.2
43.7
(5.3)
(0.2)
68.6

Leasehold 
plant and 
machinery 
£m
7.3
(0.1)
–
1.7
(3.1)
–
5.8

Leased 
vehicles 
 £m
5.5
(0.1)
0.2
0.7
(2.6)
–
3.7

Lease liabilities
Set out below are the carrying amounts of lease liabilities and the movements during the period:

At 30 September 2019, on adoption of IFRS16 (note 3)
Exchange differences
Acquisitions (note 34)
Additions*
Accretion of interest
Payment of principal element of lease liabilities
Payment of interest element of lease liabilities
At 30 September 2020

Current
Non-current
At 30 September 2020

Total 
£m
43.1
(0.3)
0.4
46.1
(11.0)
(0.2)
78.1

Total 
 £m
42.6
(0.3)
0.3
46.1
2.0
(8.9)
(2.0)
79.8

9.6
70.2
79.8

*   Additions include £42.1m in relation to the combined heating and power plant at Rugby, which was made available and brought into use on 1 December 2019. The undiscounted cash flows 

for this asset were previously included within the capital commitments disclosed at 29 September 2019 (note 31).

The maturity analysis of lease liabilities is disclosed in the liquidity risk section of note 25.

The following are the amounts recognised in the Income Statement:

Depreciation of right-of-use assets
Impairment of right-of-use assets
Interest expense on lease liabilities* (note 9)
Total amount recognised in profit or loss

*  Lease liabilities interest expense includes £0.1m in respect of lease liabilities classified within disposal groups held for sale.

The Group had total cash outflows for leases of £12.3 million during the year ended 30 September 2020, including £1.4m related to leases 
classified within disposal groups held for sale. 

2020 
£m
 11.0
0.2
2.1
13.3

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

159

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

24. Leases continued
Comparative disclosures required by IAS 17
On 30 September 2019 the Group adopted IFRS 16 Leases using the modified retrospective approach. Accordingly, prior year financial statements 
and disclosures have not been restated. Lease disclosures required by IFRS 16 for the year ended 30 September 2020 are presented above and 
the lease disclosures required by the predecessor standard, IAS 17, are presented below.

Operating lease commitments
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases were as follows:

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 were as follows:

Within one year
After one year but not more than five years

Land and 
buildings 
 £m
4.0
10.5
28.1
42.6

2019

Other 
 £m 
3.9
5.3
0.1
9.3

Total 
£m
7.9
15.8
28.2
51.9

2019 
 £m
0.7
0.3
1.0

Due to the timing of the expiry of the finance lease commitments, there was no material difference between the total future minimum lease 
payments and their fair value.

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, currency and commodity exposures, funding and liquidity requirements. Other financial instruments 
which arise directly from the Group’s operations include trade receivables and payables (see notes 17 and 23 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 policies for managing these risks are approved by the Board of Directors 
and are 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 enters into interest rate swaps, 
cross currency swaps and forward rate agreements to hedge underlying debt obligations. At 30 September 2020 after taking into account the 
effect of these instruments, approximately 80% of the Group’s gross debt was at a fixed rate of interest (2019: 53%).

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).

2020
Sterling

Euro

2019
Sterling

Euro

160 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Increase/ 
(decrease) in 
basis points

Effect
 on profit
 before tax 
£m

Effect on 
 equity 
£m

200
(200)
200
(200)

200
(200)
200
(200)

(0.8)
0.8
0.3
(0.3)

(2.9)
2.9
(2.1)
2.1

63.6
(69.4)
9.5
(11.5)

44.6
(52.5)
3.3
(3.5)

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Foreign currency risk
Foreign currency risk is primarily in respect of exposure to fluctuations to the sterling−euro, sterling−US dollar and US dollar−Brazilian real 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, certain internal flows 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 30 September 2020 the Group had hedged 75% (2019: 73%) 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 borrowings.

The following table demonstrates what the sensitivity would have been from a reasonably possible change in the US dollar, euro and Brazilian real 
exchange rates, with all other variables held constant, on the current year’s 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).

2020
Sterling/euro

Sterling/US dollar

Euro/US dollar

US dollar/Brazilian real

2019
Sterling/euro

Sterling/US dollar

Euro/US dollar

US dollar/Brazilian real

Increase/ 
(decrease) in 
percentage 
points

Effect 
on profit 
before tax 
£m

Effect on
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£m

10
(10)
10
(10)
10
(10)
10
(10)

10
(10)
10
(10)
10
(10)
10
(10)

1.3
(1.3)
0.6
(0.6)
0.6
(0.6)
1.1
(1.1)

1.7
(1.7)
0.1
(0.1)
0.9
(0.9)
0.9
(0.9)

(5.1)
5.1
(1.1)
1.1
–
–
–
–

(6.5)
6.5
(1.5)
1.5
(1.2)
1.2
–
–

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 
experience of bad debts is not significant. The maximum exposure is the carrying amount disclosed in note 17. 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, aluminium and 
frozen concentrated orange juice. The Group uses commodity swaps to hedge commodity price risk on a proportion of its sugar requirement. 
Also in the normal course of business where it is considered commercially advantageous, the Group enters into fixed price contracts with 
suppliers to protect against unfavourable commodity price changes.

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 and 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.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

161

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

25. Financial risk management objectives and policies continued
The Group’s bank facility was refinanced during the year. It is a £400m multi-currency, five-year facility. It has a maturity date of February 2025 
with the option of two 1-year extensions subject to lender consent and is unsecured. As at 30 September 2020, the Group had no outstanding 
borrowings under this facility (2019: £67.0m) under this facility. In addition to this facility the Group had £0.1m of outstanding external borrowings 
all of which were secured (2019: £0.2m all of which were secured).

The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities at 30 September 2020 based on contractual undiscounted 
payments and receipts including interest:

2020
Bank loans

Private placement notes including coupons
Derivatives hedging private placement notes – payments
Derivatives hedging private placement notes – receipts

Trade, other payables and rebate liabilities (excluding other taxes and social 
security)
Lease liabilities
Other liabilities
Other financial liabilities

2019
Bank loans

Private placement notes
Derivatives hedging private placement notes – payments
Derivatives hedging private placement notes – receipts

Trade, other payables and rebate liabilities (excluding other taxes and social 
security)
Finance leases
Other financial liabilities

Less than 
1 year 
£m
0.1

70.4
51.2
(51.6)
70.0

375.4
10.9
10.3
1.0

467.7

Less than 
 1 year 
 £m
66.9

115.6
77.3
(82.2)
110.7

429.5
0.7
0.4
608.2

1 to 5 
years 
 £m
–

186.6
66.6
(68.8)
184.4

–
26.6
8.4
1.4

220.8

1 to 5 
years 
£m
0.1

206.7
89.5
(93.2)
203.0

–
0.3
–
203.4

> 5 years 
£m
–

518.2
50.8
(51.2)
517.8

–
65.8
–
–

Total 
£m
0.1

775.2
168.6
(171.6)
772.2

375.4
103.3
18.7
2.4

583.6

1,272.1

 > 5 years
 £m
–

389.3
73.6
(74.7)
388.2

–
–
–
388.2

 Total
 £m
67.0

711.6
240.4
(250.1)
701.9

429.5
1.0
0.4
1,199.8

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.

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities
Hierarchy
The Group uses the following valuation hierarchy to determine the carrying value of financial instruments that are measured at fair value: 

Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:

quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly.
techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

Unless otherwise stated, the valuation basis used to calculate fair value is level 2.

All derivatives are valued using discounted cash flow analysis using the applicable yield curve for the duration of the instruments. Forward currency 
contracts are measured using quoted forward exchange rates and yield curves derived from quoted interest rates matching maturities of the 
contracts. Cross currency interest rate swaps are measured at the present value of future cash flows estimated and discounted based on quoted 
forward exchange rates and the applicable yield curves derived from quoted interest rates. The fair value of derivatives also includes the non-
performance risk of both Britvic and its derivatives trading counterparties.

As in the prior year, the carrying values of financial assets and liabilities are considered to be reasonable approximations of their fair values, except 
for fixed rate borrowings.

162 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

The fair value of the Group’s fixed rate interest-bearing borrowings and loans at 30 September 2020 was £529.0m (2019: £524.0m) compared to a 
carrying value of £500.8m (2019: £503.9m). 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.

Capital management
The Group defines ‘capital’ as being adjusted 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, while operating 
with sufficient headroom within its bank covenants. Further information on the Group’s covenants is provided within the going concern disclosure 
in note 3.

The following table summarises the capital of the Group:

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivatives hedging balance sheet debt (note 21)
Financial liabilities
Interest bearing loans and borrowings (note 21)
Adjusted net debt
Equity
Capital

*  Refer to note 3 for details of restatement.

2020 
£m

(109.2)
(35.1)

664.7
520.4
375.5
895.9

2019 
£m

(49.0)
(68.3)

683.5
566.2
415.4*
981.6*

The Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it, in light of changes in economic conditions or in order to facilitate 
acquisitions. 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 while 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. 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.

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163

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

26. Derivatives and hedge relationships
As at 30 September 2020 the Group had entered into the following derivative contracts:

2020 
 £m

2019 
£m

Consolidated balance sheet

Non-current assets: derivative financial instruments
Fair value of the USD GBP cross currency fixed interest rate swaps*

Fair value of the USD GBP cross currency floating interest rate swaps***
Fair value of forward currency contracts

Current assets: derivative financial instruments
Fair value of the USD GBP cross currency fixed interest rate swaps*
Fair value of the USD GBP cross currency floating interest rate swaps***
Fair value of the GBP euro cross currency floating interest rate swaps**
Fair value of forward currency contracts*
Fair value of forward currency contracts

Current liabilities: derivative financial instruments
Fair value of forward currency contracts*
Fair value of forward currency contracts
Fair value of the GBP euro cross currency floating interest rate swaps**

Non-current liabilities: derivative financial instruments
Fair value of the GBP euro cross currency fixed interest rate swaps**
Fair value of forward currency contracts*
Fair value of euro interest rate swaps*
Fair value of GBP interest rate swaps*

* 
Instruments designated as part of a cash flow hedge relationship.
**  Instruments designated as part of a net investment hedge relationship.
*** Instruments designated as part of a fair value hedge relationship.

22.3

2.9
–
25.2

5.1
5.2
–
1.6
0.2
12.1

(0.2)
(0.6)
(1.4)
(2.2)

(1.7)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(1.4)
(3.3)

Derivatives designated as part of hedge relationships
The carrying amounts and notional maturity profile of derivatives designated as part of a hedge relationship were as follows:

2020
Cross currency swaps
Cross currency swaps
Cross currency swaps
Forward currency contracts
Interest rate swaps

Cash flow hedge
Fair value hedge
Net investment hedge
Cash flow hedge
Cash flow hedge

2019
Cross currency swaps
Cross currency swaps
Cross currency swaps
Forward currency contracts
Commodity swaps

Cash flow hedge
Fair value hedge
Net investment hedge
Cash flow hedge
Cash flow hedge

164 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Carrying 
amount
 £m
27.4
8.1
(3.1)
1.3
(1.5)

Carrying 
amount
 £m
30.7
36.2
(2.9)
1.7
–

Notional maturity profile

Less than 
1 year
£m
21.4
23.9
14.9
71.8
–

Greater than 
1 year
 £m
87.0
11.7
16.2
8.4
68.1

Notional maturity profile

Less than 
1 year
£m
–
71.9
71.8
84.9
2.5

Greater than 
1 year
 £m
108.3
35.6
31.0
7.0
–

30.1

9.3
0.1
39.5

0.6
26.9
0.3
2.1
–
29.9

(0.4)
(0.2)
(0.1)
(0.7)

(3.1)
–
–
–
(3.1)

Total 
£m
108.4
35.6
31.1
80.2
68.1

Total 
£m
108.3
107.5
102.8
91.9
2.5

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Cash flow hedges
Forward currency contracts
The forward currency contracts hedge the expected future purchases in the period to March 2021 and have been assessed as part of effective 
cash flow hedge relationships as at 30 September 2020.

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 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 USPP Notes.

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 21.

During the year the cash flow hedge has been tested for effectiveness and as a result a £nil (2019: £nil) has been recognised in the income 
statement in respect of ineffectiveness.

Cash flow hedge net unrealised gains/(losses) and related deferred tax assets/(liabilities):

2020
Forward currency contracts
Interest rate swaps
2010 cross currency swaps
2014 cross currency swaps

2019
Forward currency contracts
2010 cross currency swaps
2014 cross currency swaps

Net unrealised 
gain/(loss) 
within equity 
£m
1.4
(1.5)
(1.2)
1.8

Related 
deferred tax 
asset/(liability) 
£m
(0.2)
0.2
0.2
(0.3)

Net unrealised 
gain/(loss) 
within equity
 £m
1.7
(1.7)
(1.2)

Related
 deferred tax 
asset/(liability) 
 £m
(0.4)
0.3
0.2

Fair value hedges
Cross currency interest rate swaps
At the beginning of the year, the Group had 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 USPP Notes.

During the year, the 2009 USPP Notes were repaid in full, and therefore at 30 September 2020, the company’s cross currency interest rate swaps 
relate solely to the 2010 USPP Notes.

The fair value movements on the 2009 and 2010 USD GBP cross currency interest rate instruments are recorded in the consolidated income 
statement, with a corresponding adjustment to the carrying value of the Notes where the hedge is deemed effective.

The decrease in fair value of the 2010 cross currency interest rate swaps, excluding maturities, of £2.0m (2019: £0.6m increase) has been 
recognised in finance costs and offset with a similar gain on the 2010 USPP notes of £1.9m (2019: £0.1m loss). The net loss of £0.1m 
(2019: £0.5m gain) represents the ineffective portion on the hedges of the debt.

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. 

During the year, the instruments related to the 2009 USD GBP cross currency interest rate swaps were settled in full, and therefore 
at 30 September 2020, the instruments remaining relate solely to the 2010 USD GBP cross currency interest rate swaps.

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 (2019: £nil).

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

165

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

26. Derivatives and hedge relationships continued
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***

(Losses)/gains in the period in respect of cash flow hedges
Forward currency contracts and interest rate swaps
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
Movement on FX swaps designated as net investment hedges
Movement on euro loans designated as net investment hedges
Exchange movements on translation of foreign operations

*  Amounts related to the 2007 cross currency interest rate swaps are restated as set out below.
**  Offsetting amounts recorded in cost of sales.
*** Offsetting amounts recorded in finance income/costs.

2020 
£m

Restated* 
2019 
£m

(0.2)
–
2.3
4.5
6.6

(1.6)
–
(1.8)
(1.5)
(4.9)

3.2
–
(2.4)
(1.2)
(37.8)
(38.2)

1.5
(1.0)
(2.7)
(5.3)
(7.5)

(1.0)
1.1
4.5
10.4
15.0

(0.5)
(0.4)
–
0.1
1.5
0.7

Restatement
The Group has restated the 2019 consolidated statement of comprehensive income and the above note to correct a disclosure error related to 
the 2007 cross currency interest rate swaps. There is no impact of the restatement on the total other comprehensive income reported for 2019. 
The previously reported amounts are reconciled to the restated amounts as follows:

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

(Losses)/gains 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

166 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

As previously 
reported
 £m

Correction 
£m

Restated
 £m

1.5
32.7
(2.7)
(5.3)
26.2

(1.0)
(32.6)
4.5
10.4
(18.7)

–
(33.7)
–
–
(33.7)

–
33.7
–
–
33.7

1.5
(1.0)
(2.7)
(5.3)
(7.5)

(1.0)
1.1
4.5
10.4
15.0

27. Provisions

At 1 October 2018
Provisions made during the year
Provisions utilised during the year
Unused amounts reversed
Exchange differences
At 29 September 2019
Provisions derecognised on adoption of IFRS 16
Reclassifications
Provisions made during the year
Provisions utilised during the year
Unused amounts reversed
Exchange differences
At 30 September 2020

Current
Non-current
At 30 September 2020

Current
Non-current
At 29 September 2019

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Total 
 £m
10.0
1.0
(3.7)
(0.1)
0.1
7.3
(0.6)
–
12.0
(2.2)
(1.6)
(0.2)
14.7

13.6
1.1
14.7

4.1
3.2
7.3

Restructuring 
£m
5.7
1.0
(2.5)
–
–
4.2
–
(0.4)
9.3
(2.2)
(0.2)
0.3
11.0

11.0
–
11.0

3.8
0.4
4.2

Other
 £m
4.3
–
(1.2)
(0.1)
0.1
3.1
(0.6)
0.4
2.7
–
(1.4)
(0.5)
3.7

2.6
1.1
3.7

0.3
2.8
3.1

Restructuring provisions
Restructuring provisions at 30 September 2020 primarily relate to contract termination costs, consultation fees and employee termination 
benefits, recognised by the Group following the implementation of a strategic restructure announced in the second half of 2020. These costs 
also include provisions relating to the closure of our Norwich site. 

Other provisions
Other provisions at 30 September 2020 primarily relate to provisions that have arisen due to the early exit of contractual obligations in Ireland and 
certain provisions recognised on the acquisition of subsidiaries in Brazil which relate to regulatory and legal claims and are expected to be settled 
in 1 to 5 years. The impact of discounting was deemed to be immaterial.

28. Other liabilities

Deferred consideration 
Contingent consideration
Forward contracts to purchase own shares
Other

Due less than one year
Due after more than one year

2020 
 £m
6.9
5.3
4.9
0.7
17.8

10.2
7.6
17.8

2019 
£m
–
–
–
2.6
2.6

2.5
0.1
2.6

Deferred and contingent consideration
The consideration for the acquisition of The Boiling Tap Company includes deferred consideration of £6.9m payable in May 2021 and contingent 
consideration of £5.3m payable if operating profit targets are achieved during an earn-out period. The deferred and contingent consideration are 
measured at fair value at the date of acquisition (see note 34). The deferred consideration is then carried at amortised cost.

The contingent consideration is carried at fair value and classified as Level 3 fair value in the fair value hierarchy. The main unobservable input is 
whether or not the profit targets for the pay-out will be met.

Forward contracts to purchase own shares
To satisfy the future requirements of its share schemes (see note 29), the Group has entered into forward contracts to acquire a fixed quantity of 
its owns share for a fixed price. Upon entering into the forward contracts, the Group recognised a financial liability and corresponding reduction in 
equity. The financial liability was initially recognised at fair value and subsequently accounted for at amortised cost.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

167

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

29. Share-based payments
Britvic operates a broad base of employee plans as well as executive plans. In GB Britvic operates SIP plans for all employees, whereas outside 
of GB Britvic operates both share-settled and cash-settled plans. Executives participate in ESOP and PSP plans and the senior leadership team 
participates in PSP plans.

The expense recognised for share-based payments in respect of employee services received during the 12 months ended 30 September 2020, 
including National Insurance, is £0.5m (2019: £11.3m). 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 HMRC approved share plan open to employees based in GB. 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. 
Employees cannot sell these shares for three years from their date of award. Employees also have the opportunity to invest up to £138 every four 
weeks (£1,800 per year) through the partnership share scheme. This is deducted from their gross salary. Matching shares are offered on the basis of 
one free matching share for each ordinary share purchased with a participant’s savings, up to a maximum of £50 (2019: £50) per four week pay period.

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

2020 
 No. of shares
241,426
85,418

2020 
 Weighted 
average
 fair value
880.6p
827.9p

2019 
 No. of shares
323,363
86,131

2019
 Weighted 
average 
 fair value
838.7p
865.9p

The Britvic Executive Share Option Plan (ESOP)
The ESOP allows for options to buy ordinary shares to be granted to executives. 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 10 years after the date of grant.

Options granted in 2020
The performance condition requires the increase in EPS of 3% – 8% p.a. compound over a three year performance period for the options to vest. 
If the EPS growth is 3%, 20% of the options will vest, with full vesting at 8% EPS growth. Straight line apportionment will be applied between 
these two levels to determine the number of options that vest and no options will vest if the EPS growth is below the lower threshold.

Options granted in 2019
Options granted in 2019 were as per the options granted in 2020 outlined above.

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 1 October 2018
Granted
Exercised
Lapsed
Outstanding at 29 September 2019
Granted
Exercised
Lapsed
Outstanding at 30 September 2020
Exercisable at 30 September 2020

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
(pence)
618.7
826.3
563.0
696.2
647.7
958.1
525.1
568.0
743.3
586.1

Number of 
share options
4,997,912
844,872
(398,524)
(818,861)
4,625,399
839,186
(979,179)
(273,412)
4,211,994
1,804,080

The weighted average share price for share options exercised during the period was 960.6p (2019: 862.4p).

The share options outstanding as at 30 September 2020 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 5.4 years (2019: 5.6 years) and the 
range of exercise prices was 331.6p – 963.0p (2019: 221.0p – 902.0p).

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the period was 111.8p (2019: 101.5p).

168 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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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 
performance conditions, where different performance conditions apply to different groups of employees. Awards up to and including 2009 and 2011 and 
later were made in respect of ordinary shares. Awards granted between 2009 and 2011 were nil cost options. Nil cost options remain exercisable until 7 
or 10 years after the date of grant for employees based in Ireland and UK respectively, whereas awards of ordinary shares are exercised when vested.

Awards granted in 2020
Three awards were granted in 2020. 

The first award is split between the senior leadership team and the senior management team. The performance condition applied to awards 
granted to members of the senior leadership team is divided 75% and 25% between EPS and the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance 
conditions respectively. EPS is the only condition applied to awards granted to the senior management team. The EPS condition is the same as 
described in the ESOP section for options granted in 2015.

The TSR condition measures the company’s TSR relative to a comparator group (consisting of 16 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 20% will vest, rising on 
a straight line basis to 100% vesting at upper quartile.

The second award was granted to members of the senior management team. EPS is the only condition applied to awards granted to the senior 
management team.

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 third award is an exceptional award under the PSP and has been awarded to selected employees. The performance condition applied to 
awards granted is continued employment for three years from date of grant.

Awards granted in 2019
Awards granted in 2019 were as per the three awards in 2020 outlined above.

The following tables illustrate the movements in the number of PSP shares and nil cost options during the period:

Number of shares and nil cost options subject to specific conditions
Outstanding at 1 October 2018
Granted
Exercised
Lapsed
Outstanding at 29 September 2019
Granted
Exercised
Lapsed
Outstanding at 30 September 2020

TSR condition
458,357
131,697
(73,011)
(99,072)
417,971
132,612
(171,769)
(37,645)
341,169

EPS condition
2,868,075
861,275
(327,362)
(688,565)
2,713,423
842,279
(837,309)
(412,635)
2,305,758

Continued 
employment 
condition
382,532
65,152
(141,326)
(27,515)
278,843
37,064
(100,864)
(55,182)
159,861

Weighted average remaining contracted life in years for nil cost options outstanding at:
30 September 2020
29 September 2019

1.2
2.2

1.2
1.7

–
–

Key assumptions used to determine the fair value of the ESOP and PSP
The fair value of options and awards granted is estimated as at the date of grant, taking account of the terms and conditions upon which shares 
options were granted. The fair value of the award subject to the TSR condition is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. The fair value of all 
other awards is calculated using the share price at the date of grant, adjusted for dividends not received during the vesting period.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

169

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

29. Share-based payments continued
The following table lists the inputs to the model used in respect of the PSP awards and ESOP options granted during the financial year:

Dividend yield (%)
Expected volatility (%)
Risk-free interest rate (%)
Expected life of option (years)
Share price at date of grant (pence)
Exercise price (pence)

2020 
3.43%
20.05%
0.56%
3 – 5 
792.0 – 963.0
776.2 – 963.0

2019 
3.41%
21.40%
0.8%
3 – 5
805.0 – 890.0
820.0 – 902.0

The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may also not necessarily be the 
actual outcome.

Future awards
Awards of share options and performance shares will be made after the AGM in January 2021. The Remuneration Committee has decided that 
EPS and relative TSR remain the best measures for the long-term share plans, albeit the weighting of the relative TSR measure on the PSP will 
be increased to 50%, measured against the FTSE 250 (excluding investment trusts). 

The Committee has determined that before the target range for EPS is set, it should review the first quarter’s trading and the latest assessment of 
any continuing measures to control the pandemic. The EPS range will be announced in the RNS following the AGM in January when the awards 
are made.

30. Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement
Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities

Interest bearing loans and 
borrowings (note 21)
Lease liabilities1
Net derivative assets related to 
financing activities2
Other assets and liabilities related to 
financing activities3
Net liabilities arising from financing 
activities

Issue of shares relating to incentive 
schemes for employees
Purchase of own shares
Dividends paid to equity 
shareholders
Net cash flows used in financing 
activities

2019
 £m

Adoption of 
IFRS 16
£m

Cash flows 
£m

Exchange 
differences
 £m 

Change in fair 
value
 £m 

New 
leases
 £m 

Accrued 
interest
 £m 

Other 
 £m 

2020
 £m

(683.5)
–

1.0
(49.1)

64.1

0.1

–

–

22.2
12.3

(21.9)

2.5

5.8
0.2

–

–

7.3
–

–
(46.4)

(18.3)
(2.1)

(10.9)

–

–

–

–

–

0.8
5.3

(0.3)

(4.9)

(664.7)
(79.8)

31.0

(2.3)

(619.3)

(48.1)

15.1

6.0

(3.6)

(46.4)

(20.4)

0.9

(715.8)

(6.7) 
2.8

57.6

68.8

1.  Lease liabilities include lease liabilities classified within disposal groups held for sale.
2.  Total net derivative assets in the balance sheet at 30 September 2019 are £31.8m, of which £31.0m relate to financing activities and £0.8m relate to operating activities (2019: total of 

£65.6m, of which £64.1m relate to financing activities and £1.5m relate to operating activities).

3.  Other assets and liabilities comprise financial assets and liabilities whose cash flows are presented within financing activities. They include firm commitments related to the USPP notes and 

forward contracts to acquire own shares.

170 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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2018
 £m
(769.1)
72.5

0.1
(696.5)

Interest bearing loans and borrowings (note 21)
Net derivative assets related to financing activities1
Other assets and liabilities related to financing 
activities2
Net liabilities arising from financing activities

Other finance expenses paid
Issue of shares relating to incentive schemes for 
employees
Purchase of own shares
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
Net cash flows used in financing activities

Cash flows 
£m
122.6
(33.7)

Exchange 
differences
 £m 
(9.3)
–

Change in fair 
value
 £m 
(8.3)
25.3

Accrued 
interest
 £m 
(18.9)
–

–
(9.3)

–
17.0

–
(18.9)

–
88.9

1.6

(2.2)
8.4
75.6
172.3

Other 
 £m 
(0.5)
–

–
(0.5)

2019
 £m
(683.5)
64.1

0.1
(619.3)

1.  Total net derivative assets in the balance sheet at 29 September 2019 are £65.6m, of which £64.1m relate to financing activities and £1.5m relate to operating activities (2018: total of 

£73.5m, of which £72.5m relate to financing activities and £1.0m relate to operating activities).

2.  Other assets and liabilities comprise financial assets and liabilities whose cash flows are presented within financing activities and are composed of firm commitments related to the 

USPP notes.

31. Commitments and contingencies
Capital commitments
At 30 September 2020 the Group has commitments of £5.0m (2019: £58.5m of which £52.0m related to the CHP plant) relating to the acquisition 
of new plant and machinery. 

Contingent liabilities
The Group had no material contingent liabilities at 30 September 2020 (2019: none).

32. Related party disclosures
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Britvic plc and the subsidiaries listed in the table below.

Name

Directly held
Britannia Soft Drinks Limited

Indirectly held
Britvic EMEA Limited
Britvic Soft Drinks Limited
Robinsons Soft Drinks Limited
Orchid Drinks Limited
Red Devil Energy Drinks Limited
Britvic International Investments Limited
Britvic Overseas Limited
Britvic Pensions Limited
Britvic Property Partnership
Britvic Brands LLP
Britvic Asset Company No.1 Limited
Britvic Asset Company No.2 Limited
Britvic Asset Company No.3 Limited
Britvic Asset Company No.4 Limited
Britvic Finance Partnership LLP
Robinsons (Finance) No.2 Limited
The Boiling Tap Company Ltd

Britvic Scottish Limited Partnership
Britvic Finance Limited
Britvic Irish Holdings Limited
Britvic Ireland Limited
Britvic Northern Ireland Limited
Aquaporte Limited

Principal activity

Country of incorporation

% equity interest

Holding company

England and Wales¹

England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
Scotland5
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales3

Marketing and distribution of soft drinks
Manufacture and sale of soft drinks
Holding company
Brand licence holder
Brand licence holder
Holding company
Holding company
Dormant
Pension funding vehicle
Pension funding vehicle
Pension funding vehicle
Pension funding vehicle
Pension funding vehicle
Pension funding vehicle
Financing company
Financing company
Design, installation and maintenance 
of Integrated tap solutions
Scotland5
Pension funding vehicle
Jersey4
Financing company
Republic of Ireland6
Holding company
Manufacture and marketing of soft drinks Republic of Ireland6
Republic of Ireland6
Marketing and distribution of soft drinks
Supply of water-coolers and bottled water Republic of Ireland6

100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

171

 
 
 
 
Country of incorporation
Republic of Ireland6
Republic of Ireland6
Republic of Ireland6
Republic of Ireland6

Northern Ireland7

USA8
France9
France9
France11
France10
France12
France9
Belgium13
Brazil14
Brazil15
Singapore16
India17
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales2
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales¹
England and Wales2
Republic of Ireland6
Republic of Ireland6
Republic of Ireland6

% equity interest

100
100
100
100

100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

32. Related party disclosures continued
Name

Principal activity

Britvic Americas Limited
Britvic Ireland Pension Trust DAC
Robinsons (Finance) Limited
Counterpoint Wholesale (Ireland) Limited

Counterpoint Wholesale (NI) Limited

Marketing and distribution of soft drinks
Pension trust company
Financing company
Wholesale of soft drinks to the 
licensed trade
Wholesale of soft drinks to the licensed 
trade
Marketing and distribution of soft drinks
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
Marketing and distribution of soft drinks

Britvic North America LLC
Britvic France SAS
Fruité Entreprises SAS
Fruité SAS
Bricfruit SAS
Unisource SAS
Teisseire France SAS
Teisseire Benelux SA
Empresa Brasileira de Bebidas e Alimentos SA Manufacture and sale of soft drinks
Manufacture and sale of soft drinks
Bela Ischia Alimentos Ltda
Holding company
Britvic Asia PTE. Ltd
Non-trading
Britvic India Manufacturing Private Limited
Dormant
Britvic International Support Services Limited
Dormant
Greenbank Drinks Company Limited
Dormant
The Really Wild Drinks Company Limited
Dormant
H. D. Rawlings Limited
Dormant
R. White & Sons Limited
Dormant
Idris Limited
Dormant
The Southern Table Water Company Limited
Dormant
Britvic Corona Limited
Dormant
Britvic Beverages Limited
Dormant
Sunfresh Soft Drinks Limited
Dormant
The London Essence Company Limited
Dormant
Hooper, Struve & Company Limited
Dormant
British Vitamin Products Limited
Dormant
Britvic Healthcare Trustee Limited
Dormant
Wisehead Productions Limited
Dormant
Britvic Licensed Wholesale Limited
Dormant
Knockton Limited
Dormant
Britvic Munster Limited

1  Registered office: Breakspear Park, Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4TZ
2   Registered office: 9 Roding Road, Beckton, London, E6 6LF
3  Registered office: 1 New Street, London, EC2M 4TP
4   Registered office: 13 Castle Street, St Helier, JE2 3BT, Jersey
5   Registered office: 1 Exchange Crescent, Conference Square, Edinburgh, EH3 8UL, Scotland 
6   Registered office: 10 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 T380, Ireland
7   Registered office: c/o Arthur Cox, Victoria House, 15-17 Gloucester Street, Belfast, BT1 4LS, Northern Ireland
8   Registered office: 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, United States of America
9   Registered office: 482 Avenue Ambroise Croizat 38926, Crolles, France
10  Registered office: La Jaunaie-44690, Chateau-Tebaud, France. Subsidiary was sold on 30 September 2020
11   Registered office: Z.I. Les Afforêts 74800, La Roche-Sur-Foron, France
12   Registered office: Z.I. de la Mouline 34440, Nissan-Lez-Enserune, France. Subsidiary was sold on 30 September 2020
13   Registered office: Rue de l’Echauffourée 1, 7700 Mouscron, Belgium
14   Registered office: Avenida Consul Joseph Noujaim 40, Pina, Recife, Pernambuco, CEP 51110-150, Brazil
15   Registered office: Rodovia MG 285-KM 77, sem número, Centro, CEP 36780-000, Astolfo Dutra/MG, Brazil
16   Registered office: 80 Robinson Road #17-02, Singapore 068898, Singapore
17   Registered office: 9SE, 9th Floor, The Ruby, 29 Senapati Bapatmarg, Dadar (West), Mumbai-400028, India

172 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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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.

2020 
 £m
 3.5
 0.5
 0.6
 4.6

2019 
£m
4.9
0.5
5.2
10.6

The Group proposes to enter into deeds of release with its Directors in respect of past dividends paid otherwise than in accordance with 
the Companies Act 2006 (see note 12 to the parent company financial statements). Execution of the deed of release is subject to approval 
of resolutions at the company’s forthcoming AGM. The Directors are related parties of the company and therefore the entry by the company 
into a deed of release in favour of the directors constitutes a related party transaction for the purposes of the Listing Rules.

There were no other related party transactions requiring disclosure in these financial statements.

33. Assets held for sale
Assets held for sale at 30 September 2020 relates to the following:

1)  On the 8 October 2020, contracts were exchanged for the sale of the Britvic Norwich production site (jointly owned with Unilever). Under IFRS 
5, the Norwich land and buildings, forming part of the Group’s GB operating segment, have been reclassified as assets held for sale given the 
asset was available for sale in its present condition and the sale is highly probable. The sale is expected to complete in winter 2022 due to 
activities that the buyer needs to complete.

2)  Following a strategic review by the Board of its Irish wholesale business, Counterpoint ROI (which forms part of the Ireland operating segment) 

is expected to be entering into an asset purchase agreement as part of a disposal of the business and as such certain assets have been 
transferred to assets held for sale. The Board expect any sale to complete within the next 12 months. 

Assets held for sale at 29 September 2019 
On 12 November 2019, the Group announced its decision to enter into exclusive discussions with Refresco over the potential sale by Britvic of 
its three juice manufacturing sites in France, its private label juice business, and the Fruité brand. The proposed sale was subject to a consultation 
process with the relevant employee representatives and also subject to competition clearance by the French Competition Authority, both of which 
were completed during the year ended 30 September 2020. The disposal took place on 30 September 2020 resulting in the removal all related 
Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale from the balance sheet. Please refer to disposal note 34 for further detail. 

In accordance with IFRS 5 the major classes of assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are:

Assets
Intangible assets (note 14)
Property, plant and equipment (note 13)
Right-of-use assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Total assets held for sale
Impairment charge
Assets held for sale

Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Lease liabilities
Pension liability (note 22)
Deferred tax liability
Liabilities directly associated with disposal group

2020
£m

–
116.8
0.1
2.8
1.0
20.7
(0.4)
20.3

–
(0.1)
–
–
(0.1)

2019 
£m

4.7
33.7
–
11.7
23.2
73.3
(31.2)
42.1

(26.4)
–
(1.3)
(0.7)
(28.4)

Net assets directly associated with disposal group

20.2 

13.7

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

173

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

34. Acquisitions & Disposals 
Acquisitions
On 6 June 2020, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of The Boiling Tap Company Ltd (TBTC), an Integrated Tap System (ITS) 
business that supplies high quality taps to primarily to commercial customers across GB offering hot, cold and sparkling water. The acquisition 
provides Britvic access to the rapidly growing ITS filtered water dispense market, transforms Britvic’s capabilities in ITS and enables Britvic to 
rapidly accelerate the development and roll out of flavoured tap station solutions. The acquisition is a key contributor towards Britvic’s strategic 
objectives to ‘breakthrough solutions beyond the bottle’ and ‘flavour billions of water occasions’.

The initial accounting for the acquisition is provisional at the end of the reporting period due to the significant uncertainties posed by COVID-19 
on the valuation of intangible assets and contingent consideration. The acquisition accounting may be subject to revision during the 12 months 
following the acquisition date.

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed
The fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities of TBTC at the date of acquisition were as follows: 

Assets
Intangible assets: technology (note 14)
Intangible assets: customer relationships (note 14)
Property, plant and equipment (note 13)
Right-of-use assets (note 24)
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Total

Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Lease liabilities (note 24)
Current income tax payable
Other liabilities 
Non- current deferred tax liability
Non-current lease liabilities (note 24)
Total

Total identifiable net assets at fair value
Goodwill arising on acquisition
Purchase consideration 

2020
£m

3.8
4.8
0.1
0.4
0.6
0.6
0.4
10.7

(0.6)
(0.1)
(0.2)
(0.2)
(1.6)
(0.2)
(2.9)

7.8
6.6
14.4

The goodwill arising on acquisition of £6.6m has been allocated entirely to the GB operating segment given the current business operations are 
GB focused.

The key constituent parts of goodwill comprise mainly future customer relationships and technological developments through which TBTC will 
generate revenue and the replacement cost of TBTC’s assembled workforce. Workforce is not separately capitalised on the balance sheet under 
IFRS but is a component of goodwill. 

None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Intangible assets identified separately from goodwill are technology of £3.8m and customer relationships of £4.8m, which have each been 
allocated a useful economic life of 14 years.

Purchase consideration
The purchase consideration is comprised as follows:

Cash
Deferred consideration liability
Contingent consideration liability
Total consideration

174 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

2020
£m
2.3
6.9
5.2
14.4

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Analysis of cash flows on acquisition

Transaction costs of the acquisition (included in cash flows from operating activities)
Net cash acquired with the subsidiary (included in cash flows from investing activities)
Net cash paid to acquire subsidiary (included in cash flows from investing activities)
Net cash outflow on acquisition

2020
£m
0.3
(0.4)
2.3
2.2

Deferred and contingent consideration
Deferred consideration of £7.1m (fair value £6.9m) will be paid, subject to two financial stress tests which management expect to be met, to the 
previous owners in May 2021. 

As part of the purchase agreement there is an element of contingent consideration which comprises additional cash payments to the previous 
owners of TBTC of the following amounts if operating profit targets are achieved during an earn-out period:

• 
• 

£3.0m (fair value £2.7m) in the first year
A further £3.0m (fair value £2.5m) in the second year

The earn-out period will commence when normal trading conditions have resumed post COVID-19, with the time frame to be agreed between 
Britvic and the former shareholders of TBTC, but is expected to span the financial years from 2021 to 2023. As at 30 September 2020, 
management anticipate the commencement of the earn-out period to begin during 2021.

In addition, on acquisition, an employee incentive scheme was created with a scheme duration of three years. During the year ended 
30 September 2020 an associated charge of £0.5m has been incurred. Additional costs of up to £4.0m are expected to be incurred over the 
duration of the scheme, subject to the achievement of performance criteria.

As at the acquisition date, the fair value of the deferred and contingent consideration was estimated to be £12.1m. The acquisition date fair value 
reflects management’s expectation that achievement of the performance targets is highly probable, and the fair value has been determined using 
a discounted cash flow method. The fair value of the deferred and contingent consideration at 30 September 2020 reflects the unwinding of an 
element of the discount due to the passage of time. 

A reconciliation of the fair value measurement of the deferred and contingent consideration liability is provided below:

At 6 June 2020
Unwinding of discount (note 9)
At 30 September 2020 

Deferred and contingent consideration are recorded within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet (see note 28).

From the date of the acquisition, TBTC contributed £0.6m of revenue to the Group, and a loss before interest and tax of £0.2m, relating to 
intangible asset amortisation as included as part of adjusting items on page 190. If the combination had taken place at the beginning of the 
year, revenue would have been £2.0m, with a loss before interest and tax of £0.2m.

£m
12.1
0.2
12.3

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

175

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

34. Acquisitions & Disposals continued
Disposals
On the 30 September 2020 the Group completed the transaction with Refresco to dispose its three juice manufacturing sites in France, its private 
label juice business, and the Fruité brand. During the year ended 30 September 2020, an Income Statement charge of £5.3m was incurred relating 
to the final purchase price, legal and professional fees associated with the disposal and other costs, including a credit of £2.3m relating to foreign 
exchange gain on the disposed business recycled through the Income Statement. The costs associated with the disposal have been included 
within adjusting items on page 190.

Assets
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Total assets 

Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Pension liability 
Deferred tax liability
Total liabilities 

Net assets disposed of 

Cash proceeds arising from transaction
Loss on disposal
Foreign exchange gain recycled through the Income Statement
Loss on disposal including foreign exchange gain
Additional costs on disposal
Income statement charge

2020
£m

–
115.1
8.5
10.6
34.2

(15.6)
(1.5)
(0.7)
(17.8)

16.4

(13.2)
33.2
(2.3)
0.9
4.4
5.3

35. Post balance sheet events
In October 2020 Britvic signed a new and exclusive 20 year franchise bottling agreement with Pepsi for the production, distribution, marketing and 
sales of its soft drink brands in GB, which provides access to a portfolio of global brands, including Pepsi MAX, 7UP and now Rockstar. The GB 
agreement runs to December 2040.

176 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Company balance sheet

Non-current assets
Investments in group undertakings
Other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax asset

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets

Current liabilities
Bank overdraft
Trade and other payables
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Other current liabilities

Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Other non-current liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Issued share capital
Share premium account
Own shares reserve
Hedging reserve
Merger reserve
Retained earnings*
Total equity

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30 September 
2020 
£m

29 September 
2019
 £m

Note

5

9

6
9

15

7
8
9

8
9

10

706.9
0.8
25.2
0.1
733.0

664.8
10.7
33.5
10.0
719.0

–
(85.3)
(120.6)
(1.4)
(3.2)
(210.5)
508.5
1,241.5

(586.0)
(3.2)
(1.7)
(590.9)

706.8
2.5
39.4
0.4
749.1

576.3
27.8
–
–
604.1

(14.7)
(76.2)
(317.9)
(0.2)
(2.5)
(411.5)
192.6
941.7

(516.8)
(3.1)
–
(519.9)

650.6

421.8

53.4
154.1
(3.7)
(0.6)
87.3
360.1
650.6

53.1
145.5
(10.3)
(2.3)
87.3
148.5
421.8

*  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 

made a profit attributable to the equity shareholders of £285.0m in the period (2019: £121.3m).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 25 November 2020. They were signed on its 
behalf by:

SIMON LITHERLAND 

JOANNE WILSON

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

177

 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Company statement of changes in equity

At 1 October 2018
Profit for the period
Movement in cash flow hedges
Deferred tax in respect of cash flow hedges
Total comprehensive income

Issue of shares
Own shares purchased for share schemes
Own shares utilised for share schemes
Movement in share based schemes
Payment of dividend
At 29 September 2019

Profit for the period
Movement in cash flow hedges
Deferred tax in respect of cash flow hedges
Total comprehensive income

Issue of shares
Own shares purchased for share schemes
Own shares utilised for share schemes
Movement in share based schemes
Payment of dividend
At 30 September 2020

Issued
 share 
capital 
 £m
52.9
–
–
–
–

Share 
premium 
account 
£m
139.1
–
–
–
–

0.2
–
–
–
–
53.1

–
–
–
–

0.3
–
–
–
–
53.4

6.4
–
–
–
–
145.5

–
–
–
–

8.6
–
–
–
–
154.1

Own 
shares 
reserve 
£m
(5.4)
–
–
–
–

(4.3)
(9.0)
8.4
–
–
(10.3)

–
–
–
–

(3.7)
(2.8)
13.1
–
–
(3.7)

Hedging 
reserve 
£m
(8.4)
–
7.3
(1.2)
6.1

Merger 
reserve 
£m
87.3
–
–
–
–

Retained 
earnings
 £m
100.9
121.3
–
–
121.3

–
–
–
–
–
(2.3)

–
2.1
(0.4)
1.7

–
–
–
–
–
(0.6)

–
–
–
–
–
87.3

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
87.3

–
–
(7.5)
9.4
(75.6)
148.5

285.0
–
–
285.0

–
–
(17.1)
1.3
(57.6)
360.1

Total 
 £m
366.4
121.3
7.3
(1.2)
127.4

2.3
(9.0)
0.9
9.4
(75.6)
421.8

285.0
2.1
(0.4)
286.7

5.2
(2.8)
(4.0)
1.3
(57.6)
650.6

178 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

 
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Notes to the company financial statements

1. Significant accounting policies, judgements, estimates and assumptions
Statement of compliance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (FRS 101)
The company meets the definition of a qualifying entity under Financial Reporting Standard 100 (FRS 100) issued by the Financial Reporting 
Council. Accordingly, these financial statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure 
Framework (FRS 101) and in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation
These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and applicable UK accounting 
standards and present information about the company as an individual undertaking, and not about its Group.

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention except for the measurement of derivative instruments at fair value. 
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 financial statements are presented in pounds sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest million pounds (£m). As permitted by FRS 101, 
the company has taken advantage of the disclosure exemptions available in relation to:

a.  The requirements of IFRS 7 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’;
b.  The requirements of IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’;
c.  The requirements of paragraphs 10(d), 10(f), 16, 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 111 and 134 to 136 of IAS 1 ‘Presentation of 

Financial Statements’;

d.  The requirements of IAS 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’;
e.  The requirements of paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8 ‘Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors’ in relation to standards 

not yet effective;

f.  The requirements of paragraphs 17 and 18A of IAS 24 ‘Related Party Disclosures’; and
g.  The requirements of IAS 24 ‘Related Party Disclosures’ to disclose related party transactions entered into between two or more members 

of a group, provided that any subsidiary which is a party to the transaction is wholly owned by such a member.

Where required, equivalent disclosures are given in the consolidated financial statements of Britvic plc.

Significant accounting policies: use of judgement, estimates and assumptions
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 income and expenditure during the year. However, the nature 
of estimation means that the actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. There are no significant judgements and estimates relevant to 
these financial statements.

Foreign currency translations
The company’s financial statements are presented in sterling, which is also the company’s functional currency.

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded in the entity’s functional currency by applying the spot exchange rate ruling at the date of 
the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance 
sheet date. Any resulting exchange differences are included in the income statement and should be read in conjunction with the information 
provided under ‘Derivative financial instrument and hedging’ in notes 3, 25 and 26 to the consolidated financial statements.

Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates as at the dates of 
the initial transactions. Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when 
the fair value was determined.

Income taxes
The current income tax 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 financial statements.

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.

Share-based payments
The cost of the equity-settled transactions with employees of other members within the Group is measured by reference to the fair value at the 
date at which equity instruments are granted and is recognised as a capital contribution in investments in subsidiary undertakings over the vesting 
period, which ends on the date on which the employees become fully entitled to the award. A corresponding credit is recognised within equity. 
Fair value is determined by using an appropriate, widely used, valuation model. In valuing equity-settled transactions, no account is taken of any 
vesting conditions, other than conditions linked to the price of the shares of the company (market conditions).

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

179

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the company financial statements continued

1. Significant accounting policies, judgements, estimates and assumptions continued
Investments
The company recognises its investments in subsidiaries at cost less any provisions made for impairment. The company assesses investments for 
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an investment may not be recoverable. If any such 
indication of impairment exists, the company makes an estimate of its recoverable amount. Where the carrying amount of an investment exceeds 
its recoverable amount, the investment is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount.

In respect of IFRS 2 ‘Share-based Payment’, the company records an increase in its investment in subsidiaries to reflect the share-based 
compensation expense recorded by its subsidiaries.

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.

The company evaluates the nature of any restrictions on cash held in deposit accounts to determine whether the restriction results in the balance 
ceasing to be available on demand, highly liquid or readily convertible. Where this is the case, the deposit is classified within other assets in the 
balance sheet. For further details on the balances classified as other assets at 30 September 2020, refer to note 22 to the consolidated financial 
statements.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the company balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument.

Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value, and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, 
less any expected credit losses.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity 
instrument is any contract that gives a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments 
issued by the company are recorded as the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Interest bearing loans and borrowings are initially recognised at fair value and net of attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial 
recognition, interest bearing borrowings are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

Gains and losses arising on the repurchase, settlement or other cancellation interest bearing loans and borrowings are recognised in finance 
income and finance costs, respectively.

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are recognised initially at fair value, and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
The company 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.

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 changes in the fair value of 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 profit and loss 
account. Amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income are transferred to the profit and loss account 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.

180 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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If a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income 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 other comprehensive income remain in equity until the forecast transaction occurs and 
are then transferred to the profit and loss account or included in the initial carrying amount of a non-financial asset or liability as above.

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 profit and loss account. 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 profit and loss account. 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 profit and loss account based on a recalculated effective interest rate. The fair value gain or loss on the 
hedging instrument would continue to be recorded in the profit and loss account.

Dividends
Dividend income is recognised when the company’s right to receive payment is established. 

Final dividends payable are recorded in the financial statements in the period in which they are approved by the company’s shareholders. 
Interim dividends payable are recorded in the period in which they are declared.

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 and issues by the company of its own shares, which will be distributed to employees 
as and when share awards made under the Britvic employee share plans vest.

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.

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 − 613 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.

New standards and interpretations not applied
See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for details of new standards and interpretations not applied.

2. Auditor’s remuneration
Auditor’s remuneration has been borne by another Group undertaking. For further details, refer to note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.

3. Profit of the company
The company made a profit of £285.0m in the period (2019: £121.3m).

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

181

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the company financial statements continued

4. 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

2020
 £m
1.8
0.2

2020
 £m
–

2019 
£m
3.1
2.0

2019
 £m
–

Further information relating to Directors’ remuneration for the 12 months ended 30 September 2020 is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on pages 87 – 106.

The average number of employees for the year, including directors, was 2 (2019: 2).

5. Investments in group undertakings

Cost and net book value at the beginning of the period
Capital contribution
Group restructuring* 
Cost and net book value at the end of the period

2020 
£m
706.8
0.1
–
706.9

2019
 £m
787.0
11.4
(91.6)
706.8

*  A project was undertaken during the prior year in order to simplify aspects of the Group structure, which resulted in the redemption of all of the fixed rate redeemable preference shares in the 

capital of one of the subsidiary companies for an aggregate price of £91.6m. 

The list of the subsidiary undertakings of which Britvic plc is, either directly or through subsidiary companies, the beneficial owner of the whole of 
the equity share capital is given in note 32 to the consolidated financial statements.

6. Trade and other receivables

Loans due from subsidiary undertakings
Other receivables

2020 
 £m
663.1
1.7
664.8

Loans due from subsidiary undertakings are interest bearing, unsecured and repayable on demand. At 30 September 2020, loans due from 
subsidiary undertakings are stated net of an allowance for expected credit losses of £20.6m (2019: £nil).

7. Trade and other payables

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings 
Accruals and deferred income

All of the amounts due to subsidiary undertakings are repayable on demand.

2020 
 £m
84.0
1.3
85.3

2019 
£m
576.3
–
576.3

2019 
£m
72.3
3.9
76.2

182 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

8. Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Current
Bank loans
Loans due to subsidiary undertakings
Private placement notes
Unamortised issue costs
Total current

Non-current
Private placement notes
Unamortised issue costs
Total non-current

Private placement notes
The Group holds loan notes with coupons and maturities as shown in the following table:

Year issued
2010
2014
2014
2017
2017
2018
2018
2018
2020
2020
2020
2020

Maturity date
Amount
December 2020 – December 2022 $113m
£35m
February 2021 – February 2024
$114m
February 2024– February 2026
£120m
February 2025 – February 2032
£55m
February 2027 – February 2032
£65m
June 2028 – June 2033
£20m
June 2030
€40m
June 2028
£70m
May 2030 – May 2032
€35m
May 2032
£30m
May 2035
€25m
May 2035

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2020 
£m

–
42.0
79.2
(0.6)
120.6

588.6
(2.6)
586.0

2019
 £m

66.8
152.4
99.2
(0.5)
317.9

518.0
(1.2)
516.8

Interest terms
US$ fixed at 4.04% – 4.14%
UK£ fixed at 3.40% – 3.92%
US$ fixed at 4.09% – 4.24%
UK£ fixed at 2.31% – 2.76%
UK£ LIBOR plus 1.32% – 1.36%
UK£ fixed at 2.66% – 2.88%
UK£ LIBOR plus 1.06%
EURIBOR plus 0.65%
UK£ fixed at 2.09% – 2.19%
EUR fixed at 1.15%
UK£ LIBOR plus 1.45%
EURIBOR plus 1.15%

The company 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 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

See note 25 to the consolidated financial statements for an analysis of the interest rate profile and the maturity of the borrowings and related 
interest rate swaps.

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities
Hierarchy
The company uses the following valuation hierarchy to determine the carrying value of financial instruments that are measured at fair value:

Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:

quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly.
techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

Unless otherwise stated, the valuation basis used to calculate fair value is level 2.

All derivatives are valued using discounted cash flow analysis using the applicable yield curve for the duration of the instruments. 
Forward currency contracts are measured using quoted forward exchange rates and yield curves derived from quoted interest rates matching 
maturities of the contracts. Cross currency interest rate swaps are measured at the present value of future cash flows estimated and discounted 
based on quoted forward exchange rates and the applicable yield curves derived from quoted interest rates. Equity derivatives are measured using 
share prices and yield curves derived from quoted interest rates matching maturities of the contracts. The fair value of derivatives also includes 
the non-performance risk of both Britvic and its derivatives trading counterparties.

As in the prior year, the carrying values of financial assets and liabilities are considered to be reasonable approximations of their fair values, except 
for fixed rate borrowings.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

183

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the company financial statements continued

9. Derivative financial instruments

Non-current assets: derivative financial instruments 
USD GBP cross currency fixed interest rate swaps 
USD GBP cross currency floating interest rate swaps 

Current assets: derivative financial instruments
USD GBP cross currency fixed interest rate swaps
USD GBP cross currency floating interest rate swaps
GBP euro cross currency floating interest rate swaps
Forward currency contracts designated as part of a cash flow hedge relationship
Forward currency contracts

Current liabilities: derivative financial instruments
GBP euro cross currency fixed interest rate swaps

Non-current liabilities: derivative financial instruments
GBP euro cross currency fixed interest rate swaps
Euro interest rate swaps
GBP interest rate swaps

2020 
 £m

22.3
2.9
25.2

5.1
5.2
–
0.2
0.2
10.7

(1.4)
(1.4)

(1.7)
(0.1)
(1.4)
(3.2)

2019
 £m

30.1
9.3
39.4

0.6
26.9
0.3
–
–
27.8

(0.2)
(0.2)

(3.1)
–
–
(3.1)

Derivatives designated as part of hedge relationships
As at 30 September 2020 these hedging relationships are categorised as follows:

Cash flow hedges
Cross currency interest rate swaps
At 30 September 2020, the company has a number of cross currency interest rate swaps relating to the 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 USPP Notes.

During the year ended 30 September 2020, the cross currency interest rate swaps related to the 2009 USPP Notes were settled.

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 8.

During the year the cash flow hedge has been tested for effectiveness and as a result a £nil (2019: £nil) has been recognised in the income 
statement in respect of ineffectiveness.

Fair value hedges
Cross currency interest rate swaps
At the beginning of the year, the company had 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 USPP Notes. 

During the year, the 2009 USPP Notes were repaid in full, and therefore at 30 September 2020, the company’s cross currency interest rate swaps 
relate solely to the 2010 USPP Notes.

The fair value movements on the 2009 and 2010 USD GBP cross currency interest rate swaps are recorded in the income statement, with a 
corresponding adjustment to the carrying value of the USPP Notes where the hedge is deemed effective.

The decrease in fair value of the 2010 cross currency interest rate swaps, excluding maturities, of £2.0m (2019: £0.6m increase) has been 
recognised in finance costs and offset with a similar gain on the borrowings of £1.9m (2019: £0.1m loss). The net loss of £0.1m (2019: £0.5m gain) 
represents the ineffective portion on the hedges of the debt.

184 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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10. 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 1 October 2018
Shares issued relating to incentive schemes for employees
At 29 September 2019
Shares issued relating to incentive schemes for employees
At 30 September 2020

No. of shares
264,606,911
903,826
265,510,737
1,405,325
266,916,062

Value £
52,921,382
180,765
53,102,147
281,065
53,383,212

Of the issued and fully paid ordinary shares, 369,448 shares (2019: 1,180,721 shares) are own shares held by an employee benefit trust. 
This equates to £73,890 (2019: £236,144 ) 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 of the consolidated financial statements.

An explanation of the Group’s capital management process and objectives is set out in note 25 of the consolidated financial statements.

11. Dividends paid and proposed

Declared and paid during the period
Equity dividends on ordinary shares
Final dividend for 2019: 21.7p per share (2018: 20.3p per share)
Interim dividend for 2020: nil (2019: 8.3p per share)
Dividends paid
Proposed
Final dividend for 2020: 21.6p per share (2019: 21.7p per share)

2020
 £m

57.6
–
57.6

57.7

2019
 £m

53.6
22.0
75.6

57.6

12. Distributable reserves
Britvic plc, the parent company of the Group, holds investments in subsidiaries and acts as a financing entity for the Group. It derives its profits from 
dividends paid by subsidiary companies and interest earned on intra group loans. The Board reviews the level of distributable reserves in the parent company 
prior to the declaration of interim and final dividends to shareholders to ensure distributable reserves provide adequate cover for dividend payments.

In accordance with the UK Companies Act 2006 section 831(2), a public company may make a distribution only if, after giving effect to such 
distribution, the amount of its net assets is not less than the aggregate of its called up share capital and non-distributable reserves as shown in the 
relevant accounts. The company must also determine what is realised and unrealised in accordance with the guidance provided by ICAEW TECH 
02/17BL and the requirements of UK law.

Reserves available for distribution at 30 September 2020 and 29 September 2019 were comprised as follows:

Net assets
Less:
– Issued share capital 
– Share premium
– Merger reserve
– Other non-distributable reserves*
Distributable reserves

2020
 £m
650.6

(53.4)
(154.1)
(87.3)
(85.6)
270.2

2019
 £m
421.8

(53.1)
(145.5)
(87.3)
(83.1)
52.8

*  Other non-distributable reserves represent the excess of accumulated unrealised profits over accumulated unrealised losses. They comprise the cumulative credit to equity arising from 

equity-settled share-based payments to the employees of subsidiary companies, so long as the associated investment in subsidiary is not impaired or disposed of, and net unrealised gains in 
the company’s hedging reserve related to cash flow hedges.

Past dividends
During the year, the company has discovered that certain past dividends were made otherwise than in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 
This occurred because payment of certain dividends reduced the level of the company’s net assets below the aggregate of its called up share 
capital and non-distributable reserves, as determined in the last relevant accounts prior to the dividend payment. This principally resulted from the 
failure to identify certain unrealised profits arising from equity-settled share-based payments as non-distributable when determining distributable 
reserves. Had the company correctly identified the level of non-distributable reserves, it would have called upon subsidiary companies to increase 
the level of dividends paid to the parent company prior to each year-end date as there were adequate reserves available in the wider group to 
satisfy the planned dividend payments. During the year ended 30 September 2020, additional dividends have been paid by subsidiaries to the 
parent company in order to guard against any future non-compliance with the Companies Act.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

185

 
 
 
 
Financial Statements
Notes to the company financial statements continued

12. Distributable reserves continued
The affected dividends were the FY13 interim dividend paid on 2 August 2013, the FY13 final dividend paid on 7 February 2014, the FY14 interim 
dividend paid on 11 July 2014, the FY18 final dividend paid on 4 February 2019, the FY19 interim dividend paid on 15 July 2019 and the FY19 final 
dividend paid on 6 February 2020 (together, the Relevant Dividends and each a Relevant Dividend). In aggregate, the Relevant Dividends paid in 
excess of distributable reserves totalled £100.7 million.

As a result, the company could have claims against the shareholders who received the Relevant Dividends and the directors of the company at the 
relevant time. The company has no intention of pursuing any such claims. Instead, the company is proposing certain resolutions at its forthcoming 
AGM to put the company, its current and former shareholders and its current and former directors in the position they would have been in, had the 
Relevant Dividends fully complied with the Act. This includes resolutions to appropriate distributable profits to the Relevant Dividends that have 
arisen subsequent to each Relevant Dividend. This also includes entering into deeds of release to release the shareholders who received the 
Relevant Dividends, and the directors of the company at the time the Relevant Dividends were made, from any liability to repay any amounts to 
the company. The Directors are related parties of the company and therefore the entry by the company into a deed of release in favour of the 
Directors constitutes a related party transaction for the purposes of the Listing Rules.

The amounts included within the financial statements have not been restated for the effect of the distributions made otherwise than in 
accordance with the Act as the company has no intention to pursue shareholders or directors for repayments of the Relevant Dividends 
and seeks to remediate the situation at the forthcoming AGM. 

13. Contingent liabilities
The company is co-guarantor of the Group’s bank loan and overdraft facilities. See note 18 in the consolidated financial statements for details 
of the Group’s facilities.

14. Related undertakings
In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, a full list of related undertakings, the country of incorporation and the percentage 
on share capital owned as at 30 September 2020 is disclosed in note 32 in the consolidated financial statements.

Subsidiary undertakings are controlled by the Group and their results are fully consolidated in the Group’s financial statements.

15. Other assets
At 30 September 2020, the company has £10.0m (2019: £nil) held within ‘Other current assets’ on the balance sheet. This balance relates to 
amounts received from Britvic Soft Drinks Limited, another Group company, in respect of contributions related to the Group’s principal pension 
scheme for GB employees, the Britvic Pension Plan (BPP). See note 22 of the consolidated financial statements for further details.

186 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Additional Information
Shareholder information

Contacts
Britvic plc
Registered address:  
Breakspear Park, Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 4TZ

Telephone: 
+44 (0)1442 284400

Company Secretary enquiries by email:  
company.secretariat@britvic.com

Investor Relations enquiries by email:  
investors@britvic.com

Website: www.britvic.com

This report is available to download via the company’s website www.britvic.com/annualreport.

The Britvic Registrar:
Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA

Shareholder helpline: 
0871 384 2550 (UK callers), +44 121 415 7019 (non-UK callers)

Shareview dealing: 
03456 037 037

ISA Helpline: 
0345 300 0430

Employee helpline: 
0371 384 2520 (UK callers), +44 121 415 7018 (non-UK callers)

For those with hearing difficulties, a textphone is available on 0371 384 2255 for UK callers with compatible equipment.

Websites:  
www.equiniti.com, www.shareview.co.uk.

ADR Depositary Bank and Registrar:
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, PO Box 505000, Louisville, KY 40233-5000, USA

Direct mailing for overnight packages:  
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202, USA

Investor helpline: 
+1-888-BNY-ADRs (USA caller, toll free), +1-201-680-6825 (non-USA caller) 

Email:  
shrrelations@cpushareownerservices.com 

Website: 
www.mybnymdr.com

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

187

 
 
 
 
Additional Information
Shareholder information continued

Dividends
2020 dividends

Interim
Final

Payment date

–
3 February 2021

Amount per share

–
21.6p

Dividend mandates
Shareholders who wish to have their dividends paid directly into a sterling 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 at www.britvic.com/investors/shareholder-centre/dividends.

Shareholders outside the UK who wish to have dividends paid directly to a bank account in their local currency should contact the Registrar 
helpline on +44 121 415 7019 as arrangements can be made in over 90 countries.

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 via download from the company’s website at www.britvic.com/investors/shareholder-centre/
dividends.

2020/2021 Financial calendar 

Ex-dividend date
Record date
Annual General Meeting
Payment of final dividend
Interim results announcement

 17 December 2020
 18 December 2020
 28 January 2021
 3 February 2021
 18 May 2021

Further information
Stock exchange listings
Britvic is listed on the London Stock Exchange and can be found using the code BVIC. The company was floated through an IPO in 
November 2005.

Britvic American Depository Receipts are traded on OTCQX in the USA under the symbol BTVCY. OTCQX is an over-the-counter (OTC) market, 
where securities not listed on major exchanges are traded directly by a network of dealers. One ADR represents two Britvic plc ordinary shares.

Share dealing services
The company’s Registrar, Equiniti Financial Services Limited, offers a telephone and internet dealing service, Shareview, which provides a simple 
and convenient way of buying and selling shares. For telephone dealings call 03456 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 its ISA 
helpline, telephone 0345 300 0430.

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 £200m is lost in this way in the UK each year.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has some helpful information about such scams on its 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/scamsmart/share-bond-boiler-room-scams. If you suspect an attempt at fraud, report it to the FCA on 0800 111 6768.

188 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Electronic communications
Britvic has adopted website communication as the default method of communication with shareholders. We periodically contact shareholders 
to ask if they would prefer to receive hard copy documents. Shareholders who do not respond to this query within 28 days are deemed to have 
consented to website communication under the 2006 Companies Act provisions. Britvic will still send a paper notification to tell these 
shareholders when new documents are posted to the website.

Alternatively, shareholders can elect to receive these notifications by email, by registering with Shareview at www.shareview.co.uk. This will save 
on printing and distribution costs, creating environmental benefits. 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.

Shareholder profile as at 30 September 2020

Range of holdings
1 – 199
200 – 499
500 – 999
1,000 – 4,999
5,000 – 9,999
10,000 – 49,999
50,000 – 99,999
100,000 – 499,999
500,000 – 999,999
1,000,000 plus

Category
Private individuals
Nominee companies
Limited and public limited companies
Other corporate bodies
Pension funds, insurance companies and banks

Number of 
shareholders
473
338
352
871
206
168
71
143
33
44
2,699

Number of 
shareholders
1,874
558
212
51
4
2,699

Ordinary 
Percentage 
shares
of total 
 (million)
shareholders
29,419
17.53%
110,600
12.52%
239,691
13.04%
1,916,104
32.27%
1,412,844
7.63%
3,911,137
6.22%
5,147,800
2.63%
33,845,738
5.30%
1.22%
22,397,672
1.63% 197,905,057
100.00% 266,916,062

Ordinary 
Percentage 
shares 
of total 
 (million)
shareholders
69.44%
4,173,486
20.67% 214,352,637
45,203,856
3,184,778
1,305
100.00% 266,916,062

7.85%
1.89%
0.15%

Percentage 
of issued
share capital
0.01%
0.04%
0.09%
0.72%
0.53%
1.47%
1.93%
12.68%
8.39%
74.15%
100.00%

Percentage 
of issued
 share capital
1.56%
80.31%
16.94%
1.19%
0.00%
100.00%

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

189

 
 
 
 
 
Additional Information
Non-GAAP reconciliations

Adjusting items
The Group excludes adjusting items from its Non-GAAP measures because of their size, frequency and nature 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. 

These items primarily relate to the loss on disposal of the French juices business, impairment of intangible assets, goodwill and property, plant 
and equipment in the Counterpoint business, restructuring costs associated with the divestment of part of the French business, employee 
restructuring costs and other one-off items that are not considered part of business operations as detailed in the notes below. In addition, 
acquisition related costs such as amortisation of acquired intangibles and the impairment of assets held for sale as part of a disposal are also 
considered adjusting items.

Adjusted KPIs are used to measure the underlying profitability of the Group and enable comparison of performance against peers. They are also 
used in the calculation of short and long term reward schemes.

In prior years adjusting items included fair value movements on financial instruments where hedge accounting cannot be applied on future 
transactions and also where hedge ineffectiveness is recognised. Consideration is made each year as to whether fair value movements on 
derivative financial instruments where hedge accounting cannot be applied to future transactions or where there is ineffectiveness in the 
hedge relationship, are recorded within adjusting items. 

Strategic restructuring – business capability programme
Strategic restructuring – organisational capability transformation
Credits in relation to the acquisition and integration of subsidiaries
Strategic M&A activity
Closure of Fruit Shoot multi-pack operations in the USA
Impairment of assets held for sale
Pension scheme costs 
Impairment of Counterpoint assets
Acquisition related amortisation 
Total included in operating profit
Fair value movements
Unwind of discount on deferred consideration
Total included in finance costs
Tax on adjusting items – merger of Brazil entities 
Tax on adjusting items included in profit before tax
Total included in taxation
Net adjusting items

Notes
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)

(j)
(k)

 (l)

12 months 
ended 
30 September 
2020 
 £m
(1.6)
(11.3)
1.3
(6.3)
–
(0.4)
–
(8.4)
(8.8)
(35.5)
–
(0.2)
(0.2)
1.6
13.9
15.5
(20.2)

52 weeks 
ended 
29 September 
2019 
£m
(33.0)
–
1.3
(2.5)
(2.1)
(31.2)
(6.2)
–
(10.4)
(84.1)
(0.5)
–
(0.5)
–
7.4
7.4
(77.2)

a)  

‘Strategic restructuring – business capability programme’ relates to the restructuring of supply chain and the operating model across the Group, initiated in 2016. Of the £1.6m costs in the 
current year, £2.6m relates to the closure of the Norwich site for site services, advisory and exit costs, offset by a £1.0m credit for the part reversal of a previous impairment charge in relation 
to the Norwich land and buildings.

b)   ‘Strategic restructuring – organisational capability transformation’ primarily relates to contract termination costs, consultation fees and employee termination benefits following the 

implementation of a group wide strategic restructure announced during the year.

c)   Relates to the release of purchase price allocation provisions for Bela Ischia Alimentos Ltda (Bela Ischia) and Empresa Brasileira de Bebidas e Alimentos SA (Ebba).
d)  Strategic M&A activity in the year ended 30 September 2020, primarily relates to charges incurred as part of the disposal of our French private label juice business (refer to note 34) and the 
acquisition of TBTC (refer to note 34). On acquisition of TBTC, an employee incentive scheme was created with a scheme duration of three years. Associated employee incentive payments 
are expected to be reflected within adjusting items over the associated performance period.

e)   ‘Closure of Fruit Shoot multi-pack operations in the USA’ costs incurred in the prior year related to assets and inventory write-offs and employee costs.
f)   The current year charge of £0.4m relates to an impairment of Norwich and Counterpoint as a result of moving the assets into held for sale. The prior year charge of £31.2m related to the 

French disposal.

g)   ‘Pension scheme costs’ in the prior year relate to a charge resulting from the equalisation of Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) in the GB and Northern Ireland pension schemes and 

associated pension advisory costs.

h)  During 2020 intangible assets, goodwill and property, plant and equipment relating to the Counterpoint business were impaired.
i) 
j) 

‘Acquisition related amortisation’ relates to the amortisation of intangibles recognised on acquisitions in GB, Ireland, France and Brazil.
‘Fair value movements’ in the prior year relates to the fair value movement of derivative financial instruments where either hedge accounting cannot be applied to future transactions or 
where there is ineffectiveness in the hedge relationship.
‘Unwind of discount on deferred consideration’ relates to TBTC acquisition (note 34). 

k) 
l)  Following the merger of Brazil entities during the year, a deferred tax asset on intangibles has been recognised within the Group.

190 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Adjusted profit

Operating profit as reported 
Add back adjusting items in operating profit
Adjusted EBIT
Net finance costs 
Add back adjusting net finance costs
Adjusted profit before tax and acquisition related amortisation
Acquisition related amortisation
Adjusted profit before tax
Taxation
Less adjusting tax credit
Adjusted profit after tax
Adjusted effective tax rate

Earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share
Profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders
Add: Net impact of adjusting items

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for basic earnings per share

S

t
r
a
t
e
g
i
c
R
e
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o
r
t

C
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r
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o
r
a
t
e
G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

F
i
n
a
n
c
i
a
l

S

t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

A
d
d
i
t
i
o
n
a
l

I

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n

12 months 
ended 
30 September 
2020 
£m
130.3
35.5
165.8
(19.1)
0.2
146.9
(8.8)
138.1
(16.6)
(15.5)
106.0
23.2%

52 weeks
 ended 
29 September 
2019
 £m
130.0
84.1
214.1
(19.7)
0.5
194.9
(10.4)
184.5
(29.4)
(7.4)
147.7
19.9%

2020
 £m

94.6
20.2
114.8
265.9

2019
 £m

80.9
77.2
158.1
264.5

Adjusted earnings per share

43.2p

59.8p

Adjusted diluted earnings per share
Profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders before adjusting 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

Constant currency and like-for-like movements

114.8

158.1

267.2
43.0p

266.9
59.2p

2019
52-week period ended 29 September 2019 as reported
Like-for-like cost reclassification*
Adjustment for FX
2019 like-for-like at constant currency

Revenue
£m

Brand 
Contribution 
£m

Adjusted 
EBIT 
£m

1,545.0
–
(29.1)
1,515.9

551.1
12.4
(6.9)
556.6

214.1
–
(1.8)
212.3

*  Reclassification of certain prior year costs in GB (£9.7m) and Ireland (£2.7m) from variable to fixed costs to allow like-for-like comparison with current year.

Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

191

 
 
 
 
Additional Information
Non-GAAP reconciliations continued

Free cash flow

Net cash flows from operating activities
Purchases of property, plant & equipment
Purchases of intangible assets
Interest paid, net of derivative financial instruments
Repayment of principal portion of lease liabilities
Repayment of interest element of lease liabilities
Repayment of finance leases
Free cash flow

Adjusted net debt/EBITDA ratio

EBITA
Depreciation of assets
Depreciation of right-of-use assets
Amortisation excl. acquisition related
Loss on disposal of property, plant & equipment and intangible assets
Reported EBITDA
Less payment of lease liabilities as estimate for pre-IFRS16 rental charges
EBITDA

Adjusted Net Debt
12 Month EBITDA (pre IFRS16)
Net debt/EBITDA ratio

Net interest
EBITDA/net interest ratio

Adjusted net debt

Cash and cash equivalents
Derivatives hedging balance sheet debt
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Adjusted net debt

192 Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2020

12 months 
ended 
30 September 
2020
 £m
168.8
(43.7) 
(6.3) 
(16.5) 
(10.2) 
 (2.1) 
–
90.0

52 weeks
ended 
29 September 
2019 
£m
185.1
(67.4)
(7.4)
(21.0)
– 
– 
(0.9)
88.4

12 months 
ended 
30 September 
2020
 £m
 165.8
43.0
11.0
7.1
4.3
231.2
(12.3)
218.9

52 weeks
ended 
29 September 
2019 
£m
214.1
45.7
–
8.0
2.3
270.1
–
270.1

520.4
218.9
2.4x

(19.1)
11x

566.2
270.1
2.1x

(19.7)
14x

12 months 
ended 
30 September 
2020
 £m

52 weeks
ended 
29 September 
2019 
£m

(109.2)
(35.1)
664.7
520.4

(49.0)
(68.3)
683.5
566.2

Glossary

A&P is Advertising and Promotion and is a measure of marketing 
spend including marketing, research and advertising.

Free cash flow is defined as cash generated from operating activities, 
less capex, interest and repayment of lease liabilities.

Adjusted earnings per share is a non-GAAP measure 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 adjusting items. 

Adjusted EBIT is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as operating 
profit before adjusting items. EBIT margin is EBIT as a proportion of 
Group revenue.

FVPL is Fair Value through Profit or Loss.

GPTW stands for Great Place to Work and is a methodology process 
adopted by businesses to measure employee engagement.

HFSS is food and drink that is High in Fat, Salt and/or Sugar.

Innovation is defined as new launches over the last three years, 
excluding new flavours and pack sizes of established brands.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure calculated by taking Group 
EBITA; adding back depreciation; amortisation; loss on disposal of 
Property, Plant and Equipment; payment of lease liabilities as estimate 
for pre-IFRS16 rental charges.

M&A is Mergers and Acquisitions.

NED is a Non-Executive Director.

Adjusted net debt is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as Group 
net debt, adding back the impact of derivatives hedging the balance 
sheet debt.

Non-GAAP measures are provided because they are closely tracked 
by management to evaluate Britvic’s operating performance and to 
make financial, strategic and operating decisions.

Adjusted profit after tax is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as 
profit after tax before adjusting items, with the exception of acquisition 
related amortisation.

Organic is a non-GAAP measure which excludes the impact of the 
acquisition of The Boiling Tap Company and presented on a constant 
currency basis.

ARP is Average Realised Price and is defined as average price per litre 
sold, excluding factored brands and concentrate sales.

PBTA is Profit Before Tax and Amortisation.

BAME is Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic.

PET is polyethylene terephthalate plastic. 

PPE is Personal Protective Equipment.

BPS is basis points and is a measure used to describe the percentage 
change in a value. One basis point is equivalent to 0.01%.

PSP is Britvic’s Performance Share Plan.

Brand contribution is a non-GAAP measure and 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.

Revenue is defined as sales achieved by the group net of price 
promotional investment and retailer discounts.

Revenue management is used to define a range of actions to affect 
ARP. It includes, but is not limited to, price increases, changes to price 
promotions and variation of pack size.

Brand contribution margin is a non-GAAP measure and is a 
percentage measure calculated as brand contribution, divided by 
revenue. Each business unit’s performance is reported down to 
the brand contribution level.

CAGR is Compound Annual Growth Rate.

rPET is recycled polyethylene terephthalate plastic. 

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires the Board to 
consider a number of factors in its decision-making, including the 
interests of its stakeholders.

CGU is Cash Generating Unit.

SID is a Senior Independent Director.

CHP is the Combined Heat and Power plant located at the Rugby site 
and used to generate power.

SKU is Stock-Keeping Units.

Constant exchange rate is a non-GAAP measure of performance in 
the underlying currency to eliminate the impact of foreign exchange 
movements.

EBITDA is Earnings Before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation 
and Amortisation.

EPS is Earnings Per Share.

ESG is Environment, Social and Governance.

ESOP is Britvic’s Executive Share Option Plan.

FMCG is Fast Moving Consumer Goods.

SSDT is Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax and is a levy applied on soft 
drinks manufacturers in the Republic of Ireland.

TBTC is The Boiling Tap Company.

TSR is Total Shareholder Return.

Volume is defined as number of litres sold, excluding factored brands 
sold by Counterpoint in Ireland. No volume is recorded in respect of 
international concentrate sales.

Consultancy, design and production
www.luminous.co.uk

Design and production

www.luminous.co.uk

Britvic plc
Breakspear Park
Breakspear Way
Hemel Hempstead
HP2 4TZ
Tel: +44 (0)121 711 1102

www.britvic.com