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Burberry Group

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FY2019 Annual Report · Burberry Group
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ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19

 
 
FOUNDED IN 1856, 
BURBERRY IS  
A GLOBAL LUXURY 
BRAND WITH  
A DISTINCTLY  
BRITISH ATTITUDE.

CONTENTS

STRATEGIC 
REPORT

GOVERNANCE 
REPORT

FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

4

8

13

14

17

18

Chairman’s Letter 

92

Chairman’s Introduction

152

Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities

CEO's Letter

94

Board of Directors

Driving Positive Change 

100 Corporate Governance 

Report

153

Independent Auditor’s 
Report to the Members 
of Burberry Group plc

Financial and 
Operational Highlights 

101

Executive Committee

160 Group Income Statement

Business Model 

103 Board Roles

Luxury Market 
Environment

114

Report of the Audit 
Committee

161

Group Statement of 
Comprehensive Income

162 Group Balance Sheet

22

Strategy 

120 Report of the 

163 Group Statement 

Nomination Committee

of Changes in Equity

42

Responsibility

56

Investment Case

Report

of Cash Flows

123 Directors’ Remuneration 

164 Group Statement 

58

62

64

Key Performance 
Indicators

Stakeholder 
Engagement

Non-Financial 
Information Statement

66

Financial Review

72

Capital Allocation 
Framework

74

Risk and Viability Report

145 Directors’ Report

164 Analysis of Net Cash

165 Notes to the Financial 

Statements

211

Five Year Summary

214 Company Balance Sheet

215

Company Statement 
of Changes in Equity

216 Notes to the Company 

Financial Statements

224 Shareholder Information

1

STRATEGIC 
REPORT

CHAIRMAN’S
LETTER

4

STRATEGIC REPORTDEAR SHAREHOLDER,
This is my first letter since succeeding Sir John 
Peace as Chairman following the AGM on 12 July 
2018. I would like to begin by paying tribute to Sir 
John for all he achieved during his 16 years as 
Chairman of Burberry. Since becoming Chairman 
I have immersed myself in the business, visiting 
our manufacturing sites, distribution centres, 
retail stores and outlets and many of our key 
offices across the world. During these visits I have 
always been struck by the enthusiasm, dedication 
and commitment of our teams and their passion 
for our unique Burberry brand.

STRATEGY
It has been an exciting year for Burberry with 
the brand relaunch and our new Chief Creative 
Officer Riccardo Tisci’s debut collections both 
landing well with consumers, influencers and our 
wholesale partners. We have also made significant 
progress on the evolution of our distribution 
channels, our operational excellence programme 
and ensuring we have the talent to deliver our 
strategy. These areas are explained in more detail 
on pages 22 to 41. We recognise that our strategy 
is all-absorbing and has had a huge impact on all 
parts of the business. We are currently at the apex 
of our creative transition and our Chief Executive 
Officer Marco Gobbetti and our management team 
are managing the business dynamically through 
this exciting but challenging transformation. 

CULTURE AND PURPOSE
Burberry has a unique culture, which is implicit in 
everything we do. We are mindful of the changes 
introduced by the 2018 Corporate Governance 
Code and are working to articulate more explicitly 
and holistically our purpose and values and how 
they relate to all our stakeholders, not least our 
customers. We are also building on our formal and 
informal communication mechanisms to ensure 

there is meaningful two-way dialogue between our 
workforce and the Board, as explained in the 
Corporate Governance Report on page 100. 

We are committed to being an industry leader 
in responsible and sustainable luxury fashion, a 
commitment that underpins everything we do. 
During the year we continued to make real 
progress and more details on Burberry's 
approach to responsibility can be found on 
pages 42 to 55. 

However, there were two significant instances, 
which reinforced our resolve in this area: the 
challenge in July 2018 to the industry-wide 
practice of destroying unsaleable finished 
products and a perception from our February 
2019 runway show that we lacked sensitivity 
to important vulnerability and cultural issues in 
our society. The Board, while very concerned 
about both incidents, is reassured by the total 
commitment of Marco and our management 
team to addressing these issues and by the 
speed and vigour of their response. 

 SHAREHOLDER RETURNS
The Group ended the year with a strong cash 
balance of £837 million, in line with the prior year 
after a £150 million share buyback and £171 million 
of dividends. Consequently, the Board has 
recommended a 3% increase in the full-year 
dividend to 42.5p, in line with our progressive 
dividend policy, resulting in a 52% pay-out ratio 
based on reported earnings per share. This 
reflects the Board’s continued confidence in 
the future growth of the business.

5

“We are currently at the apex  

of our creative transition and we 
are managing the business 
dynamically through this exciting 
but challenging transformation.”

FOCUS FOR THE FUTURE
In FY 2019/20, we will continue to focus on  
the creative transition and completing the first 
phase of our brand transformation. By the time 
we issue next year’s Annual Report, substantially 
all products in our mainline stores will be 
Riccardo’s. We are well on the way to completing 
the rationalisation of our wholesale and retail 
network and to establishing our new positioning.

We will refine our work on purpose and 
responsibility as the year progresses and we will 
continue to invest in re-energising our products 
and our technology, our stores and our people,  
the pillars on which Burberry’s exciting future 
will rest.

I would like to end by thanking all our colleagues 
for their continued hard work and you our 
shareholders for your patience and support during 
this period of transformation.

GERRY MURPHY
Chairman

Our approach to capital allocation is based on a 
clear set of priorities that balance investment in 
sustaining and growing our business, returning 
cash to our shareholders and maintaining a strong 
balance sheet with solid credit ratings.

Over the past five years, Burberry has returned 
around £808.7 million to shareholders through 
dividends, and over the past three years has 
completed £600 million of share buybacks. We 
have approved a continuation of the share buyback 
programme in FY 2019/20.

BOARD DEVELOPMENTS
We have continued to focus on the evolution 
of the Board throughout the year. Our aim is to 
continue to refresh the Board with new and 
different perspectives while ensuring stability 
and continuity during a period of transformation 
for the business. 

Changes to the Board during the year to 30 March 
2019 are as follows:

•  I joined the Board as Chairman designate on the 

17 May 2018.

•  Sir John Peace retired from the Board following 

the AGM on the 12 July 2018. 

Our longest-serving directors, Stephanie George 
and Ian Carter will retire from the Board following 
our AGM in July. We will miss their wise counsel 
and thank them both for their outstanding service 
to Burberry during a period of enormous growth 
and value creation.

6

STRATEGIC REPORT7

CEO’S
LETTER

8

STRATEGIC REPORTDEAR SHAREHOLDER,
Looking back on the past 12 months, I am 
extremely proud of our people and the progress we 
have made on our plan to transform and reposition 
Burberry and deliver sustainable long-term value. 
We achieved a huge amount in the period, starting 
with the launch of our new creative vision in the 
summer and building to the delivery of Riccardo 
Tisci's first collection in late February. Although 
we are only halfway through the first phase of 
Burberry’s transformation, the positive initial 
reaction from customers is very encouraging.

FY 2018/19 PERFORMANCE
Our focus in this first phase is on investing to 
re-energise our brand and aligning distribution 
to our new positioning, while creating the 
foundations of a new product offering. Against 
this backdrop, we delivered FY 2018/19 results 
that met the objectives we had set for 
the business. 

•  Revenue was £2.7 billion, flat at reported rates, 
and up 2% at constant exchange rates (CER), 
excluding Beauty wholesale. 

•  Reported operating profit was £437 million, 

up 7%. 

•  Adjusted operating profit was £438 million, 

unchanged at CER. 

•  Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) was 81.7p, 

up 19%. 

•  Adjusted Diluted EPS was 82.1p, up 7% at CER. 

Our performance was underpinned by operational 
and financial discipline, enabling us to self-fund 
our transformation. We delivered £105 million of 
cumulative cost savings, which was ahead of plan.

INTRODUCING A NEW BURBERRY
To signal a new era for the brand, we refreshed 
our logo for the first time in 20 years and revived 
the Thomas Burberry monogram inspired by our 
heritage. We brought these to life in surprising, 
engaging and impactful ways, generating 
exceptional visibility and presenting the new 
Burberry to millions of luxury consumers globally.

We unveiled Riccardo's debut collection Kingdom 
in London in September. His vision is of a Burberry 
that is as much for the young as for the old. Street 
influences play as important a role as the codes of 
luxury and sophistication. The response from 
press and wholesale partners was excellent.

Digital innovation has never been more important 
in luxury and we asserted our leadership in this 
area with our award-winning B Series. Available 
on social platforms, the monthly drop of limited-
edition products has proved extremely popular 
and attracted new and younger customers to the 
brand. We also partnered with Instagram to launch 
checkout, a new feature enabling customers to buy 
products directly from the Burberry Instagram 
shop for a more seamless shopping experience.

Creating the right store environment for our 
brand is essential and over the course of the year, 
we began to align our distribution network to our 
new creative vision, starting with stores in key 
fashion cities, including London, Paris, New York, 
Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo. In wholesale, we 
accelerated the closure of non-luxury doors in the 
US, while opening new, image-driving locations 
around the world to reach new customers and 
reinforce our brand positioning.

9

 
These initiatives combined to re-ignite brand heat 
and significantly shift consumer perceptions of 
Burberry. We added more than three million 
followers on our key social platforms and 
significantly increased engagement. Some of the 
world’s most followed celebrities and influential 
fashion icons wore or endorsed Burberry products 
and we saw a step change in the response from 
global fashion press.

The first deliveries of Riccardo’s products arrived 
in stores in February. Although this is currently a 
small portion of our offer, the initial reaction from 
customers has been very positive with sales of the 
new collections generating strong double-digit 
percentage growth in the final weeks of the year. 
Lead indicators for his second runway collection 
Tempest are also very promising.

“Over the course of 

the coming year, we 
will continue to build 
the new Burberry.  
We are energised by 
the early results.”

10

STRATEGIC REPORTLOOKING AHEAD
Over the course of the FY 2019/20, we will 
continue to build the new Burberry, while 
managing the business to maintain stable results. 
The range of products designed by Riccardo will 
steadily increase in stores and we will accelerate 
the transformation of our retail network.

The implementation of our plan is on track. 
What we have achieved this year gives me huge 
confidence for the future and we are energised by 
the early results.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 
Burberry team and our partners who made FY 
2018/19 so successful. Their passion, commitment 
and energy has been integral to our progress and I 
am excited to see our plans come alive in the 
months ahead.

MARCO GOBBETTI
Chief Executive Officer

AN ENGAGED TEAM
As a global company with more than 10,000 
employees across 33 countries, creating shared 
purpose and unifying around our values and 
behaviours are vital to the successful delivery 
of our strategy. During the year, we focused on 
building capability and driving engagement 
among our teams. This included new training 
programmes for all retail associates and 
implementing plans we laid out last year to 
strengthen our pipeline of women leaders.

Erica Bourne joined Burberry as our new Chief 
Human Resources Officer. We also welcomed 
Gavin Haig as Chief Commercial Officer with 
responsibility for all regions and Rod Manley as our 
new Chief Marketing Officer. All three are great 
additions to our Executive Committee and are 
already having a positive impact on the business.

DRIVING POSITIVE CHANGE
As the Chairman noted in his letter, the year 
was not without challenges but I was impressed 
by the passion and determination of our people 
to respond and learn from them. We are stronger 
for it. The progress we made on our Responsibility 
Agenda was particularly satisfying and led to us 
being recognised as the leading luxury brand in 
the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

We strengthened our commitment to revalue 
waste and ended the practice of destroying 
unsaleable products. We stopped using real fur. 
We pledged to reduce plastic usage in our supply 
chain. We also joined the UN Fashion Industry 
Charter for Climate Action and we are now carbon 
neutral across the Americas region, EMEIA retail 
stores and our UK operations. At the same time, 
we broadened and deepened our commitment to 
diversity and inclusion. We are passionate about 
driving positive change for our industry, our 
communities and the environment and we have 
ambitious plans for the year ahead.

11

12

STRATEGIC REPORTDRIVING POSITIVE CHANGE 

Modern luxury means being socially 
and environmentally responsible. 

This belief is core to us and key to our  
long-term success. 

For over a decade we have worked to help the 
communities that support our industry and 
protect the natural resources on which our 
business depends. Our programmes, which cover 
our operations, our supply chain and extended 
communities, are designed to drive positive 
change and build a more sustainable future 
through innovation and collaboration.

As part of our five-year Responsibility Agenda, 
we have set ourselves ambitious goals for 2022. 
These support the aims of the Paris Climate 
Agreement, as well as a number of the United 
Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Key 
targets are owned by members of the Executive 
Committee and their teams with more than 
140 people across various functions at Burberry 
accountable for their delivery.

In the past year, we have made significant 
progress against each of our goals, which has been 
recognised externally with Burberry ranked the 
leading luxury brand in the textiles, apparel and 
luxury goods sector in the 2018 Dow Jones 
Sustainability Index.

You can read more about our Responsibility 
Agenda and our progress against our goals on 
pages 42 to 55.

13

Leading luxury brand in the 2018 
Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

Principal partner of the 
Living Wage Foundation 
since 2016.  

Core partner of the Ellen 
MacArthur Foundation’s Make 
Fashion Circular Initiative.

Signatory of the New Plastics 
Economy Global Commitment, 
led by the Ellen MacArthur 
Foundation in collaboration  
with UN Environment.  

Founding signatory of the 
UN Fashion Charter for 
Climate Action.

Active member of The Prince’s 
Accounting for Sustainability Project.

FINANCIAL AND  
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

REVENUE

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

ADJUSTED 
OPERATING PROFIT

OPERATING 
PROFIT

£2,720m

2019

£438m

2019

£2,733m

2018

£467m

2018

£2,766m

2017

£459m

2017

£2,515m

2016

£418m

2016

£2,523m

2015

£455m

2015

NET CASH (AS AT 30 
MARCH)

ADJUSTED 
DILUTED EPS

DIVIDEND PER 
SHARE

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

£837m

2019

£892m

2018

£809m

2017

£660m

2016

£552m

2015

82.1p

2019

82.1p

2018

77.4p

2017

69.9p

2016

76.9p

2015

Alternative performance measures, including adjusting measures, are defined on page 71.

Reported diluted EPS 81.7p (2018: 68.4p).

REVENUE BY CHANNEL1,2

Retail

Wholesale

Licensing

£437m

£410m

£394m

£403m

£440m

42.5p

41.3p

38.9p

37.0p

35.2p

£2,186m, 0%

£488m, +7%

£46m, +53%

14

STRATEGIC REPORTREVENUE BY REGION1,2,3

Americas

EMEIA

Asia Pacific

£612m, 0%

£958m, +2%

£1,104m, +2%

95
stores in 
Americas

142
stores in 
EMEIA

194
stores in Asia
Pacific

We have a total of 431 directly operated stores, including mainline, concession and outlet. This excludes 44 franchise stores.

REVENUE BY PRODUCT1,2,3

Accessories

Women’s

Men’s

Children

Beauty

£1,013m, -3%

£837m, +3%

£698m, +8%

£120m, +2%

£6m, -44%

1.  All references to revenue growth on pages 14 and 15 are presented at CER. All references to revenue and revenue growth on pages 14 and 15 are 

excluding Beauty wholesale. See page 67 for reconciliation to total revenue.

2. Retail/wholesale revenue.

3. For more detail on performance see page 66.

15

16

STRATEGIC REPORTBUSINESS MODEL

Our business model is designed 
to create long-term sustainable 
value for all our stakeholders.

ASSETS

We are a globally recognised luxury brand with a distinctive 
British attitude and 163 years of heritage. We have an 
extensive network of both owned and franchised stores 
which allow us to interact directly with luxury customers 
around the world and provide a strong sales base. We are 
digital pioneers, and innovative technology underpins every 
aspect of our business, from product design to distribution 
and marketing. Our wide-ranging marketing activities enable 
us to engage with luxury consumers across channels, from 
digital media and social platforms to image-driving print 
media and innovative installations. We leverage our strong 
financial position to develop and invest in capabilities in line 
with our capital allocation framework. To learn more about 
our investment case and capital allocation framework, see 
page 72. 

DISTRIBUTION AND COMMUNICATION 

We have a large network of owned and franchised stores 
located in the top fashion destinations around the world, and 
our own e-commerce capability serving 44 countries. We also 
work with select luxury wholesale and licensing partners, 
including third-party digital providers, to complement our 
distribution. We enhance our customer touchpoints with our 
digital capabilities, from the moment of inspiration to the 
post-purchase experience. Our communications place product 
at their heart, reaching customers through their preferred 
channel, from editorial to influencer, across key fashion cities 
and amplified through made-for-social activations. 

INNOVATION 

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Our design process begins at our headquarters in 
London, where our creative teams work across womenswear, 
menswear, childrenswear and accessories. We collaborate 
with licensing partners on our Beauty offering. We innovate 
to bring our designs to life with new materials, techniques 
and combinations to remain at the forefront of fashion 
while ensuring our activities have a positive social and 
environmental impact.

PRODUCTION 

We source materials based on their quality and sustainability, 
working closely with our network of suppliers to ensure we 
receive the highest quality materials and goods while 
supporting our partners to drive social and environmental 
improvements in their operations. We have fully owned 
manufacturing facilities in the UK and Italy, which allow us to 
maintain control of quality and design in key elements of our 
supply chain. To read more about our new manufacturing site 
in Italy, see page 29. Across our own facilities and those of 
our partners we are committed to implementing a zero-waste 
mindset. We are focused on reducing, reusing and recycling 
any waste we create while looking for innovative solutions to 
move towards a circular business model. 

We are committed to being an agent for positive change. 
Through our operations and supply chain we are reducing 
our environmental impact, while with research partnerships 
and creative design we aim to stimulate demand for more 
sustainable raw materials. We are also committed to 
supporting the people and communities touched by our 
operations with worker well-being, youth inspiration and 
community cohesion programmes, as well as social and 
economic empowerment. To learn more about our 
Responsibility Agenda, see pages 42 to 55. 

VALUE CREATION

We create beautiful and distinctive products of the highest 
quality, representing the best of British fashion. We invest in 
the communities in which we operate to drive social good and 
support well-being and growth. By growing our core business 
in a responsible manner, increasing revenues and margins 
over time, we also drive long-term, sustainable shareholder 
value and return cash to shareholders. 

17

LUXURY MARKET 
ENVIRONMENT

The luxury market grew by 5% in 2018, in line with 
2017.1,2 All segments performed well. Many of the 
trends evident in 2017 have continued into 2018, 
including growing demand from Chinese consumers, 
the rise of digital and the increasing number of young 
consumers entering the market. 

LUXURY CONSUMERS
In 2018, consumers around the globe continued to 
be demanding of luxury brands, widely researching 
products prior to purchase and expecting 
exceptional in-store service levels. The high 
appetite for fashion-forward and innovative 
products was sustained by existing consumers, 
and reinforced by younger consumers entering 
the luxury market.

Fashion and newness
Consumers are increasingly using luxury products 
to express their point of view, individualism and 
personal style. This has resulted in the 
outperformance of fashion-forward products, 
including those designed through collaborations 
and sold through limited-edition drops. This trend 
was most pronounced in the fastest-growing 
luxury consumer segments, with both young 
consumers and Chinese consumers expecting to 
buy an increasing amount of products they would 
describe as “fashionable.”3

Polarisation between mass and luxury
Consumers continued to prefer products 
positioned at the highest and lowest ends of the 
market over mid-market and premium products. 

The growing emphasis on product as a way of 
expressing personal values and point of view 
supported a consumer trend of mixing and 
matching products from luxury and mass market 
brands. As a result, the strongest growth this year 
was from brands at the luxury and mass market 
ends of the spectrum, while growth at premium 
and mid-market operators plateaued.

Young consumers drive growth 
and demand purpose
In 2018, 100% of growth in the luxury market was 
driven by Generation Z and millennial consumers, 
compared to 85% in 2017.2 Both millennials and 
Generation Z are demonstrating highly 
differentiated preferences in both shopping and 
products. Generation Z consumers are more 
willing to shop in a physical store (although they 
demand a digitally enhanced experience); orientate 
towards heavily logoed products and are less 
brand loyal. Millennials place a higher value on 
social experiences and focus on travel and 
mobility across geographies as an aspirational 
goal.2 However, both groups of consumers are 
highly socially and environmentally aware, with 
sustainability and a brand’s social or political 
stance a key factor in their purchasing 
decision process.4

1.  Growth figures refer to growth in 2018, while discussion of trends covers FY 2018/19 (April 2018 – March 2019). All figures at CER. 

2. Bain Luxury Study, Fall/Winter 2018.

3. Bain China Luxury Report, January 2018.

4. McKinsey State of Fashion 2019.

18

STRATEGIC REPORTChina
With luxury sales in Mainland China increasing 
by 20% in 2018, Chinese consumers continued to 
drive growth in the luxury market. As well as being 
bolstered by an uptick in consumer numbers, 
growth in China was supported by a repatriation 
of spend following Chinese import duty reductions; 
heightened regulations around the practice of 
purchasing abroad and reselling within China, 
and increased development of duty-free shops. 
Globally, Chinese spending at home and abroad 
now accounts for 33% of the luxury industry, 
up from 32% in 2017.

The Americas
The Americas grew 5% in 2018, supported by a 
strong US economy and robust local spending.
However, in late 2018 and early 2019, there was a 
softening of consumer sentiment, which weighed 
on US footfall. In the US, where tourist spending 
accounts for a relatively small portion of the luxury 
industry, a strong US dollar resulted in weaker 
spend by Asian and Latin American tourists. 
Spending in Latin America remained subdued 
and impacted by political uncertainty.

Europe
Sales in Europe grew 1% in the year. Tourist 
spend, which accounts for a significant proportion 
of the European market, was impacted by a strong 
euro. However, local consumption continued to 
grow, albeit impacted by political and economic 
uncertainty including the UK’s withdrawal from 
the EU in the UK and the “yellow vest” protests 
in France.

Other regions
Spending across the rest of Asia was strong 
during 2018, with Hong Kong, Macau and Japan 
benefitting from travelling Chinese consumers due 
to the relative strengthening of the Chinese yuan 
and strong local consumption in Korea. In Asia 
excluding China and Japan, luxury retail sales grew 
9%, while Japan grew 6%. Trends in the Middle 
East remained stagnant due to flat oil prices and 
government spending restrictions.

LUXURY SECTOR
Diverging performance
There were clear winners and losers in terms of 
performance over the year. Across fashion retail, 
97% of profit was earned by just 20 companies.
For both under- and over-performing brands, 
growth has become more expensive to achieve, 
requiring investment in capabilities such as digital 
and brand experience over physical infrastructure. 
While about 65% of luxury companies saw revenue 
growth, only a third of those companies translated 
that into an increase in profits.2 The largest 
players have invested in marketing as they try 
to attract the new luxury consumer.

LUXURY GEOGRAPHIES2
Global businesses operated in a climate of 
instability in 2018. While concern over global 
security issues was less prevalent than in 2017, 
there was increased uncertainty in diplomatic and 
trade relations across China, the US and Europe in 
response to the US/China trade negotiations and a 
lack of clarity around the UK’s withdrawal from 
the EU.

“The fastest-growing 

luxury consumer market, 
China, continues to be 
supported by a growing 
middle class, with latest 
indications of consumer 
confidence remaining 
positive.”

19

CHANNELS1
Retail
Sales from retail channels grew 4% in 2018, with 
three quarters of that growth coming from 
like-for-like sales. Store openings continued to 
stagnate, with brands increasingly transitioning 
from store as a point of sale to store as a point of 
touch, and bricks-and-mortar stores focusing on 
creating an engaging brand experience.

Wholesale
Wholesale channels grew at 1% in 2018. High-end 
department stores again faced a strong challenge 
from online multi-brand retailers, who offer an 
increasingly luxurious service via their online 
experience. Speciality and niche stores, which had 
previously performed well against 
online competition, also felt the impact of 
digital this year.

Digital
Digital was again the fastest-growing luxury sales 
channel, growing 22% in 2018 to make up 10% of 
all luxury sales. The US continued to make up the 
majority (44%) of online sales, while growth in 
digital was driven by Asia. Almost all wholesale 
and retail sales are now influenced by digital at 
some point along the customer journey. The split 
of online players remains the same as last year, 
with e-tailers leading (39%), followed by brands 
(31%) and retailer e-commerce sites (30%).

Travel
Tourist spending was flat globally. Strong tourist 
flows were offset by currency fluctuations, which 
reduced spending per tourist. By region, Asia 
benefitted from Chinese tourism, while Europe felt 
the negative impact of the strong euro.

PRODUCTS1
Apparel
The apparel category shrank by 1% in 2018, with 
positive growth in womenswear offset by a weaker 
performance in menswear. The softening of 
menswear was largely due to performance in the 
Americas and Europe. Growth in this category is 
predicted to outpace womenswear over the long 
term due to the rise of streetwear, a category 
historically popular with men.

Accessories
The handbag category continued to deliver good 
growth, increasing by 5% in 2018 as consumers 
responded to product innovations. Both shoes and 
jewellery increased 7% in 2018, outperforming 
overall industry growth. Shoes benefitted from 
the casualisation trend driven by younger 
consumers, with strong growth in sneakers. 
Growth in jewellery was driven by younger 
and Asian customers.

Outlook
Growth in the luxury market in 2019 is predicted 
to be the same or slightly lower than 2018, with 
estimates ranging from 3% to 5%.1,2 This is 
underpinned by supportive market fundamentals 
but partly offset by ongoing geopolitical 
uncertainty, with international trade and 
investment weakening globally. The fastest-
growing luxury consumer market, China, continues 
to be supported by a growing middle class, with 
latest indications of consumer confidence 
remaining positive. Looking further ahead, growth 
estimates for the luxury market over the next five 
years remain in line with 2019 estimates, ranging 
from 3% to 5%.1

All figures at CER

1.  Bain Luxury Study, Fall/Winter 2018

2. McKinsey State of Fashion 2019

20

STRATEGIC REPORT21

STRATEGY 

In November 2017, we set out our multi-year strategy to establish 
our position firmly in luxury fashion, inspiring luxury customers 
and delivering long-term sustainable value for our shareholders.

TWO PHASED TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY

BUILD THE FOUNDATION

ACCELERATE AND GROW

FY 2018/19 AND FY 2019/20
•  Commence programme to re-energise the brand
•  Rationalise and invest to align our distribution
•  Manage creative transition

FY 2020/21 ONWARDS
•  Complete full brand transformation, including 

alignment of distribution

•  Accelerate growth

FOUR REVENUE DRIVERS

DISTRIBUTION

•  Enhance the luxury 
store experience

•  Elevate customer service
•  Grow the proportion of 

image-driving luxury doors

PRODUCT

•  Create a new, strong, fashionable 

product offer

•  Transform leather goods
•  Continually engage the customer
•  Develop outfitting
•  Rebalance the price architecture 

R I B U T I O N

T

D I S

COMM

U

NIC

R   R E V ENUE DRI

V

E

FO U

T
C
U
D
O
R
P

A

T

I

O

N

D

I

G

I

T
A
L

R

S

S

T

W

O ENA B L E R

O

P

E

E

R

X

C

A

E

L

TIONAL
LENCE

 I N S P I R E

P L E

O

E

D   P

COMMUNICATION

•  Product first
•  Content revolution
•  Focus on experiences

DIGITAL

•  Content curation and storytelling
•  Personalised luxury services
•  Seamless omnichannel 

experiences

•  Accelerate digital partnerships 

TWO ENABLERS

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

INSPIRED PEOPLE

•  Simplification and efficiency
•  Adapt our supply chain
•  Investments in technology
•  Drive procurement savings 

•  Motivate our teams, reinforcing 
behaviours, culture and values

•  Invest in leadership, core 
capabilities and talent

•  Build a sustainable future through 

our Responsibility Agenda

A full description of the underlying principles of each pillar and the progress we have made on each is found on pages 26 to 41.

22

STRATEGIC REPORTOUR STRATEGY
Over the past 163 years, we have built a global business with 
a distinctively British attitude, becoming one of the most 
valuable and iconic brands in the world. Since our Initial 
Public Offering in 2002, we have driven strong growth 
through a focus on digital leadership, expanding our luxury 
retail footprint, and developing strength across multiple 
product categories.

DELIVERING OUR STRATEGY
We are implementing our strategic vision in two stages. 
Our initial two-year phase is focused on building a strong 
foundation: re-energising our brand, rationalising our 
distribution and managing through the creative transition. 
In the second phase, we expect growth to accelerate in a 
sustainable and enduring manner, underpinning strong 
financial performance.

In FY 2018/19, we embarked on the first stage of our 
transformation. We invested in building brand heat through 
global campaigns, exciting collaborations and brand 
activations. Major brand moments included the launch of 
our new logo and a refreshed Thomas Burberry monogram 
inspired by our heritage. This was extremely well received and 
drove engagement from industry insiders, influencers, press 
and wholesale partners.

Significant progress was also made on our distribution 
evolution. In the second half of the year, we stepped up our 
closure programme of non-luxury doors in the US, while in 
retail, the new creative aesthetic was brought to life in 14 of 
our stores. We focused on the Operational Excellence and 
Inspired People pillars of our strategy to support the 
transformation, delivering £105 million of cumulative cost 
savings, which was ahead of plan.

FY 2018/19 was also a year of transition for our products. 
The first deliveries of Riccardo Tisci’s products reached 
stores in February 2019. As the proportion of products 
designed by him continues to grow over FY 2019/20, we will 
focus on supporting his vision for the brand. We will do this 
through our marketing and digital activities, while also 
continuing to transform our store network and providing 
extensive training and support for our retail colleagues.

As set out on pages 18 to 20, the luxury sector continues to 
change rapidly. With this in mind, we are sharpening our 
brand positioning, changing our approach to products, 
communication and customer experience. Building on our 
strong existing brand assets, our vision is to establish 
Burberry firmly in luxury fashion. By doing so, we will operate 
in the most rewarding, enduring segment of the market, and 
deliver sustainable long-term value for all our stakeholders. 
Our actions are underpinned by a continued focus on 
productivity, simplification and financial discipline. We will 
continue to engage and motivate our teams and reinforce 
our culture and values.

RATIONALE
Our move to luxury fashion is in response to two key 
market changes:

Fashion: today’s luxury consumers are more demanding with 
respect to personalisation, newness and fashion-forward 
products. They are moving away from traditional notions of 
luxury and elegance and are looking for casual, fun fashion, 
such as streetwear that fits with their lifestyles. They want 
innovative, exciting assortments, which can be used to 
express their opinions and points of view.

Luxury: the increasingly blurred line between luxury and 
casual has meant customers are more comfortable mixing 
luxury and mass market products, as they look to define an 
individual and unique sense of style. As a result, the market is 
polarising, with premium and mid-market retailers left behind 
while growth at the top and bottom ends of the market 
remains strong.

DEVELOPING OUR STRATEGY
We developed our strategy over the course of 2017, led by our 
Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Committee. Over 
FY 2018/19, we closely monitored our strategic progress and 
provided regular updates to our Board, and to the wider 
business. Given the pace of change in the sector, being agile 
is a priority for us, and we continuously test and refine our 
implementation and tactical priorities.

Underpinning our strategy are six pillars: four revenue drivers 
to support our sales, and two enablers to ensure our 
organisation is optimised.

23

The groundwork undertaken in FY 2018/19 allows  
us to move at pace to complete this phase of the  
brand’s transformation.

From a distribution perspective, we will continue 
to build upon the significant progress made in 
transforming our network in FY 2018/19 so that 
our customers’ in-store experience aligns with our 
overall brand vision.

In the second phase of our transformation, which 
will begin in FY 2020/21, we will accelerate growth 
by building on our new brand positioning and new 
creative vision, and by completing the evolution of 
our distribution network. This, alongside our 
improved operating model, simplified processes 
and inspired organisation, will support sustainable 
increases in our operating margin and revenues, 
while driving positive social impact. An in-depth 
look at our progress so far can be found on 
pages 26 to 41.  

OUTLOOK 
We are at the halfway point in the first phase of 
our strategy’s implementation, which offers us not 
only a vantage point on how effective our 
foundation-building efforts have been so far but 
also on the work that remains to be done in the 
year ahead. With reignited brand heat and a newly 
energised product offering and retail network, the 
groundwork undertaken in FY 2018/19 allows us to 
move at pace to complete this phase of the 
brand’s transformation.

With Riccardo Tisci’s first collections existing 
and potential customers were given an insight 
into what they can expect from the brand going 
forward. As we continue to grow the proportion 
of new products in the year ahead, we will further 
underscore our positioning in the luxury fashion 
arena. Meanwhile, the introduction in September 
2018 of B Series will continue to support 
Burberry’s luxury fashion-forward positioning and 
create opportunities to build on excitement around 
the brand on an ongoing basis. We will continue to 
integrate the refreshed Thomas Burberry 
monogram into the brand’s visual lexicon and with 
it convey Burberry’s new spirit and personality. 
The creation in 2018 of Burberry Manifattura, our 
leather goods centre of excellence, gives us the 
infrastructure required to support our plan to gain 
greater prominence in the leather goods category.

24

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
25

PRODUCT

Product is at the heart of our strategy and brand vision. We are focused on re-
energising our product offering to signal immediate and visible change, and win the 
attention of luxury consumers, while retaining our core customer. In the first year 
of transition we worked to evolve our assortment to align with Riccardo Tisci’s 
creative vision. Our progress included the development of our product calendar 
to deliver frequent newness, the evolution of our leather goods strategy, and our 
commitment to going fur-free. 

Spring/Summer 2019 show
Kingdom, Riccardo Tisci’s debut 
collection, paid homage to the 
individuality, eccentricity and 
inimitable attitude of Britain. The 
collection, unveiled during London 
Fashion Week in September, celebrated 
creativity and style traditions, from the 
punk and rebellious to the formal and 
refined. It defined a new visual 
language and lexicon for Burberry. 
Rankings from Vogue.com and the 
Financial Times indicated that the 
show was the second most viewed 
collection in September 2018. Products 
started to reach stores globally at the 
end of February 2019 and initial signs 
around the launch of the wider 
collection are very encouraging, 
with customers and wholesale 
partners responding positively. 

26

STRATEGIC REPORT 
Going fur-free
In September 2018, we committed to 
going fur-free. This commitment builds 
on the goals we set in 2017 as part of 
our five-year Responsibility Agenda.

Burberry & Vivienne Westwood
In December, we collaborated with 
legendary designer Vivienne Westwood, 
releasing a limited-edition collection 
of her iconic pieces re-imagined in 
Burberry Vintage Check. British Vogue 
described this as “one of the most 
unexpected and exciting collaborations 
of the year.” The launch drove a 
significant uplift in traffic to  
Burberry.com, while the Vintage Check 
beret sold out online within two hours. 
Burberry and Vivienne Westwood were 
united by a shared vision to support 
and promote Cool Earth, a UK-based 
non-profit organisation that works 
alongside rainforest communities to 
halt deforestation and climate change.

Autumn/Winter 2019 show
For Autumn/Winter 2019, Riccardo 
Tisci evolved the cues and codes set 
out in his debut collection, taking 
inspiration from the contrasts in 
British culture, weather and marine 
themes. The collection, Tempest, was 
unveiled in February in two contrasting 
show environments within the Tate 
Modern Tanks in London. One space 
was more structured, traditional and 
formal, with rigid wood seating set 
above a dimly lit runway, while the 
other was more rebellious and played 
host to more than 100 young people 
who scaled the walls of the venue.

28

STRATEGIC REPORT“Burberry Manifattura is 
a major milestone for 
us and a statement of 
our ambition in this 
strategically important 
category.”

MARCO GOBBETTI
Chief Executive Officer

A focus on leather goods
During the year, we enhanced our 
leather goods offering and expanded 
our product architecture by launching 
new leather handbag styles and 
updating our classic styles. We 
improved the prominence of our 
handbags within our retail network and 
supported new shapes through 
dedicated social media and marketing 
content. For example a travelling global 
pop-up store concept, the Burberry 
Conservatory, visited 11 cities to 
market the Belt Bag.

In September 2018, we completed 
the acquisition of a division of a 
long-standing Italian partner and 
created a new centre of excellence 
known as Burberry Manifattura. This 
covers all activities from prototyping, 
product innovation and engineering to 
the co-ordination of production. 

With over 100 expert craftsmen and 
craftswomen specialising in the 
development of luxury handbags and 
accessories, Burberry Manifattura 
gives us greater control over quality, 
cost, delivery and sustainability of our 
leather goods. 

29

COMMUNICATION

Our communications approach is product led and 
tailored for social channels. In this phase we have 
focused on re-energising our brand and reaching 
consumers through influencers and key opinion 
leaders. Key focuses for FY 2018/19 were bringing 
Riccardo Tisci’s creative vision to life, re-igniting 
brand heat and shifting consumer perceptions.

Relaunching our brand
In 2018, we collaborated with graphic 
designer Peter Saville on a new logo 
alongside a refreshed Thomas Burberry 
monogram inspired by our heritage. To 
bring this to life for our customers, we 
created high-impact activations and 
brand experiences to major fashion 
cities worldwide. This included 
wrapping the outside of high-profile 
stores in Milan, Hong Kong and Seoul in 
the Thomas Burberry monogram and 
displaying large-scale Thomas Burberry 
Bears in New York, Shanghai and 
London. We reached more than 60 
million consumers directly with these 
activations and the impact was 
amplified through social networks, 
influencers and press.

30

STRATEGIC REPORT31

Social first
Over the year, we re-imagined the 
content and cadence of our social  
media presence, with an increased 
frequency of posts, tailored social 
media campaigns and a deeper focus  
on products. This approach was 
exemplified by B Series, (see page 33). 
As a result of this social-first strategy, 
we have seen significant improvements 
across reach, engagement and volume 
of followers.

Evolving our influencer approach
We have expanded our approach to 
influencers, aligning with our new 
creative vision to stretch from global 
personalities to emerging influencers, 
whose posts resonate strongly with 
smaller but highly engaged audiences. 
We focused on building communities to 
encourage conversation with our target 
audience, through a programme of 
product engagement activities 
including dressings, drops and bespoke 
pieces for global personalities. This 
resulted in many of the most-followed 
Instagram users engaging with the 
brand on social media over FY 2018/19, 
while multiple emerging names shared 
our shows and capsule collections. We 
also created unique experiences for our 
influencers, such as the Vivienne 
Westwood & Burberry launch party.

32

STRATEGIC REPORTDelivering newness with B Series
In September, we launched B Series, 
limited-edition product drops 
released on the 17th of each month 
for a restricted time period and sold 
predominantly through social media 
platforms. B Series resonated strongly 
with new and young consumers and was 
endorsed by key influencers around the 
world. This new go-to market model of 
frequent product drops keeps our 
customers engaged and excited by 
continued newness. B Series won a 
Webby award in 2019 and is a 
significant contributor to our overall 
improving social engagement.

A Burberry Christmas
Our Christmas campaign “Close 
Your Eyes and Think of Christmas,” 
celebrated the eccentricity of a British 
Christmas and featured an all-star 
cast, including Kristin Scott-Thomas, 
M.I.A., Matt Smith, Naomi Campbell 
and Valerie Campbell, Naomi’s mother.

From the unpredictable British 
weather, to family togetherness, 
delayed trains and feasts, British 
artist and photographer Juno Calypso 
captured Christmas traditions and 
rituals through a subversive and 
original lens.

33

DISTRIBUTION

Burberry is changing and we are evolving our distribution network 
to reflect the brand’s new positioning in luxury fashion. To ensure 
the in-store Burberry experience reflects our vision for the brand, 
a refurbishment programme for our retail stores is underway and 
we are enhancing our level of customer service. We are also 
rationalising our non-luxury wholesale and retail doors. We made 
progress across each of these areas in FY 2018/19, with highlights 
including our retail store refreshes, our wholesale transition, and 
upgrades to our customer experience.

Regent Street experience
To coincide with Riccardo Tisci’s first 
collection for Burberry, we re-imagined 
our 121 Regent Street flagship store for 
September 2018 celebrating the past 
and future of Burberry. Inspired by the 
building’s history as a cinema, each 
room was decorated with draped 
curtains and luxuriously carpeted 
floors. Trench-inspired hues, ranging 
from stone to honey, featured 
throughout the store alongside accents 
of rose and pistachio. Individual rooms 
were also curated to celebrate iconic 
products, such as The Heritage Trench 
Coat and The Car Coat, while another 
room was dedicated entirely to the 
Vintage Check. At the heart of the 
newly transformed space was 
“Sisyphus Reclined,” an immersive 
and interactive art installation by 
artist Graham Hudson.

Enhancing our mainline stores
We translated our new creative vision 
to our stores with a new architectural 
and visual concept to align with our 
luxury positioning. We aligned 14 of our 
stores to the new creative aesthetic 
including Regent Street and Bond 
Street in London, 57th Street in New 
York City, Kerry Centre in Shanghai and 
Cheongdam-dong in Seoul. At the same 
time, we continued to refine our 
directly operated store network to fully 
reflect our luxury positioning, closing 
18 net stores in the year.

We took a segmented approach to 
our store refresh programme, tailoring 
each store to its location while 
reflecting our new creative vision. 
In our Bond Street store, we created a 
floral room, with fashion photographer 
Nick Knight’s photograph of a rose 
covering the entire space from floor 
to ceiling. In contrast, men’s 
streetwear was showcased in an 
“under construction” room, which 
was stripped to its shell, complete 
with concrete flooring. Customers 
were invited to graffiti the walls.

Our broader mainline store network 
also played a significant role across 
key brand moments, with Burberry’s 
new creative vision brought to life in 
our windows and across store 
fronts worldwide.

34

STRATEGIC REPORTEvolving our wholesale footprint
We made significant progress evolving 
our wholesale distribution. We 
accelerated the rationalisation and 
relocation of non-luxury doors in the 
US. We also entered new image-driving 
doors around the world to reach new 
customers and reinforce our brand 
positioning. Luxury wholesale clients 
responded positively to the new 
creative vision and product aesthetic, 
with a number of high-profile 
activations around the launch of our 
Spring/Summer 2019 collection in 
February, such as our window 
takeovers and pop-ups at Barneys 
across the US and Isetan in Tokyo.

Enhancing our customer experience
To enhance our customer service 
proposition in stores, we implemented 
a new programme to improve front and 
back of house capabilities in more than 
50 of our top stores. In addition, across 
the wider store network, we enhanced 
sales associate digital tools, rolled out 
merchandise-led retail associate 
training programmes and held 
regional retail leadership conferences 
to better align skills globally and 
engage our teams to deliver 
exemplary luxury service.

35

DIGITAL

We are finding new and exciting ways to engage customers by displaying highly 
curated product assortments and personalised stories and editorialising our 
website. We are improving our omnichannel experience to enable more flexibility 
around payment and delivery options as well as seamless switching between 
physical and digital channels. We are also growing and strengthening our digital 
partnerships. We made progress across each of these areas in FY 2018/19, with 
highlights including the launch of social selling; the expansion of digital third party 
relationships; the evolution of Burberry.com, and the enhancement of our 
personalisation capabilities.

Evolving Burberry.com
During the year we significantly 
evolved Burberry.com to align with 
our new brand positioning and deliver 
improved functionality and more 
immersive storytelling. This included 
introducing fresh and curated editorial 
content with more frequency, and 
enhancing all our product pages 
with styling suggestions and 
easy-to-navigate product and 
brand information. 

36

STRATEGIC REPORTEnhancing personalisation
Delivering a personalised experience 
is important across all our brand 
touchpoints, and digital is a key 
enabler. One area of focus has been 
the interaction between our online 
and offline customer experiences by 
creating a link between the highly 
personal service we offer in our stores 
and the personalisation available 
through our digital channels. This year 
we introduced the “For You” page on 
Burberry.com, which shows customers 
suggested products, store locations 
and relevant capsule collections. On 
the Burberry app, we launched a 
function to allow sales associates to 
communicate directly with customers, 
offering one-to-one service at any 
time. This channel of communication 
was also used to offer exclusive 
opportunities to select customers, 
including early access to new products.

Partnerships
In line with our strategy, we have made 
good progress with digital third parties. 
Over FY 2018/19 we partnered with 
Instagram and WeChat to launch social 
shopping for the first time. We became 
the first luxury brand to integrate our 
full Chinese stock onto the WeChat 
platform, allowing customers to pay 
through WePay. In March, we became 
one of only six luxury businesses to 
partner with Instagram on the launch 
of an integrated shopping experience, 
allowing customers to navigate 
products within the app and use 

integrated payment systems, such as 
Apple Pay. We have also continued to 
deepen our relationship with Farfetch, 
enabling customers to access our full 
range of inventory in more than 150 
countries, and rolling out access to our 
regional fulfilment hub for US 
customers. The same business model 
was used as a template to launch with 
additional third parties over the year, 
serving customers across Europe, the 
US and China.

37

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

We are focused on increasing Burberry’s flexibility and agility, optimising our 
performance against the backdrop of a rapidly changing business environment. Over 
the year we made good progress across all of these areas, evolving our supply chain 
to support our new strategic ambitions; delivering new technology to support 
customers’ experience in store, and delivering cumulative savings of £105 million 
in FY 2018/19, ahead of plan.

Improving simplification and efficiency
Burberry Business Services (BBS), our shared service centre 
in Leeds which opened in 2017, has continued to embed and 
expand its role in the business. Now employing 400 people 
across five core functions, BBS is a central part of our efforts 
to simplify processes across our business, ensuring we are as 
focused and streamlined as possible.

Changes during the year included:

•  Appointing global process owners for key enabling 

processes across the business.

•  Simplifying our key product processes across 

Merchandising, Allocation and Planning, including 
the integration of our financial forecasts into 
merchandising plans.

•  Developing an aligned revenue/cost matrix to unlock 

efficient, accurate and standardised reporting across all 
business segments.

We continued to focus on achieving procurement savings this 
year. Through a managed service provider we launched new 
technology to simplify and centralise our management of 
contingent labour. In addition, we simplified a number of our 
buying, payment and administrative process tasks, reducing 
the level of manual intervention and ensuring purchases are 
processed quickly and efficiently.

Developing a more agile supply chain
Our progress in supply chain has supported our go-to market 
model of frequent product drops. Our internal supply chain 
teams and external partners have collaborated to create new 
ways of working, simplifying decision-making and 
implementing technology to speed up processes.

We have been enhancing the quality and efficiency of our 
supply chain. All priority category product is inspected before 
leaving the manufacturer and we have introduced an 
accreditation programme in quality management for top 
suppliers. We also continued to make progress on our 
multi-year business and IT transformation programme to 
improve omnichannel capabilities globally. This will enable us 
to transform our ways of working and optimise our product 
flow, delivering better lead times for customers. Additionally, 
we relocated our Asia hub, successfully optimising our 
product flow into Asia and increasing operational synergies.

38

Using technology to support our  
in-store experience
One key focus over the year has been 
supporting the retail associate experience 
and elevating Customer Service. We 
completed the deployment of our global 
standardised point-of-sale system in all but 
a handful of stores, with the remainder on 
track to complete in early FY 2019/20. In 
addition, all sales associates received 
access to our new mobile-based client 
engagement tool, R-World. To enhance our 
customer engagement through this channel, 
we are developing a comprehensive road 
map for evolving R-World and how it is 
used, based on input from our sales 
associates. Throughout the year, we 
continued to enhance our omnichannel 
capabilities globally and made good 
progress in the transformation of the entire 
IT function. This included completing the 
establishment of our IT team within BBS, 
enhancing our cybersecurity capabilities and 
strengthening ways of working with 
strategic partners.

STRATEGIC REPORTPARTNERING WITH OUR SUPPLIERS

“ Johnstons have supplied Burberry since 1900 and 
we have never worked more closely than we do 
today. This year we received accreditation for 
self-inspection, meaning that Burberry’s high quality 
standards are assured at our mill and not rechecked 
in Burberry distribution centres. This was a huge 
statement of trust in our ability, which was founded 
upon more than a year of training and testing, 
alongside the development of shared information and 
audit processes. The net result is a leaner supply 
chain, with right-first-time quality and better delivery 
performance to the store. While the pace of change 
and level of innovation when working with Burberry 
can be daunting, it also feels like a shared endeavour, 
as with challenge comes support. We feel like partners 
in a common supply chain, rather than simply vendors. 
We share a lot of values with Burberry and their 
support allows us to move forward more quickly than 
we otherwise could on sustainability projects. The 
elimination of harmful chemicals from the supply 
chain, our involvement with the Sustainable Fibre 
Alliance to support cashmere herders in Mongolia, and 
recycling and energy management projects all benefit 
from our partnership.”

CHRIS GAFFNEY
Group Finance Director and Managing Director Elgin 
Mill, Johnstons of Elgin

39

INSPIRED PEOPLE

We are committed to making Burberry the best place to work for our 10,000 
colleagues across 33 countries. We have designed an ambitious Inspired People 
agenda to deliver this goal, with work focused on leadership; culture and 
engagement; talent and capabilities; ways of working; and responsibility. While 
our programme has a multi-year horizon, we made good progress over FY 2018/19, 
which has been reflected in positive early results, including an improvement in 
employee engagement and a decrease in attrition. Employee engagement 
overall has risen by two points to 74%, and 87% of our people are proud to 
work at Burberry. 

Leadership
We are focused on building capability 
and driving engagement notably in our 
design, product and digital teams. We 
have prioritised deepening capability in 
the areas most critical to delivering our 
strategy. The Burberry Leaders group, 
made up of our most senior employees 
globally, is responsible for galvanising 
the organisation and delivering our 
strategic goals.

Customers First; Being Bold And Open 
to New Ideas; Being One Team; and 
Being Accountable And Responsive.

The Burberry Leaders group has also 
led the engagement of the wider 
business in our strategy. To ensure 
leaders are fully equipped to do this, 
we increased communication and 
engagement across this group, for 
example hosting a global Strategy 
Offsite in June 2018. Focus on this 
area has driven clear results, with 
our engagement survey showing 
significant improvement in 
employee understanding of our 
Company direction. 

To further strengthen the capability 
of our leadership population and 
accelerate delivery of our strategy, this 
year we launched our new Leadership 
Development Programme, delivered 
over nine months and including 360 
feedback, tailored coaching and 
support, and an intensive three-day 
gathering of global leaders. Over 80 of 
our most senior leaders have completed 
the programme with all other leaders to 
be enrolled by the end of FY 2019/20. 
The programme is grounded in the 
Burberry Behaviours, which were 
launched in 2018 and underpin the 
way we work. Our annual Global Icon 
Awards celebrate the employees who 
best bring to life these behaviours day 
to day. The Behaviours are: Putting 

40

STRATEGIC REPORTCulture
At Burberry, we have always sought to build a 
culture that is diverse, open and inclusive and one 
where all perspectives are valued. We value and 
respect people of all cultures, nationalities, races, 
religions and ethnicities, regardless of 
characteristics such as gender, gender identity 
and/or expression, age, disability or sexual 
orientation. We are passionate about attracting, 
developing and rewarding the most talented and 
skilled individuals and ensuring they feel a sense 
of belonging. At our London headquarters, 
60 different nationalities are represented.

Over the last 12 months, we continued to focus on 
evolving strategies for recruiting and developing 
key talent within the business in a way which 
promotes our cultural values. We are committed 
to delivering training for all managers on how to 
build an inclusive environment, as well as 
unconscious bias training for all employees. We are 
also expanding our scholarship programme, which 
supports students who would not otherwise have 
the financial resources to attend top fashion 
schools, and offer one-year placements post-
graduation to provide valuable work experience.

With respect to our senior women, we are proud 
to have the highest representation of women in 
Executive Committee and direct report positions 
(58.5%) in the FTSE 100. This was recognised in 
the 2018 Hampton Alexander Review where 
Burberry was named the top performer.

As at 30 March 2019, the representation of 
women in the workforce is set out below:

Executive  
Committee 
Leadership 
(Director  
and above)
All Workforce

Number of 
women

Percentage 
of women

Total

9

3

33%

288
10,332

147
6,870

51%
67%

We offer continued support for the LGBTQ+ 
community through our ongoing membership of 
LGBTQ+ group INvolve. As part of this 
membership, we have nominated senior LGBTQ+ 
leaders onto a board-readiness programme and 
senior Burberry leaders have mentored LGBTQ+ 
employees from other organisations.

Broadening and deepening our Diversity and 
Inclusion agenda is a key priority for the business 
in FY 2019/20. The strategy will be supported by 
both an employee council focused on raising 
awareness globally and fostering a culture of 
belonging, as well as an external advisory board.

41

 
CREATING TOMORROW’S HERITAGE

 Our Responsibility Agenda is designed to drive positive change and 
build a more sustainable future. We have set ourselves ambitious 
goals for 2022, split into three focus areas.

P O S I T I V E LY   IMPACT 1 MILLION PEOPLE

Tackle educational 
inequality and facilitate 
access to creative 
industries

Accelerate economic 
empowerment in 
remote communities

C O M MUNITIES

Build cohesion
and resilience in
communities that
sustain our industry

Invent new 
approaches 
to waste

100% of 
energy from 
renewable 
sources

B
E

C
A
R
B
O

N

N

E

U

T

R

A

L

A

N

D

R

E

V

A

L

U

E

W

A

S

T

E

C

O

M

P

A

N

Y

T
C
U
D
O

P R

Drive 
resource 
efficiency

Advance well-being
and livelihoods in
our supply chain

S
T
C
U
D
O
R
L P
H A
G
U
O
R
H
E T
G

L

Pioneer creative
research to
develop tomorrow’s
materials

Drive demand
for sustainable
raw materials

N

SITIV E C H A

O

E   P

R I V

D

Overall responsibility for the delivery of our social and 
environmental programmes lies with our Chief Supply Chain 
Officer, who reports on progress against targets to the 
Ethics Committee, the Risk Committee and the Board.

Objectives and progress are regularly reviewed by the 
Burberry Responsibility Advisory Committee, comprising 
external expert stakeholders from Non-Governmental 
Organisations (NGOs), social enterprise and an ethical trade, 
human rights and labour standards consultancy, to ensure we 
stay focused on the most material issues and drive real 
positive impact for the long-term.

42

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
CREATING TOMORROW’S HERITAGE
Our goals for 2022:

PRODUCT

COMPANY

COMMUNITIES

Progress: 36%^ of product 
with more than one 
positive attribute
Goal: to have 100% of product 
with more than one positive 
attribute by 2022, where 
positive attributes relate to 
social and/or environmental 
improvements achieved at 
either raw material sourcing or 
product manufacturing stage.

Progress: 68%^ of cotton 
procured through the Better 
Cotton Initiative (BCI)
Goal: to source 100% of cotton 
through the BCI, a not-for-
profit organisation focused on 
making global cotton 
production better for the 
people who produce it, better 
for the environment it grows 
in and better for the 
sector’s future.

Progress: 49% of leather 
sourced from tanneries with 
environmental, traceability 
and social certifications
Goal: to source 100% of 
leather from certified 
tanneries by 2022. The 
significant increase from 1% 
in FY 2017/18 was achieved by 
working closely with key 
tanneries in Italy to improve 
particularly the traceability 
of leather. 

Progress: 43%^ reduction in 
market-based emissions since 
base year FY 2016/17
Goal: to achieve a zero-carbon 
footprint in our own 
operational energy use by 
reducing absolute emissions, 
improving energy efficiency 
and switching to renewable 
energy sources, before 
offsetting any remaining 
emissions.

Progress: 68% of electricity 
procured from renewable 
sources
Goal: as part of our RE100 
membership, we have 
committed to 100% renewable 
electricity by 2022 and are 
driving this through close 
collaboration with our 
procurement and retail 
teams and engagement 
with landlords. 

Progress: Ended the practice 
of destroying unsaleable 
finished products
Goal: reduce and revalue 
waste. We already reuse, 
repair, donate or recycle 
unsaleable products and we 
will continue to expand 
these efforts.

43

Progress: 125,000^ people 
positively impacted in our 
communities since base year 
FY 2016/17
Goal: we aim to positively 
impact 1 million people by 
2022. Progress during 
FY 2018/19 includes: 

•  65,000 students and 
teachers engaged in 
Yorkshire, UK, through 
school workshops, teacher 
training, guest speaker 
sessions and work 
experience at Burberry.
•  18,000 people in Tuscany, 
Italy, benefitting from 
enhanced multi-cultural 
spaces and events, new 
youth mentoring 
programmes and better 
access to community 
support services. 

•  7,000 people in Afghanistan 
benefitting from training 
on more sustainable 
livestock management 
and participation in 
community-owned collective 
action organisations.

 PRODUCT

DRIVING POSITIVE CHANGE THROUGH 100% 
OF OUR PRODUCTS
We create products using the highest quality materials 
involving many manufacturing communities around the world. 
We are committed to using our position and influence to drive 
social and environmental improvements and foster innovation 
in our supply chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to the 
manufacturing of finished products.

We continue to support the Sustainable Fibre Alliance 
(SFA) to help promote sustainable cashmere production in 
Mongolia. During 2018, over 3,800 herding families producing 
approximately 170 tonnes of cashmere committed to the 
SFA’s Codes of Practice on Rangeland Stewardship and 
Animal Welfare. These programmes aim to stimulate positive 
change beyond our footprint and make sustainable materials 
more mainstream across the industry.

Our goal is to ensure that all our products have more than one 
positive attribute by 2022. A product may, for example, have 
a positive attribute if it is made from leather sourced from 
tanneries with environmental, traceability and social 
certifications, or if it was manufactured in a facility with 
employee health and well-being programmes. In the second 
year of our strategy, we have reached 30%^ of product with 
one positive attribute and a further 36%^ of product with 
more than one positive attribute.

With our 2022 goals, we are taking our supply chain 
programmes to the next level, focusing on:

Stimulating demand for more sustainable raw materials 
Cotton, cashmere and leather are three of our key raw 
materials, representing approximately 30% of our overall 
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We are focused on 
improving the traceability and sourcing of these materials 
and have set two goals for 2022: to procure 100% of our 
cotton through the Better Cotton Initiative (currently at 
68%^, up from 21% in FY 2017/18) and to source 100% of our 
leather from tanneries with environmental, traceability and 
social compliance certifications (currently at 49%, up from 
1% in FY 2017/18). During FY 2018/19 we made significant 
progress particularly on leather traceability, by working 
closely with our Italian tanneries.

% OF PRODUCTS WITH POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES^

With more than one
positive attribute

With one
positive attribute

With positive attributes
in development

36%

30%

34%

Promoting worker well-being 
To ensure compliance with our Responsible Business 
Principles, our Ethical Trading Programme covers all 
finished goods vendors, subcontractors and key raw material 
suppliers. Our Ethical Trading teams visit supply chain 
partners on a regular basis, engaging with both management 
and workers to review performance and drive improvements.

We conduct scheduled and unscheduled audits at intervals of 
three to 18 months, depending on findings, and work closely 
with supply chain partners to help them achieve more than 
regulatory compliance. During FY 2018/19 we conducted 481 
audits and assessments (446 in FY 2017/18) and completed 
221 training and engagement visits (263 in FY 2017/18), to 
support our partners in building stronger human resource 
management systems and introducing innovative worker 
engagement and well-being programmes. We continued to 
roll out a new Worker Well-being Survey, developed in 
collaboration with Oxfam. Since launching the survey in 2018, 
we have engaged with approximately 1,400 workers across 
eight key facilities worldwide.

Our global supply chain comprises of first-, second- and 
third-tier facilities, including vendors, subcontractors and 
raw material suppliers. While driving and supporting 
improvements at facilities we directly engage with, through 
our Vendor Ownership Programme, we also help our partners 
build their own capacity and set up their own ethical trading 
programme to monitor and improve working conditions in 
their upstream supply chain. We currently have 16 key supply 
chain partners involved in the programme. 

We are accredited as a UK Living Wage employer and a 
Principal Partner of the Living Wage Foundation. We are 
supporting the global Living Wage initiative, which aims 
to harness the increasing interest in a global Living Wage 
approach to address in-work poverty across all sectors 
and multiple geographies. We believe that all workers 
have the right to a living wage and continue to promote this 
standard throughout our supply chain. Further details of 
our supply chain activities, including our ethical trading 
programme and Human Rights Statement, are available 
at www.burberryplc.com.

 ^ Please see page 54 for details on external assurance.

44

STRATEGIC REPORTCREATING NEW  
SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

To coincide with the launch of our 
Spring/Summer 2019 collection in 
February, we rolled out new 
sustainable packaging. 

Using an innovative manufacturing 
technique, 40% of the new packaging 
material is made from recycled coffee 
cups. The resulting product, which has 
a beautiful, luxurious feel, is fully 
recyclable and is certified by the Forest 
Stewardship Council (FSC).

Further to our commitment to the Ellen 
MacArthur Foundation New Plastics 
Economy initiative in November 2018, 
we are also making changes that will 
reduce the plastic footprint of our 
transit packaging. We will introduce 
new transit hangers made from a 
bio-based compostable alternative. 
In addition, we are switching our 
garment bags to a compostable 
PHA-blended material. 

45

46

STRATEGIC REPORTLeading chemical management and elimination 
We work closely with our supply chain partners to improve 
chemical management in the manufacturing of our products. 
Our program goes significantly beyond the required 
international environmental and safety standards. We have 
set all our chemical requirements at levels that are more 
stringent than legal limits and have committed to eliminating 
the use of chemicals that may have a negative environmental 
impact. To achieve this, we are working closely with our 
supply chain partners, setting clear standards and guidelines 
and providing focused training and support. During the year, 
we hosted a chemical management event with other luxury 
brands at the Politecnico in Milan, Italy. More than 250 
representatives of finished goods vendors, mills and tanneries 
attended the event. 

To achieve our goals, we have trained over 1,000 people in 
chemical management. During FY 2018/19, 41% of product 
achieved a positive attribute in this area, based on both a 
product’s finished goods vendor and main raw material 
supplier achieving a rating of “green” for their chemical 
management practices, as assessed through Burberry’s 
Partner Progress Tool. More information on our assessment 
tool can be found on www.burberryplc.com. 

We are also Board members of the Zero Discharge of 
Hazardous Chemical (ZDHC) Foundation, the most prominent 
multi-stakeholder initiative in this field, and are collaborating 
with 26 other leading brands to drive positive change more 
widely across our industry and global supply chains. 

Managing energy use in manufacturing
We continue to evolve our energy reduction programme, 
which, for wet processing facilities, has been modelled on the 
Natural Resource Defence Council’s “Clean by Design” 
principles. Through this programme, we work directly with 
both finished goods and raw material facilities to identify and 
implement energy saving opportunities. During FY 2018/19, 
19 facilities were involved in the programme, with the aim of 
achieving at least a 5% reduction in carbon emissions. 
Examples of energy-saving measures include lighting 
replacements and process improvements. We also work with 
our supply chain partners to promote the use of renewable 
energy across our supply chain. As a result, in FY 2018/19, 7% 
of our products were manufactured in facilities that procure a 
significant proportion of their energy from renewable 
sources.

Minimising our water footprint
Water resources are vital to sustaining both our communities 
and our industry. We are committed to carefully managing 
water use and quality across our supply chain and apply the 
World Wildlife Fund for Nature’s water risk assessment tool 
each year to identify potential areas of risk. We require 
regular effluent testing and work with over 40 wet processing 
facilities, who represent approximately 50% of Burberry's 
raw material procurement volume, to monitor and improve 
their effluent management practices. We work with suppliers 
to identify water-saving opportunities, such as water 
recycling and leak repairs. 

Driving innovation in sustainable materials
Ever since our founder, Thomas Burberry, invented gabardine 
in 1879, materials innovation has formed part of our DNA and 
continues to be a key focus today. During FY 2018/19, we 
held a two-day internal event showcasing new materials 
and technologies. A group of industry experts discussed 
innovation in the areas of Fashion, Sustainability, Science 
and Technology.

In our continuous pursuit of more sustainable garments, we 
worked with company 37.5 to incorporate thermoregulation 
technology in our men’s quilted jackets. Using volcanic sand 
and waste coconut shells, this new heat management 
technology enables customers to feel more comfortable in a 
range of climates. A further example is a high-quality nylon 
fabric we have developed from ECONYL yarn. ECONYL yarn is 
produced from nylon waste collected from landfill and oceans 
around the world. We will be using this fabric in some of our 
outerwear garments for Autumn/Winter 2019. We also 
continue to integrate recycled fibres, such as recycled 
cashmere and wool, into our collections, and have started 
making our dust bags from REFIBRA yarn, a new yarn 
produced by upcycling cotton leftovers at our internal 
manufacturing site in Yorkshire.

Inspiring the next generation of designers and engineers
During FY 2018/19, we continued to support The Burberry 
Foundation’s five-year partnership with the Royal College 
of Art. This involved advancing the work of the Burberry 
Material Futures Research Group, the first of its kind in the 
world, and expanding the Burberry Design Scholarship Fund, 
benefiting 15 students in FY 2018/19. The Research Group is 
the first explicit “Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and 
Mathematics” (STEAM) research centre at a traditional 
art-and-design university. It applies radical thinking to 
invent more sustainable materials, advance manufacturing 
processes and transform user experiences. All research 
will be made publicly available for the benefit of our industry 
and the wider community.

47

 COMPANY

BECOMING CARBON NEUTRAL AND REVALUING WASTE
While our biggest environmental impacts occur in the supply 
chain, we are just as committed to addressing climate 
change impacts from our own operations, including offices, 
stores, manufacturing and distribution sites. We have set 
two goals for 2022: to become carbon neutral in our own 
operational energy use, with a focus on driving energy 
efficiencies and renewable energy procurement; and to 
revalue waste, by leading a makers’ movement and creating 
innovative solutions.

Becoming carbon neutral in our own operational energy use 
We aim to achieve a zero-carbon footprint by improving 
energy efficiency, reducing absolute consumption and 
switching to renewable energy sources, before offsetting any 
remaining emissions. Our retail network is responsible for 
76% of our direct carbon emissions. We have set energy 
targets for all our stores globally, spearheaded by regional 
leadership and reinforced by a training programme and 
technical support. Over the last year, we established a 

network of Responsibility champions in key stores, whose 
objective is to inspire and support retail teams to improve 
energy efficiency and engage with the Responsibility Agenda 
more broadly. We are now carbon neutral across the Americas 
region, EMEIA retail stores and our UK operations.

We reduced our global, absolute energy consumption by 7%, 
primarily through behavioural changes and LED lighting. We 
then used the cost savings from energy reductions to finance 
additional renewable energy procurement. On track to achieve 
our RE100 commitments, we now obtain 58%^ of our total 
energy (including 68%^ of our electricity) from renewable 
sources, an increase of 13% from last year. We assess our 
progress towards carbon neutrality by looking at the 
reduction in our total market-based carbon dioxide equivalent 
(CO2e) emissions year on year and since the launch of our 
strategy in 2017, we have reduced our emissions by 43%^.

ENERGY AND GLOBAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
The disclosures required by the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013 are 
included below.

(Year to 30 March 2019)

Reporting  
year 18/19 

 Reporting 
year 17/18 

 Reporting 
year 16/17 

Total energy (KWH) - including energy from fuel used in vehicles
Combustion of fuel and operation of facilities (Scope 1) (Kg CO2e)
Electricity, heat, steam and cooling purchased for own use (Scope 2) (Kg CO2e)
Total emissions location based (Scope 1 & 2) (Kg CO2e)
Electricity, heat, steam and cooling purchased for own use (Scope 2) (Kg CO2e) 
MARKET BASED APPROACH
Total emissions market based (Scope 1 & 2) (Kg CO2e)
Total emissions offset by Verified Emissions Reduction Certificates (Kg CO2e)
Intensity measurement (Location based Kg CO2e per £1000 sales revenue)
% of Energy (kWh) from Renewable Sources

76,575,371^
2,096,267^
29,111,338^
31,207,605^

12,729,675^
14,825,942^
352,729^
11.5^
58%^

82,309,197
2,144,091
32,072,001
34,216,092

18,060,686
20,204,777
170,411
12.5
48%

85,150,844
2,128,334
33,839,522
35,967,856

23,027,948
25,156,282
0
13.0
37%

Note: Burberry applies an operational control approach to defining its organisational boundaries. Data is reported for sites where it is considered 
that Burberry has the ability to influence energy management. Data is not reported for sites where Burberry has a physical presence, but does not 

influence the energy management for those sites, such as a concession within a department store. Overall, the emissions inventory reported 

equates to 94% of our sq. ft. (net selling space). Emissions resulting from activities in the UK amount to 22% of total global emissions (29% of 

total energy consumption). The Company uses the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (using a location and market-based approach to reporting Scope 2 

emissions) to estimate emissions and applies conversion factors from Defra and IEA guidance. All material sources of emissions are reported. 

Refrigerant gases were deemed not material and are not reported. Burberry has updated GHG data for FY 2016/17 and FY 2017/18 to account for 

updated emission factors and improvements in data availability and estimation methods. Further detail is available within Burberry’s basis of 

reporting at www.burberryplc.com.

 ^ Please see page 54 for details on external assurance.

48

STRATEGIC REPORT 
“We are now carbon neutral across 
the Americas region, EMEIA retail 
stores and our UK operations.”

49

EXPANDING OUR AMBITIONS
We started looking beyond 2022, setting ambitious 
carbon goals for 2030. Our targets have been approved by 
the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) and include a 
commitment to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 
95% by 2022 and our Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, 
both from a 2016 base year. Targets are classed as 
science based if they are in line with the level of carbon 
reduction required to keep the global temperature 
increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-
industrial levels, as described in the Fifth Assessment 
Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 
Change. In December 2018, we joined the UN Fashion 
Industry Charter for Climate Action. One of its aims is to 
reduce aggregate GHG emissions across the fashion 
industry by 30% by 2030. Representatives of the 
Responsibility team actively participate in the working 
groups and chair one of them.

As members of the Prince of Wales Accounting for 
Sustainability (A4S) initiative, we are working towards 
implementing the recommendations of the Financial 
Stability Board’s Task Force for Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures. In line with their recommendations and to 
future-proof our business, climate change is included as 
a principal risk in our Risk and Viability Report. During 
FY 2018/19, we conducted three scenario-planning 
workshops, involving senior leadership from key functions 
across the business, including Risk, Strategy, Investor 
Relations, Customer Insight, Responsibility, Supply Chain, 
IT and External Communications. Facilitated by Forum 
for the Future, the workshops helped us identify and 
assess long-term environmental, social and technological 
trends that could significantly impact Burberry’s business 
model and operations over the next 20 years. These 
trends will inform our long-term supply chain strategy 
and our strategic response to climate change risks, a 
process that has already started with the presentation of 
key insights to the Board in March 2019.

Reducing and revaluing waste
Our five-year Responsibility Agenda also includes a goal to 
help tackle the waste challenge facing our industry. In 
September 2018, we strengthened our commitment by 
becoming the first luxury company to announce that we were 
stopping, with immediate effect, the practice of destroying 
unsaleable finished products.

During the year, we expanded existing reuse, repair, donation 
and recycling routes, while developing new partnerships and 
revaluation solutions. We also focused on limiting the causes 
of waste, enabled by an increasingly global view of inventory 
management and our new model of tighter more frequent 
collections, which allows us to be much more targeted and 
precise in the way we design, buy and sell.

In FY2018/19, we handled around 20,000 repair and 
replacement part enquiries for products ranging from 
well-loved leather goods to vintage items. We also donated 
more than 20,000 items of business clothing as part of our 
long-term partnerships with charities such as Smart Works. 
The UK-based charity supports unemployed women with 
interview training, smart clothing and styling advice as they 
prepare for potentially life-changing interviews. To celebrate 
International Women’s Day 2018, we hosted a special event at 
Horseferry House for some Smart Works clients who have 
gained employment through the service. The clients received 

a special Burberry styling session from members of our 
retail teams and were gifted their Burberry wardrobes 
to keep and wear to their new job. 

Prior to our announcement in September, we had 
destroyed £1.4 million of unsaleable finished 
products, following the waste hierarchy. This represented 
a significant reduction on the prior years. In addition, to 
respect regulatory constraints, £0.8 million of damaged, 
defective or expired beauty products were destroyed where 
recycling was not an option.

Raw materials are a significant waste stream for the luxury 
fashion industry. For leather, even when product patterns are 
carefully planned to maximise the use of a hide, the process 
inevitably creates small offcuts. Through The Burberry 
Foundation, we are working with sustainable luxury company 
Elvis & Kresse to transform leather offcuts from the 
production of Burberry products into a range of accessories 
and homeware by 2022. Half of the profits from this range 
are donated to charitable organisations promoting renewable 
energy, while the remaining half is reinvested by Elvis & 
Kresse to expand their work and generate apprenticeship and 
work experience opportunities. Since the launch of this 
partnership in 2017, 3.7 tonnes of leather offcuts have been 
transformed into products and over 5,000 potential “makers” 
have been inspired about waste revaluation.

50

STRATEGIC REPORTDuring the year, we supported the London College of Fashion 
with raw materials to launch their “1000 Coats” project, 
which aims to provide women in East London with technical 
sewing skills and knowledge by making 1000 coats for 
children in need, while creating potential new employment 
opportunities for the women involved.

Similarly, we have initiated a partnership and started 
donating excess fabric to Progetto Quid in Italy, a women-led 
not-for-profit cooperative, providing women and men from 
disadvantaged backgrounds with employment opportunities 
through sustainable fashion. 

When waste is inevitable, we work with innovative 
organisations to recycle it. For example, in Italy last year, we 
recycled 70 tonnes of pre-consumer textiles into regenerated 
yarns, fabrics and automotive insulation materials. We are 
also conducting trials to explore ways of repurposing raw 
materials and some unsaleable finished products.

To further strengthen our existing commitments, in May 
2018 we were proud to become a core partner of the Ellen 
MacArthur Foundation’s Make Fashion Circular Initiative, 
joining other leading organisations to explore how our 
industry can work towards the vision of a circular fashion 
economy. In December 2018, we joined the New Plastics 
Economy Global Commitment, which aims to eradicate plastic 
waste and pollution by 2025. The commitment is also led by 
the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with UN 
Environment and aims to create a new normal for plastic 
packaging globally. As part of this, we are working to 
eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging; 
ensure plastic in our packaging can be easily reused, recycled 
or composted; and circulate any plastic packaging so that it 
can be made into new packaging or products. We have also 
completed a Plastic Footprint Mapping exercise, identifying 
the use of plastic across our activities worldwide.

51

Fostering community cohesion and supporting youth 
employability in Italy
The Florentine area of Italy has a long tradition of creativity 
and craftsmanship and is renowned for its production of 
garments and luxury leather goods. In recent years, the 
region has faced challenges due to poverty, youth 
unemployment and economic migration. In 2017, we 
supported The Burberry Foundation in launching a five-year 
partnership with Oxfam, aimed at fostering cohesion between 
local and migrant communities. During FY 2018/19, the 
partnership helped four local community centres expand their 
day-to-day services and deliver large-scale multicultural 
events. It launched a new community information desk and 
appointed 8 facilitators to improve access to vital support 
services. It also engaged 10 schools in a peer-to-peer 
mentoring scheme and an innovative teacher-training 
programme on inclusive education. Overall, more than 
18,000 community members benefitted from these 
activities in FY 2018/19.

Supporting social and economic empowerment of rural 
communities in Afghanistan
Despite persistent armed conflict and extreme poverty, 
Afghanistan remains the world’s third-largest producer 
of cashmere fibre, behind Mongolia and China, and a key 
sourcing region for the luxury fashion industry. In partnership 
with Oxfam and PUR Projet, The Burberry Foundation is 
implementing a long-term programme focused on developing 
a more inclusive and sustainable cashmere industry and 
helping herders enhance their livelihoods. During FY 2018/19, 
a new goat breeding facility designed to help herders improve 
the quality and yield of their cashmere production was 
opened. It currently hosts over 150 “elite” cashmere goats. 
In addition, more than 2,500 herders have been trained on 
sustainable cashmere harvesting and livestock management 
practices. Key local stakeholders have been engaged to 
facilitate the development of community-owned collective 
action organisations, pro-actively involving women in their 
design and management. Overall, more than 7,000 
community members benefitted from these activities 
during the year. 

COMMUNITIES

POSITIVELY IMPACTING ONE MILLION PEOPLE BY 2022
We have a long history of investing in the communities in 
which we operate, enabling employees to dedicate up to three 
working days a year to support their local communities and 
donating each year 1% of adjusted Group profit before tax to 
charitable causes. These range from supporting disaster 
relief efforts, to nurturing emerging talent through 
scholarships at the Royal College of Art, with a significant 
proportion going to The Burberry Foundation (UK registered 
charity number 1154468).

The Burberry Foundation takes a strategic and long-term 
approach and partners with leading organisations to support 
key communities sustaining the luxury industry. We aim to 
impact one million people mainly by supporting community 
programmes through financial contribution and employee 
volunteering. We helped to positively impact nearly 103,000^ 
people in FY 2018/19.

The Foundation’s efforts are specifically tailored to address 
social and/or environmental priorities in selected 
communities, with a view to tackling the causes as well as 
treating the symptoms.

Tackling educational inequality and enhancing career advice 
for young people in the UK
In the second year of The Burberry Foundation’s partnership 
with Teach First, The Careers & Enterprise Company and 
MyKindaFuture, the three organisations have continued to 
support young people in disadvantaged communities across 
Yorkshire and London. Our objective is to inspire and prepare 
young people for the world of work and improve access to the 
creative industries. During FY 2018/19 over 60,000 students 
and teachers were engaged in a range of activities, including 
school workshops, teacher training, guest speaker sessions 
and work experience weeks at Burberry. Three new 
Enterprise Advisers were appointed, connecting 29 schools 
with local employers and supporting the development of 
robust, school-wide career programmes. These benefitted 
more than 15,000 students this year. 

In October 2018, The Burberry Foundation launched Burberry 
Inspire, partnering with the Ideas Foundation to deliver a 
four-year programme in and around Leeds to help young 
people transcend their circumstances and reach their 
potential through in-depth exposure to arts and culture. 
The programme is delivered in collaboration with the 
Northern Ballet, the Hepworth Wakefield, Leeds Young Film 
and Leeds Playhouse, and has already provided exciting new 
opportunities for 3,130 students across eight participating 
schools. We plan to roll out Burberry Inspire globally in 
FY 2019/20. 

52

STRATEGIC REPORT53

HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENT
While we respect and uphold human rights wherever we 
operate, we are aware that risks can arise in relation to our 
own workforce, our supply chain, our communities and 
customers. Burberry’s Human Rights Policy sets out our 
procedures to uphold human rights across our own operations 
and extended supply chain, and the mechanisms we use to 
identify and address any instances of potential infringement. 
The policy was developed with reference to the International 
Bill of Human Rights and follows the UN Guiding Principles on 
Business and Human Rights for the implementation of the 
UN’s “Protect, Respect and Remedy” framework.

Responsibility for the policy lies with Burberry’s Chief 
Executive Officer. To ensure compliance with the policy, we 
assess human rights impacts and monitor labour conditions 
across our own operations and extended supply chain on a 
regular basis through our Ethical Trading programme, 
delivered by an established global team of Ethical Trading 
experts. Details of the programme and a full copy of our 
Human Rights Policy can be found at www.burberryplc.com.

We conduct a Human Rights Impact Assessment every two 
years to confirm potential areas of risk, capture any emerging 
risks in relation to new operations and projects, and review or 
develop mitigation plans as required. We have completed 
three impact assessments since 2014, each process involving 
mapping our own operations and those of our extended supply 
chain, and assessing them in terms of their potential impact 
on human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights. For both our FY 2016/17 and FY 2018/19 
assessments, we reviewed key findings and mitigation plans 
with Ergon, a specialist human rights consultancy.

To strengthen our efforts in this field even further, we have 
developed “theories of change” for key themes arising from 
our FY 2018/19 Human Rights Impact Assessment, including 
migrant workers, income-vulnerable workers, diversity and 
inclusion. We conduct interviews with relevant stakeholder 
groups to better understand their needs and perceptions, get 
insight into the direct and indirect impacts of our business 
and develop focused mitigation plans. For example, we 
provide grievance mechanisms for our global employees, as 
well as confidential hotlines run by Non-Governmental 
Organisations for workers in our supply chain. Currently, 
more than 11,000 workers across 21 factories are provided 
with improved access to remedy and confidential support, 
including advice and information on workers’ rights and 
well-being. The effectiveness of the hotlines is regularly 
reviewed. During FY 2018/19, Burberry-sponsored hotlines 
received 572 calls and their resolutions have been monitored 
closely by our local Responsibility teams.

Supporting our human rights commitment is our 
Modern Slavery Statement. This is published in line with 
the UK Modern Slavery Act and can be found at  
www.burberryplc.com.

EXTERNAL ASSURANCE OF CORPORATE 
RESPONSIBILITY DISCLOSURES
Burberry has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) 
to provide limited assurance over selected Company, Product 
and Community information for FY 2018/19. Information 
forming part of the assurance scope is denoted with a ^ on 
pages 43 to 52. The assurance statement and Burberry’s 
basis of reporting are available at www.burberryplc.com.

54

STRATEGIC REPORTTRANSFORMING OUR APPROACH TO 
WASTE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

“We have partnered with The Burberry 

Foundation to solve our most 
ambitious material challenge to date: 
the vast amounts of waste created 
through the production of leather 
goods. Through this partnership, we 
demonstrate how the traditional 
leather goods supply chain can be 
disrupted and changed for the better. 
We also transform at least 120 tonnes 
of leather offcuts from the production 
of Burberry products into accessories 
and homeware.”

KRESSE WESLING MBE
Co-Founder of Elvis & Kresse

55

OUR INVESTMENT CASE

Our framework for long-term 
value creation centres around 
three major pillars: revenue 
growth, operating margin 
accretion and capital efficiency. 

REVENUE GROWTH**

Burberry operates in the luxury goods sector, where industry 
growth tends to deliver ahead of overall global Gross Domestic 
Product (GDP) growth per annum. Our ambition, in the 
medium term, is to drive towards high single-digit top-line 
growth. We have four strategic pillars supporting revenue 
growth to enable us to achieve this: 

Evolve our product offer 
to signal change and attract 
further luxury consumers.

PRODUCT

Develop our communication 
approach to be led by product 
and tailored for social channels. 

COMMUNICATION 

Transform our distribution 
to achieve a network that 
is consistent with our 
luxury positioning.  

DISTRIBUTION 

DIGITAL

Revolutionise our digital 
proposition, finding new and 
exciting ways to engage 
customers by displaying highly 
curated product assortments 
and personalised stories, and 
editorialising our website. 

56

STRATEGIC REPORTADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT 
MARGIN ACCRETION**

Burberry currently generates an Adjusted Operating Profit 
Margin of 16.1%. In the medium term, our ambition is to 
deliver meaningful Adjusted Operating Profit Margin 
improvements each year. There are two significant factors 
underpinning our ambition: 

CAPITAL EFFICIENCY

Burberry has a history of strong free cash flow generation, 
with our cash conversion averaging 106% over the last five 
years. We have a clear capital allocation framework, which 
prioritises our uses of cash, while maintaining an appropriate 
capital structure for the business. Our target is to maintain a 
strong balance sheet with solid investment grade credit 
metrics. Our uses of cash are summarised below. 

OPERATING 
LEVERAGE

COST- 
EFFICIENCY 
PROGRAMME

Leverage the fixed and 
semi-fixed cost components 
of our operating expenses. 

Reinvest for organic growth.

Work more efficiently and 
effectively, including adapting 
our approach to procurement, 
to generate cost savings. Our 
current cost-saving programme 
aims to deliver £135 million 
annualised cost savings by 
FY 2021/22.*

This will be achieved by 
driving simplification and 
efficiency through our 
organisation, including 
optimising back-office functions; 
generating procurement savings, 
and through technology 
initiatives that increase our 
business agility. 

REINVEST

DIVIDEND

STRATEGIC 
INVESTMENT

CAPITAL 
RETURNED

Pay our progressive dividend.

Invest in strategic initiatives.

Return excess cash 
to shareholders.

*  Base year FY 2016/17

**  At constant exchange rates

Our capital allocation framework is set out and discussed in 
full on page 72. Over the past five years, Burberry has 
returned £809 million to shareholders through dividends, and 
over the past three years has completed £600 million of 
share buybacks.

57

KEY PERFORMANCE 
INDICATORS

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) help 
management measure progress against our 
six strategic pillars and responsibility targets.

REVENUE 
GROWTH*

COMPARABLE 
SALES GROWTH*

ADJUSTED OPERATING 
PROFIT GROWTH*

This measures the appeal 
of the Burberry brand for 
customers, through all our 
sales channels.

Financial ambition
High single-digit 
top-line growth.*

I

P
K

This measures the growth 
in productivity of existing 
stores. It is calculated as 
the annual percentage 
increase in sales from 
retail stores that have 
been open for more than 
12 months. It is adjusted 
for closures and 
refurbishments, and 
includes all digital revenue.

Financial ambition
High single-digit 
top-line growth.*

This measure tracks 
our ongoing operating 
profitability and reflects 
the combination of revenue 
growth and cost 
management.

Financial ambition
Adjusted operating 
profit growth ahead 
of revenue growth.*

CER growth %

CER growth %

CER growth %

+11

-1

-2

-1

-1

+9

-1

+1

+3

+2

+7

-11

-21

+5

0

m
3
2
5
2
£

,

m
5
1
5
2
£

,

m
6
6
7
2
£

,

m
3
3
7
2
£

,

m
0
2
7
,
2
£

m
5
5
4
£

m
8
1
4
£

m
9
5
4
£

m
7
6
4
£

m
8
3
4
£

15

16

17

18

19

15

16

17

18

19

15

16

17

18

19

FY 2018/19 revenue 
declined 1%.Total retail 
sales was flat at CER.
Wholesale growth excluding 
Beauty was up 7% at CER. 
This was offset by the loss 
of Beauty wholesale revenue 
following the beauty license 
with Coty. Excluding Beauty 
wholesale, revenue growth 
was 2%. 

Comparable sales grew 2% 
in FY 2018/19, with low 
single-digit growth across 
all three regions.  

Adjusted operating profit 
in FY 2018/19 was flat year 
on year with gross margin 
and operating margin 
stable at CER. Incremental 
cost savings of £41 million, 
offset inflationary cost 
pressures and strategic 
investments. 

E
R
U
S
A
E
M

E
C
N
A
M
R
O
F
R
E
P

*  At CER 

Details of alternative performance measures are shown on page 71

58

STRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL MEASURES
We believe it is vital to ensure alignment between our 
Executive Committee’s strategic focus and the long-term 
interests of shareholders. As a result, elements of 
Executive remuneration are based on performance against 
the following measures: revenue growth, adjusted profit 
before tax growth, and adjusted retail/wholesale return on 
invested capital. You can read more about our 
Remuneration Policy on pages 123 to 144.

ADJUSTED OPERATING 
PROFIT MARGIN

ADJUSTED PROFIT 
BEFORE TAX (PBT) 
GROWTH*

ADJUSTED DILUTED 
EPS GROWTH

ADJUSTED RETAIL 
WHOLESALE ROIC

This measures how we 
drive operational leverage 
and disciplined cost 
control, with thoughtful 
investment for future 
growth, building the 
long-term value of 
the brand.

Financial ambition
Meaningful operating 
margin expansion.*

Adjusted PBT growth 
is a key profitability 
measure to assess the 
ongoing performance 
of the Company.

Growth in EPS reflects the 
increase in profitability of 
the business, improvement 
in the tax rate and share 
repurchase accretion.

Financial ambition
Adjusted PBT growth 
ahead of revenue growth.*

Financial ambition
Adjusted EPS growth 
ahead of revenue growth.*

Adjusted retail/wholesale 
ROIC measures the 
efficient use of capital on 
investments. It is 
calculated as the post-tax 
adjusted retail/wholesale 
operating profit divided by 
average operating assets 
over the period.

Financial ambition
ROIC significantly ahead 
of WACC.

18.0

16.6

16.6

17.1

16.1

+7

-10

-21

+5

0

+2

-9

+11

+6

0

17.9

14.7

15.4

16.3

15.5

%

CER growth %

Reported growth %

%

m
6
5
4
£

m
1
2
4
£

m
2
6
4
£

m
1
7
4
£

m
3
4
4
£

.

p
9
6
7

.

p
9
9
6

p
4
7
7

.

p
1
.
2
8

p
1
.
2
8

15

16

17

18

19

15

16

17

18

19

15

16

17

18

19

15

16

17

18

19

Adjusted operating 
profit margin +10bps, 
at CER, -100bps rates 
at reported rates in FY 
2018/19 due to the impact 
of exchange rates. 

Adjusted PBT in FY 
2018/19 was flat year on 
year with gross margin 
and operating margin 
stable at CER. Incremental 
cost savings of £41 million, 
offset inflationary 
cost pressures and 
strategic investments. 

Adjusted diluted EPS 
(EPSA) was flat year on 
year at 82.1p in FY 
2018/19. Before the impact 
of foreign exchange, EPSA 
rose 7% due to an effective 
tax rate reduction of 
200bps and the impact of 
share repurchases. 

Adjusted retail/wholesale 
ROIC 15.5%, -80 bps due 
to the reduction in 
reported profits as a result 
of exchange rates. 

59

KEY PERFORMANCE 
INDICATORS

NON-FINANCIAL MEASURES
We have developed non-financial measures to assess our performance against our ongoing people objectives and 2022 
responsibility targets. Progress is regularly monitored by our Board through the Inspired People pillar of our strategy. 
For further details on our responsibility activities and progress against 2022 targets, see pages 42 to 55. The Group has 
considered the new non-financial reporting requirements under sections 414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006 
and has included relevant details in the Annual Report.

OBJECTIVE

MEASURE

PERFORMANCE

EMPLOYEES
Create an environment where all our 
employees are actively engaged in 
delivering outstanding results for 
the business
Ensure our policies, processes, 
practices and resources promote 
equal gender representation in our 
Leadership population
RESPONSIBILITY
PRODUCT

Drive positive change through 100% of 
our products, by increasing demand for 
more sustainable raw materials and 
supporting our supply chain partners in 
going beyond social and environmental 
compliance, to improve resource 
efficiency and worker well-being 
COMPANY

Become carbon neutral in our own 
operational energy use by 2022 and 
meet our newly approved science 
based targets:
•  Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG 

emissions 95% by 2022 from a 
FY 2016/17 base year

•  Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG 
emissions 30% by 2030 from a 
FY 2016/17 base year

COMMUNITIES
Positively impact 1 million people2 
by supporting programmes led by The 
Burberry Foundation. These initiatives 
are focused on youth inspiration 
and employability, community cohesion, 
and social and economic empowerment 
in communities sustaining the 
luxury industry 

Employee engagement score as 
measured by Mercer Sirota

FY 2018/19 Performance: 74% 
of employees are engaged1

Number of women globally in Director 
and above roles, divided by total 
number of Director and above roles

FY 2018/19 Performance: women 
account for 51% of the Leadership 
population

% of products with more than one 
positive attribute

FY 2018/19 Performance: 30% of 
product with one positive attribute and a 
further 36% of product with more than 
one positive attribute3

Absolute CO2e emissions

FY 2018/19 Performance against our 
carbon neutral goal: 14,825,942 kg CO2e 
market-based emissions (43% reduction 
from a FY 2016/17 base year) 

Number of individuals 
positively impacted

FY 2018/19 Performance: 103,000 
people positively impacted (a total of 
125,000 people from a FY 2016/17 
base year) 

1.  Employee engagement score as measured by Mercer Sirota employee engagement index. Engagement index based on completed survey 

responses only.

2. Positively impact people: we are supporting The Burberry Foundation and its partners in addressing key community needs within our industry’s 

footprint. This is giving rise to different impacts, depending on geographies and community needs. Impacts are being assessed and reported 

at regular intervals over the course of five years.

3. Positive product attributes: sourcing of raw materials and making of products impact both people and the environment. At point of purchase, we 

are committed to ensuring that these activities not only minimise any potential negative impacts, but actually drive positive change.

60

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STAKEHOLDER 
ENGAGEMENT

Understanding the views and values of all 
our stakeholders is critical to Burberry's 
success and we use a range of tools to foster 
an open dialogue with all of them. 

Social: we engage with consumers 
through our digital platforms, 
highlighting our products and 
important brand moments such as the 
fashion shows and the unveiling of our 
refreshed Thomas Burberry monogram. 
In September 2018, we launched B 
Series, allowing customers to purchase 
limited-edition products on Instagram, 
WeChat, Kakao and LINE.

EMPLOYEES

Engagement survey: our second annual 
global survey took place in 2018 and we 
were pleased to see nearly 90% of our 
employees taking part. Findings 
showed our overall employee 
engagement score increased by 2%, 
and improvement across several other 
areas, including understanding of 
company direction up 6%. We use 
these results to identify and drive 
change across the Group. Last year it 
led us to focus on three specific areas: 
career development, well-being and 
operational efficiency.

CUSTOMERS

Consumer insights: we develop our 
understanding of the luxury fashion 
consumer, what excites them, and how 
we can best meet their needs through 
analysis, research and external support. 
We use these insights to enhance our 
customer proposition.

Customer service: we are constantly 
increasing and improving the 
assistance we offer to customers to 
ensure they are able to contact us at 
any time of the day or night through 
their preferred medium, including 
phone, email, social and Burberry.com 
chat. At present, we offer customer 
service assistance in 14 languages.

Personalised luxury: we enhance 
the depth and meaningfulness of 
customer interaction with our brand 
by offering frequent opportunities for 
personalisation across all channels, 
including via social, email,  
Burberry.com and in store.

Customer analytics: we use extensive 
data from our customer feedback and 
intelligent analytics to understand our 
customers, ensuring decisions are data 
driven and client focused.

Retail: we communicated extensively 
with our sales associates this year, 
providing regular operational updates 
and training around our creative 
transition and new products.

Innovation programmes: we support 
our employees in innovative thinking 
through programmes such as cross-
functional problem-solving days to 
find creative solutions to opportunities 
and challenges.

Recognition: we celebrate 
exceptional employee contributions 
at our annual Global Icon Awards. 
Nominees are put forward and voted 
for by our employees.

Communication: we constantly cascade 
our strategy and updates from senior 
leadership throughout the business. 
Videos and podcasts from key figures 
are made available via Burberry World, 
our company-wide platform. There are 
quarterly in-person opportunities for 
our top leaders to engage with the 
Executive Committee and Board. 
We use Burberry World to share 
news, significant brand events, 
company announcements and support 
for day-to-day working. We are 
constantly evolving the platform to 
include more information around the 
areas that matter most to our teams 
and our Group.

Development: we have an ongoing 
commitment to ensure our employees 
are growing and developing, which we 
deliver through tools and services such 
as My Career, our online career 
development tool, and Burberry Voices, 
a podcast about the career journeys of 
our leaders, as well as our Leadership 
Development Programme.

62

STRATEGIC REPORTBurberry apprentices: through our 
apprenticeship scheme, we offer young 
people training opportunities in areas 
such as craftsmanship and luxury 
business, encouraging them to develop 
the skills, confidence and experience 
required to pursue careers within the 
luxury industry and beyond.

Employee volunteering: employees 
are encouraged to donate up to three 
working days a year to support their 
local communities, with colleagues 
getting involved in activities as 
diverse as cooking for food banks, 
sports coaching and revaluing waste 
through upcycling.

Financial support: we donate 1% of 
Group adjusted profits before tax to 
charitable causes each year, including 
disaster relief support, scholarships 
and long-term community programmes 
led by The Burberry Foundation.

The Burberry Foundation: we support 
The Burberry Foundation (UK 
registered charity number 1154468) in 
creating long-term partnerships that 
drive positive change in our 
communities and help build a more 
sustainable future through innovation. 
Partnerships have ranged from tackling 
educational inequality and driving social 
and economic empowerment of 
vulnerable communities, to finding new 
solutions to the endemic waste 
challenge facing our industry.

In-kind donations: we donate raw 
materials and finished goods to support 
a variety of causes, such as assisting 
young people on creative courses or 
providing business clothing for 
employability programmes.

SHAREHOLDERS

Annual General Meeting: our 2018 
AGM was well attended, with all 
resolutions passed.

Multichannel engagement: we made 
available all our investor announcements, 
including our Interim and Preliminary 
results, through multiple channels such 
as audiocasts and webcasts. Investors 
were also invited to attend major 
announcements in person.

Ongoing engagement: our Investor 
Relations team and members of our 
senior management held over 300 
meetings with investors during FY 
2018/19, for those with smaller and 
larger shareholdings.

Board engagement: the Board receives 
monthly updates from Investor 
Relations as well as quarterly updates 
on trading and strategy, while our 
Chairman, Senior Independent Director 
and Chair of our Remuneration 
Committee maintain ongoing 
relationships with our investors and 
other stakeholders.

Perception gauge: we use an 
independent third party, commissioned 
by the Board, to interview all significant 
shareholders and evaluate investor 
sentiment.

COMMUNITIES

Sustainability partners: we pursue our 
goals through strategic partnerships 
with NGOs, industry peers, initiatives 
and business partners, including the 
Ethical Trading Initiative, the Ellen 
MacArthur Foundation, and the 
Fashion Industry Charter for Climate 
Action. For a full list of partners, see 
the Collaborations and Partnerships 
section of www.burberryplc.com.

Government: we work alongside the 
British government to collaborate on 
key initiatives concerning the luxury 
industry, including our role as a 
founding member of the Business 
Against Slavery Forum.

Wholesalers: we nurture close 
relationships with our wholesale 
partners, through monthly and weekly 
updates to understand their product 
needs and ongoing preferences.

Licensees: we maintain a frequent 
cycle of meetings and reviews with our 
licensing partners, covering all aspects 
of product, brand, marketing, 
merchandising and financial results.

Supply chain partners: we work with 
members of our supply chain on an 
ongoing basis to drive social and 
environmental improvements, focusing 
on every step in our sourcing and 
manufacturing processes. We involve 
our supply chain partners in initiatives 
that support our 2022 Responsibility 
goal of driving positive change through 
100% of our products, and ensure that 
they comply with our Responsible 
Business Principles. 

Responsibility Advisory Committee: 
since 2013, we have met quarterly with 
a group of external expert stakeholders 
from NGOs, social enterprise and 
academia so that they can challenge 
and comment upon Burberry’s 
Responsibility Agenda.

Burberry Inspire: this four-year 
programme provides eight Yorkshire 
schools with an artist in residence, 
as well as unique opportunities for 
their students to experience theatre, 
film, dance and art at local and 
national organisations.

Career inspiration: we work with 
schools in Greater London and 
Yorkshire to enhance young people’s 
awareness of and access to the creative 
industries, through in-school 
workshops, inspiration days and work 
experience weeks at Burberry.

63

NON-FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION STATEMENT

This section of the strategic report constitutes Burberry’s 
Non-Financial Information Statement, produced to comply with 
sections 414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006.  
The information listed is incorporated by cross reference.

REPORTING REQUIREMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

INFORMATION NECESSARY TO 
UNDERSTAND OUR BUSINESS AND 
ITS IMPACT, POLICY DUE DILIGENCE 
AND OUTCOMES
•  Responsibility goals and commitments, 
in particular our Product and Company 
goals page 42

•  Responsibility section on  
www.burberryplc.com

POLICIES AND STANDARDS WHICH 
GOVERN OUR APPROACH
•  Global Environmental Policy
•  Responsible Sourcing Policy
•  Chemical Management Standards
•  Science Based Targets
•  Make Fashion Circular Initiative
•  New Plastics Economy Global 

Commitment

•  UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for 

Climate Action 

EMPLOYEES

RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

SOCIAL MATTERS

ANTI-CORRUPTION 
AND ANTI-BRIBERY

ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE

•  Our Culture and Values
•  Global Health and Safety Policy
•  Human Rights Policy
•  Ethical Trading Code of Conduct
•  Responsible Business Principles
•  Model Wellbeing Policy

•  Inspired People page 40
•  Stakeholder Engagement page 62
•  Gender Pay Gap Report found in the 

People section on www.burberryplc.com

•  People and Responsibility sections on 

www.burberryplc.com

•  Human Rights Policy
•  Ethical Trading Code of Conduct
•  Transparency in the Supply Chain and 

•  Human Rights Statement page 54
•  Responsibility section on  
www.burberryplc.com

Modern Slavery Statement

•  Data Privacy Policy
•  Information and Cyber Security Policy

•  Responsible Business Principles
•  Ethical Trading Code of Conduct
•  Local Stakeholder Engagement Policy
•  Volunteering & Match Funding  

•  Responsibility section on  
www.burberryplc.com

•  Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy
•  Anti-Money Laundering and Counter- 

Terrorist Financing Policy

•  Fraud Risk Management Policy

•  Reflecting the needs of our 

stakeholders: Customers, page 62

•  Reflecting the needs of our 

stakeholders: Employees, page 62

•  Our business model page 17
•  KPIs page 58
•  Principal risks page 74
•  People page 40

64

STRATEGIC REPORT65

FINANCIAL REVIEW

•  Revenue (excluding Beauty wholesale) +2% CER, 

•  Adjusted diluted EPS 82.1p, +7% CER, flat reported 

+2% reported
•  Comparable store sales +2%, wholesale ex beauty +7% 

at CER

supported by an effective tax rate reduction of 200bp and 
7 million share repurchases. Reported diluted EPS 81.7p, 
+19% at reported

•  Free cash flow of £301 million (2018: £484 million) with 
the prior year benefiting from very high cash conversion 
reflecting reduced inventory and a receivables inflow 
relating to the beauty business. Cash conversion in 
FY 2019 remained strong at 93%

•  Net cash of £837 million at 30 March 2019 after returning 
£321 million cash to shareholders through a combination of 
dividends (£171 million) and share buybacks (£150 million) 

•  Full year dividend per share up 3% to 42.5p (2018: 41.3p), 

in line with progressive dividend policy

30 March 
2019
2,720
(859)
1,861
68.4%
(1,423)
52.3%

31 March
2018
2,733
(836)
1,897
69.4%
(1,430)
52.3%

438
16.1%
(1)
437
4
441
(102)
–
339

443
82.1
81.7
415.1

467
17.1%
(57)
410
3
413
(119)
–
294

471
82.1
68.4
429.4

% change

reported FX
0
3
(2)

CER
(1)

(1)

(6)

7

7

(6)
0
19

0

0
7

•  Total Revenue £2,720 million, -1% CER and flat reported

•  Adjusted operating profit £438 million, flat CER, 

-6% reported 
•  Gross margin down 100bps negatively impacted by FX 
and growing investment in product, whilst operating 
expenses benefited from incremental cost savings of 
£41 million, ahead of plan

•  Adjusted operating margin of 16.1% +10bps at CER, 

-100bps reported

•  Reported operating profit £437 million, +7% after 
adjusting charges of £1 million (2018: £57 million) 

SUMMARY INCOME STATEMENT

Period ended
£ million
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit

Gross margin%
Operating expenses*

Opex as a % of sales

Adjusted operating profit*

Adjusted operating margin

Adjusting operating items
Operating profit
Net finance credit**
Profit before taxation
Taxation~
Non-controlling interest
Attributable profit

Adjusted profit before taxation
Adjusted EPS (pence)*^ 
EPS (pence)^
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)^

*  Excludes adjusting items

** Includes adjusting finance charge of £1 million (2018: £2 million)

~  Includes adjusting tax charge of £nil (2018: £12 million)

^  EPS is presented on a diluted basis

66

STRATEGIC REPORTREVENUE ANALYSIS 
Revenue by channel 

Period ending
£ million
Retail
Retail comparable store sales
Wholesale ex Beauty
Licensing
Revenue ex Beauty wholesale
Beauty wholesale
Group revenue

 30 March 
2019
2,186
2%
488 
46
2,720
0
2,720

31 March  

% change

2018
2,177
3%
453
30
2,660
73
2,733

reported FX
0

8
54
2

0

CER
0*

7**
53
2

(1)

*  Includes impact of space -1.2%, retail calendar -0.2% and IFRS 15 -0.1%

** Includes impact of IFRS 15 -0.4%

RETAIL 
•  Retail sales flat at CER, flat reported 
•  Comparable store sales 2% (H1: 3%; H2: 1%)
•  Net impact of space on revenue -1% as guided

Comparable store sales by region:
•  Asia Pacific: Low single digit percentage growth 

•  Mainland China delivered low single digit percentage 

growth, with a stronger second half due to the shift of 
Chinese spending away from other Asian tourist locations 

By product, mainline and digital customers responded 
positively to seasonal product and innovation, however, 
previous collections were softer year on year:

•  Strong initial response to Riccardo-designed product 

arriving in stores from end of February with strong double 
digit percentage growth, consistent with our ambitions
•  Full look merchandising initiative drove improvements in 
cross-selling, benefiting the performance of tops, skirts 
and trousers 

•  Hong Kong was broadly stable with softer trends in the 

•  Customers responded positively to new bags as we 

second half 

•  Korea increased low single digits benefiting from growth 
in local consumption as well as exceptional spending from 
travelling Chinese consumers in the first half of the year
•  Japan declined by a low single digit percentage impacted 

by softer tourist flows towards the end of the year

•  EMEIA: Low single digit percentage growth 

•  The UK delivered mid-single digit percentage growth, 

benefiting from improved tourist spending in the 
second half

continued to build out a fuller leather goods architecture. 
However, the overall category performance was impacted 
by softness in older lines

Store footprint: 
•  Continued to upgrade our retail distribution network, 

closing a net 18 stores (seven mainline, nine concessions 
and two outlets) 

•  Store openings included the relocation and expansion 
of our Dubai flagship and openings in Shin Kong Place, 
Xian (China)

•  Continental Europe grew low single digit and the Middle 

•  14 of our retail stores aligned to our new aesthetic by the 

East declined, impacted by the macro-environment

end of the period

•  Americas: Low single digit percentage growth

•  The US grew by a low single digit percentage with 
the second half negatively impacted by softer local 
footfall trends

Digital: 
•  Growth in digital driven by Asia, mobile and new third 

party relationships

•  Tourist flows in the US remained subdued throughout 

•  Innovated in social commerce including the B-Series, a 

the year 

monthly drop of limited edition product, and by partnering 
with Instagram on the launch of check-out in the US

67

WHOLESALE 
•  Wholesale revenue +7% excluding Beauty at CER, +8% 

reported, slightly ahead of our expectations due to timing 
of shipments:
•  Asia Pacific delivered exceptional growth supported by 

•  In October 2017, Beauty transitioned from a wholesale 
business to a licensed partnership with Coty. Including 
the impact of this change on our H1 2019 results, full year 
total wholesale revenue decreased by 8% at CER (down 
7% reported)

strong Chinese spending in travel retail 

•  EMEIA grew mid-single digits with growth from 

luxury doors more than offsetting the closures of 
non-luxury doors

•  The Americas declined by a mid-single digit percentage 
impacted by our strategic rationalisation of non-luxury 
doors in the second half

LICENSING 
Licensing revenue of £46 million, 53% at CER and 54% at 
reported, benefiting from Beauty transitioning from a 
wholesale to licensed business model. Excluding the impact of 
Beauty, licensing declined £3 million due to the non-renewal 
of the watch licence with Fossil. 

OPERATING PROFIT ANALYSIS
Adjusted operating profit 

Period ended
£ million
Gross profit
Gross margin%
Operating expenses*
Opex as a % of sales
Adjusted operating profit*

Adjusted operating margin

Adjusted operating profit was flat and margin increased by 
10bps at CER. 

•  Gross margin was stable at CER with investments in 
design, product development and quality offset by 
favourable movements in inventory provisions, duty credits 
and Beauty transitioning to a licence model. 

•  Opex as a percentage of sales was also stable with an 
incremental £41 million of cost savings (ahead of the 
planned £36 million) offsetting continued inflationary 
pressures and strategic investments. 

Including a £29 million headwind from currency, adjusted 
operating profit declined 6% at reported rates and margin 
fell 100bps.

After a net finance credit of £5 million, adjusted profit 
before tax was £443 million stable at CER and down 6% 
at reported rates. 

ADJUSTING ITEMS*
Period ending  
£ million
Restructuring costs
Disposal of beauty business
Goodwill impairment
BME deferred consideration income 
Adjusting operating items
Adjusting financing items
Adjusting items

30 March 
2019
(12)
7
–
4
(1)
(1)
(2)

31 March 
2018
(54)
–
(7)
4
(57)
(2)
(59)

*  For additional detail on adjusting items notes 6 to 7 of the 

68

Financial Statements

30 March 
2019

31 March
2018

% change

reported FX

CER

1,861

68.4%

(1,423)

52.3%

438
16.1%

1,897

69.4%

(1,430)

52.3%

467
17.1%

(2)

(1)

(6)

0

Restructuring costs: Restructuring costs of £12 million 
related to both our cost and efficiency programme and our 
non-strategic store rationalisation. 

Disposal of Beauty business: The income of £7 million 
reflects the reassessment of the provisions relating to both 
beauty contract terminations and beauty trade receivables. 

Goodwill impairment: The goodwill impairment charge in the 
prior year relates to our Saudi Arabian business due to 
challenging macroeconomic conditions. There was no charge 
in the current year. 

Burberry Middle East (BME) deferred consideration:  
The £4 million income reflects the revaluation of the deferred 
consideration balance. 

Adjusting finance charge: The £1 million charge relates to the 
discount unwind on the deferred consideration for the 
BME transaction.

TAXATION 
The effective tax rate on adjusted profit in FY 2019 reduced 
200bps to 23.1% (2018: 25.1%) reflecting a change in the 
geographic mix of profits and a lower US tax rate. This was 
largely in line with the effective tax rate on reported profit of 
23.0%* (2018: 28.8%). The total tax charge was £102 million 
(2018: £119 million). 

*  For detail see note 10 of the Financial Statements

STRATEGIC REPORTTOTAL TAX CONTRIBUTION
The Group makes a significant economic contribution to the 
countries where it operates through taxation, either borne by 
the Group or collected on behalf of and paid to the relevant 
tax authorities. In FY 2019, the total taxes borne and 
collected by the Group amounted to £436 million. In the 
UK, where the Group is headquartered and has significant 
operations, Burberry paid business taxes of £73 million and 
collected a further £32 million of taxes on behalf of the UK 
Exchequer. For further information see www.burberryplc.com

CASH FLOW
Free cash flow generated in FY 2019 was £301 million and 
cash conversion remained strong at 93% (2018: 128%). In the 
prior year, free cash flow was unusually high (£484 million), 
benefiting from an inventory reduction and a receivables 
inflow relating to the transfer of our beauty business to a 
licensed business model. These impacts did not repeat in the 
current year with the key flows reflecting the following:

•  Inventory up 10% at CER resulting in a £59 million outflow 

predominantly reflecting our investment into product 
quality, our on-going product transition and higher raw 
materials due to the Burberry Manifattura acquisition
•  Trade and other receivables resulting in a £55 million 
outflow predominantly reflecting non-trade related 
factors such as taxes and prepayments 

•  Trade and other payables resulting in a £55 million inflow 
relating to higher accruals and the timing of payments

•  Capital expenditure of £110 million (2018: £106 million), 
below original guidance due to the timing of payments 
between FY 2019 and FY 2020

•  Tax paid of £111 million (2018: £118 million)

Net cash at 30 March 2019 was £837 million (2018: 
£892 million) with £321 million returned to shareholders 
(dividends of £171 million and share buyback of £150 million). 
Lease adjusted net debt at 30 March 2019 was £409 million 
(2018: £327 million).

OUTLOOK 
As we set out in November 2017, FY 2020 represents the 
final year of our foundational period. As planned, during the 
year, we will focus on managing through our creative 
transition and continuing to align our distribution network to 
our new vision. We started these activities in FY 2019, but 
they will step up in FY 2020. 

We confirm our financial guidance for broadly stable revenue 
and adjusted operating margin at CER in FY 2020* including 
cumulative cost savings of £120 million. We are raising our 
cumulative cost saving guidance to £135 million by FY 2022. 

As planned, we anticipate a more pronounced weighting of 
operating profit in H2 2020 relative to H1 than in the prior 
year. This results in a decline in H1 2020 at CER largely due 
to the strong comparator in the prior year. We expect growth 
to be re-established in H2 as Riccardo’s collections build 
through the year.

DETAILED GUIDANCE FOR FY 2020*
Item
Revenue
Retail revenues

Financial impact
We expect revenue to be broadly stable at CER
No expected impact from net space on our retail revenue with the headwind from non-
strategic store rationalisation programme offset by strategic store openings
•  H1 2020 -1% 
•  H2 2020 +1%
Reduce by a mid-single digit percentage reflecting the strength from luxury doors partly 
offsetting non-luxury door closures
FY down around 100bps reflecting investment into product with a more pronounced impact 
in H1 2020
Cost savings will reach a cumulative £120 million, an incremental £15 million from the 
prior year
We expect operating margin to be broadly stable at CER
We anticipate a further c100bps reduction to around 22% in FY 2020
At 30 April spot rates**, the expected impact of year-on-year exchange rate movements 
on reported adjusted operating profit is a £7 million headwind. The headwind to revenue is 
expected to be c.£20 million
£16 million (including the non-strategic store rationalisation)
£200 million with the incremental spend predominantly reflecting new store openings and 
our store refurbishment programme
£150 million

Wholesale revenues

Gross margin

Cost savings

Operating margin 
Tax
Currency

Restructuring costs 
Capital expenditure

Share buyback

69

Currency sensitivity: In FY 2019, a +/-5% move in sterling would have resulted in a -/+£45-50 million impact on the adjusted 
operating profit of £438 million.

IFRS 16: We will adopt new lease standard IFRS 16 in FY 2020. This will materially impact the Group’s balance sheet and 
income statement~: 

•  Income statement: we anticipate profit before tax will be £10 million-£30 million lower than under current accounting 
standards. This arises as lease interest expense is front end loaded under IFRS 16 compared with rent expense being 
recognised over a straight line under current standards

•  Balance sheet: we anticipate the recognition of a lease liability of around £1.0 billion-£1.2 billion and right of use asset of 

around £1.0 billion-£1.2 billion

•  Cash flow: There will be no impact on net cash flow
•  Lease adjusted debt: For the purposes of the assessment of our net debt ratio, we intend to refine our current measure of 

lease adjusted net debt following adoption of the new standard. We will provide a further update at H1

*  Guidance assumes constant exchange rates, a stable economic environment and current tax legislation. It excludes the impact of the adoption 

of IFRS 16 and the UK’s possible withdrawal from the EU without an agreement. In the event of the UK withdrawing from the European Union 

without an agreement, there is likely to be a material but manageable operational and financial impact on Burberry’s business. We continue to 

prepare mitigating actions to limit the operational and financial impact in the short term 

** Exchange rates: Spot rates at 30 April 2019. Euro 1.16, US Dollar 1.30, Chinese Yuan Renminbi 8.78, Hong Kong Dollar 10.23, Korean Won 1,520

~  For more detail relating to IFRS 16 see note 1 of the Financial Statements

STORE PORTFOLIO*

At 31 March 2018
Additions
Closures
At 30 March 2019

*  Excludes the impact of pop up stores

STORE PORTFOLIO BY REGION*

At 30 March 2019
Asia Pacific
EMEIA
Americas
Total

*  Excludes the impact of pop up stores

Directly-operated stores

Stores
240
11
(18)
233

Concessions
155
5
(14)
146

Outlets
54
1
(3)
52

Total
449
17
(35)
431

Franchise stores
46
–
(2)
44

Directly-operated stores

Stores
95
67
71
233

Concessions
85
54
7
146

Outlets
14
21
17
52

Total
194
142
95
431

Franchise stores
6
38
–
44

70

STRATEGIC REPORTALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Alternative performance measures (APMs) are non-GAAP measures. The Board uses the following APMs to describe the 
Group’s financial performance and for internal budgeting, performance monitoring, management remuneration target setting 
and for external reporting purposes. 

APM
Constant 
Exchange 
Rates (CER)

Comparable 
sales

Description and purpose
This measure removes the effect of changes 
in exchange rates compared to the prior period. 
It incorporates both the impact of the movement 
in exchange rates on the translation of overseas 
subsidiaries’ results and also on foreign currency 
procurement and sales through the Group’s UK 
supply chain.
The year-on-year change in sales from stores trading 
over equivalent time periods and measured at 
constant foreign exchange rates. It also includes 
online sales. This measure is used to strip out the 
impact of store openings and closings, allowing a 
comparison of equivalent store performance against 
the prior period.

Revenue 
excluding 
beauty 
wholesale

Revenue excluding beauty wholesale is presented to 
exclude beauty wholesale from total revenue. This 
provides an equivalent measure of revenue against 
the prior period, following the disposal of the beauty 
business in October 2017.

Adjusted 
Profit

Free Cash 
Flow

Adjusted profit measures are presented to provide 
additional consideration of the underlying 
performance of the Group’s ongoing business. 
These measures remove the impact of those items 
which should be excluded to provide a consistent and 
comparable view of performance.
Free cash flow is defined as net cash generated from 
operating activities less capital expenditure plus cash 
inflows from disposal of fixed assets and excluding the 
net one-off operating cash inflow for deferred income 
relating to the beauty licence.

GAAP measure reconciled to
Results at reported rates

Retail Revenue:
Period ended
YoY% 

Comparable sales

Change in space
IFRS 15/Retail Calendar
FX

Retail revenue

Total Revenue:
Period ended 
£m
Revenue excluding beauty 
wholesale
Beauty wholesale

Total Revenue

30 March 
2019

31 March 
2018

2%

(1%)
0%
(1%)

0%

3%

0%
0%
(1%)

2%

30 March 
2019

31 March 
2018

2,720
0

2,720

2,660
73

2,733

Reported Profit:
A reconciliation of reported profit before tax to 
adjusted profit before tax is included in the income 
statement on page 160. The Group’s accounting policy 
for adjusted profit before tax is set out in note 2 to the 
financial statements.
Net cash generated from operating activities:
Period ended 
£m
Net cash generated from 
operating activities
Capital expenditure
One-off cash inflow for 
beauty licence 
Free cash flow

30 March 
2019

411
(110)

–
301

678
(106)

(88)
484

31 March 
2018

Cash 
Conversion 

Lease 
Adjusted Net 
Debt

Cash conversion is defined as free cash flow pre tax/
adjusted profit before tax. It provides a measure 
of the Group’s effectiveness in converting its profit 
into cash.
Defined as five times minimum lease payments, 
adjusted for charges and utilisation of onerous 
lease provisions, less net cash. This is considered 
to be a reasonable estimate of the Group’s net debt, 
including operating lease debt which is currently 
off balance sheet.

Period ended 
£m
Cash conversion

Net cash:
Period ended 
£m
Net cash
Operating lease debt
Lease adjusted net debt

30 March 
2019
93%

31 March 
2018
128%

30 March 
2019
837
(1,246)
(409)

31 March 
2018
892
(1,219)
(327)

71

CAPITAL ALLOCATION FRAMEWORK

Burberry’s Capital Allocation Framework is used to prioritise the use of cash generated by the Group. The framework addresses 
the investment needs of the business, regular dividend payments and additional returns to shareholders. The framework also 
seeks to maintain an appropriate capital structure for the business and a strong balance sheet with solid investment grade 
credit metrics. The diagram below summarises the key priorities.

REINVEST FOR
ORGANIC GROWTH

PROGRESSIVE
DIVIDEND POLICY

STRATEGIC  
INVESTMENTS

1

2

3

•  Capital spend 
across store 
portfolio, including 
new space, 
refreshes and 
refurbishments; 
IT infrastructure, 
including digital; 
and the supply 
chain.

•  Committed to 
maintaining or 
growing the 
dividend in pence 
terms year 
on year.

•  Deliver regular 
cash returns to 
shareholders.

•  Investment in structural 
changes to our business 
activities that typically tend to 
be infrequent.

•  In September 2018, we 

completed the acquisition of a 
division of our long-standing 
Italian partner to create a new 
leather goods centre of 
excellence, covering activities 
from prototyping, product 
innovation, engineering and the 
coordination of production.

RETURN EXCESS 
CASH TO
SHAREHOLDERS
4

•  Review future 

cash generation to 
reflect Burberry’s 
growth, 
productivity and 
investment plans, 
while taking into 
consideration 
the external 
environment.

Maintain a strong balance sheet with solid investment grade credit metrics.

•  Review the principal risks of the Group and relevant financial parameters, both historical and projected, including liquidity, 

lease-adjusted net debt and measures covering balance sheet strength and fixed charge cover.

•  These risks and financial parameters are considered by the Board when assessing the viability of the Group, as set out 

on page 74.

Capital structure metrics

Net cash

Lease-adjusted net debt

FY 2018/19

FY 2017/18

£837m

(£409m)

£892m

(£327m)

Burberry has applied its capital allocation framework during the year ended 30 March 2019 as follows:

•  Reinvested £110 million into the business as capital expenditure.
•  Increased its full-year dividend by 3% to 42.5p.
•  Paid £14.5 million upon completion of the acquisition of a luxury leather goods business, to create a leather goods centre 

of excellence in Italy. Payments of £11.1 million were made in the year in respect of the acquisition of a non-controlling interest 
in Burberry Middle East LLC.

•  Returned a further £150 million to shareholders via a share buyback programme.

72

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
73

RISK AND VIABILITY REPORT

OUR APPROACH TO RISK
The Group’s strategy takes into account risks, as well as 
opportunities, which need to be actively managed. Effective 
risk management is essential to executing our strategy, 
achieving sustainable shareholder value, protecting the brand 
and ensuring good governance.

The Board is ultimately responsible for determining the 
nature and extent of the principal risks it is willing to take to 
achieve our strategic objectives (the Board’s risk appetite), 
and challenging management’s implementation of effective 
systems of risk identification, assessment and mitigation.

The Audit Committee has been delegated the responsibility 
for reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s internal 
controls and risk management arrangements.

Ongoing review of these controls is provided through internal 
governance processes and the work of the Group functions is 
overseen by the Executive Committee, particularly the work 
of Group Risk and Internal Audit and the Risk and 
Ethics Committees.

An integral part of our business, our risk management 
process is co-ordinated by our Group Risk team, reporting to 
our Chief Operating and Financial Officer. Risk management 
activities include identifying risks, undertaking risk 
assessments and determining mitigating actions. These 
activities are reviewed by our Internal Audit and other control 
functions, which provide assurance to our Risk Committee, 
and ultimately to our Board and Board Committees, as shown 
in the diagram on page 102.

RISK APPETITE
The Board reviews and validates the Group’s risk appetite 
on an annual basis. This is integrated into our wider risk 
management framework to support better decision-making 
and prioritisation.

We will pursue growth and are prepared to accept a certain 
level of risk to firmly establish our position in luxury fashion 
and inspire our customers with our unique British twist. We 
operate in a competitive, dynamic sector with long-term 
growth potential. Within categories of risk, our tolerance for 
risk may vary.

Complying with applicable laws and doing the right thing is 
part of our culture and underpins our strategic ambition. In 
exploring risks and opportunities, we prioritise the interests 
and safety of our customers and employees, we seek to 
protect the long-term value and reputation of the brand, 
maximising commercial benefits to support responsible and 
sustained growth, and in doing so minimise risk.

OUR PRINCIPAL RISKS
Our risk management process has identified a broad range 
of risks and uncertainties, which we believe could adversely 
impact the profitability or prospects of the Group. Our 
principal risks are defined as those that we regard as the 
most relevant to our business. These are the risks that we 
see as most material to our performance and could threaten 
our business model or the future long-term performance, 
solvency or liquidity of Burberry.

Our risk framework is structured around the following 
categories of risk: Strategic and Financial, Operational and 
Compliance. Each principal risk is linked to one of these 
categories and may impact one or more of our strategic 
priorities.

We have reviewed and updated the descriptions and 
mitigating actions of our principal risks to reflect new 
emerging external risks and any new strategic priorities that 
have been announced. We reviewed whether the level of risk 
associated with each of the principal risks is increasing or 
decreasing compared to the previous financial year and noted 
new risks, which do not have a basis for comparison.

74

STRATEGIC REPORTRISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

BOARD AND BOARD COMMITTEES

Responsible for regular oversight 
of risk management, annual strategic 
risk review, and setting the Group’s 
risk appetite.

Monitors risks through Board 
processes including regular reviews of 
strategy, management reports and 
deep dives into selected risk areas.

Audit Committee reviews effectiveness 
of risk management process with 
support from Internal Audit.

MANAGEMENT RISK COMMITTEE (CHAIRED BY CHIEF OPERATING AND FINANCIAL OFFICER)

Reviews external and internal 
environment for emerging risks. 
Performs deep-dive reviews of 
principal risks.

Reviews risk register updates from 
risk owners.

Meets at least three times per year 
and reports key findings to the 
Audit Committee.

Cross-functional attendees, 
encompassing senior management 
from IT, Finance, Legal, HR, Supply 
Chain and Retail.

Identifies changes to significant risks 
and the effectiveness and adequacy of 
mitigating actions to achieve agreed 
risk tolerance levels.

GROUP RISK AND 
ASSURANCE TEAM

ETHICS 
COMMITTEE

FUNCTIONS AND 
BUSINESS RISK 
OWNERS

INTERNAL AUDIT 
AND COMPLIANCE 
FUNCTIONS

•  Establishes risk 
management 
framework.

•  Facilitates updates 
to risk registers.
•  Provides resources 

and training to 
support risk 
management process.

•  Prepares Board and 
Risk Committee 
updates.

•  Reviews and monitors ethical risks, as 
well as behavioural and responsibility 
practices across the Group. Approves 
policies relating to such ethical 
matters, including the Group’s codes 
of conduct.

•  Performs deep-dive reviews and 

assesses results of investigations 
and corrective actions.

•  Supports the Group in managing 

ethical and associated reputational 
risks, including overseeing awareness 
and training across the Group to 
reinforce business ethics and 
good practice.

•  Carry out day-to-day 
risk management 
activities.

•  Identify and assess 
risk and implement 
action to mitigate risk 
within their area.

•  Assign owners to risks 

to update risk 
registers.

•  Review risk 

management process 
periodically.

•  Compliance functions 
provide independent 
assurance to 
management and the 
Board on risk status 
(Health and Safety, 
Legal, Brand 
Protection, Quality, 
Asset and Profit 
Protection, 
Responsibility).

75

STRATEGIC AND FINANCIAL RISKS 

EXECUTION OF STRATEGIC PLAN
Focused execution of the strategy through our six strategic pillars (Product, Communication, Distribution, Digital, 
Operational Excellence and Inspired People) is key to sustainable shareholder value. Success depends on the value and 
relevance of our brand to luxury consumers around the world and our ability to innovate.

Failure to execute the projects that underpin these strategies successfully could result in under delivery on the expected 
growth, productivity and efficiency targets. This could have a significant impact on the value of the business and market 
confidence in our ability to deliver the strategy.

We operate in the global luxury market, where competition is intensifying. Today’s luxury customers demand creativity, 
curation, excitement, innovation and personalisation. Our ability to make the right strategic investment decisions in 
response to these changes is vital to our success.

No Change

LINK TO STRATEGY
All strategic pillars.
RISK TOLERANCE
We will pursue growth and accept a certain level of 
risk to ignite brand heat and firmly establish our 
position in luxury fashion.
We approve capital investment in strategic projects 
and accept moderate to high earnings volatility in 
pursuit of innovation and profitable growth, 
balancing a reasonable return on capital for a 
reasonable level of commercial risk within the 
approved capital allocation framework.
EXAMPLES OF RISKS
•  Firmly positioning the brand in luxury is 

dependent on creating new and innovative luxury 
products that excite our global customers. If we 
are unable to innovate effectively and get these 
new products into the market with speed, our 
sales or margins could be adversely affected.
•  Our development and deployment of content 

through communication channels does not create 
sufficient brand heat globally.

•  We do not achieve the required organisational 
alignment and enhance our capabilities and 
culture to compete and grow effectively and 
at the pace required to deliver the targets.
•  Failure to sufficiently transform operational 
processes could undermine our ability to 
deliver the required cost savings and 
margin improvements.

•  Failure to deliver the technology innovation 
required to empower changes in the Group’s 
business model and to deliver the anticipated 
benefits from key investment strategies in 
Digital, Retail and Group Operations.

  ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT

•  Throughout FY 2018/19 we focused on building the capabilities to 

develop and deliver our strategy. Key executive-level appointments 
were made to drive the Communication and Distribution strategies.

•  The Executive Committee is accountable for the conduct of these 
programmes and delivery of outcomes in accordance with our 
Board-approved plan.

•  A Transformation Management Office co-ordinates delivery of the 
programme, monitors the risks associated with each of the major 
programmes, and tracks progress and benefits.

•  We have increased our focus on measuring and demonstrating 
progress in our transformation. We have designed a set of lead 
indicators to assess progress in product, communications, store 
performance and service.

•  FY 2018/19 was an important year in advancing our Product and 
Communication strategies with significant interest generated 
ahead of commercialising Riccardo Tisci’s first collections. The 
product assortment and cadence of release has been altered with a 
stronger focus on leather goods and collaborations, and some 
ranges being sold exclusively through digital channels.

•  We continued to increase our focus on digital and ensure that our 
social channels and their content are relevant for the different 
markets in which we operate.

•  Our Inspired People initiatives include leading the Group-wide 
engagement survey. This has shown a marked increase in the 
understanding of our strategic goals and transformation plan 
within the Group.

•  Our Operational Excellence programme continues apace and has 
now delivered cost savings of £105 million since its inception in 
FY 2016/17.

•  Our IT strategy, prepared by the Chief Information Officer and the 
IT Leadership Team, comprises a portfolio of IT projects linked to 
the Group’s strategic objectives. IT projects are managed by the 
IT Portfolio Forum.

76

STRATEGIC REPORTIMAGE AND REPUTATION
The Group carefully safeguards its image and reputational assets. Unfavourable incidents, unethical behaviour or 
erroneous media coverage relating to the Group’s senior executives, products, practices or supply chain operations could 
damage the Group's reputation.

As our customers continue to engage with the brand through social media, a misleading perception of the Group’s values 
and performance could potentially lead to a slowdown in sales.

Burberry’s increasing reliance on influencers in its marketing and on collaborations in product design exposes the Group to 
increased reputational risk.

New

LINK TO STRATEGY
All strategic pillars.
RISK TOLERANCE
Protecting the brand and its reputation globally is at the 
heart of everything we do. We take a risk-averse approach, 
adopting a strategy to avoid or mitigate any reputational/
brand risk. 
EXAMPLES OF RISKS
•  An unfavourable incident relating to a senior executive, 
erroneous media coverage or negative discussions on 
social networks could damage Burberry’s reputation.
•  A celebrity, influencer, collaborator or model associated 

with Burberry becoming involved in a reputational incident 
could potentially lead to pressure on Burberry to distance 
the brand from them and could reflect poorly on Burberry, 
negatively impacting Burberry’s reputation.
•  Unfavourable or erroneous media coverage or 

negative discussions on social networks about the 
Group’s products, content or practices could impact 
brand reputation.

•  Unethical behaviour on the part of individuals or entities 

connected with the Group could attract negative attention 
to the brand.

•  If suppliers or partners do not respect the Group’s 
Responsible Business Principles this could reflect 
negatively on Burberry.

•  Failure of employees or those acting on Burberry’s behalf 
to adhere to Burberry’s Model Well-being Policy could 
result in reputational or legal risk.

•  Failure to understand social issues and respect 
cultural sensitivities could negatively impact 
Burberry’s reputation.

ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT
•  Training and monitoring of adherence by personnel  
to the requirements in the Group’s Responsible  
Business Principles.

•  Codified incident management policy, monitoring of social 

networks and response procedures.

•  Oversight of mitigation of reputational issues by the 

Ethics and Risk Committees.

•  The Group has established Corporate Responsibility 
(CR) standards, which aim to ensure compliance 
with labour, human rights, health and safety and 
environmental standards across our operations and 
extended supply chain.

•  Supplier audits and supplier training programmes are 

examples of the actions and programmes that have been 
put in place in day-to-day operations.

•  Strengthening our approval processes and editorial 

controls to ensure all product and content is reviewed and 
signed off prior to external release.

•  Introducing additional training to strengthen our 
understanding of and sensitivity to a range of 
perspectives to help us live our values and fully embrace 
diversity and inclusion.

•  Establishing employee councils focused on diversity 

and inclusion.

•  Assembling an advisory board of external experts to 

provide insight and help raise Burberry’s consciousness 
and understanding of social issues.

•  Increasing awareness of and training with respect to 
Burberry’s Model Well-being Policy to all people who 
engage with model on Burberry’s behalf, including 
employees, freelancers, casting agents, contractors and 
external third parties to ensure they adhere to the policy. 

77

GLOBAL CHINESE CONSUMER SPENDING
Global Chinese consumer spending patterns significantly change having an immediate adverse impact on Group sales. 
Any significant change to Chinese consumer spending habits or the economic, regulatory, social and/or political 
environment in China could adversely impact the domestic consumer group’s disposable income or confidence. Such 
changes could also lead to Chinese consumers scaling back on international travel, which could impact the Group’s revenue 
and profits outside China.

New

LINK TO STRATEGY
All strategic pillars.
RISK TOLERANCE
We will pursue growth and accept a certain level of risk to 
ignite brand heat with Chinese consumers and firmly establish 
our position in luxury fashion. 
EXAMPLES OF RISKS
•  Burberry’s growth from Asia does not reach expectations 
either in magnitude or timing, especially in China (where 
growth rates are highest).

•  Significant short-term slowdown in luxury goods 

consumption by Chinese consumers. 

ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT
•  The Group has strengthened the leadership team 

across Asia and has made continued investment in new 
stores, including new openings in China, and the 
refurbishment of stores such as Kerry Centre in China.
•  Development and execution of China strategy, including 

targeted marketing around lunar new year.

•  Investment in inventory and technology to support 

China digital across our own platforms and those of our 
third-party partner platforms.

•  Supporting investment and growth strategies in other 
global markets to reduce Burberry’s exposure to an 
individual country or group of customers. 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Volatility in foreign exchange rates could have a significant impact on the Group’s reported results. Burberry is exposed 
to uncertainty through foreign exchange movements. The outcome of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU may have a major 
impact on foreign exchange rates, which in turn could cause significant change in our Group reported results.

Increased

LINK TO STRATEGY
Volatility in foreign exchange rates could impact our overall 
financial performance.
RISK TOLERANCE
Burberry does not seek to manage structural foreign exchange 
risk relating to its overseas retail operations.
EXAMPLES OF RISKS
•  Burberry operates on a global basis and earns revenues, 

incurs costs and makes investments in a number of 
currencies. Burberry’s financial results are reported in pound 
sterling. Most reported revenues are earned in non-pound 
sterling currencies, with a significant proportion of costs in 
pound sterling. Therefore, changes in exchange rates, which 
are driven by several factors, such as global economic 
trends, the form of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU or 
other developments, could impact Burberry’s revenues, 
margins, profits and cash flows.

  ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT

•  Burberry seeks to hedge anticipated foreign currency 
transactional cash flows using financial instruments. 
These are mainly in Burberry’s centralised supply chain 
and wholesale business. Burberry does not hedge 
intra-group foreign currency transactions at present.
•  Burberry monitors the desirability of hedging the net 

assets of non-pound sterling subsidiaries when 
translated into pound sterling for reporting purposes. 
We have only entered into modest transactions for this 
purpose in the current and previous year.

•  Burberry monitors the overall impact of unhedged 
exchange movements and provides guidance to 
shareholders if exchange rates move on a 
quarterly basis.

78

STRATEGIC REPORTOPERATIONAL RISKS

LOSS OF DATA OR CYBERATTACK
A cyberattack results in a system outage, impacting core operations and/or results in a major data loss leading to 
reputational damage and financial loss.

The Group’s technology environment is critical to success. A robust control environment helps decrease the risks to core 
business operations and/or major data loss.

No change

LINK TO STRATEGY
Having a resilient technology landscape is integral 
to delivering our Operational Excellence and 
Digital strategic pillars.
RISK TOLERANCE
Protecting the brand and its reputation globally is 
at the heart of everything we do. We take a 
risk-averse approach, adopting a strategy to 
avoid or mitigate any reputational/brand risk.
EXAMPLES OF RISKS
•  Malware results in a loss of system control 
causing business disruption and/or major 
data loss.

•  Credential compromise of customer or 
employee accounts leading to business 
disruption and/or major data loss.

•  Accidental personal data loss or disclosure 

leading to regulatory fines.

•  Attack on www.burberry.com causing business 

disruption and/or major data loss.

•  Compromise or misconfiguration of externally 
facing assets causing business disruption and/
or major data loss.

•  Fines due to failure to comply with EU General 
Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and/or 
equivalent applicable data protection 
legislation globally.

  ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT

•  Governance provided through the cross-functional Cyber Security 

Steering Group with Executive membership and sponsorship.

•  Continued investment in the cybersecurity programme and 

completion of independent risk assessments to validate the strategy 
and identify capabilities required to achieve the appropriate levels 
of security.

•  Expanded cybersecurity scorecard monitoring to Executive and IT 

management through monthly reporting.

•  Security monitoring, which provides monitoring of the network and 
computers 24/7, 365 days a year, supported by robust security 
incident response processes.

•  Creation of an Information Security Advisory function to embed 

security in new projects and initiatives.

•  Security Training and Awareness rolled out to employees globally 
with completion monitoring. This included completion of multiple 
phishing awareness campaigns.

•  Implementation of solutions to detect personal and sensitive data 

loss with improved control over user access management.
•  Established process for third-party security assessments.
•  Data Privacy Steering Committee, a cross-functional group to 

review data controls around existing systems as well as assess the 
potential data risks (from both a legal and reputational perspective) 
associated with new IT, Marketing, Retail and Digital initiatives 
across Burberry.

•  Ongoing collaboration between the Data Protection office, Legal, 
IT and Information Security to ensure policies are adhered to in 
respect to the appropriate collection, security, storage, retention 
and deletion of personal data. 

79

PEOPLE
Inability to attract, motivate, develop and retain our people to perform to the best of their ability in order to meet our 
strategic objectives.

No change 

LINK TO STRATEGY
Delivery of our strategy relies on our 
ability to ensure our people continue to be 
driven and inspired to deliver outstanding 
results for the Group. This is done through 
fostering a dynamic and inclusive culture 
where all employees feel engaged, 
empowering and equipping our leaders, 
strengthening capabilities and expanding 
our talent plans, simplifying how we work, 
and driving positive change and a more 
sustainable future across every part of 
our footprint.  
RISK TOLERANCE
We recognise the value and importance of 
successfully delivering our Inspired People 
strategy and therefore have a low 
tolerance for risk in this area.
EXAMPLES OF RISKS
•  Failure to engage or equip our teams to 
deliver our strategy, or address key 
capability gaps.

•  Failure to build the right capabilities and 
behaviours in our leadership population.

•  Loss of critical talent/knowledge/
unmanageable levels of attrition  
due to ongoing transition  
period/change fatigue.

•  The long-term impact of the UK's 
withdrawal from the EU on the 
Group’s EU workforce.

  ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT

Leadership and Culture
•  A new Leadership Development Programme, built around Burberry 

Behaviours, is being rolled out to engage and equip leaders. The programme 
is run over nine months and comprises 360 feedback, coaching and a 
three-day event. To date, the Executive Committee, senior leadership team 
and 62 leaders have attended the three-day event, with all other leaders to 
be enrolled by the end of FY 2019/20. 

•  A second global employee engagement survey was carried out in July 2018, 
with results published in September, with 87% of employees confirming 
that they were proud to work at Burberry. Leaders are held accountable for 
delivering against agreed action plans. A third global engagement survey 
will take place in July 2019. 

•  Leaders were equipped with regular strategy updates, including talking 

points and exercises, to engage their teams on the strategic direction and 
build a sense of belonging to the inclusive culture at Burberry. The 
engagement survey illustrated a significant shift in employees’ 
understanding of the Group's direction (from 68% in 2017 to 74% in 2018).

Talent and Careers
•  A new careers site has been created and launched, including experience 

maps, to engage the workforce on the Burberry careers proposition, in line 
with feedback received through the employee engagement survey. 

•  An approach for identifying high potentials across the organisation has been 

rolled out. 

•  All line managers have been invited to attend “Career Conversations” 

training, rolled out for all employees in career development. We have also 
held Global and Regional Careers Awareness weeks.

Performance, Reward and Recognition 
•  Simplified, more effective performance management process across the 

business rolled out with a four-point performance rating scale. 
•  Continuation of embedding Burberry Behaviours into performance 

management. 

•  Our Executive Committee ensures there is a competitive total reward 

offering, both financial and non-financial, to retain our people and to attract 
new hires. 

Diversity, Inclusion and Employee Relations 
•  We have developed a plan focused on increasing understanding, diversifying 
the pipeline of talent and championing those who help others to ensure we 
create and promote a more diverse and inclusive workforce. 

•  We are in the process of hiring a Director of Diversity and Inclusion and a 

VP, Employee Relations. 

Well-being 
•  51 UK employees have now been trained as qualified mental health first 

aiders, with further courses scheduled. 

•  Further plans to define Burberry’s Well-being strategy in place.    

80

STRATEGIC REPORTIT OPERATIONS
IT operations fail to support critical processes across the Group including Retail, Digital and Group functions such as 
Supply Chain and Finance.

No change

LINK TO STRATEGY
All strategic pillars.
RISK TOLERANCE
In operating our business and managing the possible 
disruption to our IT operations, we have a low tolerance 
for risk.
EXAMPLES OF RISKS
•  Failure to provide technology platforms that meet customer 
demands and support innovation could result in failure to 
deliver the strategy and loss of revenue.

•  Failure to provide stable and resilient technology platforms 

that meet business demands could result in failure to deliver 
the strategy and negatively impact operations due to poor 
system performance and/or system outages.

  ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT

•  IT function has been further strengthened with clear 

alignment between the IT teams, the strategic pillars, 
business functions and operations.

•  Controls to maintain the continuity of the Group’s IT 

systems are in place, including business continuity and 
IT recovery plans, which would be implemented in the 
event of a major failure.

•  A tested Group incident management framework is in 
place to report, escalate and close high-impact events.

•  Programmes that will improve IT’s ability to support 
operations are in place with a clear portfolio of IT 
projects linked to the Group’s strategic objectives. 
Delivery of these projects is overseen by our IT Portfolio 
Forum, which regularly monitors progress. 

81

SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The success of our business over the long term will depend on the social and environmental sustainability of our 
operations, the resilience of our supply chain and our ability to manage the impact of any potential climate change on our 
business model and performance.

To address long-term sustainability challenges and understand potential impacts of climate change on our business, in 
both operational and financial terms, we have been working with Forum for the Future to explore global environmental, 
social and technological trends and how they could affect our business model. This exercise has involved senior leadership 
from across the business and results are now informing the development of cross-functional action plans to help us 
mitigate long-term risks and future-proof our business.

Increased 

LINK TO STRATEGY
Our commitment to being an industry 
leader in responsible and sustainable 
luxury underpins our vision to establish 
ourselves firmly in luxury fashion and 
deliver sustainable, long-term value. 
RISK TOLERANCE
We have a low tolerance for risk, when it 
comes to protecting the human and 
environmental resources we all depend on. 
However, given the long-term nature of 
some sustainability risks and the level of 
uncertainty associated with their 
occurrence and impact, we accept that 
some risks are inevitable. We therefore 
focus on helping to minimise global risks 
while building resilience in our operations 
and supply chain.
EXAMPLES OR RISKS
•  Resource scarcity, coupled with 

increasing demand, could affect the 
production, availability, quality and cost 
of raw materials.

•  Increased frequency of extreme weather 
events, from floods to droughts, could 
cause disruption in our supply chain and 
impact our business model by changing 
the sourcing of raw materials, as well as 
the production and distribution of 
finished goods.

•  Increased regulation and more stringent 
environmental standards could impact 
our business by affecting production 
costs and flexibility of operations.
•  Our industry is sustained by many 
agricultural and manufacturing 
communities around the world. Failure 
to support them in preserving key skills 
and building more sustainable livelihoods 
could cause social, economic and 
operational challenges, from community 
tensions and disruption to production to 
a reduced talent pool.

  ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT

•  Our Chief Supply Chain Officer is responsible for ethical trading, 

environmental sustainability and community investment matters and reports 
on these topics to the Ethics Committee, Risk Committee and the Board.

•  Long-standing responsibility programmes, coupled with our 2022 

Responsibility goals, are driving continuous improvements while supporting 
our supply chain partners in moving beyond social and environmental 
compliance. See more on pages 42 to 55.

•  We continuously explore more sustainable materials and manufacturing 

processes. Recent examples are included on page 47.

•  During FY 2018/19, we completed three scenario analysis workshops to 

assess long-term environmental, social and technological trends that could 
significantly impact our business model and operations over the next 20 
years. We explored the uncertainties, risks and opportunities that lie ahead, 
in light of forecasted climate change impacts to 2040, which will inform our 
strategic response to climate change.

•  We have set science based targets to address our GHG emissions along our 
entire value chain. Our targets have been approved by the Science Based 
Target Initiative (SBTi) and are in line with the Paris Agreement to limit 
global warming to 1.5 degrees from pre-industrial levels.

•  We are signatories of the UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate 

Action, which aims to reduce aggregate GHG emissions across the fashion 
industry by 30% by 2030. Representatives of our Responsibility team 
participate in the working groups and chair one of them. 

•  In September 2018, we were the first luxury company to announce that we 
were stopping the practice of destroying any unsaleable finished products. 
We are implementing a zero-waste mindset across our global operations, 
with a focus on improving inventory management, extending the life cycle of 
our products and maximising donation, repurposing and recycling routes, 
while developing new partnerships and solutions for revaluing waste. 

•  We are core partners of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s ‘Make Fashion 
Circular’ initiative, which aims to create a new, circular textiles economy, 
and signatories of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, which 
aims to eradicate plastic waste and pollution by 2025. 

•  We continue to support programmes led by The Burberry Foundation that 
tackle educational inequality in Yorkshire, foster community cohesion in 
Italy, and enhance social and economic empowerment in Afghanistan. 

•  We use the WWF water risk assessment tool and the Aqueduct Water Risk 

Atlas to understand potential future strains on water resources and 
long-term risks in our supply chain. This informs the roll-out of our energy 
and water reduction programme to key supply chain partners.

•  We are a founding partner of the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA), a 

UK-based NGO working with key stakeholders in Mongolia to improve the 
impacts of cashmere production by restoring grasslands, promoting animal 
welfare and supporting a decent living for cashmere goat herders. 

82

STRATEGIC REPORTBUSINESS INTERRUPTION
A major incident at one of the Group’s main locations, at its suppliers or affecting key products, which significantly 
interrupts the business.

This could be caused by a wide range of events, including natural catastrophe, fire, terrorism or quality-control failures.

No change

LINK TO STRATEGY
Our Product and Distribution strategic 
pillars enable us to operate effectively 
and efficiently, delivering Operational 
Excellence through continuity of supply 
of compliant products and services of 
the highest quality to our customers.
Ensuring our ability to continually 
execute and operate key sites and 
factories to develop, manufacture, 
distribute and sell our products is a key 
strategic priority.
RISK TOLERANCE
We have a low tolerance for risk in this 
area, particularly in respect of product 
safety and quality.
EXAMPLES OF RISKS
•  Burberry operates three owned 

factories and a global network of 
storage and distribution hubs. These 
face typical property risks, such as 
fires, floods and terrorism.

•  Burberry works with several suppliers 

of luxury goods, which would be 
difficult to replace quickly. Their loss 
could interrupt the delivery of core 
products or a seasonal range.

•  A serious product quality issue could 

result in a product recall.

  ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT

•  We have policies and procedures designed to ensure the health and safety of 
our employees and to deal with major incidents, including business continuity 
and disaster recovery.

•  The Group continues to evolve its supply chain organisational design to 

develop its manufacturing base, reducing dependence on key sites 
and vendors.

•  A Group incident management framework is in place to ensure that incidents 

are reported and managed effectively. Across the Group, our Incident 
Management Teams managed 21 incidents in the year. Twelve of these related 
to severe weather warnings, wild fires and natural disasters. Two related to 
terrorist incidents in cities where we have stores or employees and we moved 
quickly to ensure our customers, employees and assets remained safe and 
secure. The remainder were localised issues linked to office, store or 
system interruptions.

•  Our Group Incident Management Team took part in training and incident 

management exercises involving large parts of the Group, our customers and 
media relations function. Our plans as tested during the year were found to 
be effective.

•  Our product suppliers and vendors are subject to a quality control programme, 

which includes regular site inspections and independent product testing.

•  Robust security arrangements are in place across our store network to 

protect people and products in case of security incidents.

•  Business continuity plans are in place for our 10 main sites including the three 
major distribution centres and our two UK factories. Business continuity plans 
are being developed for our third factory Burberry Manifattura in Italy. 
•  The Group’s key IT systems are protected to prevent and minimise any 

potential interruption. This includes resilient design and the provision of 
disaster recovery services to continue operating within pre-agreed times in 
case of a major incident. Our plans as tested during the year were found to 
be effective.

•  Management regularly reviews and manages business continuity and disaster 

recovery risks, recognising that these plans cannot always ensure the 
uninterrupted operation of the business, particularly in the short term.
•  A comprehensive insurance programme is in place to offset the financial 

consequences of insured events, including fires, flood, natural catastrophes 
and product liabilities. 

83

COMPLIANCE RISKS

REGULATORY RISK AND ETHICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS
The Group’s operations are subject to a broad spectrum of national and regional laws and regulations in the various 
jurisdictions in which we operate.

These include product safety, trademarks, competition, data, corporate governance, employment, tax and employee and 
customer health and safety. Changes to laws and regulations, or a major compliance breach, could have a material impact 
on the business.

No change

LINK TO STRATEGY
Compliance with applicable laws 
and regulations and behaving in 
accordance with our values as a 
business underlie all our 
strategic pillars.
RISK TOLERANCE
In complying with laws and 
regulations, including customer and 
employee safety, and bribery and 
corruption, we have a low tolerance 
for risk.
EXAMPLES OF RISKS
•  Regulatory non-compliance.
•  Failure by the Group or associated 
third parties to act in an ethical 
manner consistent with our code 
of conduct and our Responsibility 
Agenda, for example with regard 
to model well-being.

•  Non-compliance with labour, 

human rights and environmental 
standards across our own 
operations and extended supply 
chain would go against our 
Responsible Business Principles 
and could result in financial 
penalties, disruption in production 
and reputational damage to 
our business.

•  Failure to comply with GDPR and/

or equivalent applicable data 
protection legislation globally.
•  Tax is a complex area where laws 

and their interpretations are 
changing regularly. Non-compliance 
by Burberry and its associated 
third parties in this area could 
result in unexpected tax and 
financial loss.

  ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT

•  The Group monitors and seeks to continuously improve processes to gain 

assurance that its licensees, suppliers, franchisees, distributors and agents 
comply with the Group’s contractual terms and conditions, its ethical and 
business policies, and relevant legislation.

•  Specialist teams at corporate and regional level, supported by third-party 

specialists where required, are responsible for ensuring the Group’s compliance 
with applicable laws and regulations and that employees are aware of the laws 
and regulations relevant to their roles.

•  Assurance processes are in place to monitor compliance in a number of key risk 
areas, with results being reported to our Risk Committee and Audit Committee.

•  We have an established framework of policies that aim to drive best 

practice across our direct and indirect operations, including our Responsible 
Business Principles and Global Environmental Policy. Policies available at  
www.burberryplc.com, are owned by senior leadership and are issued to all 
supply chain partners. Their implementation is monitored on a regular basis.
•  We have established a Data Privacy Steering Committee to oversee compliance 

with applicable data legislation.

•  International tax reform is a key focus of attention with significant developments 

reported to the Audit Committee.

•  Roll out of annual mandatory training to all employees and to targeted functions 
to ensure awareness and compliance with our policies governing anti-bribery and 
anti-corruption (ABAC), Market Abuse Regulations, annual conflict declarations, 
criminal finances, anti-money laundering and privacy.

•  Our culture and policies encourage employees to speak up and report any issues 
without fear of retribution. A global confidential employee helpline is in place in 
almost all countries where we have retail and corporate locations, and where it is 
legally permitted. All calls and emails are logged and independently reviewed and 
followed up. During the year 136 cases were received and the results and themes 
are reviewed by the Ethics Committee. No significant issues were identified from 
these cases during the year.

•  In accordance with our ABAC policy, annual training is required to be performed. 
This year the annual e-learning module was rolled out to all corporate staff and 
manufacturing and retail employees of manager level and above, a total of 3,345 
employees. The training reached a 96% completion rate. Any incidents or 
potential areas of concern are investigated by highly experienced investigators in 
our Asset Profit and Protection team and ABAC risks are covered as part of the 
scope of Internal Audit reviews. During the year there were no ABAC-
related issues.

84

STRATEGIC REPORTINTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND BRAND PROTECTION
Sustained breaches of Burberry’s intellectual property (IP) rights or allegations of infringement by Burberry. 
Counterfeiting, copyright, trademark and design infringement in the marketplace could reduce the demand for genuine 
Burberry merchandise.

Failure to implement appropriate brand protection controls in connection with our commitment to stop destroying 
unsaleable finished products could negatively impact the integrity and the luxury positioning of the brand.

No change

LINK TO STRATEGY
Protecting the integrity of the brand, safeguarding and 
elevating its luxury position, complying with applicable laws 
and regulations and doing the right thing underlie all our 
strategic pillars.
RISK TOLERANCE
We have a low tolerance for risk in protecting the integrity of 
the brand, asserting our IP rights while ensuring due respect 
is given to the IP rights of others.
EXAMPLES OF RISKS
•  Counterfeiting, parallel trade, copyright, trademark 

and design infringement in the marketplace can reduce 
the demand for genuine Burberry merchandise and 
impact revenues.

•  Unauthorised use of trademarks and other IP, as well as the 
unauthorised sale of Burberry products and distribution of 
counterfeit products, damages Burberry’s brand image 
and profits.

•  Increased newness and shorter lead times make it more 

challenging to prevent infringements and counterfeiting of 
our brand.

•  Allegations from third parties of IP infringement by 

Burberry could negatively impact Burberry’s reputation, 
result in claims and financial loss through withdrawing 
infringing products.

•  Distribution outside of our authorised network could 

negatively impact the demand for Burberry products and 
negatively impact our luxury reputation.

  ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT

•  The Group’s global Brand Protection team is responsible 
for brand protection efforts globally, including in the 
digital environment. Where infringements are identified 
these are addressed through a mixture of criminal and 
civil legal action and negotiated settlements.

•  IP rights are driven largely by national laws, which afford 
varying degrees of protection and enforcement priorities 
depending on the country.

•  Trademark, copyright and design registrations globally 

across all appropriate categories.

•  The Brand Protection team partners closely with the 
design and merchandising teams to ensure that our 
products do not infringe the rights of third parties and 
to ensure that we have adequate protections in place 
prior to market entry.

•  Exploring new and emerging threats and ways to 

combat threats.

•  Inspiring Burberry associates and partners to engage 

with us in protecting our brand.

•  Partnering with enforcement agencies and our digital 
partners to minimise the visibility of counterfeit and 
parallel trade products both online and offline.

•  Disrupting the flow of counterfeit products by enforcing 

at source level.

•  Implementation of brand protection controls to 

safeguard the brand in connection with our commitment 
to stop destroying unsaleable finished products. 

85

EXTERNAL RISKS

MACRO-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL INSTABILITY
The Group operates in a wide range of markets and is exposed to changing economic, regulatory, social and political 
developments that may impact consumer demand, disrupt operations and impact profitability. Adverse macro-economic 
conditions or country-specific changes to the operating or regulatory environment or civil unrest may impact the spending 
habits of key consumer groups and cause increased operational costs.

No change

LINK TO STRATEGY
Volatility in the external environment could impact our overall financial 
performance and operations.
RISK TOLERANCE
We have a low tolerance for risk in this area but recognise external factors are 
more difficult to mitigate as they are often outside of our control.
EXAMPLES OF RISKS
•  The strategy does not address how the changes created by macro-economic 
trends and uncertainty in the outlook for the luxury sector globally or within 
significant consumer groups could impact our performance. 

  ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT
•  Our global reach helps to mitigate 
reliance on particular consumer 
groups. In addition, our brand has wide 
appeal across multiple consumer 
segments, including a broad set of 
ages and preferences.

UK'S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE EU
Various scenarios could impact the Group’s financial position, supply chain and people.

Increased

LINK TO STRATEGY
Volatility caused by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU may impact our 
overall financial performance and our ambitions under supply chain 
operational excellence.
RISK TOLERANCE
We have a low tolerance for risk caused by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, 
however, there remains uncertainty about the long-term impact. 
EXAMPLES OF RISKS
•  Additional customs duty from exiting the EU single market and the cessation 

of the UK’s access to the EU’s free trade agreements.

•  Disruption to business operations.
•  Impact on some current business road maps.
•  Extended supply chain lead times could increase inventory levels.
•  Uncertainty over the rights of EU nationals has increased the risk of being 

unable to recruit and retain talent.

•  Exchange rate volatility impacts Group revenues, margins, profits and 

cash flow. 

  ACTIONS TAKEN BY MANAGEMENT
•  Our steering committee continually 
monitors the evolving impact of the 
UK’s withdrawal from the EU and 
oversees our response.

•  We have prepared for a no-deal 

scenario across all business activities 
including supply chain, trade 
compliance, intellectual property and 
people.

•  Any transitional arrangement 

potentially offers some temporary 
relief for longer-term mitigation 
planning and implementation.
•  We engage with UK government 
departments and other external 
stakeholders to ensure they are fully 
informed of our circumstances. 

86

STRATEGIC REPORTRISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES IN 
FY 2018/19

THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES UNDERTOOK A NUMBER OF RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

IDENTIFICATION OF RISKS

  MANAGEMENT ACTIONS AND DEEP DIVES

We identify and review risk through two processes:

•  A “bottom-up" process undertaken across the Group’s 

business areas and functions to identify and manage risks 
in their areas.

•  A “top-down" process overseen by the Risk Committee to 

identify key risks to our strategic priorities.

During the year, the key risks identified through these two 
processes were mapped against each other and were 
reviewed and revised to reflect changes in the business and 
the external environment. These were then regrouped to 
produce a revised schedule of principal risks, which were 
discussed at our Risk Committee and presented to the Audit 
Committee in May 2018.

STRATEGIC RISK
An exercise was performed with the Executive Committee to 
identify the risks to delivering the new strategic objectives. 
This was reviewed and presented to the Board.

RISK APPETITE
The Group’s risk appetite and tolerance levels were 
presented to the Board and approved in March 2019. These 
will be used to set tolerance limits and target risks for each 
of the principal risks and refine mitigation plans.

Compliance functions provide independent assurance to 
management, the Audit Committee and the Board on the 
effectiveness of management actions.

Our Internal Audit function periodically reviews the risk 
management process. Third-party reviews have been 
performed on cybersecurity and health and safety.

Our Transformation Management Office (TMO) undertakes 
regular reviews of progress towards our strategy with the 
Executive Committee and the Board. Additionally, we have 
undertaken a number of “deep dives” at Board and 
Audit Committee level into the management of the risks 
being examined:

•  Reputation: a third-party review of reputation risk was 

performed and presented to the Board.

•  Climate change: a climate change 2040 scenario analysis 
exercise was performed to explore future trends and risks 
that might require a strategic response. The exercise was 
facilitated by an external party and the results were 
reviewed and presented to the Board.

•  IT/Cyber: report to each Audit Committee on IT and 

cybersecurity.

•  Compliance and Legal: regular reports on compliance 
matters and risks to the Ethics and Risk Committees, 
including updates on intellectual property, legal matters, 
health and safety and compliance with GDPR.

•  Talent Management: annual discussion on succession 

planning at the Nomination Committee.

•  Operational: presentations to the Board on inventory and 

the supply chain, regular reports on quality risks.

•  Financial: presentation to the Audit Committee on the 

Group’s tax policy.

•  Change Programmes: presentation to the Board on the 

Group’s major transformation programmes across IT and 
supply chain.

•  UK withdrawal from the EU: the Group has engaged 

proactively with key external stakeholders and established 
a cross-functional internal steering committee to 
understand, assess, plan and implement operational 
actions that may be required. The Group has assessed a 
no-deal withdrawal scenario and has taken appropriate 
actions including: engagement with government and 
regulators; relocation of inventory and materials; 
appointment of additional carriers and changes to logistics 
plans and shipping routes; arrangements for a UK tariff, 
and banking arrangements.  

87

OUR VIABILITY STATEMENT

ASSESSMENT OF PROSPECTS
Burberry’s annual corporate planning process consists of 
preparing a strategic plan, reforecasting the current year 
business performance during the year, and preparing a more 
detailed budget for the following year.

The strategic plan is the main basis for assessing the 
longer-term prospects of the Group. Our strategic planning 
process involves a detailed review of the plan by our Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Operating and Financial Officer. 
This is done in conjunction with our regional and functional 
management teams, followed by a presentation and 
discussion of the strategic plan at the Board. Delivery against 
the plan is monitored through our annual budget process and 
subsequent forecast updates (see page 112).

The key assumptions considered in our strategic plan are 
future sales performance by product, channel and geography, 
expenditure plans and cash generation. We also consider the 
Group’s projected liquidity, balance sheet strength and the 
potential impact of the plan on shareholder returns.

The Group’s strategy is set out on pages 22 to 41. Key factors 
affecting the Group’s prospects are:

VIABILITY ASSESSMENT
During the year, our Directors have carried out a robust 
assessment of the principal risks of the Group, which is set 
out on pages 74 to 87. The Directors have also identified the 
nature and potential impact of those risks on the viability of 
the Group, together with the likelihood of them materialising.

This analysis has been used to carry out an assessment of the 
ability of the Group to continue in operation and meet its 
obligations. The assessment covers the three-year period 
from April 2019 to March 2022. This was considered 
appropriate by the Directors because:

•  It is sufficient to almost complete all currently approved 

capital expenditure projects.

•  As the Group has little contracted income, and as most 

current business development projects will be completed in 
the three-year period, any projections beyond March 2022 
will only contain long-term growth assumptions.

For the purposes of the viability assessment, the principal 
risks have been separated into:

•  Risks potentially impacting the trading performance of 

the Group.

•  Our iconic brand, Burberry, with its unique positioning as a 

•  Risks arising from one-off events which may interrupt the 

major global British luxury brand. The strength of our brand 
supports the Group’s performance and provides a platform 
for future growth.

•  The performance of our products. We are reshaping our 

offer, increasing and invigorating the fashion content. We 
will create compelling luxury leather goods and accessories 
to attract new customers. We will build on the strength of 
our apparel and re-energise it. We will build our offer to 
provide a complete look for our customers, while continuing 
to simplify our ranges.

•  The success of our communications. We will put product at 
the centre of our communications. We will leverage our 
extensive digital reach to convey new energy. We will be 
bold in the way we engage luxury consumers, reinventing 
our editorial content and experiences.

•  The customer experience when interacting with the brand. 
We will transform our in-store experience by refurbishing 
our stores and enhancing our luxury service. We will 
continue to lead innovation in digital, delivering 
personalised experiences and true omnichannel services.

•  Our financial discipline. We will continue to focus on 
productivity, simplification and financial discipline, 
and maintain our commitment to the capital 
allocation framework.

Group’s trading activities.

The risks potentially impacting trading performance have 
been assessed through stress testing involving estimating 
the impact of revenue sensitivities on profitability and cash 
generation in the Group’s strategic plan, together with 
reverse stress testing to identify the theoretical revenue 
sensitivity that the Group could absorb, without impacting its 
viability. The tests applied included the following scenarios:

•  Nil comparative sales growth across the three-year period.
•  The maximum decrease in revenue, across the three-year 

period, which could reasonably be absorbed, with and 
without additional annual reductions in profit of up to 
£100m to allow for the potential impact of adverse foreign 
exchange rate movements and for additional duty costs 
following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

The sensitivities took account of the likely mitigating actions 
available to the Directors through adjustments to the 
operating plan in the normal course of business. They also 
took account of the impact of changes in performance on 
returns to shareholders.

88

STRATEGIC REPORTThe Strategic Report up to and including page 89 
was approved for issue by the Board on 15 May 2019 
and signed on its behalf by:

MARCO GOBBETTI
Chief Executive Officer

The impact of the risks arising from one-off events have been 
assessed by considering the potential losses arising from 
these events. Potential one-off impacts modelled were the 
loss of data or cyberattack, IT operations, people, regulatory 
risk and ethical/environmental standards. A loss of £100 
million was included in the assessment to allow for the 
combined risk of one-off events.

In assessing the viability of the Group, the Directors have also 
considered the Group’s current liquidity and available 
facilities (set out in note 22 of the Financial Statements) and 
financial risk management objectives and hedging activities 
(set out in note 26).

Based on this assessment, our Directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation 
and meet its liabilities over the period to March 2022.

In making this statement, the Directors have made the key 
assumption that there is no material long-term impairment 
to the Burberry brand.

89

 
GOVERNANCE 
REPORT

GOVERNANCE 

REPORT

CHAIRMAN’S
INTRODUCTION

92

GOVERNANCE REPORTBurberry must also comply with corporate 
governance rules contained in the FCA Disclosure 
Guidance and Transparency Rules, as well as 
certain related provisions in the Companies 
Act 2006.

The Board received a series of briefings on the 
2018 Code from the Company Secretary and the 
Company’s external legal advisers and discussed 
how best to align our corporate governance 
with the new requirements. Further detail is 
on page 100.

It is important to have an open and ongoing 
dialogue with our shareholders and other 
stakeholders, particularly during times of change. 
Throughout the year, members of the Board and 
senior management participated in over 100 
meetings with investors, including with the 
Company’s largest investors.

With the expectation that the year ahead will 
continue to be impacted by a challenging external 
environment, the Board will continue to work with 
management to deliver on our strategic goals.

GERRY MURPHY
Chairman

DEAR SHAREHOLDER,
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present 
the Corporate Governance Report for the year 
ended 30 March 2019.

This report describes Burberry’s Corporate 
Governance structures and procedures as well 
as the work of the Board and its Committees to 
provide an overview of how we have discharged our 
responsibilities this year. The Board is collectively 
responsible for how Burberry is directed and 
controlled and its responsibilities include: 
promoting Burberry’s long-term success; 
setting its strategic aims and values; providing 
the leadership to put them into effect; supervising 
and constructively challenging the leadership on 
the operational running of the business; ensuring 
a framework of prudent and effective controls; 
and reporting to shareholders on the 
Board’s stewardship.

As Chairman, I am responsible for leading and 
ensuring an effective Board. It has been an 
important year of change for Burberry, as 
highlighted in my letter on page 4. In particular, 
the Board has contributed significantly to the 
ongoing evolution of the Group's strategy through 
intense engagement with the Executive 
Committee in the development of implementation 
plans for the years ahead and in monitoring 
progress to date.

Also highlighted is the outcome from our annual 
Board effectiveness review. I'm pleased to report 
that the Board operated effectively during the 
period. This internal review confirmed that the 
Board has a relevant mix of skills and experience, 
and that its agenda is appropriately focused. It 
also highlighted some areas for development and 
we are adapting our work accordingly. I would like 
to thank all our Board members for their 
dedication and hard work during the year.

The principal corporate governance rules applying 
to Burberry, as a UK company listed on the London 
Stock Exchange, for the year ended 30 March 
2019 are contained in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the Code), which was published 
by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) in April 
2016, and the UK Financial Conduct Authority 
(FCA) Listing Rules. These require companies to 
describe in the Annual Report their corporate 
governance from two points of view: the first 
dealing generally with our application of the Code’s 
main principles, and the second dealing specifically 
with non-compliance with any of the 
Code’s provisions.

93

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board consists 
of a balance of 
Executive and Non-
Executive Directors 
who together 
have collective 
accountability 
to Burberry’s 
stakeholders. 

KEY

Chair
Remuneration Committee
Nomination Committee
Audit Committee

R

N

A

DR GERRY 
MURPHY (63)
Chairman

Appointed: 
17 May 2018 
Nationality: Irish 
Committees: 

N

MARCO 
GOBBETTI (60)
Chief Executive 
Officer

Appointed: 
5 July 2017 
Nationality: Italian 

Experience
Marco joined Burberry from the French 
luxury leather group Céline, where he 
was Chairman and CEO from 2008 to 
2016. Prior to this, he served as 
Chairman and CEO of Givenchy and was 
CEO of Moschino from 1993 to 2004. 
In his early career Marco worked as 
marketing and sales director at 
Bottega Veneta, before joining luxury 
leather specialist Valextra as 
managing director. 

Key Skills
Marco has spent more than two 
decades working in a variety of 
executive positions for prestigious 
international fashion brands, with a 
focus on leather goods. He has an 
outstanding track record of delivering 
growth in the luxury industry and has a 
clear vision for the luxury sector and 
how it will evolve. Whilst working at 
Céline, he revamped the entire product 
offering and significantly increased 
profits. His extensive understanding of 
international brand transformation and 
retail execution is highly relevant to 
Burberry as we continue to re-energise 
the brand, drive forward with our 
strategy and strive for long-term 
growth in the rapidly changing 
environment in which we operate.

Experience
Gerry joined the Board as Chairman 
Designate on 17 May 2018 and was 
appointed Chairman following the AGM 
on 12 July 2018. Gerry is also Chairman 
of Tate & Lyle plc and of the principal 
European entity of The Blackstone 
Group where he served as a partner in 
the firm’s private equity investment 
unit from 2008 to 2017. From 2003 to 
2008, Gerry was CEO of Kingfisher plc, 
a leading home improvement retailer in 
Europe and Asia. He was also previously 
CEO of Carlton Communications plc 
(now ITV) from 2000 to 2003, Exel plc 
from 1995 to 2000, Greencore Group 
plc from 1991 to 1995 and spent his 
earlier career with Grand Metropolitan 
plc (now Diageo plc). He has also served 
on the Boards of British American 
Tobacco plc from 2009 to 2017, Merlin 
Entertainments plc from 2009 to 2015, 
Reckitt Benckiser plc from 2005 to 
2008, Abbey National plc in 2004 and 
Novar plc from 1997 to 2003.

Key Skills
Gerry brings to the Board experience 
of managing business transformations 
and has substantial international 
business and senior management 
experience. His in-depth understanding 
of UK corporate governance 
requirements and his extensive 
experience in the retail sector provide 
the Board with highly relevant and 
valuable leadership as Burberry 
continues to focus on delivering 
long-term sustainable value for all 
our stakeholders.

94

GOVERNANCE REPORTJULIE 
BROWN (57)
Chief Operating and 
Financial Officer

Appointed: 
18 January 2017 
Nationality: British 

FABIOLA 
ARREDONDO (52)
Independent Non- 
Executive Director

Appointed: 
10 March 2015 
Nationality: American 
Committees:

R N

JEREMY 
DARROCH (56)
Senior Independent 
Director

Appointed: 
5 February 2014 
Nationality: British 
Committees:

NA

Experience
Julie is a Chartered Accountant and 
Fellow of the Institute of Taxation. She 
is currently a Non-Executive Director 
and Chair of the Audit Committee at 
Roche Holding Limited. From 2013 to 
2017, Julie was CFO of Smith & 
Nephew plc. Julie qualified with KPMG 
before working at ICI and AstraZeneca 
plc from 1987, where she served as 
Vice President Group Finance and 
ultimately Interim Group CFO. Prior to 
that, she was Vice President Corporate 
Strategy and Regional Vice President 
Latin America. Julie has also previously 
held two Non-Executive Directorships 
with the NHS in the UK and the 
British Embassy.

Key Skills
Julie has a strong track record of 
delivering operational excellence and 
has significant experience in financial, 
commercial and strategic roles. Her 
extensive experience of leading 
businesses through major 
transformational programmes will 
continue to be valuable to Burberry as 
we progress with our operational 
excellence programme and move into 
the next phase of our strategy.

Experience
Fabiola is currently the Managing 
Partner of Siempre Holdings, a private 
investment firm based in the US. She is 
also a Non-Executive Director at 
Campbell Soup Company and National 
Public Radio (NPR), and a National 
Council Member of the World Wildlife 
Fund and Member of the Council on 
Foreign Relations. Fabiola has 
previously served as a Non-Executive 
Director at Experian plc, Rodale Inc., 
Saks Incorporated, Intelsat Inc., BOC 
Group plc, Bankinter S.A, Sesame 
Workshop and the World Wildlife Fund 
UK and US. She previously held senior 
operating roles at Yahoo! Inc, the BBC 
and Bertelsmann AG.

Key Skills
Fabiola brings directly relevant 
international strategic and operational 
experience in the internet and media 
sectors, including a senior role at a 
pre-eminent global internet company. 
Her extensive international non-
executive directorship experience, and 
digital and consumer background make 
her an important member of the Board.

Experience
Jeremy is Group CEO of Sky, having 
joined the company as CFO in 2004. 
Prior to this, Jeremy was Group 
Finance Director of DSG International 
plc (formerly Dixons Group plc) and 
spent 12 years at Procter & Gamble in a 
variety of roles in the UK and Europe. 
From 2006 to 2013, Jeremy served as 
a Non-Executive Director and 
Chairman of the Audit Committee of 
Marks and Spencer Group plc. 

Key Skills
Jeremy has considerable expertise in 
the consumer retail environment built 
up over a successful career at some of 
the UK’s most high-profile companies. 
As Group CEO of Sky, he has 
transformed the business into Europe’s 
leading entertainment company, which 
now operates in seven different 
markets. His proven track record of 
driving business performance and 
delivering shareholder value makes him 
a valuable member of the Board.

95

RON 
FRASCH (70)
Independent Non- 
Executive Director

MATTHEW 
KEY (56)
Independent Non- 
Executive Director

DAME CAROLYN 
McCALL (57)
Independent Non- 
Executive Director

Appointed: 
1 September 2017 
Nationality: American 
Committees:

N

R

A

Appointed: 
1 September 2013 
Nationality: British 
Committees:
N

R

A

Appointed: 
1 September 2014 
Nationality: British 
Committees:

N

A

Experience
Ron is currently CEO of Ron Frasch 
Associates LLC, an Operating Partner 
of Castanea Partners Inc.. He is also a 
Non-Executive Director of Crocs Inc 
and Aztech Mountain. Between 2004 
to 2013, Ron served as Vice Chairman 
of Saks Fifth Avenue Inc. and later 
became President and Chief 
Merchandising Officer, with 
responsibility for fashion buying, 
merchandise planning, store planning, 
stores, and visual. Prior to Saks, Ron 
spent 4 years as President and CEO for 
Bergdorf Goodman. He has also served 
as President of the Americas for an 
Italian licensing company of luxury 
fashion brands.

Key Skills
Ron has spent over 30 years working 
in the retail industry. He has clear 
strategic acumen, strong leadership 
skills and wide-ranging experience of 
working with luxury fashion brands. 
Whilst working at Saks he was the 
instrumental driving force behind 
developing the company’s private label 
collections. Ron’s wealth of fashion 
experience and his well-established 
merchandising skills will continue to 
play a pivotal role as Burberry 
continues to grow and we strengthen 
our performance in the luxury 
fashion market.

Experience
Matthew is currently a Non-Executive 
Director of BT Group plc and a Member 
of BT’s Audit & Risk Committee and 
Nominating & Governance Committee. 
Matthew served as a Non-Executive 
Director of OSN (a leading pay TV 
operator across the Middle East) 
between 2015 to 2018 and was a 
member of the advisory Board of 
Samsung Europe between 2015 and 
2017. From 2007 to 2014, Matthew 
held various positions at Telefonica, 
including Chairman and CEO of 
Telefonica Europe plc, and Chairman 
and CEO of Telefonica Digital, the 
global innovation arm of Telefonica. In 
his early career he held various financial 
positions at Grand Metropolitan plc, 
Kingfisher plc, Coca-Cola and 
Schweppes.

Key Skills
Matthew has significant strategic, 
regulatory and operational experience 
in the e-commerce and technology 
sectors. He brings to the Board 
significant experience of managing 
dynamic and fast-moving international 
companies and has an extensive 
understanding of the consumer market. 
Matthew’s significant financial 
experience remains important to the 
Board, as reflected in his recent 
appointment as Chair of the 
Audit Committee.

Experience
Carolyn joined ITV plc in 2018 as CEO. 
From 2010 to 2017 she was CEO of 
easyJet plc and held a number of roles 
at the Guardian Media Group plc, 
including CEO from 2006 to 2010. She 
has also previously served as a Non-
Executive Director of Lloyds TSB, 
Tesco plc and New Look Group plc. In 
2008, Carolyn was awarded an OBE for 
her services to women in business and 
in 2016 a damehood for her services to 
the aviation industry. 

Key Skills
Carolyn has an impressive track record 
in media and is known for her 
experience of running international 
businesses. While at easyJet plc 
Carolyn transformed the company into 
one of the biggest airlines in Europe. 
Carolyn's clear strategic acumen and 
strong track record of driving 
operational excellence and managing 
change makes her an important 
member of the Board as Burberry 
strives to deliver long-term sustainable 
value for all our stakeholders. 

96

GOVERNANCE REPORTDirectors who served during FY 2018/19 retiring at the 2019 AGM.

ORNA 
NíCHIONNA (63)
Independent Non- 
Executive Director

Appointed: 
3 January 2018 
Nationality: Irish 
Committees:
N

R

IAN 
CARTER (57)
Independent Non- 
Executive Director

Appointed: 
1 April 2007 
Nationality: British 
Committees:

R N

STEPHANIE 
GEORGE (62)
Independent Non- 
Executive Director

Appointed: 
31 March 2006 
Nationality: American 
Committees:

N

R

Experience
Orna is currently Senior Independent 
Director at Saga plc and Royal Mail plc, 
where she also chairs the 
Remuneration Committee. Orna has 
served as Deputy Chairman at the 
National Trust since 2014 and is also 
Chair of Client Services at Eden 
McCallum. Orna has previously served 
on the Boards of Bupa, HMV, Northern 
Foods and Bank of Ireland UK, and has 
been an advisor to Apax Partners LLP. 
She spent 18 years at McKinsey & 
Company, where she co-led their 
European Retail Practice.

Key Skills
Orna has strong UK plc and 
international business experience, 
especially in the consumer and retail 
markets. She also brings to the Board 
significant financial, strategic and 
governance experience. Orna is a 
passionate environmentalist and was 
Chair of the Soil Association (which 
campaigns for organic food and 
farming) for 6 years. Her passion for 
the environment will be an asset to 
Burberry as we continue to drive 
positive change and build a more 
sustainable future through our 
ongoing Responsibility Agenda.

Experience
Ian is President of Hilton Global 
Development and Chairman of Del 
Frisco’s Restaurant Group, Inc. 
Previously, he served as CEO of Hilton 
International Company and Executive 
Vice President of Hilton Hotels 
Corporation. Ian was CEO of Hilton 
International prior to its re-acquisition 
by the company in 2006. Prior to 
joining Hilton, Ian served as an Officer 
and President of Black & Decker 
Corporation. In this role, he was 
responsible for all operations outside 
the Americas. He has also served on 
the Boards of two large consumer 
product companies, Unilever and 
British Steel.

Key Skills
Ian has significant experience working 
with international branded products 
and is an expert in marketing, 
operations and managing change. Ian 
also has a strong background in driving 
the strategic direction of industry-
leading hospitality and luxury brands 
and is well known for his strong track 
record of driving company growth.

Experience
Stephanie is a Director of the Lincoln 
Center for the Performing Arts and a 
Director of the Fashion Institute of 
Technology Foundation. Since 2015, 
she has been an adviser to Penske 
Media Corporation, which is the parent 
company for twenty-two media brands. 
Previously she served as Vice Chairman 
of Fairchild Fashion Media Inc. (parent 
of Women’s Wear Daily) and she held 
various positions at Time Inc. including 
Executive Vice President and Chief 
Marketing Officer and President of 
Advertising Sales and Marketing. In her 
early career Stephanie spent 12 years 
at Fairchild Publications.

Key Skills
Stephanie is a leading publishing and 
media expert with significant business 
and luxury retail management 
experience. She has been instrumental 
in diversifying brand portfolios, driving 
business growth and building new 
revenue streams for the Boards she 
has served on. Whilst working at Time 
Inc. the company gained record market 
share and was transformed from a 
magazine to a global brand. 

97

A HIGHLY SKILLED AND DIVERSE BOARD

The Board brings a wide range of experience, 
skills and backgrounds which complement 
the Group’s Strategy.

GENDER

TENURE

55%

45%

18%

36%

46%

Men Women

0-3

3-6

6+

Five of our 11 Board members are women (including our 
Chief Operating and Financial Officer), comprising 45% 
of our Board membership.

The diversity in our Board tenure enables us to have 
sufficient balance to ensure the Board composition 
principles are maintained.

LUXURY  
GOODS

DIGITAL  
AND MEDIA

RETAIL, SALES 
AND MARKETING

OPERATIONAL  
EXCELLENCE

55%

45%

55%

45%

9%

91%

9%

91%

5 Directors

5 Directors

10 Directors

10 Directors

The Board brings a wide range of experience, skills and 
backgrounds which complement the Group’s strategy. All 
Board members have strong leadership experience at 
global businesses.

98

GOVERNANCE REPORT99

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

and, in particular, Non-Executive Directors will 
attend at least two employee meetings per 
financial year. These employee meetings have a 
cross functional and global remit with membership 
from across the business. 

OUR BOARD AND BOARD COMMITTEES
It is the responsibility of the Board to support 
management in its strategic aims, which are to 
enable the Company to continue to perform 
successfully and sustainably for our shareholders 
and wider stakeholders. The Board is supported in 
its activities by the Audit Committee, the 
Nomination Committee and the Remuneration 
Committee. The terms of reference for each of 
these Committees can be viewed in the 
corporate governance section of the website  
www.burberryplc.com. The table on page 102 
demonstrates our governance structure.

The Committees may engage third-party 
consultants and independent professional 
advisers. They may also call upon other Group 
resources to assist them in discharging their 
respective responsibilities. In addition to the 
Committee members and the Company Secretary, 
external advisers and, on occasion, other Directors 
and members of our senior management team 
attend Committee meetings at the invitation of 
the Chair of the relevant Committee.

Corporate governance is crucial 
to our success and the Board is 
committed to upholding the 
highest standards of 
governance, in conjunction with 
our Executive Committee.

GOVERNANCE
The UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code) 
sets out the framework of governance for 
premium listed companies within the UK. The 
Code is published by the Financial Reporting 
Council (FRC) and can be found on their website 
www.frc.org.uk. It sets out governance practices 
in relation to board leadership, effectiveness, 
accountability, remuneration and shareholder 
relations. We are pleased to report that we have 
complied with the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2016 (the Code), which is the 
standard against which we measure ourselves. 
This report sets out the Board’s approach and the 
work undertaken during FY 2018/19. Together 
with the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 
123 to 144, it includes details of how the Company 
has applied and complied with the principles and 
provisions of the Code.

In July 2018 the FRC published an updated UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the 2018 Code). The 
2018 Code is applicable for financial years 
beginning on or after 1 January 2019 and for 
Burberry will apply for FY 2019/20. The Board 
received a series of briefings on the 2018 Code 
from the Company Secretary and the Company’s 
external legal advisers and discussed how best to 
align our corporate governance with the new 
requirements. This included reviewing the roles 
and responsibilities of the Board and its 
Committees and reviewing policies and procedures 
in connection to remuneration and succession 
planning. Our stakeholder engagement activities 
are set out on pages 62 to 63. 

In relation to workforce engagement, during 
FY 2019/20 we are building on the wide range 
of engagement activities already undertaken to 
ensure there is meaningful two-way conversation 
with the Board. This will be achieved through 
enhancing the current methods of engagement 

100

GOVERNANCE REPORTEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

GIANLUCA 
FLORE
President of 
Americas and 
Global Retail 
Excellence

MARCO 
GENTILE
President of 
Europe, Middle 
East, India and 
Africa

GAVIN HAIG
Chief 
Commercial 
Officer

ROD MANLEY
Chief Marketing 
Officer

MARCO 
GOBBETTI
Chief Executive 
Officer

JULIE BROWN
Chief Operating 
and Financial 
Officer

ERICA BOURNE
Chief Human 
Resources 
Officer

ROBERTO 
CANEVARI
Chief Supply 
Chain Officer

JUDY 
COLLINSON
Chief 
Merchandising 
Officer

*  Leanne Wood, Chief People, Strategy and Corporate Affairs Officer was a member of the Executive Committee until end of March 2019.

101

BOARD

The Board is responsible for promoting Burberry's 
long-term success. This is achieved through effective 
governance, keeping the interests of stakeholders at the 
fore when making decisions, and ensuring this is regularly 
reviewed and refreshed. The Board provides leadership 
by setting the Group’s strategy and values, ensuring 
alignment with our culture and overseeing 
implementation by management. 

The Board is also responsible for oversight of the 
Group’s governance, internal control and risk 
management, including the Group’s risk appetite. A full 
schedule of matters reserved for the Board’s decision is 
available in the Corporate Governance section of our 
website www.burberryplc.com.

AUDIT COMMITTEE
Chaired by Matthew Key

Responsible for monitoring 
the integrity of Financial 
Statements and reviewing 
the Group’s internal financial 
controls and risk management 
systems, the Internal Audit 
function, and the Group’s 
relationship with the external 
auditor. The Audit Committee 
is supported by the Ethics 
Committee and the 
Risk Committee.

The Audit Committee Report 
can be read on pages 114 
to 119.

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE
Chaired by Orna NíChionna

NOMINATION 
COMMITTEE
Chaired by Gerry Murphy

Determines the Remuneration 
Policy for Executive Director 
remuneration and sets the 
remuneration for the 
Chairman, Executive Directors 
and senior management.

The Directors' Remuneration 
Report can be found on 
pages 123 to 144.

Reviews the composition of 
our Board, ensuring plans are 
in place for orderly succession 
for both Board and senior 
leadership positions, keeping 
in mind the importance of 
diversity and balancing skills 
and experience when 
making appointments.

The Nomination Committee 
Report can be read on pages 
120 to 122.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Board delegates the day-to-day responsibility 
for running the Group to the Chief Executive Officer, 
who is responsible for all commercial, operational, risk 
and financial elements. He is also responsible for 

management and developing the strategic direction for 
consideration and approval by the Board. The Executive 
Committee assists the Chief Executive Officer to 
implement the strategy as approved by the Board. 

102

GOVERNANCE REPORTBOARD ROLES

Our Board currently consists of 11 members, the Chairman, 
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating and Financial 
Officer, and eight independent Non-Executive Directors. 
Directors’ biographies, tenures, key skills and external 
appointments are set out on pages 94 to 97. Our Board has 
determined that all Non-Executive Directors are independent 
and the Chairman was also considered to be independent on 
appointment. The Board considers them to be experienced 
and influential individuals, drawn from a wide range of 
industries and backgrounds with the right skills to promote 
the long-term sustainable success of the Group.

All Directors are appointed to the Board for a fixed three-
year term, subject to annual re-election by shareholders at 
the Company’s AGM. In accordance with the Code, at the 
2019 AGM the Chairman and all the Directors will retire 
and offer themselves for re-election, except Ian Carter 
and Stephanie George who are retiring immediately after 
the AGM.

The Board conducts an annual evaluation of its performance 
and the performance of individual Directors. To ensure the 
Board performs effectively, there is a clear division of 
responsibilities between the leadership of the Board and the 
executive leadership of the business as set out below.

Our Chairman
•  Chairing Board meetings, Nomination Committee meetings 

and the AGM and setting the Board agenda.

•  Ensuring there is effective communication between the 

Board, management, shareholders and the Group’s wider 
stakeholders, while promoting a culture of openness and 
constructive debate.

Our Senior Independent Director
•  Acting as a sounding board for the Chairman.
•  Acting as an intermediary for the other Directors 

where necessary.

•  Chairing meetings in the absence of the Chairman.
•  Being available to shareholders and stakeholders if they 

have any concerns, which they have been unable to resolve 
through normal channels.

•  Together with the Non-Executive Directors, assessing 
the performance of the Chairman on an annual basis.

•  Leading the search and appointment process and 
recommendation to the Board of a new Chairman 
if necessary.

•  A full description of the Senior Independent Director’s 
role and responsibilities can be found in the Corporate 
Governance section of the Group’s website  
www.burberryplc.com.

Our Non-Executive Directors
•  Providing effective and constructive challenge to the 

Board and scrutinising the performance of management.

•  Assisting in the development and approval of the 

Group’s strategy.

•  Reviewing Group financial information and ensuring there 

are effective systems of governance, risk management and 
internal controls in place.

•  Ensuring there is regular, open and constructive dialogue 

with shareholders.

Our Chief Executive Officer
•  Day-to-day management of the Group.
•  Responsible for all commercial, operational, risk and 

financial elements of the Group.

•  Ensuring Directors receive accurate, timely and 

•  Developing the Group’s strategic direction and 

clear information.

implementing the agreed strategy.

•  Overseeing the annual Board evaluation and responsible for 

•  Ensuring effective communication and information flows to 

addressing any subsequent actions.

the Board and the Chairman.

•  Promoting the highest standards of corporate governance.
•  Ensuring the views of stakeholders are taken into account 

•  Representing the Group to external stakeholders.
•  Responsible for the oversight of the following key 

when making decisions.

•  A full description of the Chairman’s role and responsibilities 
can be found in the Corporate Governance section of the 
Group’s website www.burberryplc.com.

functions: Design, Marketing, Digital, Merchandising, 
Supply Chain, Corporate Affairs, Human Resources, 
Strategy and Global Commercial.

•  A full description of the Chief Executive Officer’s role and 
responsibilities can be found in the Corporate Governance 
section of the Group’s website www.burberryplc.com.

103

During the financial year, the Board met for six scheduled 
meetings, including an in-depth two-day session on 
strategy. Directors also devoted time outside scheduled 
meetings for site visits, training and meetings with members 
of senior management.

The Board and Committee agendas were shaped to ensure 
that discussion was focused on our key strategies and 
monitoring activities, as well as reviews of significant issues 
arising during the year. Our ongoing performance against the 
strategic priorities is reviewed at each scheduled meeting.

Set out on the next page is a more detailed breakdown of the 
principal areas of focus for the Board during FY 2018/19.

Our Chief Operating and Financial Officer
•  Supporting the Chief Executive Officer in developing the 

Group’s strategy and its implementation.

•  Overseeing the global finance function and developing the 

Group’s capital allocation framework.

•  Responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate 

internal controls over financial reporting.

•  Representing the Group to external stakeholders.
•  Responsible for oversight of the following key functions: 
Investor Relations, Risk Management, Burberry Business 
Services (BBS), Finance, IT, Tax, Treasury, Trade 
Compliance and Business Transformation.

Our Company Secretary
•  Providing advice and support to the Chairman and 

all Directors.

•  Ensuring the Board receives high-quality information and 

resources in a timely manner so that the Board can operate 
effectively at meetings.

•  Assisting in setting the agenda for Board and 

Committee meetings.

•  Advising and keeping the Board up to date with all matters 

of Corporate Governance.

•  Facilitating the induction programme for new Directors and 

assessing the ongoing training needs for all Directors.

104

GOVERNANCE REPORTPRINCIPAL AREAS OF FOCUS FOR THE BOARD DURING FY 2018/19

TOPIC

ACTIVITY

OUTCOME

Strategic 
review

STRATEGY

•  Receiving updates on the first 

•  Providing feedback, 

questions and challenge 
throughout the process.

•  Decision to approve 

rationalisation of non-
strategic stores.

phase of strategy implementation 
including Riccardo Tisci’s first 
collections and the refreshed 
Thomas Burberry monogram.
•  Assessing market context and 
implications on strategy for 
Product, Communication, Digital, 
Operational Excellence, Inspired 
People and Distribution.

•  Reviewing the store footprint.
•  Discussing the road map, key 

milestones, priorities, risks and 
mitigating actions for each region 
and function underpinning the 
long-term strategic plan.

•  Receiving updates on the future 
of luxury and implications for the 
Group’s strategy.

BBS 

•  Reviewing the ongoing transition 

•  Continued support for BBS 

Withdrawal 
from the EU

Inventory 
disposal

Budget 
and capital 
allocation

MAJOR 
PROJECTS

FINANCE

Proposals 
for new UK 
Corporate 
Governance 
Code

GOVERNANCE

of BBS.

and future plans.

•  Considering the implications of 

•  Preparing for a no-deal 

various scenarios relating to the 
UK’s withdrawal from the EU as 
well as the risk of volatility in 
foreign exchange rates and their 
potential impact on the Company.

•  Discussing the course of action 
regarding the destruction of 
unsaleable finished products and 
lessons learned.

•  Reviewing the sector 

context and considering the 
FY 2019/20 indicative budget and 
financial plan.

•  Considering the indicative capital 

allocation proposals.

scenario across all 
business activities.

•  Ended the practice of 
destroying unsaleable 
finished products.

•  Support in principle with 
final approval of the FY 
2019/20 budget, the 
financial plan and the 
capital allocation proposals 
at the May 2019 meeting.
•  Prior year (March and May 
2018) budget and capital 
allocation approved and 
delivered to plan.

•  Discussing implications of the 

•  Reviewed and approved 

2018 UK Corporate Governance 
Code for Burberry.

updated roles and 
responsibilities of the 
Board and the Board 
committees.

•  Established plans to 
enhance workforce 
engagement processes 
in FY 2019/20 as set out 
on page 100.

105

KEY 
STAKEHOLDERS 
AFFECTED BY 
DECISION MAKING

Customer
Shareholders
Employees

Employees
Shareholders
Communities
Customers

Shareholders
Customers

Shareholder
Employees
Customers
Communities

 
TOPIC

ACTIVITY

OUTCOME

Risk appetite

•  Considering the Board’s 

•  Approval of the Group 

appetite for risk.

risk appetite.

KEY 
STAKEHOLDERS 
AFFECTED BY 
DECISION MAKING

Shareholders
Employees

RISK

Risk deep 
dives

Culture and 
engagement

Talent, 
capabilities 
and leadership

Responsibility

PEOPLE, 
CULTURE AND 
VALUES

Shareholder 
feedback, 
including 
activist 
themes

Board 
evaluation

SHAREHOLDER 
ENGAGEMENT

BOARD
EFFECTIVENESS

•  Refer to pages 74 to 89 

covering the Risk 
and Viability Report for 
further detail.
•  Support for the 

programmes of work 
being undertaken. 

•  Support for immediate 
strategic priorities and 
long-term road map.

Employees
Communities

•  Considering the outcome of the 

reputation audit.

•  Discussing the implications of 
climate change for Burberry.

•  Receiving updates on 

cybersecurity.

•  Reviewing Company-wide 

engagement plans, behaviours 
and other core initiatives in the 
context of the annual employee 
engagement survey results.

•  Discussing core initiatives, such 

•  Ongoing support for 

as career development, the 
leadership programme and 
enhancing capabilities.
•  Discussing our charitable 

activities, including donations 
to The Burberry Foundation  
and the Burberry brand values 
within community and 
charitable giving goals.

•  Reviewing and approving the 
Company’s Modern Slavery 
Statement. 

•  Reviewing updates from the 
Investor Relations team on 
share price, performance 
matters, register activity and 
analyst sentiment.

•  Discussing specific issues 
raised by shareholders.

•  Discussing the outcome of the 

investor perception study.
•  Discussing the results of the 

Board evaluation and reflecting 
on the effectiveness of the 
Board and its Committees.

programmes in place, and 
for the need to maintain 
momentum in this area.
•  Approval in May 2019 to 

donate approximately 1% 
of FY 2018/19 adjusted 
profit before tax to social 
and community causes 
worldwide.

•  Inclusion of activist themes 

Shareholders

within the Board’s 
strategic and/or other 
considerations.

•  Refer to page 107 covering 
the Board evaluation for 
further detail.

Shareholders
Employees
Communities
Customers

106

GOVERNANCE REPORT 
EVALUATING OUR PERFORMANCE IN FY 2018/19 
Our Board undertakes a formal review of its performance 
and that of its Committees each financial year. We are also 
required to conduct an external evaluation once every 
three years.

The Board and Committee effectiveness reviews in 
FY 2018/19 were internally facilitated surveys of the views of 
all respective members and participating senior management. 
The reviews comprised on-line questionnaires using Thinking 
Board, Independent Audit's online questionnaire tool, adapted 
for Burberry which were completed confidentially by each 
respondent and results collated and reported 
without attribution. 

Detailed reports were received by the Chairman, and the 
chairs of each of the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration 
committees as appropriate. The output was discussed by 
the Board in May 2019. In discussion, the Board concluded 
that the Board and its committees continue to operate 
effectively. The Board was considered to have a good 
breadth of skills and experience with areas for development 
being actively addressed.

Non-Executive Directors also reviewed the Chairman’s 
performance. The results were analysed by the Senior 
Independent Director and discussed with the Chairman. It 
was determined that the Chairman had performed effectively 
since his appointment.

The following areas for development and action were agreed 
by the Board and progress will be monitored during the year:

 AREAS OF FOCUS FOR FY 2019/20 

Purpose, culture, values and behaviour  •  Focus on refining and articulating the Company’s purpose.

•  Ensuring the alignment of purpose with the culture, values and behaviours of 

the Company. 

People 

•  Continued focus on executive succession planning and leadership development. 
•  Reviewing remuneration to ensure it encourages the right behaviour consistent with 

purpose, values and strategy. 

Reputation

•  Further understanding development of potential areas of exposure and 

appropriate mitigation.  

107

PROGRESS ON FOCUS AREAS IDENTIFIED IN FY 2017/18 

Action
An evolving internal and external landscape
Enhanced horizon scanning, to 
ensure understanding of the 
implications for Burberry.

  Progress

  The Board strategy meetings held in October 2018 provided an overview of the 

current external environment and highlighted the most significant consumer and 
luxury trends to enable the Board to consider their medium- and longer-term 
implications for Burberry and the industry as a whole. 

Optimising the value of site visits, and 
effective interaction with employees 
and stakeholders.

  Workforce engagement proposals were developed to enhance the Board’s current 

methods of employee engagement.
Implementation of these proposals and continued engagement with all stakeholders 
is an area of focus for FY 2019/20.

  Key risks were identified and managed through the existing risk management 

processes. 

Risk management
Further development of the 
Company’s appetite for risk, with 
risk management on the agenda at 
each meeting.
Developing culture and talent
Ensuring corporate culture and 
employee engagement remains on the 
Board’s agenda.
Executive succession planning, with 
more senior leadership engagement 
and a focus on longer term talent 
development.
Optimisation of the Board composition and contribution
Planning for the future composition of 
the Board, recognising its expected 
further evolution.

  The Board received an update on the outcome of the employee engagement survey. 

  The Nomination Committee received an overview of Executive succession planning. 
In addition, Board members have met with members of the senior leadership team 
on a number of occasions during the year. 

  The continued evolution of the Board and its committees was a key focus of the 

Nomination Committee during FY 2018/19. More information on the Board’s work 
on succession planning and talent development can be found in the Nomination 
Committee report on pages 120 to 122.

Shareholder engagement 
Ensuring effective communication and 
consultation with shareholders.

  The Board received updates from the VP, Investor Relations in July and October 2018 
to provide an overview of the shareholder base and investor sentiment. In addition, 
an independent investor audit took place in January/February 2019 with feedback 
reported to the Board in March 2019.
Since his appointment as Chairman, Gerry Murphy has met shareholders representing 
38% of the share register. Orna NíChionna has engaged with several shareholders in 
her capacity as Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

108

GOVERNANCE REPORTDIRECTORS’ PERFORMANCE
Separately to the Board’s evaluation, the Chairman held 
discussions with each of the Directors to discuss their 
individual performance. This allowed them the opportunity to 
raise any issues they may have had, including in relation to 
any matters of Board/Committee effectiveness. These 
discussions are used as the basis for recommending the 
re-election of Directors by shareholders.

The Board is satisfied that all its Non-Executive Directors 
bring robust, independent oversight and continue to 
remain independent.

CHAIRMAN’S PERFORMANCE 
Our Non-Executive Directors consider that the Chairman has 
performed effectively since his appointment in leading the 
Board during a year of significant change for the Company.

TIME ALLOCATION 
Each of our Non-Executive Directors has a letter of 
appointment, which sets out the terms and conditions of his 
or her directorship. The Non-Executive Directors are 
expected to devote the time necessary to perform their 
duties properly. This is expected to be approximately 20 days 
each year for basic duties.

The Chairman and Senior Independent Director are expected 
to spend additional time over and above this to carry out their 
extra responsibilities. The Chairman, Senior Independent 
Director and Chief Executive Officer also have defined roles 
and responsibilities, which set out the scope of their roles. A 
copy of these roles can be found in the Corporate Governance 
section of the Group’s website www.burberryplc.com. The 
Board considers that the Chairman and all Non-Executive 
Directors have fulfilled their required time commitments.

EXTERNAL DIRECTORSHIPS
Our Board’s Executive Directors are permitted to hold only 
one external non-executive directorship. Details of the 
Directors’ other directorships can be found in their 
biographies on pages 94 to 97.

The table below gives details of Directors’ attendance at 
Board and Committee meetings during the year ended 
30 March 2019. This is expressed as the number of meetings 
attended out of the number that each Director was eligible 
to attend.

Gerry Murphy
Marco Gobbetti
Julie Brown
Fabiola Arredondo
Ian Carter
Jeremy Darroch1
Stephanie George1
Matthew Key
Dame Carolyn McCall
Ron Frasch
Orna NíChionna
Sir John Peace2 

Board1
5/5
6/6 
6/6
6/6
6/6
5/6
5/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
2/2 

Audit
–
–
–
–
–
3/3
–
3/3
3/3
1/1
–
– 

Nomination
3/3
–
–
3/3
3/3
2/3
3/3
3/3
3/3
3/3
3/3
– 

Remuneration
–
–
–
4/4
4/4
–
4/4
2/2
–
4/4
4/4
– 

1.  In the event that Non-Executive Directors were unable to attend a meeting due to prior commitments or illness, where possible, they gave their 

views to the Chair of that respective meeting ahead of the meetings being held.

2. Sir John Peace stepped down from the Board on 12 July 2018.

109

 
INFORMATION FLOW AND PROFESSIONAL 
DEVELOPMENT
Our Chairman works closely with the Company Secretary in 
the planning of agendas and scheduling of Board and 
Committee meetings. Together, they ensure that information 
is made available to Board members on a timely basis and is 
of a quality appropriate to enable the Board to effectively 
carry out its duties.

Our Board is kept up to date on legal, regulatory, 
compliance and governance matters through advice and 
regular papers from the General Counsel, the Company 
Secretary and other advisers.

The Company Secretary assists the Chairman in designing 
and facilitating an induction programme for new Directors 
and their ongoing training. Each newly appointed Director 
receives a formal and tailored induction programme to enable 
them to function effectively as quickly as possible, while 
building a deep understanding of the business. Each induction 
typically consists of meetings with both Executive and 
Non-Executive Directors and briefings from senior managers 
across our key business areas and operations. In addition, 
Non-Executive Directors are provided with opportunities to 
visit key stores, markets and facilities. This includes visits to 
our various operating facilities in the UK. The Chairman 
considers the training needs of individual Directors on an 
ongoing basis.

For Gerry Murphy’s appointment as Chairman, the 
induction programme (as outlined above) was followed, 
with a specific focus on understanding the Group’s strategy 
and stakeholder interests. This also involved meetings 
with shareholders.

The Board has direct access to the advice and services of the 
Company Secretary. The appointment and removal of the 
Company Secretary is a matter reserved for the Board as a 
whole. To carry out their duties, Directors may also obtain 
independent professional advice, if necessary, at the 
Group’s expense.

MANAGING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
All Directors have a duty under the Companies Act 2006 to 
avoid a situation in which they have, or could have, a direct or 
indirect conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest 
with the Company and the Group.

Following the last review, the Board concluded that the 
potential conflicts had been appropriately authorised, no 
circumstances existed, which would necessitate that any 
prior authorisation be revoked or amended, and the 
authorisation process continued to operate effectively.

EVALUATION OF INTERNAL CONTROLS
Our Board is ultimately responsible for the Group’s system of 
internal controls and risk management. It discharges its 
duties in this area by:

•  Determining the nature and extent of the principal risks it 

is willing to accept to achieve the Group’s strategic 
objectives (the Board’s risk appetite).

•  Challenging management’s implementation of effective 

systems of risk identification, assessment and mitigation.

Our Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the 
effectiveness of the Group’s internal controls and risk 
management arrangements. Details of the Group’s risk 
management process and the management and mitigation of 
each principal risk together with the Group’s viability 
statement can be found in our Risk and Viability Report on 
pages 74 to 89.

Ongoing review of these controls is provided through internal 
governance processes and the work of the Group is overseen 
by executive management, particularly the work of the Group 
Internal Audit team and the Risk Committee. Further 
assurance is provided by the reviews conducted by the 
external auditor. Regular reports on these activities are 
provided to the Audit Committee as reflected in the standing 
items on the Audit Committee agenda.

The Board, through the Audit Committee, has conducted a 
robust assessment of our principal risks and internal control 
framework. It has considered the effectiveness of the system 
of internal controls in operation across the Group for the year 
covered by the Annual Report and Accounts and up to the 
date of its approval by the Board. This review covered the 
material controls, including financial, operational and 
compliance, as well as risk management arrangements. No 
significant control weaknesses were identified. The system of 
internal controls is designed to manage rather than eliminate 
the risk of not achieving business objectives, and can only 
provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against 
material misstatement or loss.

Under the Company’s Articles of Association, our Board has 
the authority to approve situational conflicts of interest. It 
has adopted procedures to manage and, where appropriate, 
approve such conflicts. Authorisations granted by the Board 
are recorded by the Company Secretary in a register and are 
noted by the Board at its next meeting.

The process followed by the Board, through the Audit 
Committee, in reviewing regularly the system of internal 
controls and risk management arrangements complies with 
the Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and 
Related Financial and Business Reporting issued by the FRC. 
It also accords with the provisions of the Code.

A review of situational conflicts that have been authorised is 
undertaken by the Board annually.

110

GOVERNANCE REPORTCONTROL ENVIRONMENT
Our business model is based primarily on a central design, 
supply chain and distribution operation to supply products to 
global markets via retail and wholesale channels, including 
digital. This is reflected in our internal control framework, 
which includes centralised direction, resource allocation, 
oversight and risk management of the key activities of 
marketing, inventory management, and brand and technology 
development. We have also established procedures for the 
delegation of authorities to ensure that approval for matters 
that are considered significant is provided at an appropriate 
level. In addition, we have policies and procedures in place 
that are designed to support risk management across the 
Group. These include policies relating to treasury and the 
conduct of employees and third parties with whom we 
conduct business, including prohibiting bribery and 
corruption. These authorities, policies and procedures are 
kept under regular review.

The Group operates a “three lines of defence” model, which 
helps to achieve effective risk management and internal 
control across the organisation.

•  First line of defence: management owns and manages risk 
and is also responsible for implementing corrective actions 
to address process and control deficiencies.

•  Second line of defence: to help ensure the first line is 

properly designed, established and operating effectively, 
management has also established various risk management 
and compliance functions to help build and/or monitor the 
first line of defence. These include, but are not limited to, 
functions such as Group Risk Management, Legal, Brand 
Protection, Company Secretariat, Finance, Health and 
Safety, Data Protection, Asset and Profit Protection, and 
Business Continuity.

•  Third line of defence: Internal Audit provides the Audit 
Committee and management with independent and 
objective assurance on the effectiveness of governance, 
risk management and internal controls. This includes the 
way in which the first and second lines of defence achieve 
risk management and control objectives.

INTERNAL AUDIT
The Internal Audit function is managed under the leadership 
of our Senior Vice President, Risk Management and Internal 
Audit who reports to the Chief Operating and Financial 
Officer but has an independent reporting line to the Chair of 
the Audit Committee.

The scope of Internal Audit work is considered for each 
operating company and Group function. This takes account of 
risk assessments, input from senior management and the 
Audit Committee and previous audit findings. For example, 
this year there was an emphasis on assurance over the 
Group’s major change programme, including a number of 
strategic IT projects. There was also a continued focus on 
cybersecurity and the core financial controls that transferred 
to BBS in Leeds. Changes to the Group’s risk profile are 
considered on an ongoing basis and amendments are made to 
the audit plan as necessary during the year. Any proposed 
changes to the plan are discussed with the Chief Operating 
and Financial Officer and reported to the Audit Committee. 
The effectiveness of Internal Audit is assessed by performing 
an independent review of the function at least every five 
years. The Committee has assessed the effectiveness of 
Internal Audit and is satisfied that the quality, experience and 
expertise of the function are appropriate for the business.

Ongoing visibility of the internal control environment is 
provided through Internal Audit reports to management and 
the Audit Committee. These reports are graded to reflect an 
overall assessment of the control environment under review, 
the significance of any control weaknesses identified, and any 
remedial actions, which have been identified and agreed with 
management. The Audit Committee places high emphasis on 
actions being taken as a result of internal audits. Regular 
reports are provided to the Audit Committee on the status of 
any open actions.

111

 
FAIR, BALANCED AND UNDERSTANDABLE
As a whole, the Annual Report and Accounts are required to 
be fair, balanced and understandable and to provide the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s 
position, performance, business model and strategy. On 
behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee considered whether 
the fair, balanced and understandable statement could 
properly be given on behalf of the Directors. The processes 
followed to provide the Committee with assurance were 
considered and the Committee provided a recommendation 
to the Board that the fair, balanced and understandable 
statement could be given on behalf of the Directors. Based on 
this recommendation, our Board is satisfied that it has met 
this obligation. A summary of the Directors’ responsibilities 
in relation to Financial Statements is set out on page 152. 
The independent auditor's report on page 153 includes a 
statement concerning the auditor's reporting responsibilities.

FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining 
adequate internal controls over financial reporting. These are 
designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of 
Financial Statements for external reporting purposes.

We have comprehensive planning, budgeting, forecasting and 
monthly reporting processes in place. A summary of financial 
results, supported by commentary and performance 
measures, is provided to the Board each month.

In relation to the preparation of Group Financial Statements, 
the controls in place include:

•  A centre of expertise responsible for reviewing 

new developments in reporting requirements and 
standards to ensure that these are reflected in Group 
accounting policies.

•  A global finance structure consisting of employees 

with the appropriate expertise to ensure that Group 
policies and procedures are correctly applied. Effective 
management and control of the finance structure is 
achieved through our finance leadership team, consisting 
of key finance employees from the regions, BBS and 
London headquarters.

Our reporting process is supported by transactional and 
consolidation finance systems. Reviews of controls are 
carried out by senior finance management. The results of 
these reviews are considered by the Board as part of its 
monitoring of the performance of controls around financial 
reporting controls.

The Audit Committee reviews the application of financial 
reporting standards and any significant accounting 
judgements made by management. These matters are also 
discussed with the external auditor.

112

GOVERNANCE REPORTOTHER GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURES
The Group is committed to acting with integrity and 
transparency on all tax matters and complying fully with the 
letter and spirit of the relevant tax law. The Group will only 
engage in responsible tax planning aligned with our 
commercial and economic activity. We will not use tax 
structures or undertake artificial transactions, the sole 
purpose of which is to create a contrived tax result. For 
example, we exclude transactions with parties based in tax 
haven jurisdictions when the transactions are not in the 
ordinary course of Group trading business or which could be 
perceived as artificially transferring value to low tax 
jurisdictions. We are also committed to engaging in open and 
constructive relationships with tax authorities in the 
territories in which we operate. The Group tax strategy is 
implemented through the Group’s tax policy, which directs 
and aligns our tax planning, reporting and compliance 
activities with the Group’s strategic objectives. Further 
information regarding the Group tax strategy is provided 
at www.burberryplc.com.

Tax governance framework
Our Chief Operating and Financial Officer is responsible for 
the Company’s tax strategy and the transparency and 
effectiveness of the Group's corporate tax processes and 
disclosures. The tax strategy is implemented with the 
assistance of the finance leadership team and global tax and 
trade compliance teams. Compliance with the tax strategy is 
reviewed on an ongoing basis as part of the regular financial 
planning cycle. The Group’s tax status is reported regularly to 
the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for 
monitoring the Group's tax strategy and significant tax 
matters. Audit Committee meetings are attended by a 
number of Group officers and employees as outlined on 
page 116.

Share capital
Further information about the Company’s share capital, 
including substantial shareholdings, can be found in the 
Directors’ Report on page 147.

ENGAGEMENT WITH SHAREHOLDERS
The Board recognises the importance of regular, open and 
constructive dialogue with shareholders throughout the year.

Our Investor Relations team participated in over 300 investor 
meetings and events during the financial year. As well as 
introducing our new Chairman to top shareholders, meetings 
were also held with a combination of our Senior Independent 
Director, the Chair of the Remuneration Committee, 
Executive Directors and other members of senior 
management, totalling over 100 meetings. This engagement 
included presentations to institutional shareholders and 
analysts following the release of the Group’s Half and  
Full Year results (available on the Group’s website at  
www.burberryplc.com), as well as meetings with the  
Group’s 20 largest investors.

Topics discussed in investor meetings included, but were not 
limited to, luxury sector growth dynamics, the Group’s 
strategic plans, early progress against our strategy, and our 
current business performance.

Our Investor Relations and Company Secretariat 
departments act as the centre for ongoing communication 
with shareholders, investors and analysts. The Board receives 
regular updates about the views of the Group’s major 
shareholders and stakeholders from these departments as 
well as via direct contact.

We also conducted an independent investor perception audit 
of our major investors through KPMG Makinson Cowell, a 
capital markets advisory firm, the outcomes of which were 
discussed with the Board at the March meeting.

113

REPORT OF THE AUDIT 
COMMITTEE

DEAR SHAREHOLDER,
I am pleased to present the FY 2018/19 report of 
the Audit Committee. The purpose of this report is 
to describe how we have carried out our 
responsibilities during the year.

The role of the Audit Committee is to monitor and 
review the integrity of financial information and to 
provide assurance to the Board that the Group’s 
internal controls and risk management systems 
are appropriate and regularly reviewed. We also 
oversee the work of the external auditor, 
approve their remuneration and recommend 
their appointment. In addition to the disclosure 
requirements relating to audit committees 
under the Code, the Committee’s report sets 
out areas of significant and particular focus for 
the Committee.

Over the course of FY 2018/19, we continued to 
focus on our usual work as set out on page 116. As 
indicated in last year's report, we have continued 
to pay particular attention to the Group’s risk 
management, its risk reporting framework and 
risk mitigation covering each principal risk on a 
regular basis. Some of the more in-depth areas of 
focus included a rolling programme of risk topics 
such as cyber resilience, supply chain and quality.

During the year, we undertook an external 
audit tender in accordance with the UK’s 
implementation of the EU’s mandatory firm 
rotation requirements. Details of the tender 
process are set out on page 119. After reviewing 
written proposals and hearing presentations 
from the participating firms, the Committee 
recommended to the Board that Ernst & Young 
LLP (EY) be appointed as auditor from 
FY 2020/21.

MATTHEW KEY
Chair, Audit Committee

114

GOVERNANCE REPORTThe Committee also considered the significant 
matters set out in the table on page 117. Where 
these related to the Financial Statements for the 
year, the Committee requested papers from 
management setting out its approach, the key 
estimates and judgements applied, as well as 
management’s recommendations. The Committee 
reviewed and challenged these papers, together 
with the findings of the external auditor, in order 
to conclude on the appropriateness of the 
treatment in the Financial Statements. All 
matters reviewed were concluded to the 
satisfaction of the Committee.

“I am confident that the 
Committee has carried 
out its duties in the year 
effectively and to a 
high standard.” 

The Committee confirms that during 
FY 2018/19, the Group has complied with the 
mandatory audit processes and audit committee 
responsibilities provisions of the Competition and 
Markets Authority Statutory Audit Services 
Order 2014. This report describes the work of the 
Committee in discharging its responsibilities.

The Committee has a constructive and open 
relationship with management and I thank them on 
behalf of the Committee for their assistance 
during the year. I am confident that the 
Committee has carried out its duties in the year 
effectively and to a high standard.

PricewaterhouseCoopersLLP has continued to 
provide robust challenge throughout the audit 
process and I thank them for their work.

MATTHEW KEY
Chair, Audit Committee

115

AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Jeremy Darroch, Matthew Key and Dame Carolyn McCall 
served as members of the Committee throughout the year 
ending 30 March 2019. Ron Frasch was appointed as a 
member of the Committee on 7 November 2018. Matthew 
Key succeeded Jeremey Darroch as Chair of the Committee 
with effect from 6 February 2019.

The Committee met three times during the year, and all 
Committee members attended all meetings. In addition to the 
scheduled meetings, the Chair of the Committee met 
separately with representatives of the external auditor and 
senior members of the finance function on a regular basis, 
including prior to each meeting. In addition, he met with other 
members of management on an ad-hoc basis as required to 
fulfil his duties.

Regular attendees at Committee meetings include the 
Chairman of the Board; Chief Operating and Financial Officer; 
Chief People, Strategy and Corporate Affairs Officer; 
Company Secretary; Senior Vice President, Risk Management 
and Audit; Senior Vice President, Group Finance; Vice 
President, Group Financial Controller; the General Counsel, 
and representatives of the external auditor.

The Board is satisfied that both Jeremy Darroch and 
Matthew Key have recent and relevant financial experience, 
and that all other Committee members have past 
employment experience in either finance or accounting roles, 
or broad consumer experience and knowledge of financial 
reporting and/or international businesses. As a whole, the 
Board is satisfied that the Audit Committee has competence 
relevant to the business sector. Details of their experience 
can be found in their biographies on pages 94 to 97.

ROLE OF THE COMMITTEE
The main roles and responsibilities of the Committee are set 
out in written terms of reference, which are available on the 
Company’s website at www.burberryplc.com. The Committee 
reviews its terms of reference annually and this year 
recommended changes to the Board for approval. In light 
of its key responsibilities, the Committee considered the 
following items of usual business during the financial year 
in relation to:

•  Financial Reports: the integrity of the Group’s 

Financial Statements and formal announcements of 
the Group’s performance.

•  Risk and Internal Controls: the Group’s internal financial, 

operational and compliance controls and risk identification 
and management systems. Review of Group policies for 
identifying and assessing risks and arrangements for 
employees to raise concerns (in confidence) about 
possible improprieties.

•  Viability: consideration of the Group’s viability statement 

as set out on pages 88 to 89.

•  Internal Audit: review of the annual internal audit 

programme and the consideration of findings of any 
internal investigations and management’s response. Review 
of effectiveness of the Internal Audit function.

•  External Auditor: recommending the appointment of 
external auditor, approving their remuneration and 
overseeing their work. Policies on the engagement of the 
external auditors for the supply of non-audit services.

116

GOVERNANCE REPORTSignificant matters for the 
year ended 30 March 2019   How the Audit Committee addressed these matters 
Transaction for the 
acquisition of leather 
goods centre of excellence 
in Italy

  In September 2018, we completed the acquisition of a company, containing a division of one of our 

long-standing Italian partners and created a new leather goods centre of excellence, known as 
Burberry Manifattura. The Committee reviewed management’s proposal on the accounting for 
this transaction, including the estimates applied to the fair value of consideration, acquired 
assets and liabilities and goodwill arising from the transaction. The Committee considered 
management’s proposed approach to impairment testing, the goodwill arising from this 
transaction and the disclosure of the transaction in the Financial Statements. Disclosure of the 
impact of this transaction is set out in note 28 of the Financial Statements.

Impairment assessment of 
property, plant and 
equipment and onerous 
lease provisions 

The recoverability of the 
cost of inventory and the 
resulting amount of 
provisioning required 

  The Committee considered management’s assessment of the recoverability of the carrying value 
of retail assets held in property, plant and equipment, and, where applicable, the potential need 
for provisions relating to onerous lease contracts. The Committee considered the approach 
applied by management to review for potential indicators of impairment and the assumptions 
applied in this review. Where impairments were identified, the Committee considered the reasons 
for the impairment and management’s quantification of the impairment. The results of the 
impairment assessment of retail assets are set out in note 14 of the Financial Statements. 
  The Committee considered the Group’s current provisioning policy, the expected loss rates on 
inventory held at the balance sheet date and the nature and condition of current inventory. 
Following the announcement that the Group would cease the practice of destroying unsaleable 
finished products, management carried out a detailed review of inventory and provisioning, 
including the expected future use of problem inventory and the impact on inventory provisioning. 
Movements in inventory provisioning are set out in note 17 of the Financial Statements. 

Income and deferred taxes    The Committee reviewed the Group’s tax strategy, developments relating to discussions with tax 

Adoption of new 
accounting standards 

Fair, balanced and 
understandable reporting 

authorities, the status of any ongoing tax audits, and their impact on the Financial Statements. The 
Committee reviewed and challenged the appropriateness of assumptions and estimates applied in 
order to estimate the amount of assets and liabilities to be recognised in relation to uncertain 
income tax and deferred tax positions. As a result of this review and reflecting developments during 
the year, the Committee concluded that uncertain tax positions should be presented as a key source 
of estimation (see note 1). The Committee concluded that the assets and liabilities recognised and 
disclosures contained in the Financial Statements for the period were appropriate. Details of 
movements in tax balances are set out in notes 10 and 15 of the Financial Statements and further 
disclosure of tax contingent liabilities is given in note 31. The potential impact of adopting IFRIC 23 
in the following year’s Financial Statements was also reviewed. 

  The Committee reviewed the adoption of two new accounting standards, IFRS 9 and IFRS 15, in 

the current year’s Financial Statements. The Committee reviewed management’s final 
assessment of the impacts of the standards, the changes to accounting policies relating to these 
new standards, and the adoption disclosures in the financial statements. The Committee also 
reviewed management’s plans for the adoption of IFRS 16 for the year ended 28 March 2020, 
including the choice of adoption approach, the status of the adoption project and the disclosure of 
the impact of adoption in the current year’s Financial Statements. The impacts of new accounting 
standards are set out in note 1 of the Financial Statements. 

  The Committee considered the Annual Report and Interim Report, on behalf of the Board, to 
ensure that they were fair, balanced and understandable, in accordance with requirements of 
the UK Corporate Governance Code. As part of this review, the Committee reviewed the report 
from the strategic report drafting team, highlighting key considerations. The Committee 
considered comments arising from the review of the Financial Statements by the Executive 
Directors. The Committee also considered the use of alternative performance measures by the 
Group, including the appropriateness of their current use and their disclosure in the Financial 
Statements and Strategic Report. The Committee concluded that their current use was fair, 
balanced and understandable. 

Other matters

  At the May and November meetings, the Committee also considered management’s papers on the 

following subjects:
•  assessment of the carrying value of goodwill 
•  recognition and measurement of adjusting items for restructuring costs.

117

EXTERNAL AUDITOR
The Committee oversees the work undertaken by 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). During the year, the 
Committee met with the external auditor without members of 
management being present.

Appointment and fees
The Committee’s primary responsibility is to make a 
recommendation on the appointment, reappointment and 
removal of the external auditor. Every year, the Committee 
assesses the qualifications, expertise, resources and 
independence of the external auditor, and the effectiveness 
of the previous audit process. Over the course of the year, the 
Committee reviewed the audit process and the quality and 
experience of the audit partners engaged in the audit. The 
Committee also reviewed the proposed audit fee and terms 
of engagement for FY 2018/19. Details of the fees paid to 
the external auditor during the financial year can be found in 
note 8 to the Financial Statements.

In 2018, the Committee approved the reappointment, 
remuneration and terms of engagement of PwC as the 
Group’s external auditor for FY 2018/19. The Committee 
recommended that the Board proposes to shareholders that 
PwC be reappointed as the Group’s external auditor at the 
Group’s forthcoming AGM.

PwC has remained in place as auditor since prior to the Initial 
Public Offering (IPO) of the Company in 2002. The firm was 
reappointed with a new lead audit partner following a formal 
tender process undertaken by the Group for FY 2010/11. The 
external auditor is required to rotate the audit engagement 
partner every five years. The current engagement partner, 
Paul Cragg, began his appointment from FY 2015/16. As a 
result of the UK’s implementation of the EU’s mandatory 
firm rotation requirements, the Company is required to 
replace PwC with another firm of auditors no later than 
for the financial year commencing 29 March 2020. The 
Committee conducted a competitive tender during FY 
2018/19 as identified in the FY 2017/18 Annual Report. 
Further information on the tender process is set out on 
page 119.

NON-AUDIT SERVICES
The Committee recognises that the independence of the 
external auditor is an essential part of the audit framework 
and the assurance that it provides. In line with the Revised 
Ethical Standard issued by the FRC in June 2016, the 
Committee has adopted a policy, which sets out a framework 
for determining whether it is appropriate to engage the 
Group’s auditor for non-audit services and pre-approving 
non-audit fees.

The overall objective is to ensure that the provision of 
non-audit services does not impair the external auditor's 
independence or objectivity. This includes, but is not 
limited to, assessing:

•  any threats to independence and objectivity resulting 

from the provision of such services;

•  any safeguards in place to eliminate or reduce these 
threats to a level where they would not compromise 
the auditor’s independence and objectivity;

•  the nature of the non-audit services; and
•  whether the skills and experience of the audit firm make 
it the most suitable supplier of the non-audit service.

The value of non-audit services that can be billed by the 
external auditor is restricted by a cap, which is set at 70% of 
the average audit fees for the preceding three years as 
defined by the FRC.

During FY 2018/19 Burberry’s external auditor has not 
undertaken non-audit work, which exceeded this threshold.

Proposed fees above £100,000 are approved by the Chair 
of the Audit Committee. Non-audit services with a value 
below £100,000 and which are in line with the Group’s policy 
have been pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Compliance 
with the policy of engaging the Group’s auditor for non-audit 
services and pre-approving non-audit fees is reviewed and 
monitored by the Senior Vice President, Risk Management 
and Internal Audit. These fees must be activity based and 
not success related. At the half year and year end, the 
Audit Committee reviews all non-audit services provided by 
the auditor during the period, and the fees relating to 
these services.

During the year, the Group spent £0.3 million on non-audit 
services provided by PwC (14% of the average of Group audit 
fees received over the last three years). Further details can 
be found in note 8 to the Financial Statements.

118

GOVERNANCE REPORTExternal audit tender process
The Audit Committee commenced a tendering process in 
2018. The process was led by a steering group chaired by the 
Chief Operating and Financial Officer with support from 
Senior Vice President, Group Risk Management and Internal 
Audit, Senior Vice President, Group Finance and Vice 
President, Group Financial Controller. An overview of the 
tender process is set out below.

Selection Criteria
Selection criteria were agreed by the steering group in 
conjunction with the Chair of the Audit Committee. 
Key elements included sector experience, business 
understanding, audit approach, quality and service and 
strength of team. The evaluation was based on the 
interactions between Burberry and the firms throughout 
the process.

June to September 
2018

•  Audit tender request for 

proposal issued.

•  Two firms confirm they will 
participate in the tender.
•  Audit Committee Chair and 

management consider suitable audit 
firms to determine their capability.

•  Interviews with Audit Committee 

Chair, Chairman of the Board, Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Operating 
and Financial Officer.

•  Presentations and interviews with 

key stakeholders, including 
technical exercises.

•  Submission of tender documents by 

the firms.

•  References taken.
•  Presentations by firms to 

Audit Committee.

•  Initial recommendation made by Audit 

Committee to the Board.

•  Agreement of commercial terms 

and fees.

October 2018

November 2018

•  Final decision and recommendation to 

the Board.

Invitation to tender
Ernst & Young LLP (EY) and KPMG LLP were invited to 
tender, Deloitte LLP was conflicted and therefore unable to 
participate. Second-tier firms were considered for the audit 
tender but declined to participate. Each firm submitted a 
detailed tender document, and presented their proposals to 
the Audit Committee, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive 
Officer, Chief Operating and Financial Officer and other 
members of the senior management team.

Final selection
Following the presentations, the Audit Committee, Chairman 
of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating 
and Financial Officer discussed the relative strengths and 
weaknesses of the firms. The Committee agreed that both 
firms were credible candidates and had submitted and 
presented high-quality proposals. On balance, the Committee 
members identified EY as the preferred candidate and 
recommended to the Board their appointment as external 
auditor from FY 2020/21, subject to shareholder approval at 
the AGM in 2020. EY will shadow PwC for FY 2019/20. 

119

NOMINATION 
COMMITTEE REPORT

GERRY MURPHY
Chair, Nomination Committee

NOMINATION COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
All the Non-Executive Directors served as 
members of the Committee throughout the year 
ending 30 March 2019. Sir John Peace was a 
member and Chair of the Committee until his 
retirement from the Board on 12 July 2018. Gerry 
Murphy has been a member of the Committee 
since his appointment to the Board on 17 May 
2018 and became Chair of the Committee 
following the retirement of Sir John Peace.

The Committee met three times during the year 
and, with the exception of one meeting, all 
members attended all meetings. Where members 
were unable to attend, they provided feedback to 
the Chair on the matters to be discussed In 
advance of the meeting.

Regular attendees at Committee meetings 
included: the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief 
People, Strategy and Corporate Affairs Officer, 
and the Company Secretary.

ROLE OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committee is responsible for keeping 
under review the composition of our Board 
and succession planning for senior leadership 
positions. The main roles and responsibilities of 
the Committee are set out in written terms of 
reference, which are available on the Company’s 
website at www.burberryplc.com. The Committee 
reviews its terms of reference annually and this 
year recommended changes to the Board for 
approval. In light of its key responsibilities, the 
Committee considered the following items of usual 
business during the financial year in relation to:

•  the structure, size and composition of the Board 

and its committees;

•  succession planning for the Board and the 

Executive Committee;

•  the independence and time commitments of 

Non-Executive Directors;

•  the Board’s policy on diversity as it relates to 

appointments to the Board;

•  the Committee’s effectiveness; and
•  the Committee’s terms of reference.

120

GOVERNANCE REPORT“The Committee is 

responsible for keeping 
under review the 
composition of our 
Board and succession 
planning for senior 
leadership positions.”

The Committee continues to work diligently to 
assist the Board with building on its relevant skills 
and competencies, according to our Board 
succession plan.

The principal activities of the Committee during 
the year included the continued evolution of the 
Board in light of the review of the structure and 
composition of our Board. 

In relation to our Non-Executive Directors, the 
Committee has continued to focus on building 
relevant skills and competencies for the future 
under its succession plan. During the year, the 
Committee considered the composition of the 
Board's committees and in November 2018, 
recommended the appointment of Ron Frasch as a 
member of the Audit Committee and Matthew Key 
as a member of the Remuneration Committee.  In 
February 2019, the Committee also recommended 
Matthew Key succeed Jeremy Darroch as Chair of 
the Audit Committee. 

As required by the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, Director's offer themselves for annual 
re-election. The Committee considered the annual 
re-election of Directors at the AGM based on 
Director performance, independence, time 
commitments and tenure. The Committee 
recommended that, with the exception of 
Stephanie George and Ian Carter, all Directors 
stand for re-election at the forthcoming AGM.

121

DIVERSITY
Board succession planning is focused on ensuring the 
Board has the right mix of skills and experience. All new 
appointments are based on merit, keeping in mind the 
Board's composition principles. These principles have been 
designed to:

•  Maintain current core competencies;
•  Add new competencies, which reflect the evolution of 

the Group’s business;

•  Ensure compatibility with Burberry’s culture 

and values; and

•  Promote diversity, including in terms of gender, social and 

ethnic backgrounds, cognitive and personal strengths.

We believe that diverse boards with the appropriate 
competencies and values are better boards. The Board 
supports the Hampton-Alexander Review target for women 
to represent one-third of directors by 2020. Our Board’s 
current membership comprises 45% women, which exceeds 
this target. With respect to women holding senior-leadership 
positions at Burberry, we were very pleased to note that 
Burberry was recognised as being the top FTSE 100 
performer in the 2018 Hampton Alexander Review. We also 
endorse the spirit of the Parker Review, which aims to 
encourage greater ethnic diversity on UK boards. We will 
continue to monitor diversity and take appropriate steps to 
maintain our position as a meritocratic and diverse business.

We also believe that a diverse workforce not only encourages 
better performance, but also creates a more inclusive working 
environment with more engaged colleagues. We champion the 
development of all of our people and ensure that employees of 
all backgrounds are treated equally. 

122

GOVERNANCE REPORTDIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION 
REPORT

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION AT A GLANCE PAGE 127

SUMMARY REMUNERATION POLICY AND 
FY 2019/20 IMPLEMENTATION PAGE 130

ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION 
PAGE 132 TO 144

132

FY 2018/19 total single figure remuneration

132

Salary, pension and benefits

133 Annual bonus

134

Executive Share Plan

136

Share interests and shareholding guidelines

138 CEO remuneration relative to employees

139

Further information on remuneration for 
Executive Directors

141 Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration

143 Remuneration Committee in FY 2018/19

ORNA NíCHIONNA
Chair, Remuneration Committee

DEAR SHAREHOLDER,
I am pleased to present to you the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report (DRR) for the year ended 30 
March 2019, which has been approved by both the 
Remuneration Committee (the Committee) and 
the Board.

This year, we have continued to evolve our 
remuneration reporting with the aim of providing 
ever greater clarity and transparency around 
executive remuneration at Burberry and its 
linkage  with our strategy, performance and the 
wider business.

The report sets out the remuneration outcomes 
for FY 2018/19, a year in which we have made 
excellent progress in the execution of our multi-
year plan to transform Burberry.

For FY 2019/20, we will continue to operate under 
our current Remuneration Policy. A summary of 
this Policy, and the key decisions made by the 
Committee for the year ahead, is set out on page 
130. This includes how we are responding to the 
changes in the UK Corporate Governance Code 
and to evolving investor expectations.

123

STRATEGIC CONTEXT
As outlined in the Strategic Report on pages 22 to 41, we 
are currently on a multi-year journey to transform and 
reposition Burberry firmly in luxury fashion. As we set out at 
the start, FY 2018/19 and FY 2019/20 are foundational years 
where we will re-energise our brand, rationalise our 
distribution and manage through the creative transition, after 
which we will accelerate and grow. In FY 2018/19, we achieved 
our year one financial, strategic and operational objectives, 
which has given us huge confidence as we look forward to 
FY 2019/20.

FY 2018/19 PERFORMANCE AND REMUNERATION 
OUTCOMES
During FY 2018/19, we embarked on the first stage of our 
strategy, making excellent progress in building the 
foundations for our transformation. Key annual performance 
highlights, taken into account by the Committee when 
considering incentive outcomes, include:

•  In the first half of the year, we launched our new creative 
vision with a new logo and refreshed Thomas Burberry 
monogram and a new product aesthetic, starting with 
Riccardo Tisci’s debut runway collection Kingdom. We 
asserted our leadership in digital innovation with the 
introduction of our award-winning B Series, a monthly drop 
of limited-edition products sold on social platforms.
•  We also started to align our distribution network to our 
new creative vision. We refreshed stores in key fashion 
cities, including London, Paris, New York, Seoul, Shanghai 
and Tokyo. In wholesale, we accelerated the closure of 
non-luxury doors in the US, while opening new, image-
driving locations around the world to reach new customers 
and reinforce our brand positioning.

•  These initiatives combined to re-ignite brand heat and 
drove increased engagement from industry insiders, 
influencers, press and wholesale partners.

•  Against the backdrop of our strategic transformation, we 

delivered FY 2018/19 results in line with guidance. Revenue 
was £2.7 billion, flat at reported rates, but up 2% at 

constant exchange rates (CER), excluding Beauty 
wholesale. Reported operating profit was £437 million, up 
7%. Adjusted operating profit was £438 million, unchanged 
at CER. Adjusted EPS was 82.1p, up 7% at CER. Our 
performance was underpinned by operational and financial 
discipline, delivering £105 million of cumulative cost 
savings, which was ahead of plan and enabled us to 
self-fund our transformation. The full year dividend per 
share was up 3% to 42.5p, in line with our progressive 
dividend policy.

•  We made significant progress on our Responsibility 

Agenda, earning recognition as the leading luxury brand in 
the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Key achievements 
included ending the practice of destroying unsaleable 
finished products, stopping the use of real fur and pledging 
to reduce plastic usage in our supply chain.

•  Our progress was reflected in returns for our investors, 

as we delivered total shareholder return in excess of 15% 
over the year, outperforming the FTSE 100 and most 
sector peers.

The FY 2018/19 annual bonus for the Executive Directors was 
based on Adjusted PBT, with targets set by the Committee in 
the context of the first phase of the strategic transition 
described above. Adjusted PBT (CER) was above target, 
resulting in a payout of 60% of maximum. The full target 
range is disclosed on page 133.

The 2016 Executive Share Plan (ESP) award was based on 
three performance metrics, measured over the three-year 
period to 30 March 2019. Growth in Revenue of 0.8% per 
annum (CER) was just below the threshold target, while 
three-year average Adjusted Retail/Wholesale ROIC of 15.7% 
was above the top end of the target range. Adjusted PBT 
(CER) growth of -6.1% per annum was below the target 
range, reflecting that the targets for this award had been set 
prior to the commencement of the strategic transformation. 
This performance will result in overall vesting of the 2016 
ESP awards for the Executive Directors of 25% of maximum.

“This year, we have continued 
to evolve our remuneration 
reporting with the aim of 
providing ever greater clarity.”

124

GOVERNANCE REPORT•  Reviewing discretion to adjust incentive outcomes. 

The Committee also reviewed the discretionary powers 
available in respect of the bonus and ESP and concluded 
that the framework which already exists in our 2017 
Remuneration Policy remains appropriate. In assessing 
outcomes for FY 2018/19, the Committee took into account 
the broader performance context, as described above.
•  Achieving long-term alignment between executives 

and shareholders. The Committee noted that our reward 
framework already contains a number of structural 
features designed to foster long-term alignment with 
investors. Our shareholding guideline of 300% of salary is 
upper quartile for our company size and is delivered via a 
bonus investment requirement. In addition, vested ESP 
awards cannot normally be sold for a period of five years 
from grant. At the same time, the Committee notes the 
new Code requirement for a “policy for post-employment 
shareholding requirements” and is committed to reviewing 
our structures in this area as part of our forthcoming 
Remuneration Policy review.

REMUNERATION POLICY
Our current Remuneration Policy was approved by over 93% 
of shareholders at the 2017 AGM. In line with UK regulations, 
we will need to seek approval for a new Remuneration Policy 
at the 2020 AGM.

The Committee is aware of the observation made by some 
shareholders and proxy agencies around the significant 
weighting of Adjusted PBT within the overall incentive 
framework prescribed by our current Policy. We also 
recognise the importance of ensuring that incentives align 
with strategic objectives and with business KPIs, which we 
use to report our performance externally and drive 
performance internally.

As indicated in last year’s report, during FY 2018/19 the 
Committee considered the possibility of seeking to introduce 
a new Remuneration Policy at the 2019 AGM, a year earlier 
than required by the regulations. However, the Committee 
subsequently concluded that it would be preferable to wait 
until the 2020 AGM in order to better align the new Policy, 
including the selection of annual and long-term performance 
metrics, with the second phase of our transformation 
strategy from FY 2020/21, as described above. I can confirm 
that it is the Committee’s current expectation that our new 
Policy will result in a broadening of the number of 
performance measures in our incentive framework. I intend to 
consult closely with shareholders as we develop that Policy.

Over the three-year performance period, Burberry delivered 
total shareholder return of 17% per annum, exceeding both 
the FTSE 100 and most sector peers, and resulting in the 
creation of over £3 billion of incremental value for our 
investors. The value to be received by the Executive Directors 
from their 2016 ESP awards reflects this value creation, 
illustrating the direct alignment with shareholders.

The ESP shares to be received by our Executive Directors on 
vesting will be subject to a post-vesting holding period, in 
accordance with the terms of our Remuneration Policy.

The Committee believes that the bonus and ESP outcomes 
appropriately reflected the broader performance context 
outlined above. As a result, no discretion was exercised by the 
Committee in respect of either outcome.

CHANGES TO THE UK CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE
The Committee noted and welcomed the changes made to the 
Code during 2018 in respect of executive remuneration. The 
Committee also closely monitored investor guidance and best 
practice, which continues to evolve rapidly.

In response, the Committee undertook reviews in a number of 
areas leading to the following actions:

•  Further reducing pensions for new Executive Director 
hires. In our 2017 Remuneration Policy, we reduced the 
level of pension provision for new Executive Director hires 
from 30% to 20% of salary. In light of the new Code, the 
Committee reviewed this policy again and decided to 
further reduce the level of pension for any new Executive 
Director hires to 15% of salary, which took effect from 31 
March 2019. Burberry operates a defined contribution 
pension scheme for all UK employees where, in line with 
common market practice, the level of company contribution 
operates on a scaled basis from 6% of salary to 15% of 
salary, based on a number of factors including seniority and 
role. The changes to pension policy for new Executive 
Directors would align with this framework, which applies to 
the UK workforce. The Committee will keep this under 
review, including as a part of our forthcoming 
Remuneration Policy review (see page 132).

•  Strengthening malus and clawback provisions. Our current 
malus and clawback provisions, which have been in place 
since 2015, can be applied in the event of a material 
misstatement of accounts or where the incentive outcome 
has been incorrectly calculated. For bonus and ESP awards 
made from 2019 onwards, this framework has been 
strengthened to allow the provision to also be invoked in 
the event of serious misconduct. We will ensure plan 
documentation supports the enforceability of the provision, 
in line with investor guidance. The full terms of the new 
provision are set out on page 136.

125

BROADER EMPLOYEE REWARD
When considering the remuneration arrangements for the 
Executive Directors and the Executive Committee, the 
Committee continues to take into account remuneration 
throughout the Group.

During the year, the Committee considered information 
on the policies and practices which exist throughout the 
business. We noted that, although Burberry has a diverse 
global workforce, the same broad underlying framework 
for remuneration and reward is cascaded throughout the 
Group, most notably the significant role of performance-
based remuneration, including participation in long-term 
share awards. We also discussed our approach to, and results 
of, Burberry’s gender pay gap reporting.

In line with the commitment we gave last year, we have 
chosen to voluntarily disclose our CEO pay ratio ahead of the 
requirement coming in to force next year (see page 138).

As referred to on page 100, we have reviewed our workforce 
engagement activities and during FY 2019/20 are building on 
the wide range of engagement activities already undertaken 
to ensure there is meaningful two-way conversation with the 
Board including in the area of remuneration.

FY 2019/20 REMUNERATION APPROACH
In FY 2019/20, we will continue to operate under the current 
Remuneration Policy. A summary of this Policy, and how it 
will be applied in the year, is set out on pages 130 to 131.

Key decisions by the Committee in respect of FY 2019/20 
include:

•  Marco Gobbetti and Julie Brown will both receive a salary 

increase of 1.6% with effect from 1 July 2019. These 
increases align directly with the average increase across 
the broader UK employee population of 1.6% whilst also 
reflecting both the ongoing need to remain competitive in 
the global luxury goods market and their performance 
during the year. 

•  The annual bonus will continue to be based on Adjusted 

PBT as prescribed by our current Policy. The targets have 
been set in the context of our ongoing strategic 
transformation and are considered by the Committee to be 
at least as stretching as those set in prior years. The 
targets will be disclosed in next year’s report, due to 
commercial sensitivity.

•  There are also no changes to the performance measures or 
weightings for the 2019 ESP award, which will continue to 
be focused on profitability, revenue, and the efficient use of 
capital, as prescibed by our current Policy.

•  The performance target ranges for the 2019 award reflect 
the anticipated acceleration of growth as we move into the 
second phase of the transformation strategy while 
remaining appropriately stretching in the context of 
continued market uncertainty and execution risk. The 
Revenue target range of 3% to 8% (2018 award: 1% to 
5.5%) and the Adjusted PBT (CER) target range of 4% to 
12% (2018 award: 0% to 7.5%) have both significantly 
increased from last year’s award.

ENGAGEMENT WITH SHAREHOLDERS
We remain committed to ongoing engagement with our 
shareholders to ensure an open and transparent dialogue 
around executive remuneration arrangements at Burberry.

During the year, I engaged with a significant proportion 
of shareholders on our proposals in response to the Code and 
our intention to seek a new Policy vote at the 2020 AGM. 
We received valuable feedback and good support from 
those consulted.

I would like to thank shareholders for all their feedback this 
year. I look forward to gaining your support on the 
Remuneration Report at the Annual General Meeting in July 
and to engaging again later this year as we develop our 
proposals for 2020.

ORNA NÍCHIONNA
Chair, Remuneration Committee

“We remain committed to ongoing 

engagement with our shareholders to 
ensure an open and transparent dialogue 
around executive remuneration 
arrangements at Burberry.”

126

GOVERNANCE REPORTEXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION AT A GLANCE

This section illustrates how our remuneration framework supports 
the delivery of our strategy, summarises our Remuneration Policy, 
including key changes for FY 2019/20, and explains the outcomes 
from the implementation of our Policy during FY 2018/19. 

STRATEGY

FINANCIAL KPIs

R I B U T I O N

T

D I S

COMM

U

NIC

R   R E V ENUE DRI

V

E

FO U

T
C
U
D
O
R
P

A

T

I

O

N

D

I

G

I

T
A
L

R

S

S

REVENUE  
GROWTH

ADJUSTED PROFIT 
BEFORE TAX GROWTH

COMPARABLE SALES 
GROWTH

ADJUSTED OPERATING 
PROFIT GROWTH

ADJUSTED OPERATING 
PROFIT MARGIN

ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS 
GROWTH

T

W

O ENA B L E R

O

P

E

E

R

X

C

A

E

L

TIONAL
LENCE

 I N S P I R E

P L E

O

E

D   P

ADJUSTED RETAIL/
WHOLESALE ROIC

For further information on our strategy and KPIs (including non-financial), see pages 22 to 41 and 58 to 60, with the definition of adjusted 
measures on page 71.

ALIGNING REMUNERATION TO OUR STRATEGY
Our remuneration framework supports us in securing the 
high-calibre talent needed to execute our strategy in a highly 
competitive global market.

We are committed to performance-based pay that motivates 
talent, drives performance and the execution of the Group’s 
strategy, and is aligned with the delivery of long-term 
shareholder value.

Long-term incentive awards under the Executive Share Plan 
(ESP) currently use three performance measures, which 
directly align with the business KPIs.

During our forthcoming Policy review, we will evaluate our 
framework to ensure it continues to align with the strategy. It 
is anticipated that this will result in a broadening of the 
number of performance measures in our incentive framework.

127

REVENUE GROWTH

ADJUSTED PROFIT BEFORE TAX GROWTH

ADJUSTED RETAIL/WHOLESALE ROIC

OUR EXECUTIVE PAY POLICY

BURBERRY OPERATES A SIMPLE FRAMEWORK CASCADED THROUGH THE BUSINESS
Burberry’s broad remuneration framework, consisting of fixed pay, short-term incentives and long-term share awards,  
is cascaded across all employees in the Group.

FIXED PAY
Consists of salary, 
benefits and pension 

SHORT-TERM INCENTIVES
All employees are eligible for 
performance-related pay based 
on short-term performance

LONG-TERM SHARE AWARDS
All employees may participate 
in Burberry’s share plans

THIS BROAD FRAMEWORK TRANSLATES TO THE CURRENT POLICY FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS: 

SALARY

BENEFITS

ANNUAL BONUS

EXECUTIVE SHARE PLAN (ESP)

Marco Gobbetti: 
£1,140k

Julie Brown: 
£725.5k

(with effect from 
1 July 2019)

Pension:  
30% of salary 
(15% for new 
hires)

Cash allowances 
and non-cash 
benefits

Maximum 200% of salary based 
on Adjusted PBT

Marco Gobbetti: 325%

Julie Brown: 300% 

50% of any net amount received to be 
invested in Burberry shares until 
shareholding guideline met

Three-year performance period

Vesting over four-year period

Shares cannot be sold for five years 
from grant

Measures – Adjusted PBT, Revenue 
and ROIC

OTHER

Shareholding guidelines of 300% of salary 
Discretion, malus and clawback provisions on all incentives

PACKAGE MIX
Fixed vs Variable
A significant proportion of maximum total remuneration* is 
linked to stretching performance targets, illustrated below 
for FY 2019/20.

Cash vs Shares
The majority of total remuneration* is delivered in shares to 
drive alignment between Executive Directors and 
shareholders.

Marco
Gobbetti

Julie
Brown

21%

30%

49%

£7.6m

36%

64%

22%

31%

47%

£4.6m

Fixed  Bonus 

ESP

Cash

Shares 

CHANGES FOR FY 2019/20
With effect from FY 2019/20, we are making two changes to our executive remuneration framework in response to evolving best 
practice and investor expectations:

Further reduction in pension for new hires

Strengthening our malus and clawback provisions 

30%

20%

15%

Incorrect 
calculation

Material 
misstatement

Serious 
misconduct

2014 Policy

2017 Policy 

Reduced policy 
from 31 March 
2019

Applicable to 
awards from 
2019 onwards

*  Charts based on maximum performance scenario (excluding share price growth). Right hand chart based on the policy before the shareholding 

guideline has been met.

128

GOVERNANCE REPORT 
REMUNERATION OUTCOMES FOR FY 2018/19

SINGLE FIGURE FOR FY 2018/19
The chart below shows the breakdown of the “single-figure” total remuneration for the Executive Directors in respect of 
FY 2018/19. 

Marco Gobbetti

£1,587k

£1,340k

£1,038k

Julie Brown

£996k

£853k

£152k

£3,965k

£2,001k

Fixed  Bonus 

ESP

INCENTIVE OUTCOMES FOR FY 2018/19
The performance targets for the annual bonus were set by 
the Committee at the start of the year to be stretching 
against a backdrop of profit growth that was anticipated to 
be broadly stable in the context of the first phase of our 
strategic plan.

The Committee considered the bonus and ESP outcomes in 
the context of Burberry’s broader performance over the 
respective performance periods and concluded that the 
outcomes reflected this performance. As a result, no 
discretion was exercised by the Committee in respect of 
either outcome.

Annual bonus: the FY 2018/19 bonus was based on Adjusted 
PBT (CER) in line with the Policy:

Threshold
(25%)
£452m

Target
(50%)
£467m

Maximum
(100%)
£492m

Achieved Adjusted PBT of  
£472m (CER)

ESP: The 2016 ESP award was based on three performance 
measures: 

Adjusted PBT growth (CER) (50%)
Threshold (25%)
1.0% p.a.

Maximum (100%)
6.0% p.a.

-6.1% (below threshold)

Revenue growth (CER) (25%)
Threshold (25%)
1.0% p.a.

0.8% (below threshold)

Maximum (100%)
5.5% p.a.

Average Retail/Wholesale ROIC (25%)
Threshold (25%)
13.9%

Maximum (100%)
15.2%

15.7% (above maximum)

Payout of 60% of maximum

Overall vesting of 25% of maximum

ALIGNMENT BETWEEN EXECUTIVES AND SHAREHOLDERS
Executive Directors are subject to a shareholding guideline of 300% of salary, which drives long-term alignment with investors. 
The chart below illustrates the value of holdings at the year end and the status against the guideline. Marco Gobbetti has now 
met this guideline and it is anticipated that Julie Brown will do so during FY 2019/20.

Marco Gobbetti

Julie Brown

Shareholding
guideline 

£3.5m

£1.4m

Per cent of salary

0%

100%

200%

300%

400%

129

OUR REMUNERATION POLICY AND HOW WE WILL IMPLEMENT  
IT IN FY 2019/20
The Remuneration Policy was approved by shareholders at the AGM on 13 July 2017, and is set out in full in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report FY 2016/17, which can be found in the Annual Report FY 2016/17 at www.burberryplc.com.

The table below summarises key elements of the remuneration framework for Executive Directors, including how we intend to 
implement it in FY 2019/20 and the changes being introduced as a result of our recent review. 

Element
Base salary

Pension

Other benefits

Annual bonus

Summary of current Policy
Salary levels and any increases are set within the same 
framework and ranges as those for all other employees, taking 
into account individual performance and overall contribution 
to the business during the year; cost to the Company; the 
external economic climate; and positioning against peers.
The maximum annual increase for an Executive Director is 
10% of base salary. However, annual increases will not 
normally exceed the average increase for the broader 
employee population.
Executive Directors participate in defined contribution 
arrangements and may elect to receive some or all of their 
entitlement as a cash allowance.
The maximum contribution or cash allowance is 30% of salary 
per annum for the current Executive Directors.
Under the current Policy, for any new external Executive 
Director appointments, the maximum contribution or cash 
allowance is 20% of salary per annum.  

Executive Directors receive a cash allowance and non-cash 
benefits (which principally include private medical, long-term 
disability insurance and life assurance). The aggregate 
maximum value of benefits would not normally exceed 
£100,000 per individual per annum, other than in 
circumstances deemed to be exceptional by the Committee.

Under the current Policy, the bonus is based solely on Adjusted 
PBT assessed over the financial year. This recognises that 
strong financial performance is key to delivering superior 
shareholder returns and that annual profitability is a key 
measure of this.
Targets are set each year by reference to a range of factors 
including budget, the strategic plan and long-term financial 
goals. 25% of maximum pays out at threshold performance 
and 50% of maximum at target performance.
Executives are required to invest 50% of any net bonus 
earned into Burberry shares until their shareholding guideline 
is met (see section below).
Maximum awards are 200% of salary per annum.

Implementation in FY 2019/20
In line with the average increase for 
UK-based employees, Executive Directors 
will be awarded salary increases of 1.6% 
with effect from 1 July 2019:
•  CEO – £1,140,000
•  CO&FO – £725,500

The cash allowance will continue to be 
30% of base salary for current Executive 
Directors, in line with the current Policy 
and contractual commitments.
For any new Executive Director appointed 
on or after 31 March 2019, the maximum 
contribution or cash allowance will be 
reduced to 15% of salary per annum, 
which aligns with the scaled pension 
framework (of 6% to 15%) which applies 
to the UK employee population (see 
page 132).
No changes for FY 2019/20.

Annual cash allowances:
•  CEO – £80,000
•  CO&FO – £30,000

No changes for FY 2019/20.

Maximum bonus (% of salary):
•  CEO – 200%
•  CO&FO – 200%

The Board considers the forward-looking 
Adjusted PBT bonus targets to be 
commercially sensitive as they are linked 
to the Company’s financial and strategic 
plans. Targets will therefore be disclosed 
in the FY 2019/20 DRR.

130

GOVERNANCE REPORTElement
Executive Share 
Plan (ESP)

All-Employee 
Share Plans

Discretion, malus 
and clawback 

Shareholding 
guidelines

Summary of current Policy
Long-term share awards which vest 50% after 
three years and 50% after four years, subject to 
continued employment and achievement against the 
performance targets.
Performance is measured over three financial years 
using the following performance measures:
•  revenue
•  adjusted profit
•  a measure to incentivise the efficient use 

of capital

Targets for the measures are calibrated ahead of 
each annual grant by reference to a range of factors 
including the latest strategic plan, long-term 
financial goals, latest three-year projections and 
broker earnings estimates for Burberry and its 
competitors. For each measure, no more than 
15% of the maximum may vest for threshold 
performance.
Holding period: while Executive Directors are 
employed by Burberry, normally no ESP shares 
may be sold, except to cover any tax liabilities 
arising from the award, until five years from the 
date of grant.
The maximum annual award is 325% of salary  
(375% in exceptional circumstances). 

Executive Directors may participate in the 
Company’s two all-employee share plans on the 
same basis as other employees. The Sharesave 
scheme offers the opportunity to enter into a 
three- or five-year savings contract to save a 
portion of salary which can be used to purchase 
Burberry shares at up to a 20% discount to the 
market price. The Free Share Plan grants 
shares which vest after three years subject to 
continued employment. 
The 2017 Policy contains provisions which 
would allow the Committee discretion to adjust the 
bonus outcome or ESP vesting level. Any exercise of 
discretion would be disclosed in the relevant report.
Malus and clawback provisions exist for both the 
annual bonus and ESP and may be invoked in the 
event of a material misstatement in the Company’s 
audited financial statements or if the incentive 
outturn has been incorrectly calculated.
Executive Directors are subject to a shareholding 
guideline of 300% of base salary, while employed by 
Burberry.
There is no specific timeline in which shareholding 
guidelines must be achieved. However, there is 
an expectation that executives make annual 
progress towards their guideline, which is supported 
via the requirement to invest a portion of any net 
annual bonus as previously described. Only shares 
that are owned outright count towards the 
shareholding guideline. 

131

Implementation in FY 2019/20
No changes for FY 2019/20.

Annual award (% of salary):
•  CEO – 325%
•  CO&FO – 300%

The following table summarises the performance 
targets for the 2019 award, which will cover the 
performance period of three years to 2 April 2022.

Adjusted PBT  
growth (CER)
50%
4% 

Revenue growth  

(CER)
25%
3% 

Average 
ROIC
25%
13.5% 

12% 

8% 

17% 

Weighting
Threshold 
vesting 
(15% of 
max)
Maximum 
vesting

No vesting below Threshold performance. Growth rates on a 

per annum basis.

The maximum savings amount for Sharesave is 
£6,000 per annum, with which shares can be 
purchased at a 20% discount. The maximum Free 
Share award is £500 per annum. 

The malus and clawback provisions will be 
strengthened to include serious misconduct as 
follows: an award may be reduced (or clawed back) in 
circumstances where the participant has engaged in 
serious misconduct (including breach of a Company 
policy) which results in serious reputational damage 
for the Company and/or which justifies, or could 
justify, summary dismissal of the participant.

No changes for FY 2019/20.

The operation of the shareholding guidelines will be 
reviewed as part of the forthcoming Remuneration 
Policy review.

 
ANNUAL REPORT ON 
REMUNERATION

FY 2018/19 TOTAL SINGLE FIGURE REMUNERATION FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS (AUDITED)
The table below sets out the single figure of total remuneration received or receivable by the Executive Directors in respect of 
FY 2018/19 (and the prior financial year). The subsequent sections detail additional information for each element of 
remuneration.

Salary 
£’000

Allowances 
and benefits 
£’000

Pension 
£’000

1,117
816

711
700

135
91

72 
56

335
245

213
210

Bonus 
£’000

1,340
833

853 
714

ESP 
£’000

1,038
–

152
–

Prior 
company 
shares
buy-out1
£’000

–
4,345

–
–

Total 
£’000

3,965 
6,330

2,001 
1,680

Marco Gobbetti
Year to 30 March 2019
Year to 31 March 20181
Julie Brown
Year to 30 March 2019
Year to 31 March 2018

Notes:

1.  The amounts shown for Marco Gobbetti in FY 2017/18 relate to the period from 5 July 2017, when he became CEO, to 31 March 2018. The 

amount shown in “Prior company shares buy-out” reflects compensation for incentives forfeited on leaving his previous employer, which are also 

disclosed in the table on page 137 and in previous years’ reports.

2. The values shown in the ESP column in respect of FY 2018/19 represent the vesting of the 2016 ESP award. The values have been calculated by 

multiplying the number of shares which will vest based on the performance outcome set out on page 134 (53,829 for Marco Gobbetti and 7,905 

for Julie Brown) by the three-month average share price to the end of the financial year (£18.48), plus the value of dividends on these shares 

(using a cumulative dividend per share of 81 pence).

SALARY (AUDITED)
The table below details annual salaries as at 30 March 2019 and those that will apply from 1 July 2019.

When setting salaries for the Executive Directors, the Committee took into account a number of factors, including the approach 
for our wider employee population, individual performance and overall contribution to the business during the year, cost to the 
Company, the external economic climate, and market positioning. The salary increases of 1.6% align directly with the average 
increase across the broader UK employee population of 1.6% whilst also reflecting both the ongoing need to remain competitive 
in the global luxury goods market and their performance during the year.

Marco Gobbetti
Julie Brown

As at  
30 March  

2019
£1,122,000
£714,000

As at  
1 July  
2019
£1,140,000
£725,500 

% change
1.6% 
1.6% 

PENSION (AUDITED)
In line with the approved Remuneration Policy and their respective service agreements, each Executive Director receives an 
annual pension contribution or pension cash allowance of 30% of base salary. No Director has a prospective entitlement to 
receive a defined benefit pension.

Under the current Remuneration Policy approved by shareholders at the 2017 AGM, any new external Executive Director 
appointment could receive a maximum pension contribution or cash allowance of 20% of salary. As described on page 125, for 
any new Executive Director appointed on or after 31 March 2019, the maximum pension contribution or pension cash allowance 
will be reduced to 15% of salary. Burberry operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all UK employees where, in line 
with common market practice, the level of company contribution operates on a scaled basis from 6% of salary to 15% of salary, 
based on a number of factors including seniority and role. The changes to pension policy for new Executive Directors would align 
with this framework which applies to the UK workforce. The Committee will keep the new policy for Executive Directors under 
review, including as part of the forthcoming Remuneration Policy review. 

132

GOVERNANCE REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALLOWANCES AND BENEFITS (AUDITED)
The table below details the cash allowances and non-cash benefits received by the Executive Directors during FY 2018/19 in 
accordance with the Policy and disclosed in the single figure table.

FY 2018/19
(£’000)
Executive Directors
Marco Gobbetti
Julie Brown

Cash
allowance

Private
medical
insurance

Life
assurance

Long-term
disability
insurance

Tax advice

80
30

12 
19 

29 
5 

6 
10 

8
8 

ANNUAL BONUS OUTCOMES FOR FY 2018/19 (AUDITED)
The annual bonus for FY 2018/19 for the Executive Directors was based on Adjusted PBT at Constant Exchange Rates (CER) in 
line with the Remuneration Policy.

As reported last year, the performance targets for this award were set by the Committee at the start of the year, against a 
backdrop of profit growth for FY 2018/19 that was anticipated to be broadly stable in the context of the first phase of our  
multi-year strategic plan. The table below sets out the targets, the achieved performance and the level of payout for FY 
2018/19.

Annual bonus
for FY 2018/19
Marco Gobbetti
Julie Brown

Maximum
bonus
opportunity
(% of salary)

FY 2018/19
Adjusted PBT
target (£m)
200% Threshold: 452
Target: 467
200%
  Maximum: 492

FY 2018/19
Adjusted PBT
achieved (CER)* 
(£m)

FY 2018/19
bonus payment
(% of maximum)

472

60% 

FY 2018/19
bonus payment
(£’000)
1,340 
853 

*  Adjusted PBT for bonus purposes is calculated using the average exchange rates of FY 2017/18. The level of Adjusted PBT achieved for bonus 

purposes is therefore higher than the reported FY 2018/19 Adjusted PBT (£443m) to reflect CER.

As shown in the table above, the Adjusted PBT achieved was £5 million ahead of the Target level set by the Committee, which 
resulted in bonuses for the Executive Directors of 60% of maximum.

In addition to performance against the Adjusted PBT targets, the Committee also took into account the broader performance 
context for the year when determining the final bonus outcome. This included consideration of strategic progress in building the 
foundations for our transformation by investing in building brand heat and driving increased engagement from industry 
influencers and wholesale partners. There was significant progress on our distribution transition as the closure programme of 
non-luxury doors in the US was stepped up. The focus on Operational Excellence delivered over £105 million of cumulative cost 
savings, which was ahead of plan. There was also continued progress towards responsibility and sustainability goals (as 
described on pages 42 to 43). For investors, a total shareholder return in excess of 15% over the year outperformed the FTSE 
100 and most sector peers. The Committee concluded that the bonus outcomes appropriately reflected the broader 
performance context and, as a result, no discretion was applied to the final outcome shown above.

Under the Remuneration Policy, Executive Directors are required to invest 50% of any net bonus earned into Burberry shares 
until their shareholding guideline of 300% of salary is met. As shown in the table on page 137, Marco Gobbetti has met his 
shareholding guideline. Julie Brown will invest a portion of her net FY 2018/19 annual bonus into Burberry shares, up to a 
maximum of 50% of the net amount received.

133

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL BONUS FOR FY 2019/20
For FY 2019/20, the maximum bonus opportunity for Executive Directors will remain at 200% of base salary, and will continue 
to be based fully on Adjusted PBT in line with Policy. The Board considers the forward-looking Adjusted PBT bonus targets to 
be commercially sensitive as they are linked to the Company’s financial and strategic plans, and as such targets will be disclosed 
in next year’s report. Targets have been set to reflect the second year of the strategic transition where operating margins and 
Adjusted PBT are expected to be broadly stable and are considered by the Committee to be of an equivalent stretch to those set 
in prior years.

The clawback provision which will apply to this annual bonus is as follows: during the three-year period from the normal date of 
payment, the Company may seek to recover any bonus in whole or in part in the event of a material misstatement in the 
Company’s audited financial statements; or if the bonus outcome has been incorrectly calculated; or if the individual has 
engaged during the period from the start of the relevant bonus year to the end of the clawback period in serious misconduct 
(including, but not limited to, breach of a Company policy), which results in serious reputational damage for the Company and/or 
justifies, or could justify, summary dismissal of the individual.

EXECUTIVE SHARE PLAN
The following section sets out details of:

•  2016 ESP awards vesting based on performance to FY 2018/19
•  2018 ESP awards granted during FY 2018/19
•  2019 ESP awards to be granted in FY 2019/20

2016 ESP AWARDS VESTING BASED ON PERFORMANCE TO FY 2018/19 (AUDITED)
Marco Gobbetti and Julie Brown hold 2016 ESP awards, which will vest 50% on 30 January 2020 and 50% on 30 January 2021 
based on performance over the period from 1 April 2016 to 30 March 2019. The table below sets out the targets and actual 
performance achieved.

Outcome of 2016 ESP award
Annual growth in Adjusted PBT1
Annual growth in Revenue1,2
Average Adjusted Retail/Wholesale ROIC
Final vesting outcome 

Weighting
50%
25%
25%

Threshold
(25% of max)
1.0%
1.0%
13.9%

Maximum
6.0%
5.5%
15.2%

Actual 
performance
-6.1%
0.8%
15.7%

Vesting
(% of max)
0%
0%
100%
25%

1.  The ESP outcome is calculated using the average exchange rates of the year on which the targets were based, as set out in the performance 

conditions to awards.

2. Performance was measured on a like-for-like basis against the targets, taking into account two changes in accounting over the period (the 

adoption of IFRS 15 and the move to retail calendar reporting). Neither of these impacted the vesting outcome.

In considering the final vesting outcome, the Committee also noted the broader performance context over the performance 
period: in particular, the strong performance in the execution of the strategic transition and delivery of total shareholder return 
of 17% per annum, exceeding the FTSE 100 and most sector peers. No discretion was applied to the final vesting outcome 
shown above.

In line with the Remuneration Policy, vested shares may not be sold until five years from grant (30 January 2022), other than to 
meet tax liabilities.

134

GOVERNANCE REPORT 
 
 
 
2018 ESP AWARDS GRANTED DURING FY 2018/19 (AUDITED)
The table below summarises the ESP share awards granted to Executive Directors during FY 2018/19.

Marco Gobbetti
Julie Brown

Type of award
ESP share award

Basis of award Shares awarded
172,532
325% of salary
101,348
300% of salary

Face value
at grant (£’000)
£3,646
£2,142

Performance
period 

3 years to 27 
March 2021 

•  The ESP shares were granted on 31 July 2018 and will vest 50% after three years and 50% after four years from grant date, subject to the 

performance conditions outlined below. Awards are granted in the form of nil-cost options.

•  The face value of each award is calculated using the three-day average price prior to the date of grant (£21.135), which was the price used to 

determine the number of shares awarded.

The performance targets for this award are as follows:

Performance targets for 2018 ESP award
Annual growth in Adjusted PBT1,3
Annual growth in Revenue1
Average Adjusted Retail/Wholesale ROIC2,3

Weighting
50%
25%
25%

Threshold
(15% of max)
0.0%
1.0%
13.5%

Maximum
7.5%
5.5%
17.0%

1.  The vesting outcomes are calculated using Revenue and Adjusted PBT as disclosed in the annual accounts, subject to any adjustments (down or 

up) made by the Committee to reflect CER and any other items deemed to be outside management’s control.

2. Adjusted retail/wholesale ROIC measures the efficient use of capital to ensure that returns on future investment are attractive. Group ROIC 

includes the contribution from the high-return licensing business. Given the licensing business is not capital-intensive, ROIC will continue to be 

measured on Burberry’s retail/wholesale business only. Retail/wholesale ROIC, for the purposes of the ESP performance measure, is calculated 

as the retail/wholesale post-tax adjusted operating profit divided by the average retail/wholesale operating assets, measured over the three-

year period, on a reported currency basis. A calculation of adjusted retail/wholesale ROIC is included in the five-year summary on page 213.

3. For FY 2019/20 Burberry adopted IFRS 16 for lease accounting. To ensure fair and consistent performance measurement and in accordance 

with the ESP rules, the Committee will assess final performance for this award taking into account existing lease accounting methodology, 

which is consistent with the basis of the targets. Further disclosure will be provided at the time of vesting in the relevant report.

135

 
2019 ESP AWARDS TO BE GRANTED IN FY 2019/20
2019 ESP awards to the Executive Directors will be made at the same award levels as in FY 2018/19 (325% of salary for Marco 
Gobbetti and 300% of salary for Julie Brown). The awards will vest 50% after three years and 50% after four years from the 
date of grant, subject to the performance conditions. In line with Policy, other than to meet tax liabilities, no shares may be sold 
until five years from grant date.

Awards will continue to be based on Adjusted PBT, Revenue and ROIC performance, which will be measured over the three-year 
performance period to 2 April 2022 in accordance with the following targets:

Performance targets for 2019 ESP award
Annual growth in Adjusted PBT1
Annual growth in Revenue1
Average Adjusted Retail/Wholesale ROIC2

1.  See footnote 1 on page 135.

2. See footnote 2 on page 135.

Weighting
50%
25%
25%

Threshold
(15% of max)
4% 
3% 
13.5% 

Maximum
12% 
8% 
17% 

3. The clawback provision which will apply to this award is as follows: during the period of three years from the normal date of vesting, the 

Company may seek to recover any vested shares or awards from individual Directors in whole or in part (or cash of equivalent value) in the 

event of:

•  A material misstatement in the Company’s audited financial statements; or

•  If the outturn has been incorrectly calculated; or

•  If the individual has engaged during the period from the ESP award date to the end of the clawback period in serious misconduct (including, 

but not limited to, breach of a Company policy), which results in serious reputational damage for the Company and/or which justifies, or could 

justify, summary dismissal of the individual.

4. In accordance with the ESP rules, the Committee will ensure performance is measured on a fair and consistent basis to reflect, for example, 

changes to accounting such as the adoption of IFRS 16 and the impact of a 53 week year as a result of using retail calendar reporting.

SHARE INTERESTS AND SHAREHOLDING GUIDELINES (AUDITED)
Executive Directors are subject to a shareholding guideline of 300% of base salary. There is no specific timeline in which 
shareholding guidelines must be achieved. However, there is an expectation that executives make annual progress towards their 
guideline, regardless of any annual bonus paid or shares vesting. Only shares that are owned outright count towards the 
shareholding guideline.

The following table sets out the total beneficial interests of the Executive Directors (and their connected persons) in ordinary 
shares of Burberry Group plc as at 30 March 2019, as well as their progress against the shareholding guidelines. The table also 
summarises conditional interests in share or option awards, with further detail of the underlying awards in the subsequent table.

As at 30 March 2019, Marco Gobbetti had met the guideline and Julie Brown had made good progress towards the guideline. In 
accordance with our policy, Julie Brown will invest a portion of her FY 2018/19 annual bonus in Burberry shares, up to a 
maximum of 50% of the net amount.

136

GOVERNANCE REPORTNumber of 
shares 
beneficially 
owned as at 
30 March
20191
189,477
77,285

Director
Marco Gobbetti
Julie Brown

Beneficially held shares

Share/option awards

As % of
salary2
312%
200%

Shareholding 
guideline
(% of salary)
300%
300%

Guideline met 
as at 30 
March 2019
Yes
No

Vested but 
unexercised 
awards
17,089
8,250 

Unvested 
– subject to 
performance
595,537
254,966

Unvested 
– subject to 
continued 
employment
19,550
74,347

1.  There have been no changes in the period up to and including 15 May 2019.

2. Based on the three-month average share price as at 30 March 2019.

3. Marco Gobbetti did not exercise any options during the year. On 25 January 2019, Julie Brown exercised 72,750 nil-cost options granted to her 

on 30 January 2017 and retained these shares (post tax liabilities). The market value of Burberry shares on the date of exercise was £17.855.

The following table provides further underlying detail on the unvested awards at 30 March 2019 included in the table above.

Director Type of award Date of grant
2016 ESP1
30 Jan 2017
Marco
Gobbetti
2017 ESP2
31 Jul 2017
2018 ESP3
31 Jul 2018
Buy-out4
8 Feb 2018
SAYE 15 June 2018
31 July 2018
30 Jan 2017
31 Jul 2017
31 Jul 2018
30 Jan 2017
SAYE 15 June 2017
31 Jul 2017 
and 2018

SIP
2016 ESP1
2017 ESP2
2018 ESP3
Buy-out5

Julie
Brown 

SIP

Maximum 
number of 
shares/
options
Performance period
215,318 3 years to 30 March 2019
207,687 3 years to 31 March 2020
172,532 3 years to 31 March 2021
N/A
N/A
N/A
31,620 3 years to 30 March 2019
121,998 3 years to 31 March 2020
101,348 3 years to 31 March 2021
73,000
1,294

17,607
1,920
23

Vesting date(s)6
50% on 30 Jan 20/50% on 30 Jan 21
50% on 31 Jul 20/50% on 31 Jul 21
50% on 31 Jul 21/50% on 31 Jul 22
50% on 22 Oct 19/50% on 30 Oct 20
1 September 2023
31 July 2021
50% on 30 Jan 20/50% on 30 Jan 21
50% on 31 Jul 20/50% on 31 Jul 21
50% on 31 Jul 21/50% on 31 Jul 22
N/A 64,500 on 22 July 2019/8,500 on 27 Mar 2020
1 September 2020
N/A

53

N/A

30 on 31 Jul 2020/23 on 31 Jul 2021

1.  The performance conditions and final vesting outcome for the 2016 ESP award are set out on page 134.
2. The 2017 ESP awards are subject to the following performance conditions measured over the three years to 28 March 2020: 25% on three-year 

revenue growth of between 1% and 5.5% p.a., 50% on three-year growth in Adjusted PBT of between 2% and 10% p.a., 25% on three-year 

average ROIC of between 16.2% and 18.2%. Further detail on these performance conditions is provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report 

FY 2017/18 and note 3 on page 135. 

3. The performance conditions for the 2018 ESP award are set out on page 135.

4. This award of nil-cost options was granted to Marco Gobbetti in February 2018 to buy out awards forfeited on leaving his previous employer in 

order to join Burberry. Full details of these awards were provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Reports FY 2016/17 and FY 2017/18. The 

award shown in the table above represents the final tranches of this award.

5. This award of nil-cost options was granted to Julie Brown in January 2017 to buy out awards forfeited on leaving her previous employer in order 

to join Burberry. Full details of these awards were provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Reports FY 2016/17 and FY 2017/18. The award 

shown in the table above represents the final tranches of this award.

6. ESP awards are structured as nil-cost options and vested awards may be exercised in the period until 10 years from grant. Vested ESP awards 

may not be sold until five years from date of grant, other than to meet tax liabilities.

137

 
 
CEO REMUNERATION RELATIVE TO EMPLOYEES
The table below summarises the change in Marco Gobbetti’s base salary, benefits and bonus received as CEO for FY 2018/19 
compared to the prior year. The same data is also shown for the UK employee population.

Year-on-year change (%)
CEO*
UK Employees**

Allowances 
and 
benefits
10% 
0%

Salary
2%
2%

Bonus
19% 
18%

*  Calculated using FY 2017/18 data on an annualised basis given that Marco Gobbetti was appointed to the role of CEO on 5 July 2017.

**  The comparator group includes all UK employees. This group has been chosen to align with the location of the CEO and with the pay ratio 

reporting below. For the comparator group of employees, the salary year-on-year changes include the annual salary review from July 2018 but 

exclude any additional changes made in the year, for example on promotion. In FY 2018/19, the bonus outturn based on Adjusted PBT 

performance was 60% of maximum, compared to 51% of maximum in FY 2017/18. For benefits, there were no changes to benefit policies or 

levels during the year. The increase in the value of benefits shown for the CEO reflects an increase in the market cost of the same benefits.

In line with the expectation set out in last year’s report, and with our ongoing commitment to transparency in pay disclosure, the 
Committee has decided to voluntarily begin reporting the CEO pay ratio in advance of the formal requirement to do so next year.

The ratios, set out in the table below, compare the total remuneration of the CEO (as included in the single figure table on page 
132) to the remuneration of the median UK employee as well as employees at the lower and upper quartiles. The disclosure will 
build up over time to cover a rolling 10-year period.

FY 2018/19 (Option A)

Notes regarding calculation:

25th 
percentile 
(P25)
170:1

Median 
(P50)
127:1

75th 
percentile
(P75)
82:1

The ratios are calculated using option A in the disclosure regulations. The employees at the lower quartile, median and upper quartile (P25, P50, 

and P75, respectively) were determined based on total remuneration for FY 2018/19 using a valuation methodology consistent with that used for 

the CEO in the single figure table on page 132. This option was selected on the basis that it provided the most accurate means of identifying the 

median, lower and upper quartile employees. The calculation is undertaken on a full-time equivalent basis.

The total remuneration in respect of FY 2018/19 for the employees identified at P25, P50 and P75 is £23k, £31k, and £48k, respectively. The base 

salary in respect of FY 2018/19 for the employees identified at P25, P50 and P75 is £20k, £25k, and £42k, respectively. 

The Committee considers pay ratios as one of many reference points when considering remuneration. Throughout the Group, 
pay is positioned to be fair and market competitive in the context of the talent market for the relevant role, fairly reflecting local 
market data and other relevant benchmarks (such as the UK Living Wage). The Committee notes the limited comparability of 
pay ratios across companies and sectors, given the diverse range of business models and employee population profiles which 
exist across the market.

A significant proportion (around 80%) of the CEO’s total remuneration is delivered in variable remuneration, and particularly via 
long-term share awards under the ESP. In order to drive alignment with investors, the value ultimately received from ESP 
awards is linked to stretching company performance targets and long-term share price movement. As a result, the pay ratio is 
likely to be driven largely by the CEO’s ESP outcome and may therefore fluctuate significantly on a year-to-year basis.

As a broad illustration, based on incentive award sizes under the current Policy, the ratio could fluctuate between approximately 
50x for a zero incentive outcome and approximately 250x for a maximum incentive outcome (prior to any potential further 
impact from share price movement). 

138

GOVERNANCE REPORT 
RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF SPEND ON PAY FOR FY 2018/19
The table below sets out the total payroll costs for all employees over FY 2018/19 compared to total dividends payable for the 
year and amounts paid to buy back shares during the year. The average number of full-time equivalent employees is also shown 
for context.

Relative importance of spend on pay
Dividends paid during the year (total)

Amounts paid to buy back shares during the year

Payroll costs for all employees

Average number of full-time equivalent employees

£m
% change
£m
% change
£m
% change

% change

FY 2018/19
171.1
+1.0%
150.7
-57.5%
519.8
+0.9%
9,862
+1.1%

FY 2017/18
169.4

355.0

515.2

9,752

SERVICE AGREEMENTS
The table below sets out information on service agreements for the current Executive Directors.

Marco Gobbetti
Julie Brown 

Date of current
service agreement
11 July 2016
11 July 2016

Date employment
commenced
27 January 2017
18 January 2017

Notice period
to and from the 
Company
12 months
12 months

EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS
Julie Brown serves as a Non-Executive Director of Roche Holding Limited and it was agreed that fees earned in connection with 
this appointment can be retained by her. For the period 1 April 2018 to 30 March 2019, Julie’s fees for this appointment were 
CHF 360,000 (c. £276,119). Marco Gobbetti did not hold any external appointment during the year ended 30 March 2019.

139

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TEN-YEAR PERFORMANCE GRAPH AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REMUNERATION
The following graph shows the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) for Burberry Group plc compared to the FTSE 100 index 
assuming £100 was invested on 31 March 2009. Data is presented on a spot basis and sourced from DataStream. The table 
below shows the total remuneration earned by the incumbent Chief Executive Officer over the same 10-year period, along with 
the percentage of maximum opportunity earned in relation to each type of incentive. The total amounts are based on the same 
methodology as used for the single figure of total remuneration for FY 2018/19 on page 132.

£
1000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

£866
(766% increase)

£270
(170% increase)

2009

2010
Burberry

2011

2012
FTSE 100

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

FY1

2009/10
(AA)

2010/11
(AA)

2011/12
(AA)

2012/13
(AA)

2013/14
(AA)

2014/15
(AA)

2014/15
(CB)

2015/16
(CB)

2016/17
(CB)

2017/18
(CB)

2017/18
(MG)

2018/19
(MG)

9,574

7,362 16,003

Total 
remuneration
(£’000)
Bonus (% of 
maximum)
ESP (% of
maximum)
–
Legacy incentive plans (no longer in operation):
CIP2 (% of 
maximum)

100% 100% 100%

100% 100%

–

–

–

RSP (% of 
maximum)
EPP3 (% of 
maximum)
Exceptional 
award4

42.50%

–

100%

15% 50%

15% 50%

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

10,901

8,007

157

7,508

1,894

3,508

1,091

6,330

3,965 

75%

70%

–

–

81%

0%

0%

51%

51%

60% 

–

–

–

5%

–

25% 

100% 100%

75%

0%

0%

0% 19.30%

–

–

–

–

–

– 61.70% 59.9%

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.  Angela Ahrendts (AA, CEO to 30 April 2014), Christopher Bailey (CB, Chief Creative Officer and CEO from 1 May 2014 to 4 July 2017), Marco 

Gobbetti (MG, CEO from 5 July 2017).

2. The CIP was the Burberry Co-Investment Plan, a long-term incentive plan under which the final performance-based awards were granted in 

2014. Details of this plan can be found in the relevant Directors’ Remuneration Reports.

3. The EPP was the Burberry Exceptional Performance Share Plan, a one-off long-term incentive plan under which performance-based awards 

were granted in 2007 only. Details of this plan can be found in the relevant Directors’ Remuneration Reports.

4. The Exceptional award for Christopher Bailey relates to vesting of his 2014 exceptional share award as previously disclosed.

140

GOVERNANCE REPORTNON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION (AUDITED)
The Policy on remuneration for Non-Executive Directors is set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report FY 2016/17 (which can 
be found in the Annual Report FY 2016/17 at www.burberryplc.com).

The table below sets out the single figure of total remuneration received or receivable by the Non-Executive Directors in respect 
of FY 2018/19 (and the prior financial year).

Non-Executive Directors
Gerry Murphy
Fabiola Arredondo

Ian Carter

Jeremy Darroch

Ron Frasch

Stephanie George

Matthew Key

Dame Carolyn McCall

Orna NíChionna

Former Non-Executive Directors
Sir John Peace

Notes

Year to 30 March 20193
Year to 30 March 2019
Year to 31 March 2018
Year to 30 March 2019
Year to 31 March 2018
Year to 30 March 2019
Year to 31 March 2018
Year to 30 March 2019
Year to 31 March 20184
Year to 30 March 2019
Year to 31 March 2018
Year to 30 March 2019
Year to 31 March 2018
Year to 30 March 2019
Year to 31 March 2018
Year to 30 March 2019
Year to 31 March 20185

Year to 30 March 20196
Year to 31 March 2018

Fees1
£’000

Benefits & 
Allowances2
£’000

Total
£’000

371 
80 
110
80 
80
130 
130
80 
47
80 
80
85 
80
80 
80
115 
25

114 
400

1 
108 
150
102 
55
–
2
76 
25
76 
64
5 
4
3 
3
2 
–

50 
131

372 
188 
260
182 
135
130 
132
156 
72
156 
144
90
84
83 
83
117 
25

164
531

1.  Fees include the base fee and additional Committee fees in line with the policy set out on page 142. The additional fees for the role of Audit 

Committee Chair have been split between Jeremy Darroch and Matthew Key to reflect time served in role. 

2. Allowances include an attendance allowance of £2,000 for each meeting attended outside the Non-Executive Director’s country of residence 

and the reimbursement of certain expenses incurred by Non-Executive Directors in the performance of their duties, which are deemed by HM 

Revenue & Customs to be subject to UK income tax. This includes costs in respect of air travel and other incidental costs incurred in attending 

regular Board and Committee meetings. Any tax liabilities arising on the reimbursement of these costs will be settled by the Company. Amounts 

disclosed have been estimated and have been “grossed up” at the appropriate tax rate, where necessary. Note that expenses for Fabiola 

Arredondo, Ian Carter, Ron Frasch and Stephanie George include travel expenses from the US. Expenses for Sir John Peace include healthcare 

cover and a car and driver.

3. Fees for Gerry Murphy relate to the period from 17 May 2018 when he joined the Board.

4. Fees for Ron Frasch in FY 2017/18 relate to the period 1 September 2017 to 31 March 2018.

5. Fees for Orna NíChionna in FY 2017/18 relate to the period 3 January to 31 March 2018.

6. Fees for Sir John Peace in FY 2018/19 relate to the period 1 April to 12 July 2018, when he stepped down from the Board.

141

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY OF CHAIRMAN AND NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FEES FOR FY 2019/20
The fee structure for the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors for FY 2019/20 is set out in the table below. There are no 
changes from the prior year.

Summary of Chairman and NED fees for FY 2019/20 
Chairman1
Non-Executive Director
Senior Independent Director
Audit Committee Chair
Remuneration Committee Chair
Attendance allowance2

Fee level 
£’000
425
80
20
35
35
2

1.  The Chairman is not eligible for Committee chairmanship fees or attendance allowances.

2. Non-Executive Directors receive an attendance allowance for each meeting attended outside their country of residence.

3. Expenses incurred in the normal course of business are reimbursed and, as these are considered by HMRC to be taxable benefits, the tax due 

on these will also be met by the Company.

CHAIRMAN AND NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHAREHOLDINGS (AUDITED)
The table below summarises the total interests of the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors (and their connected persons) 
in ordinary shares of Burberry Group plc as at 30 March 2019 (or at the date of stepping down, if earlier).

The shareholding guideline for the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors is to hold shares with a market value of £6,000 for 
each year of their appointment. As at 30 March 2019, all of the Non-Executive Directors had fulfilled this guideline.

Non-Executive Director
Gerry Murphy
Fabiola Arredondo
Ian Carter
Jeremy Darroch
Ron Frasch
Stephanie George
Matthew Key
Dame Carolyn McCall
Orna NíChionna
Former Non-Executive Director
Sir John Peace

There have been no changes in the period up to and including 15 May 2019.

Total number of 
shares owned
5,000
7,500
37,701
3,000
1,265
41,600
3,570
2,652
3,067

195,738

142

GOVERNANCE REPORT 
REMUNERATION COMMITTEE IN FY 2018/19
Committee membership
The following Directors served as members of the Committee during FY 2018/19:

•  Orna NíChionna (Chair)
•  Fabiola Arredondo
•  Ian Carter
•  Ron Frasch
•  Stephanie George
•  Matthew Key (from 7 November 2018)

Committee remit
The Committee’s Terms of Reference (ToR) are published on www.burberryplc.com.

In addition to setting the remuneration of the Executive Directors, the Committee continues to directly oversee the 
remuneration arrangements for the Executive Committee.

SUMMARY OF MEETINGS
The Committee typically meets four to six times a year. During FY 2018/19, the Committee met four times and the agenda items 
discussed at these meetings are summarised below.

May 2018

November 2018

February 2019

March 2019

•  FY 2017/18 incentive outcomes
•  FY 2018/19 performance targets and incentive awards
•  FY 2018/19 senior executive remuneration
•  Approval of Directors’ Remuneration Report FY 2017/18
•  Update on external environment (including changes to the Code) from independent advisors
•  Incentives performance update
•  Approval of changes to pension policy for new Executive Director hires 
•  Update on external environment from independent advisors
•  Feedback on investor engagement
•  Approval of changes to malus and clawback provisions
•  Changes to Committee Terms of Reference
•  Consideration of the policies and practices which exist for the broader workforce
•  All-employee share plan review
•  Update on external environment from independent advisors
•  Review of draft Directors’ Remuneration Report FY 2018/19
•  Bonus and ESP performance update
•  Gender pay gap reporting 

143

ADVISORS TO THE COMMITTEE
At the invitation of the Committee, except where their own remuneration is being discussed, the following roles may attend 
meetings and provide advice to the Committee: the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating and Financial 
Officer, the Chief People, Strategy and Corporate Affairs Officer, the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Senior Vice 
President, Reward, the General Counsel, and the Company Secretary.

Deloitte was appointed as an independent advisor to the Committee in 2017 following a tender process and continued in that 
role during the year. Deloitte is a founding member of the Remuneration Consultants’ Group (RCG), which is responsible for the 
development and maintenance of the voluntary Code of Conduct that clearly sets out the role of executive remuneration 
consultants and the professional standards by which they advise their clients. Fees are charged on a time and expenses basis 
and totalled £98,975 (plus VAT) during FY 2018/19. During the year Deloitte also provided other consulting services (including 
strategy, programme management, technology implementation and analytics), HR resourcing, tax compliance and advisory and 
transfer pricing services. The Committee is satisfied that advice received from Deloitte during the year was objective and 
independent and that all individuals who provided remuneration advice to the Committee have no connections with Burberry 
that may impair their independence. The Committee reviewed the potential for conflicts of interest and judged that there were 
appropriate safeguards against such conflicts.

Linklaters LLP also provided advice to the Committee in relation to the operation of the Company’s share plans, employment law 
considerations and compliance with legislation.

REMUNERATION VOTING RESULTS
The table below shows the results of the latest remuneration-related shareholder votes on both the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report (at the 2018 AGM) and the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (at the 2017 AGM).

We have continued to engage with and listen to our shareholders during 2018/19 as part of our commitment to build on the 
constructive dialogue we have established. The Committee and I would like to thank all of you who have invested time with us, as 
it has helped to inform our thoughts on executive remuneration at Burberry going forward.

Votes against Votes withheld
71,678

33,863,557
(10.76%)
22,283,872
(6.60%)

1,291,775

AGM voting results
To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 
31 March 2018 
To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Votes for
280,724,418
(89.24%)
315,538,767
(93.40%)

Approval
This report has been approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

ORNA NíCHIONNA
Chair, Remuneration Committee

15 May 2019

144

GOVERNANCE REPORTDIRECTORS’ REPORT

The Directors present their Annual Report and the audited 
consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the year 
to 30 March 2019.

SCOPE OF THIS REPORT
For the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, the following 
are incorporated by reference and shall be deemed to form 
part of this Directors’ Report:

Independent auditor
In accordance with section 418(2) of the Companies Act 
2006, each of the Company’s Directors in office at the date 
of this report confirms that:

•  Strategic Report on pages 4 to 89.
•  Governance Report, which includes the Board, the 
Corporate Governance Report and the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report, on pages 92 to 144.

•  Energy and global greenhouse gas emissions disclosure 

on page 48.

•  So far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit 
information of which the Company’s auditor are unaware.
•  He or she has taken all the steps that he or she ought to 

have taken as a Director in order to make himself or herself 
aware of any relevant audit information, and to establish 
that the Company’s auditor is aware of that information.

For the purposes of compliance with the Disclosure Guidance 
and Transparency Rules 4.1.5R(2) and 4.1.8R, the required 
content of the management report can be found in the 
Strategic Report or this Directors’ Report, including the 
material incorporated by reference. The management report 
is intended to provide a fair, balanced and understandable 
assessment of the development and performance of the 
Group’s business during the year and its position at the 
end of the year, its strategy, likely developments, and any 
principal risks and uncertainties associated with the 
Group’s business.

OTHER GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURES
Revenue and profit
Revenue from continuing business during the period 
amounted to £2,720.2 million (2018: £2,7328 million). The 
profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the 
Company was £339.3 million (2018: £293.5 million).

Going concern and Risk and Viability Report
The going concern statements for the Group and Company 
are set out on pages 165 and 217 of the Financial Statements 
and are incorporated by reference and shall be deemed to be 
part of this report. Additionally, the Directors have 
considered the longer-term viability of the Company. The 
Risk and Viability Report can be found on page 74.

The Group’s auditor is PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. A 
resolution to reappoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as 
auditor to the Company will be proposed at the forthcoming 
Annual General Meeting (AGM). Note 8 of the Financial 
Statements states the auditor’s fees both for audit and 
non-audit work.

The Independent Auditor’s Report starting on page 153 sets 
out the information contained in the Annual Report, which 
has been audited by the auditor.

During FY 2018/19 the Audit Committee undertook an 
external audit tender and Ernst and Young LLP was identified 
as the preferred candidate and its appointment was 
recommended to the Board. From FY 2020/21 EY will become 
the Group’s auditor, subject to shareholder approval at the 
AGM in 2020. Details of the audit tender process are set out 
on page 119.

145

Political donations
The Company made no political donations during the year in 
line with its policy (FY 2017/18: £nil). In keeping with the 
Group’s approach in prior years, shareholder approval is being 
sought at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, as a 
precautionary measure, for the Company and its subsidiaries 
to make donations and/or incur expenditure, which may be 
construed as political by the wide definition of that term 
included in the relevant legislation. Further details are 
provided in the Notice of this year’s AGM.

Financial instruments and risk
The Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies 
are set out within note 26 of the Financial Statements. Note 
26 also details the Group’s exposure to foreign exchange, 
share price, interest, credit, capital and liquidity risks. This 
note is incorporated by reference and deemed to form part of 
this report.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM of the Company will be held at Conrad London St. 
James, 22-28 Broadway, London, SW1H 0BH on Wednesday, 
17 July 2019. The Notice of this year’s AGM is available to 
view on the Company’s website at www.burberryplc.com.

The Directors consider that each of the proposed resolutions 
to be considered at the AGM are in the best interests of the 
Company and its shareholders, and are most likely to promote 
the success of the Company for the benefit of its 
shareholders as a whole. The Directors unanimously 
recommend that shareholders vote in favour of each of the 
proposed resolutions, as the Directors intend to do in respect 
of their own shareholdings.

Directors
The names and biographical details of the Directors as at the 
date of this report are set out on pages 94 to 97 and are 
incorporated by reference into this report.

With regard to the appointment and resignation of 
Directors, the Company follows the Code, and is governed by 
its Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and 
related legislation.

At the 2019 AGM, all Directors will offer themselves for 
re-election except Ian Carter and Stephanie George who are 
retiring immediately after the AGM. The Notice of this year’s 
AGM sets out why the Board believes the Directors should be 
re-elected. The service agreements of the Executive 
Directors and the letters of appointment of the Non-
Executive Directors are available for inspection at the 
Company’s registered office. Brief details of these are also 
included on pages 123 to 144 of the Remuneration Report.

Directors’ powers
Subject to the Company’s Articles of Association, the 
Companies Act 2006 and any directions given by special 
resolution, the business of the Group will be managed by the 
Board who may exercise all the powers of the Group, including 
powers relating to the issue and/or buying back of shares by 
the Group (subject to any statutory restrictions or 
restrictions imposed by shareholders at the AGM).

Directors’ insurance and indemnities
The Company maintains Directors’ and officers’ liability 
insurance, which gives cover for legal actions brought against 
its Directors and officers. In accordance with section 236 of 
the Companies Act 2006, qualifying third-party indemnity 
provisions are in place for the Directors in respect of 
liabilities incurred as a result of their office, to the extent 
permitted by law. Both the insurance and indemnities applied 
throughout the financial year ended 30 March 2019 and 
through to the date of this report.

Directors’ share interests
The interests of the Directors holding office at 30 March 
2019 in the shares of the Company are shown within the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 123 to 144. There 
were no changes to the beneficial interests of the Directors 
between the period 30 March 2019 and 15 May 2019.

Amendment to Articles of Association
The Company’s Articles of Association were adopted at the 
2015 AGM. Any amendments to the Company’s Articles of 
Association may be made in accordance with the provisions of 
the Companies Act 2006 by way of a special resolution. There 
is no change to the Articles of Association being proposed at 
this year’s AGM.

Substantial shareholdings
As at 30 March 2019, the Company had been notified under 
Rule five of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency 
Rules of the following major interests in its issued ordinary 
share capital:

BlackRock Inc .
Lindsell Train Limited 

Number of
ordinary 
shares
27,729,908 
21,928,267 

% of total 
voting
rights1
6.62 
5.00 

1.  As at the date in the notification to the Company.

As at 15 May 2019, the Company had not received any further 
notifications under Rule 5 of the Disclosure Guidance and 
Transparency Rules of major interests in its issued ordinary 
share capital.

146

GOVERNANCE REPORT 
At the AGM in 2018, shareholders approved resolutions to 
allot shares up to an aggregate nominal value of £69,017, and 
to allot shares for cash other than pro rata to existing 
shareholders. Resolutions will be proposed at this year’s AGM 
to renew these authorities.

No person has any special rights of control over the 
Company’s share capital and all issued shares are fully paid. 
There are no specific restrictions on the size of holding or on 
the transfer of shares, which are both governed by the 
general provisions of the Company’s Articles of Association 
and prevailing legislation. The Directors are not aware of any 
agreements between holders of the Company’s shares 
that may result in restrictions on the transfer of securities or 
voting rights. The Directors have no current plans to 
issue shares other than in connection with employee 
share schemes.

Details of employee share schemes are set out in note 27 to 
the financial statements. The Burberry Group plc ESOP Trust 
has waived all dividends payable by the Company in respect of 
the ordinary shares it holds. In addition, the Burberry Group 
plc SIP Trust has waived all dividends payable by the 
Company in respect of the unappropriated ordinary shares it 
holds. The total dividends waived in the year to 30 March 
2019 were in aggregate £0.9 million (2018: £2.0 million).

Voting
Each ordinary share of the Company carries one vote at 
general meetings of the Company. Any ordinary shares held in 
treasury have no voting rights. A shareholder entitled to 
attend, speak and vote at a general meeting may exercise 
their right to vote in person, by proxy, or in relation to 
corporate members, by corporate representatives. To be 
valid, notification of the appointment of a proxy must be 
received not less than 48 hours before the relevant general 
meeting at which the person named in the proxy notice 
proposes to vote. The Directors may in their discretion 
determine that in calculating the 48-hour period, no account 
be taken of any part of a day, which is not a working day. 
Employees who participate in the Share Incentive Plan whose 
shares remain in the schemes’ trusts give directions to the 
trustees to vote on their behalf by way of a Form of Direction.

Disclosures required under Listing Rule 9.8.4
The information required by Listing Rule 9.8.4, where 
applicable, can be found on the following pages of the 
Annual Report:

Listing Rule Description of Listing Rule Page reference
9.8.4 (12)

147

Details of any 
arrangement under which 
a shareholder has waived 
or agreed to waive any 
dividends.

Interests in own shares
Details of the Group’s interests in its own shares are set out 
in note 23 to the Financial Statements.

Share capital
Details of the issued share capital, together with details of 
movements in the issued share capital of the Company during 
the year, are shown in note 23. This is incorporated by 
reference and deemed to be part of this report.

The Company has one class of ordinary share, which carries 
no right to fixed income. Each share carries the right to one 
vote at general meetings of the Company. The ordinary 
shares are listed on the Official List and traded on the London 
Stock Exchange. As at 30 March 2019, the Company had 
411,456,001 ordinary shares in issue. The Company does not 
hold any shares in treasury.

In order to retain maximum flexibility, the Group proposes to 
renew the authority granted by ordinary shareholder 
resolution at the AGM in 2018, to repurchase up to just under 
10% of its issued share capital. Under the authority from 
June 2018 to September 2018, £150 million worth of shares 
were bought back. Further details of the share buyback can 
be found in note 23 to the Financial Statements. A further 
share buyback of £150 million will be completed in 
FY 2019/20. Further details are provided in the Notice of this 
year’s AGM, which is available on the Company’s website at 
www.burberryplc.com.

147

Burberry World is the key digital intranet channel used by the 
Company to communicate with employees globally. Through 
Burberry World the Company shares news, significant brand 
events and Company announcements. 

Other methods and channels used include town halls, 
face-to-face briefings, open discussion forums with senior 
management, email and instant messaging. The Company 
also uses videos, podcasts and digital web pages to 
communicate key initiatives, events and other brand 
messages, to enhance internal communications, employee 
connectivity and the Burberry culture.

Employee share ownership
As part of its remuneration framework the Group operates 
two all-employee share plans and encourages employee share 
ownership at all levels of the organisation. Further details of 
these are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
pages 123 to 144. 

Under its two all-employee share plans, during FY 2019/20 
the Group intends to grant awards of free shares (or 
equivalent cash-based awards as appropriate) to all eligible 
employees globally and to invite eligible employees where 
possible to participate in the Sharesave Scheme. The Group 
reviews the operation of these plans to ensure that they 
effectively support the Group’s strategy and encourage 
alignment by employees with the Group’s performance.

Further information regarding the Group’s approach to 
employee involvement and communications is provided on 
page 62.

Dividends
The Directors recommend that a final dividend of 31.5p per 
ordinary share (FY 2017/18: 30.3p) in respect of the year to 
30 March 2019 be paid on 2 August 2019 to those persons on 
the Register of Members as at 28 June 2019.

An interim dividend of 11.0p per ordinary share was paid 
to shareholders on 1 February 2019 (FY 2017/18: 11.0p). This 
will make a total dividend of 42.5p per ordinary share in 
respect of the financial year to 30 March 2019. The aggregate 
dividends paid and recommended in respect of the year to 30 
March 2019 total £173.5 million (FY 2017/18: £171.7 million).

Significant contracts – change of control
Pursuant to the Companies Act 2006, the Directors disclose 
that in the event of a change of control, the Company’s 
borrowings under the Group’s £300 million revolving credit 
facility, dated 25 November 2014, could become repayable.

Service agreements
Details of the service agreements of the Executive 
Directors are set out on page 139 of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report.

Share plans
The provisions of the Company’s employee share plans may 
cause options and awards granted under such plans to vest 
upon a change of control.

Licence agreement
On 3 April 2017, Burberry entered into an exclusive licensing 
agreement with Coty pursuant to which Coty develops, 
manufactures, markets, distributes and sells Burberry Beauty 
products. The agreement took effect in October 2017, from 
which time ongoing royalty payments have been payable to 
Burberry. Pursuant to the Companies Act 2006, the 
Directors disclose that a change in control of Burberry will, in 
limited circumstances, result in Coty having a right of 
termination of the licence agreement.

EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT
Employee communications
The Company believes that employee communications is 
an important tool to enhance the Company culture and 
connectivity, and to motivate and retain employees. A global 
communications programme, incorporating various physical 
and digital channels, enables all employees to connect and 
collaborate closely. These channels are used to efficiently 
communicate the Company's key strategies, financial 
performance and other matters of interest and importance.

148

GOVERNANCE REPORTThe Strategic Report from pages 4 to 89 and Directors’ 
Report from pages 145 to 149 have been approved by the 
Board on 15 May 2019 in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006.

By order of the Board

GEMMA PARSONS
Company Secretary

15 May 2019

Burberry Group plc 
Registered Office:  
Horseferry House  
Horseferry Road  
London 
SW1P 2AW

Registered in England and Wales 
Registered number: 03458224

EMPLOYMENT POLICIES
The Company takes an inclusive approach to employment. 
More information can be found on page 41. The Company 
encourages its employees to work across functions, 
geographies and cultures to enhance understanding and 
create a connected global community. As the Group continues 
to grow globally, we are building on our long-term 
commitment to diversity and inclusion, embracing the 
cultures of all the countries where we do business. Burberry 
is committed to making the necessary adjustments to 
support employment of people with disabilities, and provide 
training and development to ensure they have the opportunity 
to achieve their potential.

Further information regarding the Group’s employment 
policies is provided on the Group’s website at  
 www.burberryplc.com.

Health and Safety
The Company has a global Health and Safety Policy approved 
by the Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the Board. A 
safety-first approach is firmly embedded in all operational 
activities in Burberry. Governance of our health and safety 
strategy is maintained through a Global Health and Safety 
Committee, which is chaired by the General Counsel. Health 
and safety issues are also considered by the Ethics 
Committee, Risk Committee and Audit Committee. Each 
region has a local committee, which assist with 
implementation of our health and safety strategy and help to 
ensure all local regulatory and Burberry standards are 
achieved and maintained.

Strategic direction on health and safety matters is provided 
by the Senior Manager, Global Health and Safety, and is 
supported by a global team. In line with industry best 
practice, our health and safety goals and objectives are set 
each year to continually analyse our performance and support 
a process for continuous improvement. Our unannounced 
global assurance audit programme continues to measure 
health and safety performance within our managed 
operations at a set frequency and tracks improvement 
actions and risk reduction strategies through to closure.

In FY 2018/19, as a result of our many initiatives, we have 
seen improvements across all health and safety topic areas, 
with specific focus on supporting the business with health 
and well-being initiatives. 

149

FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES 

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, which includes the Strategic Report; the Directors’ Report;  
the Directors’ Remuneration Report; and the financial statements in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. 

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared 
the Group financial statements in accordance with 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, comprising FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ and applicable law). Under company  
law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state  
of affairs of the Group and the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that year. In preparing these financial statements  
the directors are required to: 

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 
•  state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European Union have been followed for the Group financial statements and United 

Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101, have been followed for the Company financial statements, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and explained in the Group and parent Company financial statements respectively;  

•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and 
•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and Company will 

continue in business. 

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

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom 
governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

The directors consider that the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Group and the Company’s position and performance, business model and strategy. 

Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed on pages 94 to 97 confirm that, to the best of their knowledge: 

•  the Company financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’, and applicable law), give a 
true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Company; 

•  the Group financial statements, which have been 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 Group; and 

•  the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group and 

the Company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces. 

These statements were approved by the Board on 15 May 2019 and signed on its behalf by: 

MARCO GOBBETTI 
Chief Executive Officer 

JULIE BROWN 
Chief Operating and Financial Officer 

152 
152

 
 
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BURBERRY GROUP PLC 

REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
OPINION 
In our opinion: 

•  Burberry Group plc’s Group financial statements and Company financial statements (the “financial statements”) give a true and fair 
view of the state of the Group’s and of the Company’s affairs as at 30 March 2019 and of the Group’s profit and cash flows for the 
year then ended; 

•  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard’s (IFRSs) 

as adopted by the European Union; 

•  the Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”, and applicable law); and 

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

the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual Report, which comprise: the Group Balance sheet as at  
30 March 2019, the Group Income Statement and Group Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year then ended, the Group 
Statement of Changes in Equity for the year then ended, the Group Statement of Cash Flows for the year then ended, and the 
Company Balance Sheet as at 30 March 2019, the Company Statement of Changes in Equity for the year then ended; and the notes  
to the financial statements, which include a description of the significant accounting policies. 

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit Committee. 

BASIS FOR OPINION 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our 
responsibilities under ISAs (UK) are further described in the Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section 
of our report. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

The directors consider that the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information 

necessary for shareholders to assess the Group and the Company’s position and performance, business model and strategy. 

Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed on pages 94 to 97 confirm that, to the best of their knowledge: 

INDEPENDENCE 
We remained independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial 
statements in the UK, which includes the FRC’s Ethical Standard, as applicable to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled 
our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. 

To the best of our knowledge and belief, we declare that non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided 
to the Group or the Company. 

Other than those disclosed in note 8 to the financial statements, we have provided no non-audit services to the Group or the Company 
in the period from 1 April 2018 to 30 March 2019. 

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, which includes the Strategic Report; the Directors’ Report;  

the Directors’ Remuneration Report; and the financial statements in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. 

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared 

the Group financial statements in accordance with 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, comprising FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ and applicable law). Under company  

law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state  

of affairs of the Group and the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that year. In preparing these financial statements  

the directors are required to: 

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

•  state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European Union have been followed for the Group financial statements and United 

Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101, have been followed for the Company financial statements, subject to any 

material departures disclosed and explained in the Group and parent Company financial statements respectively;  

•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and 

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and Company will 

continue in business. 

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group and 

Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and Company and  

enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the Directors’ Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 2006 

and, as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets 

of the Company and the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom 

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

•  the Company financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 

Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’, and applicable law), give a 

true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Company; 

•  the Group financial statements, which have been 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 Group; and 

•  the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group and 

the Company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces. 

These statements were approved by the Board on 15 May 2019 and signed on its behalf by: 

MARCO GOBBETTI 

Chief Executive Officer 

JULIE BROWN 

Chief Operating and Financial Officer 

152 

153 
153

 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BURBERRY GROUP PLC 

OUR AUDIT APPROACH 
OVERVIEW 

•  Overall Group materiality: £20 million (last year: £20 million), based on 5% of profit before tax.
•  Overall Company materiality: £16 million (last year: £16 million), based on 1% of total assets. 

MATERIALITY

•  We conducted audit work over seven reporting units across five territories in which the Group 

AUDIT SCOPE

has significant operations.  

•  The reporting units where we performed an audit of their complete financial information 

account for 74% of Group revenue and 82% of Group profit before tax. 

•  The Group engagement team visited, in person, all component audit teams, attended audit 

clearance meetings and discussed the audit approach and findings with those teams. 

•  We maintained regular contact with our component teams and evaluated the outcome of their 

audit work. 

AREAS OF 
FOCUS

•  Inventory provisioning.
•  Impairment of property, plant and equipment and onerous lease provisions. 
•  Uncertain tax positions.  
•  Presentation of results and non-GAAP measures. 

THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT 
As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. 

CAPABILITY OF THE AUDIT IN DETECTING IRREGULARITIES, INCLUDING FRAUD 
Based on our understanding of the industry and Group, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and 
regulations related to breaches of employment law and unethical and prohibited business practices, and we considered the extent to 
which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that 
have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006. We evaluated management’s 
incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and 
determined that the principal risks were related to posting inappropriate journal entries to increase profit, and management bias in 
accounting estimates. The Group engagement team shared this risk assessment with the component auditors so that they could 
include appropriate audit procedures in response to such risks in their work. Audit procedures performed by the Group engagement 
team and/or component auditors included: 

•  Discussions with management, internal audit and the Group’s legal counsel, including consideration of known or suspected instances 

of non-compliance with laws and regulation and fraud; 

•  Assessment of any significant matters reported on the Group’s internal whistleblowing helpline (and related processes) and the 

results of management’s investigation of such matters; 

•  Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates; and 
•  Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations. 

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and 
regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it.  
Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error,  
as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion. 

KEY AUDIT MATTERS 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors’ professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the 
financial statements of the current year and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not  
due to fraud) identified by the auditors, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of 
resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters, and any comments we make on the results  
of our procedures thereon, were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion 
thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit.  

154 
154

 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BURBERRY GROUP PLC 

OUR AUDIT APPROACH 

OVERVIEW 

•  Overall Group materiality: £20 million (last year: £20 million), based on 5% of profit before tax.

•  Overall Company materiality: £16 million (last year: £16 million), based on 1% of total assets. 

•  We conducted audit work over seven reporting units across five territories in which the Group 

has significant operations.  

•  The reporting units where we performed an audit of their complete financial information 

account for 74% of Group revenue and 82% of Group profit before tax. 

•  The Group engagement team visited, in person, all component audit teams, attended audit 

clearance meetings and discussed the audit approach and findings with those teams. 

•  We maintained regular contact with our component teams and evaluated the outcome of their 

audit work. 

•  Inventory provisioning.

•  Impairment of property, plant and equipment and onerous lease provisions. 

•  Uncertain tax positions.  

•  Presentation of results and non-GAAP measures. 

THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT 

As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. 

CAPABILITY OF THE AUDIT IN DETECTING IRREGULARITIES, INCLUDING FRAUD 

Based on our understanding of the industry and Group, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and 

regulations related to breaches of employment law and unethical and prohibited business practices, and we considered the extent to 

which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that 

have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006. We evaluated management’s 

incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and 

determined that the principal risks were related to posting inappropriate journal entries to increase profit, and management bias in 

accounting estimates. The Group engagement team shared this risk assessment with the component auditors so that they could 

include appropriate audit procedures in response to such risks in their work. Audit procedures performed by the Group engagement 

team and/or component auditors included: 

•  Discussions with management, internal audit and the Group’s legal counsel, including consideration of known or suspected instances 

•  Assessment of any significant matters reported on the Group’s internal whistleblowing helpline (and related processes) and the 

of non-compliance with laws and regulation and fraud; 

results of management’s investigation of such matters; 

•  Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates; and 

•  Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations. 

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and 

regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it.  

Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error,  

as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion. 

KEY AUDIT MATTERS 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors’ professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the 

financial statements of the current year and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not  

due to fraud) identified by the auditors, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of 

resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters, and any comments we make on the results  

of our procedures thereon, were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion 

thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit.  

Key audit matter 
Inventory provisioning 
The Group manufactures and sells luxury goods and is subject 
to changing consumer demands and fashion trends, increasing  
the level of judgement involved in estimating inventory provisions 
(inventory as at 30 March 2019: £465.1 million; refer to note 17 to 
the financial statements).  
This key audit matter includes the consideration of inventory 
provisions relating to both finished goods and raw materials. 
Judgement is required to assess the appropriate level of 
provisioning for items that may be exited or sold below cost, 
particularly in light of current uncertain trading conditions and  
the Group’s strategy to elevate the brand and manage creative 
transition. The judgement relates to management’s expectations 
for future sales based on current forecasts, and its intentions  
with respect to alternative exit routes for inventory. 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

For both finished goods and raw materials, we critically 
assessed the basis for the inventory provisions, the consistency 
of provisioning in line with the Group’s policy and the rationale  
for the recording of specific provisions in the context of 
management’s product strategy. 
In doing so we tested the provision calculations and determined 
that they appropriately took into account the ageing profile of 
inventory, the process for identifying specific problem inventory 
and historical loss rates. We assessed the key assumptions in 
management’s estimates including expected future use of both 
raw materials and finished goods. 
Given the announcement made by the Group in September 2018 
that it would no longer destroy fashion finished goods, we have 
worked to understand management’s latest plans for exiting 
problem stock, and ensured that the inventory provision 
appropriately reflected the impact of changes in planned 
exit routes. 
As a result, we satisfied ourselves that both finished goods and 
raw materials inventory provisions have been prepared in line with 
policy and have been calculated and recorded based on historical 
sales information, as well as appropriately taking into account 
management’s intentions with respect to future sales and 
inventory exit routes.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment and onerous retail lease provisions
The Group has a material operational asset base which may be 
vulnerable to impairment in the event of trading performance 
being below expectations. 
The value-in-use models used to determine the amount of any 
impairment charge are based on assumptions, including revenue 
forecasts and margins, which are store specific, and discount 
rates, which are country specific (refer to note 14 to the financial 
statements). Such stores may be located in both emerging 
markets, which are typically more volatile, as well as more 
established economies such as the US, where the Group is  
working towards elevating its position within the market. 
The same judgements are used in determining whether an 
onerous lease provision is required on a retail store and in 
calculating the appropriate amount of the provision. In addition, 
judgement is required in assessing whether there are any 
alternative uses for stores which may affect the amount of 
onerous lease provision required. 
As set in note 14 to the financial statements, management’s 
assessment resulted in the recognition of a net charge for the  
year ended 30 March 2019 of £11.2 million, including £7.5 million 
for store impairments and £3.7 million for onerous retail 
store leases. 
We focussed on this area because of the inherent judgement 
involved in determining key assumptions such as future sales 
growth, profit margins and discount rates, and the magnitude  
of the assets under consideration and lease obligations. 

We tested management’s assessment of indicators for both 
impairment and onerous lease provisions taking into consideration 
the challenging trading conditions in some territories, and are 
satisfied that they appropriately reflect internal and external 
impairment indicators, including the trading performance of 
each store. 
We tested the value-in-use models for assets where an 
impairment trigger or potential requirement for an onerous lease 
provision has been identified, including challenging management 
forecasts and other assumptions such as discount rates and 
long-term growth rates, and found that these assumptions 
were reasonable. 
In particular we focused on the forecasts for sales growth and 
are satisfied that they reflect reasonable expectations for each 
store, taking into account the store’s maturity, the market in 
which it is located and management’s specific plans for improving 
store performance. 
Given the judgement inherent in the impairment and onerous 
lease provision calculations, particularly relating to revenue 
growth assumptions, management has disclosed a sensitivity 
analysis in the financial statements (refer to note 14 to the 
financial statements). 
Having re-performed the sensitivity calculations and considered 
whether any other sensitivities might be more appropriate, we are 
satisfied that the financial statements adequately disclose the 
potential risk of future impairment if the performance of the 
stores with indicators of impairment does not meet 
management’s expectations.

154 

155 
155

 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BURBERRY GROUP PLC 

Key audit matter 
Uncertain tax positions 
The Group operates in a multi-national tax environment which, 
together with its centralised operating model, means it is subject 
to tax risks associated with transfer pricing. 
As at 30 March 2019, the Group has current income taxes payable 
of £37.1 million. Where the amount of tax payable is uncertain,  
the Group establishes provisions based on management’s best 
estimate of the most likely outcome. 
There is inherent judgement and estimation uncertainty involved 
in determining provisions for uncertain tax positions, as described 
by management in note 1. 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

In conjunction with our tax specialists, we evaluated 
management’s rationale in relation to the level of tax provisions 
recognised. We considered the status of recent and current tax 
audits as well as discussions with HMRC and local tax authorities 
in relation to transfer pricing arrangements. 
We utilised our specialist tax knowledge and experience of similar 
situations elsewhere to assess management’s judgements. 
We reviewed the disclosures within the financial statements  
to verify that the impact of the estimates taken was clearly 
explained. In addition, together with our tax specialists, we have 
assessed management’s estimate of the potential variability  
of outcomes of these provisions, as summarised in note 1,  
and concluded that this disclosure is reasonable. 
Overall, we found the level of provisioning and the related 
disclosures to be appropriate.

Presentation of results and non-GAAP measures 
Management use a number of adjusted measures to explain 
business performance. There is a risk that the use of such 
measures means that the overall presentation of results is  
not fair, balanced and understandable. 
In the year ended 30 March 2019 the Group has identified four 
adjusting items, being the gain on disposal of Beauty operations, 
restructuring costs, revaluation of deferred consideration liability 
and the finance charge thereon (refer to note 6 and note 7 to the 
financial statements). 

We considered management’s recognition of adjusting items and 
the related presentation and accompanying disclosures and are 
satisfied that the selection of adjusting items is consistent with 
prior years, is in line with management’s accounting policies and is 
adequately explained in the financial statements. 
We noted no instances of inappropriate or inconsistent 
presentation of results and non-GAAP measures. Specifically, we 
are satisfied that non-GAAP measures are adequately explained 
and reconciled to GAAP measures.

We determined that there were no key audit matters applicable to the Company to communicate in our report. 

HOW WE TAILORED THE AUDIT SCOPE 
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements 
as a whole, taking into account the structure of the Group and the Company, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in 
which they operate. 

The Group operates across three regions and is structured across two segments, being retail/wholesale and licensing. 

The financial statements are a consolidation of 98 reporting units, comprising the Group’s operating businesses and holding companies 
across the two segments. 

Based on our risk and materiality assessments, we determined which reporting units required an audit of their complete financial 
information having considered the relative significance of each entity to the Group, locations with significant inherent risks and the 
overall coverage obtained over each material line item in the consolidated financial statements. We identified seven reporting units 
which, in our view, required an audit of their complete financial information, either due to their size or their risk characteristics. 
Included within these seven components was the parent Company. These reporting units are located in China, Hong Kong, and Korea 
and two are located in each of the US and the UK. We used local teams in these countries to perform those full scope audits relating to 
the relevant reporting units. 

Of these, three reporting units have been determined to be financially significant based on their contribution to Group revenue or  
profit before taxation. The scope of work, together with additional procedures performed at the Group level in relation primarily to  
the consolidation, taxation, litigation, impairment and earnings per share, accounted for 74% (last year: 74%) of Group revenue and 
82% (last year: 80%) of Group profit before taxation.  

In addition to the audits performed on full-scope components, we gathered other audit evidence across the rest of the Group through 
testing of the Group’s global monitoring controls, Group-level analytical procedures and testing at the Leeds and Hong Kong Shared 
Service Centres. This gave us the evidence we needed for our opinion on the financial statements as a whole. 

We issued formal written instructions to all component auditors setting out the audit work to be performed at each of them. The 
Group team visited reporting units in the UK, US, China, Hong Kong and Korea during the course of the year in order to attend local 
management meetings. Throughout the year, the Group audit team held regular meetings with all component teams at all stages of  
the audit to direct and supervise the work of these local teams and to ensure that we had a full and comprehensive understanding of 
the results of their work – particularly insofar as it related to the identified areas of focus. The Group engagement team also reviewed 
selected audit working papers for certain component teams. 

156 
156

 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BURBERRY GROUP PLC 

Key audit matter 

Uncertain tax positions 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

The Group operates in a multi-national tax environment which, 

In conjunction with our tax specialists, we evaluated 

together with its centralised operating model, means it is subject 

management’s rationale in relation to the level of tax provisions 

to tax risks associated with transfer pricing. 

recognised. We considered the status of recent and current tax 

As at 30 March 2019, the Group has current income taxes payable 

audits as well as discussions with HMRC and local tax authorities 

of £37.1 million. Where the amount of tax payable is uncertain,  

in relation to transfer pricing arrangements. 

the Group establishes provisions based on management’s best 

We utilised our specialist tax knowledge and experience of similar 

estimate of the most likely outcome. 

situations elsewhere to assess management’s judgements. 

There is inherent judgement and estimation uncertainty involved 

We reviewed the disclosures within the financial statements  

in determining provisions for uncertain tax positions, as described 

to verify that the impact of the estimates taken was clearly 

by management in note 1. 

explained. In addition, together with our tax specialists, we have 

assessed management’s estimate of the potential variability  

of outcomes of these provisions, as summarised in note 1,  

and concluded that this disclosure is reasonable. 

Overall, we found the level of provisioning and the related 

disclosures to be appropriate.

Presentation of results and non-GAAP measures 

Management use a number of adjusted measures to explain 

We considered management’s recognition of adjusting items and 

business performance. There is a risk that the use of such 

the related presentation and accompanying disclosures and are 

measures means that the overall presentation of results is  

satisfied that the selection of adjusting items is consistent with 

not fair, balanced and understandable. 

prior years, is in line with management’s accounting policies and is 

In the year ended 30 March 2019 the Group has identified four 

adequately explained in the financial statements. 

adjusting items, being the gain on disposal of Beauty operations, 

We noted no instances of inappropriate or inconsistent 

restructuring costs, revaluation of deferred consideration liability 

presentation of results and non-GAAP measures. Specifically, we 

and the finance charge thereon (refer to note 6 and note 7 to the 

are satisfied that non-GAAP measures are adequately explained 

financial statements). 

and reconciled to GAAP measures.

We determined that there were no key audit matters applicable to the Company to communicate in our report. 

HOW WE TAILORED THE AUDIT SCOPE 

We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements 

as a whole, taking into account the structure of the Group and the Company, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in 

which they operate. 

The Group operates across three regions and is structured across two segments, being retail/wholesale and licensing. 

The financial statements are a consolidation of 98 reporting units, comprising the Group’s operating businesses and holding companies 

across the two segments. 

Based on our risk and materiality assessments, we determined which reporting units required an audit of their complete financial 

information having considered the relative significance of each entity to the Group, locations with significant inherent risks and the 

overall coverage obtained over each material line item in the consolidated financial statements. We identified seven reporting units 

which, in our view, required an audit of their complete financial information, either due to their size or their risk characteristics. 

Included within these seven components was the parent Company. These reporting units are located in China, Hong Kong, and Korea 

and two are located in each of the US and the UK. We used local teams in these countries to perform those full scope audits relating to 

the relevant reporting units. 

Of these, three reporting units have been determined to be financially significant based on their contribution to Group revenue or  

profit before taxation. The scope of work, together with additional procedures performed at the Group level in relation primarily to  

the consolidation, taxation, litigation, impairment and earnings per share, accounted for 74% (last year: 74%) of Group revenue and 

82% (last year: 80%) of Group profit before taxation.  

In addition to the audits performed on full-scope components, we gathered other audit evidence across the rest of the Group through 

testing of the Group’s global monitoring controls, Group-level analytical procedures and testing at the Leeds and Hong Kong Shared 

Service Centres. This gave us the evidence we needed for our opinion on the financial statements as a whole. 

We issued formal written instructions to all component auditors setting out the audit work to be performed at each of them. The 

Group team visited reporting units in the UK, US, China, Hong Kong and Korea during the course of the year in order to attend local 

management meetings. Throughout the year, the Group audit team held regular meetings with all component teams at all stages of  

the audit to direct and supervise the work of these local teams and to ensure that we had a full and comprehensive understanding of 

the results of their work – particularly insofar as it related to the identified areas of focus. The Group engagement team also reviewed 

selected audit working papers for certain component teams. 

MATERIALITY 
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, 
together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit 
procedures on the individual financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both 
individually and in aggregate on the financial statements as a whole.  

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows: 

Overall materiality 
How we determined it 
Rationale for benchmark applied 

Group financial statements
£20 million (last year: £20 million).
5% of profit before tax.
Burberry is a profit oriented entity and 
hence profit before taxation has been 
selected as the benchmark. 

Company financial statements
£16 million (last year: £16 million).
1% of total assets. 
We determined materiality based on total assets, 
which is more applicable than a performance-
related measure as the Company is an 
investment holding company for the Group.

For each component in the scope of our Group audit, we allocated a materiality that is less than our overall Group materiality.  
The range of materiality allocated across components was between £4 million and £18 million.  

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £1 million 
(Group audit) (last year: £1 million) and £1 million (Company audit) (last year: £1 million) as well as misstatements below those amounts 
that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons. 

GOING CONCERN 
In accordance with ISAs (UK) we report as follows: 

Reporting obligation 
We are required to report if we have anything material to add 
or draw attention to in respect of the directors’ statement 
in the financial statements about whether the directors 
considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis 
of accounting in preparing the financial statements and the 
directors’ identification of any material uncertainties to the 
Group’s and the Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern over a period of at least twelve months from the date 
of approval of the financial statements. 
We are required to report if the directors’ statement relating 
to Going Concern in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is 
materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit.

Outcome
We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to. However, 
because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this 
statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s and Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern. For example, the terms on 
which the United Kingdom may withdraw from the European 
Union are not clear, and it is difficult to evaluate all of the potential 
implications on the company’s trade, customers, suppliers and the 
wider economy.  

We have nothing to report.

REPORTING ON OTHER INFORMATION  
The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our auditors’ 
report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the 
other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, 
any form of assurance thereon.  

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are 
required to perform procedures to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of the financial statements or a material 
misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement  
of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report based on these responsibilities. 

With respect to the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report, we also considered whether the disclosures required by the UK Companies 
Act 2006 have been included.  

Based on the responsibilities described above and our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006, (CA06), 
ISAs (UK) and the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) require us also to report certain opinions and matters as 
described below (required by ISAs (UK) unless otherwise stated). 

156 

157 
157

 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BURBERRY GROUP PLC 

Strategic Report and Directors’ Report 
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Report for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with 
applicable legal requirements. (CA06) 

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit,  
we did not identify any material misstatements in the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report. (CA06) 

The directors’ assessment of the prospects of the Group and of the principal risks that would threaten the solvency or liquidity of 
the Group 
We have nothing material to add or draw attention to regarding: 

•  The directors’ confirmation on pages 88 to 89 of the Annual Report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal 

risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. 

•  The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated. 
•  The directors’ explanation on pages 88 to 89 of the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, 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 Group 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. 

We have nothing to report having performed a review of the directors’ statement that they have carried out a robust assessment of 
the principal risks facing the Group and statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the Group. Our review was substantially 
less in scope than an audit and only consisted of making enquiries and considering the directors’ process supporting their statements; 
checking that the statements are in alignment with the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”); and 
considering whether the statements are consistent with the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Company and their 
environment obtained in the course of the audit. (Listing Rules) 

Other Code Provisions 
We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when:  

•  The statement given by the directors, on page 152, that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced  

and understandable, and provides the information necessary for the members to assess the Group’s and Company’s position and 
performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the Group and Company obtained in the 
course of performing our audit. 

•  The section of the Annual Report on page 117 describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters 

communicated by us to the Audit Committee. 

•  The directors’ statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the Code does not properly disclose a departure from a relevant 

provision of the Code specified, under the Listing Rules, for review by the auditors. 

Directors’ Remuneration 
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006. (CA06) 

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE AUDIT 
Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements 
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 152, the directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true  
and fair view. The directors are also responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation  
of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the Company’s ability to continue as 
a going concern, disclosing as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the 
directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is  
a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in  
the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these 
financial statements. 

158 
158

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at: 
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors’ report. 

USE OF THIS REPORT 
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the Company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 
of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for 
any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed 
by our prior consent in writing. 

OTHER REQUIRED REPORTING 

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

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or 
•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from 

branches not visited by us; or 

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 
•  the Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement with the 

accounting records and returns.  

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.  

APPOINTMENT 
Based on available records, we were appointed by the members prior to 31 March 1968 to audit the financial statements for at least 
the year ended 31 March 1968 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is at least 52 years, 
covering the years ended 31 March 1968 to 30 March 2019. 

PAUL CRAGG (SENIOR STATUTORY AUDITOR) 
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 

London 
15 May 2019 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BURBERRY GROUP PLC 

Strategic Report and Directors’ Report 

applicable legal requirements. (CA06) 

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Strategic Report and Directors’ 

Report for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with 

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit,  

we did not identify any material misstatements in the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report. (CA06) 

The directors’ assessment of the prospects of the Group and of the principal risks that would threaten the solvency or liquidity of 

the Group 

We have nothing material to add or draw attention to regarding: 

•  The directors’ confirmation on pages 88 to 89 of the Annual Report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal 

risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. 

•  The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated. 

•  The directors’ explanation on pages 88 to 89 of the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, 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 Group 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. 

We have nothing to report having performed a review of the directors’ statement that they have carried out a robust assessment of 

the principal risks facing the Group and statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the Group. Our review was substantially 

less in scope than an audit and only consisted of making enquiries and considering the directors’ process supporting their statements; 

checking that the statements are in alignment with the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”); and 

considering whether the statements are consistent with the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Company and their 

environment obtained in the course of the audit. (Listing Rules) 

Other Code Provisions 

We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when:  

•  The statement given by the directors, on page 152, that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced  

and understandable, and provides the information necessary for the members to assess the Group’s and Company’s position and 

performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the Group and Company obtained in the 

•  The section of the Annual Report on page 117 describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters 

course of performing our audit. 

communicated by us to the Audit Committee. 

•  The directors’ statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the Code does not properly disclose a departure from a relevant 

provision of the Code specified, under the Listing Rules, for review by the auditors. 

Directors’ Remuneration 

Companies Act 2006. (CA06) 

In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE AUDIT 

Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements 

As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 152, the directors are responsible for the 

preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true  

and fair view. The directors are also responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation  

of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the Company’s ability to continue as 

a going concern, disclosing as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the 

directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material 

misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is  

a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material 

misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in  

the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these 

financial statements. 

158 

159 
159

 
GROUP INCOME STATEMENT 

 Revenue 
 Cost of sales 
 Gross profit 
 Net operating expenses 
 Operating profit 

 Financing 
 Finance income 
 Finance expense 
 Other financing charge 
 Net finance income 
 Profit before taxation 
 Taxation 
 Profit for the year 

 Attributable to: 
 Owners of the Company 
 Non-controlling interest 
 Profit for the year 

 Earnings per share  
 Basic 
 Diluted 

 Reconciliation of adjusted profit before taxation: 
 Profit before taxation 
 Adjusting items: 
 Adjusting operating items 
 Adjusting financing items 
 Adjusted profit before taxation – non-GAAP measure

 Adjusted earnings per share – non-GAAP measure 
 Basic 
 Diluted 

 Dividends per share 
 Interim  
 Proposed final (not recognised as a liability at 30 March/31 March)

52 weeks to 
30 March 
2019 
£m 
2,720.2 
(859.4)
1,860.8 
(1,423.6)
437.2 

Note 
3 

4 

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
2,732.8
(835.4)
1,897.4
(1,487.1)
410.3

8.7 
(3.6)
(1.7)
3.4 
440.6 
(101.5)
339.1 

339.3 
(0.2)
339.1 

82.3p 
81.7p 

7.8
(3.5)
(2.0)
2.3
412.6
(119.0)
293.6

293.5
0.1
293.6

68.9p
68.4p

£m 

£m

440.6 

412.6

0.9 
1.7 
443.2 

82.7p 
82.1p 

11.0p 
31.5p 

56.3
2.0
470.9

82.8p
82.1p

11.0p
30.3p

9 
5 
10 

11 
11 

5 
5 

11 
11 

12 
12 

160 
160

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GROUP INCOME STATEMENT 

GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income1: 
Cash flow hedges 
Net investment hedges 
Foreign currency translation differences 
Tax on other comprehensive income: 
Cash flow hedges 
Net investment hedges 
Foreign currency translation differences 
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income for the year 

Total comprehensive income attributable to: 
Owners of the Company 
Non-controlling interest 

Note 

23 
23 

10 
10 
10 

52 weeks to 
30 March
2019
£m
339.1

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
293.6

(2.1)
1.6
14.6

0.4
(0.2)
(1.3)
13.0
352.1

352.0
0.1
352.1

(10.0)
2.3
(50.2)

1.9
(0.4)
3.6
(52.8)
240.8

241.2
(0.4)
240.8

1.  All items included in other comprehensive income may subsequently be reclassified to profit and loss in a future period. 

 Revenue 

 Cost of sales 

 Gross profit 

 Net operating expenses 

 Operating profit 

 Financing 

 Finance income 

 Finance expense 

 Other financing charge 

 Net finance income 

 Profit before taxation 

 Taxation 

 Profit for the year 

 Attributable to: 

 Owners of the Company 

 Non-controlling interest 

 Profit for the year 

 Earnings per share  

 Basic 

 Diluted 

 Reconciliation of adjusted profit before taxation: 

 Profit before taxation 

 Adjusting items: 

 Adjusting operating items 

 Adjusting financing items 

 Adjusted profit before taxation – non-GAAP measure

 Adjusted earnings per share – non-GAAP measure 

 Basic 

 Diluted 

 Dividends per share 

 Interim  

 Proposed final (not recognised as a liability at 30 March/31 March)

52 weeks to 

30 March 

Year to

31 March

2019 

£m 

2,720.2 

(859.4)

1,860.8 

(1,423.6)

437.2 

2018

£m

2,732.8

(835.4)

1,897.4

(1,487.1)

410.3

8.7 

(3.6)

(1.7)

3.4 

440.6 

(101.5)

339.1 

339.3 

(0.2)

339.1 

0.9 

1.7 

443.2 

82.7p 

82.1p 

11.0p 

31.5p 

7.8

(3.5)

(2.0)

2.3

412.6

(119.0)

293.6

293.5

0.1

293.6

68.9p

68.4p

56.3

2.0

470.9

82.8p

82.1p

11.0p

30.3p

11 

11 

82.3p 

81.7p 

£m 

£m

440.6 

412.6

Note 

3 

4 

9 

5 

10 

5 

5 

11 

11 

12 

12 

160 

161 
161

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GROUP BALANCE SHEET 

ASSETS 
Non-current assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Investment properties 
Deferred tax assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Derivative financial assets 

Current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Derivative financial assets 
Income tax receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

LIABILITIES 
Non-current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Derivative financial liabilities 
Retirement benefit obligations 
Provisions for other liabilities and charges 

Current liabilities 
Bank overdrafts  
Derivative financial liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Provisions for other liabilities and charges 
Income tax liabilities 

Total liabilities 
Net assets 

EQUITY 
Capital and reserves attributable to owners of the Company
Ordinary share capital 
Share premium account 
Capital reserve 
Hedging reserve 
Foreign currency translation reserve 
Retained earnings 
Equity attributable to owners of the Company 
Non-controlling interest in equity 
Total equity 

As at 
30 March 
2019 
£m 

As at
31 March
2018
£m

Note 

13 
14 

15 
16 
18 

17 
16 
18 

19 

20 
15 
18 

21 

22 
18 
20 
21 

23 

23 
23 
23 

221.0 
306.9 
2.5 
123.1 
70.1 
– 
723.6 

465.1 
251.1 
3.0 
14.9 
874.5 
1,608.6 
2,332.2 

(176.5) 
(3.4) 
(0.1) 
(1.4) 
(50.7) 
(232.1) 

(37.2) 
(5.5) 
(525.7) 
(34.6) 
(37.1) 
(640.1) 
(872.2) 
1,460.0 

0.2 
216.9 
41.1 
3.5 
227.7 
965.6 
1,455.0 
5.0 
1,460.0 

180.1
313.6
2.6
115.5
69.2
0.3
681.3

411.8
206.3
1.6
6.7
915.3
1,541.7
2,223.0

(168.1)
(4.2)
(0.1)
(0.9)
(71.4)
(244.7)

(23.2)
(3.8)
(460.9)
(32.1)
(32.9)
(552.9)
(797.6)
1,425.4

0.2
214.6
41.1
3.8
214.7
946.1
1,420.5
4.9
1,425.4

The consolidated financial statements of Burberry Group plc (registered number 03458224) on pages 160 to 210 were approved by the 
Board on 15 May 2019 and signed on its behalf by: 

MARCO GOBBETTI 
Chief Executive Officer 

JULIE BROWN 
Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer 

162 
162

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GROUP BALANCE SHEET 

GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

Attributable to owners 
of the Company

Note

23
23
23
23

23
23
23
23

Balance as at 31 March 2017  
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income: 
Cash flow hedges 
Net investment hedges 
Foreign currency translation differences 
Tax on other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income for the year 
Transactions with owners: 
Employee share incentive schemes 
Value of share options granted 
Value of share options transferred to liabilities 
Tax on share options granted 
Exercise of share options 

Purchase of own shares 

Share buy-back 
Held by ESOP trusts 
Dividends paid in the year 
Balance as at 31 March 2018  
Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 9 
Adjusted balance as at 1 April 2018  
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income: 
Cash flow hedges 
Net investment hedges 
Foreign currency translation differences 
Tax on other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income for the year 
Transactions with owners: 
Employee share incentive schemes 
Value of share options granted 
Value of share options transferred to liabilities 
Tax on share options granted 
Exercise of share options 

Purchase of own shares 

Share buy-back 
Held by ESOP trusts 
Dividends paid in the year 
Balance as at 30 March 2019 

Ordinary 
share 
capital
£m
0.2
–

Share 
premium 
account
£m
211.4
–

Other 
reserves
£m
311.9
–

Retained 
earnings 
£m 

Total 
£m 
1,169.0  1,692.5 
293.5 

293.5 

Non-
Total 
controlling 
equity
interest
£m
£m
5.3 1,697.8
293.6
0.1

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
0.2
–
0.2
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
3.2

–
–
–
214.6
–
214.6
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
2.3

(10.0)
2.3
(49.7)
5.1
(52.3)

– 
– 
– 
– 
293.5 

(10.0) 
2.3 
(49.7) 
5.1 
241.2 

–
–
(0.5)
–
(0.4)

(10.0)
2.3
(50.2)
5.1
240.8

–
–
–
–

17.1 
(0.4) 
(0.1) 
– 

17.1 
(0.4) 
(0.1) 
3.2 

–
–
–
–

17.1
(0.4)
(0.1)
3.2

–
–
–
259.6
–
259.6
–

(351.7) 
(351.7) 
(11.9) 
(11.9) 
(169.4) 
(169.4) 
946.1  1,420.5 
(0.2) 
945.9  1,420.3 
339.3 
339.3 

(0.2) 

(2.1)
1.6
14.3
(1.1)
12.7

– 
– 
– 
– 
339.3 

(2.1) 
1.6 
14.3 
(1.1) 
352.0 

–
–
–
–

15.7 
(2.5) 
1.8 
– 

15.7 
(2.5) 
1.8 
2.3 

–
–
–

(351.7)
(11.9)
(169.4)
4.9 1,425.4
(0.2)
4.9 1,425.2
339.1

–

(0.2)

–
–
0.3
–
0.1

–
–
–
–

(2.1)
1.6
14.6
(1.1)
352.1

15.7
(2.5)
1.8
2.3

–
–
–
0.2

–
–
–
216.9

–
–
–
272.3

(150.7) 
(150.7) 
(12.8) 
(12.8) 
(171.1) 
(171.1) 
965.6  1,455.0 

–
–
–

(150.7)
(12.8)
(171.1)
5.0 1,460.0

ASSETS 

Non-current assets 

Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Investment properties 

Deferred tax assets 

Trade and other receivables 

Derivative financial assets 

Current assets 

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

Derivative financial assets 

Income tax receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

LIABILITIES 

Non-current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Derivative financial liabilities 

Retirement benefit obligations 

Provisions for other liabilities and charges 

Current liabilities 

Bank overdrafts  

Derivative financial liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Provisions for other liabilities and charges 

Income tax liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

EQUITY 

Ordinary share capital 

Share premium account 

Capital reserve 

Hedging reserve 

Foreign currency translation reserve 

Retained earnings 

Equity attributable to owners of the Company 

Non-controlling interest in equity 

Total equity 

Capital and reserves attributable to owners of the Company

As at 

As at

30 March 

31 March

Note 

13 

14 

15 

16 

18 

17 

16 

18 

19 

20 

15 

18 

21 

22 

18 

20 

21 

23 

23 

23 

23 

(176.5) 

(168.1)

2019 

£m 

221.0 

306.9 

2.5 

123.1 

70.1 

– 

723.6 

465.1 

251.1 

3.0 

14.9 

874.5 

1,608.6 

2,332.2 

(3.4) 

(0.1) 

(1.4) 

(50.7) 

(232.1) 

(37.2) 

(5.5) 

(525.7) 

(34.6) 

(37.1) 

(640.1) 

(872.2) 

1,460.0 

0.2 

216.9 

41.1 

3.5 

227.7 

965.6 

1,455.0 

5.0 

1,460.0 

2018

£m

180.1

313.6

2.6

115.5

69.2

0.3

681.3

411.8

206.3

1.6

6.7

915.3

1,541.7

2,223.0

(4.2)

(0.1)

(0.9)

(71.4)

(244.7)

(23.2)

(3.8)

(460.9)

(32.1)

(32.9)

(552.9)

(797.6)

1,425.4

0.2

214.6

41.1

3.8

214.7

946.1

1,420.5

4.9

1,425.4

The consolidated financial statements of Burberry Group plc (registered number 03458224) on pages 160 to 210 were approved by the 

Board on 15 May 2019 and signed on its behalf by: 

MARCO GOBBETTI 

JULIE BROWN 

Chief Executive Officer 

Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer 

162 

163 
163

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 

Cash flows from operating activities 
Operating profit  
Depreciation 
Amortisation 
Net impairment of intangible assets 
Net impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Gain on disposal of Beauty operations
Gain on derivative instruments  
Charge in respect of employee share incentive schemes
Receipt from settlement of equity swap contracts 
(Increase) / decrease in inventories 
(Increase) / decrease in receivables 
Increase in payables and provisions 
Cash generated from operating activities 
Interest received 
Interest paid 
Taxation paid 
Net cash generated from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of intangible assets 
Proceeds from disposal of Beauty operations, net of cash costs paid
Acquisition of subsidiary 
Net cash outflow from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Dividends paid in the year  
Payment to non-controlling interest 
Issue of ordinary share capital  
Purchase of own shares through share buy-back 
Purchase of own shares by ESOP trusts 
Net cash outflow from financing activities 

Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Effect of exchange rate changes  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

Cash and cash equivalents as per the Balance Sheet 
Bank overdrafts 
Net cash 

164 
164

52 weeks to 
30 March 
2019 
£m 

Year to
31 March
2018
£m

Note 

14 
13 
13 
14 

6 

6 
28 

12 
20 

23 

437.2 
87.2 
28.6 
3.9 
7.9 
1.2 
(6.9) 
(2.4) 
15.7 
2.5 
(59.3) 
(54.6) 
54.9 
515.9 
8.1 
(1.8) 
(110.8) 
411.4 

(62.6) 
(48.0) 
0.6 
(14.5) 
(124.5) 

(171.1) 
(11.1) 
2.3 
(150.7) 
(12.8) 
(343.4) 

(56.5) 
1.7 
892.1 
837.3 

410.3
105.8
25.5
6.5
10.7
2.7
(5.2)
(3.5)
17.1
0.5
37.2
68.1
115.5
791.2
7.2
(1.6)
(118.4)
678.4

(57.5)
(48.5)
61.1
–
(44.9)

(169.4)
(3.0)
3.2
(355.0)
(11.9)
(536.1)

97.4
(14.5)
809.2
892.1

As at 
30 March 
2019 
£m 
874.5 
(37.2) 
837.3 

As at
31 March
2018
£m
915.3
(23.2)
892.1

Note 
19 
22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Operating profit  

Depreciation 

Amortisation 

Net impairment of intangible assets 

Net impairment of property, plant and equipment 

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Gain on disposal of Beauty operations

Gain on derivative instruments  

Charge in respect of employee share incentive schemes

Receipt from settlement of equity swap contracts 

(Increase) / decrease in inventories 

(Increase) / decrease in receivables 

Increase in payables and provisions 

Cash generated from operating activities 

Interest received 

Interest paid 

Taxation paid 

Net cash generated from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

Purchase of intangible assets 

Acquisition of subsidiary 

Net cash outflow from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Dividends paid in the year  

Payment to non-controlling interest 

Issue of ordinary share capital  

Purchase of own shares through share buy-back 

Purchase of own shares by ESOP trusts 

Net cash outflow from financing activities 

Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Effect of exchange rate changes  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

Proceeds from disposal of Beauty operations, net of cash costs paid

Cash and cash equivalents as per the Balance Sheet 

Bank overdrafts 

Net cash 

52 weeks to 

30 March 

Year to

31 March

2019 

£m 

437.2 

87.2 

28.6 

3.9 

7.9 

1.2 

(6.9) 

(2.4) 

15.7 

2.5 

(59.3) 

(54.6) 

54.9 

515.9 

8.1 

(1.8) 

(110.8) 

411.4 

(62.6) 

(48.0) 

0.6 

(14.5) 

(124.5) 

(171.1) 

(11.1) 

2.3 

(150.7) 

(12.8) 

(343.4) 

(56.5) 

1.7 

892.1 

837.3 

2019 

£m 

874.5 

(37.2) 

837.3 

2018

£m

410.3

105.8

25.5

6.5

10.7

2.7

(5.2)

(3.5)

17.1

0.5

37.2

68.1

115.5

791.2

7.2

(1.6)

(118.4)

678.4

(57.5)

(48.5)

61.1

–

(44.9)

(169.4)

(3.0)

3.2

(355.0)

(11.9)

(536.1)

97.4

(14.5)

809.2

892.1

2018

£m

915.3

(23.2)

892.1

As at 

As at

30 March 

31 March

Note 

14 

13 

13 

14 

6 

6 

28 

12 

20 

23 

Note 

19 

22 

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION 
Burberry Group plc and its subsidiaries (the Group) is a global luxury goods manufacturer, retailer and wholesaler. The Group also 
licenses third parties to manufacture and distribute products using the ‘Burberry’ trademarks. All of the companies which comprise 
the Group are controlled by Burberry Group plc (the Company) directly or indirectly. 

The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with the European Union endorsed International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) interpretations and parts of the Companies Act 
2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical 
cost convention, except as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit 
or loss.  

Taking into account reasonable possible changes in trading performance, and after making enquiries, the Directors consider it 
appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019. 

New accounting policy adopted in the period  
The following accounting policy was adopted for the first time in the financial statements for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019: 

Accounting reference date 
On 1 April 2018, a new policy was adopted for the accounting reference date, in line with guidance under the Companies Act 2006 
Section 390. Previously, the accounting reference date was 31 March each year. From 1 April 2018 onwards, the accounting reference 
date will be a Saturday within 7 days of 31 March. For the current year, the accounting reference date is 30 March 2019 for the full 
year. Comparative information for the year ended 31 March 2018 has not been restated. Had the new policy not been adopted, the 
impact on the results for the current year would be to increase revenue by £6.8 million and increase operating profit by £0.9 million. 

New standards adopted in the period 
The following standards were adopted for the first time in the financial statements for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019:  

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments 
The Group adopted IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, for the period commencing 1 April 2018, with the exception of the hedge accounting 
element which will be adopted when the IFRS 9 Macro hedging is endorsed by the European Union. Until this time the Group will 
continue to hedge account under IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. 

IFRS 9 addresses the classification, measurement and recognition of financial assets and financial liabilities. IFRS 9 replaces the 
guidance in IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.  

The key changes to the Group’s accounting policies resulting from the adoption of IFRS 9 are summarised below: 

•  The standard simplifies the mixed measurement model contained in IAS 39 and establishes three primary measurement categories 
for financial assets: amortised cost; fair value through Other Comprehensive Income (OCI); and fair value through profit and loss. 
The classification of financial assets is based on the business model in which the asset is managed and its contracted cash flow 
characteristics. The application of the new standard has resulted in a change in classification of some financial instruments to reflect 
the new measurement categories. The most significant impact for the Group is that cash equivalents held in money market funds will 
be classified as fair value through profit and loss whereas they were previously measured at amortised cost. However, as the Group 
only invests in low volatility funds, this change in measurement basis has not had any impact on the book value of cash equivalents. 
The impact of this change relating to cash and cash equivalents is set out in note 19.  

•  There are no other classification impacts other than the description applied to financial instruments. The Group’s classification and 

measurement of financial instruments under IFRS 9 and IAS 39 is set out in accounting policy note 2q. 

•  IFRS 9 introduces a forward-looking impairment model based on expected credit losses on financial assets. This has had a minor 

effect on the measurement of the Group’s bad debt provisions, as credit losses are recognised earlier than under IAS 39.  
•  There are also revised disclosure requirements for financial instruments. Comparative information has not been restated.  

The Group has adopted IFRS 9 with the exception of the hedge accounting element which remains in accordance with IAS 39.  

The determination of the business model within which a financial asset is held has been made on the basis of the facts and 
circumstances that existed on 1 April 2018. 

Differences in the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities resulting from the adoption of IFRS 9 are recognised in 
retained earnings as at 1 April 2018. 

164 

165 
165

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION (CONTINUED) 
New standards adopted in the period (continued) 
The impact, net of tax, of the transition to IFRS 9 on financial assets and retained earnings as at 1 April 2018 was to decrease  
retained earnings by £0.2 million, decrease current trade and other receivables by £0.3 million and to decrease current tax liabilities  
by £0.1 million. This IFRS 9 adoption adjustment relates to the different approach to measuring impairment of receivables under 
IFRS 9 compared to IAS 39. Refer to the Group Statement of Changes in Equity on page 163. 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
The Group adopted IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, for the period commencing 1 April 2018. This standard 
addresses the way that revenue derived from contracts with customers is recognised in the financial statements. It replaces IAS 18 
Revenue and IAS 11 Construction Contracts. The Group’s new accounting policy for revenue, together with the previous policy, are set 
out in note 2a. 

The Group has adopted IFRS 15 using the modified retrospective approach. The impact of adoption is not material and as such no 
adjustment has been recognised in opening reserves at 1 April 2018.  

The principal impacts of adopting IFRS 15 on the Group’s financial statements are as follows: 

•  Revenue derived from digital retail sales is recognised when the goods are delivered to the customer. Under IAS 18, revenue was 

previously recognised when the goods were dispatched to the customer. The impact of this change on the current year results is a 
reduction in revenue of £1.4 million for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 and a corresponding increase in contract liabilities of 
£1.4 million as at 30 March 2019.  

•  Payments made to customers for services they provide, directly relating to sales to that customer, are recognised as a reduction in 
revenue, unless in exchange for a distinct good or service. These payments were previously recognised as operating expenses under 
IAS 18. The impact on the income statement, for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, is to reclassify charges of £1.8 million from 
operating expenses to revenue. 

•  Amounts received from customers relating to performance obligations not yet completed are classified as contract liabilities. These 

amounts were previously classified as deferred income under IAS 18. Contract liabilities are disclosed in note 20 for the current 
reporting period. The primary statements are not impacted by this change in classification. 

Standards not yet adopted  
As at 30 March 2019, the following new and revised standards, amendments and interpretations, which may be relevant to the Group’s 
results, were issued but not yet effective: 

IFRS 16 Leases 
IFRS 16 will be effective in the Group’s financial statements for the year end 28 March 2020 and thereafter. IFRS 16 sets out the 
principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. It replaces IAS 17 
Leases and IFRIC 4 Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease. The most significant changes are in relation to lessee 
accounting. Under the new standard, the concept of assessing a lease contract as either operating or financing is replaced by a single 
lessee accounting model. Under this new model, substantially all lease contracts will result in a lessee acquiring a right-of-use asset 
(ROU asset) and creating a corresponding lease liability. The asset will be depreciated over the term of the lease and the interest on 
the financing liability will be charged over the same period.  

Adopting this new standard will result in a material change to way the Group’s Balance Sheet is reported, with ROU assets and 
accompanying financing liabilities for the Group’s retail stores, warehouses and offices being recognised. The Income Statement 
will also be impacted, with rent expense relating to operating leases being replaced by a depreciation charge arising from the ROU 
assets and interest charges arising from lease financing. In the Statement of Cash Flows, lease payments, currently included in Cash 
Generated from Operating Activities, will be replaced by lease interest payments, while payments of lease principal will be included in 
Cash from Financing Activities. However, the adoption of IFRS 16 will not impact the Group’s net cash flow.  

The Group has elected to apply the modified retrospective approach to adoption of IFRS 16. Under this approach, the Group has 
opted to measure the initial ROU assets at an amount equal to the lease liabilities on the date of adoption. The lease liabilities will 
be measured as the present value of future lease payments. The ROU assets will be adjusted to take account of any prepaid lease 
payments and incentives relating to the relevant leases that were recorded on the balance sheet at 30 March 2019.  

The Group has made the following additional implementation options: 

•  The Group will not reassess the determination of leases previously identified as leases under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4. 
•  The Group intends to exclude initial direct costs from the measurement of ROU assets at the adoption date.  

166 
166

 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION (CONTINUED) 

New standards adopted in the period (continued) 

The impact, net of tax, of the transition to IFRS 9 on financial assets and retained earnings as at 1 April 2018 was to decrease  

retained earnings by £0.2 million, decrease current trade and other receivables by £0.3 million and to decrease current tax liabilities  

by £0.1 million. This IFRS 9 adoption adjustment relates to the different approach to measuring impairment of receivables under 

IFRS 9 compared to IAS 39. Refer to the Group Statement of Changes in Equity on page 163. 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers 

The Group adopted IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, for the period commencing 1 April 2018. This standard 

addresses the way that revenue derived from contracts with customers is recognised in the financial statements. It replaces IAS 18 

Revenue and IAS 11 Construction Contracts. The Group’s new accounting policy for revenue, together with the previous policy, are set 

out in note 2a. 

•  Revenue derived from digital retail sales is recognised when the goods are delivered to the customer. Under IAS 18, revenue was 

previously recognised when the goods were dispatched to the customer. The impact of this change on the current year results is a 

reduction in revenue of £1.4 million for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 and a corresponding increase in contract liabilities of 

£1.4 million as at 30 March 2019.  

•  Payments made to customers for services they provide, directly relating to sales to that customer, are recognised as a reduction in 

revenue, unless in exchange for a distinct good or service. These payments were previously recognised as operating expenses under 

IAS 18. The impact on the income statement, for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, is to reclassify charges of £1.8 million from 

operating expenses to revenue. 

•  Amounts received from customers relating to performance obligations not yet completed are classified as contract liabilities. These 

amounts were previously classified as deferred income under IAS 18. Contract liabilities are disclosed in note 20 for the current 

reporting period. The primary statements are not impacted by this change in classification. 

As at 30 March 2019, the following new and revised standards, amendments and interpretations, which may be relevant to the Group’s 

Standards not yet adopted  

results, were issued but not yet effective: 

IFRS 16 Leases 

IFRS 16 will be effective in the Group’s financial statements for the year end 28 March 2020 and thereafter. IFRS 16 sets out the 

principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. It replaces IAS 17 

Leases and IFRIC 4 Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease. The most significant changes are in relation to lessee 

accounting. Under the new standard, the concept of assessing a lease contract as either operating or financing is replaced by a single 

lessee accounting model. Under this new model, substantially all lease contracts will result in a lessee acquiring a right-of-use asset 

(ROU asset) and creating a corresponding lease liability. The asset will be depreciated over the term of the lease and the interest on 

the financing liability will be charged over the same period.  

Adopting this new standard will result in a material change to way the Group’s Balance Sheet is reported, with ROU assets and 

accompanying financing liabilities for the Group’s retail stores, warehouses and offices being recognised. The Income Statement 

will also be impacted, with rent expense relating to operating leases being replaced by a depreciation charge arising from the ROU 

assets and interest charges arising from lease financing. In the Statement of Cash Flows, lease payments, currently included in Cash 

Generated from Operating Activities, will be replaced by lease interest payments, while payments of lease principal will be included in 

Cash from Financing Activities. However, the adoption of IFRS 16 will not impact the Group’s net cash flow.  

The Group has elected to apply the modified retrospective approach to adoption of IFRS 16. Under this approach, the Group has 

opted to measure the initial ROU assets at an amount equal to the lease liabilities on the date of adoption. The lease liabilities will 

be measured as the present value of future lease payments. The ROU assets will be adjusted to take account of any prepaid lease 

payments and incentives relating to the relevant leases that were recorded on the balance sheet at 30 March 2019.  

The Group has made the following additional implementation options: 

•  The Group will not reassess the determination of leases previously identified as leases under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4. 

•  The Group intends to exclude initial direct costs from the measurement of ROU assets at the adoption date.  

The Group has adopted IFRS 15 using the modified retrospective approach. The impact of adoption is not material and as such no 

reported on the Balance Sheet at 30 March 2019.  

adjustment has been recognised in opening reserves at 1 April 2018.  

The principal impacts of adopting IFRS 15 on the Group’s financial statements are as follows: 

•  Replacement of minimum lease payments for operating leases with lease interest expense and depreciation of the ROU asset. 

Minimum lease payments for operating leases in the year to 30 March 2019 are £243 million (see note 5). It is anticipated that profit 
before tax will be approximately £10 million to £30 million lower than under current accounting standards. 

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION (CONTINUED) 
Standards not yet adopted (continued) 
IFRS 16 Leases (continued) 
The Group has carried out a review of existing leases and other contractual arrangements to identify any lease arrangements that 
would need to be recognised under IFRS 16. As a result of this review, based on the current assessment of significant judgements 
regarding lease term, and subject to the finalisation of the activity, the impact of adopting IFRS 16 is anticipated to be as set out below: 

•  Recognition of lease liabilities of approximately £1.0 billion to £1.2 billion. This compares to undiscounted lease off balance sheet 

commitments reported under IAS 17 of £0.9 billion (see note 24). The additional liabilities compared to commitments, having taken 
account of discounting in the measurement of lease liabilities, relates to amounts payable to the end of the lease term where the 
lease term under IFRS 16 is in excess of the minimum contractual commitment. The lease liabilities are measured using discount 
rates in the range of 1% to 9%. 

•  Recognition of ROU assets of approximately £1.0 billion to £1.2 billion, taking into account lease prepayments and incentives 

IFRIC 23 
IFRIC 23 guidance clarifies the accounting for uncertainties in tax positions. Groups are required to use judgement to determine 
whether each tax treatment should be considered independently or whether some should be considered in combination. IFRIC 23 
is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. The adoption of IFRIC 23 is not expected to have a significant 
impact on the net assets of the Group on adoption. 

Basis of consolidation 
The Group’s annual financial statements comprise those of Burberry Group plc (the Company) and its subsidiaries, presented as a 
single economic entity. The results of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting year as the Company, using consistent 
accounting policies across the Group.  

Subsidiaries are all entities (including special purpose entities) over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity 
when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect 
those returns through its power over the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred 
to the Group and cease to be consolidated from the date on which control is transferred out of the Group. Where there is a loss of 
control of a subsidiary, the consolidated financial statements include the results for the portion of the reporting period during which 
the Group had control. Intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised profits on transactions between Group companies are 
eliminated in preparing the Group financial statements. The Group treats transactions with non-controlling interests as transactions 
with equity owners of the Group. For acquisitions of additional interests in subsidiaries from non-controlling interests, the difference 
between any consideration paid and the relevant share acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is recorded in 
equity. Gains or losses on disposals of interests in subsidiaries to non-controlling interests are also recorded in equity. 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty  
Preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires that management make certain estimates 
and assumptions that affect the measurement of reported revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of 
contingent liabilities.  

If in the future such estimates and assumptions, which are based on management’s best estimates at the date of the financial 
statements, deviate from actual circumstances, the original estimates and assumptions will be updated as appropriate in the period 
in which the circumstances change. 

Estimates are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events 
that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The key areas where the estimates and assumptions applied have a 
significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying value of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are 
discussed below. Further details of the Group’s accounting policies in relation to these areas are provided in note 2. 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment and onerous lease provisions 
Property, plant and equipment is reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount 
may not be recoverable. When a review for impairment is conducted, the recoverable amount of an asset or a cash generating unit 
is determined based on value-in-use calculations prepared on the basis of management’s assumptions and estimates in the period. 
Where the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit is negative, the need for an onerous lease provision in relation to the 
committed future minimum lease payments is considered. Refer to note 14 for further details of property, plant and equipment 
and impairment reviews carried out in the period. Refer to note 21 for further details of onerous lease provisions. 

166 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION (CONTINUED) 
Key sources of estimation uncertainty (continued) 
Inventory provisioning 
The Group manufactures and sells luxury goods and is subject to changing consumer demands and fashion trends. As a result, 
it is necessary to consider the recoverability of the cost of inventories and the associated provisioning required. When calculating 
inventory provisions, management considers the nature and condition of the inventory, as well as applying assumptions around 
anticipated saleability of finished goods and future usage of raw materials. Refer to note 17 for further details of the carrying value 
of inventory. 

Uncertain tax positions 
In common with many multinational companies, Burberry faces tax audits in jurisdictions around the world in relation to transfer 
pricing of goods and services between associated entities within the Group. These tax audits are often subject to inter-government 
negotiations. The matters under discussion are often complex and can take many years to resolve. Tax liabilities are recorded based on 
management’s estimate of the expected outcome. Given the inherent uncertainty in assessing tax outcomes, which may prove binary in 
nature, we could, in future periods, experience adjustments to these tax liabilities that have a material positive or negative effect on our 
results for a particular period. 

During the next year it is possible that some or all of the current disputes are resolved. Management estimate that the outcome 
across all matters under dispute or in negotiation between governments could be an increase or decrease of £5 million to £10 million 
relative to the current tax liabilities recognised at 30 March 2019. This would have an impact of approximately 1% to 2% on the Group’s 
effective tax rate. 

Key judgements in applying the Group’s accounting policies 
Judgements are those decisions made when applying accounting policies which have a significant impact on the amounts recognised 
in the Group financial statements. Further details of the Group’s accounting policies are provided in note 2. Key judgements that have 
a significant impact on the amounts recognised in the Group financial statements are discussed below.  

There were no key judgements arising in the current period.  

Key judgements relating to prior periods 
Payment in relation to disposal of Beauty operations 
The Group received £130 million upon completion of the disposal of the Beauty operations and the granting of a licence for Beauty 
products to the acquirer, completed in April 2017. Management has applied judgement in assessing the nature of the payment in order 
to determine the correct accounting treatment. Management has determined that the payment represents both consideration 
received for the disposal of the Beauty operations as well as upfront revenue for the ongoing licence. In order to identify the payment 
that relates to the licence, management prepared a market-based valuation of the ongoing licence using the relief-from-royalty 
method, based on key assumptions including future sales projections and royalty rates. Management also prepared a discounted cash 
flow calculation to determine the fair value of the Beauty operations transferred. The results of these two valuations were used to 
allocate the upfront sum between the licence (royalty revenue) and proceeds on disposal. A change in the allocation of the 
proceeds would result in a higher or lower gain on disposal and a corresponding decrease or increase in the recognition of 
licence revenue over the term of the licence. Refer to note 6 for further details. 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
The principal accounting policies of the Group are: 

a) Revenue 
The Group obtains revenue from contracts with customers relating to sales of luxury goods to retail and wholesale customers. The 
Group also obtains revenue through licences issued to third parties to produce and sell goods carrying Burberry trademarks. Revenue is 
stated excluding Value Added Tax and other sales related taxes. 

Retail and wholesale revenue 
For retail and wholesale revenue, the primary performance obligation is the transfer of luxury goods to the customer. For retail revenue 
this is considered to occur when control of the goods passes to the customer. For in store retail revenue control transfers when the 
customer takes possession of the goods in store and pays for the goods. For digital retail revenue, control is considered to transfer 
when the goods are delivered to the customer. The timing of transfer of control of the goods in wholesale transactions depends upon 
the terms of trade in the contract. Principally for wholesale revenue, revenue is recognised either when goods are collected by the 
customer from the Group’s premises, or when the Group has delivered the goods to the location specified in the contract. Provision 
for returns and other allowances are reflected in revenue when revenue from the customer is first recognised. Returns are initially 
estimated based on historical levels and adjusted subsequently as returns are incurred. 

Some wholesale contracts may require the Group to make payments to the wholesale customer, for services directly relating to the 
sale of the Group’s goods, such as the cost of staff handling the Group’s goods at the wholesaler. Payments to the customer directly 
relating to the sale of goods to the customer are recognised as a reduction in revenue, unless in exchange for a distinct good or service.  

168 
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION (CONTINUED) 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty (continued) 

Inventory provisioning 

of inventory. 

Uncertain tax positions 

The Group manufactures and sells luxury goods and is subject to changing consumer demands and fashion trends. As a result, 

it is necessary to consider the recoverability of the cost of inventories and the associated provisioning required. When calculating 

inventory provisions, management considers the nature and condition of the inventory, as well as applying assumptions around 

anticipated saleability of finished goods and future usage of raw materials. Refer to note 17 for further details of the carrying value 

In common with many multinational companies, Burberry faces tax audits in jurisdictions around the world in relation to transfer 

pricing of goods and services between associated entities within the Group. These tax audits are often subject to inter-government 

negotiations. The matters under discussion are often complex and can take many years to resolve. Tax liabilities are recorded based on 

management’s estimate of the expected outcome. Given the inherent uncertainty in assessing tax outcomes, which may prove binary in 

nature, we could, in future periods, experience adjustments to these tax liabilities that have a material positive or negative effect on our 

results for a particular period. 

During the next year it is possible that some or all of the current disputes are resolved. Management estimate that the outcome 

across all matters under dispute or in negotiation between governments could be an increase or decrease of £5 million to £10 million 

relative to the current tax liabilities recognised at 30 March 2019. This would have an impact of approximately 1% to 2% on the Group’s 

effective tax rate. 

Key judgements in applying the Group’s accounting policies 

Judgements are those decisions made when applying accounting policies which have a significant impact on the amounts recognised 

in the Group financial statements. Further details of the Group’s accounting policies are provided in note 2. Key judgements that have 

a significant impact on the amounts recognised in the Group financial statements are discussed below.  

There were no key judgements arising in the current period.  

Key judgements relating to prior periods 

Payment in relation to disposal of Beauty operations 

The Group received £130 million upon completion of the disposal of the Beauty operations and the granting of a licence for Beauty 

products to the acquirer, completed in April 2017. Management has applied judgement in assessing the nature of the payment in order 

to determine the correct accounting treatment. Management has determined that the payment represents both consideration 

received for the disposal of the Beauty operations as well as upfront revenue for the ongoing licence. In order to identify the payment 

that relates to the licence, management prepared a market-based valuation of the ongoing licence using the relief-from-royalty 

method, based on key assumptions including future sales projections and royalty rates. Management also prepared a discounted cash 

flow calculation to determine the fair value of the Beauty operations transferred. The results of these two valuations were used to 

allocate the upfront sum between the licence (royalty revenue) and proceeds on disposal. A change in the allocation of the 

proceeds would result in a higher or lower gain on disposal and a corresponding decrease or increase in the recognition of 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

The principal accounting policies of the Group are: 

a) Revenue 

The Group obtains revenue from contracts with customers relating to sales of luxury goods to retail and wholesale customers. The 

Group also obtains revenue through licences issued to third parties to produce and sell goods carrying Burberry trademarks. Revenue is 

stated excluding Value Added Tax and other sales related taxes. 

Retail and wholesale revenue 

For retail and wholesale revenue, the primary performance obligation is the transfer of luxury goods to the customer. For retail revenue 

this is considered to occur when control of the goods passes to the customer. For in store retail revenue control transfers when the 

customer takes possession of the goods in store and pays for the goods. For digital retail revenue, control is considered to transfer 

when the goods are delivered to the customer. The timing of transfer of control of the goods in wholesale transactions depends upon 

the terms of trade in the contract. Principally for wholesale revenue, revenue is recognised either when goods are collected by the 

customer from the Group’s premises, or when the Group has delivered the goods to the location specified in the contract. Provision 

for returns and other allowances are reflected in revenue when revenue from the customer is first recognised. Returns are initially 

estimated based on historical levels and adjusted subsequently as returns are incurred. 

Some wholesale contracts may require the Group to make payments to the wholesale customer, for services directly relating to the 

sale of the Group’s goods, such as the cost of staff handling the Group’s goods at the wholesaler. Payments to the customer directly 

relating to the sale of goods to the customer are recognised as a reduction in revenue, unless in exchange for a distinct good or service.  

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 
a) Revenue (continued) 
Retail and wholesale revenue (continued) 
These charges are recognised in revenue at the later of when the sale of the related goods to the customer is recognised or when the 
customer is paid, or promised to be paid, for the service. Payments to the customer relating to a service which is distinct from the sale 
of goods to the customer are recognised in operating costs. 

The Group sells gift cards and similar products to customers, which can be redeemed for goods, up to the value of the card, at a future 
date. Revenue relating to gift cards is recognised when the card is redeemed, up to the value of the redemption. Unredeemed amounts 
on gift cards are classified as contract liabilities. Typically, the Group does not expect to have significant unredeemed amounts arising 
on its gift cards.  

Licensing revenue 
The Group’s licences entitle the licensee to access the Group’s trademarks over the term of the licence. Hence revenue from licensing 
is recognised over the term of access to the licence. Royalties payable under licence agreements are usually based on production or 
sales volumes and are accrued in revenue as the subsequent production or sale occurs. Any amounts received which have not been 
recognised in revenue are classified as contract liabilities. 

Revenue accounting policy applied in the comparative period 
Revenue, which is stated excluding Value Added Tax and other sales related taxes, is the amount receivable for goods supplied (less 
returns, trade discounts and allowances) and royalties receivable. 

Retail sales, returns and allowances are reflected at the dates of transactions with customers. Wholesale sales are recognised when 
the significant risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the customer, with provisions made for expected returns and 
allowances. Provisions for returns on retail and wholesale sales are calculated based on historical return levels. Royalties receivable 
from licensees are accrued as earned on the basis of the terms of the relevant royalty agreement, which is typically on the basis of sales 
or production volumes.  

b) Segment reporting 
As required by IFRS 8 Operating Segments, the segmental information presented in the financial statements is 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, has been identified as the Board of Directors.  

The Group has centralised activities for designing, making and sourcing, which ensure a global product offering is sold through retail 
and wholesale channels worldwide. Resource allocation and performance is assessed across the whole of the retail/wholesale channel 
globally. Hence the retail/wholesale channel has been determined to be an operating segment. 

Licensed products are manufactured and sold by third-party licensees. As a result, this channel is assessed discretely by the Chief 
Operating Decision Maker and has been determined to be an operating segment. 

licence revenue over the term of the licence. Refer to note 6 for further details. 

The Group presents an analysis of its revenue by channel, by product division and by geographical destination. 

c) Business combinations 
The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. The cost of an acquisition is 
measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange. 
Contingent payments are remeasured at fair value through the Income Statement. All transaction costs are expensed to the Income 
Statement. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured 
initially at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any non-controlling interest. Non-controlling interests 
in subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group’s equity, and are initially measured either at fair value or at a value equal to the 
non-controlling interests’ share of the identifiable net assets acquired. The choice of the basis of measurement is an accounting policy 
choice for each individual business combination. The excess of the cost of acquisition together with the value of any non-controlling 
interest over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair 
value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognised directly in the Income Statement. 

d) Share schemes 
The Group operates a number of equity-settled share-based compensation schemes, under which services are received from 
employees (including executive directors) as consideration for equity instruments of the Company. The cost of the share-based 
incentives is measured with reference to the fair value of the equity instruments awarded at the date of grant. Appropriate option 
pricing models, including Black-Scholes, are used to determine the fair value of the awards made. The fair value takes into account 
the impact of any market performance conditions, but the impact of non-market performance conditions is not considered in 
determining the fair value on the date of grant. Vesting conditions which relate to non-market conditions are allowed for in the 
assumptions used for the number of options expected to vest. The estimate of the number of options expected to vest is revised 
at each balance sheet date.  

168 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 
d) Share schemes (continued) 
In some circumstances, employees may provide services in advance of the grant date. The grant date fair value is estimated for the 
purposes of recognising the expense during the period between the service commencement period and the grant date. 

The cost of the share-based incentives is recognised as an expense over the vesting period of the awards, with a corresponding 
increase in equity. 

When options are exercised, they are settled either via issue of new shares in the Company, or through shares held in an Employee 
Share Option Plan (ESOP) trust, depending on the terms and conditions of the relevant scheme. The proceeds received from the 
exercises, net of any directly attributable transaction costs, are credited to share capital and share premium accounts. 

e) Leases 
The Group is both a lessor and lessee of property, plant and equipment. Determining whether an arrangement is or contains a lease is 
based on the substance of the arrangement. Leases in which substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an 
asset are transferred to the lessee by the lessor are classified as finance leases. Leases which are not finance leases are classified as 
operating leases. 

Gross rental expenditure/income in respect of operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the leases. 
Certain rental expenses are determined on the basis of revenue achieved in specific retail locations and are accrued for on that basis. 

Amounts paid to/received from the landlord to acquire or transfer the rights to a lease are treated as prepayments/deferred income. 
Lease incentives, typically rent-free periods and capital contributions, are held on the Balance Sheet in deferred income and non-
financial accruals and recognised over the term of the lease.  

f) Dividend distributions 
Dividend distributions to Burberry Group plc’s shareholders are recognised as a liability in the period in which the dividend becomes 
a committed obligation. Final dividends are recognised when they are approved by the shareholders. Interim dividends are recognised 
when paid. 

g) Pension costs 
Eligible employees participate in defined contribution pension schemes, the principal one being in the UK with its assets held in 
an independently administered fund. The cost of providing these benefits to participating employees is recognised in the Income 
Statement as they fall due and comprises the amount of contributions to the schemes. 

h) Intangible assets 
Goodwill 
Goodwill is the excess of the cost of acquisition together with the value of any non-controlling interest, over the fair value of 
identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill on acquisition is recorded as an intangible asset. Fair values are attributed to the identifiable 
assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that existed at the date of acquisition, reflecting their condition at that date. Adjustments 
are also made to align the accounting policies of acquired businesses with those of the Group.  

Goodwill is assigned an indefinite useful life. Impairment reviews are performed annually, or more frequently if events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment losses recognised on goodwill are not reversed 
in future periods. 

Trademarks, licences and other intangible assets 
The cost of securing and renewing trademarks and licences, and the cost of acquiring other intangible assets, such as key money, 
is capitalised at purchase price and amortised by equal annual instalments over the period in which benefits are expected to accrue, 
typically ten years for trademarks, or the term of the lease or licence. The useful life of trademarks and other intangible assets is 
determined on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the terms of the underlying agreement and the nature of the asset. 

Computer software 
The cost of acquiring computer software (including licences and separately identifiable development costs) is capitalised as an 
intangible asset at purchase price, plus any directly attributable cost of preparing that asset for its intended use. Software costs are 
amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which may be up to seven years. 

i) Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment, with the exception of assets in the course of construction, is stated at cost or deemed cost, based on 
historical revalued amounts prior to the adoption of IFRS, less accumulated depreciation and provision to reflect any impairment in 
value. Assets in the course of construction are stated at cost less any provision for impairment and transferred to completed assets 
when substantially all of the activities necessary for the asset to be ready for use have occurred. Cost includes the original purchase 
price of the asset and costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use. 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

d) Share schemes (continued) 

In some circumstances, employees may provide services in advance of the grant date. The grant date fair value is estimated for the 

purposes of recognising the expense during the period between the service commencement period and the grant date. 

The cost of the share-based incentives is recognised as an expense over the vesting period of the awards, with a corresponding 

When options are exercised, they are settled either via issue of new shares in the Company, or through shares held in an Employee 

Share Option Plan (ESOP) trust, depending on the terms and conditions of the relevant scheme. The proceeds received from the 

exercises, net of any directly attributable transaction costs, are credited to share capital and share premium accounts. 

The Group is both a lessor and lessee of property, plant and equipment. Determining whether an arrangement is or contains a lease is 

based on the substance of the arrangement. Leases in which substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an 

asset are transferred to the lessee by the lessor are classified as finance leases. Leases which are not finance leases are classified as 

Gross rental expenditure/income in respect of operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the leases. 

Certain rental expenses are determined on the basis of revenue achieved in specific retail locations and are accrued for on that basis. 

Amounts paid to/received from the landlord to acquire or transfer the rights to a lease are treated as prepayments/deferred income. 

Lease incentives, typically rent-free periods and capital contributions, are held on the Balance Sheet in deferred income and non-

financial accruals and recognised over the term of the lease.  

Dividend distributions to Burberry Group plc’s shareholders are recognised as a liability in the period in which the dividend becomes 

a committed obligation. Final dividends are recognised when they are approved by the shareholders. Interim dividends are recognised 

increase in equity. 

e) Leases 

operating leases. 

f) Dividend distributions 

when paid. 

g) Pension costs 

h) Intangible assets 

Goodwill 

Eligible employees participate in defined contribution pension schemes, the principal one being in the UK with its assets held in 

an independently administered fund. The cost of providing these benefits to participating employees is recognised in the Income 

Statement as they fall due and comprises the amount of contributions to the schemes. 

Goodwill is the excess of the cost of acquisition together with the value of any non-controlling interest, over the fair value of 

identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill on acquisition is recorded as an intangible asset. Fair values are attributed to the identifiable 

assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that existed at the date of acquisition, reflecting their condition at that date. Adjustments 

are also made to align the accounting policies of acquired businesses with those of the Group.  

Goodwill is assigned an indefinite useful life. Impairment reviews are performed annually, or more frequently if events or changes in 

circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment losses recognised on goodwill are not reversed 

in future periods. 

Trademarks, licences and other intangible assets 

The cost of securing and renewing trademarks and licences, and the cost of acquiring other intangible assets, such as key money, 

is capitalised at purchase price and amortised by equal annual instalments over the period in which benefits are expected to accrue, 

typically ten years for trademarks, or the term of the lease or licence. The useful life of trademarks and other intangible assets is 

determined on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the terms of the underlying agreement and the nature of the asset. 

Computer software 

The cost of acquiring computer software (including licences and separately identifiable development costs) is capitalised as an 

intangible asset at purchase price, plus any directly attributable cost of preparing that asset for its intended use. Software costs are 

amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which may be up to seven years. 

i) Property, plant and equipment 

Property, plant and equipment, with the exception of assets in the course of construction, is stated at cost or deemed cost, based on 

historical revalued amounts prior to the adoption of IFRS, less accumulated depreciation and provision to reflect any impairment in 

value. Assets in the course of construction are stated at cost less any provision for impairment and transferred to completed assets 

when substantially all of the activities necessary for the asset to be ready for use have occurred. Cost includes the original purchase 

price of the asset and costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use. 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 
i) Property, plant and equipment (continued) 
Depreciation 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated to write off the cost or deemed cost, less residual value, of the assets in 
equal annual instalments over their estimated useful lives at the following rates: 

Type of asset 
Land 
Freehold buildings 
Leaseholds  
Short life leasehold improvements 
Plant and machinery 
Retail fixtures and fittings 
Office fixtures and fittings 
Computer equipment 
Assets in the course of construction 

Category of property, plant and equipment
Freehold land and buildings
Freehold land and buildings
Leasehold improvements
Leasehold improvements
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
Assets in the course of construction

Useful life 
Not depreciated 
Up to 50 years 
Over the unexpired term of the lease
Up to 10 years 
Up to 15 years 
Up to 5 years 
Up to 5 years 
Up to 7 years 
Not depreciated 

Profit/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 
Profits and losses on the disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets represent the difference between the net 
proceeds and net book value at the date of sale. Disposals are accounted for when the relevant transaction becomes unconditional. 

j) Impairment of non-financial assets 
Assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. Assets that are 
subject to amortisation or depreciation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that the 
carrying value may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its 
recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value-in-use. For the purposes 
of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash generating 
units). Non-financial assets, other than goodwill, for which an impairment has been previously recognised are reviewed for possible 
reversal of impairment at each reporting date. 

k) Investment properties 
Investment properties are freehold properties held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation. Investment properties are stated at 
cost less accumulated depreciation and provision to reflect any impairment in value. Cost includes the original purchase price plus any 
directly attributable transaction costs. Investment properties are depreciated on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 
up to 50 years.  

l) Discontinued operations and assets classified as held for sale 
A discontinued operation is a component of the Group’s business that represents a separate major line of business or geographical 
area of operations that has been disposed of, has been abandoned or meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale. Discontinued 
operations are presented on the Income Statement as a separate line and are shown net of tax. 

Non-current assets are classified as held for sale when their carrying amount is to be recovered principally through a sale transaction 
rather than through continued use, and a sale within the next 12 months is considered to be highly probable. Assets classified as held 
for sale cease to be depreciated and they are stated at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less cost to sell. 

m) Inventories 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost consists of all costs of purchase, costs of conversion, 
design costs and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. The cost of inventories is 
determined using a first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, taking account of the fashion seasons for which the inventory was offered. Where 
necessary, provision is made to reduce cost to no more than net realisable value having regard to the nature and condition of inventory, 
as well as its anticipated utilisation and saleability. 

170 

171 
171

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 
n) Taxation 
Tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax charge. 

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the Income 
Statement because it excludes items of income or expense which are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items 
which are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates which have been enacted or 
substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. 

Deferred tax is recognised, using the liabilities method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and 
liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, if the temporary difference arises from initial 
recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither 
accounting nor taxable profit or loss, no deferred tax will be recognised. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have 
been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is 
realised or the deferred tax liability is settled. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the 
temporary differences can be utilised.  

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries, except where the timing of the reversal 
of the temporary difference is controlled by the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future.  

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax 
liabilities and when deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same 
taxable entities or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis. 

o) Provisions 
Provisions are recognised when there is a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, for which it is probable 
that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and where the amount of the obligation can be reliably 
estimated. When the effect of the time value of money is material, provision amounts are calculated based on the present value of the 
expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation. The present value is calculated using forward market interest rates as 
measured at the balance sheet reporting date, which have been adjusted for risks specific to the future obligation. 

Property obligations 
A provision for the present value of future property reinstatement costs is recognised where there is an obligation to return the leased 
property to its original condition at the end of an operating lease. Where a leased property is no longer expected to be fully occupied 
or where the costs exceed the future expected benefits, an onerous lease provision will be recognised for that portion of the lease in 
excess to the Group’s requirements and not fully recovered through sub-leasing, or through value-in-use.  

p) 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. 

Where any Group company purchases the Company’s equity share capital (treasury shares), the consideration paid, including any 
directly attributable incremental costs, is deducted from equity attributable to owners of the Company until the shares are cancelled, 
reissued or disposed of. Where such shares are subsequently sold or reissued, any consideration received, net of any directly 
attributable incremental transaction costs and the related income tax effects, is included in equity attributable to owners of 
the Company. 

172 
172

 
 
been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is 

The adoption of IFRS 9 has had the following impact on Group’s financial instrument categorisation: 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 
q) Financial instruments 
Financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value plus directly attributable transaction costs on the Balance Sheet when the 
entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. A financial asset is derecognised when the contractual rights 
to the cash flow expire or substantially all risks and rewards of the asset are transferred. A financial liability is derecognised when the 
obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.  

Subsequent to initial recognition, all financial liabilities are stated at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method except for 
derivatives which are held at fair value and which are classified as fair value through profit and loss, except where they qualify for hedge 
accounting. The fair value of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities held at amortised cost mostly approximate their carrying 
amount due to the short maturity of these instruments. Where the fair value of any financial asset or liability held at amortised cost is 
materially different to the book value, the fair value is disclosed.  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

n) Taxation 

Tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax charge. 

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the Income 

Statement because it excludes items of income or expense which are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items 

which are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates which have been enacted or 

substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. 

Deferred tax is recognised, using the liabilities method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and 

liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, if the temporary difference arises from initial 

recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither 

accounting nor taxable profit or loss, no deferred tax will be recognised. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have 

realised or the deferred tax liability is settled. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the 

temporary differences can be utilised.  

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries, except where the timing of the reversal 

of the temporary difference is controlled by the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the 

foreseeable future.  

o) Provisions 

Property obligations 

Provisions are recognised when there is a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, for which it is probable 

that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and where the amount of the obligation can be reliably 

estimated. When the effect of the time value of money is material, provision amounts are calculated based on the present value of the 

expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation. The present value is calculated using forward market interest rates as 

measured at the balance sheet reporting date, which have been adjusted for risks specific to the future obligation. 

property to its original condition at the end of an operating lease. Where a leased property is no longer expected to be fully occupied 

or where the costs exceed the future expected benefits, an onerous lease provision will be recognised for that portion of the lease in 

excess to the Group’s requirements and not fully recovered through sub-leasing, or through value-in-use.  

p) Share capital 

equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. 

Where any Group company purchases the Company’s equity share capital (treasury shares), the consideration paid, including any 

directly attributable incremental costs, is deducted from equity attributable to owners of the Company until the shares are cancelled, 

reissued or disposed of. Where such shares are subsequently sold or reissued, any consideration received, net of any directly 

attributable incremental transaction costs and the related income tax effects, is included in equity attributable to owners of 

the Company. 

Financial instrument category  Note 
Cash and cash equivalents 

19 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax 

liabilities and when deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same 

Trade and other payables 

taxable entities or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis. 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Borrowings 

Deferred consideration 

Forward foreign exchange 
contracts 
Forward foreign exchange 
contracts used for hedging1 

A provision for the present value of future property reinstatement costs is recognised where there is an obligation to return the leased 

Equity swap contracts 

19 

16 

20 

22 

20 

18 

18 

18 

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in 

IAS 39 for hedge accounting purposes.  

1.  Cash flow hedge and net investment hedge accounting is applied to the extent it is achievable. 
2. The fair value measurement hierarchy is only applicable for financial instruments measured at fair value. 
3. Forward foreign exchange contracts used for hedging are classified as Fair value – hedging instruments under IFRS 9, however they are measured under 

The measurements for financial instruments carried at fair value are categorised into different levels in the fair value hierarchy based 
on the inputs to the valuation technique used. The different levels are defined as follows: 

Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Group can access at the 
measurement date. 

Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. 

Level 3: includes unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. 

Observable inputs are those which are developed using market data, such as publicly available information about actual events or 
transactions. The Group has an established framework with respect to measurement of fair values, including Level 3 fair values.  
The Group regularly reviews any significant inputs which are not derived from observable market data and considers, where available, 
relevant third-party information, to support the conclusion that such valuations meet the requirements of IFRS. The classification level 
in the fair value hierarchy is also considered periodically. Significant valuation issues are reported to the Audit Committee. 

172 

173 
173

Measurement 
under IAS 39
Amortised cost

Classification 
under IFRS 9  
Amortised cost 

Measurement 
under IFRS 9
Amortised cost

Fair value 
measurement 
hierarchy2
N/A

Classification 
under IAS 39
Loans and 
receivables
Loans and 
receivables
Loans and 
receivables
Other financial 
liabilities
Other financial 
liabilities
Other financial 
liabilities
Derivative 
instrument
Derivative 
instrument

Amortised cost Fair value through 
profit and loss 
Amortised cost 

Amortised cost

Fair value through 
profit and loss
Amortised cost

Amortised cost

Amortised cost

Fair value through 
profit and loss
Fair value through 
profit and loss
Fair value – hedging 
instrument

Other financial 
liabilities 
Other financial 
liabilities 
Fair value through 
profit and loss 
Fair value through 
profit and loss 
Fair value – 
hedging 
instrument 
Fair value through 
profit and loss 

Amortised cost

Amortised cost

Fair value through 
profit and loss
Fair value through 
profit and loss
Fair value –
hedging 
instrument3
Fair value through 
profit and loss

Derivative 
instrument

Fair value through 
profit and loss

2

N/A

N/A

N/A

3

2

2

2

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 
q) Financial instruments (continued) 
The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts and equity swap contracts is based on a comparison of the contractual and 
market rates and, in the case of forward foreign exchange contracts, after discounting using the appropriate yield curve as at the 
balance sheet date. All Level 2 fair value measurements are calculated using inputs which are based on observable market data. 

The fair value of the contingent payment component of deferred consideration is considered to be a Level 3 measurement and is 
derived using a present value calculation, incorporating observable and non-observable inputs. This valuation technique has been 
adopted as it most closely mirrors the contractual arrangement. 

The Group’s primary categories of financial instruments are listed below:  

Cash and cash equivalents 
On the Balance Sheet, cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and short-term deposits with a maturity date of three months or less, 
held with banks and liquidity funds. In the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents also include bank overdrafts, which are 
recorded under current liabilities on the Balance Sheet. 

While cash at bank and in hand is classified as amortised cost under IFRS 9, some short-term deposits are classified as fair value 
through profit and loss.  

Cash and cash equivalents held at amortised cost are subject to impairment testing each period end.  

Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other receivables are included in current assets, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date. 
The receivables are held with the objective to collect the contractual cash flows and are therefore recognised initially at fair value and 
subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the 
expected loss on trade receivables is established at inception. This is modified when there is a change in the credit risk. The amount of 
the movement in the provision is recognised in the Income Statement.  

Trade and other payables 
Trade and other payables are included in current liabilities, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date. 
Payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. 

Borrowings (including overdrafts) 
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, inclusive of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at 
amortised cost and the difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in the 
Income Statement over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest rate method. Borrowings are classified as current 
liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the balance 
sheet date. 

Deferred consideration 
Deferred consideration is initially recognised at the present value of the expected future payments. It is subsequently remeasured 
at fair value at each reporting period with the change in fair value relating to changes in expected future payments recorded in the 
Income Statement as an operating expense or income. Changes in fair value relating to unwinding of discounting to present value are 
recorded as a financing expense. 

Derivative instruments 
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates arising on certain 
trading transactions. The principal derivative instruments used are forward foreign exchange contracts taken out to hedge highly 
probable cash flows in relation to future sales, and product purchases. The Group also may designate forward foreign exchange 
contracts or foreign currency borrowings as a net investment hedge of the assets of overseas subsidiaries. 

When hedge accounting is applied, the Group documents at the inception of the transaction the relationship between the spot 
element of the hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various 
hedge transactions. The Group also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the 
hedging instruments that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of 
hedged items.  

174 
174

 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

q) Financial instruments (continued) 

The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts and equity swap contracts is based on a comparison of the contractual and 

market rates and, in the case of forward foreign exchange contracts, after discounting using the appropriate yield curve as at the 

balance sheet date. All Level 2 fair value measurements are calculated using inputs which are based on observable market data. 

The fair value of the contingent payment component of deferred consideration is considered to be a Level 3 measurement and is 

derived using a present value calculation, incorporating observable and non-observable inputs. This valuation technique has been 

The Group’s primary categories of financial instruments are listed below:  

Cash and cash equivalents 

On the Balance Sheet, cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and short-term deposits with a maturity date of three months or less, 

held with banks and liquidity funds. In the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents also include bank overdrafts, which are 

recorded under current liabilities on the Balance Sheet. 

While cash at bank and in hand is classified as amortised cost under IFRS 9, some short-term deposits are classified as fair value 

through profit and loss.  

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents held at amortised cost are subject to impairment testing each period end.  

Trade and other receivables are included in current assets, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date. 

The receivables are held with the objective to collect the contractual cash flows and are therefore recognised initially at fair value and 

subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the 

expected loss on trade receivables is established at inception. This is modified when there is a change in the credit risk. The amount of 

the movement in the provision is recognised in the Income Statement.  

Trade and other payables 

Trade and other payables are included in current liabilities, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date. 

Payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. 

Borrowings (including overdrafts) 

Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, inclusive of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at 

amortised cost and the difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in the 

Income Statement over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest rate method. Borrowings are classified as current 

liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the balance 

sheet date. 

Deferred consideration 

recorded as a financing expense. 

Derivative instruments 

Deferred consideration is initially recognised at the present value of the expected future payments. It is subsequently remeasured 

at fair value at each reporting period with the change in fair value relating to changes in expected future payments recorded in the 

Income Statement as an operating expense or income. Changes in fair value relating to unwinding of discounting to present value are 

The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates arising on certain 

trading transactions. The principal derivative instruments used are forward foreign exchange contracts taken out to hedge highly 

probable cash flows in relation to future sales, and product purchases. The Group also may designate forward foreign exchange 

contracts or foreign currency borrowings as a net investment hedge of the assets of overseas subsidiaries. 

When hedge accounting is applied, the Group documents at the inception of the transaction the relationship between the spot 

element of the hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various 

hedge transactions. The Group also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the 

hedging instruments that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of 

hedged items.  

adopted as it most closely mirrors the contractual arrangement. 

The forward elements of the hedging instrument are recognised in operating expenses. 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 
q) Financial instruments (continued) 
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the trade date and are subsequently remeasured at their fair value. The method of 
recognising the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature 
of the item being hedged. The Group designates certain derivatives as either: (1) hedges of the fair value of recognised assets and 
liabilities or a firm commitment (fair value hedge); (2) hedges of highly probable forecast transactions (cash flow hedges); (3) hedges 
of net investment of the assets of overseas subsidiaries (net investment hedges); or (4) classified as fair value through profit and loss.  

Changes in the fair value relating to the spot element of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded 
in the Income Statement immediately, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged item that is attributable to the 
hedged risk. 

The effective portion of changes in the fair value relating to the spot element of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow 
hedges is deferred in other comprehensive income. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion of the gain or loss is recognised 
immediately in the Income Statement. Amounts deferred in other comprehensive income are recycled through the Income Statement 
in the periods when the hedged item affects the Income Statement. When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge 
no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at the time remains in equity and 
is recognised when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognised in the Income Statement. When a forecast transaction is no 
longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in equity is immediately transferred to the Income Statement 
within ‘net exchange gain/(loss) on derivatives – fair value through profit and loss’. If a derivative instrument is not designated as a 
hedge, the subsequent change to the fair value is recognised in the Income Statement within operating expenses or interest depending 
upon the nature of the instrument. 

Where the Group hedges net investments in foreign operations through derivative instruments or foreign currency borrowings, the 
gains or losses on the effective portion of the change in fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as a hedge of a net 
investment, or the gains or losses on the retranslation of the borrowings are recognised in other comprehensive income and are 
reclassified to the Income Statement when the foreign operation that is hedged is disposed of.  

r) Foreign currency translation  
Functional and presentation currency 
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which the entity operates (the functional currency). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Sterling 
which is the Company’s functional and the Group’s presentation currency. 

Transactions in foreign currencies 
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies within each entity in the Group are translated into the functional currency at the 
exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, which are 
held at the year end, are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date (closing rate). 
Exchange differences on monetary items are recognised in the Income Statement in the period in which they arise, except where 
these exchange differences form part of a net investment in overseas subsidiaries of the Group, in which case such differences are 
taken directly to the hedging reserve. 

Translation of the results of overseas businesses 
The results of overseas subsidiaries are translated into the Group’s presentation currency of Sterling each month at the weighted 
average exchange rate for the month according to the phasing of the Group’s trading results. The weighted average exchange rate 
is used, as it is considered to approximate the actual exchange rates on the date of the transactions. The assets and liabilities of such 
undertakings are translated at the closing rates. Differences arising on the retranslation of the opening net investment in subsidiary 
companies, and on the translation of their results, are taken directly to the foreign currency translation reserve.  

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign 
operation and translated at the closing rate. 

174 

175 
175

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 
r) Foreign currency translation (continued) 
The principal exchange rates used were as follows: 

Euro 
US Dollar 
Chinese Yuan Renminbi 
Hong Kong Dollar 
Korean Won 

Average rate

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
1.13
1.31
8.82
10.26
1,460

Year to 
31 March 
2018 
1.13 
1.33 
8.79 
10.37 
1,473 

Closing rate
As at 
30 March 
2019 
1.16 
1.30 
8.75 
10.20 
1,478 

As at
31 March
2018
1.14
1.40
8.83
11.01
1,489

s) Adjusted profit before taxation 
In order to provide additional consideration of the underlying performance of the Group’s ongoing business, the Group’s results include 
a presentation of Adjusted operating profit and Adjusted profit before taxation (‘adjusted PBT’). Adjusted PBT is defined as profit 
before taxation and before adjusting items. Adjusting items are those items which, in the opinion of the directors, should be excluded 
in order to provide a consistent and comparable view of the performance of the Group’s ongoing business. Generally, this will include 
those items that are largely one-off and material in nature as well as income or expenses relating to acquisitions or disposals of 
businesses or other transactions of a similar nature, including the impact of changes in fair value of expected future payments 
or receipts relating to these transactions. Adjusting items are identified and presented on a consistent basis each year and a 
reconciliation of adjusted PBT to profit before tax is included in the financial statements. Adjusting items and their related tax 
impacts, as well as adjusting taxation items, are added back to/deducted from profit attributable to owners of the Company to 
arrive at adjusted earnings per share. Refer to notes 6 and 7 for further details of adjusting items. 

3. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS 
The Chief Operating Decision Maker has been identified as the Board of Directors. The Board reviews the Group’s internal reporting in 
order to assess performance and allocate resources. Management has determined the operating segments based on the reports used 
by the Board. The Board considers the Group’s business through its two channels to market, being retail/wholesale and licensing.  

Retail/wholesale revenues are generated by the sale of luxury goods through Burberry mainline stores, concessions, outlets and digital 
commerce as well as Burberry franchisees, prestige department stores globally and multi-brand specialty accounts. The flow of global 
product between retail and wholesale channels and across our regions is monitored and optimised at a corporate level and implemented 
via the Group’s inventory hubs situated in Europe and the USA.  

Licensing revenues are generated through the receipt of royalties from global licensees of beauty products, eyewear and from licences 
relating to the use of non-Burberry trademarks in Japan.  

The Board assesses channel performance based on a measure of adjusted operating profit. This measurement basis excludes the 
effects of adjusting items. The measure of earnings for each operating segment that is reviewed by the Board includes an allocation of 
corporate and central costs. Interest income and charges are not included in the result for each operating segment that is reviewed by 
the Board.  

176 
176

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

r) Foreign currency translation (continued) 

The principal exchange rates used were as follows: 

Euro 

US Dollar 

Chinese Yuan Renminbi 

Hong Kong Dollar 

Korean Won 

s) Adjusted profit before taxation 

Average rate

Closing rate

52 weeks to

Year to 

As at 

As at

30 March

31 March 

30 March 

31 March

2019

1.13

1.31

8.82

10.26

1,460

2018 

1.13 

1.33 

8.79 

10.37 

1,473 

2019 

1.16 

1.30 

8.75 

10.20 

1,478 

2018

1.14

1.40

8.83

11.01

1,489

In order to provide additional consideration of the underlying performance of the Group’s ongoing business, the Group’s results include 

a presentation of Adjusted operating profit and Adjusted profit before taxation (‘adjusted PBT’). Adjusted PBT is defined as profit 

before taxation and before adjusting items. Adjusting items are those items which, in the opinion of the directors, should be excluded 

in order to provide a consistent and comparable view of the performance of the Group’s ongoing business. Generally, this will include 

those items that are largely one-off and material in nature as well as income or expenses relating to acquisitions or disposals of 

businesses or other transactions of a similar nature, including the impact of changes in fair value of expected future payments 

or receipts relating to these transactions. Adjusting items are identified and presented on a consistent basis each year and a 

reconciliation of adjusted PBT to profit before tax is included in the financial statements. Adjusting items and their related tax 

impacts, as well as adjusting taxation items, are added back to/deducted from profit attributable to owners of the Company to 

arrive at adjusted earnings per share. Refer to notes 6 and 7 for further details of adjusting items. 

via the Group’s inventory hubs situated in Europe and the USA.  

Licensing revenues are generated through the receipt of royalties from global licensees of beauty products, eyewear and from licences 

relating to the use of non-Burberry trademarks in Japan.  

The Board assesses channel performance based on a measure of adjusted operating profit. This measurement basis excludes the 

effects of adjusting items. The measure of earnings for each operating segment that is reviewed by the Board includes an allocation of 

corporate and central costs. Interest income and charges are not included in the result for each operating segment that is reviewed by 

the Board.  

3. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS (CONTINUED) 

Retail 
Wholesale 
Licensing 
Total segment revenue 
Inter-segment revenue1 
Revenue from external customers 

Depreciation and amortisation2 
Net impairment of intangible assets3 
Net impairment of property, plant 
and equipment4 
Other non-cash items: 

Share-based payments 

Adjusted operating profit 
Adjusting items5 
Finance income 
Finance expense 
Profit before taxation 

Retail/Wholesale

Licensing

Total

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
2,185.8
487.9
–
2,673.7
–
2,673.7

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
2,176.3
526.4
–
2,702.7
–
2,702.7

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
–
–
48.3
48.3
(1.8)
46.5

Year to 
31 March 
2018 
£m 
– 
– 
31.9 
31.9 
(1.8) 
30.1 

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
2,185.8
487.9
48.3
2,722.0
(1.8)
2,720.2

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
2,176.3
526.4
31.9
2,734.6
(1.8)
2,732.8

115.8
3.9

7.5

15.7

124.0
–

10.7

17.1

–
–

–

–

– 
– 

– 

– 

395.7

440.7

42.4

25.9 

115.8
3.9

7.5

15.7

438.1
(2.6)
8.7
(3.6)
440.6

124.0
–

10.7

17.1

466.6
(58.3)
7.8
(3.5)
412.6

3. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS 

1.  Inter-segment transfers or transactions are entered into under the normal commercial terms and conditions that would be available to unrelated  

The Chief Operating Decision Maker has been identified as the Board of Directors. The Board reviews the Group’s internal reporting in 

third parties.  

order to assess performance and allocate resources. Management has determined the operating segments based on the reports used 

by the Board. The Board considers the Group’s business through its two channels to market, being retail/wholesale and licensing.  

2. Depreciation of £6.5 million relating to the Group’s restructuring programme and £0.2 million for assets disposed as part of the disposal of Beauty 
operations, and £0.6 million of amortisation for assets disposed as part of the disposal of Beauty operations are presented as adjusting items and 
excluded from the segmental analysis for the year ended 31 March 2018. 

Retail/wholesale revenues are generated by the sale of luxury goods through Burberry mainline stores, concessions, outlets and digital 

3. Impairment of £6.5 million relating to Saudi Arabia goodwill is presented as an adjusting item and excluded from the segmental analysis for the year 

commerce as well as Burberry franchisees, prestige department stores globally and multi-brand specialty accounts. The flow of global 

ended 31 March 2018. 

product between retail and wholesale channels and across our regions is monitored and optimised at a corporate level and implemented 

4. Impairment of £0.4 million relating to the closure of stores as part of the Group’s restructuring programme is presented as an adjusting item and 

excluded from the segmental analysis for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019. 

5. Refer to notes 6 and 7 for details of adjusting items. 

Additions to non-current assets 

Total segment assets 
Goodwill 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Taxation 
Total assets per Balance Sheet 

Retail/Wholesale

Licensing

Total

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
149.8

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
107.8

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
–

Year to 
31 March 
2018 
£m 
– 

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
149.8

1,201.6

1,087.6

9.5

9.5 

1,211.1
108.6
874.5
138.0
2,332.2

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
107.8

1,097.1
88.4
915.3
122.2
2,223.0

176 

177 
177

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

3. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS (CONTINUED) 
Additional revenue analysis 
All revenue is derived from contracts with customers. The Group derives Retail and Wholesale revenue from contracts with customers 
from the transfer of goods and related services at a point in time. Licensing revenue is derived over the period the licence agreement 
gives the customer access to the Group’s trademarks.  

Revenue by product division 
Accessories 
Women’s 
Men’s 
Children’s/Other 
Beauty 
Retail/Wholesale 
Licensing 
Total 

Revenue by destination 
Asia Pacific 
EMEIA1 
Americas 
Retail/Wholesale 
Licensing 
Total 

52 weeks to 
30 March 
2019 
£m 
1,012.7 
836.8 
698.2 
120.0 
6.0 
2,673.7 
46.5 
2,720.2 

52 weeks to 
30 March 
2019 
£m 
1,104.3 
957.4 
612.0 
2,673.7 
46.5 
2,720.2 

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
1,046.5
808.4
647.3
116.8
83.7
2,702.7
30.1
2,732.8

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
1,089.0
975.2
638.5
2,702.7
30.1
2,732.8

1.  EMEIA comprises Europe, Middle East, India and Africa. 

Entity-wide disclosures 
Revenue derived from external customers in the UK totalled £311.7 million for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 (last year: £305.1 million).  

Revenue derived from external customers in foreign countries totalled £2,408.5 million for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 (last year: 
£2,427.7 million). This amount includes £513.6 million of external revenues derived from customers in the USA (last year: £538.0 million) 
and £450.5 million of external revenues derived from customers in China (last year: £443.5 million). 

The total of non-current assets other than financial instruments and deferred tax assets located in the UK is £178.0 million (last year: 
£151.0 million). The remaining £381.5 million of non-current assets are located in other countries (last year: £372.1 million), with 
£125.9 million located in the USA (last year: £130.0 million), £75.6 million located in China (last year: £66.1 million), and £59.0 million 
located in Korea (last year: £62.8 million). 

4. NET OPERATING EXPENSES 

Selling and distribution costs  
Administrative expenses 

Adjusting operating items 
Net operating expenses 

52 weeks to  
30 March 
2019 
£m 
863.8 
558.9 

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
861.9
568.9

Note 

5 

0.9 
1,423.6 

56.3
1,487.1

178 
178

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

3. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS (CONTINUED) 

Additional revenue analysis 

All revenue is derived from contracts with customers. The Group derives Retail and Wholesale revenue from contracts with customers 

from the transfer of goods and related services at a point in time. Licensing revenue is derived over the period the licence agreement 

gives the customer access to the Group’s trademarks.  

Revenue by product division 

Accessories 

Women’s 

Men’s 

Children’s/Other 

Beauty 

Retail/Wholesale 

Licensing 

Total 

Revenue by destination 

Asia Pacific 

EMEIA1 

Americas 

Retail/Wholesale 

Licensing 

Total 

Entity-wide disclosures 

located in Korea (last year: £62.8 million). 

4. NET OPERATING EXPENSES 

Selling and distribution costs  

Administrative expenses 

Adjusting operating items 

Net operating expenses 

1.  EMEIA comprises Europe, Middle East, India and Africa. 

Revenue derived from external customers in the UK totalled £311.7 million for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 (last year: £305.1 million).  

Revenue derived from external customers in foreign countries totalled £2,408.5 million for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 (last year: 

£2,427.7 million). This amount includes £513.6 million of external revenues derived from customers in the USA (last year: £538.0 million) 

and £450.5 million of external revenues derived from customers in China (last year: £443.5 million). 

The total of non-current assets other than financial instruments and deferred tax assets located in the UK is £178.0 million (last year: 

£151.0 million). The remaining £381.5 million of non-current assets are located in other countries (last year: £372.1 million), with 

£125.9 million located in the USA (last year: £130.0 million), £75.6 million located in China (last year: £66.1 million), and £59.0 million 

5. PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION 

Adjusted profit before taxation is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Within cost of sales 
Within selling and distribution costs 
Within administrative expenses1 
Amortisation of intangible assets  

Within selling and distribution costs 
Within administrative expenses2 

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Impairment of intangible assets3
Net impairment charge relating to retail assets4 
Employee costs5 
Operating lease rentals  

Minimum lease payments6 
Contingent rents 

Net exchange (gain)/loss on revaluation of monetary assets and liabilities
Net loss on derivatives – fair value through profit and loss
Trade receivables net impairment (reversal)/charge

Adjusting items 
Adjusting operating items 

Gain on disposal of Beauty operations 
Costs relating to disposal of Beauty operations
Restructuring costs 
Goodwill impairment 
Revaluation of deferred consideration liability 

Total adjusting operating items 
Adjusting financing items 

Finance charge on deferred consideration liability

Total adjusting financing items 

52 weeks to 
30 March
2019
£m

Year to
31 March
2018
£m

Note 

1.1
75.8
10.3

1.5
27.1
1.2
3.9
7.5
508.4

247.4
107.2
(4.5)
7.7
(4.1)

(6.9)
–
12.2
–
(4.4)
0.9

1.7
1.7

0.8
88.2
10.1

0.8
24.1
2.7
–
10.7
500.3

246.2
110.1
7.3
3.7
3.1

(5.2)
5.0
54.5
6.5
(4.5)
56.3

2.0
2.0

13 
14 
27 

6 
7 
7 
7 
7 

7 

1.  Depreciation of property, plant and equipment within administrative expenses for the year to 31 March 2018 has been presented excluding depreciation 
of £6.5 million relating to the Group’s restructuring programme and depreciation of £0.2 million for assets disposed as part of the disposal of Beauty 
operations (refer to note 7). 

2. Amortisation of intangible assets within administrative expenses for the year to 31 March 2018 has been presented excluding amortisation of 
£0.6 million included in costs relating to the disposal of Beauty operations, which has been presented as an adjusting item (refer to note 7). 

3. Impairment of intangible assets for the year to 31 March 2018 is presented excluding an impairment of £6.5 million relating to goodwill allocated to the 

Saudi Arabia cash generating unit, which has been presented as an adjusting item (refer to note 7). 

4. Net impairment charge relating to retail assets for the year to 30 March 2019 is presented excluding £0.4 million relating to the closure of stores as part 

of the Group’s restructuring programme, which has been presented as an adjusting item (refer to note 7).  

5. Employee costs for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 are presented excluding £11.4 million (last year: £14.9 million) of costs arising as a result of the 

Group’s restructuring programme, which have been presented as an adjusting item (refer to note 7). 

6. Minimum lease payments include charges for onerous lease provisions during the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 of £3.6 million (last year: £7.2 million) and 
do not include payments of £5.3 million (last year: £4.8 million) where existing onerous lease provisions have been utilised. Minimum lease payments for 
the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 have been presented excluding a credit of £8.9 million (last year: charges of £29.1 million) for onerous property 
obligations and a charge of £4.5 million for store closure costs in connection with the Group’s restructuring programme, which have been presented as 
adjusting items (refer to note 7).  

52 weeks to 

30 March 

Year to

31 March

2019 

£m 

1,012.7 

836.8 

698.2 

120.0 

6.0 

2,673.7 

46.5 

2,720.2 

2019 

£m 

1,104.3 

957.4 

612.0 

2,673.7 

46.5 

2,720.2 

2018

£m

1,046.5

808.4

647.3

116.8

83.7

2,702.7

30.1

2,732.8

2018

£m

1,089.0

975.2

638.5

2,702.7

30.1

2,732.8

52 weeks to 

30 March 

Year to

31 March

52 weeks to  

30 March 

Year to

31 March

Note 

2019 

£m 

863.8 

558.9 

5 

0.9 

1,423.6 

2018

£m

861.9

568.9

56.3

1,487.1

178 

179 
179

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

6. GAIN ON DISPOSAL OF BEAUTY OPERATIONS  
On 3 April 2017, the Group entered into two agreements with Coty Geneva SARL Versoix (Coty) to grant Coty a licence to sell its 
fragrance and beauty products and to transfer the Group’s Beauty operations to Coty.  

Under the agreement to transfer the Beauty operations, the Group transferred inventory and property, plant and equipment relating 
to the Beauty operations to Coty. The assets transferred to Coty were paid for by cash proceeds of £33.3 million, with the exception of 
some of the inventory which would be paid for in the future if it is used by Coty. A debtor of £4.1 million was recognised for contingent 
consideration in relation to the estimated future proceeds arising from the disposal of inventory to Coty. 

The licence agreement, which is for a term of up to 15 years, allows Coty to manufacture and sell Burberry Beauty products. 
Under the licence agreement Coty will pay the Group royalties based on the value of products sold.  

The Group received an upfront payment of £130.0 million for the licence and related disposal of the Beauty operations under the 
two agreements. The Directors carried out an allocation and attributed £30.0 million of this upfront payment to the disposal of the 
Beauty operations.  

The remaining £100.0 million of the payment was attributed to the licence and has been recognised as deferred royalty income on the 
balance sheet (refer to note 20). It is recognised as royalty revenue over the term of the licence.  

The agreements with Coty completed on 2 October 2017. The consideration received consisted of cash proceeds of £63.3 million, and 
contingent consideration with an estimated fair value of £4.1 million, for a total disposal consideration of £67.4 million. The carrying 
amount of the net assets disposed of was £37.4 million, and the directly attributable costs amounted to £24.8 million. The net impact 
was a gain on disposal before taxation of £5.2 million in the year ended 31 March 2018. A related tax charge of £1.0 million was 
recognised.  

Directly attributable costs in the year to 31 March 2018 related to the write-down of inventory of £10.1 million and provisions for the 
costs of certain contract terminations and employee redundancy. £2.2 million of these costs were paid in the year to 31 March 2018.  

In the current year, the provision for contract terminations and the debtor for the contingent consideration have been reassessed, 
resulting in a net increase in the gain on disposal of £6.9 million and a related tax charge of £1.3 million. A further £4.2 million of costs 
were settled in the current period and contingent consideration of £4.8 million was received.  

The net gain on disposal is presented as an adjusting item in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy as it arises from the 
disposal of a business. 

7. ADJUSTING ITEMS 
Restructuring costs 
Restructuring costs of £12.2 million (last year: £54.5 million) were incurred in the current period, arising as a result of the Group’s  
cost-efficiency programme announced in May 2016. These costs are presented as an adjusting item as they are considered material 
and one-off in nature, being part of a restructuring programme running from May 2016 to March 2021. The costs in the current year 
are principally attributable to redundancies and the non-strategic store closure programme, offset by a reduction in the estimated cost 
of onerous lease obligations of property recognised in the prior year. A related tax credit of £2.2 million (last year: £11.4 million) has also 
been recognised in the current period. 

Items relating to the deferred consideration liability 
On 22 April 2016, the Group entered into an agreement to transfer the economic right to the non-controlling interest in Burberry 
Middle East LLC to the Group in consideration of contingent payments to be made to the minority shareholder based on an agreed 
percentage of future revenue, together with fixed payments to be paid over the period to 2023. The present value of the fixed and 
contingent deferred consideration in total, at the date of the transaction, was estimated to be AED 236.0 million (£44.6 million).  

A credit of £4.4 million in relation to the revaluation of this balance has been recognised in operating expenses for the 52 weeks to 
30 March 2019 (last year: credit of £4.5 million). A financing charge of £1.7 million in relation to the unwinding of the discount on the 
non-current portion of the deferred consideration liability has also been recognised for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 (last year:  
£2.0 million). These movements are unrealised. No tax has been recognised on either of these items, as the future payments are not 
considered to be deductible for tax purposes. These items are presented as adjusting items in accordance with the Group’s accounting 
policy, as they arise from changes in the value of the liability for expected future payments relating to the purchase of a non-controlling 
interest in the Group.  

180 
180

 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

6. GAIN ON DISPOSAL OF BEAUTY OPERATIONS  

On 3 April 2017, the Group entered into two agreements with Coty Geneva SARL Versoix (Coty) to grant Coty a licence to sell its 

fragrance and beauty products and to transfer the Group’s Beauty operations to Coty.  

Under the agreement to transfer the Beauty operations, the Group transferred inventory and property, plant and equipment relating 

to the Beauty operations to Coty. The assets transferred to Coty were paid for by cash proceeds of £33.3 million, with the exception of 

some of the inventory which would be paid for in the future if it is used by Coty. A debtor of £4.1 million was recognised for contingent 

consideration in relation to the estimated future proceeds arising from the disposal of inventory to Coty. 

The licence agreement, which is for a term of up to 15 years, allows Coty to manufacture and sell Burberry Beauty products. 

Under the licence agreement Coty will pay the Group royalties based on the value of products sold.  

The Group received an upfront payment of £130.0 million for the licence and related disposal of the Beauty operations under the 

two agreements. The Directors carried out an allocation and attributed £30.0 million of this upfront payment to the disposal of the 

Beauty operations.  

7. ADJUSTING ITEMS (CONTINUED) 
Adjusting items relating to prior periods 
Costs relating to the disposal of the Beauty operations 
In addition to the costs arising directly from the disposal of the Beauty operations, costs of £5.0 million relating to the Beauty 
transaction were incurred in the year ended 31 March 2018. A related tax credit of £1.0 million was also recognised in the year ended 
31 March 2018. 

Goodwill impairment 
A charge of £6.5 million was recorded in the year to 31 March 2018 to fully impair goodwill allocated to the Saudi Arabia cash 
generating unit, following a significant and prolonged downturn in the Saudi Arabian economy. The charge was presented as an 
adjusting item in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy, as it was one-off in nature, and relates to the acquisition of a 
business. No tax was recognised on this item, as the value was not considered to be deductible for tax purposes.  

Adjusting taxation charge 
An adjusting taxation charge of £12.2 million was recognised for the year ended 31 March 2018. Refer to note 10 for further details.  

The remaining £100.0 million of the payment was attributed to the licence and has been recognised as deferred royalty income on the 

balance sheet (refer to note 20). It is recognised as royalty revenue over the term of the licence.  

8. AUDITOR REMUNERATION 
Fees incurred during the year in relation to audit and non-audit services are analysed below:  

The agreements with Coty completed on 2 October 2017. The consideration received consisted of cash proceeds of £63.3 million, and 

contingent consideration with an estimated fair value of £4.1 million, for a total disposal consideration of £67.4 million. The carrying 

amount of the net assets disposed of was £37.4 million, and the directly attributable costs amounted to £24.8 million. The net impact 

was a gain on disposal before taxation of £5.2 million in the year ended 31 March 2018. A related tax charge of £1.0 million was 

recognised.  

Directly attributable costs in the year to 31 March 2018 related to the write-down of inventory of £10.1 million and provisions for the 

costs of certain contract terminations and employee redundancy. £2.2 million of these costs were paid in the year to 31 March 2018.  

Audit services in respect of the financial statements of the Company and consolidation
Audit services in respect of the financial statements of subsidiary companies
Audit-related assurance services 
Other non-audit-related services 
Total 

In the current year, the provision for contract terminations and the debtor for the contingent consideration have been reassessed, 

resulting in a net increase in the gain on disposal of £6.9 million and a related tax charge of £1.3 million. A further £4.2 million of costs 

were settled in the current period and contingent consideration of £4.8 million was received.  

9. FINANCING 

The net gain on disposal is presented as an adjusting item in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy as it arises from the 

Bank interest income – amortised cost1 
Other finance income – amortised cost 
Finance income – amortised cost 
Bank interest income – fair value through profit and loss1
Finance income 

Interest expense on bank loans and overdrafts 
Bank charges 
Other finance expense 
Finance expense 
Finance charge on deferred consideration liability
Net finance income 

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
0.4
2.0
0.1
0.2
2.7

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
1.9
0.8
2.7
6.0
8.7

(0.6)
(0.7)
(2.3)
(3.6)
(1.7)
3.4

Year to 
31 March
2018
£m
0.4
1.9
0.1
0.5
2.9

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
7.2
0.6
7.8
–
7.8

(1.3)
(0.7)
(1.5)
(3.5)
(2.0)
2.3

Note 

7 

1.  Classification of interest in the current period has been impacted as a result of the adoption of IFRS 9. See note 19 for details of changes in classification 

of cash and cash equivalents arising from the adoption of IFRS 9.  

disposal of a business. 

7. ADJUSTING ITEMS 

Restructuring costs 

Restructuring costs of £12.2 million (last year: £54.5 million) were incurred in the current period, arising as a result of the Group’s  

cost-efficiency programme announced in May 2016. These costs are presented as an adjusting item as they are considered material 

and one-off in nature, being part of a restructuring programme running from May 2016 to March 2021. The costs in the current year 

are principally attributable to redundancies and the non-strategic store closure programme, offset by a reduction in the estimated cost 

of onerous lease obligations of property recognised in the prior year. A related tax credit of £2.2 million (last year: £11.4 million) has also 

been recognised in the current period. 

Items relating to the deferred consideration liability 

On 22 April 2016, the Group entered into an agreement to transfer the economic right to the non-controlling interest in Burberry 

Middle East LLC to the Group in consideration of contingent payments to be made to the minority shareholder based on an agreed 

percentage of future revenue, together with fixed payments to be paid over the period to 2023. The present value of the fixed and 

contingent deferred consideration in total, at the date of the transaction, was estimated to be AED 236.0 million (£44.6 million).  

A credit of £4.4 million in relation to the revaluation of this balance has been recognised in operating expenses for the 52 weeks to 

30 March 2019 (last year: credit of £4.5 million). A financing charge of £1.7 million in relation to the unwinding of the discount on the 

non-current portion of the deferred consideration liability has also been recognised for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 (last year:  

£2.0 million). These movements are unrealised. No tax has been recognised on either of these items, as the future payments are not 

considered to be deductible for tax purposes. These items are presented as adjusting items in accordance with the Group’s accounting 

policy, as they arise from changes in the value of the liability for expected future payments relating to the purchase of a non-controlling 

interest in the Group.  

180 

181 
181

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

10. TAXATION 
Analysis of charge for the year recognised in the Group Income Statement: 

Current tax 
UK corporation tax 
Current tax on income for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 at 19% (last year: 19%) 
Double taxation relief 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Foreign tax 
Current tax on income for the year 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 
Total current tax 

Deferred tax 
UK deferred tax 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Foreign deferred tax 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences 
Impact of changes to tax rates 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 
Total deferred tax 
Total tax charge on profit  

Analysis of charge for the year recognised in other comprehensive income and directly in equity: 

Current tax 
Recognised in other comprehensive income 
Current tax charge/(credit) on exchange differences on loans (foreign currency translation reserve)
Current tax credit on cash flow hedges deferred in equity (hedging reserve)
Current tax credit on cash flow hedges transferred to income (hedging reserve)
Current tax charge on net investment hedges deferred in equity (hedging reserve)
Total current tax recognised in other comprehensive income

Recognised in equity 
Current tax credit on share options (retained earnings)
Total current tax recognised directly in equity 

Deferred tax 
Recognised in other comprehensive income 
Deferred tax credit on net investment hedges transferred to income (hedging reserve)
Total deferred tax recognised in other comprehensive income

Recognised in equity 
Deferred tax charge on share options (retained earnings)
Total deferred tax recognised directly in equity 

52 weeks to 
30 March 
2019 
£m 

Year to
31 March
2018
£m

62.3 
(2.8) 
(7.0) 
52.5 

54.3 
(0.1) 
106.7 

3.5 
(0.1) 
3.4 

(10.7) 
(0.1) 
2.2 
(5.2) 
101.5 

45.0
(3.2)
4.2
46.0

73.1
(5.8)
113.3

4.3
0.4
4.7

(12.2)
12.6
0.6
5.7
119.0

52 weeks to 
30 March 
2019 
£m 

Year to
31 March
2018
£m

1.3 
(0.2) 
(0.2) 
0.2 
1.1 

(2.0) 
(2.0) 

– 
– 

0.2 
0.2 

(3.6)
(0.3)
(1.6)
0.5
(5.0)

(0.8)
(0.8)

(0.1)
(0.1)

0.9
0.9

182 
182

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current tax on income for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 at 19% (last year: 19%) 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Current tax 

UK corporation tax 

Double taxation relief 

Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Foreign tax 

Current tax on income for the year 

Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Total current tax 

Deferred tax 

UK deferred tax 

Origination and reversal of temporary differences 

Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Foreign deferred tax 

Origination and reversal of temporary differences 

Impact of changes to tax rates 

Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Total deferred tax 

Total tax charge on profit  

Analysis of charge for the year recognised in other comprehensive income and directly in equity: 

Current tax 

Recognised in other comprehensive income 

Current tax charge/(credit) on exchange differences on loans (foreign currency translation reserve)

Current tax credit on cash flow hedges deferred in equity (hedging reserve)

Current tax credit on cash flow hedges transferred to income (hedging reserve)

Current tax charge on net investment hedges deferred in equity (hedging reserve)

Total current tax recognised in other comprehensive income

Recognised in equity 

Current tax credit on share options (retained earnings)

Total current tax recognised directly in equity 

Deferred tax 

Recognised in other comprehensive income 

Deferred tax credit on net investment hedges transferred to income (hedging reserve)

Total deferred tax recognised in other comprehensive income

Recognised in equity 

Deferred tax charge on share options (retained earnings)

Total deferred tax recognised directly in equity 

52 weeks to 

30 March 

Year to

31 March

2019 

£m 

62.3 

(2.8) 

(7.0) 

52.5 

54.3 

(0.1) 

106.7 

3.5 

(0.1) 

3.4 

(10.7) 

(0.1) 

2.2 

(5.2) 

101.5 

1.3 

(0.2) 

(0.2) 

0.2 

1.1 

(2.0) 

(2.0) 

– 

– 

0.2 

0.2 

2018

£m

45.0

(3.2)

4.2

46.0

73.1

(5.8)

113.3

4.3

0.4

4.7

(12.2)

12.6

0.6

5.7

119.0

(3.6)

(0.3)

(1.6)

0.5

(5.0)

(0.8)

(0.8)

(0.1)

(0.1)

0.9

0.9

10. TAXATION 

Analysis of charge for the year recognised in the Group Income Statement: 

10. TAXATION (CONTINUED) 
The tax rate applicable on profit varied from the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK due to the following factors: 

Profit before taxation 

Tax at 19% (last year: 19%) on profit before taxation
Rate adjustments relating to overseas profits  
Permanent differences 
Tax on dividends not creditable 
Current year tax losses not recognised 
Prior year tax losses recognised 
Prior year tax losses no longer recognised 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 
Adjustments to deferred tax relating to changes in tax rates
Total taxation charge 

Total taxation recognised in the Group Income Statement arises on the following items: 

Tax on adjusted profit before taxation 
Tax on adjusting items 
Adjusting taxation charge 
Total taxation charge 

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
440.6

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
412.6

83.7
11.5
12.8
3.8
2.5
(7.8)
–
(5.0)
–
101.5

78.4
10.7
4.2
10.1
1.9
–
1.7
(0.6)
12.6
119.0

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
102.4
(0.9)
–
101.5

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
118.2
(11.4)
12.2
119.0

52 weeks to 

30 March 

Year to

31 March

2019 

£m 

2018

£m

The adjusting taxation charge in the year to 31 March 2018 relates to a net adjustment to deferred taxes, reflecting the reduced US 
federal income tax rate. 

11. EARNINGS PER SHARE  
The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on profit or loss attributable to owners of the Company for the year divided by 
the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. Basic and diluted earnings per share based on adjusted profit 
before taxation are also disclosed to indicate the underlying profitability of the Group.  

Attributable profit for the year before adjusting items1
Effect of adjusting items1 (after taxation) 
Attributable profit for the year  

1.  Refer to notes 6 and 7 for details of adjusting items.  

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
341.0
(1.7)
339.3

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
352.6
(59.1)
293.5

The weighted average number of ordinary shares represents the weighted average number of Burberry Group plc ordinary shares in 
issue throughout the year, excluding ordinary shares held in the Group’s ESOP trusts. 

Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. In addition, account is 
taken of any options and awards made under the employee share incentive schemes, which will have a dilutive effect when exercised. 
Refer to note 27 for additional information on the terms and conditions of the employee share incentive schemes. 

182 

183 
183

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

11. EARNINGS PER SHARE (CONTINUED) 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year
Dilutive effect of the employee share incentive schemes
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year

12. DIVIDENDS PAID TO OWNERS OF THE COMPANY 

Prior year final dividend paid 30.3p per share (last year: 28.4p)
Interim dividend paid 11.0p per share (last year: 11.0p) 
Total  

52 weeks to 
30 March 
2019 
Millions 
412.3 
2.8 
415.1 

52 weeks to 
30 March 
2019 
£m 
126.0 
45.1 
171.1 

Year to
31 March
2018
Millions
425.7
3.7
429.4

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
123.0
46.4
169.4

A final dividend in respect of the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 of 31.5p (last year: 30.3p) per share, amounting to £128.4 million, has 
been proposed for approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting subsequent to the balance sheet date. The final 
dividend to Burberry Group plc shareholders has not been recognised as a liability at the year end and will be paid on 2 August 2019 to 
shareholders on the register at the close of business on 28 June 2019. The ex-dividend date is 27 June 2019 and the final day for 
dividend reinvestment plan (‘DRIP’) elections is 12 July 2019. 

13. INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

Cost 
As at 31 March 2017 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Additions 
Disposals 
Reclassifications from assets in the course of construction
As at 31 March 2018 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Additions 
Business combination 
Disposals 
Reclassifications from assets in the course of construction
As at 30 March 2019 

Accumulated amortisation and impairment 
As at 31 March 2017 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Impairment charge on assets 
As at 31 March 2018 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Impairment charge on assets 
As at 30 March 2019 

Net book value 
As at 30 March 2019 
As at 31 March 2018 

Trademarks, 
licences and 
other 
intangible
assets
£m
88.8
–
0.3
(70.9)
–
18.2
–
0.4
–
(6.1)
–
12.5

Goodwill
£m
99.6
(4.7)
–
–
–
94.9
0.7
–
19.5
–
–
115.1

Intangible 
assets in the 
course of 
construction 
£m 
20.3 
(0.1) 
40.4 
– 
(14.1) 
46.5 
– 
39.8 
– 
–  
(39.4) 
46.9 

Computer 
software 
£m 
164.9 
(2.4) 
8.1 
(54.5) 
14.1 
130.2 
0.9 
13.8 
– 
(31.0) 
39.4 
153.3 

–
–
–
–
6.5
6.5
–
–
–
–
6.5

80.6
(0.1)
0.8
(70.9)
–
10.4
–
0.9
(6.1)
–
5.2

122.9 
(2.0) 
24.7 
(52.8) 
– 
92.8 
0.9 
27.7 
(30.2) 
3.9 
95.1 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Total
£m
373.6
(7.2)
48.8
(125.4)
–
289.8
1.6
54.0
19.5
(37.1)
–
327.8

203.5
(2.1)
25.5
(123.7)
6.5
109.7
0.9
28.6
(36.3)
3.9
106.8

108.6
88.4

7.3
7.8

58.2 
37.4 

46.9 
46.5 

221.0
180.1

184 
184

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

11. EARNINGS PER SHARE (CONTINUED) 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year

Dilutive effect of the employee share incentive schemes

Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year

12. DIVIDENDS PAID TO OWNERS OF THE COMPANY 

52 weeks to 

30 March 

2019 

Millions 

412.3 

2.8 

415.1 

Year to

31 March

2018

Millions

425.7

3.7

429.4

52 weeks to 

30 March 

Year to

31 March

2019 

£m 

126.0 

45.1 

171.1 

2018

£m

123.0

46.4

169.4

Prior year final dividend paid 30.3p per share (last year: 28.4p)

Interim dividend paid 11.0p per share (last year: 11.0p) 

Total  

A final dividend in respect of the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 of 31.5p (last year: 30.3p) per share, amounting to £128.4 million, has 

been proposed for approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting subsequent to the balance sheet date. The final 

dividend to Burberry Group plc shareholders has not been recognised as a liability at the year end and will be paid on 2 August 2019 to 

shareholders on the register at the close of business on 28 June 2019. The ex-dividend date is 27 June 2019 and the final day for 

dividend reinvestment plan (‘DRIP’) elections is 12 July 2019. 

13. INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

Trademarks, 

licences and 

other 

Intangible 

assets in the 

intangible

Computer 

course of 

Goodwill

assets

software 

construction 

Cost 

As at 31 March 2017 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Additions 

Disposals 

Reclassifications from assets in the course of construction

As at 31 March 2018 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Additions 

Disposals 

Business combination 

As at 30 March 2019 

Reclassifications from assets in the course of construction

Accumulated amortisation and impairment 

As at 31 March 2017 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Charge for the year 

Disposals 

Impairment charge on assets 

As at 31 March 2018 

Charge for the year 

Disposals 

Impairment charge on assets 

As at 30 March 2019 

Net book value 

As at 30 March 2019 

As at 31 March 2018 

£m

99.6

(4.7)

94.9

0.7

19.5

115.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6.5

6.5

6.5

184 

£m

88.8

–

0.3

(70.9)

18.2

0.4

–

–

–

–

(6.1)

12.5

80.6

(0.1)

0.8

(70.9)

10.4

–

–

0.9

(6.1)

–

5.2

£m 

164.9 

(2.4) 

8.1 

(54.5) 

14.1 

130.2 

0.9 

13.8 

– 

(31.0) 

39.4 

153.3 

122.9 

(2.0) 

24.7 

(52.8) 

– 

92.8 

0.9 

27.7 

(30.2) 

3.9 

95.1 

£m 

20.3 

(0.1) 

40.4 

– 

(14.1) 

46.5 

39.8 

– 

– 

–  

(39.4) 

46.9 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Total

£m

373.6

(7.2)

48.8

(125.4)

–

289.8

1.6

54.0

19.5

(37.1)

–

327.8

203.5

(2.1)

25.5

(123.7)

6.5

109.7

0.9

28.6

(36.3)

3.9

106.8

108.6

88.4

7.3

7.8

58.2 

37.4 

46.9 

46.5 

221.0

180.1

13. INTANGIBLE ASSETS (CONTINUED) 
Impairment testing of goodwill 
The carrying value of the goodwill allocated to cash generating units: 

China 
Korea 
Burberry Manifattura S.R.L.1 
Other 
Total 

As at
30 March
2019
£m
48.4
27.9
19.0
13.3
108.6

As at
31 March
2018
£m
47.8
27.7
–
12.9
88.4

1.  Goodwill which arose on acquisition of Burberry Manifattura S.R.L. has been allocated to the group of cash generating units which make up the Group’s 

retail and wholesale operating segment cash generating unit. 

The Group tests goodwill for impairment annually or where there is an indication that goodwill might be impaired. The recoverable 
amount of all cash generating units has been determined on a value-in-use basis. Value-in-use calculations for each cash generating 
unit are based on projected pre-tax discounted cash flows together with a discounted terminal value. The cash flows have been 
discounted at pre-tax rates reflecting the Group’s weighted average cost of capital adjusted for country-specific tax rates and risks. 
Where the cash generating unit has a non-controlling interest which was recognised at a value equal to its proportionate interest in the 
net identifiable assets of the acquired subsidiary at the acquisition date, the carrying amount of the goodwill has been grossed up, to 
include the goodwill attributable to the non-controlling interest, for the purpose of impairment testing the goodwill attributable to the 
cash generating unit. The key assumptions contained in the value-in-use calculations include the future revenues, the margins 
achieved, the assumed life of the business and the discount rates applied. 

The value-in-use calculations have been prepared using management’s approved financial plans for the five years ending 
30 March 2024. These plans contain management’s best view of the expected performance for the year ending 28 March 2020 
and the expected growth rates for the years thereafter. The plans are based on the performance achieved in the current year and 
management’s knowledge of the market environment and future business plans. A terminal value has been included in the value-in-use 
calculation based on the cash flows for the year ending 30 March 2024 incorporating the assumption that there is no growth beyond 
30 March 2024. 

The goodwill arising on acquisition of Burberry Manifattura S.R.L. has been allocated to the group of CGUs which make up the Group’s 
retail/wholesale operating segment. This reflects the level at which the goodwill is being monitored by management. For the material 
goodwill balances of China, Korea and Burberry Manifattura S.R.L., a sensitivity analysis has been performed on the value-in-use 
calculations. This sensitivity analysis indicated significant headroom between the recoverable amount under this scenario and the 
carrying value of goodwill and therefore management considered no further detailed sensitivity analysis was required. 

The pre-tax discount rates for China, Korea and Burberry Manifattura S.R.L. were 16.0%, 14.0% and 11.1% respectively (last year: 
China 15.9% and Korea 13.4%). 

The other goodwill balance of £13.3 million (last year: £12.9 million) consists of amounts relating to seven cash generating units, none 
of which have goodwill balances individually exceeding £6.0 million as at 30 March 2019.  

No impairment has been recognised in respect of the carrying value of the goodwill balances in the year, as the recoverable amount of 
goodwill exceeds its carrying value for each of the cash generating units. 

During the year to 31 March 2018, revenue in the Saudi Arabia cash generating unit declined following a significant and prolonged 
downturn in the Saudi Arabian economy. The recoverable amount of the net assets was determined by an impairment test of the value-
in-use of the cash generating unit. Following this impairment test, the goodwill relating to the Saudi Arabia cash generating unit was 
written off in full. This gave rise to a charge of £6.5 million for the year to 31 March 2018. The charge was presented in operating profit 
as an adjusting item.  

185 
185

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

14. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Cost 
As at 31 March 2017 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Additions 
Disposals  
Disposal of a business 
Reclassifications from assets in the course  
of construction 
As at 31 March 2018 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Additions 
Business combination 
Disposals  
Reclassifications from assets in the course  
of construction 
As at 30 March 2019 

Accumulated depreciation and impairment 
As at 31 March 2017 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Disposal of a business 
Net impairment charge on assets 
As at 31 March 2018 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Net impairment charge on assets 
As at 30 March 2019 

Net book value 
As at 30 March 2019 
As at 31 March 2018 

Freehold 
land and 
buildings
£m
148.6
(12.8)
0.3
–
–

Leasehold 
improvements
£m
474.8
(29.7)
25.3
(11.5)
–

Fixtures, 
fittings and 
equipment1 
£m 
538.4 
(24.7) 
18.7 
(41.8) 
(7.4) 

Assets in the 
course of 
construction 
£m 
14.5 
(0.8) 
14.7 
– 
(0.6) 

5.5 
488.7 
13.0 
23.5 
0.5 
(190.3) 

13.7 
349.1 

439.5 
(20.7) 
48.8 
(41.2) 
(3.7) 
7.1 
429.8 
11.2 
40.2 
(190.1) 
6.3 
297.4 

(8.9) 
18.9 
1.1 
25.9 
– 
– 

(18.9) 
27.0 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

0.2
136.3
8.5
0.2
–
(0.2)

–
144.8

46.9
(4.6)
3.9
–
–
–
46.2
3.3
4.3
(0.2)
–
53.6

91.2
90.1

3.2
462.1
14.0
26.2
–
(56.9)

5.2
450.6

290.3
(19.5)
53.1
(11.1)
–
3.6
316.4
9.6
42.7
(56.7)
1.6
313.6

137.0
145.7

Total
£m
1,176.3
(68.0)
59.0
(53.3)
(8.0)

–
1,106.0
36.6
75.8
0.5
(247.4)

–
971.5

776.7
(44.8)
105.8
(52.3)
(3.7)
10.7
792.4
24.1
87.2
(247.0)
7.9
664.6

51.7 
58.9 

27.0 
18.9 

306.9
313.6

1.  Included in fixtures, fittings and equipment are finance lease assets with a net book value of £0.8 million (last year: £1.1 million). 

During the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, a net charge of £11.2 million (last year: £16.8 million) was recorded within net operating 
expenses as a result of the annual review of impairment of retail store assets. A charge of £7.5 million (last year: £9.6 million) was 
recognised against property, plant and equipment, and £3.7 million (last year: £7.2 million) was charged in relation to onerous lease 
provisions. Refer to note 21 for further details of onerous lease provisions. 

Where indicators of impairment were identified, the impairment review compared the value-in-use of the cash generating units to 
the carrying values at 30 March 2019. The pre-tax cash flow projections were based on financial plans of expected revenues and 
costs for each retail cash generating unit, as approved by management, and extrapolated beyond the budget year to the lease exit 
dates using growth rates and inflation rates appropriate to each store’s location. The pre-tax discount rates used in these calculations 
were between 10.4% and 25.3% (last year: between 10.7% and 21.5%), based on the Group’s weighted average cost of capital 
adjusted for country-specific tax rates and risks. Where the value-in-use was less than the carrying value of the cash generating unit, 
an impairment of property, plant and equipment was recorded. Where the value-in-use was negative, onerous lease provisions were 
assessed in relation to the future contracted minimum lease payments. Potential alternative uses for property, such as subletting of 
leasehold or sale of freehold, were considered in estimating both the value for impairment charges and onerous lease provisions. 

186 
186

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

14. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Cost 

As at 31 March 2017 

Additions 

Disposals  

Disposal of a business 

of construction 

As at 31 March 2018 

Additions 

Disposals  

Business combination 

of construction 

As at 30 March 2019 

Reclassifications from assets in the course  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Reclassifications from assets in the course  

Accumulated depreciation and impairment 

As at 31 March 2017 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Charge for the year 

Disposals 

Disposal of a business 

Net impairment charge on assets 

As at 31 March 2018 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Charge for the year 

Disposals 

Net impairment charge on assets 

As at 30 March 2019 

Net book value 

As at 30 March 2019 

As at 31 March 2018 

Freehold 

land and 

Leasehold 

fittings and 

course of 

buildings

improvements

equipment1 

construction 

Fixtures, 

Assets in the 

£m

148.6

(12.8)

0.3

–

–

0.2

136.3

8.5

0.2

–

(0.2)

–

144.8

46.9

(4.6)

3.9

–

–

–

46.2

3.3

4.3

(0.2)

–

53.6

91.2

90.1

£m

474.8

(29.7)

25.3

(11.5)

–

3.2

462.1

14.0

26.2

–

(56.9)

5.2

450.6

290.3

(19.5)

53.1

(11.1)

–

3.6

316.4

9.6

42.7

(56.7)

1.6

313.6

137.0

145.7

£m 

538.4 

(24.7) 

18.7 

(41.8) 

(7.4) 

5.5 

488.7 

13.0 

23.5 

0.5 

(190.3) 

13.7 

349.1 

439.5 

(20.7) 

48.8 

(41.2) 

(3.7) 

7.1 

429.8 

11.2 

40.2 

(190.1) 

6.3 

297.4 

£m 

14.5 

(0.8) 

14.7 

– 

(0.6) 

(8.9) 

18.9 

1.1 

25.9 

– 

– 

(18.9) 

27.0 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Total

£m

1,176.3

(68.0)

59.0

(53.3)

(8.0)

–

1,106.0

36.6

75.8

0.5

(247.4)

–

971.5

776.7

(44.8)

105.8

(52.3)

(3.7)

10.7

792.4

24.1

87.2

(247.0)

7.9

664.6

51.7 

58.9 

27.0 

18.9 

306.9

313.6

14. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED) 
Management has considered the potential impact of changes in assumptions on the total recorded as a result of the review for 
impairment of retail store assets and consideration of onerous lease provisions. The most significant estimate is the future level of 
revenues achieved by the retail stores. It is estimated that, for the stores subject to an impairment or onerous lease provision in the 
year, a 5% decrease/increase in revenue assumptions for the year ending 28 March 2020, with no change to subsequent forecast 
revenue growth rate assumptions, would result in a £16.4 million increase/£15.0 million decrease in the charge in the 52 weeks to 
30 March 2019. 

The impairment charge recorded in property, plant and equipment relates to 26 retail cash generating units (last year: 23 retail cash 
generating units) for which the total recoverable amount at the balance sheet date is £18.1 million (last year: £4.5 million).  

An impairment charge of £0.4 million (last year: £nil) was recorded relating to two stores being closed as part of the non-strategic 
store closure programme. Impairment charges of £nil (last year: £1.1 million) arose relating to other assets in the year. 

15. DEFERRED TAXATION 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax 
liabilities and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, and to the same fiscal authority. The assets and liabilities presented in the 
balance sheet, including the impact of the offset amounts of £3.1 million as at 30 March 2019 are shown in the table below: 

Deferred tax assets 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Net amount 

The movement in the deferred tax account is as follows:
At start of year 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Credited/(charged) to the Income Statement 
Credited to other comprehensive income 
Charged to equity 
At end of year 

As at
30 March
2019
£m
123.1
(3.4)
119.7

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
111.3
3.4
5.2
–
(0.2)
119.7

As at
31 March
2018
£m
115.5
(4.2)
111.3

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
124.6
(6.8)
(5.7)
0.1
(0.9)
111.3

1.  Included in fixtures, fittings and equipment are finance lease assets with a net book value of £0.8 million (last year: £1.1 million). 

During the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, a net charge of £11.2 million (last year: £16.8 million) was recorded within net operating 

expenses as a result of the annual review of impairment of retail store assets. A charge of £7.5 million (last year: £9.6 million) was 

recognised against property, plant and equipment, and £3.7 million (last year: £7.2 million) was charged in relation to onerous lease 

provisions. Refer to note 21 for further details of onerous lease provisions. 

Where indicators of impairment were identified, the impairment review compared the value-in-use of the cash generating units to 

the carrying values at 30 March 2019. The pre-tax cash flow projections were based on financial plans of expected revenues and 

costs for each retail cash generating unit, as approved by management, and extrapolated beyond the budget year to the lease exit 

dates using growth rates and inflation rates appropriate to each store’s location. The pre-tax discount rates used in these calculations 

were between 10.4% and 25.3% (last year: between 10.7% and 21.5%), based on the Group’s weighted average cost of capital 

adjusted for country-specific tax rates and risks. Where the value-in-use was less than the carrying value of the cash generating unit, 

an impairment of property, plant and equipment was recorded. Where the value-in-use was negative, onerous lease provisions were 

assessed in relation to the future contracted minimum lease payments. Potential alternative uses for property, such as subletting of 

leasehold or sale of freehold, were considered in estimating both the value for impairment charges and onerous lease provisions. 

The movement in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year, without taking into consideration the offsetting of balances within 
the same tax jurisdiction, is as follows: 

Deferred tax liabilities 

As at 31 March 2017 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Credited to the Income Statement  
Credited to other comprehensive income 
As at 31 March 2018 
Credited to the Income Statement  
As at 30 March 2019 

Unrealised 
inventory profit 
and other
inventory 
provisions
£m
(1.1)
0.1
(0.8)
–
(1.8)
(0.1)
(1.9)

Capital
allowances
£m
3.7
(0.1)
(1.6)
–
2.0
(0.3)
1.7

Derivative 
instruments 
£m 
1.1 
– 
– 
(0.2) 
0.9 
– 
0.9 

Other
£m
5.6
(0.2)
–
–
5.4
0.4
5.8

Total
£m
9.3
(0.2)
(2.4)
(0.2)
6.5
–
6.5

186 

187 
187

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

15. DEFERRED TAXATION (CONTINUED) 
Deferred tax assets 

As at 31 March 2017 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Credited/(charged) to the Income Statement 
Charged to other comprehensive income 
Charged to equity 
As at 31 March 2018 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
(Charged)/credited to the Income Statement 
Charged to equity 
As at 30 March 2019 

Unrealised 
inventory profit 
and other 
inventory 
provisions
£m
50.0
(3.9)
(9.1)
–
–
37.0
1.7
4.0
–
42.7

Capital 
allowances
£m
14.2
0.4
0.1
–
–
14.7
–
(1.4)
–
13.3

Share 
schemes
£m
8.4
0.1
0.5
–
(0.9)
8.1
–
(2.8)
(0.2)
5.1

Derivative 
instruments 
£m 
0.1 
– 
– 
(0.1) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Unused 
tax 
losses 
£m 
5.4 
0.2 
(1.7) 
– 
– 
3.9 
– 
3.7 
– 
7.6 

Other1
£m
55.8
(3.8)
2.1
–
–
54.1
1.7
1.7
–
57.5

Total
£m
133.9
(7.0)
(8.1)
(0.1)
(0.9)
117.8
3.4
5.2
(0.2)
126.2

1.  Deferred tax balances within the ‘Other’ category in the analysis above include temporary differences arising on property provisions of £17.6 million 
(last year: £9.0 million), accrued intercompany expenses of £22.8 million (last year: £23.6 million) and other provisions and accruals of £17.1 million  
(last year: £21.5 million). 

Deferred tax assets are recognised for tax losses carried forward to the extent that the realisation of the related benefit through the 
future taxable profits is probable. The Group did not recognise deferred tax assets of £54.4 million (last year: £76.5 million) in respect 
of losses and temporary timing differences amounting to £209.0 million (last year: £285.3 million) that can be set off against future 
taxable income. There is a time limit for the recovery of £5.4 million of these potential assets (last year: £30.4 million) which ranges 
from one to ten years (last year: one to ten years).  

Included within other temporary differences detailed on the previous page is a deferred tax liability of £3.3 million (last year: £4.0 million) 
relating to unremitted overseas earnings. No deferred tax liability is provided in respect of any future remittance of earnings of foreign 
subsidiaries where the Group is able to control the remittance of earnings and it is probable that such earnings will not be remitted in 
the foreseeable future, or where no liability would arise on the remittance. The aggregate amount of temporary differences in respect 
of unremitted earnings is £210 million (last year: £170 million). 

16. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 

Non-current  
Deposits and other financial receivables  
Other non-financial receivables 
Prepayments 
Total non-current trade and other receivables 
Current  
Trade receivables  
Provision for doubtful debts 
Net trade receivables 
Other financial receivables 
Other non-financial receivables 
Prepayments 
Accrued income 
Total current trade and other receivables 
Total trade and other receivables 

As at 
30 March 
2019 
£m 

As at
31 March
2018
£m

41.0 
3.0 
26.1 
70.1 

124.5 
(4.8) 
119.7 
32.6 
37.9 
50.7 
10.2 
251.1 
321.2 

42.4
2.9
23.9
69.2

128.6
(11.6)
117.0
22.5
17.4
40.3
9.1
206.3
275.5

Included in total trade and other receivables are non-financial assets of £117.7 million (last year: £84.5 million). 

The Group’s impairment policies and the calculation of the loss allowances under IFRS 9 are detailed in note 26 credit risk. Prior period 
comparatives under IAS 39 are detailed on the following page.  

188 
188

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

15. DEFERRED TAXATION (CONTINUED) 

Deferred tax assets 

As at 31 March 2017 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Credited/(charged) to the Income Statement 

Charged to other comprehensive income 

Charged to equity 

As at 31 March 2018 

Charged to equity 

As at 30 March 2019 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

(Charged)/credited to the Income Statement 

Unrealised 

inventory profit 

and other 

inventory 

Capital 

Share 

Derivative 

tax 

allowances

provisions

schemes

instruments 

losses 

Other1

Total

Unused 

£m

14.2

0.4

0.1

–

–

–

–

14.7

(1.4)

13.3

£m

50.0

(3.9)

(9.1)

–

–

37.0

1.7

4.0

–

42.7

£m

8.4

0.1

0.5

–

(0.9)

8.1

–

(2.8)

(0.2)

5.1

£m 

0.1 

(0.1) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

£m 

5.4 

0.2 

(1.7) 

– 

– 

3.9 

– 

3.7 

– 

7.6 

£m

55.8

(3.8)

2.1

–

–

1.7

1.7

–

£m

133.9

(7.0)

(8.1)

(0.1)

(0.9)

3.4

5.2

(0.2)

54.1

117.8

57.5

126.2

1.  Deferred tax balances within the ‘Other’ category in the analysis above include temporary differences arising on property provisions of £17.6 million 

(last year: £9.0 million), accrued intercompany expenses of £22.8 million (last year: £23.6 million) and other provisions and accruals of £17.1 million  

(last year: £21.5 million). 

Deferred tax assets are recognised for tax losses carried forward to the extent that the realisation of the related benefit through the 

future taxable profits is probable. The Group did not recognise deferred tax assets of £54.4 million (last year: £76.5 million) in respect 

of losses and temporary timing differences amounting to £209.0 million (last year: £285.3 million) that can be set off against future 

taxable income. There is a time limit for the recovery of £5.4 million of these potential assets (last year: £30.4 million) which ranges 

from one to ten years (last year: one to ten years).  

Included within other temporary differences detailed on the previous page is a deferred tax liability of £3.3 million (last year: £4.0 million) 

relating to unremitted overseas earnings. No deferred tax liability is provided in respect of any future remittance of earnings of foreign 

subsidiaries where the Group is able to control the remittance of earnings and it is probable that such earnings will not be remitted in 

the foreseeable future, or where no liability would arise on the remittance. The aggregate amount of temporary differences in respect 

of unremitted earnings is £210 million (last year: £170 million). 

16. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 

Non-current  

Deposits and other financial receivables  

Other non-financial receivables 

Total non-current trade and other receivables 

Prepayments 

Current  

Trade receivables  

Provision for doubtful debts 

Net trade receivables 

Other financial receivables 

Other non-financial receivables 

Prepayments 

Accrued income 

Total current trade and other receivables 

Total trade and other receivables 

As at 

As at

30 March 

31 March

2019 

£m 

41.0 

3.0 

26.1 

70.1 

124.5 

(4.8) 

119.7 

32.6 

37.9 

50.7 

10.2 

251.1 

321.2 

2018

£m

42.4

2.9

23.9

69.2

128.6

(11.6)

117.0

22.5

17.4

40.3

9.1

206.3

275.5

Included in total trade and other receivables are non-financial assets of £117.7 million (last year: £84.5 million). 

The Group’s impairment policies and the calculation of the loss allowances under IFRS 9 are detailed in note 26 credit risk. Prior period 

comparatives under IAS 39 are detailed on the following page.  

16. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES (CONTINUED) 
Prior period comparatives 
The individually impaired receivables relate to balances with trading parties which have passed their payment due dates or where 
uncertainty exists over recoverability. As at 31 March 2018, trade receivables of £19.8 million were impaired. The amount of the 
provision against these receivables was £11.6 million as at 31 March 2018. It was assessed that a portion of the receivables is expected 
to be recovered. The ageing of the impaired trade receivables was as follows: 

Current 
Less than 1 month overdue 
1 to 3 months overdue 
Over 3 months overdue 

As at
31 March
2018
£m
0.2
7.0
3.3
9.3
19.8

As at 31 March 2018, trade receivables of £9.0 million were overdue but not impaired. The ageing of these overdue receivables was 
as follows: 

Less than 1 month overdue 
1 to 3 months overdue 
Over 3 months overdue 

Movement in the provision for doubtful debts was as follows: 

As at 1 April 2017 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes  
Increase in provision for doubtful debts 
Receivables written off during the year as uncollectable
As at 31 March 2018 

As at
31 March
2018
£m
4.1
2.5
2.4
9.0

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
9.5
(0.1)
3.1
(0.9)
11.6

As at 31 March 2018 there were £1.4 million of impaired receivables within other receivables.  

The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-derivative financial assets excluding cash and cash equivalents by customer geographical 
location were: 

Asia Pacific 
EMEIA 
Americas 

As at
31 March
2018
£m
107.6
60.5
22.9
191.0

188 

189 
189

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

17. INVENTORIES 

Raw materials 
Work in progress 
Finished goods 
Total inventories 

Total inventories, gross 
Provisions 
Total inventories, net 

As at 
30 March 
2019 
£m 
15.4 
0.9 
448.8 
465.1 

As at 
30 March 
2019 
£m 
557.3 
(92.2) 
465.1 

As at
31 March
2018
£m
9.2
0.6
402.0
411.8

As at
31 March
2018
£m
503.1
(91.3)
411.8

Inventory provisions of £92.2 million (last year: £91.3 million) are recorded, representing 16.5% (last year: 18.1%) of the gross value of 
inventory.  The provisions reflect management’s best estimate of the net realisable value of inventory, where this is considered to 
be lower than the cost of the inventory. A 200 basis point increase in provisions, would result in a reduction in inventory of £11.1 million 
and a corresponding reduction in profit before tax for the current year.  

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense and included in cost of sales amounted to £822.0 million (last year: £800.0 million).  

The net movement in inventory provisions included in cost of sales for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 was a cost of £15.7 million (last 
year: £35.3 million). The reversal of inventory provisions as at 31 March 2018 during the current year was £30.0 million. The reversal of 
inventory provisions during the year to 31 March 2018 was not significant.  

The cost of finished goods physically destroyed in the year was £2.2 million (last year: £28.6 million). 

18. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
Master netting arrangements 
The Group’s forward foreign exchange contracts and equity swap contracts are entered into under International Swaps and Derivatives 
Association (ISDA) master netting arrangements. In general, under such agreements the amounts owed by each counterparty on a 
single day in respect of all transactions outstanding in the same currency are aggregated into a single amount that is payable by one 
party to the other. In certain circumstances, such as when a default occurs, all outstanding transactions under the agreement are 
terminated, the termination value is assessed and only a single net amount is payable in settlement of all transactions. The ISDA 
agreements do not meet the criteria for offsetting in the Balance Sheet as the Group’s right to offset is enforceable only on the 
occurrence of future events such as default. During the year, the Group has amended the ISDA agreement with three banks to require 
it to net settle its forward foreign exchange contracts. The forward foreign exchange contracts which will be subject to net settlement 
have been offset on the Balance Sheet. The Group’s Balance Sheet would not be materially different if it had offset its remaining 
forward foreign exchange contracts and equity swap contracts subject to the standard ISDA agreements. 

Derivative financial assets 

Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value hedging instrument: cash flow hedges
Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value hedging instrument: hedge of net investment
Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value through profit and loss1 
Equity swap contracts – fair value through profit and loss
Total position 
Comprising: 
Total non-current position 
Total current position 

As at 
30 March 
2019 
£m 
1.2 
0.1 
1.2 
0.5 
3.0 

As at
31 March
2018
£m
–
–
0.4
1.5
1.9

– 
3.0 

0.3
1.6

1.  Forward foreign exchange contracts classified as fair value through profit and loss are used for cash management and hedging monetary assets and 

liabilities. At 30 March 2019, all such contracts had maturities of no greater than six months from the balance sheet date. 

190 
190

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

17. INVENTORIES 

Raw materials 

Work in progress 

Finished goods 

Total inventories 

Total inventories, gross 

Provisions 

Total inventories, net 

Inventory provisions of £92.2 million (last year: £91.3 million) are recorded, representing 16.5% (last year: 18.1%) of the gross value of 

inventory.  The provisions reflect management’s best estimate of the net realisable value of inventory, where this is considered to 

be lower than the cost of the inventory. A 200 basis point increase in provisions, would result in a reduction in inventory of £11.1 million 

and a corresponding reduction in profit before tax for the current year.  

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense and included in cost of sales amounted to £822.0 million (last year: £800.0 million).  

As at 

As at

30 March 

31 March

2019 

£m 

15.4 

0.9 

448.8 

465.1 

2019 

£m 

557.3 

(92.2) 

465.1 

2018

£m

9.2

0.6

402.0

411.8

2018

£m

503.1

(91.3)

411.8

As at 

As at

30 March 

31 March

18. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED) 
Derivative financial liabilities 

Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value hedging instrument: cash flow hedges
Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value hedging instrument: hedge of net investment
Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value through profit and loss1 
Equity swap contracts – fair value through profit and loss
Total position 
Comprising: 
Total non-current position 
Total current position 

As at
30 March
2019
£m
(3.1)
(0.7)
(1.3)
(0.5)
(5.6)

As at
31 March
2018
£m
(2.8)
–
(1.0)
(0.1)
(3.9)

(0.1)
(5.5)

(0.1)
(3.8)

1.  Forward foreign exchange contracts classified as fair value through profit and loss are used for cash management and hedging monetary assets and 

liabilities. At 30 March 2019, all such contracts had maturities of no greater than six months from the balance sheet date. 

Current derivative financial assets and liabilities 
The table below sets out current derivatives, showing the net position as presented on the balance sheet and the gross position had 
netting not been applied. No non-current derivatives are subject to netting agreements. 

The net movement in inventory provisions included in cost of sales for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 was a cost of £15.7 million (last 

year: £35.3 million). The reversal of inventory provisions as at 31 March 2018 during the current year was £30.0 million. The reversal of 

inventory provisions during the year to 31 March 2018 was not significant.  

Derivative assets 
Derivative liabilities 

As at
30 March
2019
£m
Gross
5.2
(7.7)

As at 
31 March 
2018 
£m 
Gross 
1.6 
(3.8) 

As at
30 March
2019
£m
Net
3.0
(5.5)

As at
31 March
2018
£m
Net
1.6
(3.8)

The cost of finished goods physically destroyed in the year was £2.2 million (last year: £28.6 million). 

18. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

Master netting arrangements 

The Group’s forward foreign exchange contracts and equity swap contracts are entered into under International Swaps and Derivatives 

Association (ISDA) master netting arrangements. In general, under such agreements the amounts owed by each counterparty on a 

single day in respect of all transactions outstanding in the same currency are aggregated into a single amount that is payable by one 

party to the other. In certain circumstances, such as when a default occurs, all outstanding transactions under the agreement are 

terminated, the termination value is assessed and only a single net amount is payable in settlement of all transactions. The ISDA 

agreements do not meet the criteria for offsetting in the Balance Sheet as the Group’s right to offset is enforceable only on the 

occurrence of future events such as default. During the year, the Group has amended the ISDA agreement with three banks to require 

it to net settle its forward foreign exchange contracts. The forward foreign exchange contracts which will be subject to net settlement 

have been offset on the Balance Sheet. The Group’s Balance Sheet would not be materially different if it had offset its remaining 

forward foreign exchange contracts and equity swap contracts subject to the standard ISDA agreements. 

Net derivative financial instruments 
The notional principal amounts of the outstanding forward foreign exchange and equity swap contracts at year end are: 

Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value hedging instrument: cash flow hedges
Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value hedging instrument: hedge of net investment
Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value through profit and loss1 
Equity swap contracts – fair value through profit and loss

As at
30 March
2019
£m
257.6
72.4
293.5
8.2

As at
31 March
2018
£m
211.2
18.1
289.3
5.6

1.  Forward foreign exchange contracts classified as fair value through profit and loss are used for cash management and hedging monetary assets and 

liabilities. At 30 March 2019, all such contracts had maturities of no greater than six months from the balance sheet date. 

Derivative financial assets 

Total position 

Comprising: 

Total non-current position 

Total current position 

Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value hedging instrument: cash flow hedges

Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value hedging instrument: hedge of net investment

Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value through profit and loss1 

Equity swap contracts – fair value through profit and loss

As at 

As at

30 March 

31 March

2019 

£m 

1.2 

0.1 

1.2 

0.5 

3.0 

– 

3.0 

2018

£m

–

–

0.4

1.5

1.9

0.3

1.6

1.  Forward foreign exchange contracts classified as fair value through profit and loss are used for cash management and hedging monetary assets and 

liabilities. At 30 March 2019, all such contracts had maturities of no greater than six months from the balance sheet date. 

190 

191 
191

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

18. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED) 
Effect of hedge accounting on the financial position and performance  
The effects of the foreign currency cash flow hedging instruments on the Group’s financial position and performance are as follows: 

Foreign currency forwards 

Carrying amount (assets) 
Notional amount 
Maturity date 

Hedge ratio 
Change in spot value of outstanding hedging instruments since start of year
Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness
Weighted average hedged rate of outstanding contracts (including forward points) – EUR

Carrying amount (liabilities) 
Notional amount 
Maturity date 

Hedge ratio 
Change in spot value of outstanding hedging instruments since start of year
Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness
Weighted average hedged rate of outstanding contracts (including forward points) – EUR
Weighted average hedged rate of outstanding contracts (including forward points) – USD

As at 
30 March 
2019 

As at
31 March
2018

£1.2m 
£53.7m 
April 2019 – 
Dec 2019 
1:1 
£1.2m 
(£1.2m) 
1.1139 

–
–
April 2018 –
March 2019
1:1
(£3.8m)
£3.8m
N/A

(£3.1m) 
£203.9m 
April 2019 – 
Dec 2019 
1:1 
– 
– 
1.1116 
N/A 

(£2.8m)
£211.2m
April 2018 –
March 2019
1:1
(£2.7m)
£2.7m
1.1231
1.3095

The foreign currency forwards are denominated in the same currency as the highly probable future inventory purchases (EUR and 
USD), therefore the hedge ratio is 1:1. 

The effects of the foreign currency net investment hedging instruments on the Group’s financial position and performance are 
as follows: 

As at 
30 March 
2019 

As at
31 March
2018

Foreign currency forwards 

Carrying amount (assets) 
Notional amount 
Maturity date 

Hedge ratio 
Change in discounted spot value of outstanding hedging instruments since start of year
Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness
Weighted average hedged rate of outstanding contracts (including forward points) – EUR
Weighted average hedged rate of outstanding contracts (including forward points) – CNY

Carrying amount (liabilities) 
Notional amount 
Maturity date 

Hedge ratio 
Change in discounted spot value of outstanding hedging instruments since start of year
Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness
Weighted average hedged rate of outstanding contracts (including forward points) – CNY

£0.1m 
£7.4m 

–
£17.5m
May 2019  April 2018 –
June 2018
1:1
£1.3m
(£1.3m)
N/A
8.8584

1:1 
– 
– 
1.1390 
N/A 

(£0.7m) 
£65.0m 
April 2019 – 
June 2019 
1:1 
(£0.6m) 
£0.6m 
8.8678 

–
£0.6m
April 2018 –
June 2018
1:1
(£0.2m)
£0.2m
8.9207

The foreign currency forwards are denominated in the same currency as the hedged investment, therefore the hedge ratio is 1:1. 

The contractual maturity profile of non-current financial liabilities is shown in note 26. For further details of cash flow hedging and net 
investment hedging refer to note 26 market risk. 

192 
192

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in spot value of outstanding hedging instruments since start of year

Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness

Weighted average hedged rate of outstanding contracts (including forward points) – EUR

Change in spot value of outstanding hedging instruments since start of year

Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness

Weighted average hedged rate of outstanding contracts (including forward points) – EUR

Weighted average hedged rate of outstanding contracts (including forward points) – USD

The foreign currency forwards are denominated in the same currency as the highly probable future inventory purchases (EUR and 

USD), therefore the hedge ratio is 1:1. 

The effects of the foreign currency net investment hedging instruments on the Group’s financial position and performance are 

as follows: 

Foreign currency forwards 

Carrying amount (assets) 

Notional amount 

Maturity date 

Hedge ratio 

Carrying amount (liabilities) 

Notional amount 

Maturity date 

Hedge ratio 

Foreign currency forwards 

Carrying amount (assets) 

Notional amount 

Maturity date 

Hedge ratio 

Carrying amount (liabilities) 

Notional amount 

Maturity date 

Hedge ratio 

As at 

As at

30 March 

31 March

2019 

2018

£1.2m 

£53.7m 

–

–

April 2019 – 

April 2018 –

Dec 2019 

March 2019

1:1 

£1.2m 

(£1.2m) 

1.1139 

1:1

(£3.8m)

£3.8m

N/A

(£3.1m) 

£203.9m 

(£2.8m)

£211.2m

April 2019 – 

April 2018 –

Dec 2019 

March 2019

1:1 

– 

– 

1.1116 

N/A 

1:1

(£2.7m)

£2.7m

1.1231

1.3095

As at 

As at

30 March 

31 March

2019 

2018

£0.1m 

£7.4m 

–

£17.5m

May 2019  April 2018 –

June 2018

1:1 

– 

– 

1.1390 

N/A 

(£0.7m) 

£65.0m 

1:1 

(£0.6m) 

£0.6m 

8.8678 

1:1

£1.3m

(£1.3m)

N/A

8.8584

–

£0.6m

1:1

(£0.2m)

£0.2m

8.9207

April 2019 – 

April 2018 –

June 2019 

June 2018

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

18. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED) 

Effect of hedge accounting on the financial position and performance  

The effects of the foreign currency cash flow hedging instruments on the Group’s financial position and performance are as follows: 

19. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 

Cash and cash equivalents held at amortised cost
Cash at bank and in hand 
Short-term deposits  

Cash and cash equivalents held at fair value through profit and loss
Short-term deposits 
Total  

As at
30 March
2019
£m

As at
31 March
2018
£m

151.3
75.2
226.5

648.0
874.5

195.6
719.7
915.3

–
915.3

Cash and cash equivalents have been reclassified from loans and receivables to cash and cash equivalents held at amortised cost and 
held at fair value through profit and loss on adoption of IFRS 9. Refer to note 2q for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 on the 
Group’s financial instrument categorisation.  

Cash and cash equivalents classified as fair value through profit and loss relate to deposits held in low volatility net asset value money 
market funds. The value of deposits held in these money market funds at 31 March 2018 was £683.2 million.  

As at 30 March 2019, no impairment losses were identified on cash and cash equivalents held at amortised cost. 

20. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 

Non-current 
Other payables 
Deferred income and non-financial accruals 
Contract liabilities  
Deferred consideration1 
Total non-current trade and other payables 
Current  
Trade payables 
Other taxes and social security costs 
Other payables 
Accruals  
Deferred income and non-financial accruals 
Contract liabilities 
Deferred consideration1 
Total current trade and other payables 
Total trade and other payables 

As at
30 March
2019
£m

As at
31 March
2018
£m

2.9
70.8
83.6
19.2
176.5

221.6
53.4
4.5
209.3
20.5
13.7
2.7
525.7
702.2

2.2
149.4
–
16.5
168.1

153.2
73.3
4.1
190.2
27.4
–
12.7
460.9
629.0

Change in discounted spot value of outstanding hedging instruments since start of year

Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness

Weighted average hedged rate of outstanding contracts (including forward points) – EUR

Weighted average hedged rate of outstanding contracts (including forward points) – CNY

1.  The change in the deferred consideration liability arises as a result of a financing cash outflow and non-cash movements.  

Included in total trade and other payables are non-financial liabilities of £242.0 million (last year: £250.1 million).  

Change in discounted spot value of outstanding hedging instruments since start of year

Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness

Weighted average hedged rate of outstanding contracts (including forward points) – CNY

The foreign currency forwards are denominated in the same currency as the hedged investment, therefore the hedge ratio is 1:1. 

The contractual maturity profile of non-current financial liabilities is shown in note 26. For further details of cash flow hedging and net 

investment hedging refer to note 26 market risk. 

192 

193 
193

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

20. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES (CONTINUED) 
Contract liabilities 
Retail contract liabilities relate to unredeemed balances on issued gift cards and similar products, and advanced payments received for 
sales which have not yet been delivered to the customer. Licensing contract liabilities relate to deferred revenue arising from the 
upfront payment for the Beauty licence which is being recognised in revenue over the term of the licence on a straight-line basis 
reflecting access to the trademark over the licence period to 2032. 

Retail contract liabilities1  
Licensing contract liabilities2  
Total contract liabilities 

As at
30 March
2019
£m
7.1
90.2
97.3

1.  At 31 March 2018 £6.2 million of retail contract liabilities were presented within deferred income and non-financial accruals. 
2. At 31 March 2018 £96.7 million of licensing contract liabilities were presented within deferred income and non-financial accruals. 

The amount of revenue recognised in the year relating to contract liabilities at the start of the year is set out in the following table. 
All revenue in the year relates to performance obligations satisfied in the year. All contract liabilities at the end of the year relate to 
unsatisfied performance obligations. 

Retail revenue relating to contract liabilities 
Deferred revenue from Beauty licence
Revenue recognised that was included in contract liabilities at the start of the year

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
2.2
6.5
8.7

Deferred consideration 
Following the purchase of the economic right to the non-controlling interest in Burberry Middle East LLC on 22 April 2016, the Group 
has recognised a liability in relation to the deferred consideration for this transaction. The deferred consideration consists of fixed 
payments to be paid over the period 2016 to 2019, and contingent payments calculated as an agreed percentage of the future revenue 
of Burberry Middle East LLC and its subsidiaries, over the period 2016 to 2023. Payments of £11.1 million were made in the 52 weeks to 
30 March 2019 (last year: £3.0 million).  

The fair value of the deferred consideration has been estimated using a present value calculation, incorporating observable and non-
observable inputs. The inputs applied in arriving at the value of the deferred consideration are an estimate of the future revenue of 
Burberry Middle East LLC and its subsidiaries from the current period to 2023 and an appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate for 
Burberry Middle East LLC. 

The carrying value of the deferred consideration is dependent on assumptions applied in determining these inputs, and is subject to 
change in the event that there is a change in any of these assumptions. The valuation is updated at every reporting period or more 
often if a significant change to any input is observed. 

A 10% increase in the estimate of future revenues of Burberry Middle East LLC and its subsidiaries would result in a £2.4 million 
increase in the carrying value of the deferred consideration at 30 March 2019 and a corresponding £2.4 million decrease in the profit 
before taxation for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019. 

Deferred consideration of £6.5 million at 30 March 2019 is the result of the acquisition of Burberry Manifattura S.R.L. on 19 September 
2018. Further details of this deferred consideration are included in note 28. 

194 
194

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

20. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES (CONTINUED) 

Contract liabilities 

Retail contract liabilities relate to unredeemed balances on issued gift cards and similar products, and advanced payments received for 

sales which have not yet been delivered to the customer. Licensing contract liabilities relate to deferred revenue arising from the 

upfront payment for the Beauty licence which is being recognised in revenue over the term of the licence on a straight-line basis 

reflecting access to the trademark over the licence period to 2032. 

Retail contract liabilities1  

Licensing contract liabilities2  

Total contract liabilities 

unsatisfied performance obligations. 

1.  At 31 March 2018 £6.2 million of retail contract liabilities were presented within deferred income and non-financial accruals. 

2. At 31 March 2018 £96.7 million of licensing contract liabilities were presented within deferred income and non-financial accruals. 

Retail revenue relating to contract liabilities 

Deferred revenue from Beauty licence

Revenue recognised that was included in contract liabilities at the start of the year

Deferred consideration 

Following the purchase of the economic right to the non-controlling interest in Burberry Middle East LLC on 22 April 2016, the Group 

has recognised a liability in relation to the deferred consideration for this transaction. The deferred consideration consists of fixed 

payments to be paid over the period 2016 to 2019, and contingent payments calculated as an agreed percentage of the future revenue 

of Burberry Middle East LLC and its subsidiaries, over the period 2016 to 2023. Payments of £11.1 million were made in the 52 weeks to 

30 March 2019 (last year: £3.0 million).  

The fair value of the deferred consideration has been estimated using a present value calculation, incorporating observable and non-

observable inputs. The inputs applied in arriving at the value of the deferred consideration are an estimate of the future revenue of 

Burberry Middle East LLC and its subsidiaries from the current period to 2023 and an appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate for 

Burberry Middle East LLC. 

The carrying value of the deferred consideration is dependent on assumptions applied in determining these inputs, and is subject to 

change in the event that there is a change in any of these assumptions. The valuation is updated at every reporting period or more 

often if a significant change to any input is observed. 

A 10% increase in the estimate of future revenues of Burberry Middle East LLC and its subsidiaries would result in a £2.4 million 

increase in the carrying value of the deferred consideration at 30 March 2019 and a corresponding £2.4 million decrease in the profit 

before taxation for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019. 

Deferred consideration of £6.5 million at 30 March 2019 is the result of the acquisition of Burberry Manifattura S.R.L. on 19 September 

2018. Further details of this deferred consideration are included in note 28. 

As at

30 March

2019

£m

7.1

90.2

97.3

52 weeks to

30 March

2019

£m

2.2

6.5

8.7

21. PROVISIONS FOR OTHER LIABILITIES AND CHARGES 

Balance as at 31 March 2017 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Created during the year 
Discount unwind 
Utilised during the year 
Released during the year 
Balance as at 31 March 2018 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Created during the year 
Discount unwind 
Utilised during the year 
Released during the year 
Balance as at 30 March 2019 

Property 
obligations 
£m 
57.7 
(4.6) 
39.7 
0.3 
(6.0) 
(0.4) 
86.7 
2.6 
18.4 
1.2 
(8.2) 
(21.3) 
79.4 

Other
costs
£m
7.7
0.1
15.2
–
(3.5)
(2.7)
16.8
0.1
2.4
–
(7.2)
(6.2)
5.9

Total
£m
65.4
(4.5)
54.9
0.3
(9.5)
(3.1)
103.5
2.7
20.8
1.2
(15.4)
(27.5)
85.3

The amount of revenue recognised in the year relating to contract liabilities at the start of the year is set out in the following table. 

All revenue in the year relates to performance obligations satisfied in the year. All contract liabilities at the end of the year relate to 

Within property obligations are amounts of £48.0 million (last year: £59.0 million) relating to onerous lease obligations. Refer to 
note 14 for details relating to impairment of assets and onerous lease provisions for retail cash generating units. 

The net reversal in the year for onerous lease obligations is £8.1 million (last year: charge of £36.3 million). This includes charges  
of £3.7 million (last year: £7.2 million) relating to retail stores (refer to note 14) and a reversal of £11.8 million (last year: charge of 
£29.1 million) relating to other properties. 

Reversals in other costs in the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 include £6.1 million reduction in provision for contract terminations arising 
from the Beauty operations disposal. Other costs created in the prior year included provisions for contract terminations arising from 
the Beauty operations disposal of £12.4 million. 

Analysis of total provisions: 
Non-current 
Current 
Total  

As at
30 March
2019
£m

As at
31 March
2018
£m

50.7
34.6
85.3

71.4
32.1
103.5

The non-current provisions relate to provisions for onerous leases and property reinstatement costs which are expected to be utilised 
within 19 years (last year: 18 years).  

22. BANK OVERDRAFTS  
Included within bank overdrafts is £37.2 million (last year: £22.2 million) representing balances on cash pooling arrangements in 
the Group. 

The Group has a number of committed and uncommitted arrangements agreed with third parties. At 30 March 2019, the Group 
held bank overdrafts of £nil (last year: £1.0 million) excluding balances on cash pooling arrangements. 

On 25 November 2014, the Group entered into a £300 million multi-currency revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks.  
At 30 March 2019, there were £nil outstanding drawings (last year: £nil). The facility matures in November 2021. The Group is in 
compliance with the financial and other covenants within this facility and has been in compliance throughout the financial year. 

The fair value of overdrafts approximate the carrying amount because of the short maturity of these instruments.  

194 

195 
195

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

23. SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES 
Allotted, called up and fully paid share capital 
Ordinary shares of 0.05p (last year: 0.05p) each 
As at 31 March 2017 
Allotted on exercise of options during the year 
Cancellation of treasury shares 
As at 31 March 2018 
Allotted on exercise of options during the year 
Cancellation of treasury shares 
As at 30 March 2019 

Number 

445,173,065 
266,139 
(27,164,081) 
418,275,123 
185,349 
(7,004,471) 
411,456,001 

£m

0.2
–
–
0.2
–
–
0.2

The Company has a general authority from shareholders, renewed at each Annual General Meeting, to repurchase a maximum of 10% 
of its issued share capital. During the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, the Company entered into agreements to purchase £150 million of 
its own shares back, excluding stamp duty, as part of a share buy-back programme (last year: £350 million). Own shares purchased by 
the Company, as part of a share buy-back programme, are classified as treasury shares and their cost offset against retained earnings. 
When treasury shares are cancelled, a transfer is made from retained earnings to capital redemption reserve, equivalent to the nominal 
value of the shares purchased and subsequently cancelled. In the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, 7.0 million treasury shares with a 
nominal value of £3,500 were cancelled (last year: 27.2 million treasury shares with a nominal value of £13,600).  

The cost of shares purchased by ESOP trusts are offset against retained earnings, as the amounts paid reduce the profits available for 
distribution by the Company. As at 30 March 2019 the amount of own shares held by ESOP trusts and offset against retained earnings 
is £26.4 million (last year: £40.5 million). As at 30 March 2019, the ESOP trusts held 1.6 million shares (last year: 2.9 million) in the 
Company, with a market value of £31.9 million (last year: £49.8 million). In the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 the ESOP trusts and the 
Company have waived their entitlement to dividends of £0.9 million (last year: £2.0 million). 

During the year profits of £nil (last year: £nil) have been transferred to capital reserves due to statutory requirements of subsidiaries. 
The capital reserve consists of non-distributable reserves and the capital redemption reserve arising on the purchase of own shares. 

Other reserves in the Statement of Changes in Equity consists of the capital reserve, the foreign currency translation reserve, and the 
hedging reserves. The hedging reserves consist of the cash flow hedge reserve and the net investment hedge reserve.  

Balance as at 31 March 2017 
Other comprehensive income: 
Cash flow hedges – losses deferred in equity 
Cash flow hedges – gains transferred to income 
Net investment hedges – gains deferred in equity 
Foreign currency translation differences 
Tax on other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income for the year 
Balance as at 31 March 2018 
Other comprehensive income: 
Cash flow hedges – losses deferred in equity 
Cash flow hedges – gains transferred to income 
Net investment hedges – gains deferred in equity 
Foreign currency translation differences 
Tax on other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income for the year 
Balance as at 30 March 2019 

Hedging reserves

Capital
reserve
£m
41.1

Cash flow 
hedges 
£m
7.9

Net 
investment 
hedge  
£m 
2.1 

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
 reserve 
£m 
260.8 

–
–
–
–
–
–
41.1

–
–
–
–
–
–
41.1

(1.5)
(8.5)
–
–
1.9
(8.1)
(0.2)

(1.0)
(1.1)
–
–
0.4
(1.7)
(1.9)

– 
– 
2.3 
– 
(0.4) 
1.9 
4.0 

– 
– 
1.6 
– 
(0.2) 
1.4 
5.4 

– 
– 
– 
(49.7) 
3.6 
(46.1) 
214.7 

– 
– 
– 
14.3 
(1.3) 
13.0 
227.7 

Total
£m
311.9

(1.5)
(8.5)
2.3
(49.7)
5.1
(52.3)
259.6

(1.0)
(1.1)
1.6
14.3
(1.1)
12.7
272.3

As at 30 March 2019 the amount held in the hedging reserve relating to matured net investment hedges is £5.5 million net of tax 
(last year:  £3.8 million). 

196 
196

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

23. SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES 

Allotted, called up and fully paid share capital 

Ordinary shares of 0.05p (last year: 0.05p) each 

As at 31 March 2017 

Allotted on exercise of options during the year 

Cancellation of treasury shares 

As at 31 March 2018 

Allotted on exercise of options during the year 

Cancellation of treasury shares 

As at 30 March 2019 

Number 

445,173,065 

266,139 

(27,164,081) 

418,275,123 

185,349 

(7,004,471) 

411,456,001 

£m

0.2

0.2

–

–

–

–

0.2

The Company has a general authority from shareholders, renewed at each Annual General Meeting, to repurchase a maximum of 10% 

of its issued share capital. During the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, the Company entered into agreements to purchase £150 million of 

its own shares back, excluding stamp duty, as part of a share buy-back programme (last year: £350 million). Own shares purchased by 

the Company, as part of a share buy-back programme, are classified as treasury shares and their cost offset against retained earnings. 

When treasury shares are cancelled, a transfer is made from retained earnings to capital redemption reserve, equivalent to the nominal 

value of the shares purchased and subsequently cancelled. In the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, 7.0 million treasury shares with a 

nominal value of £3,500 were cancelled (last year: 27.2 million treasury shares with a nominal value of £13,600).  

The cost of shares purchased by ESOP trusts are offset against retained earnings, as the amounts paid reduce the profits available for 

distribution by the Company. As at 30 March 2019 the amount of own shares held by ESOP trusts and offset against retained earnings 

is £26.4 million (last year: £40.5 million). As at 30 March 2019, the ESOP trusts held 1.6 million shares (last year: 2.9 million) in the 

Company, with a market value of £31.9 million (last year: £49.8 million). In the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 the ESOP trusts and the 

Company have waived their entitlement to dividends of £0.9 million (last year: £2.0 million). 

During the year profits of £nil (last year: £nil) have been transferred to capital reserves due to statutory requirements of subsidiaries. 

The capital reserve consists of non-distributable reserves and the capital redemption reserve arising on the purchase of own shares. 

Other reserves in the Statement of Changes in Equity consists of the capital reserve, the foreign currency translation reserve, and the 

hedging reserves. The hedging reserves consist of the cash flow hedge reserve and the net investment hedge reserve.  

Balance as at 31 March 2017 

Other comprehensive income: 

Cash flow hedges – losses deferred in equity 

Cash flow hedges – gains transferred to income 

Net investment hedges – gains deferred in equity 

Foreign currency translation differences 

Tax on other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Balance as at 31 March 2018 

Other comprehensive income: 

Cash flow hedges – losses deferred in equity 

Cash flow hedges – gains transferred to income 

Net investment hedges – gains deferred in equity 

Foreign currency translation differences 

Tax on other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Balance as at 30 March 2019 

Hedging reserves

Foreign 

currency 

Cash flow 

investment 

translation 

hedges 

hedge  

 reserve 

Net 

£m 

2.1 

– 

– 

2.3 

– 

(0.4) 

1.9 

4.0 

– 

– 

1.6 

– 

(0.2) 

1.4 

5.4 

£m 

260.8 

(49.7) 

3.6 

(46.1) 

214.7 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

14.3 

(1.3) 

13.0 

227.7 

Total

£m

311.9

(1.5)

(8.5)

2.3

(49.7)

5.1

(52.3)

259.6

(1.0)

(1.1)

1.6

14.3

(1.1)

12.7

272.3

£m

7.9

(1.5)

(8.5)

–

–

1.9

(8.1)

(0.2)

(1.0)

(1.1)

–

–

0.4

(1.7)

(1.9)

Capital

reserve

£m

41.1

41.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

41.1

196 

As at 30 March 2019 the amount held in the hedging reserve relating to matured net investment hedges is £5.5 million net of tax 

(last year:  £3.8 million). 

24. FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS 
The Group leases various retail stores, offices, warehouses and equipment under non-cancellable operating lease arrangements. 
The leases have varying terms, escalation clauses and renewal rights. The Group has commitments relating to future minimum lease 
payments under these non-cancellable operating leases as follows: 

Amounts falling due: 
Within 1 year 
Between 2 and 5 years 
After 5 years 
Total  

As at
30 March
2019
£m

As at
31 March
2018
£m

218.5
444.7
277.3
940.5

206.8
445.6
148.0
800.4

The commitments above are future minimum lease payments for periods up to the date of the Group’s first available termination 
option. The financial commitments for operating lease amounts calculated as a percentage of revenue (‘revenue leases’) have been 
based on the minimum payment that is required under the terms of the relevant lease excluding any contingent payments. Under 
certain revenue-based leases, there are no minimums and therefore no financial commitment is included in the table above. As a result, 
the amounts charged to the Income Statement may be materially higher than the financial commitment at the prior year end.  

The total of future minimum payments to be received under non-cancellable leases on investment properties and subleases on land and 
buildings is as follows: 

Amounts falling due: 
Within 1 year 
Between 2 and 5 years 
After 5 years 
Total  

25. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS 

Capital commitments contracted but not provided for:
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Total  

Leases

As at
30 March
2019
£m

As at 
31 March 
2018 
£m 

Subleases
As at
30 March
2019
£m

As at
31 March
2018
£m

0.8
0.1
–
0.9

0.8 
0.8 
0.1 
1.7 

0.1
0.3
–
0.4

2.4
1.3
–
3.7

As at
30 March
2019
£m

As at
31 March
2018
£m

17.7
6.9
24.6

15.5
4.9
20.4

Contracted capital commitments represent contracts entered into by the year end and future work in respect of major capital 
expenditure projects where activity has commenced by the year end relating to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. 

197 
197

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

26. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT 
The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise derivatives, cash and short-term deposits, overdrafts, trade and other 
receivables, and trade and other payables arising directly from operations. 

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risks (including foreign exchange risk, share price risk and interest 
rate risk), credit risk, liquidity risk and capital risk. 

Risk management is carried out by the Group treasury department (Group Treasury) based on forecast business requirements to 
reduce financial risk and to ensure sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest in cash and cash equivalents 
safely and profitably. Group Treasury does not operate as a profit centre and transacts only in relation to the underlying business 
requirements. The policies of Group Treasury are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. The Group uses derivative 
instruments to hedge certain risk exposures. 

Market risk 
Foreign exchange risk 
The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures. 

The Group’s Income Statement is affected by transactions denominated in foreign currency. To reduce exposure to currency 
fluctuations, the Group has a policy of hedging foreign currency denominated transactions by entering into forward foreign exchange 
contracts (refer to note 18). These transactions are recorded as cash flow hedges. The Group’s foreign currency transactions arise 
principally from purchases and sales of inventory. 

The Group’s treasury risk management policy is to hedge, prior to market opening, 70-90% of its anticipated foreign currency 
exposure by currency, by season and where the net currency exposure is greater than £20 million. Currently, the Group does not hedge 
intercompany foreign currency transactions. The Group uses forward exchange contracts to hedge its currency risk, most of which 
have a maturity of less than 12 months.  

The Group designates the spot component of foreign currency forwards in hedge relationships and applies a ratio of 1:1. The forward 
elements of the foreign currency forward are excluded from designation of the hedging instrument and are separately accounted for 
as a cost of hedging and recognised in operating expenses on a discounted basis. 

The Group determines the existence of an economic relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item based on  
the currency, amount and timing of their respective cash flows. The Group assesses whether the derivative designated in each  
hedging relationship is expected to be and has been effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item using the dollar 
offset method.  

In these hedge relationships ineffectiveness may arise if the timing of the forecast transaction changes from what was originally 
estimated, or if there are changes in the credit risk of the Group or the derivative counterparty. There was no ineffectiveness in the 
52 weeks ending 30 March 2019 (last year: no ineffectiveness). 

The Group monitors the desirability of hedging the net assets of overseas subsidiaries when translated into Sterling for reporting 
purposes. The Group uses forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge net assets of overseas subsidiaries, relating to surplus cash 
whose remittance is foreseeable. The outstanding net investment hedges as at 30 March 2019 had a principal value of EUR 8.5 million 
(£7.3 million) and CNY 576.0 million (£65.8 million), (last year: EUR nil (£nil) and CNY 160 million (£18.1 million)). 

At 30 March 2019, the Group has performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the effect of Sterling strengthening/weakening 
by 20% (last year: 20%) against other currencies with all other variables held constant. The effect on translating foreign currency 
denominated net cash, trade, intercompany and other financial receivables and payables and financial instruments at fair value 
through profit or loss would have been to decrease/increase operating profit for the year by £12.2 million (last year: decrease/increase 
£19.5 million). The effect on translating forward foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges would have been to 
decrease/increase equity by £5.4 million (last year: decrease/increase £25.4 million) on a post-tax basis. 

The following table shows the extent to which the Group has monetary assets and liabilities at the year end in currencies other than the 
local currency of operation, after accounting for the effect of any specific forward foreign exchange contracts used to manage currency 
exposure. Monetary assets and liabilities refer to cash, deposits, overdrafts and other amounts to be received or paid in cash. Amounts 
exclude intercompany balances which eliminate on consolidation. Foreign exchange differences on retranslation of these assets and 
liabilities are recognised in ‘Net operating expenses’.  

198 
198

 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

26. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT 

The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise derivatives, cash and short-term deposits, overdrafts, trade and other 

receivables, and trade and other payables arising directly from operations. 

26. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) 
Market risk (continued) 

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risks (including foreign exchange risk, share price risk and interest 

rate risk), credit risk, liquidity risk and capital risk. 

Risk management is carried out by the Group treasury department (Group Treasury) based on forecast business requirements to 

reduce financial risk and to ensure sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest in cash and cash equivalents 

safely and profitably. Group Treasury does not operate as a profit centre and transacts only in relation to the underlying business 

requirements. The policies of Group Treasury are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. The Group uses derivative 

instruments to hedge certain risk exposures. 

Market risk 

Foreign exchange risk 

The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures. 

The Group’s Income Statement is affected by transactions denominated in foreign currency. To reduce exposure to currency 

fluctuations, the Group has a policy of hedging foreign currency denominated transactions by entering into forward foreign exchange 

contracts (refer to note 18). These transactions are recorded as cash flow hedges. The Group’s foreign currency transactions arise 

principally from purchases and sales of inventory. 

The Group’s treasury risk management policy is to hedge, prior to market opening, 70-90% of its anticipated foreign currency 

exposure by currency, by season and where the net currency exposure is greater than £20 million. Currently, the Group does not hedge 

intercompany foreign currency transactions. The Group uses forward exchange contracts to hedge its currency risk, most of which 

have a maturity of less than 12 months.  

The Group designates the spot component of foreign currency forwards in hedge relationships and applies a ratio of 1:1. The forward 

elements of the foreign currency forward are excluded from designation of the hedging instrument and are separately accounted for 

as a cost of hedging and recognised in operating expenses on a discounted basis. 

The Group determines the existence of an economic relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item based on  

the currency, amount and timing of their respective cash flows. The Group assesses whether the derivative designated in each  

hedging relationship is expected to be and has been effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item using the dollar 

offset method.  

In these hedge relationships ineffectiveness may arise if the timing of the forecast transaction changes from what was originally 

estimated, or if there are changes in the credit risk of the Group or the derivative counterparty. There was no ineffectiveness in the 

52 weeks ending 30 March 2019 (last year: no ineffectiveness). 

The Group monitors the desirability of hedging the net assets of overseas subsidiaries when translated into Sterling for reporting 

purposes. The Group uses forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge net assets of overseas subsidiaries, relating to surplus cash 

whose remittance is foreseeable. The outstanding net investment hedges as at 30 March 2019 had a principal value of EUR 8.5 million 

(£7.3 million) and CNY 576.0 million (£65.8 million), (last year: EUR nil (£nil) and CNY 160 million (£18.1 million)). 

At 30 March 2019, the Group has performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the effect of Sterling strengthening/weakening 

by 20% (last year: 20%) against other currencies with all other variables held constant. The effect on translating foreign currency 

denominated net cash, trade, intercompany and other financial receivables and payables and financial instruments at fair value 

through profit or loss would have been to decrease/increase operating profit for the year by £12.2 million (last year: decrease/increase 

£19.5 million). The effect on translating forward foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges would have been to 

decrease/increase equity by £5.4 million (last year: decrease/increase £25.4 million) on a post-tax basis. 

The following table shows the extent to which the Group has monetary assets and liabilities at the year end in currencies other than the 

local currency of operation, after accounting for the effect of any specific forward foreign exchange contracts used to manage currency 

exposure. Monetary assets and liabilities refer to cash, deposits, overdrafts and other amounts to be received or paid in cash. Amounts 

exclude intercompany balances which eliminate on consolidation. Foreign exchange differences on retranslation of these assets and 

liabilities are recognised in ‘Net operating expenses’.  

Sterling 
US Dollar 
Euro 
Chinese Yuan Renminbi 
Other currencies 
Total  

As at 30 March 2019

As at 31 March 2018

Monetary 
assets
£m
0.3
1.7
18.8
2.0
3.9
26.7

Monetary 
liabilities 
£m
(3.2)
(7.6)
(31.3)
(1.2)
(1.6)
(44.9)

Net 
£m
(2.9)
(5.9)
(12.5)
0.8
2.3
(18.2)

Monetary 
assets  
£m 
1.2 
5.3 
19.4 
0.1 
3.8 
29.8 

Monetary 
liabilities 
£m
(0.6)
(5.3)
(16.1)
(1.3)
(1.0)
(24.3)

Net 
£m
0.6
–
3.3
(1.2)
2.8
5.5

Share price risk 
The Group is exposed to employer’s national insurance liability due to the implementation of various employee share incentive schemes. 

To reduce exposure to fluctuations in the employer’s national insurance liability due to movements in the Group’s share price, the 
Group has a policy of entering into equity swaps at the time of granting share options and awards. The Group does not seek hedge 
accounting treatment for equity swaps. The Group monitors its exposure to fluctuations in the employer’s national insurance liability 
on an ongoing basis. The net impact of an increase/decrease in the share price of 50.0p (last year: 50.0p) would have resulted in an 
increase/decrease in profit after tax of £nil (last year: £nil). 

Interest rate risk 
The Group’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to cash, short-term deposits and overdrafts. 

The floating rate financial liabilities at 30 March 2019 are £37.2 million (last year: £23.2 million). This includes cash pool overdraft 
balances of £37.2 million (last year: £22.2 million) which are offset by cash balances for the purpose of interest calculations.  
At 30 March 2019 the remaining overdrafts were £nil (last year: £1.0 million) and any change in interest rates would not significantly 
impact profit.  

The floating rate financial assets as at 30 March 2019 comprise short-term deposits of £723.2 million (last year: £719.7 million), 
interest bearing current accounts of £39.4 million (last year: £71.6 million) and cash pool asset balances of £40.8 million (last year: 
£27.0 million). At 30 March 2019, if interest rates on floating rate financial assets had been 100 basis points higher/lower (last year: 
100 basis points), excluding the impact on cash pool asset balances and with all other variables held constant, post-tax profit for the 
year would have been £5.5 million (last year: £5.4 million) higher/lower, as a result of higher/lower interest income. 

Credit risk 
Trade receivables  
The Group has no significant concentrations of credit risk. The trade receivables balance is spread across a large number of different 
customers with no single debtor representing more than 5% of the total balance due (last year: 7%). The Group has policies in place 
to ensure that wholesale sales are made to customers with an appropriate credit history. Sales to retail customers are made in cash 
or via major credit cards. In some retail locations, where the Group’s store is contained within a department store or mall, for example 
a concession, the sales proceeds may be initially held by the operator of the wider location, giving rise to retail debtors. In addition, 
receivables balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with the result that the Group’s exposure to bad debts is not significant and 
default rates have historically been very low. An ageing of overdue receivables is included in note 16 for the comparative period.  

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach when measuring the trade receivable expected credit losses. The approach uses 
a lifetime expected loss allowance. To measure the expected credit losses trade receivables have been grouped based on segment, 
geographical region and the days past due.  

The expected loss rates were initially based on adoption on the historical credit losses experienced over the last five years and are 
updated where expectations of credit losses change. Trade receivables are written off when there is no reasonable expectation 
of recovery. 

Impairment losses on trade receivables are presented as net impairment losses within operating profit. Subsequent recoveries of 
amounts previously written off are credited against the same line item. 

198 

199 
199

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

26. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) 
Credit risk (continued) 
Trade receivables  

As at 30 March 2019 
Retail debtors 
Expected loss rate % 
Gross carrying amount trade receivables 
Loss allowance 
Wholesale / other debtors Americas 
Expected loss rate % 
Gross carrying amount trade receivables 
Loss allowance 
Wholesale / other debtors Rest of world 
Expected loss rate % 
Gross carrying amount trade receivables 
Loss allowance 
Licensing 
Expected loss rate % 
Gross carrying amount trade receivables 
Loss allowance 
Specific assessment1 
Expected loss rate % 
Gross carrying amount trade receivables 
Loss allowance 

As at 1 April 2018 
Retail debtors 
Expected loss rate 
Gross carrying amount trade receivables 
Loss allowance 
Wholesale / other debtors Americas 
Expected loss rate 
Gross carrying amount trade receivables 
Loss allowance 
Wholesale / other debtors Rest of world 
Expected loss rate 
Gross carrying amount trade receivables 
Loss allowance 
Licensing 
Expected loss rate 
Gross carrying amount trade receivables 
Loss allowance 
Specific Assessment1 
Expected loss rate 
Gross carrying amount trade receivables 
Loss allowance 

Less than 
1 month 
overdue
£m

Less than 
2 months 
overdue
£m

Less than 
3 months 
overdue 
£m 

Over 
3 months 
overdue 
£m 

Current
£m

1%
64.3
(0.8)

0.5%
10.7
(0.1)

0.5%
25.0
(0.1)

0%
1.8
–

30%
0.4
(0.1)

1%
66.3
(0.6)

0%
9.9
–

0.5%
23.2
(0.1)

0%
1.3
–

100%
0.2
(0.2)

3%
4.9
(0.1)

2%
4.6
(0.1)

4%
2.4
(0.1)

0%
–
–

4%
3.1
(0.1)

4%
0.4
–

7%
0.7
–

0%
–
–

8% 
1.1 
(0.1) 

5% 
0.2 
– 

10% 
0.1 
– 

0% 
– 
– 

20% 
0.1 
– 

5% 
1.1 
(0.1) 

10% 
0.6 
(0.1) 

0% 
– 
– 

100%
0.2
(0.2)

100%
0.1
(0.1)

100% 
– 
– 

100% 
2.7 
(2.7) 

3%
3.7
(0.1)

0%
2.0
–

4%
5.1
(0.2)

0%
–
–

4%
1.7
(0.1)

0%
0.1
–

7%
1.8
(0.1)

0%
–
–

8% 
0.7 
– 

0% 
– 
– 

10% 
1.3 
(0.1) 

0% 
– 
– 

20% 
0.9 
(0.2) 

0% 
– 
– 

10% 
0.2 
– 

0% 
– 
– 

100%
0.1
(0.1)

100%
0.1
(0.1)

100% 
– 
– 

100% 
10.0 
(10.0) 

Total
£m

73.5
(1.1)

17.0
(0.3)

28.8
(0.3)

1.8
–

3.4
(3.1)

73.3
(1.0)

12.0
–

31.6
(0.5)

1.3
–

10.4
(10.4)

1.  The specific assessment category refers to those trade receivables which have applied risk assessments specific to the customer.  

200 
200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 

1 month 

overdue

Less than 

2 months 

overdue

Less than 

3 months 

overdue 

Over 

3 months 

overdue 

£m 

Current

£m

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

26. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) 

Credit risk (continued) 

Trade receivables  

As at 30 March 2019 

Retail debtors 

Expected loss rate % 

Gross carrying amount trade receivables 

Loss allowance 

Wholesale / other debtors Americas 

Expected loss rate % 

Gross carrying amount trade receivables 

Loss allowance 

Wholesale / other debtors Rest of world 

Expected loss rate % 

Gross carrying amount trade receivables 

Gross carrying amount trade receivables 

Gross carrying amount trade receivables 

Loss allowance 

Licensing 

Expected loss rate % 

Loss allowance 

Specific assessment1 

Expected loss rate % 

Loss allowance 

As at 1 April 2018 

Retail debtors 

Expected loss rate 

Loss allowance 

Gross carrying amount trade receivables 

Wholesale / other debtors Americas 

Expected loss rate 

Gross carrying amount trade receivables 

Wholesale / other debtors Rest of world 

Gross carrying amount trade receivables 

Loss allowance 

Expected loss rate 

Loss allowance 

Licensing 

Expected loss rate 

Loss allowance 

Specific Assessment1 

Expected loss rate 

Gross carrying amount trade receivables 

Gross carrying amount trade receivables 

Loss allowance 

£m

3%

4.9

(0.1)

2%

4.6

(0.1)

4%

2.4

(0.1)

0%

–

–

3%

3.7

(0.1)

0%

2.0

–

4%

5.1

(0.2)

0%

–

–

1%

64.3

(0.8)

0.5%

10.7

(0.1)

0.5%

25.0

(0.1)

0%

1.8

–

30%

0.4

(0.1)

1%

66.3

(0.6)

0%

9.9

–

0.5%

23.2

(0.1)

0%

1.3

–

100%

0.2

(0.2)

100%

0.2

(0.2)

100%

0.1

(0.1)

£m

4%

3.1

(0.1)

4%

0.4

–

7%

0.7

–

0%

–

–

4%

1.7

(0.1)

0%

0.1

–

7%

1.8

(0.1)

0%

–

–

£m 

8% 

1.1 

(0.1) 

5% 

0.2 

– 

10% 

0.1 

– 

0% 

– 

– 

– 

– 

100% 

8% 

0.7 

– 

0% 

– 

– 

10% 

1.3 

(0.1) 

0% 

– 

– 

– 

– 

100% 

20% 

0.1 

– 

5% 

1.1 

(0.1) 

10% 

0.6 

(0.1) 

0% 

– 

– 

100% 

2.7 

(2.7) 

20% 

0.9 

(0.2) 

0% 

– 

– 

10% 

0.2 

– 

0% 

– 

– 

100% 

10.0 

(10.0) 

Total

£m

73.5

(1.1)

17.0

(0.3)

28.8

(0.3)

1.8

–

3.4

(3.1)

73.3

(1.0)

12.0

–

31.6

(0.5)

1.3

–

10.4

(10.4)

1.  The specific assessment category refers to those trade receivables which have applied risk assessments specific to the customer.  

100%

0.1

(0.1)

100%

0.1

(0.1)

26. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) 
Credit risk (continued) 
The closing loss allowances for trade receivables as at 31 March 2018 reconcile to the loss allowances as at 30 March 2019 as follows: 

As at 31 March 2018 – under IAS 39 
Adjustment on the initial application of IFRS 9 
Adjusted balance as at 1 April 2018 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 
Impairment provision recognised in profit or loss during the year
Receivables written off during the year as uncollectable
Unused amount reversed 
As at 30 March 2019 

Trade receivables
£m
11.6
0.3
11.9
0.1
1.2
(3.1)
(5.3)
4.8

Receivables excluding trade receivables 
The counterparty credit risk of other receivables is reviewed on a regular basis and the IFRS 9 impairment model is applied as follows: 

At inception the receivable is recorded net of expected 12 month credit losses. If a significant change in the credit risk occurs during 
the life time of the receivable, credit losses are recorded in the profit and loss account and the effective interest is calculated using 
the gross carrying amount of the asset. If a loss event occurs, the effective interest is calculated using the amortised cost of the asset 
net of any credit losses. As at 30 March 2019, the expected 12 month credit losses of receivables, other than trade receivables, were 
negligible and hence there were no impairments of these receivables. 

During the year ended 31 March 2013 the Group entered into a retail leasing arrangement in the Republic of Korea. As part of this 
arrangement, a KRW 27 billion (£19.3 million) 15-year interest-free loan was provided to the landlord. The Group holds a registered 
mortgage over the leased property for the equivalent value of the loan which acts as collateral. At 30 March 2019, the discounted fair 
value of the loan is £15.2 million (last year: £13.6 million). The book value of the loan, recorded at amortised cost, is £13.3 million (last 
year: £12.9 million). Other than this arrangement, the Group does not hold any other collateral as security.  

As at 30 March 2019, the movement in the impairment provision on receivables and other financial assets recorded in the income 
statement was a credit of £4.1 million due to a reversal of the unused provision in the period, all which related to contracts with 
customers. See note 16 for details of prior year receivables impairment. 

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date with respect to trade and other receivables is approximated by the carrying 
amount on the Balance Sheet. 

Other financial assets 
With respect to credit risk arising from other financial assets, which comprise cash and short-term deposits and certain derivative 
instruments, the Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from the default of the counterparty with a maximum exposure equal to the 
carrying value of these instruments. The Group has policies that limit the amount of credit exposure to any financial institution and 
only deposits funds with independently rated financial institutions with a minimum rating of ‘A’ other than where required for 
operational purposes. A total of £8.5 million (last year: £14.9 million) was held with institutions with a rating below ‘A’ at 30 March 
2019. These amounts are monitored on a weekly basis and regularly reported to the Board. 

The Group has deposited CHF 0.3 million (last year: CHF 0.3 million) and AED 0.3 million (last year: AED 0.3 million) which is held as 
collateral at a number of European banks. 

Liquidity risk 
The Group’s financial risk management policy aims to ensure that sufficient cash is maintained to meet foreseeable needs and close 
out market positions. Due to the dynamic nature of the underlying business, Group Treasury aims to maintain flexibility in funding by 
keeping committed credit lines available. For further details of this, refer to note 22.  

All short-term trade and other payables, accruals, and bank overdrafts mature within one year or less. The carrying value of all financial 
liabilities due in less than one year is equal to their contractual undiscounted cash flows. 

200 

201 
201

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

26. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) 
Liquidity risk (continued) 
The maturity profile of the contractual undiscounted cash flows of the Group’s non-current financial liabilities, excluding derivatives 
used for hedging, is as follows: 

In more than 1 year, but not more than 2 years 
In more than 2 years, but not more than 3 years 
In more than 3 years, but not more than 4 years 
In more than 4 years, but not more than 5 years 
In more than 5 years 
Total financial liabilities 

As at 
 30 March 
2019 
£m 
14.5 
7.0 
6.6 
5.8 
19.2 
53.1 

As at
 31 March 
2018
£m
19.0
12.1
10.8
9.9
18.8
70.6

Other non-current financial liabilities relate to other payables and onerous lease provisions. 

Capital risk 
The Board reviews the Group’s capital allocation policy annually. Our capital allocation framework defines our priorities for uses of 
cash, underpinned by our principle to maintain a strong balance sheet with solid investment grade credit metrics. The framework has 
four priorities: 

•  re-investment in the business to drive organic growth; 
•  maintaining a progressive dividend policy; 
•  continuing to pursue selective strategic investment; and 
•  to the extent that there is surplus capital to these needs, provide additional returns to shareholders. 

At 30 March 2019, the Group had net cash of £837.3 million (last year: £892.1 million) and total equity excluding non-controlling 
interests of £1,455.0 million (last year: £1,420.5 million). The Group has access to a facility of £300 million which was undrawn at 
30 March 2019. For further details refer to note 22. 

Having considered the future cash generation, growth, productivity and investment plans, taking into consideration the current 
challenging external environment and relevant financial parameters, the Group decided to continue the share buy-back programme 
it began in May 2016. During the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, the Company entered into agreements to purchase £150 million (last 
year: £350 million) of its own shares back as part of the programme. At 30 March 2019 the Company had purchased £150.7 million of 
its own shares including stamp duty (last year: £355.0 million). For further details refer to note 23. 

202 
202

 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

26. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) 

Liquidity risk (continued) 

used for hedging, is as follows: 

In more than 1 year, but not more than 2 years 

In more than 2 years, but not more than 3 years 

In more than 3 years, but not more than 4 years 

In more than 4 years, but not more than 5 years 

In more than 5 years 

Total financial liabilities 

Capital risk 

four priorities: 

The maturity profile of the contractual undiscounted cash flows of the Group’s non-current financial liabilities, excluding derivatives 

As at 

As at

 30 March 

 31 March 

2019 

£m 

14.5 

7.0 

6.6 

5.8 

19.2 

53.1 

2018

£m

19.0

12.1

10.8

9.9

18.8

70.6

27. EMPLOYEE COSTS  
Staff costs, including the cost of directors, incurred during the year are as shown below. Directors’ remuneration, which is separately 
disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 123 to 144 and forms part of these financial statements, includes, for those 
share options and awards where performance obligations have been met, the notional gains arising on the future exercise but excludes 
the charge in respect of these share options and awards recognised in the Group Income Statement. 

Wages and salaries 
Termination benefits 
Social security costs 
Share-based compensation (all awards and options settled in shares)
Other pension costs  
Total 

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
423.3
11.0
54.3
15.6
15.6
519.8

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
418.1
14.9
51.1
17.1
14.0
515.2

Other non-current financial liabilities relate to other payables and onerous lease provisions. 

Employee costs include £11.4 million (last year: £14.9 million) relating to restructuring costs. Refer to note 7 for further details. 

The Board reviews the Group’s capital allocation policy annually. Our capital allocation framework defines our priorities for uses of 

The average number of full-time equivalent employees (including executive directors) during the year was as follows:  

cash, underpinned by our principle to maintain a strong balance sheet with solid investment grade credit metrics. The framework has 

•  re-investment in the business to drive organic growth; 

•  maintaining a progressive dividend policy; 

•  continuing to pursue selective strategic investment; and 

•  to the extent that there is surplus capital to these needs, provide additional returns to shareholders. 

At 30 March 2019, the Group had net cash of £837.3 million (last year: £892.1 million) and total equity excluding non-controlling 

interests of £1,455.0 million (last year: £1,420.5 million). The Group has access to a facility of £300 million which was undrawn at 

30 March 2019. For further details refer to note 22. 

Having considered the future cash generation, growth, productivity and investment plans, taking into consideration the current 

challenging external environment and relevant financial parameters, the Group decided to continue the share buy-back programme 

it began in May 2016. During the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, the Company entered into agreements to purchase £150 million (last 

year: £350 million) of its own shares back as part of the programme. At 30 March 2019 the Company had purchased £150.7 million of 

its own shares including stamp duty (last year: £355.0 million). For further details refer to note 23. 

EMEIA1 
Americas 
Asia Pacific 
Total 

1. EMEIA comprises Europe, Middle East, India and Africa. 

Number of employees

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
5,267
1,830
2,765
9,862

Year to
31 March
2018 
5,114
1,852
2,786
9,752

202 

203 
203

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

27. EMPLOYEE COSTS (CONTINUED)  
Share options granted to directors and employees 
The Group operates a number of equity-settled share-based compensation schemes for its directors and employees. Details of each 
of these schemes are set out in this note. The share option schemes have been valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  

The key inputs used in the Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair value include the share price at the commencement date; 
the exercise price attached to the option; the vesting period of the award; an appropriate risk-free interest rate; a dividend yield 
discount for those schemes that do not accrue dividends during the course of the vesting period; and an expected share price volatility, 
which is determined by calculating the historical annualised standard deviation of the market price of Burberry Group plc shares over 
a period of time, prior to the grant, equivalent to the vesting period of the option.  

Where applicable, equity swaps have been entered into to cover future employer’s national insurance liability (or overseas equivalent) 
that may arise in respect of these schemes.  

The Burberry Group plc Executive Share Plan (‘the ESP’) 
The ESP was set up in the year ended 31 March 2015, to replace the previous two long-term incentive plans – the Burberry Co-
Investment Plan and the Restricted Share Plan. The ESP aims to reward executives and senior management for sustainable long-term 
performance and successful execution of the Group’s long-term strategy. 

Under the ESP, participants are awarded shares, structured as nil-cost options, up to a maximum value of four times base salary 
per annum. Awards may be subject to a combination of non-market performance conditions, including compound annual Group 
adjusted PBT growth; compound annual Group revenue growth; and average retail/wholesale adjusted return on invested capital 
(‘ROIC’). Performance conditions will be measured over a three-year period from the last reporting period prior to the grant date. 
Each performance condition will stipulate a threshold and maximum target. The portion of the scheme relating to each performance 
target will vest 25% if the threshold target is met, and then on a straight-line basis up to 100% if the maximum target is met. The 
portion of the scheme relating to each performance target for the Senior Leadership Team for awards made in the current year will 
vest 15% if the threshold target is met. Dependent on the performance of the vesting conditions, 50% of the award will vest on the 
third anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining 50% of the award will vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. 

Awards made to the Senior Leadership Team are subject to all three non-market performance conditions and are measured 50% 
based on annual adjusted PBT growth; 25% based on annual revenue growth; and 25% based on adjusted retail/wholesale ROIC.  

The non-market performance conditions for ESP awards which have not vested are as follows: awards made to Senior Management 
during the current and prior year are subject to two non-market performance conditions and will be measured 50% based on annual 
adjusted PBT growth and 50% based on annual revenue growth. 

Awards made to Management will not be subject to performance conditions apart from continued service during the vesting period. 

During the year, the following grants were made under the ESP: 

Date of grant 
31 July 2018 
31 July 2018 

Fair 
value   Participant group

Options 
granted 
167,052  £21.07  Management 
6,604 

Performance conditions
Continued service

31 July 2018 

665,376  £21.07  Senior Management 3-year growth in Group adjusted PBT

3-year growth in Group revenue

£21.07  Senior Management 3-year growth in Group adjusted PBT

31 July 2018 

595,524  £21.07  Senior Leadership 

Team 

19 November 2018  7,412 
19 November 2018  17,827 

£17.82 Management 
£17.82 Senior Management 3-year growth in Group adjusted PBT

3-year growth in Group revenue
3-year growth in Group adjusted PBT
3-year growth in Group revenue 
3-year average retail/wholesale adjusted ROIC 
Continued service

3-year growth in Group revenue

Targets

Threshold Maximum
N/A
10.0%
5.5%
7.5%
5.5%
7.5%
5.5%
17.0%
N/A
7.5%
5.5%

N/A
2.0%
1.0%
–
1.0%
–
1.0%
13.5%
N/A
–
1.0%

The annual ESP grant usually occurs in July, aligned with the timing of the Group’s performance review process.  

204 
204

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

27. EMPLOYEE COSTS (CONTINUED)  

Share options granted to directors and employees 

The Group operates a number of equity-settled share-based compensation schemes for its directors and employees. Details of each 

of these schemes are set out in this note. The share option schemes have been valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  

The key inputs used in the Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair value include the share price at the commencement date; 

the exercise price attached to the option; the vesting period of the award; an appropriate risk-free interest rate; a dividend yield 

discount for those schemes that do not accrue dividends during the course of the vesting period; and an expected share price volatility, 

which is determined by calculating the historical annualised standard deviation of the market price of Burberry Group plc shares over 

a period of time, prior to the grant, equivalent to the vesting period of the option.  

Where applicable, equity swaps have been entered into to cover future employer’s national insurance liability (or overseas equivalent) 

that may arise in respect of these schemes.  

The Burberry Group plc Executive Share Plan (‘the ESP’) 

The ESP was set up in the year ended 31 March 2015, to replace the previous two long-term incentive plans – the Burberry Co-

Investment Plan and the Restricted Share Plan. The ESP aims to reward executives and senior management for sustainable long-term 

performance and successful execution of the Group’s long-term strategy. 

Under the ESP, participants are awarded shares, structured as nil-cost options, up to a maximum value of four times base salary 

per annum. Awards may be subject to a combination of non-market performance conditions, including compound annual Group 

adjusted PBT growth; compound annual Group revenue growth; and average retail/wholesale adjusted return on invested capital 

(‘ROIC’). Performance conditions will be measured over a three-year period from the last reporting period prior to the grant date. 

Each performance condition will stipulate a threshold and maximum target. The portion of the scheme relating to each performance 

target will vest 25% if the threshold target is met, and then on a straight-line basis up to 100% if the maximum target is met. The 

portion of the scheme relating to each performance target for the Senior Leadership Team for awards made in the current year will 

vest 15% if the threshold target is met. Dependent on the performance of the vesting conditions, 50% of the award will vest on the 

third anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining 50% of the award will vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. 

Awards made to the Senior Leadership Team are subject to all three non-market performance conditions and are measured 50% 

based on annual adjusted PBT growth; 25% based on annual revenue growth; and 25% based on adjusted retail/wholesale ROIC.  

The non-market performance conditions for ESP awards which have not vested are as follows: awards made to Senior Management 

during the current and prior year are subject to two non-market performance conditions and will be measured 50% based on annual 

adjusted PBT growth and 50% based on annual revenue growth. 

Awards made to Management will not be subject to performance conditions apart from continued service during the vesting period. 

During the year, the following grants were made under the ESP: 

Options 

Fair 

Date of grant 

granted 

value   Participant group

Performance conditions

Threshold Maximum

31 July 2018 

31 July 2018 

167,052  £21.07  Management 

Continued service

6,604 

£21.07  Senior Management 3-year growth in Group adjusted PBT

31 July 2018 

665,376  £21.07  Senior Management 3-year growth in Group adjusted PBT

3-year growth in Group revenue

3-year growth in Group revenue

31 July 2018 

595,524  £21.07  Senior Leadership 

3-year growth in Group adjusted PBT

Team 

3-year growth in Group revenue 

3-year average retail/wholesale adjusted ROIC 

19 November 2018  7,412 

£17.82 Management 

Continued service

19 November 2018  17,827 

£17.82 Senior Management 3-year growth in Group adjusted PBT

3-year growth in Group revenue

The annual ESP grant usually occurs in July, aligned with the timing of the Group’s performance review process.  

Targets

N/A

2.0%

1.0%

1.0%

–

–

1.0%

13.5%

N/A

–

1.0%

N/A

10.0%

5.5%

7.5%

5.5%

7.5%

5.5%

17.0%

N/A

7.5%

5.5%

27. EMPLOYEE COSTS (CONTINUED)  
Share options granted to directors and employees (continued) 
The fair values for the above grants have been determined by applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The key factors used in 
determining the fair value were as follows: 

Share price at contract commencement date 
Exercise price 
Life of award 
Expected volatility 
Risk-free interest rate 

31 July 2018 
£21.07 
£nil 

19 November 2018
£17.82
£nil
Equivalent to vesting period  Equivalent to vesting period
28.6%
0.74%

28.9% 
0.89% 

Obligations under this plan will be met either by market purchase shares via the ESOP trust or by the issue of ordinary shares of 
the Company. 

Movements in the number of ESP share awards outstanding are as follows: 

Outstanding at start of year 
Granted during the year 
Lapsed and forfeited during the year 
Exercised during the year 
Outstanding at end of year 
Exercisable at end of year 

Share awards outstanding at the end of the year have the following terms: 

Term of the award 
22 July 2015 – 21 July 2025 
18 November 2015 – 17 November 2025 
30 January 2017 – 30 January 2027 
31 July 2017 – 31 July 2027 
27 November 2017 – 27 November 2027 
31 July 2018 – 31 July 2028 
19 November 2018 – 19 November 2028 
Total 

52 weeks to 
30 March
2019
6,137,145
1,459,795
(2,483,277)
(115,856)
4,997,807
28,772

Year to 
31 March
2018
5,104,256
2,387,007
(1,354,118)
–
6,137,145
–

Number of 
awards as at 
30 March
2019
138,365
7,654
1,717,023
1,694,199
27,348
1,389,726
23,492
4,997,807

Number of 
awards as at 
31 March
2018
2,085,889
102,294
1,912,579
2,006,652
29,731
–
–
6,137,145

One-off awards 
The Company grants certain options in respect of ordinary shares as one-off awards with a £nil exercise price.  

During the year, options in respect of 731,368 ordinary shares were granted as three one-off awards. Some of these awards vest 
in stages, which vary by award, and are dependent upon continued employment over the vesting period, as well as key strategic 
performance objectives linked to long-term growth of the Group for certain awards. 

On 31 July 2018, options in respect of 667,626 ordinary shares were granted and will vest on 31 July 2023. 

On 12 February 2019, options in respect of 11,889 ordinary shares were granted which will vest in the following manner: 19% vested 
immediately, 23% will vest on 1 September 2019, 29% will vest on 30 June 2020 and 29% will vest on 30 June 2021. The third award 
was granted on 12 February 2019 for options in respect of 51,853 ordinary shares and will vest in the following manner: 21% vested 
on 1 April 2019, 32% will vest on 30 January 2020, 21% will vest on 1 April 2020, 13% will vest on 31 July 2021 and 13% will vest on 
31 July 2022. 

204 

205 
205

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

27. EMPLOYEE COSTS (CONTINUED)  
Share options granted to directors and employees (continued) 
The fair value for the awards has been determined by applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The key factors used in 
determining the fair value were as follows: 

Share price at contract commencement date 
Exercise price 

Life of award 
Expected volatility 
Risk-free interest rate 

First award
£21.07
£nil
Equivalent to 
vesting period
26.1%
1.07%

Second award 
£19.36 
£nil 
Equivalent to 
vesting period 
28.5% 
0.72% 

Third award
£19.36
£nil
Equivalent to 
vesting period
29.7%
0.70%

Movements in the number of one-off share awards outstanding are as follows: 

Outstanding at start of year 
Granted during the year 
Lapsed and forfeited during the year 
Exercised during the year 
Outstanding at end of year 
Exercisable at end of year 

Share awards outstanding at the end of the year have the following terms: 

Term of the award 
14 June 2013 – 15 July 2019 
12 June 2014 – 31 July 2020 
18 November 2015 – 18 November 2025 
30 January 2017 – 22 December 2026 
30 January 2017 – 30 January 2027 
08 February 2018 – 07 February 2028 
31 July 2018 – 31 July 2028 
12 February 2019 – 12 February 2029 
Total 

52 weeks to  
30 March 
2019 
1,780,838 
731,368 
(71,183) 
(1,531,025) 
909,998 
90,289 

Year to 
31 March
2018
2,616,027
279,412
(447,274)
(667,327)
1,780,838
621,443

Number of  
awards as at  
30 March 
2019 
– 
– 
40,145 
22,539 
81,250 
34,696 
667,626 
63,742 
909,998 

Number of 
awards as at 
31 March
2018
825,950
168,921
290,577
263,269
197,425
34,696
–
–
1,780,838

Other schemes 
The Group also issues options to employees under Savings-Related Share Option Schemes (Sharesave) and free shares to employees 
under an All Employee Share Plan. In the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, options were granted under Sharesave with a three-year and 
five-year vesting period.  

Additional awards were granted under an All Employee Share Plan, offering employees awards of ordinary shares in the Company at a 
£nil exercise price. All awards vest after three years and the vesting of these share awards is dependent on continued employment over 
the vesting period. 

The charge for these schemes is not significant to the Group.  

206 
206

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

27. EMPLOYEE COSTS (CONTINUED)  

Share options granted to directors and employees (continued) 

The fair value for the awards has been determined by applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The key factors used in 

determining the fair value were as follows: 

Share price at contract commencement date 

Exercise price 

Life of award 

Expected volatility 

Risk-free interest rate 

First award

Second award 

Third award

Equivalent to 

Equivalent to 

Equivalent to 

vesting period

vesting period 

vesting period

£19.36 

£nil 

28.5% 

0.72% 

£19.36

£nil

29.7%

0.70%

£21.07

£nil

26.1%

1.07%

Movements in the number of one-off share awards outstanding are as follows: 

52 weeks to  

Year to 

30 March 

31 March

2019 

2018

1,780,838 

2,616,027

731,368 

(71,183) 

(1,531,025) 

909,998 

90,289 

279,412

(447,274)

(667,327)

1,780,838

621,443

Number of  

Number of 

awards as at  

awards as at 

30 March 

31 March

2019 

– 

– 

40,145 

22,539 

81,250 

34,696 

667,626 

63,742 

909,998 

2018

825,950

168,921

290,577

263,269

197,425

34,696

–

–

1,780,838

Share awards outstanding at the end of the year have the following terms: 

Outstanding at start of year 

Granted during the year 

Lapsed and forfeited during the year 

Exercised during the year 

Outstanding at end of year 

Exercisable at end of year 

Term of the award 

14 June 2013 – 15 July 2019 

12 June 2014 – 31 July 2020 

18 November 2015 – 18 November 2025 

30 January 2017 – 22 December 2026 

30 January 2017 – 30 January 2027 

08 February 2018 – 07 February 2028 

31 July 2018 – 31 July 2028 

12 February 2019 – 12 February 2029 

Total 

Other schemes 

five-year vesting period.  

the vesting period. 

The Group also issues options to employees under Savings-Related Share Option Schemes (Sharesave) and free shares to employees 

under an All Employee Share Plan. In the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, options were granted under Sharesave with a three-year and 

Additional awards were granted under an All Employee Share Plan, offering employees awards of ordinary shares in the Company at a 

£nil exercise price. All awards vest after three years and the vesting of these share awards is dependent on continued employment over 

The charge for these schemes is not significant to the Group.  

28. ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARY 
On 19 September 2018, Burberry Italy S.R.L., Burberry’s wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired a 100% holding in Burberry Manifattura 
S.R.L., a company incorporated in Italy, for total consideration of £21.2 million.  

Based in Florence, in an area renowned for high-quality manufacturing, Burberry Manifattura S.R.L. has industry-leading expertise and 
specialises in the development and manufacture of luxury leather handbags and accessories. 

The assets and liabilities recognised as a result of the acquisition are as follows: 

Assets acquired 
Property, plant and equipment 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other payables  
Net assets acquired 
Goodwill arising on acquisition  
Total cost of acquisition 

Satisfied by: 
Cash consideration 
Deferred consideration 

Fair value 
£m

0.5
2.0
0.2
(1.0)
1.7
19.5
21.2

14.5
6.7
21.2

The consideration for the transaction consists of a payment of €14.1 million (£12.5 million) which was made on completion, a further 
payment of €2.3 million (£2.0 million) relating to the purchase of inventory from the vendor, which was settled in October 2018, and 
deferred consideration consisting of a future performance related payment to be made in 2021. The amount of the performance related 
payment is dependent upon the acquired business achieving against several performance criteria and will be assessed over the three 
year period.  

The maximum amount of the performance related deferred consideration payable is €8.0 million and the minimum is €nil. Initial 
deferred consideration has been recognised as the maximum amount payable, discounted to €7.5 million (£6.7 million) using an 
appropriate discount rate linked to the borrowing rate. The fair value of deferred consideration is considered to be the maximum 
amount on the basis of historical performance of the acquired business. 

The goodwill arising on acquisition of £19.5 million reflects the expected synergies from vertical integration of the design and 
production of leather goods within the Group’s supply chain together with the value of the retained workforce. 

The acquired business has made a contribution to Group revenue of £nil and had a negligible impact on Group profit before tax since 
acquisition. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 April 2018 it would have contributed £nil to revenue and had a negligible impact on the 
Group profit before tax. 

29. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties of the Company, have been eliminated on 
consolidation and are not disclosed in this note. Total compensation in respect of key management, who are defined as the Board of 
Directors and certain members of senior management, is considered to be a related party transaction. 

The total compensation in respect of key management for the year was as follows: 

Salaries, short-term benefits and social security costs
Termination benefits 
Share-based compensation (all awards and options settled in shares)
Total  

There were no other material related party transactions in the period. 

52 weeks to
30 March
2019
£m
12.4
2.9
3.2
18.5

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
14.4
–
5.9
20.3

206 

207 
207

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

30. SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS AND INVESTMENTS 
In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 a full list of related undertakings as at 30 March 2019, including their 
country of incorporation and percentage share ownership, is disclosed below. Unless otherwise stated, all undertakings are indirectly 
owned by Burberry Group plc and operate in the country of incorporation. All the subsidiary undertakings have been consolidated as at 
30 March 2019. 

Country of
incorporation
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium

Company name 
Burberry Pacific Pty Ltd (1) 
Burberry (Austria) GmbH (2) 
Sandringham Bahrain SPC owned by Essam Al Tamimi2 (3) 
Burberry Antwerp NV (4) 
Burberry Brasil Comércio de Artigos de Vestuário e Acessórios Ltda (5) Brazil
Burberry Canada Inc (6) 
Burberry (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd (7) 
Burberry Czech Rep s.r.o. (8) 
Burberry France SASU (9) 
Burberry (Deutschland) GmbH (10) 
Burberry Asia Holdings Limited (11) 
Burberry Asia Limited (11) 
Burberry China Holdings Limited (11) 
Burberry Hungary Kereskedelmi Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság (12)
Burberry India Private Limited (13) 
Burberry Ireland Investments Unlimited Company (14) 

Canada
China
Czech Republic
France
Germany
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hungary
India 
Ireland

Burberry Ireland Limited (15) 
Burberry Italy (Rome) S.R.L. (16) 
Burberry Italy S.R.L.1 (16) 
Burberry Manifattura S.R.L. (17) 
Burberry Japan K.K. (18) 
Burberry Kuwait General Trading Textiles and Accessories Company 
\With Limited Liability3 (19) 
Burberry Macau Limited (20) 
Burberry (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (21) 
Horseferry México S.A. de C.V. (22) 

Ireland
Italy
Italy
Italy
Japan
Kuwait

Macau
Malaysia
Mexico

Interest 
Ordinary shares  
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Quota 
Common shares 
Equity interest 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary A shares 
Ordinary B shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Parts 

Quota 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary (fixed) shares
Ordinary (variable) 
shares 
Ordinary (fixed) shares
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Common stock 
Participatory share 
Ordinary shares 

Mexico
Netherlands
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Russian Federation
Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia
Ordinary shares 
Singapore
Ordinary shares 
Spain
Ordinary shares 
Spain
Ordinary shares 
Switzerland
Common shares 
Taiwan
Common shares 
Thailand
Turkey
Ordinary shares 
United Arab Emirates Ordinary shares 
United Arab Emirates Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
United Kingdom
Ordinary shares 
United Kingdom
Ordinary shares 
United Kingdom
Ordinary shares 
United Kingdom
Ordinary shares 
United Kingdom
Ordinary shares 
United Kingdom
Ordinary shares 
United Kingdom

Horseferry México Servicios Administrativos, S.A. de C.V. (22)
Burberry Netherlands B.V. (23) 
Burberry Qatar W.L.L3 (24) 
Burberry Korea Limited (25) 
Burberry Retail LLC (26) 
Burberry Saudi Company Limited (27)

Burberry (Singapore) Distribution Company PTE Ltd (28)
Burberry (Spain) Retail S.L. (29) 
Burberry Latin America Holdings S.L. (29) 
Burberry (Suisse) SA1 (30) 
Burberry (Taiwan) Co., Ltd (31) 
Burberry (Thailand) Limited (32) 
Burberry Turkey Giyim Toptan Ve Perakende Satış Limited Şirketi (33)
Burberry FZ-LLC (34) 
Burberry Middle East LLC3 (35) 
Burberry (Espana) Holdings Limited (36) 
Burberry (No. 7) Unlimited (36) 
Burberry (UK) Limited (36) 
Burberry Beauty Limited1 (36) 
Burberry Distribution Limited (36) 
Burberry Europe Holdings Limited1 (36) 
Burberry Finance Limited (36) 

208 
208

Holding 
(%)
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
51
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
49

100
100
100
100

100
100
49
100
100
75

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
49
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

 
 
In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 a full list of related undertakings as at 30 March 2019, including their 

country of incorporation and percentage share ownership, is disclosed below. Unless otherwise stated, all undertakings are indirectly 

owned by Burberry Group plc and operate in the country of incorporation. All the subsidiary undertakings have been consolidated as at 

Country of

incorporation

Holding 

Sandringham Bahrain SPC owned by Essam Al Tamimi2 (3) 

Burberry Brasil Comércio de Artigos de Vestuário e Acessórios Ltda (5) Brazil

Burberry Hungary Kereskedelmi Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság (12)

Burberry India Private Limited (13) 

Burberry Ireland Investments Unlimited Company (14) 

Burberry Kuwait General Trading Textiles and Accessories Company 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

30 March 2019. 

Company name 

Burberry Pacific Pty Ltd (1) 

Burberry (Austria) GmbH (2) 

Burberry Antwerp NV (4) 

Burberry Canada Inc (6) 

Burberry (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd (7) 

Burberry Czech Rep s.r.o. (8) 

Burberry France SASU (9) 

Burberry (Deutschland) GmbH (10) 

Burberry Asia Holdings Limited (11) 

Burberry Asia Limited (11) 

Burberry China Holdings Limited (11) 

Burberry Ireland Limited (15) 

Burberry Italy (Rome) S.R.L. (16) 

Burberry Italy S.R.L.1 (16) 

Burberry Manifattura S.R.L. (17) 

Burberry Japan K.K. (18) 

\With Limited Liability3 (19) 

Burberry Macau Limited (20) 

Burberry (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (21) 

Horseferry México S.A. de C.V. (22) 

Burberry Netherlands B.V. (23) 

Burberry Qatar W.L.L3 (24) 

Burberry Korea Limited (25) 

Burberry Retail LLC (26) 

Burberry Saudi Company Limited (27)

Burberry (Spain) Retail S.L. (29) 

Burberry Latin America Holdings S.L. (29) 

Burberry (Suisse) SA1 (30) 

Burberry (Taiwan) Co., Ltd (31) 

Burberry (Thailand) Limited (32) 

Burberry FZ-LLC (34) 

Burberry Middle East LLC3 (35) 

Burberry (Espana) Holdings Limited (36) 

Burberry (No. 7) Unlimited (36) 

Burberry (UK) Limited (36) 

Burberry Beauty Limited1 (36) 

Burberry Distribution Limited (36) 

Burberry Europe Holdings Limited1 (36) 

Burberry Finance Limited (36) 

Czech Republic

Australia

Austria

Bahrain

Belgium

Canada

China

France

Germany

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hungary

India 

Ireland

Ireland

Italy

Italy

Italy

Japan

Kuwait

Macau

Malaysia

Mexico

Mexico

Netherlands

Qatar

Arabia

Singapore

Spain

Spain

Switzerland

Taiwan

Thailand

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Interest 

Ordinary shares  

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Quota 

Common shares 

Equity interest 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary A shares 

Ordinary B shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Parts 

Quota 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary (fixed) shares

Ordinary (variable) 

shares 

Ordinary (fixed) shares

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Common shares 

Common shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares 

(%)

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

51

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

49

100

100

100

100

100

100

49

100

100

75

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

49

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Horseferry México Servicios Administrativos, S.A. de C.V. (22)

Burberry (Singapore) Distribution Company PTE Ltd (28)

Republic of Korea

Common stock 

Russian Federation

Participatory share 

Kingdom of Saudi 

Ordinary shares 

Burberry Turkey Giyim Toptan Ve Perakende Satış Limited Şirketi (33)

Turkey

United Arab Emirates Ordinary shares 

United Arab Emirates Ordinary shares 

30. SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS AND INVESTMENTS 

30. SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS AND INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) 

Company name 
Burberry Haymarket Limited1 (36) 
Burberry Holdings Limited (36) 
Burberry International Holdings Limited1 (36) 
Burberry Latin America Limited (36) 
Burberry Limited (36) 
Burberry London Limited (36) 
Burberry New York 2005 Limited (36) 
Burberry New York Unlimited (36) 

Burberry Treasury Limited (36) 
Burberry Wholesale 2005 Limited (36) 
Burberry Wholesale Unlimited (36) 

Burberrys Limited1 (36) 
Hampstead (UK) Limited1 (36) 
Sweet Street Developments Limited (36) 
Temple Works Limited (36) 
The Scotch House Limited1 (36) 
Thomas Burberry Holdings Limited1 (36) 
Thomas Burberry Limited1 (36) 
Woodrow-Universal Limited1 (36) 
Woodrow-Universal Pension Trustee Limited1 (36) 
Worldwide Debt Collections Limited (37) 
Burberry (Wholesale) Limited (38) 

Burberry Limited (38) 

Burberry North America, Inc. (39) 
Burberry Warehousing Corporation (39) 
Castleford Industries, Ltd. (39) 
Castleford Tailors, Ltd. (39) 

Country of
incorporation
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United States

United States

United States
United States
United States
United States

Interest 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary A shares
Ordinary B shares
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary A shares
Ordinary B shares
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Ordinary shares 
Class X common stock
Class Y common stock
Class X common stock
Class Y common stock
Common stock 
Common stock 
Series A common stock 
Common stock 

Holding 
(%)
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

1.  Held directly by Burberry Group plc. 
2. The Group has an indirect holding of 100% of the issued share capital through a nominee.  
3. The Group has a 100% share of profits of Burberry Middle East LLC as well as a 100% and 88% share of profits in Burberry Middle East LLC’s 

subsidiaries in Kuwait and Qatar respectively. The Group has the power to control these companies under the agreements relating to Burberry Middle 
East LLC.  

Level 5, 343 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Ref  Registered office address 
(1) 
(2)  Kohlmarkt 2, 1010 Wien, Austria 
(3)  Building 1A, Road 365 (Isa Al Kabeer Avenue), Manama Center 316, Unit 8, Moda Mall, Manama, Bahrain 
(4)  Waterloolaan 16, 1000 Brussel, Belgium 
(5)  City of São Paulo, State of São Paulo, at Rua do Rocio, 350, 3rd floor of Condominium Atrium IX, suites No. 31 and No. 32, 

28th subdistrict, Jardim Paulista, CEP 04552-000, Brazil
100 King Street West, 1 First Canadian Place, Suite 1600, Toronto ON M5X 1G5, Canada

(6) 
(7)  Suites 3302-3305, 1717 Nanjing West Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai 200040, China
(8)  Praha 1, Pařížská 11/67, PSČ 11000, Czech Republic
(9)  56A rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008, Paris, France
(10)  Königsallee 50, 40212, Düsseldorf, Germany
(11)  Suites 2201-02 & 11-14, 22/F Devon House, Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong 

208 

209 
209

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

30. SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS AND INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) 
Ref 
(12) 
(13) 
(14) 
(15) 
(16) 
(17) 
(18) 
(19) 
(20) 
(21) 

Registered office address 
1124 Budapest, Csörsz utca 49-51, Hungary 
3 A-1 Taj Apartment, Rao Tula Ram Marg, New Delhi, DL 110022, India
Suite 9, Bunkilla Plaza, Bracetown Business Park, Clonee, Co. Meath., D15 XR27, Ireland
Suite 9, Bunkilla Plaza, Bracetown Office Park, Clonee, Co. Meath., D15 XR27, Ireland
Via Monte Napoleone 12, 20121, Milano, Italy 
Via delle Fonti n.10, 50018 Scandicci (Fi), Italy
8-14 Ginza 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan 
Hawally, Tunis Street, Block 93, Plot B, Office No.12, Floor 7, Kuwait
Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, One Central Building, 1st floor, Shops 125-127, Macau
Level 21, Suite 21.01, The Gardens South Tower, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, 
Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia 
Ejercito Nacional Mexicano 843B Col. Granada Del. Miguel Hidalgo, Distrito Federal, 11520, Mexico  
Pieter Cornelisz. Hooftstraat 48 H, -50, 1071BZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
54 Al Marikh Street, 783 Al Balansi Road, Doha, Qatar 
(Cheongdam-dong) 459, Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Ulitsa Petrovka, 16, floor 3, Premise I, rooms 47-53, 127051, Moscow, Russian Federation
Riyadh, Al Olaya District, Akaria Plaza, First Floor, Office No (119), 11411, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  
391B Orchard Road, #15-02/03, Ngee Ann City, 238874, Singapore
Calle Valencia 640, 08026 Barcelona, Spain 
Route de Chêne 30A, c/o L&S Trust Services SA, 1208 Genève, Switzerland
(105) 5F, No. 451, Changchun Rd., Taipei City, Taiwan 
No. 989 Siam Piwat Tower, 12A Floor, Unit B1, B2, Rama I Road, Pathumwan Sub-district, Pathumwan District, 
Bangkok, Thailand 
Reşitpaşa Mahallessi Eski Büyükdere Cad. Windowist Tower Sit. No: 26/1 Sariyer/Istanbul 
Dubai Design District, Premises: 301, 312, 313, 314 & 315, Floor: 03, Building: 08, Dubai, United Arab Emirates  
Burj Khalifa, D3, Office Number 312 + 313, Dubai Design District, Dubai, United Arab Emirates  
Horseferry House, Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2AW, United Kingdom
Adelaide House, London Bridge, London, EC4R 9HA, United Kingdom
CT Corporation System, 28 Liberty St., New York, New York, 10005, United States 
The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center 1209 Orange St, Wilmington, New Castle, DE 19801, 
United States 

(22) 
(23) 
(24) 
(25) 
(26) 
(27) 
(28) 
(29) 
(30) 
(31) 
(32) 

(33) 
(34) 
(35) 
(36) 
(37) 
(38) 
(39) 

31. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 
The Group is subject to claims against it and to tax audits in a number of jurisdictions which arise in the ordinary course of business. 
These typically relate to Value Added Taxes, sales taxes, customs duties, corporate taxes, transfer pricing, payroll taxes, various 
contractual claims, legal proceedings and other matters. Where appropriate, the estimated cost of known obligations have been 
provided in these financial statements in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies but these matters are inherently difficult to 
quantify. While changes to the amounts that may be payable could be material to the results or cash flows of the Group in the period in 
which they are recognised, the Group does not currently expect the outcome of these contingent liabilities to have a material effect on 
the Group’s financial condition. 

210 
210

Ref 

(12) 

(13) 

(14) 

(15) 

(16) 

(17) 

(18) 

(19) 

(20) 

(21) 

(22) 

(23) 

(24) 

(25) 

(26) 

(27) 

(28) 

(29) 

(30) 

(31) 

(32) 

(33) 

(34) 

(35) 

(36) 

(37) 

(38) 

(39) 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

30. SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS AND INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) 

Registered office address 

1124 Budapest, Csörsz utca 49-51, Hungary 

3 A-1 Taj Apartment, Rao Tula Ram Marg, New Delhi, DL 110022, India

Suite 9, Bunkilla Plaza, Bracetown Business Park, Clonee, Co. Meath., D15 XR27, Ireland

Suite 9, Bunkilla Plaza, Bracetown Office Park, Clonee, Co. Meath., D15 XR27, Ireland

Via Monte Napoleone 12, 20121, Milano, Italy 

Via delle Fonti n.10, 50018 Scandicci (Fi), Italy

8-14 Ginza 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan 

Hawally, Tunis Street, Block 93, Plot B, Office No.12, Floor 7, Kuwait

Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, One Central Building, 1st floor, Shops 125-127, Macau

Level 21, Suite 21.01, The Gardens South Tower, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, 

Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia 

Ejercito Nacional Mexicano 843B Col. Granada Del. Miguel Hidalgo, Distrito Federal, 11520, Mexico  

Pieter Cornelisz. Hooftstraat 48 H, -50, 1071BZ Amsterdam, Netherlands

54 Al Marikh Street, 783 Al Balansi Road, Doha, Qatar 

(Cheongdam-dong) 459, Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Ulitsa Petrovka, 16, floor 3, Premise I, rooms 47-53, 127051, Moscow, Russian Federation

Riyadh, Al Olaya District, Akaria Plaza, First Floor, Office No (119), 11411, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  

391B Orchard Road, #15-02/03, Ngee Ann City, 238874, Singapore

Calle Valencia 640, 08026 Barcelona, Spain 

Route de Chêne 30A, c/o L&S Trust Services SA, 1208 Genève, Switzerland

(105) 5F, No. 451, Changchun Rd., Taipei City, Taiwan 

No. 989 Siam Piwat Tower, 12A Floor, Unit B1, B2, Rama I Road, Pathumwan Sub-district, Pathumwan District, 

Bangkok, Thailand 

Reşitpaşa Mahallessi Eski Büyükdere Cad. Windowist Tower Sit. No: 26/1 Sariyer/Istanbul 

Dubai Design District, Premises: 301, 312, 313, 314 & 315, Floor: 03, Building: 08, Dubai, United Arab Emirates  

Burj Khalifa, D3, Office Number 312 + 313, Dubai Design District, Dubai, United Arab Emirates  

Horseferry House, Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2AW, United Kingdom

Adelaide House, London Bridge, London, EC4R 9HA, United Kingdom

CT Corporation System, 28 Liberty St., New York, New York, 10005, United States 

The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center 1209 Orange St, Wilmington, New Castle, DE 19801, 

United States 

31. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 

The Group is subject to claims against it and to tax audits in a number of jurisdictions which arise in the ordinary course of business. 

These typically relate to Value Added Taxes, sales taxes, customs duties, corporate taxes, transfer pricing, payroll taxes, various 

contractual claims, legal proceedings and other matters. Where appropriate, the estimated cost of known obligations have been 

provided in these financial statements in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies but these matters are inherently difficult to 

quantify. While changes to the amounts that may be payable could be material to the results or cash flows of the Group in the period in 

which they are recognised, the Group does not currently expect the outcome of these contingent liabilities to have a material effect on 

the Group’s financial condition. 

FIVE YEAR SUMMARY 

To end of year  
Revenue by channel 
Retail 
Wholesale 
Retail/Wholesale 
Licensing 
Total revenue 

Profit by channel 
Retail/Wholesale 
Licensing 
Adjusted operating profit1 

Segmental analysis 
Retail/Wholesale gross margin 
Retail/Wholesale adjusted operating expenses as a 
percentage of sales1 
Retail/Wholesale adjusted operating margin1 
Licensing adjusted operating margin1 

Summary profit analysis 
Adjusted operating profit1 
Net finance income1 
Adjusted profit before taxation1 
Adjusting items 
Profit before taxation 
Taxation 
Non-controlling interest 
Attributable profit 

Retail/Wholesale revenue by product division 
Accessories 
Women’s 
Men’s 
Children’s/Other 
Beauty 

Retail/Wholesale revenue by destination 
Asia Pacific 
EMEIA2 
Americas 

Financial KPIs 
Total revenue growth3 
Adjusted operating profit growth1, 3 
Adjusted PBT growth1,3 
Adjusted retail/wholesale return on invested capital (ROIC)1 
Comparable store sales growth1 
Adjusted operating profit margin1 
Adjusted diluted EPS growth1 

2015
£m
1,807.4
648.1
2,455.5
67.7
2,523.2

2016
£m
1,837.7
634.6
2,472.3
42.4
2,514.7

2017 
£m 
2,127.2 
613.9 
2,741.1 
24.9 
2,766.0 

2018
£m
2,176.3
526.4
2,702.7
30.1
2,732.8

£m
399.2
56.0
455.2

%
69.2

52.9
16.3
82.7

£m
455.2
0.6
455.8
(11.2)
444.6
(103.5)
(4.8)
336.3

£m
892.5
743.0
557.5
77.7
184.8

£m
938.1
869.0
648.4

+11%
+7%
+7%
17.9%
+9%
18.0%
+2%

£m
380.9
36.9
417.8

%
69.6

54.2
15.4
87.0

£m
417.8
2.8
420.6
(5.0)
415.6
(101.0)
(5.1)
309.5

£m
901.7
729.0
548.4
90.7
202.5

£m
932.9
878.5
660.9

-1%
-11%
-10%
14.7%
-1%
16.6%
-9%

£m 
437.0 
21.7 
458.7 

% 
69.6 

53.7 
15.9 
87.1 

£m 
458.7 
3.7 
462.4 
(67.6) 
394.8 
(107.1) 
(0.9) 
286.8 

£m 
1,033.2 
791.9 
623.5 
108.1 
184.4 

£m 
1,069.0 
991.2 
680.9 

-2% 
-21% 
-21% 
15.4% 
+1% 
16.6% 
+11% 

£m
440.7
25.9
466.6

%
69.1

52.8
16.3
86.0

£m
466.6
4.3
470.9
(58.3)
412.6
(119.0)
(0.1)
293.5

£m
1,046.5
808.4
647.3
116.8
83.7

£m
1,089.0
975.2
638.5

-1%
+5%
+5%
16.3%
+3%
17.1%
+6%

2019
£m
2,185.8
487.9
2,673.7
46.5
2,720.2

£m
395.7
42.4
438.1

%
67.9

53.1
14.8
91.2

£m
438.1
5.1
443.2
(2.6)
440.6
(101.5)
0.2
339.3

£m
1,012.7
836.8
698.2
120.0
6.0

£m
1,104.3
957.4
612.0

-1%
+0%
+0%
15.5%
+2%
16.1%
+0%

1.  Excludes the impact of adjusting items. Refer to note 2s for the Group’s policy on adjusting items.  
2. EMEIA comprises Europe, Middle East, India and Africa. 
3. Growth rate is year-on-year underlying change, i.e. at constant exchange rates. 

210 

211 
211

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIVE YEAR SUMMARY 

To end of year  
Earnings and dividends 
Adjusted earnings per share – diluted1 
Earnings per share – diluted 
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary  
shares (millions) 
Dividend per share (on a paid basis) 

2015
pence
per share
76.9
75.1

2016
pence
per share
69.9
69.4

2017 
pence 
per share 
77.4 
64.9 

2018 
pence 
per share 
82.1 
68.4 

2019
pence
per share
82.1
81.7

447.8
32.9

446.1
35.7

442.2 
37.3 

429.4 
39.4 

415.1
41.1

To end of year  
Net Cash Flow 
Adjusted operating profit1 
Restructuring spend 
Depreciation and amortisation1 
Employee share scheme costs 
(Payment)/proceeds on equity swap contracts 
(Increase)/decrease in inventories 
(Increase)/decrease in receivables 
Increase in payables and provisions1 
Other non-cash items 
Cash flow from operations  
Net interest 
Tax paid 
Net cash flow from operations 
Capital expenditure 
Proceeds from disposal of non-current assets 
Free cash flow 
Proceeds on disposal of Beauty operations and related 
licence 
Capital contributions from JV partners 
Acquisitions 
Dividends 
Purchase of shares through share buy-back 
Other 
Exchange difference 
Total movement in net cash 

2015
£m
455.2
–
123.7
21.0
(0.2)
(15.1)
(43.8)
19.7
7.6
568.1
1.2
(114.4)
454.9
(155.7)
1.3
300.5

–
0.4
(3.4)
(145.3)
–
(16.4)
13.9
149.7

2016
£m
417.8
–
132.2
(0.3)
(1.6)
(49.3)
(31.7)
9.1
26.8
503.0
3.1
(94.8)
411.3
(138.0)
0.5
273.8

–
–
–
(158.4)
–
(8.7)
1.4
108.1

2017 
£m 
458.7 
(16.7) 
144.0 
13.1 
– 
8.4 
19.7 
27.6 
33.8 
688.6 
3.7 
(131.6) 
560.7 
(104.1) 
8.5 
465.1 

– 
– 
(68.8) 
(164.5) 
(97.2) 
(11.7) 
26.0 
148.9 

2018 
£m 
466.6 
(24.3) 
124.0 
17.1 
0.5 
37.2 
68.1 
3.6 
9.7 
702.5 
5.6 
(118.4) 
589.7 
(106.0) 
– 
483.7 

149.8 
– 
(3.0) 
(169.4) 
(355.0) 
(8.7) 
(14.5) 
82.9 

2019
£m
438.1
(20.2)
115.8
15.7
2.5
(59.3)
(54.6)
66.6
11.3
515.9
6.3
(110.8)
411.4
(110.6)
–
300.8

0.6
–
(25.6)
(171.1)
(150.7)
(10.5)
1.7
(54.8)

Net cash 

552.2

660.3

809.2 

892.1 

837.3

1.  Excludes the impact of adjusting items. Refer to note 2s for the Group’s policy on adjusting items. 

212 
212

 
 
 
 
 
 
FIVE YEAR SUMMARY 

To end of year  

Earnings and dividends 

Adjusted earnings per share – diluted1 

Earnings per share – diluted 

Diluted weighted average number of ordinary  

shares (millions) 

Dividend per share (on a paid basis) 

(Payment)/proceeds on equity swap contracts 

To end of year  

Net Cash Flow 

Adjusted operating profit1 

Restructuring spend 

Depreciation and amortisation1 

Employee share scheme costs 

(Increase)/decrease in inventories 

(Increase)/decrease in receivables 

Increase in payables and provisions1 

Other non-cash items 

Cash flow from operations  

Net interest 

Tax paid 

Net cash flow from operations 

Capital expenditure 

Proceeds from disposal of non-current assets 

Proceeds on disposal of Beauty operations and related 

Capital contributions from JV partners 

Free cash flow 

licence 

Acquisitions 

Dividends 

Other 

Purchase of shares through share buy-back 

Exchange difference 

Total movement in net cash 

per share

per share

per share 

per share 

per share

2015

pence

76.9

75.1

447.8

32.9

2015

£m

455.2

–

123.7

21.0

(0.2)

(15.1)

(43.8)

19.7

7.6

568.1

1.2

(114.4)

454.9

(155.7)

1.3

300.5

–

0.4

(3.4)

(145.3)

–

(16.4)

13.9

149.7

2016

pence

69.9

69.4

446.1

35.7

2016

£m

417.8

–

132.2

(0.3)

(1.6)

(49.3)

(31.7)

9.1

26.8

503.0

3.1

(94.8)

411.3

(138.0)

0.5

273.8

–

–

–

–

(158.4)

(8.7)

1.4

108.1

2017 

pence 

77.4 

64.9 

442.2 

37.3 

2017 

£m 

458.7 

(16.7) 

144.0 

13.1 

– 

8.4 

19.7 

27.6 

33.8 

688.6 

3.7 

(131.6) 

560.7 

(104.1) 

8.5 

465.1 

– 

– 

(68.8) 

(164.5) 

(97.2) 

(11.7) 

26.0 

148.9 

2018 

pence 

82.1 

68.4 

429.4 

39.4 

2018 

£m 

466.6 

(24.3) 

124.0 

17.1 

0.5 

37.2 

68.1 

3.6 

9.7 

702.5 

5.6 

(118.4) 

589.7 

(106.0) 

– 

483.7 

149.8 

– 

(3.0) 

(169.4) 

(355.0) 

(8.7) 

(14.5) 

82.9 

2019

pence

82.1

81.7

415.1

41.1

2019

£m

438.1

(20.2)

115.8

15.7

2.5

(59.3)

(54.6)

66.6

11.3

515.9

6.3

(110.8)

411.4

(110.6)

–

300.8

0.6

–

(25.6)

(171.1)

(150.7)

(10.5)

1.7

(54.8)

Net cash 

552.2

660.3

809.2 

892.1 

837.3

1.  Excludes the impact of adjusting items. Refer to note 2s for the Group’s policy on adjusting items. 

At end of year 
Balance Sheet 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other payables 
Taxation (including deferred taxation) 
Net cash 
Other net assets 
Net assets 

Reconciliation of Adjusted  
Retail/Wholesale ROIC 
Retail/Wholesale adjusted operating profit1 
Adjusted effective tax rate1 
Retail/Wholesale adjusted operating profit after tax1 

2015
£m
193.5
436.5
436.6
320.8
(523.1)
68.6
552.2
(33.6)
1,451.5

2015
£m
399.2
23.4%
305.8

Net assets excluding licensing segment assets and liabilities
Net cash 
Assumed lease assets2 

1,448.9
(552.2)
922.0

Exclude adjusting items: 

Licence intangible asset 
Put option liability 
Deferred consideration 
Restructuring liabilities/other 

Adjusted operating assets 
Average operating assets 
Adjusted Retail/Wholesale ROIC 

(41.1)
54.4
–
0.8
1,832.8
1,705.9
17.9%

2016
£m
189.6
426.2
486.7
351.9
(501.9)
56.4
660.3
(48.3)
1,620.9

2016
£m
380.9
24.7%
286.7

1,617.4
(660.3)
1,101.0

(26.1)
45.8
–
–
2,077.8
1,955.3
14.7%

2017 
£m 
170.1 
399.6 
505.3 
352.0 
(561.0) 
83.7 
809.2 
(61.1) 
1,697.8 

2017 
£m 
437.0 
25.8% 
324.3 

1,694.2 
(809.2) 
1,197.0 

– 
– 
34.7 
11.3 
2,128.0 
2,102.9 
15.4% 

2018
£m
180.1
313.6
411.8
275.5
(629.0)
85.1
892.1
(103.8)
1,425.4

2018
£m
440.7
25.1%
330.1

1,512.6
(892.1)
1,219.0

–
–
29.2
51.8
1,920.5
2,024.3
16.3%

2019
£m
221.0
306.9
465.1
321.2
(702.2)
97.5
837.3
(86.8)
1,460.0

2019
£m
395.7
23.1%
304.3

1,540.7
(837.3)
1,245.5

–
–
21.9
26.7
1,997.5
1,959.0
15.5%

1.  Excludes the impact of adjusting items. Refer to note 2s for the Group’s policy on adjusting items. 
2. Assumed operating lease assets and assumed operating lease debt are calculated as a factor of five times minimum operating lease payments, excluding 

the impact of charges and subsequent utilisations relating to onerous lease provisions, and amounts classified as adjusting items. Net charges for 
onerous lease provisions within adjusted profit before tax during the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 were £3.6 million (last year: £7.2 million), and 
£5.3 million of existing onerous lease provisions were utilised (last year: £4.8 million). 

212 

213 
213

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY BALANCE SHEET 

Fixed assets 
Investments in subsidiaries 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables – amounts falling due after more than one year
Trade and other receivables – amounts falling due within one year
Derivative assets maturing after more than one year 
Derivative assets maturing within one year 
Cash at bank and in hand 

Creditors – amounts falling due within one year 
Derivative liabilities maturing within one year 
Net current assets 
Total assets less current liabilities 

Creditors – amounts falling due after more than one year
Provisions for liabilities 
Derivative liabilities maturing after more than one year
Net assets 

Equity 
Called up share capital 
Share premium account 
Capital reserve 
Hedging reserve 
Profit and loss account 
Total equity 

As at 
30 March 
2019 
£m 

As at
31 March
2018
£m

Note 

D 

E 
E 

F 

F 

H 

1,378.0 
1,378.0 

1,343.8
1,343.8

0.4 
553.4 
– 
0.5 
0.4 
554.7 

(195.3) 
(0.4) 
359.0 
1,737.0 

(70.7) 
(1.0) 
(0.1) 
1,665.2 

0.2 
216.9 
0.9 
4.6 
1,442.6 
1,665.2 

0.4
475.4
1.2
0.3
0.9
478.2

(58.1)
(0.1)
420.0
1,763.8

(207.9)
(1.0)
–
1,554.9

0.2
214.6
0.9
4.6
1,334.6
1,554.9

Profit for the year on ordinary activities was £426.9 million (last year: £452.5 million). The directors consider that, at 30 March 2019, 
£617.5 million (last year: £634.5 million) of the profit and loss account is non-distributable. 

The financial statements on pages 214 to 223 were approved by the Board on 15 May 2019 and signed on its behalf by: 

MARCO GOBBETTI 
Chief Executive Officer 

JULIE BROWN 
Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer  

214 
214

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY BALANCE SHEET 

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

Fixed assets 

Investments in subsidiaries 

Current assets 

Trade and other receivables – amounts falling due after more than one year

Trade and other receivables – amounts falling due within one year

Derivative assets maturing after more than one year 

Derivative assets maturing within one year 

Cash at bank and in hand 

Creditors – amounts falling due within one year 

Derivative liabilities maturing within one year 

Net current assets 

Total assets less current liabilities 

Creditors – amounts falling due after more than one year

Provisions for liabilities 

Derivative liabilities maturing after more than one year

Net assets 

Equity 

Called up share capital 

Share premium account 

Capital reserve 

Hedging reserve 

Profit and loss account 

Total equity 

As at 

As at

30 March 

31 March

2019 

£m 

2018

£m

Note 

1,378.0 

1,378.0 

1,343.8

1,343.8

D 

E 

E 

F 

F 

H 

554.7 

478.2

0.4 

553.4 

– 

0.5 

0.4 

(195.3) 

(0.4) 

359.0 

1,737.0 

(70.7) 

(1.0) 

(0.1) 

0.2 

216.9 

0.9 

4.6 

1,442.6 

1,665.2 

0.4

475.4

1.2

0.3

0.9

(58.1)

(0.1)

420.0

1,763.8

(207.9)

(1.0)

–

0.2

214.6

0.9

4.6

1,334.6

1,554.9

1,665.2 

1,554.9

Profit for the year on ordinary activities was £426.9 million (last year: £452.5 million). The directors consider that, at 30 March 2019, 

£617.5 million (last year: £634.5 million) of the profit and loss account is non-distributable. 

The financial statements on pages 214 to 223 were approved by the Board on 15 May 2019 and signed on its behalf by: 

MARCO GOBBETTI 

Chief Executive Officer 

JULIE BROWN 

Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer  

Balance as at 31 March 2017 
Profit for the year 
Total comprehensive income for the year 
Employee share incentive schemes 
Value of share options granted 
Exercise of share options 

Purchase of own shares 

Share buy-back 
Held by ESOP trusts 
Dividends paid in the year 
Balance as at 31 March 2018 
Profit for the year 
Total comprehensive income for the year 
Employee share incentive schemes 
Value of share options granted 
Exercise of share options 

Purchase of own shares 

Share buy-back 
Held by ESOP trusts 
Dividends paid in the year 
Balance as at 30 March 2019 

Note

Called up 
share 
capital
£m
0.2
–
–

Share 
premium 
account
£m
211.4
–
–

Capital 
reserve
£m
0.9
–
–

Hedging 
reserve 
£m 
4.6 
– 
– 

Profit 
and loss 
account
£m
1,398.0
452.5
452.5

Total
 equity
£m
1,615.1
452.5
452.5

–
–

–
–
–
0.2
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
0.2

–
3.2

–
–
–
214.6
–
–

–
2.3

–
–
–
216.9

–
–

–
–
–
0.9
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
0.9

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
4.6 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
4.6 

17.1
–

17.1
3.2

(351.7)
(11.9)
(169.4)
1,334.6
426.9
426.9

(351.7)
(11.9)
(169.4)
1,554.9
426.9
426.9

15.7
–

15.7
2.3

(150.7)
(12.8)
(171.1)
1,442.6

(150.7)
(12.8)
(171.1)
1,665.2

I

I

214 

215 
215

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

A. BASIS OF PREPARATION 
Burberry Group plc (the Company) is the parent Company of the Burberry Group. Burberry Group plc is a public company which is 
limited by shares and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Company’s principal business is investment and it is incorporated 
and domiciled in the UK. The Company is registered in England and Wales and the address of its registered office is Horseferry House, 
Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2AW. The Company is the sponsoring entity of The Burberry Group plc ESOP Trust and The Burberry 
Group plc SIP Trust (collectively known as the ESOP trusts). These financial statements have been prepared by including the ESOP 
trusts within the financial statements of the Company. The purpose of the ESOP trusts is to purchase shares of the Company in order 
to satisfy Group share-based payment arrangements.  

Burberry Group plc and its subsidiaries (the Group) is a global luxury goods manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer. The Group also 
licenses third parties to manufacture and distribute products using the ‘Burberry’ trademarks. All of the companies which comprise 
the Group are controlled by the Company directly or indirectly. 

The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced 
Disclosure Framework’ (‘FRS 101’). The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost 
convention, as modified by derivative financial assets and derivative financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss, 
and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has not 
presented its own Income Statement. 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with FRS 101 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. 
It also requires management to exercise judgement in applying the Company’s accounting policies (refer to note C). 

Financial Reporting Standard 101 – reduced disclosure exemptions 
The Company has taken advantage of the applicable disclosure exemptions permitted by FRS 101 in the financial statements, 
which are summarised below: 

Standard 
IFRS 7, ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’ 
IFRS 13, ‘Fair Value Measurement’ 

Disclosure exemption
•  Full exemption
•  para 91-99 – disclosure of valuation techniques and inputs used for fair value 

measurement of assets and liabilities
IAS 1, ‘Presentation of the Financial Statements’  •  para 10(d) – statement of cash flows

•  para 10(f) – a statement of financial position as at the beginning of the preceding 
period when an entity applies an accounting policy retrospectively or makes a 
retrospective statement of items in its financial statements, or when it 
reclassifies items in its financial statements
•  para 16 – statement of compliance with all IFRS
•  para 38 – present comparative information in respect of paragraph 79(a)(iv) 

of IAS 1

•  para 38A – requirement for minimum of two primary statements, including 

cash flow statements

•  para 38B-D – additional comparative information
•  para 111 – cash flow statement information
•  para 134-136 – capital management disclosures
•  Full exemption
•  para 30-31 – requirement for the disclosure of information when an entity has not 

applied a new IFRS that has been issued but is not yet effective 

•  para 17 – key management compensation
•  The requirements 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

IAS 7, ‘Statement of Cash Flows’ 
IAS 8, ‘Accounting Policies, Changes  
in Accounting Estimates and Errors’ 
IAS 24, ‘Related Party Disclosures’ 

IAS 36, ‘Impairment of Assets’ 

•  para 134(d)-134(f) and 135(c)-135(e)

216 
216

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

A. BASIS OF PREPARATION 

Burberry Group plc (the Company) is the parent Company of the Burberry Group. Burberry Group plc is a public company which is 

limited by shares and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Company’s principal business is investment and it is incorporated 

and domiciled in the UK. The Company is registered in England and Wales and the address of its registered office is Horseferry House, 

Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2AW. The Company is the sponsoring entity of The Burberry Group plc ESOP Trust and The Burberry 

Group plc SIP Trust (collectively known as the ESOP trusts). These financial statements have been prepared by including the ESOP 

trusts within the financial statements of the Company. The purpose of the ESOP trusts is to purchase shares of the Company in order 

to satisfy Group share-based payment arrangements.  

Burberry Group plc and its subsidiaries (the Group) is a global luxury goods manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer. The Group also 

licenses third parties to manufacture and distribute products using the ‘Burberry’ trademarks. All of the companies which comprise 

the Group are controlled by the Company directly or indirectly. 

The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced 

Disclosure Framework’ (‘FRS 101’). The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost 

convention, as modified by derivative financial assets and derivative financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss, 

and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has not 

presented its own Income Statement. 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with FRS 101 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. 

It also requires management to exercise judgement in applying the Company’s accounting policies (refer to note C). 

Financial Reporting Standard 101 – reduced disclosure exemptions 

The Company has taken advantage of the applicable disclosure exemptions permitted by FRS 101 in the financial statements, 

which are summarised below: 

Standard 

Disclosure exemption

IFRS 7, ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’ 

•  Full exemption

IFRS 13, ‘Fair Value Measurement’ 

•  para 91-99 – disclosure of valuation techniques and inputs used for fair value 

IAS 1, ‘Presentation of the Financial Statements’  •  para 10(d) – statement of cash flows

measurement of assets and liabilities

•  para 10(f) – a statement of financial position as at the beginning of the preceding 

period when an entity applies an accounting policy retrospectively or makes a 

retrospective statement of items in its financial statements, or when it 

reclassifies items in its financial statements

•  para 16 – statement of compliance with all IFRS

of IAS 1

•  para 38A – requirement for minimum of two primary statements, including 

cash flow statements

•  para 38B-D – additional comparative information

•  para 111 – cash flow statement information

•  para 134-136 – capital management disclosures

•  para 30-31 – requirement for the disclosure of information when an entity has not 

applied a new IFRS that has been issued but is not yet effective 

•  para 17 – key management compensation

•  The requirements 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

IAS 7, ‘Statement of Cash Flows’ 

•  Full exemption

IAS 8, ‘Accounting Policies, Changes  

in Accounting Estimates and Errors’ 

IAS 24, ‘Related Party Disclosures’ 

IAS 36, ‘Impairment of Assets’ 

•  para 134(d)-134(f) and 135(c)-135(e)

B. ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
New accounting policy adopted in the period  
The following accounting policy was adopted for the first time in the financial statements for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019: 

Accounting reference date 
On 1 April 2018, a new policy was adopted for the accounting reference date, in line with guidance under the Companies Act 2006 
Section 390. Previously, the accounting reference date was 31 March each year. From 1 April 2018 onwards, the accounting reference 
date will be a Saturday within 7 days of 31 March. For the current year, the accounting reference date is 30 March 2019 for the full 
year. Comparative information for the year ended 31 March 2018 has not been restated and there is no impact on the current year 
results from adopting the new policy. 

New Standards adopted in the period 
The following standards were adopted for the first time in the financial statements for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019:  

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments 
The Company adopted IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, for the period commencing 1 April 2018, with the exception of the hedge 
accounting element which will be adopted when the IFRS 9 Macro hedging is endorsed by the European Union.  

IFRS 9 addresses the classification, measurement and recognition of financial assets and financial liabilities. IFRS 9 replaces the 
guidance in IAS 39 Financial instruments: Recognition and measurement.  

The key changes to the Company’s accounting policies resulting from the adoption of IFRS 9 are summarised below: 

•  The standard simplifies the mixed measurement model contained in IAS 39 and establishes three primary measurement categories 
for financial assets: amortised cost; fair value through Other Comprehensive Income (OCI); and fair value through profit and loss. 
The classification of financial assets is based on the business model in which the asset is managed and its contracted cash flow 
characteristics. The application of the new standard has not resulted in a change in classification of any financial instruments.  
•  There are no classification impacts other than the description applied to financial instruments. The Company’s classification and 

measurement of financial instruments under IFRS 9 and IAS 39 is set out in the accounting policy for financial instruments.  
•  IFRS 9 introduces a forward-looking impairment model based on expected credit losses on financial assets. This has not had any 

effect on the company’s impairment measurement.  

•  There are also revised disclosure requirements for financial instruments.  

The determination of the business model within which a financial asset is held has been made on the basis of the facts and 
circumstances that existed on 1 April 2018. 

•  para 38 – present comparative information in respect of paragraph 79(a)(iv) 

There is no impact, due to the transition to IFRS 9 on financial assets and retained earnings as at 1 April 2018. 

Accounting policies 
The following principal accounting policies have been applied in the preparation of these financial statements. These policies have been 
consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated:  

Going concern  
Taking into account reasonable possible changes in trading performance and after making enquiries, the Directors consider it 
appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019. 

Share schemes 
The Group operates a number of equity-settled share-based compensation schemes, under which services are received from 
employees (including Executive Directors) as consideration for equity instruments of the Company. The cost of the share-based 
incentives is measured with reference to the fair value of the equity instruments awarded at the date of grant. Appropriate option 
pricing models, including Black-Scholes, are used to determine the fair value of the awards made.  

The fair value takes into account the impact of any market performance conditions, but the impact of non-market performance 
conditions is not considered in determining the fair value on the date of grant. Vesting conditions which relate to non-market 
conditions are allowed for in the assumptions used for the number of options expected to vest. The estimate of the number of 
options expected to vest is revised at each balance sheet date.  

216 

217 
217

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

B. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 
Share schemes (continued) 
In some circumstances, employees may provide services in advance of the grant date. The grant date fair value is estimated for the 
purposes of recognising the expense during the period between the service commencement period and the grant date. 

The grant by the Company of options over its equity instruments to employees of subsidiary undertakings in the Group is treated as 
a capital contribution. In the Company’s financial statements, the cost of the share-based incentives is recognised over the vesting 
period of the awards as an increase in investment in subsidiary undertakings, with a corresponding increase in equity. Where amounts 
are received from Group companies in relation to equity instruments granted to the employees of the subsidiary undertaking, the 
amount is derecognised from investments in Group companies, to the extent that it was initially treated as a capital contribution, 
with any remaining amounts recognised as an increase in equity.  

When options and awards are exercised, they are settled either via issue of new shares in the Company, or through shares held in the 
ESOP trusts, depending on the terms and conditions of the relevant scheme. The proceeds received from the exercises, net of any 
directly attributable transaction costs, are credited to share capital and share premium. Share-based payments disclosures relevant 
to the Company are presented within note 27 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Dividend distribution 
Dividend distributions to Burberry Group plc’s shareholders are recognised as a liability in the year in which the dividend becomes a 
committed obligation. Final dividends are recognised when they are approved by the shareholders. Interim dividends are recognised 
when paid. 

Investments in subsidiaries 
Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost, less any provisions to reflect impairment in value. 

Impairment of investments in subsidiaries 
Investments in subsidiaries are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. An impairment loss is recognised 
for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s net 
realisable value and value-in-use. For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there 
are separately identifiable cash flows (cash generating units). 

Taxation 
Tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax charge. 

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit because it excludes items of 
income or expense which are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items which are never taxable or deductible. 
The current tax liability is calculated using tax rates which have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. 

Deferred income tax is recognised, using the liabilities method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets 
and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements. However, if the temporary difference arises from initial 
recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects 
neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss, no deferred tax will be recognised. 

Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and 
are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the 
temporary differences can be utilised.  

218 
218

 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

B. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

Share schemes (continued) 

In some circumstances, employees may provide services in advance of the grant date. The grant date fair value is estimated for the 

purposes of recognising the expense during the period between the service commencement period and the grant date. 

The grant by the Company of options over its equity instruments to employees of subsidiary undertakings in the Group is treated as 

a capital contribution. In the Company’s financial statements, the cost of the share-based incentives is recognised over the vesting 

period of the awards as an increase in investment in subsidiary undertakings, with a corresponding increase in equity. Where amounts 

are received from Group companies in relation to equity instruments granted to the employees of the subsidiary undertaking, the 

amount is derecognised from investments in Group companies, to the extent that it was initially treated as a capital contribution, 

with any remaining amounts recognised as an increase in equity.  

When options and awards are exercised, they are settled either via issue of new shares in the Company, or through shares held in the 

ESOP trusts, depending on the terms and conditions of the relevant scheme. The proceeds received from the exercises, net of any 

directly attributable transaction costs, are credited to share capital and share premium. Share-based payments disclosures relevant 

to the Company are presented within note 27 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Dividend distributions to Burberry Group plc’s shareholders are recognised as a liability in the year in which the dividend becomes a 

committed obligation. Final dividends are recognised when they are approved by the shareholders. Interim dividends are recognised 

Dividend distribution 

when paid. 

Investments in subsidiaries 

Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost, less any provisions to reflect impairment in value. 

Impairment of investments in subsidiaries 

Investments in subsidiaries are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. An impairment loss is recognised 

for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s net 

realisable value and value-in-use. For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there 

are separately identifiable cash flows (cash generating units). 

Taxation 

Tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax charge. 

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit because it excludes items of 

income or expense which are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items which are never taxable or deductible. 

The current tax liability is calculated using tax rates which have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. 

Deferred income tax is recognised, using the liabilities method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets 

and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements. However, if the temporary difference arises from initial 

recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects 

neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss, no deferred tax will be recognised. 

Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and 

are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the 

temporary differences can be utilised.  

B. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 
Financial instruments 
A financial instrument is initially recognised at fair value on the Balance Sheet when the Company becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument. A financial asset is derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flow expire or substantially all 
risks and rewards of the asset are transferred. A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation specified in the contract is 
discharged, cancelled or expires. 

Subsequent to initial recognition, all financial liabilities, with the exception of derivative financial instruments, are stated at amortised 
cost using the effective interest rate method. The fair value of the financial assets and liabilities held at amortised cost approximate 
their carrying amount due to the use of market interest rates. 

The adoption of IFRS 9 has had the following impact on Company’s financial instrument categorisation: 

Financial instrument category  Note 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 

E 

Classification 
under IAS 39
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables

Measurement 
under IAS 39
Amortised cost
Amortised cost

Trade and other payables 

F 

Other financial liabilities

Amortised cost

Borrowings 

Other financial liabilities

Equity swap contracts 

Derivative instrument

Amortised cost
Fair value through 
profit and loss

Classification 
under IFRS 9  
Amortised cost 
Amortised cost 
Other financial 
liabilities 
Other financial 
liabilities 
Fair value through 
profit and loss 

Measurement 
under IFRS 9
Amortised cost
Amortised cost

Amortised cost

Amortised cost
Fair value through 
profit and loss

The Company’s primary categories of financial instruments are listed below: 

Cash at bank and in hand 
On the Balance Sheet, cash at bank and in hand comprises cash held with banks. 

Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other receivables are included in current assets. The receivables are held with the objective to collect the contractual cash 
flows and are therefore recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate 
method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the expected loss on receivables is established at inception. This is modified 
when there is a change in the credit risk and hence evidence that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according 
to the original terms of receivables. The amount of the movement in the provision is recognised in the Income Statement. 

Borrowings 
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, inclusive of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at 
amortised cost and the difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in the 
Income Statement over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest rate method. Borrowings are classified in creditors 
amounts falling due within one year unless the Company has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 
12 months after the balance sheet date. 

Derivative instruments 
The Company uses equity swap contracts to economically hedge its exposure to fluctuations in the Company’s share price 
which impacts the social security costs payable by Group companies in relation to share-based compensation schemes. 

The equity swap contracts are initially recognised at fair value at the trade date and classified as fair value through profit and loss. 
All subsequent changes in fair value are recognised in the Income Statement up to the maturity date.  

218 

219 
219

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

B. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 
Foreign currency translation 
Functional and presentation currency 
Items included in the financial statements are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the 
Company operates (the functional currency). The financial statements are presented in Sterling which is the Company’s functional 
and presentation currency. 

Transactions in foreign currencies  
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rate prevailing at the date 
of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, which are held at the year end, are translated into 
the functional currency at the exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences on monetary items are recognised 
in the Income Statement in the period in which they arise.  

Called up share capital  
Called up share capital is 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. 

Where the Company purchases its own equity share capital (treasury shares), the consideration paid, including any directly attributable 
incremental costs, is deducted from equity attributable to owners of the Company until the shares are cancelled, reissued or disposed 
of. Where such shares are subsequently sold or reissued, any consideration received, net of any directly attributable incremental 
transaction costs and the related income tax effects, is included in equity attributable to owners of the Company. 

C. KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY  
Preparation of the financial statements in conformity with FRS 101 requires that management make certain estimates and 
assumptions that affect the reported revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. If in the 
future such estimates and assumptions, which are based on management’s best estimates at the date of the financial statements, 
deviate from actual circumstances, the original estimate and assumptions will be updated as appropriate in the period in which the 
circumstances change. 

Estimates are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events 
that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The key areas where the estimates and assumptions applied have a 
significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying value of assets and liabilities are discussed below: 

Impairment of investments in subsidiaries 
Investments in subsidiaries are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. When a review for potential 
impairment is conducted, the recoverable amount is determined based on the higher of an investment’s fair value less costs to sell and 
value-in-use calculations prepared on the basis of management’s assumptions and estimates. Refer to note D for further details of 
investments. 

Impairment of trade and other receivables 
The Company is required to make an estimate of the recoverable value of receivables. When assessing the expected loss on receivables, 
management considers factors including any specific known problems or risks. Refer to note E for further details on the net carrying 
value of trade and other receivables. 

D. INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES 

As at 1 April 2018 
Additions 
As at 30 March 2019 

£m
1,343.8
34.2
1,378.0

During the year the Company increased its investment in Burberry Limited by £14.4 million and increased its investment in Burberry 
Italy S.R.L. by £19.8 million. 

The Directors consider that the carrying value of the investments in subsidiaries is supported by their underlying net assets and value 
generated by their operations. The subsidiary undertakings and investments of the Burberry Group are listed in note 30 of the Group 
financial statements. 

220 
220

 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

B. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

Foreign currency translation 

Functional and presentation currency 

and presentation currency. 

Transactions in foreign currencies  

in the Income Statement in the period in which they arise.  

Called up share capital  

equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. 

Items included in the financial statements are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the 

Company operates (the functional currency). The financial statements are presented in Sterling which is the Company’s functional 

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rate prevailing at the date 

of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, which are held at the year end, are translated into 

the functional currency at the exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences on monetary items are recognised 

Where the Company purchases its own equity share capital (treasury shares), the consideration paid, including any directly attributable 

incremental costs, is deducted from equity attributable to owners of the Company until the shares are cancelled, reissued or disposed 

of. Where such shares are subsequently sold or reissued, any consideration received, net of any directly attributable incremental 

transaction costs and the related income tax effects, is included in equity attributable to owners of the Company. 

C. KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY  

Preparation of the financial statements in conformity with FRS 101 requires that management make certain estimates and 

assumptions that affect the reported revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. If in the 

future such estimates and assumptions, which are based on management’s best estimates at the date of the financial statements, 

deviate from actual circumstances, the original estimate and assumptions will be updated as appropriate in the period in which the 

circumstances change. 

Estimates are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events 

that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The key areas where the estimates and assumptions applied have a 

significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying value of assets and liabilities are discussed below: 

Impairment of investments in subsidiaries 

Investments in subsidiaries are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. When a review for potential 

impairment is conducted, the recoverable amount is determined based on the higher of an investment’s fair value less costs to sell and 

value-in-use calculations prepared on the basis of management’s assumptions and estimates. Refer to note D for further details of 

The Company is required to make an estimate of the recoverable value of receivables. When assessing the expected loss on receivables, 

management considers factors including any specific known problems or risks. Refer to note E for further details on the net carrying 

investments. 

Impairment of trade and other receivables 

value of trade and other receivables. 

D. INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES 

As at 1 April 2018 

Additions 

As at 30 March 2019 

Italy S.R.L. by £19.8 million. 

financial statements. 

During the year the Company increased its investment in Burberry Limited by £14.4 million and increased its investment in Burberry 

The Directors consider that the carrying value of the investments in subsidiaries is supported by their underlying net assets and value 

generated by their operations. The subsidiary undertakings and investments of the Burberry Group are listed in note 30 of the Group 

£m

1,343.8

34.2

1,378.0

Called up share capital is classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in 

All amounts owed by Group companies are interest bearing. 

E. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 

Prepayments 
Trade and other receivables – amounts falling due after more than one year

Amounts owed by Group companies 
Prepayments 
Trade and other receivables – amounts falling due within one year
Total trade and other receivables 

As at 
30 March
2019
£m

As at 
31 March
2018
£m

0.4
0.4

553.2
0.2
553.4
553.8

0.4
0.4

475.2
0.2
475.4
475.8

The interest rate earned is based on relevant national LIBOR equivalents plus 0.9%. These loans are unsecured and repayable on 
17 June 2019.  

The Company’s impairment policies and the calculation of the loss allowances under IFRS 9 are detailed in note G. 

F. CREDITORS  

Amounts owed to Group companies 
Creditors – amounts falling due after more than one year

Amounts owed to Group companies 
Accruals 
Creditors – amounts falling due within one year 
Total creditors 

As at 
30 March
2019
£m
70.7
70.7

194.9
0.4
195.3
266.0

As at 
31 March
2018
£m
207.9
207.9

57.9
0.2
58.1
266.0

Amounts owed to Group companies falling due after more than one year are interest bearing. The interest rate earned is based on 
LIBOR plus 0.9%. These loans are unsecured and repayable on 17 June 2020. 

Included within amounts owed to Group companies falling due within one year are interest bearing loans of £139.4 million (last year: 
£nil). The interest rate earned is based on LIBOR plus 0.5% to 0.9%. These loans are unsecured and repayable on 17 June 2019. The 
remaining amounts are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand. 

G. CREDIT RISK 
The Company’s principal financial instruments comprise equity swap contracts, cash, trade and other receivables and trade and other 
payables arising directly from operations. 

Trade and other receivables  
The Company has no significant concentrations of credit risk. The trade and other receivables balance comprises of intercompany 
loans with companies within the Group. These Group companies are assessed at each reporting date as to their ability to repay 
outstanding balances.  

The counterparty credit risk of trade and other receivables is reviewed on a regular basis and the IFRS 9 impairment model is applied 
as follows: 

At inception the receivable is recorded net of expected 12 month credit losses. If a significant increase in the credit risk occurs during 
the life time, credit losses are recorded in the profit and loss account and the effective interest is calculated using the gross carrying 
amount of the asset. If a loss event occurs, the effective interest is calculated using the amortised cost of the asset net of any credit 
losses. As at 30 March 2019, the expected 12 month credit losses of trade and other receivables were negligible and hence there were 
no impairments of these receivables. 

220 

221 
221

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

G. CREDIT RISK (CONTINUED) 
Other financial assets 
With respect to credit risk arising from other financial assets, which comprise cash and certain derivative instruments, the Company’s 
exposure to credit risk arises from the default of the counterparty with a maximum exposure equal to the carrying value of these 
instruments. The Company has policies that limit the amount of credit exposure to any financial institution and only deposits funds 
with independently rated financial institutions with a minimum rating of ‘A’ other than where required for operational purposes.  

H. CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL 

Allotted, called up and fully paid share capital 
Ordinary shares of 0.05p (last year: 0.05p) each 
As at 1 April 2018 
Allotted on exercise of options during the year 
Cancellation of treasury shares 
As at 30 March 2019 

Number 

418,275,123 
185,349 
(7,004,471) 
411,456,001 

£m

0.2
–
–
0.2

The Company has a general authority from shareholders, renewed at each Annual General Meeting, to repurchase a maximum of 
10% of its issued share capital. During the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, the Company entered into agreements to purchase £150 million 
(last year: £350 million) of its own shares back, excluding stamp duty, as part of a share buy-back programme. Own shares purchased 
by the Company, as part of a share buy-back programme, are classified as treasury shares and their cost offset against the profit and 
loss account. When treasury shares are cancelled, a transfer is made from the profit and loss account to the capital redemption reserve, 
equivalent to the nominal value of the shares purchased and subsequently cancelled. In the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, 7.0 million 
treasury shares with a nominal value of £3,500 were cancelled (last year: 27.2 million treasury shares with a nominal value of 
£13,600).  The cost of shares purchased by ESOP trusts are offset against the profit and loss account, as the amounts paid 
reduce the profits available for distribution by the Company. 

As at 30 March 2019 the amount of own shares held by ESOP trusts and offset against the profit and loss account is £26.4 million (last 
year: £40.5 million). As at 30 March 2019, the ESOP trusts held 1.6 million shares (last year: 2.9 million) in the Company, with a market 
value of £31.9 million (last year: £49.8 million). In the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 the ESOP trusts and the Company have waived their 
entitlement to dividends of £0.9 million (last year: £2.0 million).  

The capital reserve consists of the capital redemption reserve arising on the purchase of own shares. 

I. DIVIDENDS 

Prior year final dividend paid 30.3p per share (last year: 28.4p)
Interim dividend paid 11.0p per share (last year: 11.0p) 
Total  

52 weeks to 
30 March 
2019 
£m 
126.0 
45.1 
171.1 

Year to
31 March
2018
£m
123.0
46.4
169.4

A final dividend in respect of the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 of 31.5p (last year: 30.3p) per share, amounting to £128.4 million, has 
been proposed for approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting subsequent to the balance sheet date. The final 
dividend has not been recognised as a liability at the year end and will be paid on 2 August 2019 to shareholders on the register at the 
close of business on 28 June 2019. The ex-dividend date is 27 June 2019 and the final day for dividend reinvestment plan (‘DRIP’) 
elections is 12 July 2019. 

222 
222

 
 
 
J. FINANCIAL GUARANTEES 
On 25 November 2014, the Group entered into a £300 million multi-currency revolving credit facility with a syndicate of third-party 
banks. At 30 March 2019, there were £nil outstanding drawings (last year: £nil). The facility matures in November 2021.  

The companies acting as guarantor to the facility consist of Burberry Group plc, Burberry Limited, Burberry Asia Limited, 
Burberry (Wholesale) Limited (US) and Burberry Limited (US). The fair value of this financial guarantee as at 30 March 2019 is £nil  
(last year: £nil). 

A potential liability may arise in the future if one of the Group members defaults on the loan facility. Each guarantor, including 
Burberry Group plc, would be liable to cover the amounts outstanding, including principal and interest elements. 

K. AUDIT FEES 
The Company has incurred audit fees of £0.1 million for the current year which are borne by Burberry Limited (last year: £0.1 million). 

L. EMPLOYEE COSTS 
The Company has no employees and therefore no employee costs are included in these financial statements for the 52 weeks to 
30 March 2019 (last year: £nil). 

NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

G. CREDIT RISK (CONTINUED) 

Other financial assets 

With respect to credit risk arising from other financial assets, which comprise cash and certain derivative instruments, the Company’s 

exposure to credit risk arises from the default of the counterparty with a maximum exposure equal to the carrying value of these 

instruments. The Company has policies that limit the amount of credit exposure to any financial institution and only deposits funds 

with independently rated financial institutions with a minimum rating of ‘A’ other than where required for operational purposes.  

H. CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL 

Allotted, called up and fully paid share capital 

Ordinary shares of 0.05p (last year: 0.05p) each 

As at 1 April 2018 

Allotted on exercise of options during the year 

Cancellation of treasury shares 

As at 30 March 2019 

Number 

418,275,123 

185,349 

(7,004,471) 

411,456,001 

£m

0.2

–

–

0.2

The Company has a general authority from shareholders, renewed at each Annual General Meeting, to repurchase a maximum of 

10% of its issued share capital. During the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, the Company entered into agreements to purchase £150 million 

(last year: £350 million) of its own shares back, excluding stamp duty, as part of a share buy-back programme. Own shares purchased 

by the Company, as part of a share buy-back programme, are classified as treasury shares and their cost offset against the profit and 

loss account. When treasury shares are cancelled, a transfer is made from the profit and loss account to the capital redemption reserve, 

equivalent to the nominal value of the shares purchased and subsequently cancelled. In the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019, 7.0 million 

treasury shares with a nominal value of £3,500 were cancelled (last year: 27.2 million treasury shares with a nominal value of 

£13,600).  The cost of shares purchased by ESOP trusts are offset against the profit and loss account, as the amounts paid 

reduce the profits available for distribution by the Company. 

As at 30 March 2019 the amount of own shares held by ESOP trusts and offset against the profit and loss account is £26.4 million (last 

year: £40.5 million). As at 30 March 2019, the ESOP trusts held 1.6 million shares (last year: 2.9 million) in the Company, with a market 

value of £31.9 million (last year: £49.8 million). In the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 the ESOP trusts and the Company have waived their 

entitlement to dividends of £0.9 million (last year: £2.0 million).  

The capital reserve consists of the capital redemption reserve arising on the purchase of own shares. 

I. DIVIDENDS 

Prior year final dividend paid 30.3p per share (last year: 28.4p)

Interim dividend paid 11.0p per share (last year: 11.0p) 

Total  

A final dividend in respect of the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019 of 31.5p (last year: 30.3p) per share, amounting to £128.4 million, has 

been proposed for approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting subsequent to the balance sheet date. The final 

dividend has not been recognised as a liability at the year end and will be paid on 2 August 2019 to shareholders on the register at the 

close of business on 28 June 2019. The ex-dividend date is 27 June 2019 and the final day for dividend reinvestment plan (‘DRIP’) 

elections is 12 July 2019. 

52 weeks to 

30 March 

Year to

31 March

2019 

£m 

126.0 

45.1 

171.1 

2018

£m

123.0

46.4

169.4

222 

223 
223

 
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

GENERAL SHAREHOLDER ENQUIRIES
Enquiries relating to shareholdings, such as the transfer 
of shares, change of name or address, lost share certificates 
or dividend cheques, should be referred to the Company’s 
Registrar, Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, 
West Sussex, BN99 6DA.

Tel: 0371 384 2839. Lines are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm, 
Monday to Friday.

Please dial +44 (0) 121 415 7047 if calling from 
outside the UK or see www.help.shareview.co.uk for 
additional information.

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
We have a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt 
(ADR) programme to enable US investors to purchase 
ADRs in US dollars. Each ADR represents one Burberry 
ordinary share.

For queries relating to ADRs in Burberry, please use the 
following contact details:

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, 
P.O. BOX 505000, 
Louisville, KY 40233-5000.

Tel: Toll free within the US: +1 888 269 2377 
Tel: International: +1 201 680 6825

Email enquiries: shrrelations@cpushareownerservices.com 
or see www.mybnymdr.com for additional information.

WEBSITE
The investor section of Burberry Group plc’s website,  
www.burberryplc.com/en/investors.html, contains a wide 
range of information and gives access to:

•  Regulatory news.
•  Share price information.
•  Dividend history, share analysis and the 

investment calculator.

•  Financial results announcements.
•  Frequently asked questions.

It is also possible to sign up to receive email alerts 
for Regulatory News Service (RNS) and press 
releases relating to Burberry Group plc at  
www.burberryplc.com/en/alerts.html.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 
Our AGM will be held at Conrad London St. James, 22-28 
Broadway, London, SW1H 0BH, on Wednesday, 17 July 2019. 
The Notice of AGM, together with details of the business to 
be conducted at the AGM, is available on our Company 
website at www.burberryplc.com.

The voting results for the 2019 AGM will also be accessible on 
www.burberryplc.com shortly after the meeting.

UPDATES TO OUR PRIVACY POLICY
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has applied 
since 25 May 2018. Please see the updated privacy policy on 
www.burberryplc.com for details on how Burberry collects 
and uses shareholder personal information.

MANAGING YOUR SHARES ONLINE
Shareholders and employees can manage their Burberry 
holdings online by registering with Shareview, a secure online 
platform provided by Equiniti. Registration is a 
straightforward process and allows shareholders and 
employees to:

DIVIDENDS
An interim dividend for the financial year ended 30 March 
2019 of 11.0p per ordinary share was paid on 1 February 2019. 
A final dividend of 31.5p per share has been proposed and, 
subject to approval at the AGM on 17 July 2019, will be paid 
according to the following timetable:

Final dividend record date:
Deadline for return of DRIP mandate forms:
Final dividend payment date:

28 June 2019
12 July 2019
2 August 2019

The ADR local payment date will be approximately five 
business days after the proposed dividend payment date for 
ordinary shareholders. 

•  Access information on their shareholdings, including share 

balance and dividend information.

•  Sign up for electronic shareholder communications.
•  Buy and sell shares.
•  Update their records following a change of address.
•  Have dividends paid into their bank account.
•  Vote by proxy online in advance of the Company’s 

general meetings.

Burberry encourages shareholders to sign up for electronic 
communication as it allows information to be disseminated 
quickly and efficiently and also reduces paper usage, which 
makes a valuable contribution to our global footprint.

224

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONDividends can be paid by BACS directly into a UK bank 
account, with the tax voucher being sent to the shareholder’s 
address. This is the easiest way for shareholders to receive 
dividend payments and avoid the risk of lost or out-of-date 
cheques. A dividend mandate form is available from Equiniti 
or at www.shareview.co.uk.

FINANCIAL CALENDAR
First quarter trading update:
AGM:
Interim results announcement:
Third-quarter trading update:
Preliminary results announcement:

16 July 2019
17 July 2019 
November 2019
January 2020 
May 2020

If you are a UK taxpayer, please note that you are eligible 
for a tax-free Dividend Allowance of £2,000 in each tax year. 
Any dividends received above this amount will be subject to 
taxation. Dividends paid on shares held within pensions 
and Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) will continue to 
be tax-free. Further information can be found at  
www.gov.uk/tax-on-dividends.

DIVIDENDS PAYABLE IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Equiniti is able to pay dividends to shareholder bank accounts 
in over 30 currencies worldwide through the Overseas 
Payment Service. An administrative fee will be deducted 
from each dividend payment. Further details can be obtained 
from Equiniti or online at www.shareview.co.uk.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
Our Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) enables 
shareholders to use their dividends to buy further Burberry 
shares. Full details about DRIP can be obtained from Equiniti. 
If shareholders would like their final 2019 dividend and future 
dividends to qualify for DRIP, completed application forms 
must be returned to Equiniti by 12 July 2019.

DUPLICATE ACCOUNTS
Shareholders who have more than one account due to 
inconsistencies in account details may avoid duplicate 
mailings by contacting Equiniti and requesting the 
amalgamation of their share accounts.

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
Shareholders may at any time choose to receive all 
shareholder documentation in electronic form via the 
internet, rather than in paper format. Shareholders who 
decide to register for this option will receive an email each 
time a shareholder document is published on the internet. 
Shareholders who wish to receive documentation in electronic 
form should register online at www.shareview.co.uk.

Equiniti offers a range of shareholder information and 
services online at www.shareview.co.uk. A textphone facility 
for those with hearing difficulties is available by calling:  
0371 384 2255. Lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday  
to Friday. Please dial +44 121 415 7047 if calling from outside 
the UK.

REGISTERED OFFICE
Burberry Group plc, Horseferry House, Horseferry Road, 
London, SW1P 2AW.

Registered in England and Wales Registered Number 
03458224 www.burberryplc.com

SHARE BUYBACK
From June to September 2018, we completed a buyback 
programme of £150 million.

SHARE DEALING
Burberry Group plc shares can be traded through most banks, 
building societies or stockbrokers. Equiniti offers a telephone 
and internet dealing service. Terms and conditions and details 
of the commission charges are available on request.

For telephone dealing, please call 03456 037 037 between 
8.00am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, and for internet 
dealing visit www.shareview.co.uk/dealing. Shareholders will 
need their reference number, which can be found on their 
share certificate.

SHAREGIFT
Shareholders with a small number of shares, the value 
of which makes them uneconomical to sell, may wish to 
consider donating their shares to charity through ShareGift, 
a donation scheme operated by The Orr Mackintosh 
Foundation. A ShareGift donation form can be obtained from 
Equiniti. Further information is available at  
www.sharegift.org or by telephone on 0207 930 3737.

TIPS ON PROTECTING YOUR INFORMATION
•  Keep any documentation that contains your shareholder 

reference number in a safe place and shred any unwanted 
documentation.

•  Inform Equiniti, the Registrar, promptly if you 

change address.

•  Be familiar with dividend payment dates and contact the 
Registrar if you do not receive your dividend cheque or, 
better still, make arrangements to have the dividend paid 
directly into your bank account.

•  Consider holding your shares electronically in a CREST 

account via a nominee.

225

UNAUTHORISED BROKERS (BOILER ROOM SCAMS)
Shareholders are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited 
advice, offers to buy shares at a discount, or offers of free 
company reports. These are typically from overseas-based 
“brokers” who target UK shareholders offering to sell them 
what often turn out to be worthless or high-risk shares in US 
or UK investments. These operations are commonly known 
as boiler rooms.

If you receive any unsolicited investment advice, get the 
correct name of the person and organisation, and check that 
they are properly authorised by the FCA before getting 
involved. This can be done by visiting Fca.org.uk/register/.

If you deal with an unauthorised firm, you will not be eligible 
to receive payment under the Financial Services 
Compensation Scheme if things go wrong.

If you think you have been approached by an unauthorised 
firm, you should contact the FCA consumer helpline on 
0800 111 6768.

More detailed information can be found on the FCA 
website at Fca.org.uk/consumers/protect-yourself/
unauthorised-firms.

226

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION227

Pages 1-228 are printed on Revive Offset which is made from 100% de-inked pulp recycled fibre.  

The cover of this report is printed on Colorplan. This product is made from virgin ECF pulp, which is 

produced from sawmill residues, forest thinnings, and roundwood from managed sustainable forests. 
Printed in the UK by Pureprint who are a Carbon Neutral Company using their technology. Both the 

manufacturing mills and printer are registered to the Environmental Management System ISO14001 
and are Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) chain-of-custody certified.

publica t i o
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n

The copyright for the images on pages 46 and 53 is owned by Joël van Houdt. 

Disclaimer 

The purpose of this Annual Report is to provide information to the members of Burberry Group plc. This document contains certain  

statements with respect to the operations, performance and financial condition of the Group including among other things, statements  

about expected revenues, margins, earnings per share or other financial or other measures. Forward-looking statements appear in a number  

of places throughout this document and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations and those of our officers, 

Directors and employees concerning, amongst other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies 

and the business we operate. By their nature, these statements involve uncertainty and subject to a number of risks since future events and 

circumstances can cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements reflect 

knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this document and unless otherwise required by applicable law the  

Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements. Nothing in this document should be construed  

as a profit forecast. All members, wherever located, should consult any additional disclosures that the Company may make in any regulatory 

announcements or documents which it publishes. The Company and its Directors accept no liability to third parties in respect of this document 
save as would arise under law of England and Wales. This document does not constitute an invitation to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise 

acquire or dispose of any Burberry Group plc shares, in the UK, or in the USA, or under the USA Securities Act 1933 or any other jurisdiction.

228

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