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C&C Group

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FY2022 Annual Report · C&C Group
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Annual Report 2022

View this report online  
candcgroupplc.com or  
candc.annualreport22.com

C&C Group plc is a leading, 
vertically integrated 
premium drinks company 
which manufactures, 
markets and distributes 
branded beer, cider, wine, 
spirits, and soft drinks 
across the UK and Ireland.

C&C Group’s portfolio of owned/exclusive brands 
include: Bulmers, the leading Irish cider brand; 
Tennent’s, the leading Scottish beer brand; Magners, 
the premium international cider brand; exclusive 
distribution of the Budweiser Brewing Group portfolio 
in Ireland including Budweiser, the fifth largest long 
alcoholic drink (‘LAD’) brand; as well as a range of fast-
growing, premium and craft ciders and beers, such as 
Heverlee, Menabrea, Five Lamps and Orchard Pig. 

C&C exports its Magners and Tennent’s brands to over 
40 countries worldwide. 

C&C has owned brand and contract manufacturing/
packing operations in Co. Tipperary, Ireland; and 
Glasgow, Scotland. 

C&C is the No.1 drinks distributor to the UK and Ireland 
hospitality sectors. Operating through the Matthew 
Clark, Bibendum, Tennent’s and Bulmers Ireland 
brands, the Group has a market leading range, scale 
and reach including an intimate understanding of the 
markets it serves. Together this provides a key route-to-
market for major international beverage companies.

C&C Group plc is headquartered in Dublin and is listed 
on the London Stock Exchange.

“Our FY2022 performance highlights the strength 
of our business model, with the Group returning 
to profit and cash generation. Encouraged by the 
reaction and resilience of the hospitality sector, 
we are pleased with how trading has recovered 
and the subsequent speed of customer and 
consumer demand, which we believe reflects the 
enduring importance of the on-trade and the role 
that it plays in our society.

The Group has responded well to servicing 
this demand, despite the widely publicised 
UK supply chain constraints impacting our 
industry. In addition, we have broadly managed 
the challenging and evolving inflationary cost 
pressures through FY2022. However, we remain 
vigilant of this challenging environment and 
are mindful of the pressures being faced by 
consumers. 

In FY2022 we continued to execute our strategy: 
increasing investment into our branded portfolio; 
launching a significant change programme as 
we streamlined the GB businesses (Tennent’s, 
Matthew Clark, Bibendum and C&C Brands) 
under one management team; and executing our 
sustainability agenda. With our markets leading 
platform and financial strength, we believe C&C 
is well placed to consolidate its position as the 
leading drinks distributor serving the UK and 
Ireland drinks market.”

David Forde 
Group Chief Executive Officer

Financial Highlights

Contents

1

Results

Net Revenue
€1,438.1m

Increase of 87.8% on a constant currency basis

Operating Profit before Exceptional Items
€47.9m

Operating Profit after Exceptional Items
€58.5m

Balance Sheet

Liquidity
€438.7m 

Net Debt/EBITDA Including Leases
3.4x

Net Debt/EBITDA Excluding Leases
3.4x

Cash

Free cashflow conversion 
35.6% 

Business & Strategy

2 Chair’s Statement

6

7

Vision, Purpose and Values

Divisional Structure

8 Our Engagement with Stakeholders

10 Group Chief Executive Officer’s Review

24

26

30

32

34

46

Strategic Report - Group Strategy

Strategic Report - Business Model

Strategic Report - How we create sustainable value

Strategic Report - Key Performance Indicators

Strategic Report - Management of Risks and Uncertainties

TCFD Disclosure

54 Group Chief Financial Officer’s Review

62

Responsibility Report

Governance
Directors’ Report

Directors and Officers

82

88

90 Corporate Governance Report

100

106

Audit Committee Report

Environmental, Social and Governance Committee Report

108 Nomination Committee Report

116

136

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report

137

147 Consolidated Income Statement

148 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

149 Consolidated Balance Sheet

150 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

151 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

152 Company Balance Sheet

153 Company Statement of Changes In Equity

154

Statement of Accounting Policies

171 Notes Forming Part of the Financial Statements

240

Financial Definitions

242

Shareholder and Other Information

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements2

Chair’s Statement

“ We are pleased with 
the robust trading 
performance of our 
business during  
FY2022”

Stewart Gilliland
Chair

In my final annual report as Chair of C&C Group, I am pleased to 
welcome the reopening of the hospitality sector during FY2022 and 
delighted to be back serving customers and ensuring our strong 
portfolio of owned and agency brands are available for consumers 
to enjoy as trading resumes. The last two years has impacted the 
lives of all our stakeholders and proved an exceptionally difficult 
time for the hospitality sector and wider supply chains. Despite 
this challenging backdrop, we are pleased with the robust trading 
performance of our business during FY2022, the speed in which 
consumer demand has returned, the acceleration of some pre 
COVID-19 trends such as premiumisation, and the growing 
importance of sustainability to all our stakeholders; a key pillar of the 
Group’s long-term strategy. 

Aside from COVID-19 related trading 
restrictions, the business has broadly 
navigated the wider supply chain constraints 
in the UK and taken action to afford itself a 
degree of protection against the increasingly 
challenging inflationary environment. Despite 
these challenges, through FY2022 we 
executed our strategy and implemented 
a significant change programme, focused 
on providing a technologically enhanced 
platform to sell our brands and partner 
brands, underpinned by our market leading 
cost to serve. Notably, as part of this we 
announced One C&C GB, an initiative 
to integrate our Tennent’s, Matthew 
Clark and Bibendum businesses under 
one management team which will drive 
efficiencies and improve our service offering 
to customers. Our core brands in Scotland 
and Ireland have continued to perform 
strongly, with both Tennent’s and Bulmers 
gaining off-trade volume share compared 
with the pre COVID-19 levels(iii)(iv). With the 
Group’s strategy focused on three distinct 
pillars: brand strength; system strength; 
and sustainability, during FY2022 we made 
significant investment behind these pillars 
to consolidate our position as the leading 
brand-led drinks distributor serving the UK 
and Irish hospitality sectors.

Operating Results 

FY2022 was a year of gradual recovery 
for C&C and we are pleased to report 
net revenues of €1,438.1m and growth of 
+87.8% compared to FY2021 on a constant 
currency basis(i). This performance was 
driven by the reopening of the higher margin 
on-trade which helped the Group return to 
operating profit generation in June 2021, 
coinciding with the easing of government 
restrictions in our core markets. FY2022 
provided 267 days of trading where the on-
trade was open across Ireland and the UK 
compared with 117 days in FY2021. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 20223

Our people, and the 
culture we foster 
collectively, are at the 
core of our success.

With the increase in on-trade revenues and 
our successful cost reduction programme, 
the Group delivered a pre-exceptional 
operating profit of €47.9 m in FY2022, 
compared with a loss of €63.6 m in FY2021 
on a constant currency basis(i). This, in turn, 
has delivered an adjusted diluted earnings 
per share of 7.5c in FY2022 ((21.1)c in 
FY2021)(ii). 

The provenance and unique position of 
our core brands in the markets they serve 
ensures a strong platform from which 
to develop our wider portfolio and we 
are pleased with the performance and 
progression of our premium portfolio. We 
also continued to broaden our portfolio 
of agency brands, notably securing an 
exclusive sale and distribution agreement 
with Moët Hennessy in Scotland. Key to 
the success in securing this distribution 
agreement was our system strength which 
we have continued to enhance during 
FY2022, through the optimisation of our 
depot network, continued advances in our 
ecommerce platform and optimisation of 
our back-office. In addition, we are pleased 
to report both our Wellpark and Clonmel 
manufacturing sites have now removed 
single use plastic from their consumer 
packaging, which will remove 300 tonnes of 
the plastic annually. 

The inherent strength of our business 
model and cash generating characteristics 
were evident in FY2022, with the Group 
returning to cash generation. Through 
prudent balance sheet management and 
our successful Rights Issue in June 2021, 
the Group looks to the future from a position 
of financial strength and is equipped with 
sufficient liquidity to execute our long-term 
strategy and navigate any future unexpected 
trading disruption.

People and Culture

We are a business with a manufacturing 
footprint and depot network close to the 
customers and consumers we serve. We 
have world class facilities and a network 
that is unrivalled in terms of reach and scale 
across the UK and Ireland. Integral to our 
success in optimising this advantage is 
identifying opportunities and responding 
quickly to serve the needs of our customers. 
Our people, and the culture we foster 
collectively, are at the core of our success. 
I would like to thank all of my colleagues 
throughout the business for their dedication 
and resourcefulness in navigating the 
challenging market backdrop through 
FY2022. 

The health and safety of our colleagues is 
our key priority, one which we will continue 
to invest in to ensure we provide the safest 
and most enjoyable working environment 
we can for all those working in C&C. We 
recognise that as society has reopened and 
returned to pre COVID-19 characteristics, 
changes in how we work have had an 
impact on our colleagues, their wellbeing, 
and the environment, and consequently, 
the support we provide. To address this, 
the Group has a implemented a permanent 
flexible working policy for those employees 
who do not need to be site-based. To 
enhance our working environment, for 
example we created a Wellness Garden 
at our Clonmel site which opened in April 
2022. The area allows colleagues to take 
some time out or have a meeting outdoors, 
providing an environment to relax, refresh 
and connect. The Group has a number of 
measures to ensure we are supporting our 
colleagues which include the provision of 
impartial advice and information on physical 
and mental wellbeing, financial concerns 
and access to specific counselling services.

Mindful of the physical and mental health 
of our colleagues, in FY2022 we trialled 
an employee health screening and lifestyle 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
We recognise the 
important role that 
our industry plays 
in wider society 
but acknowledge 
and understand the 
key role we play in 
social responsibility 
within the local 
communities we 
serve. 

4

Chair’s Statement
(continued)

assessment, with over 170 colleagues taking 
part in Ireland. As result of the positive 
feedback received, we plan to roll out the 
equivalent Health and Wellbeing education 
and support programmes across the Group. 

Over the last two years, open and honest 
discussions on mental health and wellbeing 
have become ever more important to 
ensuring that colleagues feel fully supported 
in the workplace. As part of our external 
Employee Assistance Programmes that are 
in place across C&C Group, we have 56 
fully certified volunteer Mental Health First 
Aiders, available to support any colleague 
at any time until appropriate professional 
support is received or until the crisis is 
resolved.

As part of our commitment to the 
responsible promotion and consumption 
of alcohol and ongoing efforts to support 
colleague health and wellbeing and ensure 
a safe working environment, we have 
partnered with leading alcohol charity, 
Drinkaware, to roll out e-learning resources 
to all colleagues across C&C Group to 
improve alcohol awareness. 

The Board recognises the need to 
regularly assess employee engagement 
to develop our people, culture and internal 
communications. The Group undertakes 
six monthly employee engagement surveys 
which are reviewed by managers and by the 
Board to address any concerns and target 
investment into our people and culture. 
In addition, our Board met directly with 
employees during FY2022 through ‘Our 
Forum’ sessions which provide a platform 
for open and honest dialogue between the 
Board and our colleagues. This continuous 
review ensures C&C provides the best 
environment and support for our colleagues 
to thrive, which will ensure the long-term 
success of the Group. 

Social Responsibility and 
Environmental Commitments 

We recognise the important role that 
our industry plays in wider society but 
acknowledge and understand the key 
role we play in social responsibility within 
the local communities we serve. We take 
our responsibility seriously. In terms of 
strategic oversight, the Board has an ESG 
(Environment, Social and Governance) 
Committee that works alongside our 
ESG team to develop and execute our 
ESG strategy. Our ESG team includes 
representation from colleagues at all levels 
across the business to ensure varied and 
diverse inputs and a balanced strategy. This 
year’s Responsibility Report is set out on 
pages 62 to 81.

At C&C, we are a long-term supporter 
of minimum unit pricing (‘MUP’), and our 
experience since its 2018 introduction 
in Scotland highlights our belief to act 
responsibly in society’s long-term interests. 
We welcomed the introduction of MUP in 
Ireland on January 2022 and support any 
measures that will reduce problem drinking 
and associated pressures on public health 
systems. As part of our commitment to the 
responsible consumption of alcohol we 
produce a range of no and low variants of 
our leading brands which we continue to 
develop and are active members of both the 
Portman Group and Drinkaware.

In progressing our environmental 
commitments, key achievements in the year 
include the installation of the largest rooftop 
solar panel farm in Ireland, which will provide 
10% of electricity used onsite and removal 
of single use plastics in our consumer 
packaging at Clonmel. In addition, with 
COP26 hosted in Glasgow, the home of our 
iconic Tennent’s brand, C&C was actively 
involved in the event showcasing the 
significant sustainability investment in our 
Wellpark manufacturing site.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
5

FY2022 to strengthen our brands, system, 
and sustainability credentials, C&C is 
well positioned to execute our long-term 
strategy. 

As I conclude my term as Chair of C&C, I 
would like to thank all my current and former 
colleagues who have made my experience 
as motivating and rewarding as it has been. 
During my 10 years in the business, the 
last two years have been some of the most 
challenging our industry has ever faced, the 
response of our people and the resilience 
of our business has been inspiring and I 
believe the Group is well positioned for the 
future. 

Stewart Gilliland
Chair

Notes 
(i)  FY2021 comparative adjusted for constant currency 

(FY2021 translated at FY2022 F/X rates). 

(ii)  Adjusted basic/diluted (loss)/earnings per share 

(‘EPS’) excludes exceptional items. During the current 
financial year, the Group completed a Rights Issue 
at a discounted price of £1.86. As the rights price 
was issued at a discount, this was equivalent to a 
bonus issue of shares combined with a full market 
price. As such, IAS 33 Earnings Per Share requires 
an adjustment to the number of shares outstanding 
before the Rights Issue to reflect the bonus element 
inherent in it and also for this to be included in the 
EPS calculation for the prior period presented so 
as to provide a comparable result. Adjusted basic/
diluted earnings/(loss) per share (‘EPS’) excludes 
exceptional items. 

(iii)  Nielson, Volume Share of Long Alcoholic Drinks, 

Off-trade including Dunnes and Discounters, MAT 
February 2022.

(iv)  GB IRI off-trade data 52 week ending 20.03.22.

Capital Allocation

Capital investment during FY2022 has 
been focused on our brands, system 
and sustainability, with investment in our 
branded portfolio through a multi-channel 
advertising campaign; integration of One 
C&C GB; and the removal of single use 
plastic from our canned products at our 
Clonmel manufacturing site. 

We finished FY2022 in a strong position, 
returning to cash generation and our 
leverage back within traditional covenants in 
February 2022, the first time in FY2022. Our 
ambition is for a medium-term target of less 
than two times net debt to adjusted EBITDA. 
With the resumption of the on-trade and our 
subsequent trading performance, we will 
continue to deleverage our balance sheet 
over FY2023, so long as current trading 
conditions continue. Future capital allocation 
will be focused on organic or acquisitive 
growth opportunities to enhance our brands 
and system, while ensuring we meet our 
sustainability commitments. 

The Group is operating within a period 
of covenant waivers and as such our 
ability to return capital to Shareholders is 
restricted until the end of those waivers in 
H2 FY2023. We recognise the importance 
of dividends to our Shareholders and will 
resume returning capital to Shareholders as, 
and when, the financial performance and 
operating environment permit us to do so. 

Governance

FY2022 saw further evolution of the Board, 
with Vineet Bhalla joining as Independent 
Non-Executive Director on 26 April 2021, 
strengthening our range of skills and 
experience. Jim Clerkin, Independent Non-
Executive Director and Andrea Pozzi Chief 
Operating Officer (‘COO’) decided to step 
down from their positions on 27 October 
2021 and 1 September 2021 respectively, 
with their associated Board responsibilities 
being fulfilled by the remaining Executive 
and Non-Executive Directors. I am pleased 

to report that Andrea has taken up the 
role of leading the management team of 
our enlarged GB business following the 
integration of our Tennent’s, Matthew 
Clark and Bibendum businesses. Lastly, 
Ralph Findlay joined as Chair designate 
in March 2022 and will take up the role 
of Chair following our AGM in July 2022. 
Ralph brings extensive industry experience, 
having until recently been Chief Executive 
of Marstons plc, one of the UK’s most well-
known pub groups. 

With the easing of restrictions, we are 
pleased to be meeting face to face again 
as a Board. As part of our on-going 
engagement, the Board conducted a 
number of operating site visits over the 
course of FY2022. We also completed an 
internal Board review during the year which 
reviewed areas such as: Board composition; 
risk management; performance of our 
committees; and engagement. 

We believe we have a Board with the 
requisite skills, experience and diversity to 
support the management of the business 
as it executes its strategy and remain 
committed to maintaining the highest 
standards of governance principles and 
practice, an overview of which is included 
on pages 90 to 99. 

Looking Forward

I am encouraged by the speed and 
strength in which the on-trade has returned 
in FY2022. I believe this underlines the 
important role our industry plays in society 
and the unique position C&C has as 
the leading brand-led drinks distributor 
across the UK and Ireland. We have a 
proven business model, with our return to 
profitability aligned with the opening of the 
on-trade and a return to cash generation. 
We look forward with optimism, however 
remain vigilant on the challenging and 
evolving inflationary environment and will 
continue to manage this backdrop by 
taking steps where possible to minimise 
the impact on our customers, consumers 
and shareholders. With the actions taken in 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements6

Vision, Purpose and Values

We are committed to building a company 
that delivers long-term value, an organisation 
that has an affinity to the markets in which 
it operates, with sustainability and social 
responsibility at its forefront. 

With our Bulmers, Tennent’s and Magners 
brands, C&C has a long and rich history at 
the core of the company, augmented by 
continually evolving our offer to meet the 
demand of our consumers and customers. 

Vision
To be the pre-eminent brand-
led drinks distribution platform, 
serving the UK and Irish drinks 
market, generating stable 
margins, delivering strong free 
cash flow and returns for our 
shareholders.  

Purpose
Play a role in every drinking 
occasion, delivering joy to our 
customers and consumers with 
remarkable brands and service. 

Our Behaviours

We put  
safety first

We are customer 
centric 

We collaborate 
through trust

We keep it simple 
and remain agile

We are fact based, data and 
insight driven

We learn to 
improve

Our  Culture 

Open

Humble

Respectful

Competitive

Our Values 
Respect people 
and the planet

We bring joy to life

Quality is at our core

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
Divisional Structure

7

Ireland
C&C’s Ireland division includes the sale of the Group’s own branded products 
across the Island of Ireland, principally Bulmers, Magners, Tennent’s, Five 
Lamps, Clonmel 1650, Heverlee, Dowd’s Lane, Roundstone Irish Ale, Finches 
and Tipperary Water. The Group also operates the Bulmers Ireland drinks 
distribution business, a leading distributor of third party drinks to the licensed 
on and off-trade in Ireland. The Group distributes San Miguel, Tsingtao and 
Budweiser Brewing Group’s portfolio of beer brands across the Island of Ireland 
on an exclusive basis. Our primary manufacturing plant is located in Clonmel, 
Co. Tipperary, with major distribution and administration centres in Dublin and 
Culcavy, Northern Ireland.

Great Britain (GB)
This segment includes the financial results from sale of the Group’s own branded 
products in Scotland, with Tennent’s, Caledonia Best, Heverlee and Magners the 
main brands. This division includes the sale of the Group’s portfolio of owned 
cider brands across the rest of GB, including Magners, Orchard Pig, K Cider and 
Blackthorn which are distributed in partnership with Budweiser Brewing Group. 
In addition, the division includes the Tennent’s drinks distribution business in 
Scotland. The Group also distributes selected Budweiser Brewing Group brands 
in Scotland and the Tsingtao and Menabrea international beer brands across the 
UK. Our primary manufacturing plant and administration centre is located at the 
Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow.

In addition, this segment includes the financial results from the Matthew Clark 
and Bibendum distribution businesses. Matthew Clark is the largest independent 
distributor to the UK on-trade drinks sector. Matthew Clark and Bibendum also 
have a number of exclusive distribution agreements for third party products 
(mainly wines but also including spirits) into the UK market and a limited range 
of own brand wines. Bibendum is one of the largest wine, spirits and craft beer 
distributors and wholesalers to the UK on-trade and off-trade, with a particular 
focus on wine. Together, Matthew Clark and Bibendum offer a market leading 
range of products, including beers, wines, spirits, cider and soft drinks. 

Our Tennent’s, Matthew Clark and Bibendum distribution businesses operate a 
nationwide distribution network serving the independent free trade and national 
accounts. 

This segment also includes the financial results from the sale and distribution of 
the Group’s own branded products, principally Magners and Tennent’s outside 
of the UK and Ireland. The Group exports to over 40 countries globally, notably 
in continental Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. The Group operates 
mainly through local distributors in these markets and regions. This segment 
also includes the sale of the Group’s cider and beer products in the US and 
Canada. In April 2021, the business divested our wholly-owned US subsidiary, 
Vermont Hard Cider Company and its Woodchuck suite of brands.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements8

Our Engagement with Stakeholders

We aim to maintain open and positive dialogue with all of our 
stakeholders. Our stakeholders are a critical part of our operations 
and are referenced throughout this report. We have set out below 
details of who our key stakeholders are, and how we engage with 
them. For our Section 172 Statement, please see page 93.

Area of Focus

Why we engage 

How we engage

Employees
Our colleagues and contractors who work in our business

•  Health, safety and wellbeing
•  Investment in learning and 

development

•  Promotion of equality, diversity and 

inclusion 

•  Recognition and careers
•  C&C Strategy and values

Our people sit at the heart of our 
business. Without them we wouldn’t 
succeed. We want our people to 
thrive in a fair and inclusive work 
environment, to ensure that C&C 
has the most engaged, inspired and 
committed colleagues.

There are many ways we engage, including 
employee engagement surveys, Employee 
Resource Groups to promote Health and 
Wellbeing, employee forums with Non-Executive 
Directors, whistleblowing reports, online learning 
and training resources, weekly and monthly Teams 
and face to face briefings, regular site visits and 
roadshows.

Communities
The people who live in the local communities around our sites and operations

•  Fair employment and equal 

opportunities

•  Local causes and issues

To build trust by operating 
responsibly and sustainably and 
investing in people and addressing 
issues that are material to our 
communities. 

We support local and national charities and 
community groups to raise awareness and funds 
to help deserving causes. In FY2023, we will 
introduce a Group wide volunteering policy to 
allow colleagues to deliver a meaningful impact to 
the world around us.

Consumers
The people who drink our products

•  Create joyful moments as consumers 
enjoy one of our drinks with family, 
friends and loved ones

•  Staying ahead of changing consumer 
lifestyles and habits which impact 
how people want to drink 

•  Making sure that our beverage offer 

is sustainable and good for the 
planet

•  Safe products and environments

We strive to build lasting bonds 
with consumers built on quality, 
relevance, authenticity and trust.

Using award-winning consumer insights, we 
develop powerful and unique brand positions 
that engage consumers.

On occasions when consumers 
choose alcohol, we want them to 
“drink better, not more”.

We invest in and nurture our brands, to develop 
campaigns, experiences and associations that 
consumers care about.

We utilise the appropriate channels to reach 
our consumers.

Our brands are available and visible in the 
correct venues and in the correct formats.

Responsible advertising and marketing, 
active engagement and education to promote 
moderation and reduce the harmful use of 
alcohol.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 20229

Area of Focus

Why we engage 

How we engage

Suppliers
Our partners who supply products and services

•  Product quality and authenticity
•  Workplace health and safety
•  Ethical and sustainable supply chain 
reducing our environmental impact 
and making positive contributions to 
society.

•  Innovation in creation of new brands

Working collaboratively to ensure 
resilience and availability in 
our supply chain to deliver the 
best possible service and value 
for money for customers and 
consumers.

Identify opportunities for profitable, 
sustainable growth.

Collaborate to improve ethical and 
sustainable approach. 

Suppliers must sign up to our Code of Conduct 
and Anti Modern Slavery policies as well as 
provide detailed information on their Ethical and 
Sustainable approach.

We have also committed that suppliers and 
customers making up 67% of our Scope 3 
emissions, will have science-based targets in 
place by 2026. The Company will continuously 
engage with suppliers and customers to support 
them to set science-based targets for their own 
emissions by 2026.

Conduct formal supplier surveys, reviews and 
audits. 

Investments in third party innovative and new 
brands.

Shareholders and Lenders
Individuals or institutions that own shares in C&C Group plc or provide financing

•  Financial performance
•  Strategic priorities
•  Corporate governance
•  Leadership and succession planning
•  Executive remuneration policy
•  Shareholder returns
•  Environmental and social 

commitments and progress

Our philosophy is to engage in 
regular, open and transparent 
dialogue with our existing and 
prospective shareholders and 
lenders. We value their thoughts 
and opinions which are shared with 
the Board. The Board reviews the 
feedback and takes appropriate 
actions where necessary.

We engage with our existing investors through 
one-to-one and group meetings, webcasts, 
presentations, conference calls and at our 
AGM. The Group Finance and Investor Relations 
Director holds responsibility for the investor 
relations programme, and the Group CEO 
and Group CFO dedicate significant time to 
engaging with our major shareholders. The Chair, 
other Board members and the Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary also engage 
with our shareholders on other matters, such as 
Environmental, Social and Governance topics. 
We engage with lenders primarily through Group 
Finance and the Group CFO.

Customers
Our customers, who are experts in the products they buy and sell, as well as in the 
experience they create and deliver

•  Identification of opportunities that 
offer profitable sustainable growth 
insights into consumer behaviour 
and trends, innovation, promotional 
support and merchandising and 
technical expertise

Our passion is to ensure we nurture 
mutually beneficial relationships 
that deliver joint value and the best 
outcome for all our consumers.

We engage through the use of best practice sales 
analytics and technology to support our retailers, 
ongoing dialogue and account management 
support and physical and virtual sales calls.

Collaborate to improve ethical and 
sustainable performance.

Our award-winning market insight capability, 
identifies product range based on consumer 
demand and market trends.

Governments and Regulators
Regional and national government bodies and agencies which implement and enforce 
applicable laws across our industry

•  Positive drinking programmes and 

impacts

•  Wider sustainability agenda including 
human rights, environmental impacts

•  Legal and regulatory compliance

To communicate our views to 
those who have responsibility 
for implementing policy, laws 
and regulations relevant to our 
businesses.

Ongoing dialogue, collaboration on responsible 
drinking initiatives and promotion of moderation, 
strengthening industry standards and participation 
in governments’ business and industry advisory 
groups.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements10

Group Chief Executive Officer’s Review

“Building back stronger 
and positioning C&C 
as the leading, brand-
led, drinks distribution 
platform in the UK and 
Ireland.”

David Forde 
Chief Executive Officer

Following a period of unprecedented challenges for the hospitality 
sector, we are delighted to be back serving our customers and 
delivering our iconic and much-loved brands to our on-trade and 
off-trade partners. Encouraged by the response and resilience of 
the industry, we are pleased with how trading has recovered and the 
subsequent strength of customer and consumer demand, which we 
believe reflects the enduring importance of the on-trade and the role 
it plays in our society. 

The strength of our business model is evident, with C&C returning to 
profit in June 2021 following the easing of government restrictions in 
our core markets. Furthermore, we have finished FY2022 in a strong 
position, with a reduced level of net debt and more than sufficient 
liquidity to manage any near-term uncertainty and deliver our growth 
objectives. 

The Group has navigated a challenging 
trading environment throughout FY2022, 
principally the widely publicised UK supply 
chain constraints, and more recently, 
inflationary cost pressures. We have 
effectively managed these challenges over 
the last twelve months whilst ensuring 
consistent supply and market leading 
service. 

Despite these challenges, we have 
continued to execute our strategy by: 
strengthening our brands and system, 
enhancing our portfolio; extending our 
customer offering; investing in technology; 
driving efficiencies in our network and 
support office functions; and, ensuring 
we continue to meet our sustainability 
commitments. 

Strategic development

C&C’s strategy is based on three distinct 
pillars: brand strength; system strength; and 
sustainability, the successful execution of 
which will ensure our company is positioned 
as the leading brand-led drinks distribution 
platform in the UK and Ireland. 

Our brands are key to the success of our 
business and as such we have increased 
investment in our branded portfolio, with 
direct brand marketing increasing to 7.1% 
of branded net revenue from pre COVID-19 
levels of 5.8% in FY2020. Our brands were 
back on TV for the first time in a number of 
years, supported by promotional activity 
and social media campaigns. This helped 
improve our brand health scores(viii),(ix) in the 
year. In January 2022, minimum unit pricing 
(“MUP”) was introduced in the Republic 
of Ireland. With our recent experience of 
MUP in Scotland, we were able to prepare 
in advance, optimising our Irish branded 
portfolio through ABV and pack format 
changes. Early indications show that 
Bulmers has gained market share, since the 
introduction of MUP(x). 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202211

In July 2021, we announced our intention 
to create one C&C in Great Britain, aligning 
our TCB, Matthew Clark and Bibendum 
businesses under one management team. 
The initiative will unite and streamline our 
GB businesses under one go-to-market 
strategy; simplify and improve the customer 
experience; create a more efficient GB 
network with market leading scale, reach 
and cost to serve; and an optimised support 
office function. In addition, we have made 
great progress in aligning our core ERP 
system across the Group which will further 
simplify our operations. Continuing our 
investment in technology, we launched 
Bibendum’s ecommerce platform in January 
2022, ensuring that we now have an online 
customer offering across the Group. 

Financial Performance 

C&C’s reported net revenue for FY2022 of 
€1,438.1m which represents an increase 
of 87.8% versus last year on a constant 
currency basis(i). With government 
restrictions in the hospitality sector easing 
from April 2021, recovery in the on-trade 
drove the majority of the uplift, with on-
trade net revenues in FY2022 of €1,017.1m, 
+207.8% versus last year on a constant 
currency basis(i). 

Our operating profit before exceptional 
items in the year was €47.9m and our overall 
earnings before exceptionals, interest, tax, 
depreciation and amortisation was €79.7m(ii). 
This excluded an exceptional operating profit 
in the year of €10.6m of which was primarily 
as a result of the releasing COVID-19 
provisions no longer deemed necessary. 
The FY2022 performance represents a 
return to profitability for the Group, with the 
business delivering a basic EPS of 9.9c(iv) 
and adjusted diluted EPS of 7.5c(iv). 

The Group successfully completed a 
Rights Issue in June 2021, raising gross 
proceeds of €176.3m. This coupled with 
disciplined balance sheet management 
and a return to cash generation has led 
to net debt(vii) and liquidity(vi) of €271.3m 

and €438.7m respectively as at year end, 
compared with €441.9m and €314.6m 
respectively at FY2021. The Group reduced 
leverage to 3.4x net debt / adjusted EBITDA 
as at February 2022, and is back within 
traditional pre COVID-19 covenants. The 
Group is on track to meet the next covenant 
requirements, the waiver of which was 
negotiated in response to COVID-19, and 
which ends on 31 August 2022. 

Finance costs, including exceptional items in 
the year, amounted to €22.6m, a decrease 
of 17.5% versus FY2021, with the proceeds 
from the Rights Issue being used to reduce 
gross debt and interest costs. 

Our receivables purchase programme has 
contributed €84.1m to closing cash, an 
inflow of €37.8m on a constant currency 
basis(i), driven by the return of the on-trade 
back to normalised trading conditions. Total 
working capital during FY2022 was limited 
to an outflow of €19.2m; with investment into 
stock, this was supported by €28.8m of tax 
deferrals, following repayment of €64.3m 
during FY2022. 

Post year end, the Group announced the 
sale of its joint venture investment in Admiral 
Taverns to Proprium Capital Partners for a 
total consideration of £55m. As part of the 
divestment, C&C has negotiated a long-
term branded supply agreement into the 
Admiral estate. The divestment of Admiral 
is an indication of C&C’s future focus on its 
brand-led distribution model. 

Capital Allocation

The Group’s capital allocation strategy 
remains anchored in the sustainable 
stewardship and growth of our business. 
The core components in executing our 
strategy include investment in our existing 
business; acquisitive growth opportunities 
that develop our brand or system strength; a 
target leverage of at or below 2.0x net debt 
/ adjusted EBITDA; and a commitment to 
return surplus cash to shareholders. 

Capital investment in the existing business 
stood at €17.1m for the year and was 
focused on sustainability initiatives and 
technology. Notably, at our Clonmel facility 
we invested €4.8m to remove single use 
plastic from our canned products, which will 
eliminate 150 tonnes of plastic per annum 
from our products. 

We continued our support of the 
Independent Free Trade (‘IFT’) in both 
Scotland and Northern Ireland by lending 
to outlets seeking growth capital for their 
business plans. These loans stood at 
€43.0m in FY2022, up from €42.1m in 
FY2021. Loans are primarily secured by 
freehold assets and are conditional upon 
the outlet purchasing our products over the 
tenure of the agreement. 

C&C is committed to a clear and disciplined 
approach to capital allocation. We 
understand the importance of dividends 
to our shareholders, therefore once Group 
cash flow permits, and we have exited our 
covenant waiver period, we will return to 
paying a dividend in due course.

Brand Strength 

With the easing of government restrictions in 
the on-trade, this channel in FY2022, began 
to recover back to pre-COVID levels, with 
71% of FY2022 net revenue generated in 
the on-trade compared with approximately 
80% pre COVID-19. Distribution of our core 
brands into direct-delivered on-trade outlets 
has returned to approximately 90.0% of 
FY2020. 

We have seen a strong performance by 
Tennent’s and Bulmers in FY2022, with 
both brands driving improved brand health 
scores(xiv),(xv). Off-trade share has continued 
to perform strongly, with market share 
growth compared with pre COVID-19(x),(xi) 
levels. Similarly, in the on-trade, Tennent’s 
and Bulmers volume share has increased 
compared to two years ago(ix),(x) with these 
brands delivering to 88% and 92% of the 
outlets compared to FY2020. The Magners 
performance has been more challenging, 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
During FY2022 
we successfully 
implemented our 
efficiency and cost 
saving programme, 
delivering €18m of 
annualised savings 
compared to our pre 
COVID-19 cost base.

12

Group Chief Executive Officer’s Review
(continued)

with losses in value and volume share in 
both the on and off trade(x),(xi). Cider’s share 
of overall alcohol declined in FY2022, which 
impacted on performance(xx). Magners 
Original however, remains the number 
one packaged apple cider by volume and 
value sales in GB(xv). We are excited by our 
investment plans for the brand and our wider 
cider portfolio. Encouragingly, Matthew Clark 
and Bibendum have grown outlet penetration 
of our branded cider portfolio in outlets 
purchasing cider to nearly 50%, a growth of 
c.3% on FY2020. 

Our premium beer portfolio, driven primarily 
by Heverlee, Menabrea, Drygate, Innis & 
Gunn and Jubel, grew its penetration of our 
Scotland IFT outlet base in FY2022 to 40%, 
compared with 35% in FY2020. Despite the 
periods of on-trade closures, coupled with 
hospitality restrictions, GB premium beer 
volumes reached 95% of FY2020 levels, 
with both Menabrea and Innis & Gunn 
outperforming FY2020 volumes. In Matthew 
Clark and Bibendum, we have grown the 
outlet penetration of our premium beer 
brands compared to total beer distribution 
outlets by c.+30% versus FY2020. 

System Strength 

During FY2022 we successfully implemented 
our efficiency and cost saving programme, 
delivering €18m of annualised savings 
compared to our pre COVID-19 cost base. 
The majority of savings were driven by the 
consolidation of the distribution network 
across GB, improving customer service 
whilst providing a broader offer. While 
completing our network consolidation, the 
business has navigated the UK supply chain 
constraints and broadly met the needs of 
customers through peak trading periods. Our 
nationwide network is owned and managed 
in-house which afforded the Group some 
protection from supply constraints being 
experienced by other businesses, further 
reflecting the strength of our underlying 
business model. In addition, we have 
rationalised our third-party brand stocking 

range and implemented minimum order 
values across the Group to further drive 
efficiencies. 

The Group has continued to grow 
ecommerce revenues in FY2022 and now 
provides an online ordering platform for 
customers across the Group. I am pleased 
to report that we continue to see enhanced 
order sizes through our ecommerce 
platform compared with traditional contact 
centre orders. In addition to an enhanced 
customer offering, our ecommerce platform 
delivers support office efficiencies. To 
further promote the use of online ordering, 
we moved all promotional activity to online 
and partly as a result, 60.2% of Matthew 
Clark IFT customers now order online. 

The Group navigated the CO2 shortages 
which affected the industry during FY2022. 
Following previous investment at our 
Wellpark and Clonmel manufacturing 
facilities with CO2 recovery systems, the 
Group was able to ensure continuity of 
service and meet customer and consumer 
demand for our brands. 

Our Team

Central to the success of our business is a 
team of dedicated colleagues, passionate 
about our brands and delivering outstanding 
service to our customers. The closure 
of the hospitality sector meant many of 
our colleagues faced periods of furlough 
throughout the pandemic. Despite this, 
our colleagues demonstrated tremendous 
flexibility and commitment as the industry 
re-opened post lockdown. Our team was 
further challenged by the well documented 
labour shortages in the supply chain 
and again responded with remarkable 
adaptability and resourcefulness to deliver 
great service to our customers. 

In positioning and strengthening C&C for 
the future, we simplified and centralised a 
number of business functions throughout 
the Group, which regrettably meant that 
some colleagues left our business as their 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
13

roles became redundant. I would like to 
sincerely thank all our colleagues, past 
and present, for their commitment to our 
business, and their resilience throughout 
what has been two of the toughest years 
our industry, and our business, has 
experienced. 

Sustainability 

C&C has continued to invest significantly 
in sustainability, with over half of capital 
investment in FY2022 linked to sustainability 
projects. Notable FY2022 achievements 
on our sustainability initiatives include: 
the removal of single-use plastics in our 
canned products manufactured in Clonmel; 
the installation of Ireland’s largest rooftop 
solar farm at Clonmel powering 10% of our 
site electricity needs; and Wellpark being 
voted the Sustainable Brewery of the Year 
at the Scottish Beer Awards. As C&C is 
a distributor as well as manufacturer, we 
purchase significant volumes of product 
for resale. We therefore expect the highest 
sustainability standards from our suppliers 
and ensure this through ethical procurement 
practices and a rigorous supplier selection 
process. 

We acknowledge the positive role our 
industry plays in society and our position 
within it as a producer and distributor of 
alcoholic beverages. We are passionate 
about ensuring the safe and responsible 
consumption of alcohol. In that context, 
we use our marketing assets to promote 
responsible consumption and are active 
members of both the Portman Group and 
Drinkaware. 

The Group recognises the essential role 
of sustainability in the decision making for 
all our stakeholders. The commitment and 
delivery of our sustainability objectives are 
central to our long-term strategy and role 
we play in wider society. Sustainability is 
therefore at the core of our decision making 
throughout the Group, with sustainability 
metrics also now forming part of our 

executive renumeration, to ensure alignment 
between executive incentives, responsible 
business and stakeholder expectations.

Our sustainability commitments and 
achievements are disclosed in more detail 
on pages 62-81.

Summary and Outlook

I am encouraged by our performance in 
FY2022 as the Group returned to profitability 
and cash generation, demonstrating the 
inherent strength of our business model, the 
resilience of our brands and the ability of our 
team. As the on-trade has returned, I am 
proud of how the Group has responded to 
increasing levels of demand from customers 
and consumers. We have successfully 
navigated a challenging backdrop 
throughout FY2022, while continuing to 
deliver market-leading service. This has 
only been made possible by the dedication, 
commitment and agility of my colleagues at 
every level throughout the business. 

Looking forward, we are operating in a 
challenging inflationary cost environment 
and will continue to monitor this closely over 
FY2023 and beyond. We have already taken 
actions to afford the business a degree 
of protection, through our successfully 

executed cost reduction plan, our recent 
price increases and input cost hedging. 
Despite the current positive sentiment in 
the hospitality sector post reopening, we 
are mindful of the pressures being faced by 
consumers and its potential impact on future 
demand. 

FY2022 finished with a robust return of 
the on-trade, and we are excited for the 
opportunities ahead. We have and will 
continue to enhance our branded portfolio 
through increased investment and product 
development, utilising our system to win 
in cider and strengthen our position in 
premium beer. Through technology, we will 
create a more streamlined business which 
will in turn deliver an improved customer 
experience and service. I am confident 
that the Group will continue to play a key 
role in the UK and Irish drinks market and 
is well positioned to drive sustainable 
growth and create long-term returns for our 
shareholders. 

David Forde 
Chief Executive Officer

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements14

Group Chief Executive Officer’s Review
Operating Review

Our brand-led distribution model and its inherent 
strengths of scale and reach is supported 
by investment in our sales and distribution 
infrastructure, underpinned by our local and core 
brands. The Group operates with two distinct 
divisions which are focused on the local markets 
they serve, with their proposition tailored to meet 
the needs of our customers and consumers. This 
structure harnesses the economies of scale in our 
support office, namely: procurement, finance and IT 
while remaining agile to adapt and react to market 
conditions and customer requirements. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022Great Britain

€m Great Britain 
Constant currency(i)

Net revenue

of which Branded

- Price / mix impact

- Volume impact

of which Distribution

- Price / mix impact

- Volume impact

 of which Co-pack / Other 

Operating profit/(loss)(iii) 

Operating margin

of which Branded

of which Distribution 

Volume – (kHL)

- of which Tennent’s

- of which Magners

FY2022 

1,213.8

170.1

 FY2021

598.4

139.0

Change %

102.8%

22.4%

10.0%

12.4%

1,005.5

414.2

142.8%

38.2

31.2

2.6%

21.7

9.5

4,305

897

606

45.2

(56.9)

NM

(10.4)

(46.5)

3,167

712

557

83.7%

59.1%

(15.5%)

NM

NM

NM

35.9%

26.0%

8.8%

Our Great Britain division’s net revenue increased 102.8%(i) to €1,213.8m in the year, driven 
by the reopening of the on-trade from May 2021, with strong growth in our branded volumes. 
As a result, the division generated an operating profit(iii) of €31.2m against a loss of €56.9m(i) 
in FY2021. The period has been characterised by an evolving backdrop of challenges 
including: supply chain constraints; inflationary pressures and periods of further COVID-19 
disruption. We have embarked on a period of significant change with the announcement of 
One C&C GB, streamlining our GB, MCB and International business under one management 
team with the goal of optimising our support office function, improving customer service and 
executing the Group’s strategy. 

Our Great Britain 
division’s net revenue 
increased 102.8%(i) 
to €1,213.8m in the 
year, driven by the 
reopening of the on-
trade from May 2021, 
with strong growth in 
our branded volumes.

15

Operational Highlights

Our customer service levels were impacted 
during FY2022 by widely publicised capacity 
constraints, driven by the ongoing issue of 
driver and warehouse operative shortages. 
As a result, a number of initiatives were 
implemented including: delivery day 
changes; increasing minimum order value 
to improve efficiency; and the simplification 
of our offering, for example we actively 
reduced the volume of less profitable water 
products we delivered. This, coupled with 
our inhouse logistics operation, with its 
significant size and scale, has ensured 
that we have broadly been able to meet 
customer demand throughout the period. 
We are pleased to report that Matthew 
Clark’s On Time In Full (“OTIF”), one of our 
key delivery metrics, has recovered from 
a low of c.73% in FY2022 to c.88% at 
February 2022, our target under normalised 
conditions is 96%. 

As service stabilised in H2 FY2022, we 
are pleased to report that CSI (Customer 
Service Index) and NPS (Net Promotor 
Score) scores across our TCB, Matthew 
Clark and Bibendum business have been 
improving month by month through H2 
FY2022. 

Our manufacturing site at Wellpark in 
Glasgow, has continued to build its 
sustainability credentials, being voted as 
Sustainable Brewery of the Year at the 
Scottish Beer Awards. During COP26 in 
Glasgow, the site hosted dignitaries and 
events, showcasing the investments made in 
removing CO2 (4,000 tonnes in FY2022) and 
eliminating 150 tonnes of single use plastic 
in the year. With the inflationary pressures, 
especially around aluminium and energy, 
we have introduced a lighter weight pint 
can for FY2023 and continue to focus on 
efficiencies at the site to drive down energy 
usage of which 100% is now generated from 
renewable sources. This will ensure that 
we have a competitive manufacturing cost 
base, whilst delivering on our sustainability 
commitments. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
16

Group Chief Executive Officer’s Review
Operating Review (continued)

Following the reopening of the on-trade in 
January 2022, we are pleased to be trading 
with 79% of outlets in February 2022, 
compared with February 2020.

Brands 

Tennent’s performance was aided by 
Scotland qualifying, for the first time in 23 
years, for a major football championship. 
Our multi-channel advertising campaign and 
associated on and off-trade promotional 
activity helped in part to drive brand health 
improvement, with Tennent’s Lager’s brand 
index score increasing 230 bps from 14.6% 
to 16.9%(viii). Tennent’s off-trade volume 
share of 24.0% has fallen compared with 
FY2021 (24.6%), a reflection of Tennent’s 
benefitting in the previous year from supply 
chain disruption that competitor brands 
experienced as well as growth of the 
premium category(xi). Encouragingly though, 
FY2022 volume share is higher than FY2020 
(22.9%)(xi). In the year, our Tennent’s lager IFT 
on-trade volumes have recovered back to 
74% of FY2020 levels with direct delivered 
outlets recovering to 88% of FY2020. 

For Magners, both volume and value share 
of GB off-trade apple cider declined, with 
a similar trend in the on-trade compared to 
last year(xi),(xii). Despite this, Magners Original 
remains the number 1 packaged apple 
cider by volume and value sales(xv) and the 
number 1 recommended apple cider brand 
amongst GB cider drinkers(xiv). Matthew 
Clark and Bibendum have continued to grow 
the outlet penetration of our cider brands 
in outlets purchasing cider to nearly 50%, a 
growth of c.3% compared to FY2020. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202217

Premium beer, driven primarily by 
Heverlee, Menabrea, Drygate, Innis & 
Gunn and Jubel, grew its penetration of 
our Scotland IFT outlet base in FY2022 to 
40% compared with 35% in FY2020. The 
rate of sale has also improved in FY2022 
compared with FY2020, reflecting the 
move to premiumisation by consumers 
and improved targeting into the right outlet 
demographic. Despite the periods of on-
trade closures, coupled with hospitality 
restrictions, Scotland IFT premium beer 
volumes reached 95% of FY2020 levels 
with both Menabrea and Innis & Gunn 
outperforming FY2020 volumes. In Matthew 
Clark and Bibendum, we have grown the 

outlet penetration of our premium beer 
brands, compared to total beer distribution 
outlets, by c.+30% versus FY2020. Our 
premium Belgian beer brand, Heverlee 
has reported strong brand health scores 
in the latest You Gov survey(xvi) and grown 
in GB off-trade, with volumes +19% and 
value sales +20%, driven by incremental 
distribution and new pack formats. Innis and 
Gunn, exclusive partner for the IFT in GB, 
has made considerable distribution gains in 
both Scotland, England, and Wales during 
FY2022. 

Premium beer, 
driven primarily by 
Heverlee, Menabrea, 
Drygate, Innis & Gunn 
and Jubel, grew its 
penetration of our 
Scotland IFT outlet 
base in FY2022 to 
40% compared with 
35% in FY2020.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
18

Group Chief Executive Officer’s Review
Operating Review (continued)

Together, during this 
period, TCB, Matthew 
Clark and Bibendum 
consistently delivered 
one in five equivalent 
drinks consumed in 
the GB on-trade. 

Distribution

FY2022 volumes were materially impacted 
by restrictions in the year, further 
compounded by supplier product shortages 
impacting availability. In addition, our MCB 
business experienced an isolated cyber 
security incident on 19 April 2021 which 
we pro-actively managed, restoring all 
systems by the end of May 2021. During this 
period operational efficiency was negatively 
impacted, however the business remained 
open and continued to trade. With the 
reopening of the on-trade we are pleased to 
report volume growth of 59.1% on FY2021 
with net revenue growth of 142.8%(i). During 
FY2022, we successfully retained a number 
of large distribution customers, however, we 
made the decision to stop delivering less 
profitable products or to some lower margin 

customers. We have been encouraged by 
the trend in spend per customer in Matthew 
Clark and Bibendum, where in the final nine 
months of FY2022, spend per customer was 
approximately +5% on FY2020. Together, 
during this period, TCB, Matthew Clark and 
Bibendum consistently delivered one in 
five equivalent drinks consumed in the GB 
on-trade. 

Our position as the leading drinks distributor 
in GB has been reinforced by an exclusive 
sales and distribution agreement with Moët 
Hennessy in Scotland. The partnership 
will combine C&C’s market leading 
distribution in Scotland, with the strength 
of Moët Hennessy’s exceptional portfolio 
of luxury wines, spirits, and champagnes. 
Key to securing the partnership was the 
level of insight we had on the market, 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
19

provided by PROOF, our inhouse data and 
insight business. PROOF Insight now has 
approximately one hundred international 
and domestic drinks brand owners and 
operators whom they work with either 
directly or who subscribe to PROOF assets.

Ecommerce

We launched an ecommerce platform for 
Bibendum, resulting in all of our operating 
businesses in GB providing customers with 
this offering. We have continued to enhance 
our existing MC and TCB ecommerce 
platforms, improving our customer 
experience through automated access, live 
chat and investment in platform security. 
Matthew Clark and TCB ecommerce 
revenue represent 57.6% and 54.8% of total 
IFT revenue respectively in February 2022, 
an increase from 39.5% and 37% in FY2020.

With the continued trend to online, we are 
retraining staff from the contact centre to 
support our ecommerce operations. We 
are pleased to report that we continue 
to see enhanced order sizes through 
our ecommerce platform compared with 
traditional contact centre orders. In H1 

FY2022, we moved all promotional activity 
online, further promoting the use of online 
ordering amongst customers. Partly as a 
consequence, we are pleased to report that 
60.2% of Matthew Clark’s IFT customers 
now order online. We believe we have a 
market leading platform which provides 
a frictionless and superior customer 
experience and it is our near-term target to 
drive 80% IFT revenue through ecommerce. 

We launched an 
ecommerce platform 
for Bibendum, 
resulting in all of our 
operating businesses 
in GB providing 
customers this 
offering. 

International

The international business performed well 
in FY2022, driven by a strong recovery in 
late Summer 2021, aided by tourist regions 
re-opening. Our volumes were 91% of 
FY2021 as they have been impacted by the 
sale our Vermont business in Q1 FY2022. 
Magners represented approximately 75% 
of total exports volume in FY2022. A price 
increase was successfully implemented in 
order to manage inflationary cost pressures. 
In one of our core markets, Australia, we 
signed a new distribution agreement with 
Good Drinks Australia Ltd. Lastly, our North 
American business has performed well, 
with Magners and Tennent’s volumes 11.1% 
higher than FY2020. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
20

Group Chief Executive Officer’s Review
Operating Review (continued)

Ireland

€m Ireland 
Constant currency(i)

Net revenue

of which Branded

- Price / mix impact

- Volume impact

of which Distribution

- Price / mix impact

- Volume impact

 of which Co-pack / other 

Operating profit/(loss)(iii) 

Operating margin

of which Branded

of which Distribution 

Volume – (kHL)

- of which Bulmers

 FY2021

Change %

FY2022

224.3

78.3

167.4

48.9

34.0%

60.1%

48.3%

11.8%

21.6%

13.3%

8.3%

77.1%

NM

NM

NM

10.1%

10.0%

139.8

115.0

6.2

16.7

7.4%

13.6

3.1

1,384

330

3.5

(6.7)

NM

(4.1)

(2.6)

1,257

300

Our Ireland division’s net revenue increased by 34.0% to €224.3m in the year driven by the 
re-opening of the on-trade. As a result, Ireland generated an operating profit(iii) of €16.7m 
from a loss of €6.7m(i) in FY2021. With the re-opening of the on-trade, off-trade net revenues 
dropped by 0.5%(i) compared with FY2021. Our key focus in FY2022 has been stock 
availability and servicing the on-trade as it returned while planning and preparing for the 
implementation of minimum unit pricing (‘MUP’) in January 2022. 

Our Ireland division’s 
net revenue 
increased by 34.0% 
to €224.3m in the 
year driven by the re-
opening of the  
on-trade. 

Operations Highlights 

We are pleased to report that our Republic 
of Ireland business traded directly with 
95% of outlets during February 2022 
compared with February 2020. With the 
easing of restrictions in January 2022, 
over January and February 2022, on-trade 
volumes were at 84% of the equivalent 
period in FY2020. Customer service and 
meeting demand as the on-trade reopened 
has been a key focus. We have delivered 
a strong performance in FY2022 with 
customer OTIF in February 2022 of 97.8% 
compared with 98.0% in February 2020. 
Pre COVID-19, cider held a 12.5%(xvii) 
share of the Long Alcoholic Drinks (‘LAD’) 
category, across the combined on and off-
trade. Over the last 2 years, we have seen 
this share grow further and as of February 
2022, it represented 12.6%(xviii). 

MUP was introduced in the Republic of 
Ireland in January 2022 which put in place 
a minimum sales price for a unit of alcohol. 
MUP was introduced in Scotland in 2018, 
and C&C has been able to use the data 
and learnings from the Tennent’s brand 
and apply them to Bulmers and the rest of 
our Irish portfolio. The Group optimised the 
off-trade portfolio in preparation for MUP 
by introducing new pack sizes, vessels 
sizes and ABVs. 

Our Clonmel manufacturing site has 
invested €4.8m to eliminate single 
use plastic for all canned products 
from January 2022, which will remove 
approximately 150 tonnes of plastics 
from our products. Furthermore, the site 
has invested in the largest rooftop solar 
panel farm in Ireland which now generates 
10% of the site’s electricity requirements. 
Further enforcing our sustainability 
credentials, we are now the only significant 
drinks manufacturer to use returnable pint 
bottles. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
21

The latest brand 
health scores have 
seen Bulmers 
Original Brand Index 
improve +2.8%

Brands 

Bulmers launched the ‘When Time Bears 
Fruit’ advertising campaign in FY2022. 
This campaign was rooted in sustainability, 
targeting the important role that bees play 
in our environment and importantly in the 
pollination of our orchards. The campaign 
included TV advertising which saw Bulmers 
on the TV for the first time in three years. 
The latest brand health scores have seen 
Bulmers Original Brand Index improve 
+2.8%(ix), with our TV campaign helping 
to increase awareness. Encouragingly, 
Bulmers Light increased its brand health 
index +4.2%(ix), compared with last year, 
whereas competitor brand scores have 
moved backwards. 

Bulmers is building momentum in the 
near-term, taking volume share in the off-
trade in the latest 26 and 13 week market 
data, an indication of share gains since the 
introduction of MUP(x). Encouragingly, the 
latest 52-week data reflects off-trade volume 
and value share growth compared with 
pre COVID-19, FY2020 levels(x). In addition, 
this is mirrored in the on-trade where in the 
latest 52-week data, reflects volume and 
value share gains compared with FY2020(xiii). 
Between the on and off-trades, Bulmers 
remains the largest and most popular cider 
brand in Ireland. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
22

Group Chief Executive Officer’s Review
Operating Review (continued)

Notes 
(i) 

(ii) 

FY2021 comparative adjusted for constant currency 
(FY2021 translated at FY2022 F/X rates). 
Adjusted EBITDA is earnings/(loss) before 
exceptional items, finance income, finance 
expense, tax, depreciation, amortisation and share 
of equity accounted investments’ profit/(loss) after 
tax. A reconciliation of the Group’s operating profit/
(loss) to adjusted EBITDA is set out on page 58.

(iii)  Before exceptional items.
(iv)  During the current financial year, the Group 

completed a Rights Issue at a discounted price of 
£1.86. As the rights price was issued at a discount, 
this was equivalent to a bonus issue of shares 
combined with a full market price. As such, IAS 33 
Earnings Per Share requires an adjustment to the 
number of shares outstanding before the Rights 
Issue to reflect the bonus element inherent in it and 
also for this to be included in the EPS calculation 
for the prior period presented so as to provide a 
comparable result. Adjusted basic/diluted earnings/
(loss) per share (‘EPS’) excludes exceptional items. 
Free Cash Flow (‘FCF’) that comprises cash 
flow from operating activities net of tangible 
and intangible cash outflows which form part of 
investing activities. FCF highlights the underlying 
cash generating performance of the ongoing 
business. FCF benefits from the Group’s purchase 
receivables programme which contributed €84.1m 
(FY2021: €45.0m reported/€46.3m on a constant 
currency basis) inflow in the year. 

(v) 

(vi)  Liquidity is defined as cash plus undrawn amounts 

under the Group’s revolving credit facility. 

(vii)  Net debt comprises borrowings (net of issue costs) 

less cash. Net debt, including the impact of IFRS 
16, comprises borrowings (net of issue costs), lease 
liabilities capitalised less cash. 

(viii)  Tennent’s: Source: YouGov Brand Index, 1 October 

2019 - 28 Feb 2022, Scottish Likely Beer Drinkers.

(ix)  Bulmers You Gov 52 week period to 28.02.22.
(x)  Nielson, Volume Share of Long Alcoholic Drinks, 

Off-trade including Dunnes and Discounters, MAT 
February 2022.

(xi)  GB IRI off-trade data 52 week ending 20.03.22.
(xii)  CGA OPMS Data to P02 2022 (26/02/2022).
(xiii)  Bulmers: CGA Ireland 52 weeks ending 28.02.22. 
(xiv)  YouGov Profiles+ Great Britain 02.01.2022, 

C&C Group, 01/03/19 - 29/02/20 vs 01/04/21 - 
31/12/2021.

(xv)  YouGov Profiles+ Great Britain 02.01.2022.
(xvi)  Heverlee: Scotland YouGov Report, Data as of 

01.03.22.

(xvii)  Combined; NielsenIQ Cider MAT Vol HL share of 

LAD, February 2020 & CGA Cider MAT Vol HL 
share of LAD, February 2020. 

(xviii) Combined; NielsenIQ Cider MAT Vol HL share of 

LAD, January 2022 & CGA Cider MAT Vol HL share 
of LAD, January 2022.

(xix)  Corona YouGov 52 week period to 28.02.22.
(xx) 

IRI data 52 week ending 20.03.22.

Distribution and Wine 

Distribution volumes have increased 8.3% 
in the year with the reopening of the on-
trade. Our Wine business volumes were 
107% of FY2020, driven by a strong off-
trade performance and resilient on-trade 
performance following the reopening of the 
trade in June 2021 in ROI.

the portfolio and tailoring to changes in 
consumer preferences. In addition, Corona 
has seen 52-week volume and value market 
growth in the off-trade lager(x) with its brand 
health scores also impressing, up +16.6% 
compared with last year(xix). We continued 
our beer portfolio development with the 
controlled launch of Corona Draught in 
December 2021.

The Group has a strategic partnership 
with Budweiser Brewing Group, notably 
in the Republic of Ireland where we 
exclusively distribute their complete beer 
portfolio. Budweiser, the biggest brand 
we distribute through this agreement has 
been repositioned in terms of pack sizes 
in preparation for MUP. The latest 13-week 
market data indicates that Budweiser’s 
share of volume and value in off-trade lager 
has moved into growth year on year(x). In 
February 2022, Bud Light was launched in 
the Republic of Ireland further strengthening 

Ecommerce

Following the launch of Bulmers Direct in H2 
FY2021 and its sister platform for Tennent’s 
NI, we are pleased to report that 33% 
on-trade revenue in Ireland was captured 
online in FY2022. In addition, we have seen 
higher online order values compared with 
traditional contact centre orders across 
both platforms. We will continue to enhance 
the customer experience online and drive 
customers to the platform. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202223

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements24

Strategic Report - Group Strategy

Our ambition is to be the pre-eminent integrated brands and drinks 
distribution business serving the UK and Ireland drinks markets 

•  Provide a range of local and core brands, premium, craft and third-party brands that is unrivalled. 
•  Our distribution infrastructure provides market leading national scale, reach and efficiencies. 
•  These brands and asset base are underpinned by our offer: dedicated and passionate people; 

enhanced customer service; market insight and value. 

•  The Group has sustainability at its core – with the target of delivering to a better world. 

Strategic 
Pillars

Medium Term 
strategic goals

Invest and grow 
our portfolio of 
leading local, 
premium and 
craft beer and 
cider brands.

Strengthen 
our position as 
the No.1 drinks 
distribution 
platform in the 
UK and Ireland.

Capital 
allocation to 
enhance growth 
and shareholder 
returns.

•  Continue the optimisation of 
network and wider system
•  Deliver unrivalled portfolio 

strength, value and service 
to the UK and Irish hospitality 
sectors

•  Target leverage of less than 
2.0x net debt / EBITDA 
•  Inorganic opportunities that 
strengthen our brands and 
system 

•  Invest in sustainability & 

•  Commercialising the 

technology

unrivalled data and insight on 
the hospitality sector 

•  Return capital to 
Shareholders

•  Brand and product 

investment to build value of 
key brands over the long-term
•  Leverage key brand strength 
and market position to grow 
our portfolio of premium and 
craft brands

•  Successful brand 

development and launches to 
meet changes in consumer 
demand

•  Build on “partnership for 

equity" brand relationships 
to provide route to market 
access

Measurement

•  Cash generation and 

conversion

•  Revenue growth
•  Enhanced margins 
•  Share growth and brand 

health scores 

•  Margin expansion in our 
distribution business

•  Net Debt/EBITDA
•  EPS growth
•  ROCE

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022Achievements during FY2022

Link to Strategic Pillars

Strategic priorities 

25

Invest and 
grow our 
portfolio of 
leading local, 
premium and 
craft beer and 
cider brands.

Strengthen 
our position as 
the No.1 drinks 
distribution 
business in 
the UK and 
Ireland.

Capital 
allocation 
to enhance 
growth and 
shareholder 
returns.

•  Investment across our core branded portfolio with 

multi-channel advertising campaigns and promotional 
activity. We have seen our brand health scores for 
Tennent’s and Bulmers improve year on year.
•  Tennent’s and Bulmers volume share of the off-
trade lager and cider market, 24.0% and 50.5% 
respectively continues to represent share growth 
compared with the pre-pandemic levels. 

•  Premium beer portfolio has continued to progress 
with IFT penetration in Scotland growing to 40% of 
IFT outlet base from 35% pre-pandemic. In addition, 
growing brand health scores for Heverlee alongside 
volume and net revenue growth in the off-trade.

•  Return to profitability from June 2021 aligned with 

easing of government restrictions in our core markets 
with on-trade net revenue building back to 75% of 
FY2020. 

•  Successfully servicing demand following the speed 
and strength of customer and consumer demand 
as government restrictions eased. Leveraging our 
size and scale, in addition to our inhouse secondary 
logistics operation to deliver market leading service 
despite the widely publicised supply chain constraints 
in the UK. 

•  Launch of an ecommerce platform in our Bibendum 
Wine distribution business in January 2022, ensuring 
that all of the Group’s on-trade customers can now 
order online. 

•  Effective management of inflationary cost pressures 
with cost reduction programme, price increases and 
hedging of input costs. 

•  Strong liquidity position of (€438.7m) and Net 

debt/EBITDA of 3.4x. Our strong underlying cash 
generating characteristics have been reflected in an 
encouraging performance with FCF conversion in 
FY2022 of 35.6%. 

•  Delivery of €18m annualised cost savings against 
pre-COVID cost base, protected against wage 
inflation and other costs in FY2022. 

•  Focus on our core business with the divestment of 
our minority interest in Admiral Taverns for gross 
cash consideration of €65.8m (£55.0m). As part of 
the divestment, C&C have negotiated a long-term 
branded supply agreement into the Admiral estate 
which includes our owned and agency brands. 

•  C&C’s sustainability efforts were acknowledged with 
Tennent’s winning two prestigious awards during 
2021. Sustainable Brewery of the Year at the Scottish 
Beer Awards and a Good Practice Award at the 
VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards.

•  Continued sustainability commitment with investment 
at our Clonmel manufacturing site into the removal of 
single use plastic in its canned products. In addition, 
creation of Ireland’s biggest rooftop solar panel 
farm which will generate 10% of the site’s electricity 
requirements going forward.

Our core strategic 
objective is to deliver 
earnings growth.

Existing Businesses

•  Create an environment that ensures 

the health and safety of our colleagues. 
Further, establish a business culture 
that nurtures engaged, inspired and 
committed colleagues, investing in key 
capabilities for the future

•  Grow and strengthen our portfolio: 
growing cider share and building 
momentum in our premium beer portfolio 
as consumer preferences evolve 

•  Leverage our scale and reach to drive 

operational efficiencies in our distribution 
infrastructure, optimising our capacity and 
ensure a market leading cost to serve
•  Drive better customer service through 

our C&C GB change programme with a 
simplified and integrated approach which 
will enhance customer experience and 
ultimately drive efficiencies into our back 
office 

•  Enhance our offer: commercialising 
the data and insight that is available; 
continuing to develop our ecommerce 
offering; and building stronger 
partnerships with ‘equity for growth’ 
investments or complimentary agencies

Capital Allocation

•  Maintain the strong cash conversion 

characteristics of the business

•  Deleverage the balance sheet, targeting a 
medium-term target of less than 2.0x Net 
Debt/EBITDA 

•  Invest in our brands; review inorganic 

opportunities and return excess capital to 
shareholders

Environmental, Social and 
Governance

•  Execute a credible sustainability strategy 

focussed on people and planet 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements26

Strategic Report - Business Model

The execution of our Group strategy is underpinned by three core 
pillars, together these create a market leading platform which 
ensures C&C’s position as the preeminent brand-led distributor for 
the UK and Ireland drinks market.

Brand Strength
An attractive portfolio of Owned 
and Agency brands leveraging 
C&C’s existing strengths and 
market opportunities.

System Strength
Strategy to position the Group as 
the most efficient, technology & 
sustainability driven drinks distribution 
system in the UK & Ireland.

Sustainability
A structured and ambitious 
programme of continuous 
improvement ensuring C&C 
delivers to a better world!

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202227

Brand Strength

Core Brands

Our three core brands: Bulmers, Magners and Tennent’s are 
intrinsically linked to the communities and manufacturing 
locations where they are produced and where their heritage 
was born. In addition to their local appeal, they are also 
desired internationally with critical acclaim. 

These brands form part of the fabric of the respective drinks 
markets they occupy, with there lasting appeal underpinned 
by continued brand and marketing investment, alongside 
new product development. Together they deliver strong 
margins and are highly cash generative. 

Scotland’s 
favourite beer
Tennent’s is Scotland’s 
favourite beer. Tennent’s has 
been brewed since 1885 at 
our Wellpark manufacturing 
site in Glasgow, where a 
brewery has stood since the 
16th century. 

Ireland’s  
No.1 cider
Bulmers is Ireland’s 
No.1 cider, made at our 
manufacturing site Clonmel, 
Co.Tipperary.

No.3 cider  
in the UK
Magners is the No.3 apple 
cider in the UK and is 
recognised and distributed 
internationally. 

Complemented by premium and craft brands 

The premium market segment continues to grow 
structurally as consumer demands evolve although this 
space is fragmented with the number of brands. C&C 
deploys a portfolio of premium and craft beers which meet 
this demand and coupled with our local and core brands 

provide a comprehensive range to meet customer 
and consumer preferences. Further innovation will 
strengthen these brands and will be complemented by 
exclusive distribution agreements and ‘equity for growth’ 
investments in leading craft brands. 

Belgian beer 
Heverlee is a premium 
Belgian Beer, which is 
endorsed by the Abbey 
of the order of Prémontré, 
in the town of Heverlee in 
Leuven.

Craft beer
A range of craft beer brands 
which includes Innis & Gunn, 
Scotland’s leading craft beer 
brand in which C&C recently 
made an ‘equity for growth’ 
investment in. 

Dublin lager
The Five Lamps Dublin 
Brewery was originally set 
up in early 2012 beside 
Dublin’s iconic Five Lamps. 
Its first beer, Five Lamps 
Dublin Lager, was launched 
in September 2012.

Craft cider
Orchard Pig craft ciders are 
full of Somerset character 
and scrumptious tanins 
found in West Country cider 
apples.

Italian lager
Menabrea is from Northern 
Italy and is matured gently 
in the perfect temperature 
of cave cellars for a taste of 
superior clarity. This pale lager 
is well balanced between 
citrus, bitter tones and floral, 
fruity undertones giving a 
consistent and refined flavour.

Other Owned 
& Agency
Local, niche and speciality 
brands as well as world 
premium brands such 
as Stella Artois, Becks, 
Budweiser and Corona.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements28

Strategic Report - Business Model

System Strength

Route-to-market

C&C’s route-to-market platform occupies a fundamental role in the infrastructure of the UK 
and Ireland hospitality sectors. The Group provides a route to market for international and 
local brands alike. 

Customer
benefit 

C&C provide access to 
an unrivalled range of 
products, offering expert 
knowledge and insight.

Nationwide network with 
market leading reach and 
scale.

Resilience of C&C’s 
inhouse operated 
network.

C&C’s financial strength 
provides security of 
supply and access to 
credit.

C&C

A drinks portfolio which is 
market leading.

Ensures the Group 
participates in evolving 
consumer trends across 
multiple drinks categories.

C&C’s distribution 
platform enhances 
market access and 
visibility for its brands.

Supplier brands which 
compliment our own 
branded portfolio.

Supplier
benefit 

C&C provide access to 
an unrivalled range of 
customers across all 
areas of on and off-trade. 

C&C has an intimate 
understanding of the 
markets they serve.

C&C’s access to 
data ensures it has 
unparalleled insight into 
the hospitality sector.

C&C’s financial strength 
and creditworthiness.

Owned, stocked

Owned, not stocked

Third party

Owned, third party 
operated

Inverness

Kintore

Glasgow and Wellpark

Edinburgh

Cambuslang

Dumfries

Donegal

Culcavy

Kells

Galway

Borrisoleigh

Dublin

Kilkenny

Clonmel

Cork

Boldon

Wetherby

Runcorn

Grantham

Birmingham

Bedford

Park
Royal

Bristol

Fosse  

Crayford

Southampton

Launceston

Scale and Reach

C&C has unrivalled size, scale and distribution reach 
across attractive on-trade drinks markets in Ireland and 
UK. We operate two well invested and state of the art 
manufacturing sites. Our operational footprint can reach 
over 99% of the UK population on a next day delivery 
basis. 

No.1 
Drinks distributor 
on Island of Ireland

No.1 
Drinks distributor 
in Scotland and GB

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202229

ESG

Sustainability
Delivering to a better world…

We recognise the important role that sustainability plays in the decision making of all our 
stakeholders. C&C has proven track record of investing and delivering against sustainability 
targets and a clear strategy anchored in three pillars. 

Environmental

Social

Governance

Reduce our  
carbon footprint

Ensure alcohol 
is consumed 
responsibly

Build a more 
inclusive, diverse & 
engaged C&C

Sustainably source 
our products & 
services

Enhance health, 
wellbeing & 
capability of 
colleagues

Collaborate with 
Government & 
NGO’s

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements30

Strategic Report - How we create sustainable value

C&C Group plc is a leading drinks 
manufacturer, marketer and distributor of 
premium branded cider, beer, wine, spirits 
and soft drinks across the UK and Ireland.  
The Group also plays a fundamental role in 
the infrastructure of the UK and Irish drinks 
market as a key route-to-market partner 
for local and international beverage brand 
owners.

Our purpose is to deliver joy 
to customers with remarkable 
brands and service. 

Our vision is to be the first-
choice brands led distribution 
partner for customers in 
hospitality and retail in the UK 
and Ireland. 

Our values are: 

Respect people and the planet 

We bring joy to life 

Quality is at our core

Manufacture

Embrace sustainable sourcing 

We are committed to sourcing our 
raw materials from local sustainable 
sources. All apples crushed at the 
Clonmel site for the production of 
Bulmers and Magners cider are sourced 
from the island of Ireland. As well as 
having 165 acres of our own orchards in 
Co. Tipperary, there are over 50 partner 
growers on the island with whom we 
work closely.

The Group recognises that sustainability 
needs to be embraced by partners 
at every stage of the supply chain to 
achieve our sustainability objectives. 
C&C has enhanced its approach to 
ethical and sustainable procurement. 
This sets out our policies and objectives 
in relation to wider social and ethical 
issues as well as environmental issues 
including climate change. As part of our 
sustainable procurement approach, we 
are working with CDP and the Science 
Based Targets Initiative to build an 
understanding of the way our supply 
chain manages their climate change 
risks and their overall ethical approach.

Optimising Production and Manufacturing

The Group has employed various practices to conserve the use of energy, reduce 
carbon emissions, improve waste reduction and recycling and minimise the impact on 
natural resources. From 1 April 2021, 100% of the electricity across our main sites in 
the UK and Ireland comes from renewable sources, covering c98% of our electricity 
use. In February 2022, Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and 
Employment in Ireland, visited Clonmel to mark the installation of the largest rooftop 
solar panel farm in Ireland. This solar panel provides up to 10% of Clonmel’s electricity 
requirements, while reducing the site’s carbon emissions by 4%, and saving c.290 
tonnes of CO2  per annum.

Improve sustainable packaging

During FY2022, the Group met its ambitious commitment to be out of single-use 
plastics (shrink and hi and mid cone rings) in the packaging of our canned products, 
reducing the environmental impact and ecological footprint of our products. All of our 
canned product is now in fully recyclable cardboard, removing more than 200 million 
plastic rings/per annum from the environment, as part of an overall plastic reduction of 
several hundred tonnes. We are the only brewer who is a member of the UK Plastics 
Pact, which has additional targets on plastic packaging, waste and recyclates. Across 
C&C group, 29% of our own beer and cider is sold in returnable formats (returnable keg 
and bottle).

The Group recognises that sustainability needs to be 
embraced by partners at every stage of the supply chain 
to promote the success of its sustainability strategy. 

ESG Pillars
see pages 62 - 63

1

2

4

5

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202231

Communities

The Group is committed to 
the communities in which we 
operate and undertakes a range 
of initiatives that benefit our 
local communities, in particular 
supporting charitable activities. 

Stakeholder engagement

We aim to maintain open and 
positive dialogue with all our 
stakeholders. Our stakeholders 
are an important part of our 
operations and are referenced 
throughout this report.

ESG Pillars
see pages 62 - 63

3

6

Market

Data

Our unrivalled scale and reach into the 
on-trade markets of the UK and Ireland 
ensures that we have superior access to 
data and the best insight into macro and 
regional trends. 

Promoting responsible 
consumption of  alcohol

We are committed to the promotion 
of responsible drinking and moderate 
consumption of our products, to ensure 
they are enjoyed safely by drinkers.

Distribution

C&C is the UK & Ireland’s largest independent On Trade drinks distributor. Our final mile 
distribution strength, means we are well placed to serve our On Trade customers, with 29 
nationwide depots and our owned fleet delivering in excess of 700,000 orders per year. 

One stop shop 

Piloting Alternative Fuel Vehicles

With an unrivalled range of beers, 
ciders, wines, spirits and soft drinks, 
C&C’s distribution platform provides a 
comprehensive “one stop shop” for licensed 
premises owners.

Final Mile distribution 

In FY2022, we completed the optimisation of 
the English and Scottish delivery networks. 
This consolidated volumes from three 
separate networks into two, bringing all of 
our final mile English distribution in-house, 
driving on-going efficiencies, service 
improvements and in turn enhance future 
margins.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are being trialled 
for deliveries in urban areas. An electric-
powered van has been utilised for small-
volume deliveries of Five Lamps craft beer 
in Dublin and a trial of electric vans has 
taken place at the Matthew Clark Park 
Royal depot, together with a Hydrogenated 
Vegetable Oil (HVO) diesel replacement 
trial at our Bedford depot. ln Scotland, we 
are investigating alternative fuel types for 
vehicles, electric vehicles for Wellpark to 
Cambuslang trips and hydrogen for longer 
distance inter depot shunts. 

ESG Pillar
see pages 62 - 63

1

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements32

Strategic Report - Key Performance Indicators

FY2022 has seen the reopening of the on-trade across our core markets and a rebuilding of profit and 
cash generation for the Group. As a consequence, we have reinstated the Key Performance Indicators 
(“KPIs”) reported in FY2020 although we would note that performance in a number of KPIs compared 
with pre COVID-19 remain impacted. With recognition of the current backdrop and covenant waiver 
period net debt and liquidity continue to form part of the key financial metrics during FY2022. 

Strategic Priority

KPI

Definition (see also financial definitions 
on pages 240 and 241)

FY2022 Performance

FY2022 Focus

To enhance 
earnings growth

Operating 
profit

Operating profit/(loss) (before 
exceptional items)

Operating 
margin

Operating profit/(loss) (before 
exceptional items), as a 
percentage of net revenue

Adjusted 
diluted 
earnings per 
share

Attributable earnings before 
exceptional items divided by 
the average number of shares 
in issue as adjusted for the 
dilutive impact of equity share 
awards

Basic 
earnings per 
share 

Attributable earnings divided by 
the average number of shares 
in issue as adjusted for the 
dilutive impact of equity share 
awards

To generate 
strong cash 
flows

Free Cash 
Flow

Free Cash Flow is a non GAAP 
measure that comprises cash 
flow from operating activities 
net of capital investment cash 
outflows which form part of 
investing activities (before 
exceptional items)

Free Cash 
Flow 
Conversion 
Ratio

The conversion ratio is the 
ratio of free cash flow as a 
percentage of EBITDA (before 
exceptional items)

Net debt: 
Adjusted 
EBITDA 

The ratio of net debt (Net debt 
comprises borrowings (net 
of issue costs) less cash less 
leased liabilities) to Adjusted 
EBITDA 

To ensure the 
appropriate 
level of financial 
gearing and 
profits to service 
debt

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

Links to other 
Disclosures

Group CFO 
Review

page 54

€104.5m

€120.8m

(€59.6m)*

€47.9m

To seek continuing 
growth, through 
revenue 
enhancement, 
acquisition synergies 
and cost control

6.6%

7.0%

(8.1%)*

3.3%

26.6c

29.6c

(21.1c)**

7.5c

23.4c

2.9c

(31.1c)**

9.9c

€96.9m

€155.1m

(€91.2m)*

€28.4m

80.8%

101.0%

NM*

35.6%

2.51x

1.77x

NM*

3.40x

To achieve adjusted 
diluted EPS growth 
in real terms

Group CFO 
Review

page 54

To achieve EPS 
growth in real terms

Group CFO 
Review

page 54

To generate 
improved operating 
cash flows

Group CFO 
Review

page 54

Move towards 
medium term 
target of 2.0 times 
Net Debt/adjusted 
EBITDA (excluding 
leased liabilities)

Group CFO 
Review 

page 54

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202233

Links to other 
Disclosures

Group CFO 
Review

page 54

Group CFO 
Review

page 54

Ensure sufficient 
liquidity to meet 
the on-going 
requirements of 
the business and 
execute its strategy

The Group will 
continue to seek 
to enhance 
shareholder returns

To achieve best 
practice across the 
Group, including 
acquired businesses

Responsibility 
Report

page 62

To achieve best 
practice across the 
Group, including 
acquired businesses

To achieve best 
practice across the 
Group, including 
acquired businesses

Responsibility 
Report

page 62

€322.9m

€335.3m

€314.6m

€438.7m

€301.6m

€233.6m

€362.3m

€191.3m

15.31c

5.5c

-

-

57.6%

18.6%

-

-

38,092t

32,729t

26,865t

24,196t

0t

0t

0t

0t

1.02

0.52

0.54

0.28

Strategic Priority

KPI

Definition (see also financial definitions 
on pages 240 and 241)

FY2022 Performance

FY2022 Focus

To ensure the 
appropriate level 
of liquidity 

Liquidity 

Liquidity (liquidity comprises 
cash on hand and headroom 
available in the Group’s 
revolving credit facility) as part 
of our renegotiated covenants

To ensure the 
appropriate 
level of financial 
gearing 

Net debt 

Net debt (net debt comprises 
borrowings (net of issue costs) 
less cash)

To deliver 
sustainable 
shareholder 
returns

Progressive 
dividend/
return to 
shareholders

Total dividend per share paid 
and proposed in respect of the 
financial year in question

Dividend 
Payout Ratio

Dividend cover is Dividend/
Adjusted diluted EPS

Tonnes of CO2 emissions***

Tonnes of waste sent to landfill

FY2019

Reduction 
in CO2 
emissions

Waste 
recycling

To achieve 
the highest 
standards of 
environmental 
management

To achieve 
the highest 
standards of 
environmental 
management

To ensure safe 
and healthy 
working 
conditions

Workplace 
safety 
accident 
rate

The number of injuries that 
resulted in lost-work days, per 
100,000 hours working time in 
production facilities

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

*   COVID-19 had a material impact on KPIs in FY2021.
**  During the current financial year, the Group completed a Rights Issue at a discounted price of £1.86. As the rights price was issued at a discount, this was equivalent to a bonus 
issue of shares combined with a full market price. As such, IAS 33 Earnings Per Share requires an adjustment to the number of shares outstanding before the Rights Issue to 
reflect the bonus element inherent in it and also for this to be included in the EPS calculation for the prior period presented so as to provide a comparable result.

***  Market based scope 1 and 2 emissions as stated in annual Carbon Disclosure Project return.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements34

Strategic Report - Management of Risks and Uncertainties

The Board has overall responsibility for 
the Group’s system of internal control, 
for reviewing its effectiveness and for 
confirming that there is a process for 
identifying, evaluating and managing the 
principal risks affecting the achievement 
of the Group’s strategic objectives. This 
system of internal control can only provide 
reasonable and not absolute, assurance 
against material misstatement or loss.

The Group has established a risk 
management process to ensure effective 
and timely identification, reporting and 
management of risk events that could 
materially impact upon the achievement of 
the Group’s strategic objectives and financial 
targets. This involves the Board considering 
the following:
 • the nature and extent of the principal risks 

facing the Group;

 • the likelihood of these risks occurring;
 • the impact on the Group should these 

risks occur; and

 • the actions being taken to manage these 

risks to the desired level.

The Audit Committee oversees the 
effectiveness of the risk management 
procedures in place and the steps being 
taken to mitigate the Group’s risks. 

A process for identifying, evaluating 
and managing significant risks faced by 
the Group, in accordance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code 2018 and 
the FRC Guidance on Risk Management, 
Internal Control and Related Financial and 
Business Reporting, has been in place for 
the entire period and up to the date the 
financial statements were approved. These 
risks are reviewed by the Audit Committee 
and the Board, who will also consider any 
emerging risks for inclusion in the Group 
Risk Register.

The risks facing the Group are reviewed 
regularly by the Audit Committee with the 
executive management team. Each of 
the Group’s principal risks is assigned an 

executive owner, who is responsible for 
ensuring mitigating actions are sufficient 
to bring risks to within the agreed appetite 
and the risk management governance 
framework ensures that these mitigations 
and internal controls are embedded 
and operate effectively throughout the 
organisation.

The annual Board and the Audit Committee 
agendas include a series of updates from 
executive risk owners in relation to the 
Group’s principal risks. These updates 
include a history of the risk to date, key 
mitigating actions and controls, an outline 
of the residual risk and any future actions 
planned to address control weaknesses. 

The Audit Committee also receives regular 
updates on risk management and internal 
control effectiveness from the Head of 
Internal Audit along with agreed mitigating 
actions to resolve any weaknesses 
identified.

Environmental, Social and 
Governance (ESG) Committee

The ESG Committee, established in FY2021, 
supports the Group’s ongoing commitment 
to environmental, corporate social 
responsibility and corporate governance 
matters. This Committee is responsible 
for monitoring and reviewing current and 
emerging ESG trends, relevant international 
standards and legislative requirements and 
identifying how these are likely to impact the 
strategy, operations and reputation of the 
Group. The Committee is also responsible 
for assessing the effectiveness of the 
Group’s policies, programmes, practices 
and systems for:

•  identifying, managing and mitigating or 
eliminating ESG risks in connection with 
the Group’s operations and corporate 
activity; and

•  ensuring compliance with relevant legal 

and regulatory requirements and industry 
standards and guidelines applicable to 
ESG matters.

Internal Controls and Risk 
Management

The key features of the Group’s system 
of internal control and risk management 
include:
 • review, discussion and approval of the 

Group’s strategy by the Board;

 • clearly defined organisation structures 

and authority limits for the operational and 
financial management of the Group and 
its businesses;

 • corporate policies for financial reporting, 
treasury and financial risk management, 
information technology and security, 
project appraisal and corporate 
governance;

 • review and approval by the Board of 
annual budgets for all business units, 
identifying key risks and opportunities;

 • monitoring of performance against 

budgets on a weekly basis and reporting 
thereon to the Board on a periodic basis;
 • an internal audit function which reviews 

key business processes and controls; and

 • review by senior management and the 

Audit Committee of internal audit findings, 
recommendations and follow up actions.

The preparation and issue of financial 
reports, including consolidated annual 
financial statements is managed by the 
Group Finance function with oversight from 
the Audit Committee. The key features of 
the Group’s internal control procedures with 
regard to the preparation of consolidated 
financial statements are as follows:
 • the review of each operating division’s 
period end reporting package by the 
Group Finance function; 

 • the challenge and review of the financial 

results of each operating division with the 
management of that division by the Group 
Chief Financial Officer; 

 • the review of any internal control 

weaknesses highlighted by the external 
auditor, the Group Chief Financial 
Officer, Head of Internal Audit, Company 
Secretary and Group General Counsel 
and the Audit Committee; and

 • the follow up of any critical weaknesses to 
ensure issues highlighted are addressed. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202235

Principal Risk Matrix

h
g
H

i

t
c
a
p
m

I

w
o
L

8

14

9

2

10

4

6

13

1

15

7

5

12

3

11

1.  COVID-19
2.   Regulatory / Social Attitude Changes to Alcohol
3.   Economic & Political
4.   Sustainability & Climate Change
5.   Change in Customer Dynamics &

Group Performance

6.   People & Culture
7.   Health & Safety
8.   Product Quality & Safety
9.   Supply Chain Operations, Costs and Inflation
10.  Information Technology
11.  Cyber Security & Data Protection
12.  Business Growth, Integration and 

Change Management

13.  Compliance with Laws &Regulations
14.  Brand & Reputation
15.  Financial & Credit

Low

Likelihood

High

management processes. The increasing 
importance of climate change risk was 
reflected in the Board’s decision to include 
climate change and sustainability as a 
standalone principal risk in FY2021.

During the year, a cross-functional team was 
created to further align our assessment and 
disclosure practices within the requirements 
of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (“TCFD”). This included 
conducting a detailed climate change risk 
assessment and scenario analysis with 
the support of an expert external party. 
The TCFD section on pages 46 to 53 
summarises the work undertaken to date to 
understand the potential impact of climate 
change on the Group and outlines future 
areas of management focus.

The Directors confirm that, in addition to 
the monitoring carried out by the Audit 
Committee under its terms of reference, 
they have reviewed the effectiveness of 
the Group’s risk management and internal 
control systems up to and including the 
date of approval of the financial statements. 
This review had regard to all material 
controls, including financial, operational and 
compliance controls that could affect the 
Group’s business. The Directors considered 
the outcome of this review and found the 
systems satisfactory.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

During the year, the Audit Committee and 
the Board 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 principal risks and 
uncertainties set out on pages 36 to 45 
represent the principal uncertainties that 
the Board believes may impact the Group’s 
ability to effectively deliver its strategy 
and future performance. The list does not 
include all risks that the Group faces and 
it does not list the risks in any order of 
priority. The actions taken to mitigate the 
risks cannot provide assurance that other 
risks will not materialise and adversely 
affect the operating results and financial 
position of the Group. These principal risks 
are incorporated into the modelling activity 
performed to assess the ability of the 
Group to continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due for the purposes 
of the Viability Statement on pages 44 to 
45. The Audit Committee and Board will 
continue to monitor risk in the context of 
relevant factors such as the ongoing impact 
of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other 
changes in the external environment, which 
may create future risks.

Sustainability and Climate Change 
Risk

The Board recognise the significant risks 
posed by climate change and consideration 
of these risks forms part of our existing risk 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
36

Strategic Report - Management of Risks and Uncertainties
(continued)

Changes to the Principal Risks

While there has been no significant change 
in the principal risks in the last year, the 
Group operates in a dynamic environment 
where risks continue to evolve and the Group 
continues to develop mitigation measures to 
address them.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has 
continued to create uncertainty, as 

vaccination rollouts progress and our 
understanding and agility in managing 
it through preventative measures has 
grown, the outlook has improved. As a 
consequence, we have chosen to not 
consider COVID-19 as an individual risk, 
but rather consider the amplifying effect 
it has on a number of other principal risks 
such as Health & Safety risk, People and 
Culture, Supply Chain Operations, Costs 
and Inflation, and Cyber and Information 
Security.

Some fluctuation in risk trends did arise in 
FY2022 including:
•  Supply Chain Operations, Costs and 
Inflation has increased from stable to 
increasing as global activity has increased 
supply chain pressures and inflation has 
created headwinds across the business; 
and

•  Economic and Political, Sustainability and 
Climate Change and People and Culture 
continue to trend upwards.

Risk & Uncertainties

Impact

Mitigation

Regulatory and Social Attitude Changes to Alcohol

Risk  
Trend

The Group may be adversely affected 
by changes in government regulations 
affecting alcohol pricing (including duty), 
sponsorship or advertising.

The Group and business units continue to engage with trade bodies to ensure any 
proposed changes to legislation and restrictions are appropriate within the industry.

The Group is actively involved in BBPA and also complies with all Portman Group 
guidance.

Economic and Geo-Political

Our business, financial results and 
operations may be adversely affected by 
economic or geo-political instability and/or 
uncertainty, such as the conflict in Ukraine. 

The Group’s performance is also impacted 
by potential recessions, inflation, exchange 
rates, taxation rates and social unrest.

Within the context of supporting responsible drinking initiatives, the Group supports 
the work of its trade associations to present the industry’s case to government.

The Group has developed low, and zero, alcohol options for brands in order to 
address legislation and possible duty increases as well as appeal to those consumers 
looking for a healthier choice.

The Board and management will continue to consider the impact on the Group’s 
businesses, monitor developments and engage with the UK, Irish and Scottish 
governments to help ensure a manageable outcome for our businesses. 

Group businesses are active members in respected industry trade bodies including 
being a steering committee member of the all-party UK Parliamentary Beer Group. 

On an ongoing basis, the Group seeks, where appropriate, to mitigate currency risk 
through hedging and structured financial contracts and take appropriate action to help 
mitigate the consequences of any decline in demand within its markets.

We have implemented action plans to protect the profitability and liquidity of the Group 
and mitigate a significant proportion of our cost base. We continue to review our cost 
base for additional savings.

We remain vigilant to changes in local jurisdictions and retain the flexibility to take 
appropriate mitigating action as necessary.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202237

Risk  
Trend

Risk Movement

  New

  No change

  Increasing

  Decreased

Impact

Mitigation

Sustainability and Climate Change

The Group recognises the significant 
environmental challenges the world 
faces due to a changing climate and the 
implications that this can have for our 
business and supply chains.

The Group has established a strong governance model which includes an ESG 
Committee responsible for the delivery of our sustainability strategy. Ambitious targets 
are in place with regard to reducing the carbon footprint of our operations, our water 
intensity, reducing waste and also the use of single use plastics. Clonmel continues to 
be ISO 14001 accredited for an effective environmental management system. 

Physical climate impacts and related policy 
and/or market changes may disrupt our 
operations or impact demand for our 
products. 

Failure to implement policies and meet 
required sustainability and ethical 
standards and social perceptions could 
significantly impact C&C’s reputation as 
well as potentially impact future growth. 

C&C Group plc have pledged to be a carbon-neutral business by 2050 at the latest. 
We have recently set our emissions reduction targets which are grounded in climate 
science and will be validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (‘SBTi’). We are 
committed to reduce our absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 35% 
by 2030 (Vs a FY2020 base year). To achieve our target of reducing our Scope 3 
emissions by 25% (Vs a FY2020 base year) by 2030, we have also committed that 
suppliers and customers making up 67% of our Scope 3 emissions (Purchased 
Goods, Downstream Transport and Use of Sold Goods will have science-based 
targets in place by 2026. The Group will continuously engage with suppliers and 
customers to support them to set science-based targets for their own emissions.

A cross functional team has been established to lead our alignment with the TCFD 
guidance. An expert external party has also been engaged to support this process.

We continue to embed climate considerations into our overall strategic planning and 
investment appraisal process.

Sustainability and climate related metrics were included as part of the Long-Term 
Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’) for Executive Directors in FY2022.

We have established a Risk & Compliance Committee which is responsible for 
monitoring and managing climate risk. This committee is composed of executives 
and various levels of management from across the Group and will meet bi-monthly. 
The Risk Committee for Sustainability and Climate Change reports to the Audit 
Committee; however, we are in the process of evaluating and developing additional 
reporting lines which will see the Risk Committee for Sustainability and Climate 
Change reporting also to the ESG Committee in order to improve our oversight of 
climate-related risks and opportunities.

The Group ensures strong overall corporate social responsibility of suppliers is 
reviewed and assessed both on an ongoing basis and as part of new tenders to 
ensure sustainability and ethical practices are a fundamental part of the supply chain.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
38

Strategic Report - Management of Risks and Uncertainties
(continued)

Impact
Customer and Consumer Dynamics and Group Performance 

Mitigation

Risk  
Trend

Consumer preference may change, new 
competing brands may be launched and 
competitors may increase their marketing 
or change their pricing policies. Failure to 
respond to competition and/or changes 
in customer preferences could have an 
adverse impact on sales, profits and cash 
flow within the Group.

COVID-19 may have an impact on the 
viability of a certain cohort of the Group’s 
customers and on underlying consumer 
behaviour and preferences.

Through diversification, innovation and strategic partnerships, we are developing our 
product portfolio to enhance our offering of niche and premium products to satisfy 
changing consumer requirements including the production of low and non-alcoholic 
variants of our brands.

The Group has a programme of brand investment, innovation and product 
diversification to maintain and enhance the relevance of its products in the market.

The Group also operates a brand‐led model in our core geographies with a 
comprehensive range to meet consumer needs.

In order to specifically assist customers manage the impact of COVID-19, the Group 
provided a ‘holiday’ on capital and interest repayments to loan customers, full credit or 
‘new for old’ on un-broached kegs, together with a dedicated helpline to offer advice 
and guidance around government support initiatives that were introduced and how to 
access them as well as assistance and advice in relation to hygiene measures.

People and Culture

The Group’s ability to attract, develop, 
engage and retain a diverse, talented 
and capable workforce is critical if the 
Group is to continue to compete and grow 
effectively. 

The Group seeks to mitigate this risk through employment policies and procedures, 
as well as ongoing enhancements to pay and conditions, including benchmarking 
remuneration packages to ensure market competitiveness, broadening the scope of 
variable elements of remuneration and the development of retention and succession 
plans for critical roles.

A number of external factors including the 
COVID-19 pandemic, have increased the 
competition for talent and labour across all 
sectors.

Failure to continue to evolve our culture, 
diversity and inclusion could impact our 
reputation and delivery of our strategy. 

The Group’s approach to talent management and executive succession planning is 
regularly reviewed by the Group Executive and is overseen by the ESG, Nomination 
Committee and the Board.

A key focus of the Group’s sustainability agenda is to build a purpose led, culturally 
diverse, engaged and inclusive workforce, where our people can be at their best, 
contribute to the Group’s success and realise their career ambitions. Progress is 
monitored through KPIs and a six monthly Group wide employee engagement survey.

The Group has continued to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of employees as it has 
navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202239

Risk  
Trend

Risk Movement

  New

  No change

  Increasing

  Decreased

Impact

Health and Safety

Mitigation

A health and safety related incident could 
result in serious injury to the Group’s 
employees, contractors, customers and 
visitors, which could adversely affect 
our operations and result in reputational 
damage, criminal prosecution, civil litigation 
and damage to the reputation of the Group 
and its brands.

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic 
presents a specific risk to the health 
and welfare of the Group’s employees, 
as measures required to be adopted by 
societies and businesses to help prevent 
the spread of the virus adversely effect our 
employees.

Product Quality and Safety

The quality and safety of our products is 
of critical importance and any failure in this 
regard could result in a recall of the Group’s 
products, damage to brand image and civil 
or criminal liability.

The COVID-19 virus continues to present 
additional risk to the safe production of the 
Group’s products. 

The Group has a Health, Safety and Environmental (‘HSE’) team who work closely 
with management to ensure that the Group complies with all health, safety and 
environmental laws and regulations with ongoing monitoring, reporting and training.

The Group has established protocols and procedures for incident management and 
product recall and mitigates the financial impact by appropriate insurance cover.

Stringent COVID-19 protocols remain in place at all sites. These include remote 
working in some locations, employee and visitor screening protocols, segregation and 
zoning and use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Our support for mental health and wellbeing has increased this year, with a significant 
expansion of our Mental Health First Aider population and investment in a range of 
resources. 

The Group has implemented quality control and technical guidelines which are 
adhered to across all sites. Group Technical continually monitor quality standards and 
compliance with technical guidelines. 

The Group also has quality agreements with all raw material suppliers, setting out 
our minimum acceptable standards. Any supplies which do not meet the defined 
standards are rejected and returned.

The Group has enacted specific business continuity plans and a range of measures 
to protect the business in line with the advice of governments and local health 
authorities; and ensure the safe production and distribution of the Group’s products.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements40

Strategic Report - Management of Risks and Uncertainties
(continued)

Impact
Supply Chain Operations, Costs and Inflation

Mitigation

Risk  
Trend

Circumstances such as the prolonged 
loss of a production or storage facility, 
disruptions to its supply chains or critical 
IT systems and reduced supply of raw 
materials may interrupt the supply of the 
Group’s products, adversely impacting 
results and reputation.

The Group seeks to mitigate the operational impact of such an event through 
business continuity plans, which are tested regularly to ensure that interruptions to 
the business are prevented or minimised and that data is protected from unauthorised 
access, contingency planning, including involving the utilisation of third party sites 
and the adoption of fire safety standards and disaster recovery protocols. The Group 
seeks to mitigate the financial impact of such an event through business interruption 
and other insurance covers.

FY2022 has seen unprecedented global 
supply chain disruption. The COVID-19 
pandemic combined with an increased 
number of other disruptive events have 
posed the risk of an interruption to the 
supply of raw materials or to the effective 
operation of the Group’s manufacturing 
facilities.

The Group has enacted specific business continuity plans including a range of 
measures to protect the integrity of production and distribution facilities and increased 
packaging capacity to meet increased take home demand. To date we have 
maintained strong levels of service into our customer base. We have taken action 
to ensure our facilities are staffed sufficiently, that our production plans optimise the 
capacity available at each of our sites and that we prioritise the SKUs that current 
consumer demand requires. The Group is also working closely with its suppliers to 
protect the integrity and consistency of supply of raw materials.

Also, there is a risk of increased input costs 
due to poor harvests and price of inputs. 
Very recently, the conflict in Ukraine has 
contributed to heightened uncertainty and 
inflationary pressures.

The Group seeks to minimise input risks through long‐term or fixed price supply 
agreements, where applicable. The Group continues to assess inflationary and other 
supply chain pressures and impacts on product pricing and will continue to work 
with our suppliers to identify opportunities to improve supply chain resilience and to 
selectively pre-purchase products in order to ensure continuity of supply.

The Group does not seek to hedge its exposure to commodity prices by entering into 
derivative financial instruments.

The Group has continued to focus on modern cloud-based assets which are naturally 
more resilient to failure. 

Business and IT continuity has been maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic by 
updating operating models to ensure the safety of our workforce and customers. 
Nevertheless, the risk of disruption or failure of critical IT infrastructure, as well as 
process failure remains a significant risk.

Information Technology

The Group relies on robust IT systems and 
supporting infrastructure to manufacture 
and trade effectively. Any significant 
disruption or failure of key systems could 
result in business disruption and revenue 
loss, accident or misappropriation of 
confidential information. 

Failure to properly manage existing 
systems, or the implementation of new IT 
systems may result in increased costs and/
or lost revenue, and reputational damage.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022Risk Movement

  New

  No change

  Increasing

  Decreased

Impact

Mitigation

Cyber Security and Data Protection

41

Risk  
Trend

Failure or compromise of our IT 
infrastructure or key IT systems may result 
in theft, loss of information, inability to 
operate effectively, financial or regulatory 
penalties, loss of financial control and 
negatively impact our reputation. Failure 
to comply with legal or regulatory 
requirements relating to data security 
(including cyber security) or data privacy in 
the course of our business activities, may 
result in reputational damage, fines or other 
adverse consequences, including criminal 
penalties and consequential litigation, 
adverse impact on our financial results or 
unfavourable effects on our ability to do 
business.

There is a constant threat of significant 
and sophisticated cyber attacks including 
phishing, ransom ware, malware and social 
engineering.

A continuation of home working as a result 
of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to 
an increase in the risk of cyber/phishing 
attacks across all organisations.

Using personal data in a non-compliant 
manner (whether deliberately or 
inadvertently) may exacerbate the impact of 
security incidents.

Following the incident affecting Matthew Clark and Bibendum IT systems in April 
2021, we have reviewed our information security and cyber preparedness policies and 
procedures, enhanced our information technology systems and controls, including the 
appointment of a Technology and Transformation Director and Group Head of IT. 

In the field of information technology and security, the Group undertakes a regular 
security assurance programme, testing controls, identifying weaknesses and 
prioritising remediation activities where necessary. This includes periodic best 
practice specialist security testing by a leading third party provider and regular system 
scanning to identify security weaknesses. Issues are assessed for risk and are 
comprehensively managed as part of the Group’s risk management programme. The 
Board and Audit Committee is presented with regular detailed Information Security 
Reports by the Technology and Transformation Director and Group Head of IT, which 
includes recommendations for further reinforcements, and a roadmap for further 
risk reduction. As a demonstration of our commitment to tackling cyber security we 
are currently pursuing Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation from the National Cyber 
Security Centre (‘NCSC’). 

An appropriate governance structure is in place including an IT & DP risk committee. 
Cyber security is a major focus area for the Board and Audit Committee who this 
year received three formal updates from the Group Transformation and Technology 
Director.

A programme of initiatives has been implemented and enhancements made to further 
reduce cyber risk. Specialist external IT security team undertake a 24/7 security 
monitoring service, a vulnerability management programme, a software review 
process, supply chain partner audits, a data loss prevention programme and identity 
governance controls amongst other initiatives.

During FY2022 we continued our ongoing programme of investment in cyber security 
controls which included Endpoint Detect and Respond (‘EDR’), Cloud Access Security 
Broker (‘CASB’), Domain based Message authentication, Reporting and Conformance 
(‘DMARC’), email authentication and enhanced data loss prevention controls.

Business continuity, disaster recovery and crisis management plans are in place and 
tested on a regular basis.

We continue to prioritise a number of initiatives to further minimise the risk profile, 
including employees receiving regular online cyber security training and ongoing 
awareness is promoted through monthly phishing training and other initiatives to keep 
employees abreast of new and emerging threats.

Policies are in place regarding the protection of both business and personal 
information, with support from the newly appointed, Group Data Protection Officer.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements42

Strategic Report - Management of Risks and Uncertainties
(continued)

Impact

Mitigation

Business Growth, Integration and Change Management

Risk  
Trend

Significant projects and acquisitions have formal leadership and project management 
teams to deliver integration. 

Regular Group communications ensure effective information, engagement and 
feedback flow to support cultural change. 

The Executive Management team oversees change management and integration risks 
through regular meetings.

As the Group reacts to the effects of 
the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary 
to adjust to change and assimilate new 
business models. The breadth and pace 
of change can present strategic and 
operational challenges.

Business integration and change that 
are not managed effectively could result 
in unrealised synergies, poor project 
governance, poor project delivery, 
increased staff turnover, erosion of value 
and failure to deliver growth.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations

The Group operates in an environment 
governed by strict and extensive regulations 
to ensure the safety and protection of 
customers, shareholders, employees 
and other stakeholders. These laws and 
regulations include hygiene, health and 
safety, the rules of the London Stock 
Exchange and competition law. Changing 
laws and regulation may impact our ability 
to market or sell certain products or could 
cause the Group to incur additional costs 
or liabilities that could adversely affect its 
business. Moreover, breach of our internal 
global policies and standards could result in 
severe damage to our corporate reputation 
and/or significant financial penalty.

Companies face increased risk of fraud and 
corruption, both internally and externally, 
due to financial pressures and changes 
to ways of working as a consequence of 
COVID-19.

The Company Secretary and Group General Counsel is a member of the Executive 
Committee and is supported by appropriately skilled in-house legal, data protection 
and company secretarial resource, with further support provided by external lawyers 
and advisors.

Policies and procedures are in place to ensure compliance with regulations and 
legislation, providing updated documentation, training and communication across the 
Group.

The Group’s Code of Conduct and supporting policies, clearly define the standards 
and expectations for all employees and third parties.

A mandatory online employee compliance programme is in place to embed 
employees understanding of key compliance risks. 

The Group’s Vault whistleblowing service, managed and facilitated by an independent 
third party, is available to all employees to raise concerns with regard to suspected 
wrongdoings or unethical behaviours. All calls are followed up and investigated fully 
with all findings reported to the Board. 

The Group maintains appropriate internal controls and procedures to guard against 
economic crime and imposes appropriate monitoring and controls on subsidiary 
management.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022Risk Movement

  New

  No change

  Increasing

  Decreased

Impact

Mitigation

43

Risk  
Trend

Brand and Reputation

The Group faces considerable risk if 
we are unable to uphold high levels of 
consumer awareness, retain and attract 
key associates and sponsorships for our 
brands, or if we have inadequate marketing 
investment to support our brands. 

Maintaining and enhancing brand image 
and reputation through the creation 
of strong brand identities is crucial for 
sustaining and driving revenue and profit 
growth. 

The closure of on-trade outlets and a 
reduction in the Group’s marketing and 
brand advertising due to COVID-19 may 
impact the Group’s brand health scores. 

Financial and Credit 

The Group is subject to a number of 
financial and credit risks such as adverse 
exchange and interest rate fluctuations, 
availability of supplier credit, credit 
management of customers and possible 
increase to pension funds deficits and cash 
contributions. 

COVID-19 may have a further impact on 
the Group’s liquidity, due to lower on-trade 
revenues, customers’ ability to honour 
their obligations, and the Group’s ability to 
access supplier credit.

Non-conformities of accounting and 
financial controls could impair the 
accuracy of the data used for internal 
reporting, decision-making and external 
communication.

To mitigate this risk, C&C has defined values and goals for all our brands. These form 
the foundation of our product and brand communication strategies. 

Central to all our brand image initiatives is ensuring clear and consistent messaging to 
our targeted consumer audience.

Executive Management, Group Legal and internal/external PR consultants work 
together to ensure that all sponsorship and affiliations are appropriate and protect the 
position of our brands.

The Group is monitoring the impact of the rapidly changing trading environment on 
the Group’s brands and will make necessary investment decisions to protect the 
Group’s brand health scores and reputation.

The Group seeks to mitigate currency risks, where appropriate, through hedging and 
structured financial contracts to hedge a portion of its foreign currency transaction 
exposure. It has not entered into structured financial contracts to hedge its translation 
exposure on its foreign acquisitions.

In relation to pensions, continuous monitoring, taking professional advice on 
the optimisation of asset returns within agreed acceptable risk tolerances and 
implementing liability‐management initiatives.

A range of credit management controls are in place which are regularly monitored by 
management to minimise the risk and exposure.

The Group is working with all customers and suppliers to minimise the adverse impact 
of COVID-19 on the business.

Contracts may be renegotiated. We continue to focus on retention and new sales 
opportunities as customers move to more resilient and “best in class” operations.

A range of key internal financial controls, such as segregation of duties, authorisations 
and detailed reviews are in place with regular monitoring by management to ensure 
the accuracy of the data for reporting purposes.

Assessment of the Group’s 
Prospects

Going Concern
The Directors have adopted the going 
concern basis in preparing the financial 
statements after assessing the Group’s 
principal risks including the risks associated 
with COVID-19. 

Following the Rights Issue that the Group 
successfully completed in June 2021 in 
which the Group raised £151 million (€176 
million) and as a consequence of COVID-19, 
the debt covenants for 31 August 2022 
were renegotiated to increase the threshold 
of the Group's Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA 
covenant to not exceed 4.5x and to reduce 

the Interest cover covenant to be not 
less than 2.5x. Restrictions including a 
minimum liquidity requirement of €150.0 
million each month and a monthly gross 
debt limit of €700.0 million also apply. The 
Group is on track to meet these amended 
covenants, which end in August 2022 and 
revert to the traditional covenant metrics 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements44

Strategic Report - Management of Risks and Uncertainties
(continued)

(Net Debt: Adjusted EBITDA not exceeding 
3.5:1 and Interest Cover not less than 3.5:1) 
for its FY2023 full year results. In fact, the 
Group is back within its traditional covenant 
metrics as at 28 February 2022. However 
the restrictions will continue to apply until the 
Group demonstrates compliance with the 
traditional covenant metrics at its FY2023 full 
year results, unless it can show Net Debt: 
Adjusted EBITDA not exceeding 3:1 and 
Interest Cover not less than 4:1 for its FY2023 
half year results, in which case the restrictions 
will end at that point.

period”). The Cashflows included various 
stress testing scenarios around higher 
costs, an evolving inflationary environment 
and reduced volumes, in part associated 
with the impact of the on-going conflict in 
Ukraine, but even at FY2022 profit levels, 
which were significantly curtailed as a 
consequence of the COVID-19 restrictions, 
the Group would have sufficient headroom to 
covenants. The Group's cash flow forecasts 
assume the continuation of trading over the 
assessment period with no lockdowns or the 
reintroduction of COVID-19 restrictions.

The proceeds from the Rights Issue of £151 
million (€176 million), coupled with a return 
to profitability and cash generation following 
the easing of government restrictions around 
COVID-19 in our core markets and disciplined 
balance sheet management has led to net 
debt excluding leases and liquidity of €191 
million and €439 million respectively at year 
end compared with €362 million and €315 
million respectively in FY2021. The Group 
delivered a leverage of 3.4x Net Debt/EBITDA 
as at 28 February 2022 and as previously 
noted is back within its traditional covenant 
metrics. 

The Group returned to profitability in May 
2021 following the easing of government 
restrictions around COVID-19 in our core 
markets, with trading ahead of plan. 
However, renewed Government restrictions 
on the hospitality industry around the key 
Christmas trading period adversely impacted 
performance. With the lifting once again 
of restrictions towards the latter stages of 
FY2022, the Group’s on-trade performance 
improved, providing a platform for a clean 
start to FY2023. Cost inflation pressures have 
grown over recent months and in response, 
the Group implemented a series of price 
increases which, alongside the previously 
announced €18.0 million cost reduction 
programme and cost hedge positions taken, 
affords the Group a degree of protection from 
the inflationary environment as we enter into 
FY2023.

The Directors assessed the Group’s cash 
flow forecasts for the period ending 31 
August 2023 (the going concern “assessment 

Overall conclusion
The headroom on the covenants within the 
financing facilities have been reviewed in 
detail by management and assessed by the 
Directors. Given the successful Rights Issue 
in June 2021; the return to profitability in the 
Group’s core markets; the price increases 
implemented, cost hedge positions taken 
and the disposal of the Group’s share of 
Admiral Taverns in FY2023, the Group's 
cashflow forecasts demonstrate significant 
headroom on the covenants within the 
financing facilities. Given the quantum of 
headroom, the Directors have concluded that 
the covenants will be satisfied and therefore 
consider it appropriate to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting with no material 
uncertainties as to the Group’s ability to 
continue to do so.

Viability Statement
As set out in Provision 31 of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code, the Directors 
have assessed the prospects of the Group 
and its ability to meet its liabilities as they fall 
due over the medium-term. Specifically, the 
Directors have assessed the viability of the 
business over a three-year period to February 
2025. In conducting the assessment the 
Directors have taken account of the Group’s 
current position and prospects, the Group’s 
strategy, the Board’s risk appetite and the 
Group’s Principal Risks and Uncertainties as 
set out above and how these are identified, 
managed and mitigated. Based on this 
assessment, which includes a robust 
assessment of the potential impact that these 
risks would have on the Group’s business 
model, future performance, solvency and 

liquidity, the Directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group will be able to 
continue in operation and meet its liabilities 
as they fall due over the three-year period to 
February 2025. 

Group’s strategic planning process
The Board considers annually a strategic 
plan. Current year business performance 
is reforecast during the year and a more 
detailed budget is prepared for the following 
year. The most recent financial plan was 
approved by the Board in March 2022. The 
plan is reviewed and approved by the Board, 
with involvement from the Group CEO, Group 
CFO and the management team. Part of the 
Board’s role is to consider the appropriateness 
of key assumptions, considering the external 
environment, business strategy and model 
including the impact of COVID-19.

Period of Assessment
Given the uncertainty at the time of issuing last 
year’s Annual Report, the Directors determined 
that a two year period was the appropriate 
period to consider the Group’s viability. Given 
the current outlook for future trading, the 
Directors have determined that the three year 
period to February 2025 is an appropriate 
period over which to provide its viability 
statement. This period has been considered 
for the following reasons:
 • The business model can be evolved for 
significant changes in market structure 
or government policy over the three year 
period;

 • For major investment projects three years is 
considered by the Board to be a reasonable 
time horizon for an assessment of the 
outcome; and

 • The Group’s strategic planning cycle covers 

a three year period.

Viability Assessment 
The Directors’ assessment of the Group’s 
viability has been made with reference to the 
2022 performance and its budget for FY2023. 
The Group returned to profitability in May 2021 
following the easing of government restrictions 
around COVID-19 in our core markets, with 
trading ahead of plan. However, renewed 
Government restrictions on the hospitality 
industry around the key Christmas trading 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022Risk Movement

  New

  No change

  Increasing

  Decreased

45

committed credit facilities of €374.0 million, 
and €64.7 million cash net of overdrafts. 

The Audit Committee reviews the output of 
the viability assessment in advance of final 
evaluation by the Board. Having reviewed 
these elements, the COVID-19 related 
challenges and impacts experienced in 
FY2022 and those anticipated for the years 
ahead, current performance, forecasts, 
debt servicing requirements, total facilities 
and risks, the Board has a reasonable 
expectation that the Group has adequate 
resources to continue in operation, meet its 
liabilities as they fall due and retain sufficient 
available cash across the assessment 
period.

The Board therefore has a reasonable 
expectation that the Group will remain viable 
over the period of assessment. The Board 
does not expect any reasonably anticipated 
COVID-19 outcome to impact the Group’s 
long-term viability.

Strategic Report Approval

The Strategic Report, outlined on pages 
2 to 81, (including the assessment of 
the Group’s prospects as set out above) 
incorporates the Highlights, the Business 
Profile and Key Performance Indicators, 
the Chair’s Statement, the Group Chief 
Financial Officer’s report, the Sustainability 
Report and the Management of Risks and 
Uncertainties section of this document.

This report was approved by the Board of 
Directors on 17 May 2022.

Mark Chilton
Company Secretary

period adversely impacted performance. 
With the lifting of restrictions towards the 
latter stages of FY2022, the Group’s on-
trade performance improved, providing 
a platform for a clean start to FY2023. 
Cost inflation pressures have grown over 
recent months and in response, the Group 
implemented a series of price increases 
which, alongside the previously announced 
€18.0 million cost reduction programme 
and cost hedge positions taken, affords 
the Group a degree of protection from the 
inflationary environment as we enter into 
FY2023.

The Group also successfully completed 
a Rights Issue in June 2021, raising gross 
proceeds of £151 million (€176 million). This 
coupled with a return to profitability and 
cash generation following the easing of 
government restrictions around COVID-19 
in our core markets and disciplined balance 
sheet management has led to net debt 
excluding leases and liquidity of €191 million 
and €439 million respectively at year end 
compared with €362 million and €315 million 
respectively in FY2021. The Group delivered 
a leverage of 3.4x Net Debt/EBITDA as 
at 28 February 2022 and are back within 
the traditional covenant metrics as at 28 
February 2022 (Net Debt: Adjusted EBITDA 
not exceeding 3.5:1 and Interest Cover 
not less than 3.5:1). However, the waiver 
restrictions will continue to apply until the 
Group demonstrates compliance with the 
traditional covenant metrics at its FY2023 
full year results, unless it can show Net 
Debt: Adjusted EBITDA not exceeding 3:1 
and Interest Cover not less than 4:1 for its 
FY2023 half year results, in which case the 
restrictions will end at that point.

The Board reviewed the assessment of the 
Group’s prospects made by management, 
including:
•  The development of a rigorous 

planning process, the outputs of which 
are comprised of a strategic plan, a 
consolidated financial forecast for the 
current year and financial projections for 
future years covering the period of the 
plan;

•  A comprehensive review of the strategic 
plan as part of its annual strategy review, 
with regular monitoring of the achievement 
of strategic objectives taking place at each 
Board meeting;

•  Assumptions are built at both Group 

and business unit levels and are subject 
to detailed examination, challenge and 
sensitivity analysis by management and 
the Directors. This included assumptions 
around higher cost and reduced volumes 
but even at FY2022 profit levels which were 
significantly curtained as a consequence 
of the COVID-19 restrictions, the Group 
would have sufficient headroom. The 
Group’s cash flow forecasts assume the 
continuation of trading over the assessment 
period with no lockdowns or the 
reintroduction of COVID-19 restrictions;
•  A consideration of how the impact of one 
or more of the Group’s Principal Risks 
and Uncertainties, particularly in respect 
of the extent and timing of the recovery in 
the on-trade business from the impact of 
the COVID-19 pandemic, could materially 
impact the Group’s performance, solvency 
or liquidity; and

•  The impact of climate change on the 

Financial Statements. The assessment 
concluded that climate change is not 
expected to have a material impact on the 
viability of the Group in the short term. 
Further detailed scenario and qualification 
analysis on the CROs in the TCFD report 
will be examined in FY2023. 

These considerations include external factors 
such as the impacts of the expected high 
levels of inflation, lower economic growth, 
particularly in our key areas of operation, 
the potential impacts of COVID-19 on the 
Group, unfavourable currency exchange 
rate movements, increased regulations 
and internal factors such as the strategic 
plan under-delivering, the loss of a key 
production site or a health and safety related 
event. These considerations also took into 
account additional mitigating measures 
available to the Group, including the ability to 
reduce capital expenditure and the potential 
availability of additional debt facilities. As at 28 
February 2022, the Group had total undrawn 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements46

TCFD Disclosure

Response to Climate Change 

It is evident that climate change requires 
urgent action. Whilst the Group has 
implicitly considered climate change 
factors in strategic decisions over the last 
number of years, it was recognised that 
this was required in a more formal and 
robust manner in FY2022. During the year, 
we strengthened our analysis of climate 
related matters, as well as our governance 
and reporting of them. This included 
strengthening our contributions and 
commitments to decarbonising our value 
chain as well as reviewing our strategies 
around climate risk management and 
adaptation. 

Moreover, as part of our efforts to 
understand the impacts of climate change 
on our business, we have begun alignment 
towards the Task Force on Climate-
related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) 
recommendations with the help of external 
consultants. 

In accordance with LR 9.8.6R(8) and LR 
9.8.7, we are required to include a statement 
in this Annual Report and Financial 
Statements setting out whether the Group 
has included climate-related financial 
disclosures consistent with the TCFD 
Recommendations and Recommended 
Disclosures (“TCFD Recommendations”). 
We have included climate-related financial 
disclosures in this Annual Report and 
Financial Statements consistent with the 
TCFD Recommendations, except for the 
following:
•  Formally embedding climate-related risks 
and opportunities (“CROs”) within our 
strategy and financial planning through 
the use of quantitative scenario analysis 
(Recommendations Strategy (b) and (c))
•  Identifying and monitoring metrics and 

targets aligned to all of the climate-related 
risks and opportunities that were identified 
as part of our qualitative scenario analysis 
(Recommendation Metrics & Targets (a) 
and (c)).

Our climate-related disclosures are set out 
below. This is the first year we have used the 
TCFD framework to support our reporting 
and we are committed to ensuring that we 
continue to improve our climate-related 
disclosures over the next year.

Governance

The Board is responsible for overseeing 
climate change risks and opportunities 
and considers climate-related issues when 
reviewing and guiding the Group’s strategy, 
as well as when undertaking any major 
plans of action or capital expenditure. C&C’s 
climate-related issues are also integrated 
into decisions regarding C&C’s annual 
budgets, business plans and performance 
objectives. The Group is committed 
to ensuring climate-related issues are 
considered when setting the Group’s risk 
management policies going forward, as 
discussed within the Risk Management 
section of this report on page 51.

Additionally, during the year, the Board has 
undertaken initial training on climate change 
related matters and the TCFD framework. 
A short list of CROs and the output of the 
scenario analysis conducted (see strategy 
section on page 47) were presented to the 
Board in March 2022. During the remaining 
months of 2022, we intend to carry out 
more extensive training on ESG and climate 
change as well as the associated risks 
and opportunities, in order to increase our 
leadership’s knowledge, understanding and 
awareness of climate related issues. 

Elements of the Board’s oversight of 
climate change have been delegated to the 
ESG Committee which was established 
in September 2020. See page 107 of the 
ESG Committee report which contains its 
responsibilities and matters considered 
during the year. The Chair of the ESG 
Committee is responsible for providing 
the Board with an update around all ESG 
matters, including climate change. The ESG 
Committee is supported by a number of 
other Committees and Working Groups:

Board of Directors

Audit 
Committee

Nomination
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

ESG
Committee

Chief Financial
Officer

Chief Executive
Officer

Executive
Committee

ESG Working Group
led by Head of ESG

ESG Champions

Risk Committees
(for each Principle Risk on 
Risk Register including 
Sustainability & Climate Change)

Board level
Management level

Existing reporting lines
Planned reporting lines

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202247

Risk & Compliance Committee: In 
our FY2021 Annual Report we included 
Sustainability and Climate Change as one of 
our principal risks. Therefore, in October of 
2021 we established a Risk & Compliance 
Committee which is responsible for 
monitoring and managing this principal risk. 
This Committee is composed of executives 
and various levels of management from 
across the Group, and will meet bi-monthly. 
The Risk Committee for Sustainability 
and Climate Change reports to the 
Audit Committee; however, we are in the 
process of evaluating and developing 
additional reporting lines which will see 
the Risk Committee for Sustainability and 
Climate Change reporting also to the ESG 
Committee in order to improve C&C’s 
oversight of climate-related risks and 
opportunities. 

ESG Working group: This is a core working 
group focused on initiating and overseeing 
projects related to ESG matters. Supporting 
the ESG working group are a number of 
ESG Champions across the business. The 
responsibilities of the Champion role focus 
on providing upward feedback on ESG 
initiatives to the ESG Committee.

We intend to roll out training on climate-
related matters to key colleagues including 
ESG Champions and Procurement / Buying 
teams so that they will be able to contribute 
towards the update of risk registers and the 
identification of climate-related risks.

The Directors’ Remuneration Committee report on page 117 contains details on the ESG 
related metrics considered by the Committee. Specifically in relation to climate change, the 
following metrics are relevant:

Metric

Target

Relevant to

Carbon reduction for the 
Group

Executive Directors 

The Group has set a target 
to reduce its Scope 1 
emissions and Scope 2 
emissions1 over the three 
financial years ending with 
FY2024 as follows:
Threshold - 6% reduction
Maximum - 12% reduction

1.  Scope 1: direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, which includes emissions from Group-owned or 

operated facilities and vehicles. 
Scope 2: indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy e.g. electricity, steam, heat and cooling.

Strategy

The Group has pledged to be a carbon-
neutral business by 2050. We have 
grounded our emissions reduction targets 
in climate science through the Science 
Based Targets initiative (‘SBTi’), which will be 
validated by the end of 2023 at the latest as 
discussed on page 65 of the Responsibility 
Report.

the likelihood associated with each CRO. 
To take into consideration the longer term 
effects of climate change we redefined the 
Risk Time Frame. 

The below time-horizons, which focus on 
when the identified CRO is likely to begin 
having a material impact on the business’ 
goals and objectives, were approved for use 
by the ESG Committee:

Time Frame

Description

Short term

Present day to 
2025

Medium Term

2025 to 2030

Long term

2030 to 2050

Our Approach to Identifying Climate-
related Risks and Opportunities. 
In FY2022 we collaborated with external 
consultants to support us in identifying the 
Group’s CROs and to carry out a qualitative 
scenario analysis to understand the impact 
of the identified risks on our business. We 
completed various workshops involving 
our external consultants and a range of 
key stakeholders within C&C to consider 
potential CROs. Throughout this process, 
we utilised our existing Risk Management 
framework (as described on page 34 of the 
annual report) to assess the impact and 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements48

TCFD Disclosure
(continued)

Our Identified CROs
Using the process outlined above, we 
identified a “long list” of 38 CROs which 
was provided to the ESG Committee. We 
assigned each one a specific time horizon, 
impact level and likelihood and from this we 
prioritised 5 risks and 2 opportunities (“short 
list”) based on their overall rating. 

Based on these shortlisted CROs, in FY2023 
we will further develop additional targets and 
metrics that will allow us to manage these 
risks / leverage these opportunities, as well 
as measure our progress against them. 

While the above represent the risks and 
opportunities that we have identified as 
being the most relevant to C&C at this time, 
we will continue to monitor the risks that we 
have identified as part of our long list and 
consider emerging CROs as new climate 
data and policies emerge. We expect this 
list to evolve over time. We also continue 
to actively monitor the changing landscape 
of sustainability reporting requirements to 
ensure that we are meeting the reporting 
expectations of our key stakeholders 
including regulators, investors and 
customers. 

Understanding the impact on our CROs 
through Scenario Analysis
As part of our efforts to identify, assess, 
and mitigate climate-related risks and 
opportunities we have carried out a 
qualitative scenario analysis using the 
Representative Concentration Pathways 
(“RCP”) Scenarios published by the 
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 
(“IPCC”). For our qualitative analysis, we 
used the IPCC RCP2.6 (to support our 
analysis of transition risks) and RCP8.5 
(to support our analysis of physical risks) 
scenarios to assess the impact of different 
temperature increases on our short list of 
CROs.

Heatmap  

l

*
y
e
k
L

i

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y
h
g
H

i

l

y
e
k
L

i

l

i

e
b
s
s
o
P

l

y
e
k

i
l

n
U

e
t
o
m
e
R

3

4

5

6

7

2

1

Transition risk
1.   Climate Change Levy / Carbon Tax

Physical Risk
2.   Effects on ingredient production 

due to climate change

3.   Water scarcity reduces availability 

of water for production

6.   Floods disrupt production and distribution  

at Clonmel facility

7.  Disruption to supply chain & distribution  

network due to extreme weather

Opportunity
4.   Invest in low carbon intensity supply  
chains and distribution networks

5.   Sustainable trends in consumer demand

Minor

Moderate

Significant

Major

Intolerable*

*As defined in our Group Risk Register.

Under the RCP2.6 scenario, the main risk 
for C&C will be the increase in climate 
change levies and taxes that would have to 
be introduced in most countries to be able 
to reduce GHG emissions. However, there 
are also opportunities for C&C to leverage 
under this scenario. We are trialling the use 
of electric vehicles and investigating the use 
of hydrogen vehicles within our car and truck 
fleets in order to decarbonise our supply 
chain and lower our exposure to carbon 
taxes.

Under the RCP8.5 scenario C&C would 
be primarily exposed to the risks of water 
scarcity, flooding and changing crop yields, 
all of which will impact our production.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
 
 
 
 
49

The effects of the temperature scenarios on the shortlisted CROs and their impact, as well as C&C’s mitigation of these impacts, is 
summarised in the following table:

Value Chain Impact and 
divisional impact

Description of Impact prior to any mitigating 
activities being considered

Management of risks and opportunities

TCFD CRO Category

Scenario

Time Horizon

1. Climate Change Levy / Carbon Tax

RCP2.6

Short term

Transition risk 
- policy & legal
Transition risk 
- technology

Upstream, 
Production & 
distribution

Branded 

Wholesale

The Group’s primary production 
sites are located in geographical 
locations either with a Carbon 
Tax (Ireland) or Carbon Levy 
(UK). These costs are due to 
increase substantially between 
now and 2030. Moreover, 
the increased pricing of GHG 
emissions means that the 
Group’s operational costs will 
increase (e.g. heating).

Changes in precipitation 
patterns and extreme variability 
in weather patterns will 
adversely affect barley, maize, 
wheat, malt, apple and apple 
juice, and wine production 
therefore affecting the Group’s 
supply chain and production 
capabilities.

2. Effects on ingredient production due to climate change

Physical risk - 
chronic

RCP8.5

Long term

Raw materials

Branded 

Wholesale

3. Water scarcity reduces availability of water for production

Physical risk - 
chronic
Transition risk - 
policy & legal

RCP8.5

Long term

Raw materials & 
Production

Branded 

Wholesale

Potential for long-term changes 
in ground water levels due 
to reduced precipitation 
may affect the availability 
of water for production (the 
Group uses water as both a 
product ingredient and as a 
plant cleaning medium) and 
enhances regulatory controls 
over seasonal water extraction 
activities, disrupting the Group’s 
production.

Each of the Group’s sites has 
an active water management 
programme. This includes an 
ongoing assessment of the 
water scarcity risk to each 
production site. 

The Group will engage with 
our suppliers on their water 
management policies and 
establish if they have conducted 
a risk assessment which covers 
climate related water stress.

The Group will reduce our 
carbon emissions in line with 
our SBTi target.

The Group will explore avenues 
to invest in low carbon intensity 
supply chains and in cleaner 
technologies.

The Group will explore 
implementing a shadow 
carbon price in order to assess 
potential future financial impacts 
that could arise from proposed 
increases in carbon pricing.

The Group will assess the 
climate related risk to each 
ingredient on an individual 
basis. The results will be 
incorporated into our supply 
chain strategy.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements50

TCFD Disclosure
(continued)

TCFD CRO Category

Scenario

Time Horizon

Value Chain Impact and 
divisional impact

Description of Impact prior to any mitigating 
activities being considered

Management of risks and opportunities

6. Floods disrupt production and distribution at Clonmel facility

Physical risk - 
acute

RCP8.5

Long term

Production & 
Distribution

Branded 

Increased heavy precipitation 
leading to floods in Clonmel 
facility. The occurrence of 
flooding could also cause 
damage to property and halt 
production in these facilities, 
impacting outputs and revenue.

7. Disruption to supply chain & distribution network due to extreme weather

Physical risk - 
acute

RCP8.5

Long term

Upstream, 
Distribution

Branded 

Wholesale

Distribution channels are 
exposed to more extreme 
weather events leading to 
financial losses through lost 
revenue due to our suppliers 
being unable to deliver goods to 
us or the Group being unable to 
deliver goods to our customers.

As a significant employer 
in Tipperary in Ireland, the 
Group will work with the local 
authorities to foresee and 
mitigate any associated risk.

A flood risk assessment will 
be conducted on the Clonmel 
site in Tipperary based on a 
RCP 8.5 scenario followed 
by the development of a 
flood management plan to 
minimise any potential business 
disruption.

The Group will work with 
our partners in our recently 
launched Supply Chain 
engagement programme to 
review risks and mitigations on 
a longer term time horizon.

The Group will mitigate the 
operational impact of extreme 
weather events through 
business continuity plans, which 
will be tested regularly against 
the latest IPCC scenarios.

The Group will mitigate the 
financial impact of such events 
through business interruption 
insurance cover.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202251

TCFD CRO Category

Scenario

Time Horizon

Value Chain Impact and 
divisional impact

Description of Impact prior to any mitigating 
activities being considered

Management of risks and opportunities

4. Invest in low carbon intensity supply chains and distribution networks

RCP2.6

Long term

Distribution

Transition 
Opportunity 
(Resource 
Efficiency)

Branded 

Wholesale

Sales & 
consumers

Branded 

The Group will actively assess 
low carbon distribution options 
as the leading final mile delivery 
partner to the on trade in the UK 
and Ireland.

The Group will work with 
our partners in our recently 
launched Supply Chain 
engagement programme to 
help them lower their carbon 
emissions.

The Group will continue to utilise 
in-house consumer insight via 
PROOF and external sources to 
develop / execute meaningful 
brand sustainability campaigns 
(Life is Bigger than Beer – 
Tennent’s and Save the Bees 
– Bulmers).

Opportunity to mitigate 
the increase in production, 
transportation and distribution 
cost due to the increase in 
energy prices by transitioning to 
lower carbon options. This could 
allow the Group to lower costs 
with respect to our competitors. 

Strong corporate climate 
change management enhances 
credibility and strengthens 
relationships with stakeholders 
leading to potential new revenue 
opportunities. Additionally, given 
that the Group’s production, 
distribution and crop sites are 
relatively close to each other, 
this could have a positive 
impact on carbon labelling 
and reputation as consumers 
increasingly look for locally 
sourced, low carbon products. 

5. Sustainable trends in consumer demand

RCP2.6

Short term

Transition 
Opportunity 
(Resilience and 
Market)

Risk Management

C&C adopts a standard risk management 
framework which is discussed in detail on 
page 34. We have in the past considered 
a wide range of risks and opportunities 
relating to climate change and other 
environmental factors that were evaluated by 
senior operational managers and technical 
specialists. These include, for example: 
impacts relating to continuity and cost of 
supply of raw materials, water, waste, energy 
use and efficiency, packaging materials, 
customer and consumer requirements, 
regulation as well as brand and reputational 

issues. However given the increasing focus 
on climate, in FY2022 we completed a deep 
dive on CROs as described in the strategy 
section above. We have integrated the 
results of this assessment into our overall 
risk management system. Therefore, the 
identification, prioritisation, assessment 
and management of our ‘Sustainability 
and Climate Change’ risk is completed in a 
manner consistent with the Group’s other 
principal risks with the exception of the 
timeframe used (please refer to the Strategy 
section of the TCFD report on page 47). 

For additional information regarding the 
climate-related risks identified and our 
activities to mitigate these risks, please refer 
to the Strategy section of the TCFD report 
on page 47. Climate change mitigation is 
a current and ongoing responsibility for 
the Risk Committee for Sustainability and 
Climate Change as highlighted as part of the 
Governance section of this report on page 
46.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
52

TCFD Disclosure
(continued)

To be able to better manage the projected 
impacts of climate change, we are 
committed to the continuous improvement 
of our processes for identifying and 
assessing our climate-related risks. We 
also want to improve the bottom-up risk 
assessment process and we will roll out 
education and awareness training that 
will be carried out an operational level to 
enhance our risk identification processes.

Any changes to climate-regulation, or the 
emergence of new climate-related regulation 
is considered as part of our normal 
regulation assessment for the Group.

Metrics & Targets

To oversee our progress against our Group’s 
climate-related goals and targets we have 
set a number of climate-related KPIs in line 
with our sustainability strategy. These KPIs 
have been selected in order to monitor our 
progress against our targets and to help us 
manage the identified CROs. The metrics 
adopted are monitored using a financial 

control boundary, and were developed in 
alignment with international environmental 
frameworks, namely CDP and SBTI, as well 
as with guidance provided by GHG Protocol. 

to the remaining CROs is required and are 
committed to working on this during the 
next financial year.

The Board recognises the importance of 
ensuring that we monitor our performance 
with respect to the CROs identified with 
tailored KPIs. Currently, through the 
measurement of Scope 1, Scope 2 and 
Scope 3 emissions along with its SBTi 
commitment, the Group is able to manage 
CRO 1, Climate Change Levy / Carbon Tax. 
Additionally, through the monitoring of water 
usage in C&C’s facilities, the Group is able 
to manage CRO 3 - Water scarcity reduces 
availability of water for production - even 
though there is additional work to be done 
around the metrics to monitor suppliers 
in this area. The Group also measures 
performance and historical progress 
with respect to waste management (for 
more information, see page 70 in the 
Responsibility Report). We recognise that 
further work on metrics and targets aligning 

Areas of focus for FY2023

In FY2023 the Group will carry out a 
quantitative scenario analysis to support 
the formal embedding of CROs within our 
strategic planning. Moreover, it will allow the 
Group to further assess the financial impact 
of climate-related risks and opportunities on 
our business. 

As we mature in our understanding of C&C’s 
climate-related issues and the impact on our 
business, we will also continue to reassess 
the short list as risks and opportunities 
evolve. We will integrate additional metrics 
and targets to support us in mitigating 
and managing the identified risks and 
opportunities. 

TCFD Index

Disclosure Requirement

Governance

TCFD 
disclosure met

Page 
Reference

Actions Undertaken 

Next Steps

(a) Describe the board’s oversight of climate-
related risks and opportunities.

(b) Describe management’s role in 
assessing and managing climate-related 
risks and opportunities.

Yes

Yes

Page 
46

Pages 
46 - 47

•  A Risk & Compliance 

Committee was established 
in order to monitor and 
manage Sustainability 
and Climate Change as a 
principal risk.

•  The Board received initial 
training on climate change 
and TCFD reporting.

•  Carry out further training on 
ESG and climate change as 
well as the associated risks 
and opportunities.

•  Develop additional reporting 
lines which will see the Risk 
Committee for Sustainability 
and Climate Change reporting 
also to the ESG Committee.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202253

Disclosure Requirement

Strategy

TCFD 
disclosure met

Page 
Reference

Actions Undertaken 

Next Steps

(a) Describe the climate-related risks and 
opportunities the organisation has identified 
over the short, medium, and long term.

Yes

Pages 
49 - 51

(b) Describe the impact of climate-related 
risks and opportunities on the organisation’s 
businesses, strategy, and financial planning.

No

-

(c) Describe the resilience of the 
organisation’s strategy, taking into 
consideration different climate-related 
scenarios, including a 2°C or lower scenario.

Partially

Pages 
47 - 48

•  Identified climate risks and 
opportunities that could 
have a material impact on 
C&C.

•  Conducted a detailed 

qualitative climate change 
risk assessment and 
scenario analysis with 
the support of an expert 
external party.

•  Continue to monitor the risks 
that we have identified and 
consider emerging CROs as 
new climate data and policies 
emerge. 

•  Actively monitor the changing 
landscape of sustainability 
reporting requirements.
•  Carry out a quantitative 

scenario analysis to assess 
the financial impact of 
climate-related risks and 
opportunities on C&C and 
integrate climate change 
within C&C’s strategy and 
financial planning.

Risk Management

(a) Describe the organisation’s processes 
for identifying and assessing climate-related 
risks.

Yes

(b) Describe the organisation’s processes for 
managing climate-related risks.

Yes

(c) Describe how processes for identifying, 
assessing, and managing climate-related 
risks are integrated into the organisation’s 
overall risk management.

Yes

Metrics & Targets

(a) Disclose the metrics used by the 
organisation to assess climate-related risks 
and opportunities in line with its strategy 
and risk management process.

(b) Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, and, if 
appropriate, Scope 3 greenhouse gas 
(GHG) emissions, and the related risks.

(c) Describe the targets used by the 
organisation to manage climate related risks 
and opportunities and performance against 
targets.

Partially

Yes

Partially

Page 
51

Pages 
46 and 
51

Page 
51

Page 
47 and 
52

Page 
66

Page 
47 and 
52

•  Further integrated climate-
related risks within C&C’s 
overall risk management 
process.

•  C&C will further develop the 
bottom-up risk assessment 
process relevant to CROs.

•  Roll out education and 

awareness training that will 
be carried out an operational 
level to enhance the Group’s 
risk identification processes.

•  Set carbon reduction targets 

in line with SBTi.

•  Assessed our current 

metrics in relation to the 
identified CROs.

•  Evaluate and develop, where 
applicable, additional metrics 
and targets to support us 
in managing the identified 
climate-related risks and 
opportunities.

•  Achieve our SBTi objectives. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements54

Group Chief Financial Officer’s Review

“ The Group’s performance 
in FY2022 continued to 
be significantly impacted 
by COVID-19 and the 
associated on-trade 
restrictions in our core 
markets.”

Patrick McMahon
Group Chief  
Financial Officer

Results For The Year

Once again, COVID-19 and its related restrictions have posed 
significant challenges to the drinks and hospitality sector, effecting 
all of the Group’s stakeholders and materially impacting our results 
for the year ended 28 February 2022. Despite significant challenges 
the Group returned to profitability for the year.

C&C is reporting net revenue of €1,438.1m, operating profit(i) of 
€47.9m, liquidity(ii) of €438.7m and net debt(iii) including leases, 
of €271.3m. Net debt(iii) excluding IFRS 16 Leases was €191.3m. 
Following the easing of on-trade restrictions in the first half of 
FY2022, trading was ahead of plan with the Group returning to 

profitability and underlying cash generation. 
However, renewed Government restrictions 
on the hospitality industry in the second 
half of the year, particularly across the 
key Christmas trading period adversely 
impacted performance. With the lifting 
once again of restrictions towards the latter 
stages of FY2022, the Group’s on-trade 
performance improved yet again, providing 
a platform for a clean start to FY2023. 
Cost inflation pressures and concerns 
associated with the potential consequences 
of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine have 
grown over recent months. In response to 
this challenging and evolving inflationary 
backdrop and uncertain macro environment, 
in November 2021 the Group implemented 
a series of price increases which, alongside 
our previously announced cost reduction 
programme and cost hedge positions afford 
us a degree of cost protection as we enter 
into FY2023.

The Group’s performance in FY2022 
continued to be significantly impacted by 
COVID-19 and the associated on-trade 
restrictions in our core markets. As a direct 
result, and on a constant currency basis(iv), 
net revenue for the Group of €1,438.1m 
increased by 87.8%. 

Bulmers and Tennent’s continued to build 
on market share gains, our distribution 
businesses returned to profitability and 
we successfully executed our previously 
announced cost reduction programme. 
The continued, intermittent lockdowns and 
restrictions in the on-trade resulted in the 
Group reporting an operating profit for the 
year of €47.9m(i), up from a loss of €63.6m 
in the prior year(i)(iv) and €74.8m(i) below the 
Group FY2020 outcome (on a constant 
currency basis). Adjusted diluted EPS for 
FY2022 is 7.5 cent. 

Liquidity and net debt reduction have been a 
key focus for the Group throughout FY2022. 
The Group completed a successful Rights 
Issue in June 2021 issuing 81,287,315 New 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202255

Due to COVID-19 and 
the impact this had 
on global economies 
and on business 
generally, the Board 
concluded it was not 
appropriate to pay 
an interim dividend 
or a final dividend for 
FY2022.

Ordinary Shares at 186 pence per New 
Ordinary Share, raising gross proceeds of 
£151.2m (€176.3m). As a result of this, the 
Group reduced leverage with a significant 
reduction in net debt, improving the Group’s 
overall liquidity position and providing the 
Group with the capital structure to both 
support the business during further potential 
disruptions from COVID-19 and to deliver on 
its strategy. The Group maintains a robust 
liquidity position with available liquidity of 
€438.7m at 28 February 2022 and at year 
end achieved Net Debt/ EBITDA of 3.4x. Our 
target Net Debt/ EBITDA level is less than 
2x.

The potential impact on the Group’s 
profitability from the challenging inflationary 
cost environment and concerns associated 
with the potential consequences of the 
ongoing conflict in Ukraine is a key focus 
as the Group enters FY2023. This risk 
has been somewhat mitigated to date 
by a successfully executed €18.0m cost 
reduction plan, recent price increases and 
input cost hedging but we remain very 
vigilant of the risk this level of cost inflation 
poses to our cost base and more generally 
consumer confidence and spending as we 
progress into FY2023.

Accounting Policies

As required by European Union (‘EU’) law, 
the Group’s financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as 
adopted by the EU, and as applied in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2014, 
applicable Irish law and the Listing Rules of 
the UK Listing Authority. Details of the basis 
of preparation and the accounting policies 
are outlined on pages 154 to 170. 

Finance Costs, Income Tax and 
Shareholder Returns

Net finance costs before exceptional items 
of €16.1m were incurred in the financial year 

(FY2021: €19.5m), with €7.4m being incurred 
post the receipt of Rights Issue gross cash 
proceeds of £151m (€176m). The Group 
successfully negotiated financial covenant 
waivers as a consequence of the impact 
of COVID-19 with its lenders. Exceptional 
finance costs of €6.7m were incurred directly 
associated with these waivers including 
waiver fees, increased margins payable and 
other professional fees associated with the 
covenant waivers. 

In FY2022, the UK trading group increased 
its contribution to overall Group profits. 
Expectedly, this impacts the Group’s 
effective tax rate for FY2022 of 18.8%, as 
UK generated profits are taxed a rate of 19% 
as compared to that of 12.5% in Ireland. 
Further pressure on the Group’s effective 
tax rate is to be expected with the increase 
of the UK’s corporate tax rate to 25% from 1 
April 2023 and the expected implementation 
of a 15% corporate tax rate in Ireland (for 
large multi-national corporations) towards 
the end of FY2023. The Group continues to 
manage its effective tax rate in line with its 
published tax strategy.

Due to COVID-19 and the impact this had 
on global economies and on business 
generally, the Board concluded it was not 
appropriate to pay an interim dividend or 
a final dividend for FY2022. In the prior 
financial year, due to the emergence of 
COVID-19, no interim or final dividend was 
paid, a payment of €0.4m was made to 
recipients of dividend accruing share-based 
payment awards and a credit of €0.2m was 
recognised in the Income Statement as a 
consequence of dividend accruing share-
based payment awards now deemed to be 
not capable of achieving their performance 
conditions, and hence both the share-based 
payment award and related dividend accrual 
were deemed to have lapsed.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
56

Group Chief Financial Officer’s Review
(continued)

Exceptional items 

Total exceptional items, before the impact of 
taxation, of a €11.3m credit were incurred in 
the current financial year. 

COVID-19 
The Group has continued to account 
for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as 
an exceptional item and has incurred an 
exceptional credit of €17.5m from operating 
activities at 28 February 2022. The Group 
reviewed the recoverability of its debtor 
book and advances to customers and 
booked a credit of €7.9m with respect to 
its provision against trade debtors and a 
credit of €5.5m with respect to its provision 
for advances to customers. The Group also 
realised an exceptional credit of €4.1m with 
respect to inventory, this related to inventory 
that had previously been assessed as 
unsaleable before becoming obsolete, all as 
a consequence of the COVID-19 restrictions. 

Restructuring costs
A credit of €1.2m relating to restructuring 
costs was incurred in the current financial 
year. This included severance costs of 
€0.6m which arose as a consequence of the 
optimisation of the delivery networks project 
in England and Scotland. In addition, the 
Group realised a credit of €1.8m in relation 
to the profit on disposal of a property as 
a direct consequence of the optimisation 
project.

Impairment of property, plant & 
equipment
Property (comprising freehold land & 
buildings) and plant & machinery are valued 
at fair value on the Consolidated Balance 
Sheet and reviewed for impairment on an 
annual basis. During the current financial 
year, as outlined in detail in note 11, the 
Group engaged external valuers to value 
the freehold land & buildings and plant 
& machinery at the Group’s Clonmel 
(Tipperary), Wellpark (Glasgow) and Portugal 
sites. Using the valuation methodologies, 
this resulted in a net revaluation gain of 
€0.6m accounted for in the Consolidated 

Income Statement and a gain of €2.5m 
accounted for within Other Comprehensive 
Income. 

Rights Issue costs
The Group completed a successful Rights 
Issue in June 2021 issuing 81,287,315 New 
Ordinary Shares at 186 pence per New 
Ordinary Share, raising gross proceeds of 
£151.2m (€176.3m). Attributable costs of 
€9.2m were incurred, of which €6.6m was 
debited directly to Equity and €2.6m was 
recorded as an exceptional charge in the 
Group’s Condensed Consolidated Income 
Statement.

Profit on disposal
During the current financial year, as outlined in 
further detail in note 10, the Group completed 
the sale of its wholly owned US subsidiary, 
Vermont Hard Cider Company to Northeast 
Kingdom Drinks Group, LLC on the 2 April 
2021 for a total consideration of €17.5m 
(USD 20.5m) (comprised of cash proceeds of 
€13.4m (€12.9m net cash impact on disposal) 
and promissory notes of €4.1m at the date 
of transaction), realising a profit of €4.5m on 
disposal.

Finance income 
The Group earned finance income of €0.2m 
relating to promissory notes issued as part 
of the disposal of the Group’s subsidiary 
Vermont Hard Cider Company.

Finance expense
As outlined previously, during the current 
financial year, the Group successfully 
negotiated covenant waivers due to the 
impact of COVID-19 with its lenders. Costs 
of €6.7m were incurred in the year directly 
associated with these waivers including 
waiver fees, increased margins payable 
and other professional fees associated with 
covenant waivers.

Equity accounted investments’ 
exceptional items
On 17 May 2022, the Group announced the 
sale of its joint venture investment in Admiral 
Taverns, to Proprium Capital Partners for a 

total consideration of €65.8m (£55.0m). The 
sale of the shares will be completed and the 
consideration will be paid in three tranches 
during FY2023, subject only to FCA 
approval. Admiral Taverns was classified 
as an asset held for sale as at 24 February 
2022. 

The net impact of exceptional items in 
relation to Admiral is a charge of €3.7m. 
The Group continued to equity account for 
this investment up until this date, with the 
Group recognising a credit of €2.7m with 
respect to its share of Admiral Taverns’ 
exceptional items. This included a credit 
of €4.1m with respect to the Group’s share 
of the revaluation gain arising from the fair 
value exercise to value Admiral’s property 
assets. The Group also recognised an 
exceptional charge of €1.4m in relation 
to its share of other exceptional items for 
the year, including the Group’s share of 
acquisition costs of €1.4m incurred with 
respect to Admiral Taverns’ acquisition of 
Hawthorn. The Group also recognised its 
share of other exceptional items for the year 
of €0.5m, primarily relating to restructuring 
costs. This was offset by a release from the 
expected loss provision with respect to the 
recoverability of Admiral Taverns’ debtor 
book as a consequence of COVID-19 of 
€0.5m. 

As a result of the same property valuation 
exercise, a gain of €2.2m with respect 
to the Group’s share of the revaluation 
was recognised in Other Comprehensive 
Income.

Also in the current financial year, the Group 
assessed the carrying value of its equity 
accounted investment as a result of its 
classification as an asset held for sale 
as at 24 February 2022 and recognised 
an impairment charge of €6.4m. This 
impairment charge reverses previously 
accumulated gains and losses in relation to 
the application of equity accounting for the 
Admiral Taverns investment, to reflect the 
recoverable value of the Group’s investment 
in line with the agreed consideration of 
€65.8m (£55.0m).

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202257

The Group maintains a £200m committed 
receivables purchase facility, renewable 
annually in May. As at 28 February 2022, 
€84.1m of this facility was drawn (FY2021: 
€45.0m, FY2020: €131.4m).

Cash generation

Summary cash flow for the year ended 28 
February 2022 is set out in the table below. 
Overall liquidity remains robust. The increase 
in the Group’s receivables purchase 
programme, as a direct consequence of 
increased trading was partly offset by the 
Group’s repayment of previously deferred 
tax payments to the UK and Irish Tax 
Authorities in accordance with our agreed 
repayment schedules of €64.3m and an 
investment in stock in Q4 FY2022. The 
contribution to year end Group cash from 
the receivables purchase programme was 
€84.1m compared to €45.0m (€46.3m on a 
constant currency basis(iv)) at 28 February 
2021 - a cash inflow of €37.8m(iv). In FY2022 
€64.3m of previously deferred tax payments 
were repaid and €28.8m will be repaid in 
FY2023.

Capital expenditure in FY2022 amounted to 
€14.9m, with almost 50% relating directly to 
ESG initiatives and investments, namely the 
completion of our Out of Plastics projects 
for owned alcohol brands in Wellpark and 
Clonmel and an investment in Ireland’s 
largest rooftop solar panel installation in 
Clonmel which will provide 10% of the site’s 
electricity requirement. 

Other
During the current financial year, €0.3m 
was released against a provision for legal 
disputes.

Balance Sheet Strength and Debt 
Management 
Balance sheet strength provides the Group 
with the financial flexibility to pursue its 
strategic objectives. It is our policy to ensure 
that a medium/long-term debt funding 
structure is in place to provide us with the 
financial capacity to promote the future 
development of the business and to achieve 
its strategic objectives. To ensure the 
business was equipped with the optimum 
capital structure and financing to emerge 
from the COVID-19 pandemic in a position 
of strength, the Group announced a Rights 
Issue on the 26 May 2021. The Group 
successfully completed the Rights Issue 
in June 2021 raising gross cash proceeds 
of £151.2m (€176.3m). As a result of this, 
the Group reduced leverage, improving 
the Group’s overall liquidity position and 
providing the Group with the capital 
structure to both support the business 
during further potential disruptions from 
COVID-19 and to deliver on its strategy.

The Group manages its borrowing 
requirements by entering into committed 
loan facility agreements. In July 2018, the 
Group amended and updated its committed 
€450m multi-currency five year syndicated 
revolving loan facility and executed a 
three-year Euro term loan. Both the multi-
currency facility and the Euro term loan 
were negotiated with eight banks, namely 
ABN Amro Bank, Allied Irish Bank, Bank 
of Ireland, Bank of Scotland, Barclays 
Bank, HSBC, Rabobank and Ulster Bank. 
In FY2020 the Group availed of an option 
within the Group’s multi-currency revolving 
loan facility agreement to extend the tenure 
for a further 364 days from termination 
date. The multi-currency facility agreement 
is therefore now repayable in a single 
instalment on 11 July 2024. During the prior 
financial year, the Group renegotiated an 

extension of the repayment schedule of the 
Euro term loan with its lenders and the last 
instalment is now payable on 12 July 2022.

In March 2020, the Group completed the 
successful issue of new USPP notes. The 
unsecured notes, denominated in both Euro 
and Sterling, have maturities of 10 and 12 
years and diversify the Group’s sources of 
debt finance. The Group’s Euro term loan 
included a mandatory prepayment clause 
from the issuance of any Debt Capital 
Market instruments however a waiver of the 
prepayment was successfully negotiated 
in addition to a waiver of a July 2020 
repayment, as a consequence of COVID-19, 
which now becomes payable with the last 
instalment in July 2022. 

As outlined previously, as a direct 
consequence of the impact of COVID-19, 
the Group successfully negotiated waivers 
on its debt covenants from its lending group 
for FY2021, and these have been extended 
up to, but not including, the August 2022 
test date.

As part of the agreement reached to waive 
the debt covenants, a minimum liquidity 
requirement and a gross debt restriction 
have been put in place. The minimum 
liquidity requirement and gross debt 
restriction will remain in place until the Group 
is able to show compliance with its original 
debt covenant levels at the 28 February 
2023 or any subsequent test date or 
earlier if compliance can be demonstrated 
and with respect to the minimum liquidity 
requirement, the Group must maintain 
liquidity of at least €150.0m each month.A 
monthly gross debt cap of €700.0m in the 
current financial year applied which will 
continue during FY2022.

The Group complied with these new 
minimum liquidity and gross debt 
requirements during the financial year. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements58

Group Chief Financial Officer’s Review
(continued)

Table 1 – Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA(v) to Operating profit/(loss)

Operating profit/(loss)

Exceptional items

Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items 

Amortisation and depreciation charge

Adjusted EBITDA(v)

Table 2 – Cash flow summary

Adjusted EBITDA(v) 

Working capital

Advances to customers

Net finance costs excluding exceptional finance costs

Tax (paid)/refunded 

Pension contributions paid

Tangible/intangible expenditure

Net proceeds on disposal of property plant & equipment

Exceptional items paid

Other*

Free cash flow(vi)

Free cash flow(vi)

Net exceptional cash outflow 

Free cash flow(vi) excluding net exceptional cash outflow

Reconciliation to Group Cash Flow Statement

Free cash flow(vi)

Net proceeds from exercise of share options/equity interests 

Drawdown of debt

Repayment of debt

Payment of lease liabilities

Proceeds from Rights Issue

Payment of issue costs

Payment of Rights Issue costs

Disposal of subsidiary/equity investment

Cash outflow re acquisition of equity accounted investments/financial assets

Dividends paid 

Net decrease in cash 

2022
€m

58.5

(10.6)

47.9

31.8

79.7

2022 
€m

79.7

(19.2)

2.3

(16.7)

(3.2)

(0.4)

(17.1)

2.3

(12.5)

3.0

18.2

18.2

10.2

28.4

18.2

0.7

49.5

(271.7)

(21.9)

176.3

-

(9.2)

12.9

(0.3)

-

(45.5)

2021
€m

(84.8)

25.2

(59.6)

30.8

(28.8)

2021
€m

(28.8)

(44.7)

1.2

(18.0)

7.2

(0.4)

(10.0)

1.0

(12.4)

1.3

(103.6)

(103.6)

12.4

(91.2)

(103.6)

0.3

570.9

(464.0)

(19.0)

-

(1.4)

-

6.7

(6.9)

(0.4)

(17.4)

*   Other relates to the add back of share options, pension contributions: adjustments from charge to payment and the add back of intangible asset impairment. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
59

Retirement Benefits

In compliance with IFRS, the net assets and 
actuarial liabilities of the various defined 
benefit pension schemes operated by the 
Group companies, computed in accordance 
with IAS 19 Employee Benefits, are included 
on the face of the Consolidated Balance 
Sheet as retirement benefits.

Independent actuarial valuations of the 
defined benefit pension schemes are 
carried out on a triennial basis using the 
attained age method. An actuarial valuation 
process is currently ongoing. The most 
recently completed actuarial valuations of 
the ROI defined benefit pension schemes 
were carried out with an effective date of 
1 January 2021 while the date of the most 
recent actuarial valuation of the NI defined 
benefit pension scheme was 31 December 
2020.As a result of these updated valuations 
the Group has committed to contributions 
of 27.5% of pensionable salaries for the 
Group’s staff defined benefit scheme. There 
is no funding requirement with respect 
to the Group’s executive defined benefit 
pension scheme or the Group’s NI defined 
benefit pension scheme, both of which are 
in surplus. The Group has an unconditional 
right to these surpluses when the scheme 
concludes. 

There are 2 active members in the NI 
scheme and 51 active members (less than 
10% of total membership) in the ROI staff 
defined benefit pension scheme and no 
active members in the executive defined 
benefit pension scheme. 

At 28 February 2022, the retirement 
benefits computed in accordance with IAS 
19 Employee Benefits amounted to a net 
surplus of €37.6m gross of deferred tax 
(€20.0m surplus with respect to the Group’s 
staff defined benefit pension scheme, 
€11.1m surplus with respect to the Group’s 
executive defined benefit pension scheme 
and a €6.5m surplus with respect to the 
Group’s NI defined benefit pension scheme) 
and a net surplus of €31.5m net of deferred 
tax. 

The key factors influencing the change in valuation of the Group’s defined benefit pension 
scheme obligations gross of deferred tax are as outlined below:

€m

4.9

0.2

0.4

32.8

(0.7)

37.6

Currency transaction exposures primarily 
arise on the Sterling, US, Canadian and 
Australian Dollar denominated sales of our 
Euro subsidiaries and Euro purchases in 
the Group’s Great Britain (GB) business. 
We seek to minimise this exposure, when 
possible, by offsetting the foreign currency 
input costs against the same foreign 
currency receipts, creating a natural 
hedge. When the remaining net currency 
exposure is material, the Group enters 
into foreign currency forward contracts 
to mitigate and protect against adverse 
movements in currency risk and remove 
uncertainty over the foreign currency 
equivalent cash flows. Forward foreign 
currency contracts are used to manage 
this risk in a non-speculative manner when 
the Group’s net exposure exceeds certain 
limits as set out in the Group’s treasury 
policy. In the current financial year, the 
Group had €22.2m forward foreign 
currency cash flow hedges outstanding.

The average rate for the translation of 
results from Sterling currency operations 
was €1:£0.8524 (year ended 28 February 
2021: €1:£0.8959) and from US Dollar 
operations was €1:$1.1701 (year ended 28 
February 2021: €1:$1.1602). 

Net surplusat 1 March 2021

Translation adjustment 

Employer contributions paid 

Credit to Other Comprehensive Income

Charge to Income Statement

Net surplus at 28 February 2022

The increase in the surplus from €4.9m at 
28 February 2021 to a surplus of €37.6m 
at 28 February 2022 is primarily due to an 
actuarial gain of €32.8m over the year. The 
actuarial gain was driven by the increase 
in the discount rates used to value the 
pension benefit obligation. The impact of 
the increase in discount rates was partially 
offset by the increase in the inflation-related 
assumptions. 

Financial Risk Management

The main financial market risks facing the 
Group continue to include commodity price 
fluctuations, foreign currency exchange rate 
risk, interest rate risk, creditworthiness in 
relation to its counterparties and liquidity 
risk. 

The Board of Directors set the treasury 
policies and objectives of the Group, the 
implementation of which are monitored by 
the Audit Committee. Details of both the 
policies and control procedures adopted to 
manage these financial risks are set out in 
detail in note 24 to the consolidated financial 
statements. 

Currency Risk Management

The reporting currency and the currency 
used for all planning and budgetary 
purposes is Euro. However, as the 
Group transacts in foreign currencies 
and consolidates the results of non-Euro 
reporting foreign operations, it is exposed 
to both transaction and translation currency 
risk. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements60

Group Chief Financial Officer’s Review
(continued)

Comparisons for revenue, net revenue and 
operating profit before exceptional items 
for each of the Group’s reporting segments 
are shown at constant exchange rates for 
transactions by subsidiary undertakings 
in currencies other than their functional 
currency and for translation in relation to the 
Group’s Sterling and US Dollar denominated 
subsidiaries by restating the prior year at 
current year average rates.

Segmental reporting

In September 2021, the Group announced 
to the market as part of its ‘One C&C’ target 
that it would be combining all of the Great 
Britain (‘GB and RoW’) trading businesses 
with immediate effect aligning management 
structures and beginning a significant 
change programme of simplification and 
integration. This led to our previously 
reported GB, Matthew Clark Bibendum and 
International businesses being absorbed 
under one management team led by one 
Managing Director. The Ireland business 
remains unchanged. Considering the 
changes in the operational management 
and organisational structure, the Group has 
aligned its reporting segments with how 
the business is now managed. Furthermore 
and to aid more useful analysis of the 
Group’s business performance, the Group 
has introduced Branded, Distribution and 
Co-pack/Other secondary analysis to its 
reporting this year.

Applying the realised FY2022 foreign currency rates to the reported FY2021 revenue, net 
revenue and operating loss(i) are shown in the table below:

Table 3 – Constant currency comparatives

Year ended 
28 February 2021
€m

FX transaction
€m

FX translation
€m

Year ended 
28 February 2021
€m

Revenue

Ireland

Branded

Distribution

Co-pack/Other

Great Britain

Branded

Distribution

Co-pack/Other

Total

Net revenue

Ireland

Branded

Distribution

Co-pack/Other

Great Britain

Branded

Distribution

Co-pack/Other

Total

Operating loss(i)

Ireland

Branded

Distribution

Great Britain

Branded

Distribution

Total

269.8

94.2

167.2

8.4

753.0

230.8

476.2

46.0

1,022.8

166.1

48.6

114.0

3.5

570.8

133.4

394.2

43.2

736.9

(4.9)

(3.9)

(1.0)

(54.7)

(10.0)

(44.7)

(59.6)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1.7)

(0.1)

(1.6)

0.6

(0.1)

0.7

(1.1)

1.9

0.7

1.2

-

36.8

10.5

24.2

2.1

38.7

1.3

0.3

1.0

-

27.6

5.6

20.0

2.0

28.9

(0.1)

(0.1)

-

(2.8)

(0.3)

(2.5)

(2.9)

271.7

94.9

168.4

8.4

789.8

241.3

500.4

48.1

1,061.5

167.4

48.9

115.0

3.5

598.4

139.0

414.2

45.2

765.8

(6.7)

(4.1)

(2.6)

(56.9)

(10.4)

(46.5)

(63.6)

Notes to the Group Chief Financial Officer’s Review
(i)   Before exceptional items.
(ii)   Liquidity is defined as cash plus undrawn amounts under the Group’s revolving credit facility. 
(iii)  Net debt comprises borrowings (net of issue costs) less cash plus lease liabilities capitalised under IFRS 16 Leases.
(iv)  FY2021 comparative adjusted for constant currency (FY2021 translated at FY2022 F/X rates).
(v)   Adjusted EBITDA is earnings/(loss) before exceptional items, finance income, finance expense, tax, depreciation, 
amortisation charges and equity accounted investments’ profit/(loss) after tax. A reconciliation of the Group’s 
operating profit/(loss) to EBITDA is set out on page 58. 

(vi)  Free Cash Flow (‘FCF’) that comprises cash flow from operating activities net of capital investment cash outflows 
which form part of investing activities. FCF highlights the underlying cash generating performance of the ongoing 
business. FCF benefits from the Group’s purchase receivables programme which contributed €84.1m (FY2021: 
€45.0m reported/€46.3m on a constant currency basis) inflow in the year. A reconciliation of FCF to net movement 
in cash per the Group’s Cash Flow Statement is set out above.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
 
61

MCB was again using their IT systems and 
applications. The cyber security incident 
affected MCB only, with other Group 
business and production sites unaffected 
throughout the period.

The Group incurred €2.6m of costs in 
FY2022 as a direct result of the cyber 
security incident in April. These costs 
primarily related to specialist advisory fees 
incurred to investigate and respond to the 
incident and subsequent improvements 
and additional protection tools to enhance 
the security of the IT systems. Following 
the incident affecting Matthew Clark 
and Bibendum IT systems in April 2021, 
the Group has reviewed its information 
security and cyber preparedness policies 
and procedures, enhanced its Information 
Technology systems and controls, including 
the appointment of a Technology and 
Transformation Director and Group Head 
of IT. As a demonstration of the Group’s 
commitment to tackling cyber security, 
it is currently pursuing Cyber Essentials 
Plus accreditation from the National Cyber 
Security Centre (NCSC).

Patrick McMahon
Group Chief Financial Officer

Commodity Price and Other Risk 
Management

The Group is exposed to commodity price 
fluctuations, and manages this risk, where 
economically viable, by entering into fixed 
price supply contracts with suppliers. We 
do not directly enter into commodity hedge 
contracts. The cost of production is also 
sensitive to variability in the price of energy, 
primarily gas and electricity. Our policy is 
to fix the cost of a certain level of energy 
requirement through fixed price contractual 
arrangements directly with our energy 
suppliers. Evolving cost inflation pressures 
and concerns associated with the potential 
consequences of the ongoing conflict in 
Ukraine have grown over recent months, 
heightening the risk around cost and to 
some extent continuity of supply of raw 
materials and ingredients.

The Group seeks to mitigate risks in relation 
to the continuity of supply of key raw 
materials and ingredients by developing 
trade relationships with key suppliers. We 
have long-term apple supply contracts with 
farmers in the west of England and have an 
agreement with malt farmers in Scotland for 
the supply of barley.

In addition, the Group enters into insurance 
arrangements to cover certain insurable 
risks where external insurance is considered 
by management to be an economic means 
of mitigating these risks.

Cyber Incident

On 19 April 2021, the Group announced that 
it had experienced a cyber security incident 
within its Matthew Clark Bibendum (MCB) 
operations. In response, certain IT systems 
and applications used in those business 
units were pro-actively shut down and 
were securely restored over the course of a 
number of weeks. By the end of May 2021, 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements62

Responsibility Report

At C&C, our Environmental, Social and 
Governance (ESG) strategy is directed by 
our Group purpose of “We deliver joy to 
customers with remarkable brands and 
service” and our 3 values of “Respect 
people and the planet”, “We bring Joy to 
life” and “Quality is at our core”. 

Our Board level Environmental, Social and Governance 
Committee and our dedicated ESG team, seek to 
champion and embed ESG in everything that we do at 
C&C.

While delivering joy to customers, we always shine 
a light on people and the planet. A structured and 
ambitious programme of continuous improvement will 
ensure we meet our ESG vision of “Delivering to a better 
world!”

Our six ESG pillars ensure that we focus on the most 
material areas to guide our actions around sustainability 
and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Environmental
We strive to minimise our impact on 
the environment and the communities 
in which we operate.

1. Reduce our  
Carbon Footprint 
•  Optimising our manufacturing facilities 
•  Streamlining our logistics operations
•  Increasing the recycling rate for our brands / improve 

sustainable packaging

•  Waste reduction
•  Piloting alternative fuel vehicles

2. Sustainably produce  
and source products  
& services 
•  Collaboration with our apple & barley growers
•  Source water optimisation 
•  Water usage reduction
•  Achieving the highest sourcing standards

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202263

Social
Our ethos is simple, our employees should 
work in a safe and healthy workplace. As a 
drinks business, we are also committed to 
promoting responsible alcohol consumption.

Governance
We believe that working ethically, in line with 
the Group’s corporate governance framework, 
in an environment where individuality is 
respected and celebrated, acting as a trusted 
partner with all stakeholders, makes a tangible 
difference to people and our planet. 

3. Ensure  
Alcohol is  
consumed  
responsibly 
•  Introducing 0% and low alcohol variants 
•  Reducing ABV & calories 
•  Active support for industry programmes including 

Portman Group and Drinkaware 

•  Support relevant charities 

5. Build a more Diverse, 
Inclusive,  
& Engaged C&C
•  Diversification of Board
•  Group wide D&I measurement
•  Formal manager D&I training
•  Employee engagement tracking

4. Enhance Health, Wellbeing & 
Capability of colleagues
•  Safety first 
•  Health & Wellbeing support systems 
•  Support remote/hybrid working 
•  Alcohol awareness training 
•  Embed key codes including Employee Code of Conduct, 

Anti-Bribery and Corruption 

•  Learning and development programmes

6. Collaborate with  
Government & NGOs
•  Leading DRS implementation in Scotland
•  MUP Ireland
•  Portman and Drinkaware support 

We continue to look to disclose all key non-financial indicators 
and guidance in line with the Sustainability Accounting 
Standards Board (‘SASB’) Framework.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
64

Responsibility Report
Environmental

Reduce our  
Carbon Footprint

C&C Group plc have pledged to be a 
carbon-neutral business by 2050 at the 
latest. We have recently set our emissions 
reduction targets which are grounded in 
climate science and will be validated by the 
Science Based Targets initiative (‘SBTi’). 
We are committed to reducing our absolute 
Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 
35% and our Scope 3 GHG emissions by 
25% by 2030 (versus FY2020). 

We have used the data collected for CDP 
reporting and selected 2020 as the base 
year for a SBTi engagement target. 2020 
was used as the base year due to the 
impacts of COVID-19 on the business – 
activity in 2021 was significantly affected by 
lockdowns and other restrictions and would 
not provide a credible base for normal levels 
of activity.

In accordance with the FCA listing rules, our 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
include climate-related financial disclosures 
consistent with the recommendations of 
the Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (‘TCFD’).

This is the first year C&C has used the TCFD 
framework to support our reporting and we 
are committed to ensuring that we continue 
to improve our climate-related disclosures 
over the coming years. More details can be 
found on pages 46 to 53.

Optimising our manufacturing 
facilities. 

Conservation of energy
With respect to energy targets, renewable 
procurement is currently a priority for C&C. 
In fact, from 1 April 2021, 100% of the 
electricity across our main sites in the UK 
and Ireland comes from renewable sources, 
covering c.98% of our electricity use.

The Group clearly identifies and manages 
energy costs in each operating site and 
country of operation, setting energy 
reduction targets to help reduce our 
exposure to future changes in energy costs. 
In FY2022, we aligned to our Science Based 
Target, setting a KPI to deliver a 4% year 
on year reduction in our carbon related 
energy use. C&C also benchmark our core 
production processes against competitors 
to understand our relative efficiency and 
continue to invest significantly in technology 
to reduce our overall energy consumption, 
including the introduction of direct solar 
power at our Clonmel Manufacturing facility.

In order to monitor our energy performance 
and our progress with respect to this 
goal, we utilise energy consumption, 
energy intensity and renewable energy 
consumption metrics.

Our Energy Consumption position is set out 
below. 

kWh

Natural Gas

LPG

LNG

Diesel

Petrol

Kerosene/Fuel Oil

Wood

Biogas (Out of Scope)

Electricity

(Of which, renewables)

Total Scope 1

Total Scope 2

FY2018-19

FY2019-20

FY2020-21

FY2021-22

Change YoY

80,579,000  88,630,000  83,199,000  89,904,000 

1,979,000 

2,332,000 

3,556,000 

3,949,000 

8%

11%

6,107,000 

5,591,000 

5,007,000 

-   

-100%

31,137,000  33,257,000  15,329,000  24,618,000 

-   

450,000 

111,000 

346,000 

64,000 

65,000 

209,000 

208,000 

3,991,000 

-   

-   

-   

83,000 

83,000 

7,735,289 

9,189,000 

40,695,000  41,401,000 

41,187,738  41,900,128 

61%

212%

0%

0%

19%

2%

14,550,000  14,737,000  14,946,029  39,486,899 

164%

123,857,000  130,325,000  107,411,000  119,025,000 

40,695,000  41,401,000 

41,187,738  41,900,128 

11%

2%

Total Scope 1 and 2

164,635,000 171,809,000 156,334,027 170,114,128 

9%

Change V 
FY2019-20

1%

69%

-100%

-26%

-23%

220%

10971%

1%

168%

-9%

1%

-1%

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
65

From 1 April 
2021, 100% of the 
electricity, used in 
Wellpark, Clonmel 
and across our key 
UK depot network 
is provided by 
renewable sources. 

The Group has delivered a number of 
initiatives in our ongoing efforts to reduce 
energy use. These include: 
•  From 1 April 2021, 100% of the electricity, 
used in Wellpark, Clonmel and across 
our key UK depot network is provided by 
renewable sources. 

•  Biogas energy: anaerobic digestion 
technology at Wellpark Brewery and 
Clonmel generated 1,119,477 cuM of 
biogas / per annum. 

•  On 18 February 2022, Leo Varadkar, 

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade 
and Employment in Ireland, officially 
opened C&C Group’s new Sustainability 
Project at Clonmel Co. Tipperary. The 

Project includes the installation of the 
largest rooftop solar panel farm in 
Ireland, which will reduce the Clonmel 
site’s carbon emissions by 4%, saving 
c.290 tonnes of CO2 per year and almost 
10,000 tonnes over the next 20 years. The 
solar panels also provide up to 10% of 
electricity used onsite. 

Reducing carbon emissions 
In FY2022, the Group commenced work 
with the SBTi to set and have validated 
science-based carbon reduction targets to 
meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and 
limit global warming to well below 2°C. A 
near term validation is expected in FY2023.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
66

Responsibility Report
Environment

Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions 
The table below details C&C Scope 
1 and Scope 2 emissions in FY2022 
(versus FY2020), for both location and 
market-based emissions. The purchase of 
renewable energy has delivered the biggest 
and most positive impact in FY2022. C&C 
has commenced trials using an alternative 
to diesel in our delivery fleet and changed 
to ambient vaporisation of our carbon 
dioxide in Wellpark. There were also 
COVID related impacts with a change to 
product mix, and delivery schedules as the 
business reacted to the pandemic. We have 
invested in FY2023 to deliver heat exchange 
opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint. 
The methodology and calculations for 
Scope 1 and 2 are based on the GHG 
Protocol. 

Additional initiatives to drive emission 
reductions include, further optimising our 
biogas generation and carbon dioxide 
capture at our Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow, 
with our Clonmel plant already having this 
technology in place. The ability to capture 
carbon dioxide from our fermentation 
process has positively reduced site carbon 
dioxide emissions. In addition to the 
environmental benefit, the carbon capture 
capability at our main production sites, has 
seen C&C become c95% self-sufficient in 
CO2, which provides security of supply when 
external availability of supply has repeatedly 
been scarce in recent years. We maximise 
use of recovered CO2 and use collected 
gas for product carbonation initially, and for 
product storage cover gas to ensure the 
correct product quality.

To give impetus to C&C’s de-carbonisation 
efforts, the Group has set a target under 
the LTIP awards granted in June 2021 to 
reduce its Scope 1 emissions and Scope 
2 emissions over the three financial years 
ending with FY2024, in line with the Paris 
Agreement. The incentive relates to delivery 
of a 12% (4,500 tonnes) reduction in Scope 
1 and 2 carbon emissions (versus FY2020). 

Manufacturing CO2  Sourcing (tonnes)

FY19

FY20

FY21

FY22

3,351

741

5,196

4,774

CO2 External Purchase(Te)

CO2 Recovered/Re-used(Te)

4,035

9,231

3,823

4,696

7,268

8,597

8,047

8,009

Market Based Emissions (tCO2e) 

38,092

4
0
4
,
4
2

8
8
6
,
3
1

32,279

6
1
2
,
6
2

26,865

8
0
9
,
0
2

24,196

2
0
4
,
3
2

3
6
0
,
6

7
5
9
,
5

4
9
7

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

Scope 1

Scope 2

Scope 1 & 2 

addition, we are encouraging our key supply 
chain partners to publish and share their full 
carbon footprint via CDP as C&C has done 
for the last 12 years.

To support our Supply Chain Screening 
approach, CDP delivered training to circa 
50 C&C Procurement and Commercial 
colleagues on how supply chain screening 
and collaborating with suppliers and 
customers can play a vital role in tackling 
environmental harm and achieving global 
climate goals.

Scope 3 
Our Scope 3 emissions (including supply 
chain, customer use of our products, 
and other indirect emissions) make up 
around 95% of C&C’s total emissions. We 
recognise our responsibility and the need to 
collaborate with suppliers and customers to 
tackle these emissions. 

C&C has signed up to participate in the CDP 
Supply Chain Screening Programme for 
2021. This sees C&C work with 130 strategic 
supply chain partners and request them to 
disclose climate-related information to allow 
us to use the reported data to measure 
supplier environmental impacts and 
collaborate with them to track progress of 
sustainability goals and/or commitments. In 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202267

Change 

Change V

YOY

FY2019-20

95%

6%

12%

-4%

7%

25%

24%

-16%

-8%

-11%

-20%

-14%

-23%

-23%

To achieve our target of reducing our Scope 
3 emissions by 25% (Vs FY2020) by 2030, 
we have also committed that suppliers and 
customers making up 67% of our Scope 3 
emissions, (Purchased Goods, Downstream 
Transport and Use of Sold Goods), will have 
science-based targets in place by 2026. 

The Group will continuously engage with 
suppliers and customers to support them 
to set science-based targets for their own 
emissions. 

C&C Group has again received a B rating from 
CDP on our latest Climate Change score. 

Location-Based Emissions

Net Revenue (M Euro)

Total C&C

Total C&C

Total C&C

FY2018-19* 

FY2019-20

FY2020-21

1,575

1,719

737

Total C&C

FY2021-22

1,438

Production volume (Hectolitres)

4,388,761

4,396,981

3,803,970

4,039,648

Scope 1 (tCO2e)
Scope 2 (tCO2e)
Total Scope 1 & 2 (tCO2e)
Scope 3 (tCO2e)
Total Footprint (tCO2e)
*  Acquisition of Mathew Clark, and in-housing of Tennent’s distribution, with associated depots and transport fleet

260,068

718,088

221,976

757,072

38,984

38,092

13,688

24,404

26,216

12,768

20,908

10,681

31,589

440,733

472,322

23,402

10,255

33,657

550,736

584,393

Emissions Intensity

Scope 1 and 2 tCO2e per M EURO
Scope 1 and 2 kgs CO2e per HL produced

Market-Based Emissions

Net Revenue (M Euro)

Total C&C

FY2018-19

Total C&C

FY2019-20

Total C&C

FY2020-21

Total C&C

FY2021-22

Change 

Change V

YOY

FY2019-20

24.19

8.68

22.68

8.87

42.86

8.30

23.41

8.33

-45%

0%

3%

-6%

Total C&C

FY2018-19

1,575

Total C&C

FY2019-20

1,719

Total C&C

FY2020-21

737

Total C&C

FY2021-22

1,438

Production volume (Hectolitres)

4,388,761

4,396,981

3,803,970

4,039,648

Scope 1 (tCO2e)
Scope 2 (tCO2e)
Total Scope 1 & 2 (tCO2e)
Scope 3 (tCO2e)
Total Footprint (tCO2e)

Emissions Intensity

24,404

13,688

38,092

26,216

6,063

32,279

221,976

718,088*

260,068

750,367

20,908

5,957

26,865

440,773

467,598

23,402

794

24,196

550,736

574,932

Change 

Change V

YOY

FY2019-20

95%

6%

12%

-87%

-10%

25%

23% 

-16%

-8%

-11%

-87%

-25%

-23%

-23%

Total C&C

FY2018-19

Total C&C

FY2019-20

Total C&C

FY2020-21

Total C&C

FY2021-22

Change 

Change V

YOY

FY2019-20

Scope 1 and 2 tCO2e per M EURO
Scope 1 and 2 kgs CO2e per HL produced
Definitions:
Scope 1: Direct emissions from our own operations.
Scope 2: Indirect emissions from our purchased energy (mainly electricity).
Scope 3: Including supply chain, customer use of our products, and other indirect emissions.
*FY2019-20 now includes all scope 3 emissions in our reporting.

24.19

8.68

18.78

7.34

36.45

7.06

16.83

5.99

-54%

-15%

-10%

-18%

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
68

Responsibility Report
Environment

Streamlining our Logistics 
Operations

We recognise that our carbon footprint 
extends beyond manufacturing and the 
distribution and transport of our products 
also contributes to the Group’s carbon 
footprint. The Group has an “end to end” 
supply chain model in the UK and Ireland, 
with circa 360 vehicles in operation. Our 
Group-wide logistics forum sees learnings 
shared across C&C, allowing efficiencies to 
be identified and captured across every stage 
of the product journey to reduce delivery 
miles and carbon footprint.

In FY2022, our KPI to reduce carbon 
generated by logistics fleet by 250 tonnes 
(5%) CO2e achieved a 200-tonne reduction.

We have completed the optimisation of our 
English and Scottish delivery networks, 
including the opening of our new depot at 
Newbridge in Edinburgh. This exercise has 
seen us consolidate volumes from three 
separate networks into two, bringing all of 
our final mile English distribution in-house, 
reducing road miles and carbon emissions.

In our primary network, we track, measure, 
consolidate and identify opportunities to 
reduce vehicles movements across our 
sites. We achieved these improvements 
through profiling existing order patterns, 
order quantity, frequency and minimum order 
quantities. By engaging with retailers, we 
will introduce revised schedules, resulting in 
more consistent movements and logistics 
performance.

The Group has also undertaken work with 
suppliers to improve logistics performance 
(e.g. creating minimum acceptable standards 
for 3rd party hauliers in relation to engine 
standards, emissions management, load 
optimisation and investments in more efficient 
vehicles - including current trials of electric 
and LNG vehicles, and other alternatives 
including biofuels).

We have invested in logistics and supply 
chain improvements to reduce emissions, 
including engagement with upstream material 
suppliers and downstream logistics suppliers 
to optimise routes and reduce miles over 
which materials and finished goods travel.

Driving efficiencies 
We are eliminating the need for secondary 
loads, by introducing direct delivery of 
orders from manufacturing sites to customer 
premises. We continue to increase the level 
of direct deliveries from the Clonmel and 
Wellpark sites.

Our Supply Chain Logistics and Procurement 
teams continually work with suppliers to 
identify opportunities to increase local 
sourcing of materials, optimising packaging 
materials, increasing percentage utilisation of 
vehicles and cutting road miles. 

Software including transport network, route 
planning and on-road training for driver 
habits have maximised fuel efficiency and 
limited frequency of runs to distance areas 
each week.

Our Fleet
All new vehicles leased or purchased must 
meet the EURO 6 standard and 93% of our 
fleet are currently EURO 6. We amended 
vehicle specification (by for example, applying 
the Direct Vision Standard for heavy goods 
vehicles which assesses and rates how much 
the driver can see directly from their cab in 
relation to other road users). 

We have 34 solar-assisted trucks in our 
delivery fleet. With solar panels on the roofs, 
the trucks use solar energy to power all 
on-board ancillary equipment, cutting fuel 
consumption by 5%.

Increasing the Recyclable Rate 
for our Brands and Improve 
Sustainable Packaging

During FY2022, the Group met its ambitious 
commitment to be out of single-use plastics 
(shrink and hi and mid cone rings) in the 
packaging of our canned products, reducing 
the environmental impact and ecological 
footprint of our products. All of our canned 
product is now in fully recyclable cardboard, 
removing more than 200 million plastic 
rings per annum from the environment, 
as part of an overall plastic reduction of 
several hundred tonnes. The investment 
also recognises the future market changes 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202269

Packaging Material Usage Reduction (Tonnes)

Plastic tonnage

127

193

Aluminium tonnage

259

192

467

787

451

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

Also, during COP26, Tennent’s Lager 
committed to add a “Please Enjoy 
Sustainably” message on all cans to 
encourage recycling, reduce littering and 
benefit the environment. While recycling 
logos are widely carried on canned 
products, it is hoped that our more direct 
call-to-action on the 120 million cans filled 
on average every year, will encourage 
drinkers to increase recycling.

Our lightweight can programme at Wellpark 
and Clonmel, further optimising the material 
used, has now removed c.450 tonnes of 
Aluminium from the environment, since site 
enhancements were made in FY2019. 

Light weighting in PET and Out of Plastics 
initiatives have delivered a reduction of c.800 
tonnes in plastics, since site enhancements 
were made in FY2019.

In FY2023, we will switch to 100% recycled 
plastic on our keg caps and trial 50% PCR 
shrink wrap for our glass and PET bottle 
formats.

In Ireland we continue to produce reusable 
glass bottles for our cider products and in 
all territories, we distribute beer and cider 
in reusable stainless-steel kegs. We have 
demonstrated the cost, carbon and waste 
reduction benefits of retaining this form of 
packaging compared to disposable bottles/
kegs. Across C&C Group, 29% of our own 
beer and cider is sold in returnable formats 
(returnable keg and bottle).

including the Deposit Return Scheme 
(‘DRS’) introduction in Scotland, planned for 
August 2023 and in Ireland (date still to be 
confirmed).

During COP26, Mairi McAllan, Scottish 
Minister for Environment and Land 
Reform, joined Shona Munro, Director of 
Manufacturing at C&C Group, and Jo Green, 
Chief Officer for Green Recovery at the 
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency 
(SEPA), for a tour of Wellpark Brewery to 
mark Tennent’s achievement of removing 
single-use plastic from packaging of our 
canned products.

Leo Varadkar’s visit to Clonmel on 18th 
February also marked Bulmers investment 
into ‘dry end’ packaging machinery to 
reduce the environmental impact and 
ecological footprint of consumer packaging. 
As of January 2022, plastic is no longer 
used in the packaging of our canned 
products at Clonmel.

Tennent’s is the only brewer who is a 
member of the UK Plastics Pact, which has 
additional targets on plastic packaging, 
waste and recyclates. 

In Clonmel, we have also reduced 
the amount of plastic in polyethylene 
terephthalate (‘PET’) in our preforms. 

Leo Varadkar’s visit 
to Clonmel on 18th 
February also marked 
Bulmers investment 
into ‘dry end’ 
packaging machinery 
to reduce the 
environmental impact 
and ecological 
footprint of consumer 
packaging. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
70

Responsibility Report
Environment

Waste Reduction

In FY2022 C&C’s main manufacturing 
sites at Clonmel and Wellpark again both 
achieved our target of sending zero waste to 
landfill. We continue to implement a waste 
hierarchy approach through prevention, re-
use and recycling:
•  In our manufacturing operations, we 

routinely monitor our waste stream and 
target improvement annually. We measure 
raw material usage and yields on a weekly 
basis to ensure the efficient use of our 
resources. We introduced improvements 
in our recycling facility at Wellpark brewery 
reducing the number of collections.

•  100% of by-products are recycled for use 
as animal feed or organic compost. Over 
20,000 tonnes of spent grain and apple 
pomace were used as animal feed, with 
the remainder of our waste either recycled 
or sent for energy recovery.

•  As part of a Scottish Government funded 
initiative, Tennent’s is working with Zero 
Waste Scotland (‘ZWS’) and leading 
environmental consultancy, Eunomia, to 
identify further circular opportunities in 
our operations and to develop a pathway 
towards adoption and implementation of 
those opportunities.

Piloting Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Electric vehicles (‘EVs’) are being trialled 
for deliveries in urban areas. An electric-
powered van has been utilised for small-
volume deliveries of Five Lamps craft beer 
in Dublin and a trial of electric vans has 
taken place at the Matthew Clark Park 
Royal depot, together with a Hydrogenated 
Vegetable Oil (‘HVO’) diesel replacement 
trial at our Bedford depot. ln Scotland, we 
are investigating alternative fuel types for 
vehicles, electric vehicles for Wellpark to 
Cambuslang trips and hydrogen for longer 
distance inter depot shunts.

Electric and hybrid company car options 
are now available to colleagues across the 
Group. We are installing EV charging at our 
5 main sites, with a plan to install across our 
entire network by 2024. 

Sustainably Source 
our Products & 
Services

Collaboration with our Apple and 
Barley Growers

We are committed to sourcing our raw 
materials from local sustainable sources. 
All apples crushed at the Clonmel site for 
the production of Bulmers and Magners 
cider are sourced from the Island of Ireland. 
As well as having 165 acres of our own 
orchards in Co. Tipperary, there are over 
50 partner growers on the Island, with 
whom we work closely. The health and 
sustainability of the Irish apple growing 
sector are therefore central to C&C’s 
strategy. A key aspect of apple orcharding 
is the health of the population of bees and 
other pollinating insects. As part of our 
commitment to protect the biodiversity of 
bees, C&C is a patron of the All-Ireland 
Pollinator plan and patrons of the South 
Tipperary Bee-Keepers Association 
who carry out activity on the protection 
and promotion of the species in our 
Redmonstown Orchard, where we maintain 
over 13km of healthy hedgerows to support 
the bee and pollinator population and 
maintain strong biodiversity in the area.

We also recognise that, since our products 
are largely based around agricultural inputs, 
investment in techniques which increase 
yields for our apple growers also serves 
to provide greater resilience in our supply 
chain – for example, diversification of crop 
varieties helps to minimise risks relating to 
variable weather patterns and harvests.

In Scotland, our Tennent’s beers are brewed 
using 100% Scottish malt. We seek to 
support the growers of our key raw materials 
such as barley and wheat through long-term 
supply arrangements, with sustainability 
a key consideration. Malting barley is only 
purchased from farms with current and 

up-to-date, independently audited farm 
assurance schemes. 75% supply of malt 
is FSA Gold accredited and the balance is 
Redtractor assured, which ensures the best 
environmental practices are adhered to.

For the opening of COP26 in Glasgow, as 
thousands of delegates from around the 
world arrived at the brand’s hometown for 
the annual UN climate change conference, 
Tennent’s Lager, launched an ambitious 
multi-channel advertising campaign, 
highlighting the importance of sustainable 
brewing. Communicating why quality, local 
brewing is a sustainable option for drinkers, 
the 3 executions; Rebrewable Energy, Ayr 
Miles and Outstanding in our Field, bring 
to life the brand’s sustainable processes. 
These include using 100% renewable 
electricity at Wellpark, only ever brewing 
with local barley and reducing the distance 
from brewery to bar - a pint of Tennent’s 
travels up to seven times fewer miles than 
other popular beers. The campaign has also 
contributed to Tennent’s achieving record 
high brand health scores (January 2022).

Source water optimisation and 
water usage reduction

COVID-19 challenges resulting in a shift 
in SKU format to packaged product to 
meet demand in the off-trade and an 
overall reduction in production volumes 
continues to impact our plans around 
water optimisation. In FY2022 we therefore 
achieved a water ratio of 3.4:1 missing our 
target of 3.2:1 (Water Ratio of hectolitres 
extracted versus hectolitres produced).

Anaerobic Digestion (water treatment) 
plants are fully operational at both Wellpark 
and Clonmel and have reduced our sites’ 
wastewater emissions and improved the 
quality of our wastewater discharged by 
c.90%.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202271

Achieving the highest sourcing 
standards

The Board has formally adopted an Ethical 
and Sustainable Procurement (‘E&SP’) 
Strategy which sets out its policy and 
objectives in relation to wider social and 
ethical issues as well as to environmental 
issues including climate change. This 
includes responsibility for setting of related 
targets across the business and reporting of 
results and KPIs. As part of our sustainable 
procurement strategy work, we are building 
information on the way our supply chain 
manages their climate change risks and 
their overall ethical approach. Under our 
new E&SP approach, we have written to 
Suppliers to request that they sign up to 
our Code of Conduct and Modern Slavery 
policy, as a fundamental requirement of 
trading with our business. Completion of 
our ES&P questionnaire, to confirm partners 
commitment to sustainability is also a 
requirement of trading with C&C. 

We recognise that sustainability needs to 
be embraced by partners at every stage of 
the supply chain in order to be successful. 
Audits and reviews are carried out both 
during initial procurement and over the 
lifetime of our major supplier’s contract to 
assess their track record in environmental 
management, health and safety, 
sustainability, diversity, ethical approach and 
overall corporate social responsibility.

In February 2022, CDP awarded C&C Group 
an A- rating for Supplier Engagement, 
acknowledging our performance on 
governance, targets, scope 3 emissions, 
and value chain engagement in the CDP 
climate change questionnaire.

Eco Warriors
Part of Bibendum’s environmental pledge 
sees us work with producers who share our 
beliefs and adhere to sustainable methods 
in the vineyard and winery. Practices 
include organic and biodynamic viticulture, 
ISO 14001 certification, carbon emission 

An upgrade to the pasteurisation control 
system at Wellpark, reduced water 
consumption in the canning operation by 14 
million litres per annum, and we have a plan 
to introduce a similar control system to our 
Clonmel plant in May 2022.

The Clonmel site has an active groundwater 
protection programme to upgrade the site 
drainage and wastewater network. This will 
protect the water sources of the surrounding 
Tipperary countryside.

Tool Group. As part of the 2021 CDP Water 
Security questionnaire submission, we 
engaged with our value chain on water 
related issues. This will support our water 
sustainability targets and also operate in 
a manner aligned to our ESG objectives. 
Again, we are engaging with our key 
suppliers, requesting water use, risks and/or 
management information. Although this is a 
low percentage of suppliers, we considered 
key ingredient and raw material suppliers as 
the priority. 

C&C again participated in the CDP Water 
Security questionnaire in 2021 and secured 
a C rating. 

As part of our sustainability commitment, 
we remain committed to reducing the 
water ratio of hectolitres extracted versus 
hectolitres produced. 

The CDP water security questionnaire 
provides insight on current and future water-
related risks and opportunities. Along with 
CDP’s water scoring methodology, the water 
security questionnaire helps companies to 
drive improvements in water management 
and enables benchmarking against best 
practice. As part of this we investigated 
the water availability in the locations where 
our apples are produced and sourced. The 
location where our apples are produced 
is considered low risk in terms of water 
availability according to the WRI Aqueduct 

FY2020-
21

FY2021-
22

% 
Change

Water usage ratio
(Hectolitres extracted 
versus hectolitres 
produced)

Water usage 
(m cubic metres)

3.3:1

3.4:1 3.0%

1.3

1.4  7.7%

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements72

Responsibility Report
Environment

reduction, water management, waste 
reduction and recycling, and ethical working 
conditions.

In January 2022, Bibendum introduced our 
Eco Warriors initiative. This sees us work 
with some amazing producers, who not 
only produce delicious wines, but also strive 
to improve their communities and reduce 
their impact on our planet. These 35 Eco 
Warriors, tackle the challenges faced by 
our people and planet with kindness and 
consideration, focusing on four critical areas 
of Planet, Place, Packaging and People. Eco 
Warriors was launched with a sustainability 
discussion panel and eco tasting featuring 
nine of our producers at the Arboretum 
venue in London on 22 February.

Irish bee propagation support 
Bulmers always begins with a bee. Not 
only is Ireland’s bee population vital to our 
Bulmers cider, bee pollination is vital to all 
life.

In the summer of 2021, Bulmers introduced 
consumers and customers in Ireland to bees 
as a key member of our “workforce”. Bees 
are critical in bringing to life the 17 varieties 
of apples that are used in the making of our 
iconic Irish cider. 

Working with the team behind the All-Ireland 
Pollinator plan and launched on World 
Bee Day 20th May 2021, the multimedia 
campaign #meettheworkforce ran on TV, 
radio, social media and in both the on and 
off-trade. The campaign highlights the vital 
role that bees and other pollinators play in 

our ecosystem, and how necessary they 
are for our survival. The campaign also aims 
to raise awareness of the threat to bees 
from loss of biodiversity, use of pesticides, 
drought, habitat destruction, nutrition deficit, 
air pollution, global warming and more. As 
well as offering tips on the steps we can 
all take to save the bees, the campaign 
also offers consumers across Ireland the 
chance to win 1 of 500 “Bee Hotels” to help 
in the conservation and support of the bee 
population.

Accreditation / Awards
The Group has achieved the ISO 14001 
certification for its Clonmel, Matthew Clark 
(Whitchurch, although scope covers all MCB 
vehicle emissions including commercial 
fleet and all MCB waste and packaging 
requirements) and Bibendum sites, which 

is the international standard specifying the 
requirements for an effective environmental 
management system. Our Wellpark site 
has been recognised for its consistently 
excellent environmental compliance by the 
Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

C&C’s sustainability efforts were 
acknowledged with Tennent’s winning two 
prestigious awards during 2021. Sustainable 
Brewery of the Year at the Scottish Beer 
Awards and a Good Practice Award and 
shortlisted for Outstanding Sustainable 
Achievement at the VIBES Scottish 
Environment Business Awards.

For the third year, Matthew Clark was the 
headline sponsor of the Footprint Food 
& Beverage Sustainability Awards. This 
event was aimed at sharing best practice 
and recognising outstanding industry 
achievement in support of sustainability 
across the hospitality industry.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202273

•  In February 2022, Bulmers Light launched 
a new campaign, “Floaty Little Devils” on 
TV, Social, Radio, Out of Home and in 
both the on and off-trade. The campaign 
highlights the brand’s low-calorie content 
(84 calories in each 300ml bottle). 

•  Magners and Bulmers Zero are refreshing 
alternatives to our much-loved Original 
recipe with 0.0% alcohol. Both have all the 
flavour and character you would expect 
from our Original recipe and use a non-
alcoholic fermentation to create the cider 
character.

Consistent with our commitment towards 
responsible alcohol consumption, and to 
ensure that consumers are provided with 
the full information on our products, we 
continue to display calorie information and 
the Chief Medical Officer guidelines on the 
primary packaging of our major brands in 
the UK and Ireland.

Supporting Drinkaware 
We include “Drinkaware” referencing 
prominently on all of our owned / agency 
brand communications (including TV, out of 
home, social media and on our sponsorship 
media assets) in the UK throughout the year.
We have met our KPI to donate owned 
media to reach 5m UK consumers with 
Drinkaware responsibility messaging.

Portman Group 
In May 2021, C&C re-joined the Portman 
Group. While our internal marketing codes 
have always exceeded the Portman Group 
Codes of Practice, we were delighted to 
re-join the Group and actively support 
their aims to deliver higher standards of 
best practice and ensure the responsible 
marketing and promotion of alcoholic 
products.

We participate fully in all Portman forums 
including Council and Public Affairs 
Directors meetings and support their work 
on key industry initiatives including Alcoholic 
Drinks Industry Forum, low and no alcohol 
industry roundtable, communications 
marking 25 years of the code of practice 
and response to mandatory labelling 
proposals. 

Support for relevant charities
The Group is committed to the communities 
in which it operates and undertakes a 
range of initiatives that benefit our local 
communities.

In FY2023, C&C will roll out a Volunteering 
Policy across the group, offering colleagues 
the opportunity to support community and 
charity initiatives and deliver a meaningful 
impact on the world around us.

Social

Ensure Alcohol 
is Consumed 
Responsibly

In FY2022, C&C met a KPI around the 
responsible consumption of alcohol, 
by achieving ZERO incidents of non-
compliance with alcohol industry or 
regulatory codes. 

Introduction of 0% and Low 
Alcohol / Low Calorie Variants

C&C Group plc advocates the responsible 
consumption of the brands we manufacture 
and distribute. We are committed to the 
promotion of responsible drinking and 
moderate consumption of our products, 
to ensure they are enjoyed safely by 
consumers. Again in FY2022, C&C did not 
face any enquiries or break any alcohol 
marketing guidelines or regulations in any of 
the markets in which we operate.

Recognising the evolving trends around 
moderation and reduced consumption, C&C 
has introduced low/no alcohol variants of its 
core brands:
•  Tennent’s Light has been acknowledged 

as Scotland’s lowest calorie beer. At 3.5% 
ABV, based on our award-winning Gluten 
Free Tennent’s recipe and made from 
100 per cent Scottish grown cereals and 
fresh highland water from Loch Katrine, 
Tennent’s Light is 114 calories per pint 
and 66 calories per bottle. 

•  Tennent’s Zero is our refreshing 0.0% 
lager. With 57 calories per bottle and 
75 calories per can, and the same 
great flavour profile as Tennent’s Lager, 
Tennent’s Zero is a great choice for those 
looking for non-alcoholic alternatives. At 
the Scottish Beer Awards in September 
2021, Tennent’s Zero was acknowledged 
as Scotland’s best No or Low Alcohol 
beer.

•  In November 2021 we launched 

Menabrea Zero Zero into the UK on-trade, 
to offer an alcohol-free alternative, for 
those who want to enjoy the great taste 
of Italy’s most stylish serve, but with 0% 
ABV. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial StatementsIn September 2021, Tennent’s Light 
announced a £250,000, 3-year commitment 
to grassroots creative talent in Scotland, 
following a devastating year for arts and 
culture due to the pandemic. The “SpotLight 
Project” sees Tennent’s Light invest 
3.5% from every pint and bottle sold to 
support Scotland’s up and coming creative 
talent. Out of more than 800 promising 
applicants, five creatives; Danny Aubrey, 
Katie Doyle, Jubemi Iyiku, Jonny MacKinnon 
and Michael Rankin, have been chosen, 
spanning industries including music, 
sustainable fashion, film, photography and 
skateboarding. 

Heverlee is created in association with the 
Abbey of the Order of Premontre (known 
as Park Abbey) and is inspired by the beers 
first brewed by the monks in medieval times. 
The Abbey lies just outside Leuven and is 
the largest of its kind in Belgium, founded 
in 1129. Today, every pint of Heverlee 
sold supports the major multi-million Euro 
restoration of Park Abbey.

In autumn 2021, Orchard Pig, delivered 
a campaign to limit food waste, featuring 
influencers, PR and owned-social content – 
“Save The Scraps”. The west country cider 
brand worked with a series of food bloggers 
and influencers to create recipes using 
leftovers in a bid to encourage consumers to 
be more mindful with waste. 

Tennent’s continues its longstanding 
partnership with The Benevolent Society of 
Scotland (‘The Ben’), which aids people of 
all ages who have worked in the licensed 
trade for at least three years full-time. 
Beneficiaries receive annual financial 
assistance as well as discretionary grants for 
emergency situations.

74

Responsibility Report
Social

Some examples of our commitment to the 
community are set out below.

In March 2022, to help those affected by 
the conflict in Ukraine, C&C Group donated 
€25,000 each to the British Red Cross and 
the Irish Red Cross.

We are active members of Tipperary 
Chamber of Commerce and hold a seat 
on the steering group of County Tipperary 
Skillnet, our local enterprise led learning 
network. We have forged strong links with 
local employment services including ‘Turas 
Nua’, who are Ireland’s leading welfare to 
work provider, helping people move on their 
journey into sustainable employment. 

We continue to partner with Inner City 
Enterprise (‘ICE’) in Dublin. ICE is a charity 
which advises and assists unemployed 
people in Dublin’s inner city to set up their 
own businesses. We have provided ICE 
with funding to support their initiatives 
and a number of our staff have joined their 
panel of business advisors to support the 
entrepreneurs that they work with.

In 2022, Matthew Clark, will again partner 
with Pubaid and the All-Party Parliamentary 
Beer Group to support the Community Pub 
Hero Awards. The initiative recognises the 
critical role that hospitality plays across the 
UK, together with licensees and teams who 
went the extra mile to help their communities 
through the pandemic.

Bibendum continues to be a key partner of 
The Drinks Trust (formerly The Benevolent), 
to provide care and support to the people 
who form the drinks industry workforce 
with services across vocational, wellbeing, 
financial and practical support. These 
services are intended to assist with and 
improve the circumstances of those who 
receive them.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202275

Enhance Health, 
Wellbeing & Capability 
of colleagues

Our main priority will always be the health, 
safety and wellbeing of our employees; 
recognising the key importance of delivering 
better safety standards and improving the 
wellbeing of our colleagues.

Safety First 

Given the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on 
society and our industry during FY2022, 
we continued with our risk assessments, 
controls and training across all of our 
operations to protect our employees and 
deliver a “COVID-19 secure” manufacturing 
and logistics supply chain. To maintain the 
highest safety standards, the COVID-19 
protection measures we introduced in 
FY2021, were extended into FY2022.

C&C has launched a revised Health and 
Safety Strategy under our ‘Vision Zero’ 
initiative. We are committed to create a 
safe and healthy workplace by reducing all 
accidents, harm and work-related diseases 
whilst continually promoting excellence in 
health, safety and wellbeing. A key part of 
this sees us implement a “Plan, Do, Check, 
Act” cycle to help embed health and safety 
management as an integral part of good 
management across the Group.

The Group has introduced a new risk 
platform system to facilitate better reporting 
of accidents, near misses and Health and 
Safety audits. Launched in December, 
“BSI Connect”, has been supported by the 
introduction of risk assessment training and 
a new C&C Risk Management Policy and 
Protocol.

To help improve Health and Safety across 
the Group, we set a KPI to reduce both 
RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases 
and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) 
and Lost Time Accidents, for employees, 
agency staff and contractors, by 10% versus 
FY2020.

We have met our FY2022 RIDDOR KPI. 

RIDDOR - Incidents per 100,000 hours worked 

Clonmel

Wellpark

Bulmers Ireland

0.00
0.00

MCB

Scotland Logistics

Total

10.81

3.92

3.13

1.83

9.05

5.46

10.32

10.03

11.01

7.23
7.26

3.00

4.90

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

25.10

26.86

35.99

Lost Time Accident Incident Rate incidents per 100 employees 

Clonmel

Wellpark

Bulmers Ireland

MCB

1.76

0.62

0.28

0.00

0.00
0.00

0.00
0.00
0.00

1.37

0.75

Scotland Logistics

1.42

Total

FY2020

FY2021

FY2022

2.42

2.80

2.85

4.69

3.93

5.65

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements76

Responsibility Report
Social

Labour shortage and increases in agency / 
temporary staff of up to 60%, has resulted 
in us missing our LTA KPI. To address this, 
we continually re-evaluate training and 
supervision provided to eliminate accidents 
and we are now seeing reductions in 
numbers of agency staff being used. 
Agency staff remaining are benefitting from 
experience, training and supervision.

Other Health and Safety initiatives being 
rolled out across C&C, as part of the “Safety 
First” approach include commercial vehicle 
CCTV installation, forklift truck safety 
upgrades, provision of automated external 
defibrillator (AED’s) across all sites and trials 
of CO2 monitors. 

Health and wellbeing external 
support systems

To enhance the external Employee 
Assistance Programmes that are in place 
across C&C Group, we have introduced 
55 fully certified Mental Health First Aiders 
(‘MHFAs’). These volunteers will provide 
the initial help to any colleague who is 

developing a mental health problem or 
experiencing a worsening of an existing 
mental health problem. This first aid is given 
until appropriate professional support is 
received or until the crises resolves.

The role of our Mental Health First Aiders is 
to:
•  Raise awareness of wellbeing activities 

and initiatives

•  Challenge the stigma around mental 

wellbeing

•  Actively listen and signpost support to 

colleagues

•  Build trust, demonstrate compassion, and 

respect confidentiality

•  Collaborate with other First Aiders (and 

networks) to share best practice

•  Be open and lead the charge in sharing 

stories about mental health

Colleagues across the Group have 
ongoing access to Employee Assistance 
and Occupational Health programmes. 
In addition, colleagues have 365, 24/7 
access to free and confidential mental 

health wellbeing support programmes via 
external specialist providers. This mental 
health wellbeing support also extends to 
colleagues’ partners or spouses and any 
dependents over the age of 16 years who 
are still living at home.

In Ireland, in Autumn 2021, in partnership 
with Health Screening Plus, we trialled on 
site employee health screening and lifestyle 
assessments. Over 170 colleagues took part 
over a 2-week period. Feedback has been 
overwhelmingly positive and in FY2023 we 
will roll out equivalent Health and Wellbeing 
education and support programmes across 
the Group.

In FY2022, free flu jabs were offered to all 
colleagues across Group, with over 600 
taking advantage of the opportunity.

To enhance the 
external Employee 
Assistance 
Programmes that 
are in place across 
C&C Group, we have 
introduced 55 fully 
certified Mental 
Health First Aiders 
(MHFA).

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
77

Employee Resource Groups (‘ERGs’)
In March 2022, C&C launched 3 Employee 
Resource Groups, to enhance our Health 
and Wellbeing efforts. 
1.  Physical Health, including how we 

Agile Working is an informal arrangement 
that may enable a better work-life balance 
for our people, where job roles within C&C 
Group do not require attendance at a 
specific workplace at a particular time.

prioritise our physical wellbeing during 
times of stress and different ways of 
working.

2.  Mental Health, including promoting the 
role of our Mental Health First Aiders.
3.  Parents Returning to Work, including 
how we can support working parents 
by sharing advice and insight.

These employee-led, voluntary groups 
aim to foster a diverse, inclusive and 
equitable workplace. The ERGs also aim 
to create a sense of belonging by inspiring 
conversations, while bringing new ways 
to look at issues and ultimately deliver 
innovative solutions. Each ERG is sponsored 
by an Executive Committee member, to 
create and deliver the key themes with their 
ERG members. 

Remote working 
In September 2021, to facilitate and support 
remote working, we introduced our Right 
to Disconnect Policy and our Agile Working 
Guidelines. The Right to Disconnect refers to 
all employees’ right to disengage from work 
and refrain from engaging in work-related 
communications, such as emails, telephone 
calls or other messages, outside normal 
working hours. Our aim is to cultivate a culture 
of hard work within normal hours while fully 
respecting personal life and time outside of 
work. 

Managers play a key role in implementing 
these policies; however, colleagues can 
follow a formal complaint procedure if 
their experience does not live up to our 
commitment.

Our Agile Working Guidelines provide a 
clear steer on our approach to agile working 
for colleagues who have flexibility in their 
work location or working pattern to balance 
business needs with individual preferences. 

Alcohol awareness training

In FY2022, as part of our commitment to 
the responsible promotion and consumption 
of alcohol  and ongoing efforts to support 
colleague health and wellbeing and ensure 
a safe working environment, we partnered 
with leading alcohol charity, Drinkaware, to 
roll out e-learning resources to all colleagues 
across C&C Group. 

To ensure our marketing colleagues have a 
full understanding of legislation, and industry 
codes and guidelines – we are working with 
Copy Clear  (Institute of Advertising Practice 
Ireland  Alcohol Marketing) in ROI and the 
Portman Group  (on the Code of Practice on 
the Naming, Packaging, and Promotion of 
Alcoholic Drinks  and The Code of Practice 
on Alcohol Sponsorship ) and Advertising 
Standards Authority (ASA) / Code of 
Advertising Practice (CAP) in the UK, to 
refresh mandatory responsible alcohol 
marketing training. 

Embed key codes including 
Employee Code of Conduct

By the end of FY2022, c.800 colleagues 
across the Group had completed online 
policy compliance training, created by legal 
specialists, DWF Advantage, on:
•  Code of Conduct
•  The Bribery Act
•  Fraud prevention
•  Cyber security
•  Cyber-crime
•  Information security at C&C
•  Modern Slavery
•  Whistleblowing with confidence 
•  Financial crime compliance
•  Updated C&C Policies
•  Competition Law 

Learning and Development 
Programmes

We have a renewed focus to develop our 
people and strengthen our capability to 
ensure that C&C has the most engaged, 
inspired and committed colleagues.

A strategic review of our approach to 
Learning and Development was carried out 
across C&C during FY2022. Following this 
review, in FY2023, we will introduce our 
People Growth agenda under 5 key pillars: 
•  Develop the best leaders; 
•  Developing our differentiating capabilities; 
•  Execute people processes consistently; 
•  Live our Values, Behaviours and Culture; 

and 

•  Bring the outside in to win! 

We will provide an update on the delivery of 
our new Learning and Development strategy 
in our FY2023 Annual Report.

A learning management platform is available 
across C&C. This provides on-demand 
online resources to all colleagues. In 
addition to wellbeing, COVID-19, and 
diversity and inclusion topics, online 
learning content is available to develop sales 
teams and support organisational change 
programmes.

As COVID restrictions are fully removed, we 
will reintroduce apprenticeships requiring 
on the job learning experience. Professional 
development has continued within central 
and support services functions, including 
Finance, Marketing and HR, as well as some 
sales and operational areas. We continue 
to support professional development 
across the Group and this year have again 
supported colleagues through further 
education and professional exams including 
SVQs in Management, MBAs, CIMA, CIPD 
and IBD qualifications.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
78

Responsibility Report
Governance

Build a more Diverse, 
Inclusive and 
Engaged C&C

We want C&C to be a place where 
colleague’s individuality is respected and 
celebrated.

Diversification of Board

With each review of its composition, and 
when considering any appointment, the 
Board has particular regard for diversity 
of gender, social and ethnic backgrounds, 
nationality, and cognitive and personal 
strengths. Diversity at Board level – and 
throughout the organisation – is key to 
ensure that we incorporate a wider range of 
perspectives in deliberations and decision 
making. While incorporating all aspects of 
diversity, we have placed a particular focus 
on gender and ethnic diversity in light of the 
Hampton Alexander and Parker Reviews.

Group wide Diversity & Inclusion 
measurement

In FY2022, we continued to focus on strong 
diversity and fair employment practices. 
We do however recognise our need for 
greater effort in these areas. Our Diversity, 
Inclusion and Wellbeing Policy is visible 
across C&C Group and is supplemented by 
shared learning resources, available to all 
colleagues. Diversity and Inclusion (‘D&I’) 
are a focus for our Executive Committee, 
who continue to receive external coaching 
to support them in leading inclusion in a 
more meaningful way. Training is being rolled 
out to all managers and those involved in 
recruitment process and D&I principles 
will be included in our recruitment and 
assessment panels.

In the summer of 2021 as COVID restrictions 
were relaxed, we took a critical step by 
launching our confidential ‘Getting to Know 
You’ questionnaire. This allows us to develop 
our approach via a greater understanding of 
the demographic and intersectional make up 
of our colleagues and their in-depth views 
on D&I topics to allow us to develop our HR 
practices through improved insight.

On 8 March 2022, in celebration of 
International Women’s Day 2022, around 
150 women from across C&C Group, met 
to discuss the issue of gender bias and how 
we as a business can take positive steps 
to #BreakTheBias in our workplace and 
communities. We have captured colleague 
comments on what we as a business can 
do to help #BreakTheBias and will ensure 
these are included in our discussions and 
actions going forward.

On 8 March 2022, 
in celebration 
of International 
Women’s Day 2022, 
around 150 women 
from across C&C 
Group, met to 
discuss the issue of 
gender bias and how 
we as a business can 
take positive steps 
to #BreakTheBias in 
our workplace and 
communities.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
79

Employee engagement tracking

Colleague engagement is a key priority for 
C&C Group and is an agenda item at each 
Board, Executive and ESG Committee 
meeting.

In July and December 2021, C&C worked 
with Peakon to survey all colleagues, to 
capture their views on the Group. These 
surveys, submitted anonymously, look 
to identify where we are as a business 
and how our values reflect colleagues’ 
experience working at C&C. The feedback 
secured on areas including diversity, 
inclusion and wellbeing, and delivering our 
business strategy, are critical in our efforts to 
make C&C a great place to work.

Peakon survey results are shared with the 
Executive Committee and the Board and 
cascaded to direct reports and broader 
business areas. Actions were identified and 
communicated to all colleagues to address 
the three main drivers of Engagement, 
Reward, Growth (see Learning and 
Development above) and Strategy & Mission 
to address colleague feedback.

Initiatives put in place to address feedback 
on Reward include a role evaluation exercise 
with Korn Ferry, pay and salary increases for 
FY2023, and discussions with colleagues to 
establish common understanding of “what 
reward is”. C&C will also extend Gender 
Pay Gap Reporting across the Group and 
measures we will put in place to address the 
gap. 

The Group recognises that communication 
is a priority in improving colleague 
understanding of strategy and mission. 
Initiatives to improve communication include 
weekly briefings to managers and monthly 
briefings to all colleagues. In February and 
March 2022, six roadshows were held 
across the UK to present and discuss brand 
plans and receive feedback from colleagues. 
On 10 March 2022, a full day session on 
strategy with senior leaders was held in 
Manchester. The content from this session 

was cascaded across the business, to allow 
colleagues to identify how C&C purpose, 
values and strategy, can be embedded in 
their day-to-day work.

To encourage greater participation in the 
surveys, Peakon engagement training 
has been put in place for all managers 
and kiosks have been placed at all 
manufacturing and depot sites.

Our Forum sessions were again held in 
November 2021 and February 2022. Hosted 
by Executive Committee members and 
Non-Executive Directors. These sessions 
provide a short business update, with the 
key focus being to answer any questions / 
concerns that colleagues have about C&C. 
Our Forums build on existing employee 
engagement opportunities and the Group’s 
continuing efforts to develop a culture of 
informality, transparency, and trust. The 
aim is to provide a further opportunity to 
increase two-way dialogue between the 
Group and all staff. They also allow our Non-
Executive Directors to hear directly from 
colleagues and feedback to the C&C Board.

Our Forum sessions will be held regularly 
(quarterly as a minimum) across our sites in 
UK and Ireland during FY2023. 

Confidential Whistleblowing Helpline
At C&C, we work hard to foster a safe, 
inclusive working environment. We have a 
zero-tolerance policy for all forms of bullying, 
harassment and discrimination, and we 
want to ensure that everyone at C&C has 
the ability to speak up about injustices they 
experience or witness. We have partnered 
with Vault, a simple, safe and confidential 
app. that allows colleagues to raise any 
concerns they may have about themselves, 
a colleague or our working environment. 

There were 35 instances of concerns raised 
in FY2022, on “concern or suspicion related 
to ethical or compliance related wrongdoing 
in the Group”.

Human Rights
We do not condone and will not 
knowingly participate in any form of 
human exploitation, including slavery and 
people trafficking. We refuse to work with 
any suppliers or service providers who 
knowingly participate in such practices or 
who cannot demonstrate to us sufficient 
controls to ensure that such practices are 
not taking place in their supply chains. 
Our approach is reflected in our Code of 
Conduct and Modern Slavery policies, 
which we circulate to suppliers. We also 
carry out diligence audits and checks on 
our suppliers to ensure that they have in 
place and adhere to appropriate ethical 
policies, with KPIs for those areas where we 
believe the potential impact on the Group 
is material. A process is in place internally 
to address and remediate any instances of 
non-conformance. A copy of our Code of 
Conduct and Modern Slavery Statement are 
available on our website.

Anti-Bribery and Corruption
Our Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy and 
accompanying training materials, referenced 
above in Embedding Key Codes, are 
designed to be straightforward and direct 
so that it is clear to all employees what 
they may or may not do as part of normal 
business transactions. The Policy applies 
to all colleagues in the Group equally. It is 
written to ensure that legitimate and honest 
business transactions can be distinguished 
from improper and dishonest transactions. 
This Policy and the accompanying training 
will be tracked as part of the internal 
audit monitoring process to monitor 
understanding and adherence to the Policy. 
KPIs have been established for those areas 
where we believe the potential impact on 
the Group is material. During FY2022, no 
incidences of bribery or corruption were 
uncovered across the Group. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
80

Responsibility Report
Governance

Collaborate with 
Government, 
NGOs and Industry 
Programmes

We are funders and active members of 
Drinkaware, which performs the valuable 
role of educating consumers about 
responsible alcohol consumption. 

The Group, also support Best Bar None 
in Scotland, a national accreditation and 
award scheme for licensed premises. 
Participants are given lots of support and 
advice to improve the safety of their staff, 
premises and customers and to adopt high 
management standards.

We are members of the UK’s National 
Association of Cider Makers (‘NACM’), 
which works closely with apple growers and 
the agricultural communities in cider regions 
in the UK. This working relationship puts 
us at the heart of many UK Government 
discussions relating to the responsible use 
of alcohol. The NACM is also engaged 
with tax and regulatory departments and 
opinion-forming bodies having an interest 
in cider and alcohol generally. We are also 
members of the Wine and Spirit Trade 
Association and the European Cider and 
Fruit Wine Association.

In Ireland, C&C are members and actively 
support the work of the Licensed Vintners 
Association, the Vintners Federation of 
Ireland and Hospitality Ulster. 

Support Long Live the Local with 
BBPA

In FY2022, C&C worked with the British 
Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and 
c.50 producers and pub groups to support 
Long live the Local. The campaign was 
Launched in 2018 to raise awareness of the 
high number of pub closures across the UK 
and to highlight that the UK has one of the 
highest Beer Duty rates in the world. The 
campaign seeks an extension in the lower 
level of VAT for food and beverages sold in 
hospitality, an overall reduction in beer duty 
and alcohol duty reforms that support British 
pubs and beer as a lower strength product, 
together with lower business rates for pubs 
equitable to other similar businesses. 

Sustainable Growth Agreement 
with Scottish Environmental 
Protection Agency 

During a visit to Wellpark in October 
2021, Mairi McAllan, Scottish Minister for 
Environment and Land Reform and Jo 
Green, Chief Officer for Green Recovery 
at the Scottish Environmental Protection 
Agency (‘SEPA’), announced the signing of 
a Sustainable Growth Agreement (‘SGA’), 
between Tennent’s and SEPA which sets 

out a joint vision for how the producer 
of Scotland’s favourite beer can help 
encourage the country’s drinks industry to 
adopt more sustainable practices. The SGA 
focuses on two key areas – the first looking 
to address Tennent’s environmental footprint 
across plant, supply chain, distribution 
networks and materials use. The second 
explores how Tennent’s will use heritage 
and its iconic brands to educate and engage 
consumers and customers in conversation 
on climate change and environmental 
challenges and help drive positive action.

Partnership with 2050 Climate 
Group and Scottish Environmental 
Protection Agency 

Tennent’s has also partnered with the 
Scottish Environment Protection Agency 
and climate charity, the 2050 Climate Group 
to hold a series of workshops, to engage 
consumers in climate conversation. A launch 
event was held at Wellpark during COP26. 
A further series of events, will be held in on-
trade venues across Scotland throughout 
2022, bringing together consumers and 
climate activists, with the aim of increasing 
climate conversation and action.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202281

We continue to 
work with the Irish 
Government and 
all stakeholders 
following the 
implementation 
of minimum unit 
pricing in Ireland on 
1 January 2022. 

Leading Deposit Return Scheme 
(‘DRS’) Implementation in Scotland

Collaborate on Minimum Unit Price 
Implementation in Ireland

C&C has supported the Scottish 
Government’s aims around the introduction 
of a Deposit Return Scheme (‘DRS’) since 
proposals were first announced in 2017. 
Since then, we have worked with the 
Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, 
our Trade Bodies and all stakeholders to 
help create an efficient, well-designed DRS 
for Scotland that delivers on the country’s 
recycling and litter targets and supports 
ambitions for a more circular economy. 
In March 2021, C&C became a founding 
member of Circularity Scotland, the system 
administrator appointed to operate the 
DRS in Scotland. The administrator works 
collaboratively with producers, retailers, 
the hospitality industry and wholesalers 
to deliver a scheme to collect more than 
90% of used drinks containers. The 
Group engages fully in all working groups 
established by CSL and has established 
a Group Steering Committee and project 
teams to develop our internal systems and 
processes for the introduction of DRS in 
Scotland on 16 August 2023 (and prepare 
for the introduction of DRS in Ireland and the 
rest of the UK).

We continue to work with the Irish 
Government and all stakeholders following 
the implementation of minimum unit pricing 
in Ireland on 1 January 2022. Although the 
majority of drinkers in Ireland enjoy alcohol 
responsibly, we believe this legislation will 
have the same positive impact as it has 
had in Scotland in tackling the availability 
of strong, cheap alcohol and its correlation 
with harmful drinking. 

We continue to liaise with all stakeholders to 
prepare for the implementation of minimum 
unit pricing in Northern Ireland.

Tax

The Group takes its responsibilities as a 
corporate citizen seriously. This includes 
respecting and complying with local 
tax laws and paying the required and 
appropriate levels of tax in the different 
countries where we operate. We claim 
the allowances and deductions that we 
are properly entitled to, for instance, on 
the investment and employment that we 
bring to our communities. We benefit from 
having always been an Irish company, 
established in the Republic of Ireland’s 
corporate tax environment, with our major 
cider production unit located in Clonmel and 
the Group is headquartered in Dublin. The 
majority of the Group’s profits are earned in 
the Republic of Ireland and the UK, which 
both have competitive corporation tax rates 
compared with the European average. In 
the Republic of Ireland and the UK, we remit 
substantial amounts of duty on alcohol 
production. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
82

Directors’ Report

The Directors present the Annual Report and audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Group for the year ended 28 February 2022.

Principal Activities

The Group’s principal trading activity is the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of branded beer, cider, wine, spirits and soft drinks.

Non-Financial Reporting Statement
In compliance with the European Union (Disclosure of Non-Financial and Diversity Information by certain large undertakings and groups) 
Regulations 2017, the table below is designed to help stakeholders navigate to the relevant sections in this Annual Report to understand the 
Group’s approach to these non-financial matters:

Reporting Requirements

Our Policies

Section in Annual Report or
Page References

Risks

Environmental 
matters

Social and 
Employee matters

Environmental Sustainability

Responsibility Report

Sustainability and Climate Change is one of our 
principal risks. Please refer to page 37 for more 
details.

Diversity and Inclusion 
Health and Safety 
Speak Up
Conflicts of Interest

Responsibility Report

For employee matters, retention and recruitment of 
staff is one of our principal risks. Please refer to page 
38 for more details. 

Although the risks associated with human rights 
abuses are actively monitored, the Group does not 
believe these risks meet the threshold of a principal 
risk for our business.

Although the risks associated with bribery and 
corruption are actively monitored, the Group does 
not believe these risks meet the threshold of a 
principal risk for our business. 

Human Rights

Anti-Modern Slavery

Responsibility Report

Anti-bribery and 
Corruption

Code of Conduct 
Compliance 
Anti-Bribery 

Description of the 
business model

Non-Financial 
key performance 
indicators

Dividends

Responsibility Report

Please refer to pages 
26 to 29

Please refer to pages 
32 - 33 

Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the impact this has on global economies and on business generally, the Board concluded it was not 
appropriate, nor prudent, to pay an interim dividend or declare a final dividend for FY2022. For the previous financial year ending 28 February 
2021, no interim or final dividend was paid given the outbreak of COVID-19 and its impact.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
83

Appointment

2020

2020*

2018

2012

2020

2020

2021

2019

2016

2014

2022

2019

2019

Board of Directors

The names, functions and date of appointment of the current Directors are as follows:

Director

Stewart Gilliland

David Forde

Patrick McMahon 

Vineet Bhalla

Jill Caseberry

Vincent Crowley

Emer Finnan

Ralph Findlay

Helen Pitcher 

Jim Thompson

Function

Non-Executive Chair

Interim Executive Chair

Non-Executive Chair

Non-Executive Director

Group Chief Executive Officer

Group Chief Financial Officer

Independent Non-Executive Director

Independent Non-Executive Director

Independent Non-Executive Director

Independent Non-Executive Director

Independent Non-Executive Director

Independent Non-Executive Director

Independent Non-Executive Director

*  Stewart Gilliland was appointed as interim Executive Chair from 16 January 2020, following the retirement of Stephen Glancey, to 2 November 2020, when David Forde was 

appointed Group Chief Executive Officer.

Research and Development

Share Price

Certain Group undertakings are engaged in 
ongoing research and development aimed 
at improving processes and expanding 
product ranges.

Listing Arrangements

In order to facilitate entry into the FTSE UK 
Index Series, the Group cancelled the listing 
and trading of C&C shares on Euronext 
Dublin with effect from 8 October 2019. The 
Group is listed on the premium segment 
of The London Stock Exchange and was 
included in the FTSE All-Share Index and the 
FTSE 250 indices in December 2019.

The Group remains domiciled and tax 
resident in Ireland, with its registered and 
corporate head office located in Dublin. 
The Group also retains a significant 
manufacturing, commercial and brand 
presence in Ireland.

The price of the Company’s ordinary shares 
as quoted on the London Stock Exchange 
at the close of business on 28 February 
2022 was £2.11 (28 February 2021: £2.58). 
The price of the Company’s ordinary shares 
ranged between £2.03 and £2.98 during the 
year.

Further Information on the Group
The information required by section 327 of 
the Companies Act 2014 to be included in 
this report with respect to:
1.  The review of the development and 

performance of the business and future 
developments is set out in the CEO’s 
Review on pages 10 to 23 and the 
Strategic Report on pages 2 to 81.
2.  The principal risks and uncertainties 
which the Company and the Group 
faces are set out in the Strategic Report 
on pages 34 to 45 and which have 
been updated to reflect the risks posed 
by the conflict in Ukraine and evolving 
inflationary cost pressures.

3.  The key performance indicators relevant 

to the business of the Group, including 
environmental and employee matters, 

are set out in the Strategic Report on 
pages 32 to 33 and in the Group Chief 
Financial Officer’s Review on pages 54 
to 61; and further information in respect 
of environmental and employee matters 
is set out in the Responsibility Report 
on pages 62 to 81.

4.  The financial risk management 

objectives and policies of the Company 
and the Group, including the exposure 
of the Company and the Group to 
financial risk, are set out in the Group 
Chief Financial Officer’s Review on 
pages 54 to 61 and note 24 to the 
financial statements.

The Group’s Viability Statement is contained 
in the Strategic Report on pages 44 to 45.

Corporate Governance

In accordance with Section 1373 of the 
Companies Act 2014, the corporate 
governance statement of the Company 
for the year, including the main features of 
the internal control and risk management 
systems of the Group, is contained in 
the Strategic Report and the Corporate 
Governance Report on pages 90 to 99. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements84

Directors’ Report
(continued)

Substantial Interests

As at 28 February 2022 and 12 May 2022, being the latest practicable date, details of interests over 3% in the ordinary share capital carrying 
voting rights which have been notified to the Company are:

Artemis Investment Management LLP

FIL Limited

Silchester International Investors LLP 

BlackRock, Inc.

Brandes Investment Partners, L.P.

Janus Henderson Group plc

No. of ordinary 
shares held as 
notified at  

No. of ordinary 
shares held as 
notified at  

% at  

28 February 2022

28 February 2022

12 May 2022

% at 
12 May 2022

59,082,210

38,056,824

12,341,061

16,310,918

12,063,059

11,835,427

15.04%

59,082,210

15.04%

9.69% 38,056,824

3.14%

4.15%

12,341,061

16,310,918

3.07%

12,063,059

3.01%

11,835,427

9.69%

3.14%

4.15%

3.07%

3.01%

As far as the Company is aware, other than as stated in the table above, no other person or company had at 28 February 2022 or 12 May 
2022, being the latest practicable date, an interest in 3% or more of the Company’s share capital carrying voting rights.

Issue of Shares and Purchase of 
Own Shares

At the Annual General Meeting held on 1 
July 2021, the Directors received a general 
authority to allot shares. A limited authority 
was also granted to Directors to allot shares 
for cash otherwise than in accordance with 
statutory pre-emption rights. Resolutions 
will be proposed at the 2022 Annual General 
Meeting to allot shares to a nominal amount 
which is equal to approximately one-third 
of the issued ordinary share capital of 
the Company. In addition, resolutions will 
also be proposed to allow the Directors 
to allot shares for cash otherwise than in 
accordance with statutory pre-emption 
rights up to an aggregate nominal value 
which is equal to approximately 5% of the 
nominal value of the issued share capital of 
the Company and, in the event of a rights 
issue, and a further 5% of the nominal value 
of the issued share capital of the Company 
for the purposes of an acquisition or a 
specified capital investment. If granted, 
these authorities will expire at the conclusion 
of the Annual General Meeting in 2023 and 
the date 18 months after the passing of the 
resolution, whichever is earlier.

At the Annual General Meeting held on 1 
July 2021 authority was granted to purchase 
up to 10% of the Company’s ordinary 
shares (the “Repurchase Authority”). As at 
the date of this Report, the Group had not 
purchased any ordinary shares pursuant to 
the Repurchase Authority from the start of 
the financial year.

Special resolutions will be proposed at the 
2022 Annual General Meeting to renew 
the authority of the Company, or any of its 
subsidiaries, to purchase up to 10% of the 
Company’s ordinary shares in issue at the 
date of the Annual General Meeting and 
in relation to the maximum and minimum 
prices at which treasury shares (effectively 
shares purchased and not cancelled) may 
be re-issued off-market by the Company. 
If granted, the authorities will expire on the 
earlier of the date of the Annual General 
Meeting in 2023 and the date 18 months 
after the passing of the resolution. The 
minimum price which may be paid for 
shares purchased by the Company shall not 
be less than the nominal value of the shares 
and the maximum price will be 105% of the 
average market price of such shares over 
the preceding five days. The Directors will 
only exercise the power to purchase shares 
if they consider it to be in the best interests 
of the Company and its shareholders.

As at 12 May 2022, being the latest 
practicable date, options to subscribe for a 
total of 2,805,110 ordinary shares (excluding 
Recruitment and Retention Awards) are 
outstanding, representing 0.71% of the 
Company’s total voting rights. If the authority 
to purchase ordinary shares were used in 
full, the options would represent 0.78% of 
the Company’s total voting rights.

Dilution Limits and Time Limits

All employee share plans contain the share 
dilution limits recommended in institutional 
guidance, namely that no awards shall be 
granted which would cause the number 
of Shares issued or issuable pursuant to 
awards granted in the ten years ending with 
the date of grant (a) under any discretionary 
or executive share scheme adopted by the 
Company to exceed 5%, and (b) under any 
employees’ share scheme adopted by the 
Company to exceed 10%, of the ordinary 
share capital of the Company in issue at that 
time. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
85

The European Communities 
(Takeover Bids (Directive 2004/25/
EC)) Regulations 2006

Structure of the Company’s share capital
At 12 May 2022, being the latest practicable 
date, the Company has an issued share 
capital of 401,913,690 ordinary shares of 
€0.01 each and an authorised share capital 
of 800,000,000 ordinary shares of €0.01 
each.

At 28 February 2022, the trustee of the C&C 
Employee Trust held 1,644,942 ordinary 
shares of €0.01 each in the capital of the 
Company. Shares held by the trustee of the 
C&C Employee Trust are accounted for as 
if they were treasury shares. These shares 
are, however, included in the calculation 
of Total Voting Rights for the purposes of 
Regulation 20 of the Transparency (Directive 
2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 (“TVR 
Calculation”).

As at 28 February 2022, a subsidiary of 
the Group held 9,025,000 shares in the 
Company, which were acquired under 
the authority granted to the Company. 
These shares are not included in the TVR 
calculation and are accounted for as 
treasury shares. Treasury shares represent 
3% of issued share capital as at 28 February 
2022. Further details can be found in Note 
25 (Share Capital and Reserves) on page 
227.

Details of employee share schemes, and 
the rights attaching to shares held in these 
schemes, can be found in note 4 (Share-
Based Payments) to the financial statements 
and the Report of the Remuneration 
Committee on Directors’ Remuneration on 
pages 116 to 135. 

The Company has no securities in issue 
conferring special rights with regard to 
control of the Company.

Details of persons with a significant holding 
of securities in the Company are set out on 
page 84.

Rights and obligations attaching to the 
Ordinary Shares
All ordinary shares rank pari passu, and 
the rights attaching to the ordinary shares 
(including as to voting and transfer) are 
as set out in the Company’s Articles of 
Association (“Articles”). A copy of the 
Articles may be obtained upon request to 
the Company Secretary.

Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to 
receive duly declared dividends in cash or, 
when offered, additional Ordinary Shares. 
In the event of any surplus arising on the 
occasion of the liquidation of the Company, 
shareholders would be entitled to a share 
in that surplus pro rata to their holdings of 
ordinary shares.

Holders of ordinary shares are entitled 
to receive notice of and to attend, speak 
and vote in person or by proxy, at general 
meetings having, on a show of hands, 
one vote, and, on a poll, one vote for each 
Ordinary Share held. Procedures and 
deadlines for entitlement to exercise, and 
exercise of, voting rights are specified in 
the notice convening the general meeting 
in question. There are no restrictions on 
voting rights except in the circumstances 
where a “Specified Event” (as defined in 
the Articles) shall have occurred and the 
Directors have served a restriction notice on 
the shareholder. Upon the service of such 
restriction notice, no holder of the shares 
specified in the notice shall, for so long as 
such notice shall remain in force, be entitled 
to attend or vote at any general meeting, 
either personally or by proxy.

Holding and transfer of Ordinary 
Shares

Following the migration in March 2021 of 
securities settlement in the securities of 
Irish registered companies listed on the 
London Stock Exchange (such as the 
Company) and/or Euronext Dublin from the 
current settlement system, CREST, to the 
replacement system, Euroclear Bank, the 
ordinary shares can be held in certificated 
form (that is, represented by a share 

certificate) or indirectly through the Euroclear 
System or through CREST in CDI (CREST 
Depository Interest) form. 

Save as set out below, there is no 
requirement to obtain the approval of the 
Company, or of other shareholders, for a 
transfer of ordinary shares. The Directors 
may decline to register (a) any transfer of 
a partly-paid share to a person of whom 
they do not approve, (b) any transfer of 
a share to more than four joint holders, 
and (c) any transfer of a certificated share 
unless accompanied by the share certificate 
and such other evidence of title as may 
reasonably be required. The registration 
of transfers of shares may be suspended 
at such times and for such periods (not 
exceeding 30 days in each year) as the 
Directors may determine.

Transfer instruments for certificated 
shares are executed by or on behalf of the 
transferor and, in cases where the share 
is not fully paid, by or on behalf of the 
transferee. 

The Articles contain provisions designed 
to facilitate the Company’s participation 
in the Euroclear Bank settlement system 
and to facilitate the exercise of rights in the 
Company by holders of interests in ordinary 
shares that are held through the Euroclear 
Bank system. The holding and transfer of 
ordinary shares through the Euroclear Bank 
system is additionally subject to the rules 
and procedures of Euroclear Bank and 
applicable Belgian law and (for interests in 
ordinary shares held in CDI form) those of 
CREST.

Rules concerning the appointment 
and replacement of the Directors 
and amendment of the Company’s 
Articles

Unless otherwise determined by ordinary 
resolution of the Company, the number 
of Directors shall not be less than two or 
more than 14. Subject to that limit, the 
shareholders in general meeting may 
appoint any person to be a Director either 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements86

Directors’ Report
(continued)

to fill a vacancy or as an additional Director. 
The Directors also have the power to co-opt 
additional persons as Directors, but any 
Director so co-opted is under the Articles 
required to be submitted to shareholders 
for re-election at the first Annual General 
Meeting following his or her co-option.

The Articles require that at each Annual 
General Meeting of the Company one-third 
of the Directors retire by rotation. However, 
in accordance with the recommendations 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code, the 
Directors have resolved they will all retire 
and submit themselves for re-election by the 
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting 
to be held this year.

The Company’s Articles may be amended by 
special resolution (75% majority of votes cast) 
passed at a general meeting.

Powers of Directors

Under its Articles, the business of the 
Company shall be managed by the Directors, 
who exercise all powers of the Company 
as are not, by the Companies Acts or the 
Articles, required to be exercised by the 
Company in general meeting.

The powers of Directors in relation to issuing 
or buying back by the Company of its shares 
are set out above under “Issue of Shares and 
Purchase of Own Shares”.

awards in the event of a change of control of 
the Company. 

There are no agreements between the 
Company and its Directors or employees 
providing for compensation for loss of 
office or employment (whether through 
resignation, purported redundancy or 
otherwise) that occurs because of a 
takeover bid in excess of their normal 
contractual entitlement. 

Shareholder Rights Directive II

On 20 March 2020, the provisions of the 
Shareholders’ Rights Directive II (SRD II) 
became law in Ireland with the publication of 
the European Union (Shareholders’ Rights) 
Regulations 2020 (SRD II Regulations). The 
SRD II Regulations apply with effect from 30 
March 2020.

SRD II Regulations codify that Irish 
companies must seek shareholder approval 
of a remuneration report annually; and, an 
advisory remuneration policy once every 
four years. The Group is, in effect, already 
in compliance with this requirement having 
provided shareholders with the opportunity 
to opine on the Group’s remuneration report 
annually since 2010; and also in providing 
shareholders with an advisory vote on the 
Group’s Remuneration Policy. The 2021 
Remuneration Policy (“policy”) was put to 
our shareholders on an advisory basis at 
last year’s AGM. 

Change of control and related 
matters

Political Donations

Certain of the Group’s borrowing facilities 
include provisions that, in the event of a 
change of control of the Company, could 
oblige the Group to repay the facilities. 
Certain of the Company’s customer 
and supplier contracts and joint venture 
arrangements also contain provisions that 
would allow the counterparty to terminate 
the agreement in the event of a change of 
control of the Company. The Company’s 
Executive Share Option Scheme and Long-
Term Incentive Plan each contain change 
of control provisions which allow for the 
acceleration of the exercise of share options/

No political donations were made by 
the Group during the year that require 
disclosure in accordance with the Electoral 
Acts, 1997 to 2002.

Accounting Records

The measures taken by the Directors to 
secure compliance with the requirements 
of Sections 281 to 285 of the Companies 
Act 2014 with regard to the keeping of 
adequate accounting records are to employ 
accounting personnel with appropriate 
qualifications, experience and expertise 

and to provide adequate resources to the 
finance function. The books of account of the 
Company are maintained at the Group’s office 
in Bulmers House, Keeper Road, Crumlin, 
Dublin 12, D12 K702.

Auditor

In accordance with Section 383(2) of the 
Companies Act 2014, the auditor, Ernst & 
Young, Chartered Accountants, will continue 
in office. Ernst & Young were first appointed 
as the Company’s auditor during the financial 
year ending 28 February 2018 following a 
tender process. The Company is committed 
to mandatory tendering every ten years. 
Further details are set on page 104.

Disclosure of Information to the Auditor
In accordance with Section 330 of the 
Companies Act 2014, the Directors confirm 
that, so far as they are each aware, there is no 
relevant audit information, being information 
needed by the auditor in connection 
with preparing their report, of which the 
Company’s auditor is unaware. Having 
made enquiries with fellow Directors and the 
Company’s auditor, each Director has taken 
all the steps that they ought to have taken as 
a Director to make themselves aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish 
that the Company’s auditor is aware of that 
information.

Directors’ Compliance Statement 
(Made In Accordance With Section 
225 of the Companies Act 2014)

The Directors acknowledge that they are 
responsible for securing compliance by the 
Company with its relevant obligations as 
are defined in the Companies Act 2014 (the 
‘Relevant Obligations’). 

The Directors confirm that they have drawn up 
and adopted a compliance policy statement 
setting out the Company’s policies that, in 
the Directors’ opinion, are appropriate to the 
Company with respect to compliance by the 
Company with its relevant obligations. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202287

The Directors further confirm the Company 
has put in place appropriate arrangements 
or structures that are, in the Directors’ 
opinion, designed to secure material 
compliance with its relevant obligations 
including reliance on the advice of persons 
employed by the Company and external 
legal and tax advisers as considered 
appropriate from time to time and that they 
have reviewed the effectiveness of these 
arrangements or structures during the 
financial year to which this report relates.

Financial Instruments

In the normal course of business, the Group 
has exposure to a variety of financial risks, 
including foreign currency risk, interest 
rate risk, liquidity risk, and credit risk. The 
Company’s financial risk objectives and 
policies are set out in Note 24 of the financial 
statements.

Post Balance Sheet Events

On 17 May 2022, the Group announced the 
sale of its joint venture investment in Admiral 
Taverns, to Proprium Capital Partners for 
a total consideration of €65.8m (£55.0m) 
payable in three tranches during FY2023, 
subject only to FCA approval. Admiral 
Taverns was classified as an asset held for 
sale as at 24 February 2022.
There were no other events affecting the 
Group that have occurred since the year 
end which would require disclosure or 
amendment of the consolidated financial 
statements.

Annual General Meeting

Your attention is drawn to the letter to 
shareholders and the notice of meeting 
accompanying this report which set 
out details of the matters which will be 

considered at the Annual General Meeting. 
In particular, please ensure to read additional 
disclosures relating to restrictions at the 
Annual General Meeting due to government 
and health authority guidance on COVID-19 
social distancing.

Other Information 

Other information relevant to the Director’s 
Report may be found in the following sections 
of the Annual Report:

Information
Results

Principal risks & uncertainties including 
risks associated with recent emergence of 
COVID-19

Directors’ remuneration, including the 
interests of the directors and secretary in the 
share capital of the Company

Location in the Annual Report
Financial Statements – pages 147 to 153.

Principal Risks & Uncertainties – pages 34 
to 45.

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report 
– pages 116 to 135.

Long-Term Incentive Plan, share options and 
equity settled incentive schemes

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report 
– pages 116 to 135.

Significant subsidiary undertakings

Financial Statements – Note 29.

Director biographies and Board composition

Directors and Officers – pages 88 to 89.

Audit Committee Report

Pages 100 to 105.

The Directors’ Report for the year ended 28 
February 2022 comprises these pages and 
the sections of the Annual Report referred to 
under ‘Other information’ above, which are 
incorporated into the Directors’ Report by 
reference.

Signed
On behalf of the Board

David Forde
Group Chief 
Executive Officer 

Patrick McMahon  
Group Chief 
Financial Officer

17 May 2022

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
88

Directors and Officers

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. Stewart Gilliland
Chair
Stewart Gilliland (65) was appointed a Non-
Executive Director of the Company in April 
2012 and Chair in July 2018. Stewart is also 
Chair of the Nomination Committee. From 
2006 to 2010 he was Chief Executive Officer 
of Müller Dairy (UK) Ltd. Prior to that, he held 
positions at Whitbread Beer Company and 
at Interbrew SA in markets including the UK, 
Ireland, Europe and Canada. He is currently 
a Non-Executive Director and member of 
the Corporate Responsibility Committee 
and Nomination Committee at Tesco plc, 
a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee at Natures Way 
Foods Limited and a Non-Executive Director of 
Chapel Down plc. Stewart is also Chair of the 
Board and Nomination Committee at IG Design 
Group plc. He is a former Non-Executive 
Director of Booker Group plc, Mitchells & 
Butlers plc, Sutton & East Surrey Water plc, 
Vianet Group plc and Tulip Limited. 

2. David Forde
Group Chief Executive Officer
David Forde (54) was appointed Group Chief 
Executive Officer in November 2020. Prior to 
joining the Company, David was the Managing 
Director of Heineken UK, a leading producer 
of beer and cider brands in the UK market, 
as well as a significant pub operator, with 
approximately 2,500 outlets in its estate. David 
worked with Heineken for 31 years and had 
extensive experience in senior leadership 
positions across the business. He started 
his career with the Sales and Marketing 
team at Heineken Ireland, before gaining 
international experience in the Netherlands 
and then Poland, where he was Marketing 
Director. Progressing to senior leadership, 
David was appointed General Manager of 
Heineken UK in 2007 and played a key role in 
Heineken's acquisition of Scottish & Newcastle 
in 2008 and the subsequent integration of 
the two businesses. In 2009, David returned 
to Heineken Ireland as Managing Director, 
before being appointed Managing Director of 
Heineken UK in 2013.

3. Patrick McMahon
Group Chief Financial Officer
Patrick McMahon (42) was appointed Group 
Chief Financial Officer in July 2020. He has 
held a number of senior management positions 
within the food and beverage sector across 
the UK, Ireland and North America over the 
past 15 years. Having originally joined C&C in 
2005 his previous roles include Group Finance 
Director, Finance Director of a number of 
C&C’s business units and most recently, Group 
Strategy Director prior to his appointment as 
Group CFO. Patrick is a Fellow of Chartered 
Accountants Ireland, having trained at KPMG, 

and a member of the ESG Committee.

4. Vineet Bhalla
Independent Non-Executive Director
Vineet Bhalla (49) was appointed a Non-
Executive Director of the Company in April 
2021. Vineet is a highly experienced digital 
professional, with over 25 years of experience 
across defence, consumer goods, health 
and retail sectors. Until March 2021, Vineet 
was Chief Technology Officer and a Senior 
Vice President at Burberry plc. He previously 
held global roles for Unilever as Head of 
IT for their digital marketing and research 
and development divisions and had led 
data-driven and digital transformations at 
scale. Prior to Unilever, Vineet held global 
technology positions at Diageo enabling 
data driven transformation of their UK and 
Ireland Customer Development Teams. Vineet 
currently holds a Non-Executive Director 
position at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS 
Foundation Trust and serves as Chair of the 
Trust’s People and Culture Committee. Vineet 
brings strong digital transformation skills to the 
Board.

5. Jill Caseberry
Independent Non-Executive Director
Jill Caseberry (57) was appointed a Non-
Executive Director of the Company in February 
2019, a member of the Remuneration 
Committee in March 2019 and a member of 
the ESG Committee in September 2020. Jill 
has extensive sales, marketing and general 
management experience across a number of 
blue chip companies including Mars, PepsiCo 
and Premier Foods. Jill is a Non-Executive 
Director, Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
and member of the Audit and Nomination 
Committee at Bellway plc and at Halfords plc. 
Jill is also a Non-Executive Director, designated 
Employee Engagement Non-Executive 
Director and a member of the Remuneration 
and Nomination Committees at Bakkavor plc 
and Senior Independent Director, Chair of 
the Remuneration Committee and member 
of the Audit and Nomination Committees of 
St. Austell Brewery Company Limited. Jill 
brings considerable experience of brand 
management and marketing to the Board.

6. Vincent Crowley
Independent Non-Executive Director
Vincent Crowley (67) was appointed as a 
Non-Executive Director of the Company in 
January 2016 and as Senior Independent 
Director in June 2019. He is a member of 
the Audit Committee and the Nomination 
Committee. Vincent was previously both 
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive 
Officer of Independent News and Media plc, 
a leading media company. He also served 
as Chief Executive Officer and subsequently 
as a Non-Executive Director of APN News & 
Media, a media company listed in Australia 
and New Zealand. He initially worked with 
KPMG in Ireland. Vincent is currently Chair of 
Altas Investments plc and a Non-Executive 
Director of Grafton Group plc. Vincent brings 
considerable domestic and international 
business experience across a number of 
sectors to the Board.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202289

7

8

9

10

11

7. Ralph Findlay
Non-Executive Director
Ralph Findlay (61) was appointed a Non-
Executive Director of the Company in March 
2022 and will succeed Stewart Gilliland as 
Chair following C&C’s AGM in July 2022. 
Ralph served as Chief Executive Officer of 
Marston’s, the UK pub group, for 20 years. 
Most recently, Ralph guided Marston’s through 
the successful sale of its brewing business into 
a £780m joint venture with Carlsberg in May 
2020. Ralph served on the Marston’s Board 
from 1996, having previously held the role 
of Finance Director before being appointed 
Chief Executive Officer in 2001. Ralph was 
appointed a Non-Executive Director of Vistry 
Group plc in 2015 and has served as Senior 
Independent Director since January 2020. He 
also previously served as Chair of the British 
Beer and Pub Association (‘BBPA’).

8. Emer Finnan
Independent Non-Executive Director
Emer Finnan (53) was appointed as a 
Non-Executive Director of the Company 
in May 2014, became Chair of the Audit 
Committee in July 2015 and is a member of 
the Nomination Committee. She is President, 
Europe of Kildare Partners, a private equity 
firm based in London and Dublin, where she 
is responsible for investment origination in 
Europe, a Non-Executive Director of Britvic 
plc and a Non-Executive Director of Ireland 
Funds for Great Britain. After qualifying as 
a chartered accountant with KPMG, she 
worked in investment banking at Citibank 
and ABN AMRO in London and then NCB 
Stockbrokers in Dublin. In 2005 she joined 
EBS Building Society in Ireland, becoming its 
Finance Director in early 2010. In September 
2012, Emer re-joined NCB Stockbrokers to 
lead a financial services team in Ireland. She 
joined Kildare Partners in 2013. She brings 
considerable financial expertise to the Board.

9. Helen Pitcher OBE
Independent Non-Executive Director
Helen Pitcher (64) was appointed a Non-
Executive Director of the Company in 
February 2019 and Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee in March 2019. Helen is a member 
of the ESG Committee and Nomination 
Committee. Helen is currently Chair of a 
leading board effectiveness consultancy, 
Advanced Boardroom Excellence Ltd, Chair 
of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, a 
Non-Executive Director at United Biscuits UK, 
Senior Independent Director at One Health 
Group Ltd and Chair of its Remuneration 
and Nominations Committees, President of 
INSEAD Directors Network Board (IDN) and 
a Chair of INSEAD Directors Club Limited. 
Helen is the President of Kids Out (a National 
Children’s Charity) and sits on the Advisory 
Board for Leeds University Law Faculty. 
Helen was previously Chair of the Queens 
Counsel Selection Panel, and a Board member 
and Remuneration Chair for the CIPD. In 
Helen’s earlier career she was part of Grand 
Metropolitan plc as a Divisional Director 
(Board Director, Clifton Inns Ltd). In 2015 Helen 
Pitcher was awarded an OBE for services to 
business. Helen brings a wealth of experience 
and knowledge of governance and board 
effectiveness in a variety of sectors, including 
the drinks industry, to the Board.

10. Jim Thompson
Independent Non-Executive Director
Jim Thompson (61) was appointed a Non-
Executive Director of the Company, a member 
of the Audit Committee in March 2019 and 
Chair of the ESG Committee in September 
2020. Jim serves on the board of Directors of 
Millicom International Cellular SA. He has been 
a Guest Lecturer at the MBA Programmes at 
the University of Virginia, Columbia University 
and George Washington University. He 
holds an MBA from the Darden School at 
the University of Virginia where he received 
the Faculty Award for academic excellence. 
He has previously worked at Southeastern 
Asset Management, Mackenzie and Bryant 
Asset Management. Jim brings substantial 
international investment management 
experience to the Company.

11. Mark Chilton
Company Secretary & Group General 
Counsel
Mark Chilton (59) joined the Group in January 
2019 as Company Secretary and Group 
General Counsel. Mark was Company 
Secretary and General Counsel of Booker 
Group plc from 2006 until 2018. Mark qualified 
as a solicitor in 1987. 

For information on independence of the 
Directors, please see Directors’ Statement 
of Corporate Governance on pages 90 to 
99.

Board Committees

Audit Committee
Emer Finnan (Chair)
Vincent Crowley
Jim Thompson

Nomination Committee
Stewart Gilliland (Chair)
Emer Finnan
Vincent Crowley
Helen Pitcher

Remuneration Committee
Helen Pitcher (Chair)
Jill Caseberry 
Vineet Bhalla

ESG Committee
Jim Thompson (Chair)
Jill Caseberry
Helen Pitcher
Patrick McMahon

Senior Independent Director
Vincent Crowley 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements90

Corporate Governance Report

Board Activities in the year

Changes to the Board

Our purpose at C&C is to play a role in 
every drinking occasion, delivering joy to 
our customers and consumers. Our ability 
to deliver this for large parts of the year, was 
heavily impacted by the unprecedented 
impact of COVID-19. As a Board, we 
have remained focused on guiding the 
Groupthrough this period of sustained 
uncertainty and ensuring we are well 
positioned for the recovery work, which has 
been underpinned by our robust governance 
framework.

A large part of the Board’s focus during the 
year has therefore remained on liquidity, with 
the completion of the £151.2m (€176.3m) 
rights issue in June 2021, in addition to a 
cost reduction programme. To better support 
management on this matter, a Rights Issue 
Sub-Committee was created, of which I was 
a member, to ensure that we were taking 
the most appropriate approach, for both 
C&C and our shareholders. The Board has 
acted decisively to make sure C&C navigated 
the impact of the pandemic with a view to 
ensure it is in a position to execute its proven 
long-term strategy that will deliver strong 
shareholder value in future.

We have needed to call on the extensive 
skills and experience of the entire Board 
when navigating the period and our 
robust governance framework has been 
fundamental to our ability to do this 
successfully. We have met more frequently 
than usual, both as a full Board, but also 
within our various Committees, and with the 
added challenge of doing so remotely for 
the most part. The Board and our company 
secretarial team during this time have worked 
tirelessly in order to ensure the safety of all 
our employees and the best outcome for all 
stakeholders. 

The Board plans for its own succession, with 
the support of the Nomination Committee. 
The Committee remains focused, on behalf 
of the Board, on Board succession planning 
for both Executive and Non-Executive 
Directors.

The Committee aims to ensure that:
•  the succession pipeline for senior 

executive and business critical roles in the 
organisation is strong and diverse;

•  processes are in place to identify potential 

successors and manage succession 
actively;

•  there is a structured approach to 

developing and preparing possible 
successors; and

•  processes are in place to identify “at risk” 

posts.

There have been a number of changes to 
the Board since the last Annual Report. 
Andrea Pozzi stepped down from the Board 
on 1 September 2021 and Jim Clerkin 
resigned as a director on 27 October 2021.
Raplh Findlay joined us as an Independent 
Non-Executive Director and Chair designate 
on 1 March 2022 and will succeed me as 
Chair on 7 July 2022. I have been working 
closely with Ralph to ensure there is a 
smooth handover.

Sustainability

In 2021, we continued our structured and 
ambitious programme of improvement 
to ensure we meet our ESG vision of 
“Delivering to a better world!”. Key 
milestones in our sustainability journey over 
the last year include the achievement of 
our target of being out of single use plastic 
on our canned products, the switch to 
renewable sources for the electricity used 
at our main sites and the installation of the 
largest rooftop solar panel farm in Ireland 
at Clonmel. In 2021, we submitted our 
emission reduction targets to the Science 
Based Targets initiative (‘SBTi’) for validation. 
This will be secured by the end of 2023 at 
the latest.

Dear Shareholder,

On behalf of the Board I am 
pleased to present the FY2022 
Corporate Governance Report, 
which provides an overview of 
the Board’s activities during the 
year, along with our governance 
arrangements. 

This will be my last report as your Chair, 
having served on the board for ten years 
by the time I step down in July 2022. It 
has been an absolute privilege to serve as 
Chair. C&C is a unique, agile and customer-
centric business, driven by dedicated and 
passionate people. I am proud of how C&C 
has not only navigated the pandemic in such 
a resilient manner, but has adapted and built 
back even stronger leaving it extremely well 
positioned for the future. I am delighted to 
hand over to someone of Ralph Findlay’s 
calibre and passion for our industry. His 
deep understanding of the beverage and 
hospitality sector in the UK, one of our core 
markets, and extensive listed company 
board experience, will serve the Company 
well as it leads the recovery in the post-
pandemic era, complementing and adding to 
the skills of the existing Board and leadership 
team. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202291

Diversity

As a people focused business, our strength 
comes from an inclusive and welcoming 
environment, where we recognise that the 
experiences and perspectives which make 
us unique come together in our shared 
values and vision. We strongly believe that 
the more our people reflect the diversity 
of our clients and consumers, the better 
equipped we are to service their needs.

Ensuring that we have a culture which 
promotes and values diversity, and one 
which is maintained throughout the 
business, is a continual prime focus and is 
underpinned by our Diversity and Inclusion 
(‘D&I’) Policy, which sets out our objectives 
across the organisation. The importance 
of this area also forms the basis for Board 
diversity and succession planning as we 
consider the best constitution of the Board 
to successfully take the Company forward, 
and link to the Company’s strategy.

At the fiscal year-end, 33% of the Board’s 
membership was female. The Committee 
was fully aware that this level reduced with 
the appointment of Ralph Findlay and will 
go back to 33% once I step down from the 
Board in July 2022. Further details about our 
overall approach to diversity and inclusion 
can be found in the Nomination Committee 
Report on page 112. 

Stakeholders

We have sought to balance the needs of 
our numerous stakeholders throughout 
the year, be they employees, communities, 
consumers, customers, suppliers, 
shareholders or regulators, while taking 
steps to secure the Group’s longer-term 
success. There has been a constant 
dialogue with all of the main stakeholder 
groups, and on behalf of the Board, I would 
like to take this opportunity to thank them 
all for their partnership during this very 
challenging period. Working together has 
been vital and will continue to be so as we 
seek a sustainable future together.

Details of the methods we have used to 
engage with stakeholders to understand 
their views can be found on pages 8 
to 9. A statement on how the Directors 
have had regard to the matters set out in 
section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 
can be found on page 93. 

Board Evaluation

To ensure that the Board and its 
Committees continue to operate 
effectively, we evaluate the performance 
of the Board on an annual basis. During 
FY2020, an external evaluation was 
carried out, meaning that the evaluation 
in FY2022 was carried out on an internal 
basis as part of the FY2022 internal 
Board evaluation process. An explanation 
of how this process was conducted, 
the conclusions arising from it and the 
outcome of that review can be found on 
page 98.

UK Corporate Governance Code 

The Corporate Governance Report, 
which incorporates by reference 
the Responsibility Report, the Audit 
Committee Report, the ESG Committee 
Report, the Nomination Committee 
Report (which contains the Diversity 
Report) and the Directors’ Remuneration 
Committee Report, describes how 
the Company has complied with the 
provisions of the Code. Further details on 
the Company’s compliance with the Code 
during FY2022 can be found below.

The following pages set out details of the 
composition of our Board, its corporate 
governance arrangements, processes 
and activities during the year, and reports 
from each of the Board’s Committees.

I wish all at C&C the very best success for 
the future.

Stewart Gilliland 
Chair

Compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 

The Board considers that the Company 
has, throughout FY2022 complied with the 
provisions of the Code with the exception 
of provision 19 of the Code. At the time 
of the announcement of David Forde’s 
appointment as CEO in November 2020, 
the Board extended Stewart Gilliland’s role 
as Non-Executive Chair by an additional 12 
months until the AGM in 2022. At the date of 
publication of this Report, Stewart Gilliland will 
have been in post as a Director longer than 
nine years from the date of his appointment 
in April 2012, resulting in a non-compliance 
with provision 19 of the Code. Further details 
can be found on page 110 of the Nomination 
Committee Report.

Leadership and Company Purpose

Role of the Board 
The Company is led and controlled by the 
Board of Directors (‘the Board’) chaired by 
Stewart Gilliland. 

The core responsibility of the Board is to 
ensure the Group is appropriately managed 
to achieve its long-term objectives, generating 
value for shareholders and contributing to 
wider society. The Board’s objective is to do 
this in a way that is supported by the right 
culture and behaviours. 

The Board has adopted a formal schedule of 
matters specifically reserved for decision by 
it, thus ensuring that it exercises control over 
appropriate strategic, financial, operational 
and regulatory issues (a copy of the schedule 
of reserved matters is available on our 
website). Matters not specifically reserved 
for the Board and its Committees under its 
schedule of matters and the Committees’ 
terms of reference, or for shareholders in 
general meeting, are delegated to members of 
the Executive Committee.

The balance of skills, background and 
diversity of the Board contributes to the 
effective leadership of the business and 
the development of strategy. The Board’s 
composition is central to ensuring all directors 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements92

Corporate Governance Report
(continued)

Information on our strategy is set out on 
pages 24 to 25.

facilitating a better understanding of business 
units and functions, within the organisation.

contribute to discussions. As a means to 
foster challenge and director engagement, 
led by the Senior Independent Director, the 
Non-Executive Directors meet without the 
Chair present at least annually. Likewise, 
the Chair holds meetings with the Non-
Executive Directors without the executives 
present. In each of these settings, there 
is a collegiate atmosphere that also lends 
itself to a level of scrutiny, discussion and 
challenge. 

Our Culture and Values
C&C has an open, humble, respectful, but 
competitive culture, underpinned by certain 
values and behaviours, namely:

Our Values
•  We respect people and the planet
•  We bring joy to life
•  Quality is at our core

The Company has procedures hereeby 
Directors (including Non-Executive Directors) 
receive formal induction and familiarisation 
with the Group’s business operations 
and systems on appointment, including 
trips to manufacturing sites with in-depth 
explanations of the processes involved at 
the site.

Our Behaviours
•  We put safety first
•  We are customer centric
•  We collaborate through trust
•  We keep it simple and remain agile
•  We are fact based, data and insight driven
•  We learn to improve

Our Purpose and Strategy
C&C is a leading, vertically integrated 
premium drinks company, which 
manufactures, markets and distributes 
branded beer, cider, wine, spirits and soft 
drinks across the UK and Ireland. The Board 
considers C&C’s purpose is to play a role in 
every drinking occasion, delivering joy to our 
customers and consumers with remarkable 
brands and service. Further detail on the 
Group’s purpose can be found on page 6. 

The Board recognises the importance of 
communication and engagement with the 
wider workforce as a means of assessing 
and monitoring culture. The role and 
effectiveness of the Board and the culture 
it promotes are essential to a successfully 
run company. The Board has appointed a 
Non-Executive Director to each business 
unit to provide a link between the Board and 
the Group’s workforce, so that employees’ 
views are heard in the boardroom, as well as 

During FY2022, the engagement of the Non-
Executive Directors with employees from 
each business area through a series of forum 
meetings has provided invaluable insight into 
the evolution of our culture and values, and 
their link to strategy. The assignment between 
each Non-Executive Director and their 
corresponding business area can be found on 
page 95. Employee surveys formed the basis 
of questions raised with the Non-Executive 
Directors and views on what the Group could 
improve in its response to help the business 
and its employees. Participants were also 
invited to raise matters for direct feedback to 
and from Non-Executive Directors. The format 
of engagement proved successful and was 
endorsed by the Board as an extremely useful 
feedback mechanism.

The Group’s culture is based upon being 
open, humble, respectful, yet competitive. 
The Board with support from its committees, 
monitors the alignment of the Group’s culture 
with our purpose, values and strategy, 
through a variety of mechanisms, cultural 
indicators and reporting lines, including those 
summarised below.

Cultural Indicators

Health and Safety

Employees

Ethics and Compliance

Customers and Suppliers

Sustainability

•  Lost time frequency 

rates

•  Workplace safety 
accident rates
•  Reporting of 

injuries, diseases 
and dangerous 
occurrences 
(‘Riddors’)

•  Employee “town hall” 
meetings/face to face 
meetings

•  Results of employee 
engagement surveys

•  Employee turnover 

rates

•  Gender pay gap 

•  Internal audit reports 

and findings

•  Fraud and 

misconduct statistics
•  Annual confirmation of 
compliance with our 
anti-financial crime 
policies

•  Compliance with 
supply chain 
standards

•  Customer retention 

rates

•  Supplier audits
•  Brand satisfaction 

ratings

disclosures

•  Whistle blower 

•  Reports on progress 
on equality, diversity 
and inclusion

statistics

•  Greenhouse gas 

emissions

•  Waste reduction rates

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202293

Engagement with Shareholders

Information on relations with shareholders 
is provided as part of the Stakeholder 
engagement section of the Strategic Report 
on pages 8 to 9.

In fulfilling their responsibilities, the Directors 
believe that they govern the Group in 
the best interests of shareholders, whilst 
having due regard to the interests of 
other stakeholders in the Group including 
customers, employees and suppliers. 

The Code encourages a dialogue with 
institutional shareholders with a view 
to ensuring a mutual understanding of 
objectives. The Executive Directors have 
regular and ongoing communication with 
major shareholders throughout the year, 
by participating in investor roadshows and 
presentations to shareholders. Feedback 
from these visits is reported to the Board. 
The Executive Directors also have regular 
contact with analysts and brokers. The 
Chair, Senior Independent Non-Executive 

Director and other Non-Executive Directors 
receive feedback on matters raised at the 
meetings with shareholders and are offered 
the opportunity to attend meetings with 
major shareholders. As a result of these 
procedures, the Non-Executive Directors 
believe that they are aware of shareholders’ 
views. In addition, Vincent Crowley, the 
Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, 
is available to meet with major shareholders.

Arrangements can also be made through 
the Company Secretary for major 
shareholders to meet with newly appointed 
Directors.

The Group maintains a website at www.
candcgroup.com which is regularly updated 
and contains information about the Group. 

Stakeholders
The Code provides that the Board should 
understand the views of the Company’s key 
stakeholders other than shareholders and 
describe how their interests and the matters 
set out in section 172 of the UK Companies 

Act 2006 (‘s.172’) have been considered in 
Board discussions and decision making.

Whilst s.172 is a provision of UK company 
law, the Board acknowledges that as 
a premium listed issuer, it is important 
to address the spirit intended by these 
provisions. 

Section 172 Statement
A director of a company must act in a way 
they consider, in good faith, would most 
likely promote the success of the company 
for the benefit of its members as a whole, 
taking into account the factors as listed in s. 
172. This is not a new requirement, and the 
Board has always considered the impact of 
its decisions on stakeholders. We set out 
below some examples of how the Board 
has done so in relation to four decisions 
during the year. Details of who the Board 
considers the main stakeholders are, how 
we have engaged with them during the year 
and the outcomes of the process are set out 
on pages 8 to 9 and forms part of the s.172 
statement.

Stakeholders

•  Customers
•  Employees
•  Shareholders
•  Suppliers

Key decision

Transforming the GB business

In July 2021, the Board approved the simplification of the GB organisational structure, creating one GB business unit, 
simplifying and integrating the structure, aligning our three trading businesses in GB under one management team. 
The Board invested significant time to consider this decision, assessing a number of factors including: commercial 
implications; operational impact and people risk. In doing so, the Board’s decision focused on the strategic rationale 
for the changes, principally the overlap in terms of operational footprint and management between the three existing 
trading businesses and the need to simplify this to ensure the business remains competitive and position it for further 
future success. 

The Board has given its full support to management with respect to the significant change programme that is being 
employed to simplify and integrate the combined GB businesses. The integration of the businesses is a strategic 
priority for the Group and through regular updates from management, the Board is satisfied that decisions made 
were in the best interests of employees and the needs of the Group’s other stakeholders. A key priority being that 
employees affected were treated with respect and sensitivity and where possible the Group took action to help 
mitigate the affect of any redundancies. The Board are satisfied that their decision to support management was in 
safeguarding the future success of the Group and believe the investment will be transformative for all stakeholders.  

Online AGM

In view of lockdown measures then in force, to ensure that our shareholders were enfranchised with an opportunity 
to participate in and ask questions at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held in July 2021, the Board made 
appropriate arrangements to facilitate an online AGM. It is the Board’s intention to continue to provide facilities for 
shareholders to follow the AGM to be held in July 2022 online, and, if well subscribed to continue to offer online 
facilities in the future.

•  Employees
•  Shareholders
•  Government 

and regulators

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements94

Corporate Governance Report
(continued)

Key decision

Disposal of the Vermont Hard Cider Company 

In March 2021, the Board approved the sale of Vermont Hard Cider Company, for a total consideration of $20m. In 
deciding whether the disposal supported the long-term success of the Group, and with due regard to the interests 
of the Group’s stakeholders, the Board evaluated the contribution of the business, its growth prospects and fit with 
the overall strategy of the Group. In consideration of these matters, the Board considered the potential impact of 
the sale on the Company’s stakeholders, and in particular, the impact on the employees of the Vermont Hard Cider 
Company. It was determined, at the time the decision was made, that the employees of the Vermont Hard Cider 
Company would not be materially disadvantaged by the change in ownership, and jobs would be protected as part 
of the sale. Following evaluation of these factors, it was determined that the sale of the business was in the best 
interests of the Group and its stakeholders as a whole.

Rights Issue

Stakeholders

•  Employees
•  Shareholders

As part of risk mitigation measures in response to COVID-19, the Board approved the decision to fundraise through 
a Rights Issue. In formulating its decision, the directors took into account the views of the investor community 
regarding potential investment, the short- and long-term requirements of the business which could impact on 
employees and suppliers, and the protection of the interests of stakeholders as a whole. The merits of the Rights 
Issue were considered, including that it would reduce leverage, enhance liquidity and strengthen the Group’s 
position, ensuring that C&C remains resilient in the event of further negative developments in COVID-19. Recognising 
the value C&C places on its retail investors and providing them with an opportunity to participate in the equity raise 
alongside institutional investors, the Board concluded that it was in the best interests of shareholders, as well as the 
Group’s wider stakeholder community and was accordingly approved by the Board.

•  Employees
•  Customers
•  Suppliers
•  Shareholders
•  Governments 
and regulators

Division of Responsibilities

It is the Group’s policy that the roles of the 
Chair and Group Chief Executive Officer are 
separate, with their roles and responsibilities 
clearly divided and set out in writing 
(available on our website).

Chair
The Chair, Stewart Gilliland is responsible 
for the leadership of the Board and 
ensuring effectiveness in all aspects of its 
role. The Chair is responsible for ensuring, 
through the Company Secretary that 
Directors receive accurate, timely and clear 
information. He is responsible for setting 
the Board’s agenda and ensuring adequate 
time is available for Board discussion and 
to enable informed decision making. He is 
responsible for encouraging and facilitating 
the effective contribution of Non-Executive 
Directors and constructive relations between 

Executive and Non-Executive Directors. 
Ralph Findlay will assume the role of Chair 
on 7 July 2022, at which point Stewart 
Gilliland will step down from the Board.

Senior Independent Director
Vincent Crowley is the Senior Independent 
Non-Executive Director. In addition 
to his role and responsibilities as an 
Independent Non-Executive Director, the 
Senior Independent Director is available 
to shareholders where concerns have not 
been resolved through the normal channels 
of communication and for when such 
contact would be inappropriate, which 
became of particular importance during 
the period that the Non-Executive Chair 
served as interim Executive Chair. He acts 
as a sounding board for the Chair and acts 
as an intermediary for the Directors when 
necessary. He is responsible for annually 
evaluating the performance of the Chair in 
consultation with the other Non-Executive 
Directors. 

Non-Executive Directors
The Non-Executive Directors provide an 
external perspective, sound judgement 
and objectivity to the Board’s deliberations 
and decision making. With their diverse 
range of skills and expertise, they support 
and constructively challenge the Executive 
Directors and monitor and scrutinise the 
Group’s performance against agreed 
goals and objectives. The Non-Executive 
Directors together with the Chair meet 
regularly without any Executive Directors 
being present. The Non-Executive Directors 
provide a conduit from the workforce to 
the Board for workforce engagement and 
have sufficient time to meet their board 
responsibilities.

Chief Executive Officer
The Group Chief Executive Officer is 
responsible for the leadership and day-
to-day management of the Group. This 
includes formulating and recommending 
the Group’s strategy for Board approval in 
addition to executing the approved strategy.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202295

Company Secretary
Mark Chilton, as Company Secretary, 
supports the Chair, the Group Chief 
Executive Officer and the Board Committee 
Chairs in setting agendas for meetings of the 
Board and its Committees. He is available 
to all Directors for advice and support. He is 
responsible for information flows to and from 
the Board and the Board Committees and 
between Directors and senior management. 
In addition, he supports the Chair in respect 
of training and the Board and Committee 
performance evaluations. He also advises 
the Board on regulatory compliance and 
corporate governance matters. 

Board Committees 
The Board has established an Audit 
Committee, an ESG Committee, a 
Nomination Committee and a Remuneration 
Committee to oversee and debate relevant 
issues and policies outside main Board 
meetings. Throughout the year, the Chair of 
each Committee provided the Board with 
a summary of key issues considered at the 
Committee meetings. Board Committees 
are authorised to make enquiries of the 
Executive Directors and other executives 
across the Group as they feel appropriate 
and to engage the services of external 
advisers as they deem necessary in the 
furtherance of their duties at the Company’s 
expense. 

The Audit Committee Report is on pages 
100 to 105, the ESG Committee Report 
is on pages 106 to 107, the Nomination 
Committee Report is on pages 108 to 115 
and the Directors’ Remuneration Committee 
Report is on pages 116 to 135.

Workforce Engagement
The Board has appointed a Non-Executive 
Director to each business unit to understand 
employee’s views. The following are the 
units assigned to each of the Non-Executive 
Directors:

Business Unit
CoSec/Legal and Group Communications

Finance

GB

HR

Ireland

IT

Operations

Non-Executive Director
Jim Thompson

Emer Finnan

Jill Caseberry

Helen Pitcher

Vincent Crowley

Vineet Bhalla

Helen Pitcher

Our Forum sessions were again held in November 2021 and February 2022. Hosted by 
Executive Committee members and Non-Executive Directors (‘NED’). These sessions provide 
a short business update, with the key focus being to answer any questions / concerns that 
colleagues have about C&C. Our Forums build on existing employee engagement opportunities 
and the Group’s continuing efforts to develop a culture of informality, transparency, and trust. 
The aim is to provide a further opportunity to increase two-way dialogue between the company 
and all staff. They also allow our NEDs to hear directly from colleagues and feedback to the 
C&C Board. Our Forum sessions will be held regularly (quarterly at a minimum) across our sites 
in UK and Ireland during FY2023.

Board Meetings in FY2022
The Directors’ attendance at Board meetings during the year is shown below. The core 
activities of the Board and its Committees are covered in scheduled meetings held during 
the year. Additional ad hoc meetings are also held to consider and decide matters outside 
scheduled meetings. There were 10 Board meetings, 13 Audit Committee meetings, 6 ESG 
Committee meetings, 8 Nomination Committee meetings and 13 Remuneration Committee 
meetings held in the year under review. There were 15 Rights Issue sub-committee meetings 
to discuss, review and ultimately approve the Rights Issue. The Committee comprised Stewart 
Gilliland, Vincent Crowley, Emer Finnan, David Forde and Patrick McMahon.

All Directors holding office at the time attended the 2021 AGM.

Director

Executive

David Forde

Patrick McMahon

Andrea Pozzi1

Non-Executive

Stewart Gilliland

Vineet Bhalla2

Jill Caseberry3

Jim Clerkin1

Vincent Crowley

Emer Finnan

Helen Pitcher

Jim Thompson4

Number of Meetings 
Attended*

Maximum Possible 
Meetings

% of Meetings 
Attended

10

10

5

10

8

8

8

10

10

10

8

10

10

5

10

9

10

8

10

10

10

10

100

100

100

100

89

80

100

100

100

100

80

1.  Meetings attended by Andrea Pozzi and Jim Clerkin untill the date of their resignations from the Board.
2.  Meetings attended by Vineet Bhalla from the date of his appointment. Vineet Bhalla was unable to attend one meeting 

due to a family bereavement.

3.   Jill Caseberry was unable to attend two unscheduled meeting due to the meetings being called at short notice and her 

inability to re-arrange her schedule.

4.   Jim Thompson was unable to attend one unscheduled meeting due to the meeting being called at short notice and his 

inability to re-arrange his schedule and one other meeting due to a medical procedure. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements96

Corporate Governance Report
(continued)

Board activity during FY2022
Each Board meeting follows a carefully 
tailored agenda agreed in advance by the 
Chair, Group Chief Executive Officer and 
Company Secretary. A typical meeting will 
comprise reports on current trading and 
financial performance from the CEO and 
CFO, investor relations updates, monitoring 
strategy, examining investment and 
acquisition opportunities and presentations/
reports on specific subject areas. A 
summary of the key activities covered during 
FY2022 is set out in the table below.

Leadership and People
•  Continued to focus on the composition, 
balance and effectiveness of the Board, 
including the appointment of a Chair;
•  Reviewed employee satisfaction survey 

results and monitored culture throughout 
the Group;

•  Considered progress towards greater 

diversity in the workforce;

•  Received reports on engagements with 

colleagues; and

•  Monitored the ongoing impact of the 

COVID-19 pandemic on our colleagues.

Strategy, Operations and Finance
•  Approved the Group’s Viability Statement;
•  Received presentations from the COO 
and management on brand marketing 
plans;

•  Received presentations from the CEO and 
CFO and senior management on strategic 
initiatives and trading performance;
•  Approved the annual budget plan and 

KPIs;

•  Reviewed and approved the sale of 

Vermont Hard Cider Company;

•  Reviewed and approved the Group’s full 

year FY2021 and half year FY2022 results 
as well as trading updates;

•  Approved the Group’s 2021 Annual 

Report (including a fair, balanced and 
understandable assessment) and 2021 
AGM Notice;

•  Received and reviewed updates from 
senior management on the Group’s 
sustainability strategy, related climate 
change issues and efforts to meet TCFD 
reporting requirements;

•  Considered and approved the launch 
of the Rights Issue to facilitate and 
accelerate the Group’s recovery from the 
impact of COVID-19; and

•  Discussed the activity around making the 
cost base more efficient through the move 
to a one GB business.

Safety 
•  Received and discussed six monthly 

safety performance reports and updates 
presented by the Group Health and 
Safety Manager.

Internal Control and Risk Management 
•  Reviewed the Group’s risk management 

framework and principal risks and 
uncertainties;

•  Reviewed and confirmed the Group’s 
Viability Statement and going concern 
status;

•  Reviewed and validated the effectiveness 
of the Group’s systems of internal controls 
and risk management; and

•  Reviewed updates on the information and 
cyber security control environment in light 
of the IT security incident in April 2021.

Governance and Legal
•  Reviewed regular briefings on corporate 
governance developments and legal and 
regulatory issues;

•  Approved the Group’s Modern Slavery 

Statement for publication;

•  Received reports on engagement with 
institutional shareholders, investors and 
other stakeholders throughout the year;

•  Reviewed progress against the 2020 
external Board evaluation action plan;
•  Conducted an internal Board evaluation 
covering the Board’s effectiveness, with 
the outcome discussed by the Board; 

•  Approved revisions to the Terms of 

Reference of the Committees; 

•  Received and reviewed whistleblowing 

reports and activities; and

•  Received regular reports from the Chairs of 
the Audit, Nomination, Remuneration and 
ESG Committees.

Objectives and Controls
The Group’s strategic objectives are set 
out on pages 24 to 25 and a summary of 
performance against the Group’s KPIs is at 
pages 32 to 33. The Board also receives 
regular updates across a broad range of 
internal KPIs and performance metrics. 
The Group has a clear risk management 
framework in place, as set out on pages 34 
to 45, to manage the key risks to the Group’s 
business.

Business Model and Risks
The Group’s Business model is set out on 
pages 26 to 29. The Risk Management 
Report on pages 34 to 45 contains an 
overview of the principal risks facing the 
Group and a description of how they are 
managed.

Whistleblowing
All employees have access to a confidential 
whistleblowing service which provides an 
effective channel to raise concerns. The Audit 
Committee and the Board receives updates 
detailing all notifications and subsequent 
action taken.

Composition, Succession and 
Evaluation

The Board consists of the Non-Executive 
Chair, two Executive Directors and seven 
independent Non-Executive Directors 
including the Non-Executive Chair. This will 
reduce to six independent Non-Executive 
Directors when Stewart Gilliland steps down 
from the Board in July 2022.

Over half of the Board comprises 
independent Non-Executive Directors and 
the composition of all Board Committees 
complies with the Code, while also including 
longer serving and more recently appointed 
Directors. Additionally, the Chair was 
considered independent on his appointment. 
Details of the skills and experience of the 
Directors are contained in the Directors’ 
biographies on pages 88 and 89.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202297

The independence of Non-Executive 
Directors is considered by the Board 
and reviewed at least annually, based on 
the criteria suggested in the Code. Non-
Executive Directors do not participate in any 
of the Company’s share option or bonus 
schemes.

Following this year’s review, the Board 
concluded that all the Non-Executive 
Directors continue to remain independent in 
character and judgement and are free from 
any business or other relationship that could 
materially interfere with the exercise of their 
independent judgement in accordance with 
the Code. 

Appointments to the Board
Recommendations for appointments to 
the Board are made by the Nomination 
Committee. The Committee follows Board 
approved procedures (available on our 
website together with a copy of the terms 
of reference for the Nomination Committee) 
which provide a framework for the different 
types of Board appointments on which 
the Committee may be expected to make 
recommendations. Appointments are made 
on merit and against objective criteria with 
due regard to diversity (including skills, 
knowledge, experience and gender). 

All Board appointments are subject to 
continued satisfactory performance 
followings the Board’s annual effectiveness 
review. The Nomination Committee leads 
the process for Board appointments and 
makes recommendations to the Board. 
The activities of the Nomination Committee 
and a description of the Board’s policy on 
diversity are on pages 112 to 113.

Time Commitment and external 
appointments
Following the Board evaluation process, 
detailed further on page 98, the Board 
has considered the individual Directors 
attendance, their contribution and their 
external appointments and is satisfied that 
each of the Directors is able to allocate 
sufficient time to the Group to discharge his 
or her responsibilities effectively.

As evidenced by the attendance table earlier 
in the report, the attendance remained high 
and demonstrates the Directors’ ability to 
devote sufficient time

In line with the Code, Directors are required 
to seek Board approval prior to taking 
on any additional significant external 
appointments and the following were 
approved during the year in line with these 
requirements:
•  Jill Caseberry’s appointment as a Non-
Executive Director and member of the 
ESG, Nomination and Remuneration 
Committees of Bakkavor plc;

•  Emer Finnan’s appointment as a Non-
Executive Director and member of the 
Audit, Nomination and Remuneration 
Committees of Britvic plc; and

•  Stewart Gilliland’s appointment as a Non-
Executive Director and Chair designate of 
IG Design Group plc.

Prior to these appointments, the Board 
considered the time required, including 
whether it would impact their ability to 
devote sufficient time to their current 
role. The Board considered that the 
appointments would not interfere with their 
roles with the Group. 

Development 
On appointment, a comprehensive tailored 
induction programme is arranged for each 
new Director. The aim of the programme is 
to provide the Director with a detailed insight 
into the Group. The programme involves 
meetings with the Chair, Group Chief 
Executive Officer, Group Chief Financial 
Officer, Company Secretary, Business 
Unit MDs and key senior executives as 
appropriate. It covers areas such as:
•  the business of the Group;
•  their legal and regulatory responsibilities 

as Directors of the Company;
•  briefings and presentations from 

Executive Directors and other senior 
executives; and

•  opportunities to visit business operations.

To update the Directors’ skills, knowledge 
and familiarity with the Group and its 
stakeholders, visits to Group business 
locations are organised for the Board 
periodically, as well as trade visits with 
members of senior management to assist 
Directors’ understanding of the operational 
issues that the business faces. Non-
executive Directors are also encouraged to 
visit Group operations throughout their tenure 
to increase their exposure to the business. 
Directors are continually updated on the 
Group’s businesses, the markets in which 
they operate and changes to the competitive 
and regulatory environment through briefings 
to the Board and meetings with senior 
executives.

Training opportunities are provided through 
internal meetings, presentations and briefings 
by internal advisers and business heads, as 
well as external advisers.

Information and Support
All members of the Board are supplied with 
appropriate, clear and accurate information in 
a timely manner covering matters which are 
to be considered at forthcoming Board and 
Committee meetings.

Should Directors judge it necessary to 
seek independent legal advice about the 
performance of their duties with the Group, 
they are entitled to do so at the Group’s 
expense. Directors also have access to 
the advice and services of the Company 
Secretary, who is responsible for advising 
the Board on all governance matters and 
ensuring that Board procedures are followed.

The appointment and removal of the 
Company Secretary is a matter requiring 
Board approval.

Re-election of Directors 
All Directors are required by the Company’s 
Articles of Association to submit themselves 
to shareholders for re-election at the 
first Annual General Meeting after their 
appointment and thereafter by rotation at 
least once every three years. In accordance 
with the Code, all Directors will, however, 
stand for re-election annually.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements98

Corporate Governance Report
(continued)

Board Evaluation

FY2020 Board and Committee external 
evaluation
As reported in the FY2020 Annual Report, 
an external evaluation was undertaken in 
2020. Overall, the results of the evaluation 
were positive and showed that the Board 
was running effectively. The Board was 
seen as being cohesive and comprising the 
appropriate balance of experience, skills and 

knowledge. Board meetings operated in a 
spirit of openness, fostered by the Chair, in 
which Directors were able to challenge and 
discuss openly ideas of importance to the 
Group, its strategy and risk. 

plan based on the feedback from the 
evaluation, designed to further enhance 
Board effectiveness. Ensuring the Board 
maintains the high standards it has always 
set was and is of significant importance. 

While the outcome of the evaluation clearly 
indicated that the Board and individual 
Directors continued to operate to a high 
standard, the Board developed an action 

The key areas identified in the 2020 
external evaluation for increased focus and 
development during FY2022 are set out 
below: 

Area of Focus 

Detailed Feedback

Progress

Culture 

The evaluation found a strong desire from the Board 
to develop a deeper understanding of organisational 
culture. As part of this focus Directors are eager to 
develop workforce engagement and greater oversight 
of reward practices throughout the organisation. 

Board logistics 
and information

In light of the challenges of remote Board meetings, 
Directors communicated that there may need to be 
refinement to Board agendas, including ensuring there 
is a balance struck between insight and excessive 
detail. 

Risk Picture 

The Directors voiced satisfaction with the strength 
of work done on developing and communicating the 
updated risk framework in recent years. Feedback 
indicated that this risk picture needs to be further 
developed, particularly in relation to emerging non-
financial risks and wider economic developments.

Progress was being made by the Board in better 
understanding how far desired cultures and values 
were embedded in the Group, as evidenced by 
Non-Executive Director (‘NED’) engagement. The 
engagement of the NEDs with a range of employees 
from each business unit has provided invaluable insight 
into the evolution of our culture and values and their link 
to strategy through a series of Our Forum meetings.

The Board is focused on evolving ways of working to 
ensure Board time is used in a way that is strategic, 
appropriate and effective. The agenda has moved to a 
more focused, specific and strategic footing to reflect 
this way of working. The Board resumed meetings and 
engagement activities in person in the latter part of the 
year.

The annual board and the audit committee meeting 
agendas have included a series of updates from 
executive risk owners in relation to both the Group’s 
principal risks and emerging risks having regard to the 
fact that the Group operates in a dynamic environment 
where risks continue to evolve, and the Group continues 
to develop mitigation measures to address them.

FY2022 Board and Committee internal 
evaluation
Similar to last year, in FY2022 the Board 
carried out an internal review of its own 
effectiveness and that of its Committees 
and Directors. The internal evaluation 
process was conducted through a 
questionnaire, which sought Directors 
feedback on a variety of matters including 
how they felt the Board had collectively 
responded to COVID-19 and the IT security 
incident, sustainability and diversity, 
the composition of the Board and 

Committees, understanding stakeholders, 
Board dynamics, strategic oversight, 
risk management and internal control, 
succession planning, the advice and 
support provided, the focus of meetings and 
priorities for change.

Our most recent externally facilitated Board 
evaluation was carried out by Independent 
Audit Limited in FY2020. In line with 
the recommendations of the Code, an 
independent formal external evaluation will 
be conducted in FY2023.

The results of the questionnaires were 
collated and a summary provided to 
the Chair and the Chairs of each of the 
Committees. The results were presented 
and discussed by the Board and each of its 
committees at their respective meetings in 
April/May 2022.

FY2020 External Board Effectiveness 
Evaluation Outcomes
Evaluation of the Chair and Non-
Executive Directors
A questionnaire was issued to each Board 
member (excluding the Chair) and the result 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 202299

was unanimous support for the Chair. The 
Senior Independent Director shared the 
feedback with the Chair.

The Chair held one to one meetings with 
each Director to assess their effectiveness 
and to agree any areas of improvement 
or training and development, including 
on environmental, social and governance 
matters based on the outcomes of the 
questionnaires each of them had completed 
on themselves. There were no issues of any 
substance arising from this review.

Audit, Risk and Internal Control

Financial and Business Reporting 
The Strategic Report on pages 2 to 81 
explains the Group’s business model and the 
strategy for delivering the objectives of the 
Group. 

A Statement on Directors’ Responsibilities 
on the Annual Report and Accounts being 
fair, balanced and understandable can be 
found on page 136 and a statement on the 
Group as a going concern and the Viability 
Statement are set out on pages 44 to 45. 

Risk Management
Please refer to pages 34 to 45 for information 
on the risk management process and the 
Group’s principal risks and uncertainties. 

Internal Control
Details on the Group’s internal control 
systems are set out on page 103.

Internal Audit
Details of the Internal Audit function are 
provided within the Audit Committee report 
on pages 103 to 104.

Audit Committee and Auditors
For further information on the Group’s 
compliance with the Code and provisions 
relating to the Audit Committee and auditors, 
please refer to the Audit Committee Report 
on pages 100 to 105.

Remuneration

For further information on the Group’s compliance with the Code provisions relating to 
remuneration, please refer to the Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report on pages 116 
to 135 for the level and components of remuneration. Shareholders approved the Group’s 
current Remuneration Policy at the 2021 AGM. The Policy is designed to promote the long-
term success of the Group. 

The following is a table of reference that provides an overview of where to find disclosures 
relating to the sections of the Code:

Section

Disclosure Locations

Board 
Leadership and 
Purpose

Details on how the Board promotes the long-term success of the 
Company are set out in our Strategic Report on pages 2 to 81 
and throughout this Corporate Governance Report on pages 90 
to 99. Our purpose and values are set out on page 6. Relations 
with shareholders are described on page 9. Our whistleblowing 
programme is described on page 79.

Division of 
Responsibilities 

Pages 88 to 89 gives details of the Board and Management Team. 
The Board governance structure is detailed on pages 90 to 99.

Composition, 
Succession and 
Evaluation

Details on appointments and our approach to succession are set 
out in the Nomination Committee report on pages 108 to 115. 
Details on evaluation are set out on page 98.

Audit, Risk and 
Internal Control

Remuneration 

The Audit Committee Report can be found on pages 100 to 105, 
with further detail on the principal risks to the business in the Risk 
Report on pages 34 to 45. 

The Company’s Remuneration Policy can be found in the FY2021 
Annual Report. The Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report can 
be found on pages 116 to 135.

Constructive Use of the Annual General 
Meeting
The Code encourages boards to use the 
Annual General Meeting to communicate 
with investors and to encourage their 
participation. In compliance with the 
Code, under normal circumstances, the 
Board welcomes as many shareholders 
as possible to attend the Annual General 
Meeting to discuss any interest or concern, 
including performance, governance or 
strategy, with the Directors. All Directors 
are also usually expected to attend the 
Annual General Meeting. The Chairs of the 
Audit, ESG, Nomination and Remuneration 
Committees would be expected to be 
available at the Annual General Meeting to 
answer shareholder questions, through the 
Chair of the Board, on the responsibilities 
and activities of their Committees. 

Shareholders also have the opportunity 
to meet with the Directors following the 
conclusion of the formal part of the meeting.

In compliance with the Code, at the Annual 
General Meeting, the Chair of the meeting 
will announce the level of proxies lodged on 
each resolution, the balance for and against 
and abstentions, and such details will be 
placed on the Group’s website following 
the meeting. A separate resolution will be 
proposed at the Annual General Meeting in 
respect of each substantially separate issue. 

This report was approved by the Board of 
Directors on 17 May 2022.

Mark Chilton
Company Secretary

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements100

Audit Committee Report

In what has been another challenging year, 
effective oversight of our finances, controls 
and risk management has never been more 
important.

In discharging its responsibilities in the year, 
the Committee reviewed the significant 
accounting policies, any changes to those 
policies, and any significant estimates 
and judgements applied to the financial 
statements. The Committee concentrated 
on the accounting judgements and 
disclosures relating to the impact of 
COVID-19 on the Group’s businesses, 
including government support and tax 
deferral initiatives, liquidity and the impact 
on financial covenants, cost control and 
cost saving measures. Other focus areas 
included going concern, recoverability 
of trade receivables and advances to 
customers, the carrying value of goodwill 
and intangibles, the valuation of property, 
plant and equipment and revenue 
recognition. 

As is usual, the Committee considered the 
Group’s Principal Risk disclosures for the 
financial year ended 28 February 2022. 
These have been updated, in particular 
sustainability and climate change related 
risks, those associated with people 
and culture and economic and political, 
underlining the importance of those matters 
to the Group. The Committee is satisfied 
that the statements made by executive 
management on page 34 to 35 of this 
Annual Report in respect of the Principal 
Risks are appropriate based on what is 
currently known to management as at the 
date of this Report.

Following the incident affecting Matthew 
Clark and Bibendum IT systems in April 
2021, the Committee also reviewed with 
the support of leading cyber security 
experts our information security policies and 
procedures and enhanced our information 
technology systems and controls to defend 
against cyber-attacks, which are becoming 
increasingly sophisticated. 

The Committee’s work was supported 
by the Group’s well established risk and 
financial management structures, which 
have continued to operate effectively during 
the year under review. The Committee 
has continued to be greatly assisted by 
the commitment, energy and experience 
of the finance team in the face of a very 
heavy workload in 2022. This has enabled 
the Committee to fulfil its role in providing 
effective scrutiny and challenge. 

There were thirteen meetings during the 
year and after each Committee meeting 
I provided an update to the Board on the 
key issues discussed during our meetings. 
I also met separately with the external 
audit partner and senior management on a 
number of occasions during the year.

More information about the Committee’s 
activities during the year can be found in the 
pages which follow.

The Year Ahead 

The Committee will continue to focus on 
the impact of COVID-19 on the business, 
developments in reporting responsibilities 
and the security of our digital and 
technology estate. The Committee fulfils a 
key role in assisting the Board in ensuring 
that the integrity of the Group’s financial 
statements and the effectiveness of the 
Group’s internal financial controls and risk 
management systems are maintained. 
Through the Committee’s composition, 
resources and the commitment of its 
members, I believe that it remains well 
placed to meet those challenges and to 
discharge its duties effectively in the year 
ahead.

On behalf of the Board

Emer Finnan
Chair of the Audit
17 May 2022 

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present 
the Audit Committee (the 
“Committee”) report covering 
the work of the Committee 
during FY2022. This provides 
an overview of the Committee’s 
activities in the year under 
review and looks forward to 
our expected activities in the 
coming year. 

Year in Review

The Group’s businesses have continued to 
work through the challenges arising from 
COVID-19. The Group’s operations and 
financial arrangements were all impacted as 
a result of the pandemic and consequently, 
the Committee’s focus has been on 
ensuring our internal control processes 
continue to operate effectively and remain 
appropriate for the changing environment in 
which the Group operates. 

A vital aspect of the Committee’s work 
is to provide independent scrutiny and 
challenge to ensure the Annual Report and 
financial statements provide a true and 
fair view of the Company’s performance, 
focusing on the accuracy, integrity and 
communication of our financial reporting. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022101

Role and Responsibilities of the 
Committee

The Committee supports the Board 
in fulfilling its responsibilities in relation 
to financial reporting, monitoring the 
integrity of the financial statements and 
other announcements of financial results 
published by the Group; and reviewing 
and challenging any significant financial 
reporting issues, judgements and actions 
of management in relation to the financial 
statements. The Committee reviews 
the effectiveness of the Group’s internal 
controls and risk management systems and 
the effectiveness of the Group’s Internal 
Audit function. On behalf of the Board, 
the Committee manages the appointment 
and remuneration of the External Auditor 
and monitors its performance and 
independence. The Group supports an 
independent and confidential whistleblowing 
procedure and the Committee monitors the 
operation of this facility.

In accordance with the Code, the Board 
requested that the Committee advise it 
whether it believes the Annual Report 
and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, 
balanced and understandable and provides 
the information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the Group’s position and 
performance, business model and strategy.

The Committee’s Terms of Reference reflect 
this requirement and can be found in the 
Investor Centre section of the Group’s 
website. A copy may be obtained from the 
Company Secretary. 

All members of the Committee are, 
and were considered by the Board to 
be throughout the year under review, 
independent. 

The Committee members have been 
selected to provide the wide range of 
financial and commercial expertise 
necessary to fulfil the Committee’s duties 
and responsibilities and provide effective 
governance. As a qualified chartered 
accountant, I am considered by the Board 
to have recent and relevant financial 
experience, as required by the Code. The 
Committee is considered by the Board as a 
whole to have competence relevant to the 
sector in which the Group operates. Details 
of the skills and experience of the Directors 
are contained in the Directors’ biographies 
on pages 88 and 89 of the Annual Report 
and Accounts.

The Committee has access to the Group’s 
finance team, to its Internal Audit function 
and to its External Auditor and can seek 
further professional training and advice, at 
the Group’s cost, as appropriate. 

Meeting Frequency and Main 
Activities in the Year

The Committee met on five scheduled 
occasions during FY2022. In addition, 
there were eight ad hoc meetings. Emer 
Finnan was unable to attend one meeting 
due to a bereavement and Jim Thompson 
was unable to attend one meeting due to a 
medical procedure. The quorum necessary 
for the transaction of business by the 

Membership and Attendance
The following non-executive Directors served on the Committee during the year:

Member

Emer Finnan (Chair) 1

Vincent Crowley

Jim Thompson2

Member Since

2 July 2014

22 March 2016

1 March 2019

Number of Meetings 
Attended

Maximum Possible 
Meetings

12

13

12

13

13

13

1.  Emer Finnan was unable to attend the meeting on 23 October 2021 due to a bereavement. 
2.  Jim Thompson was unable to attend the meeting on 27 October 2021 due to a medical procedure.

Committee is two, each of whom must be 
a Non-Executive Director. Only members 
of the Committee have the right to attend 
Committee meetings, however, during the 
year, Stewart Gilliland, Chair, David Forde, 
Group Chief Executive Officer, Patrick 
McMahon, Group Chief Financial Officer, 
Vineet Bhalla, Non-Executive Director, 
the Head of Internal Audit together with 
members of the Internal Audit team, the 
Technology and Transformation Director, 
the Head of IT, the Group Data Protection 
Officer, the Director of Group Finance 
together with members of the Group 
Finance team, and representatives from 
Clifford Chance, solicitors and Ernst & 
Young, the External Auditor, were invited 
to attend meetings. The Committee also 
meets separately with the Head of Internal 
Audit and the External Auditor without 
management being present. 

The Company Secretary and Group General 
Counsel is Secretary to the Committee.

Significant Judgemental Areas

The key matters reviewed and evaluated 
by the Committee during the year are set 
out below. Each of these areas received 
particular focus from the External Auditor, 
who provided detailed analysis and 
assessment of the matters in their report to 
the Committee.

Going Concern

The Committee and the Board reviewed 
and challenged management’s assessment 
of forecast cash flows for the period to 31 
August 2023 including sensitivity to trading 
and expenditure plans, and for the potential 
impact of uncertainties including an evolving 
inflationary environment and reduced 
volumes, in part associated with the 
impact of ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The 
Committee also considered the Company’s 
financing facilities and future funding plans. 
Based on this, the Committee confirmed 
that the application of the going concern 
basis for the preparation of the financial 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements102

Audit Committee Report
(continued)

statements continued to be appropriate with 
no material uncertainties. 

The Committee received a report from EY 
on the work undertaken to assess going 
concern and specifically discussed the 
content of the disclosures made in the 
going concern statement in the Annual 
Report and the basis of preparation within 
the Statement of Accounting Policies of the 
financial statements on page 157. 

For further information on the work 
undertaken by the Committee, the Board 
and management in relation to the going 
concern basis of preparation for the 
FY2022 financial statements, please see 
‘Going Concern’ on page 44 and ‘Viability 
Statement’ on pages 44 to 45. The 
Directors’ Going Concern statement is set 
out on page 44.

Recoverability of Trade Receivables 
and Advances to Customers

The Group has a recoverability risk through 
exposure to on-trade receivable balances 
and advances to customers who may 
experience financial difficulties. Given the 
unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 
outbreak, the assessment of the impact 
of the outbreak on the Group’s expected 
credit loss model required significant 
judgement by the Committee. In particular, 
the Committee considered the basis used 
by management in calculating the expected 
credit losses, whether it adequately 
captured the additional risks in the current 
environment and the level of security in 
respect of those loans. As a result of the 
review process, the Committee concluded 
that the expected credit loss on trade 
receivables and loans was prudent but 
appropriate and were properly reflected in 
the consolidated financial statements.

Carrying value of Goodwill and 
Intangibles

The Committee considered the carrying 
value of goodwill and intangible assets as 
at the year-end date to assess whether or 

not it exceeded the expected recoverable 
amounts for these assets. In particular, the 
Committee considered and challenged 
the valuation financial models, including 
sensitivity analysis, used to support 
the valuation and the key assumptions 
and judgements used by management 
underlying these models including 
consideration for COVID-19. The key 
assumptions used in the financial models 
and consequently the key focus areas for 
the Committee relate to future volume, net 
revenue and operating profit, the growth rate 
in perpetuity and the discount rate applied 
to the resulting cash flows. The Committee 
considered the outcome of the financial 
models and found the methodology to be 
robust, and in all instances concluded that 
the outcome was appropriate. 

Valuation of property, plant and 
equipment

The Group values its land and buildings 
and plant, machinery and equipment at 
market value/depreciated replacement cost 
and consequently carries out an annual 
valuation. The Group engages external 
valuers to value the Group’s property, 
plant and machinery at a minimum every 
three years or as at the date of acquisition 
for assets acquired as part of a business 
combination. An external valuation was 
conducted at 28 February 2022 by 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to value the 
land and buildings and plant, machinery 
and equipment at the Group’s Clonmel 
(Tipperary), Wellpark (Glasgow) and Portugal 
sites. Following a review of PwC’s valuation 
report, the Committee is satisfied that the 
adjustments posted were reasonable and 
that the carrying values at 28 February 2022 
are appropriate.

Revenue recognition

The Committee considered the Group’s 
revenue recognition policy and is satisfied 
it is appropriate and in line with IFRS 15 
Revenue from Contracts with Customers. 

Following discussions with the External 
Auditor, and the deliberations set out 

above, we were satisfied that the financial 
statements dealt appropriately with each of 
the areas of significant judgement.

Other Areas of Focus

The Committee also during the year:
•  approved the Internal Audit plan and 

agreed the External Auditor’s work plans 
for the Group;

•  considered regular reports from the Head 

of Internal Audit on their findings;

•  reviewed and recommended revisions to 
the Board to the Group Risk Register and 
the Principal Risks and Uncertainties; 

•  reviewed the information security 

and cyber preparedness policies and 
procedures in place to protect the Group 
against cyber-attack and the activities 
under way to further improve cyber 
security across the Group’s technology 
estate; and

•  reviewed the External Auditor’s 

independence and objectivity, the 
effectiveness of the audit process, the 
re-appointment of the External Auditor 
and approved the External Auditor’s 
remuneration.

Fair, Balanced and Understandable 
Assessment

One of the key compliance requirements 
of the Group’s financial statements is for 
the Annual Report and Accounts to be 
fair, balanced and understandable. The 
coordination and review of Group wide 
contributions into the Annual Report and 
Accounts follows a well established and 
documented process, which is performed in 
parallel with the formal process undertaken 
by the External Auditor.

The Committee received a summary of 
the approach taken by management in the 
preparation of the FY2022 Annual Report 
and Accounts to ensure that it met the 
requirements of the Code. This, and our 
own scrutiny of the document, enabled 
the Committee, and then the Board, to 
confirm that the 2022 Annual Report 
and Accounts taken as a whole, was fair, 
balanced and understandable and provided 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022103

the information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the Group’s position and 
performance, business model and strategy.

Financial Reporting Council (‘FRC’) 
Engagement

As part of the FRC’s thematic review of 
viability and going concern disclosures, and 
the disclosure of alternative performance 
measures (“APMs”), the FRC wrote to 
the Company, firstly by letter dated 15 
September 2021, advising that they had 
identified the Company as having made an 
example of better practice disclosure in the 
Annual Report 2021 and one they proposed 
to identify on the FRC’s website. In the 
second letter dated 30 September 2021, 
the FRC advised that based on their limited 
scope reviews, there were no questions 
or queries that they wished to raise upon 
the Annual Report and accounts. The FRC 
did, however, identify a number of matters, 
where they believed that users of the 
accounts would benefit from improvements 
to existing disclosures. These matters 
have been considered when preparing the 
Annual Report 2022.

The FRC requested that in disclosing this 
engagement we note the limitations of their 
review, namely that it was based on their 
reading of the Annual Report 2021 and did 
not benefit from a detailed knowledge of 
our business or an understanding of the 
underlying transactions entered into. They 
also noted that their review provided no 
assurance that the report and accounts 
are correct in all material respects but 
rather that the FRC’s role is not to verify 
the information provided but to consider 
compliance with reporting requirements.

Internal Controls and Risk 
Management Systems

The Committee is responsible, on behalf of 
the Board, for reviewing the effectiveness 
of the Group’s internal controls and risk 
management systems, including financial, 
operational and compliance controls.

In order to keep the Committee abreast 
with latest developments, the Head of 
Internal Audit reported to each meeting on 
developments and emerging risks to internal 
control systems and on the evolution of our 
principal risks. The Committee reviewed 
the updated principal risks, their evolution 
during the year, and the associated risk 
appetites and metrics in light of business 
changes and performance, challenging 
and confirming their alignment to the 
achievement of the Group’s strategic 
objectives. This included consideration 
of the impact of COVID-19. On a regular 
and ongoing basis, the Committee 
considered the ongoing overall assessment 
of each risk, their associated metrics and 
management actions and mitigations 
in place and planned. This review was 
supported through consideration of risk 
dashboards outlining both principal risks 
and any escalated or emerging risks 
resulting in the Audit Committee regarding 
COVID-19 not as an individual risk but 
rather considering the amplifying effect 
on a number of other principal risks such 
as Health and Safety, People and Culture, 
Supply Chain Operations and Costs and 
Cyber and Information Security. Those 
changes to our risk profile were then 
approved by the Board. The Group’s 
principal risks and uncertainties are set out 
on pages 34 to 45.

of IT. In the field of information technology 
and security, the Company undertakes a 
regular security assurance programme, 
testing controls, identifying weaknesses 
and prioritising remediation activities where 
necessary. This includes periodic best 
practice specialist security testing by a 
leading third party provider and regular 
system scanning to identify security 
weaknesses. Issues are assessed for risk 
and are comprehensively managed as 
part of the Company’s risk management 
programme. The Committee is presented 
with regular detailed Information 
Security Reports by the Technology and 
Transformation Director and Group Head 
of IT, which includes recommendations for 
further reinforcements, and a roadmap for 
further risk reduction. As a demonstration of 
our commitment to tackling cyber security 
we are currently pursuing Cyber Essentials 
Plus accreditation from the National Cyber 
Security Centre (NCSC).

We have also embarked on a set of projects 
whose purpose is to help the Company 
change systems, process or ways of 
working, to update and modernise the 
systems we use and create alignment 
within the Group on systems and process. 
The Committee is presented with regular 
detailed reports on progress by the 
Technology and Transformation Director.

In addition, the Committee reviewed 
reports issued by both Internal Audit and 
the External Auditor and held regular 
discussions with the Group Chief Financial 
Officer, the Head of Internal Audit and 
representatives of the External Auditor. 

Internal Audit

The Committee is responsible for 
monitoring and reviewing the operation and 
effectiveness of the Internal Audit function 
including its focus, work plan, activities and 
resources.

IT Systems and Cyber Security

Following the incident affecting Matthew 
Clark and Bibendum IT systems in April 
2021, we have reviewed our information 
security and cyber preparedness policies 
and procedures, enhanced our Information 
Technology systems and controls, including 
the appointment of a Technology and 
Transformation Director and Group Head 

At the beginning of the financial year, the 
Committee reviewed and approved the 
Internal Audit plan for the year having 
considered the principal areas of risk in 
the business and the adequacy of staffing 
levels and expertise within the function. 
The Committee also reviewed those plans 
again during the year in light of COVID-19, 
which resulted in the Internal Audit function 
changing focus having regard to imposed 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements104

Audit Committee Report
(continued)

considered the Letter of Representation 
that the External Auditor requires from the 
Board.

audit partner every five years and therefore 
the existing partner will rotate after the 
upcoming AGM. 

working restrictions taking a risk based 
approach. A number of high risk audits 
were conducted remotely and others were 
deferred into FY2023 where appropriate. 
This was a position endorsed by the 
Committee in recognition of the operational 
challenges being experienced at the time 
by the business and to the businesses of 
our customers, which required immediate 
prioritisation and focus. The FY2023 
audit plan has considered all existing and 
emerging risks and what was deferred from 
FY2022, incorporating both elements where 
appropriate. 

During the year, the Committee received 
regular verbal and written reports from the 
Head of Internal Audit summarising findings 
from the work of Internal Audit and the 
responses from management to deal with 
the findings. 

The Committee monitors progress on the 
implementation of any action plans arising 
on significant findings to ensure these are 
completed satisfactorily and meets with 
the Head of Internal Audit in the absence of 
management.

External Audit

It is the responsibility of the Committee to 
monitor the performance, objectivity and 
independence of Ernst and Young (‘EY’), the 
External Auditor. In December 2021, we met 
with EY to agree the audit plan for the year 
end, highlighting the key financial statement 
and audit risks, to ensure that the audit was 
appropriately focused. In addition, EY’s 
letter of engagement and independence 
was reviewed by the Committee in advance 
of the audit.

The Committee meets with the External 
Auditor privately at least once a year to 
discuss any matters they may wish to raise 
without management being present.

Assessment of Effectiveness of 
External Audit

During the year, the Committee reviewed 
EY’s fees for its services, its effectiveness 
and whether the agreed audit plan had been 
fulfilled and the reasons for any variation 
from the plan. The review included a formal 
evaluation process including the completion 
of a short questionnaire by each member of 
the Committee, the Group Chief Financial 
Officer, the Director of Group Finance and 
applicable senior finance executives across 
the business. 

The Committee also considered the 
robustness of the FY2022 audit, the 
degree to which EY was able to assess 
key accounting and audit judgements 
and the content of the audit committee 
report issued by the External Auditor. Due 
to governmental advice and restrictions 
regarding social distancing and travel, EY’s 
audit teams have followed different levels of 
remote working in the locations where the 
Group operates. The Committee is satisfied 
that this has not impacted the effectiveness 
of the audit or the audit process. On the 
basis of the Committee’s evaluation and 
taking into account the views of other 
key internal stakeholders, the Committee 
concluded that both the audit and the audit 
process were effective.

In May 2022, in advance of the finalisation 
of the financial statements, we received a 
report from EY on their key audit findings, 
which included the key areas of risk and 
significant judgements referred to above, 
and discussed the issues with them in order 
for the Committee to form a judgement on 
the financial statements. In addition, we 

Audit Tender

Following a tender process, the current 
External Auditor was first appointed for the 
year ended 28 February 2018. The Group’s 
lead audit engagement partner, Pat O’Neill 
has been the same since that date. The 
External Auditor is required to rotate the 

There are no contractual obligations 
restricting the Company’s choice of External 
Auditor. The Committee will continue to 
review the auditor appointment and the 
need to tender the audit, ensuring the 
Group’s compliance with the Code and any 
related regulations.

The Group complied on a voluntary basis 
with the Statutory Audit Services for Large 
Companies Market Investigation (mandatory 
Use of Competitive Tender Processes and 
Audit Committee Responsibilities) Order 
2014, having last carried out a competitive 
tender for audit services in 2017.

Non-Audit Services

The Group has a policy in place governing 
the provision of non-audit services by 
the External Auditor in order to ensure 
that the External Auditor’s objectivity and 
independence is safeguarded. 

Under this policy the auditor is prohibited 
from providing non-audit services if the 
auditor:
•  may, as a result, be required to audit its 

own firm’s work; 

•  would participate in activities that would 
normally be undertaken by management;

•  would be remunerated through a 

“success fee” structure or have some 
other mutual financial interest with the 
Group; and

•  would be acting in an advocacy role for 

the Group.

Other than above, the Company does not 
impose an automatic ban on the External 
Auditor providing non-audit services. 
However, the External Auditor is only 
permitted to provide non-audit services 
that are not, or are not perceived to be, 
in conflict with auditor independence and 
objectivity, if it has the skill, competence 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022105

place for the proportionate independent 
investigation and appropriate follow up of 
any concerns which might be raised. The 
Committee receives regular reports on all 
whistleblowing incidents. The Board also 
receives a report on whistleblowing in the 
Company Secretary and Group General 
Counsel’s regular report to Board meetings. 
In FY2022, no incidences of concern were 
uncovered.

We encourage employees to report 
genuine issues and concerns as they arise. 
Those concerns are taken seriously. They 
are investigated where appropriate and 
confidentiality is respected.

Evaluation of the Committee

The evaluation of the Committee was 
completed as part of the 2022 internal 
board evaluation process. An explanation 
of how this process was conducted, the 
conclusions arising from it and the action 
items identified is set out on page 98. 
The Committee has considered this in the 
context of the matters that are applicable to 
the Committee.

This report was approved by the Board of 
Directors on 17 May 2022.

Emer Finnan
Chair of the Audit Committee

and integrity to carry out the work and it 
is considered by the Audit Committee to 
be the most appropriate firm to undertake 
such work in the best interests of the 
Group. The engagement of the External 
Auditor to provide non-audit services 
must be approved in advance by the Audit 
Committee or entered into pursuant to 
pre-approved policies and procedures 
established by the Audit Committee and 
approved by the Board.

The nature, extent and scope of non-
audit services provided to the Group by 
the External Auditor and the economic 
importance of the Group to the External 
Auditor are also monitored to ensure 
that the External Auditor’s independence 
and objectivity is not impaired. The Audit 
Committee has adopted a policy that, 
except in exceptional circumstances with 
the prior approval of the Audit Committee, 
non-audit fees paid to the Group’s auditor 
should not exceed 100% of audit fees in any 
one financial year.

In FY2022, EY undertook non-audit work 
in relation to the Rights Issue. As part 
of the preparations for the Rights Issue 
announced in June 2021, certain non-audit 
assurance was required of the financial 
information presented in the prospectus. 
Management felt that EY would be best 
placed to undertake this work if appropriate 
safeguards could be put in place, and 
this was discussed and approved by the 
Committee prior to work taking place. The 
fees for the non-audit work were €0.4m and 
agreed by the Committee.

A number of measures were implemented 
to ensure that the objectivity of EY as 
auditors of the Company was safeguarded:-

•  The non-audit work was led by an 
independent EY partner and team 
members not involved in the audit, and 
subject to review by an independent audit 
partner;

•  The services were performed on a one-
off basis, and were clearly set out in an 
engagement letter;

•  All fees for the additional reporting 

accountant services were invoiced and 
settled in full before the audit work was 
finalised;

•  A Quality Review Partner was involved 
in the audit, and was responsible for 
performing a further review over the 
performance of the audit; and 

•  A clearance panel including a further 
three independent partners was held 
prior to completion of the non-audit work 
to provide an additional level of review.

Given the one off nature of these non-audit 
services and given they were assurance 
based ensured that the objectivity of EY 
was safeguarded. 

Confidential Reporting Programme

In line with best practice, the Group has 
an independent and confidential reporting 
programme in all of its operations whereby 
employees can, in confidence, report on 
matters where they feel a malpractice 
has taken or is taking place, or if health 
and safety standards have been or are 
being compromised. Additional areas that 
are addressed by this procedure include 
criminal activities, improper or unethical 
behaviour and risks to the environment.

The programme allows employees to raise 
their concerns with their line manager or, 
if that is inappropriate, to raise them on a 
confidential basis. An externally facilitated 
confidential helpline and confidential email 
facility are provided to protect the identity 
of employees in these circumstances. Any 
concerns are investigated on a confidential 
basis by the Human Resources Department 
and/or the Company Secretary and Group 
General Counsel and feedback is given 
to the person making the complaint as 
appropriate via the confidential email facility. 
An official written record is kept of each 
stage of the procedure and results are 
summarised for the Committee. 

The Audit Committee is also responsible 
for ensuring that arrangements are in 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
106

Environmental, Social and Governance Committee Report

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present the 
Group’s Environmental, Social 
and Governance (‘ESG’) 
Committee report covering 
the work of the Committee 
during FY2022. This report 
provides an overview of the 
Committee’s activities in the 
year under review and previews 
our expected activities in the 
coming year.

Year in Review

ESG is central to the Company’s strategy 
and forms an integral part of how C&C 
operates at every level. To reflect C&C’s 
ongoing commitment to operating a 
sustainable business, the Board established 
an ESG Committee in 2020. The ESG 
Committee has primary responsibility for 
sustainability and climate change issues. 

C&C’s Head of ESG and its 
Communications and Corporate Affairs 
Director continue to lead the Company 
towards our vision relating to ESG targets. 
A team of six ESG Champions from across 
the business analyse and appraise the ESG 
strategy, its six pillars and the initiatives 
underpinning it. Our ESG Champions have 
attended the six Committee meetings 
held during FY2022. ESG Champions are 
appointed on an 18 month term, allowing 
them to be involved in the setting of long 
term and meaningful targets and providing 
an opportunity to help shape the future of 
the business at a strategic level through ESG 
matters. The Committee has been delighted 
by the Champions’ energy, enthusiasm and, 
moreover, input as we continue to define 
the ESG strategy. The ESG Champions 
report back to their respective teams which 
ensures an element of alignment on ESG 
related issues throughout the business.

The Head of ESG, with the support of 
the Champions and in collaboration with 
the Board, have worked to establish the 
Company’s ESG KPIs, which relate to the 
six pillars of the ESG strategy as detailed 
on pages 62 to 63, and develop timelines 
in accordance with legal and regulatory 
requirements over the coming years.

Alongside the continuous implementation 
of the Company’s ESG strategy, the 
Committee was briefed on the Company’s 
requirement to include a statement in its 
FY2022 Annual Report and Accounts 
setting out whether our climate-related 
financial disclosures were consistent with 

the recommendations of the Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures 
(‘TCFD’). The Committee welcomed 
TCFD as an important step in increasing 
stakeholders’ and companies’ focus on 
meeting its obligations on climate change. 
We have begun the journey of incorporating 
the TCFD framework into our reporting 
and risk management processes and are 
accelerating efforts to mitigate climate 
change risks and identify opportunities for 
transitioning to be a carbon neutral business 
by 2050. The Committee received initial 
training from an external provider on TCFD 
and climate change related issues during 
FY2022. An additional ESG Committee 
meeting was arranged to provide feedback 
on and approve the Company’s shortlist of 
Climate Change Risks and Opportunities, 
which were recommended to the Board. 
Protecting and enhancing our environment 
is an integral part of the Group’s strategy. 
For this reason, an environmental target 
was put forward to the Committee during 
FY2022 and approved by the Remuneration 
Committee. The environmental target forms 
a performance condition of the 2021 Long 
Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’). More details can 
be found in the Remuneration Committee 
Report on page 117.

A key element of our ESG strategy is to raise 
the voice of employees in the boardroom. 
The Board recognises the importance of 
communication and engagement with the 
wider workforce as a means of assessing 
and monitoring our corporate culture. 
During FY2022, the engagement of the 
Non-Executive Directors with a range of 
employees from each business area has 
provided invaluable insight into the evolution 
of our culture and values, and their link to 
strategy, through a series of ‘Our Forum’ 
meetings. The Committee received updates 
from departments within the business on 
a range of issues including mental health, 
wellbeing and engagement, and health 
and safety. The meetings, organised by the 
Head of ESG, allow employees to raise, with 
the Non-Executive Directors and business 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022107

units’ Managing Directors, a variety of 
issues of importance to them, including 
the Company’s response to the COVID-19 
pandemic as it developed, and views on 
what the Company could improve in its 
response to help the business and its 
employees. 

The strength of our team is our most 
valuable asset and we are committed to 
creating an open and inclusive culture, 
which enables all of our people to thrive, 
and to promote diversity and inclusion 
to ensure we have a balanced pipeline 
of talent for the future. One of our ESG 
KPIs approved by the Committee, 
in collaboration with the Nomination 
Committee, is linked to diversity and 
inclusion and we continue to look for ways 
to expand the Company’s Inclusivity and 
Diversity agenda. 

In terms of corporate responsibility and 
community engagement, the Board is 
committed to treating all stakeholders in 
every area of our business with honesty, 
fairness, openness, engagement and 
respect, and to conducting all business 
ethically and safely. The Group will only 
work with parties that share these values. 
Our Code of Conduct (‘our Code’) sets out 
our expectations for how we do business, 
clarifying our commitments to ethical, 
social and environmental performance. 
Our ESG policies support our Code. 

On behalf of the Board

Jim Thompson
Chair of the ESG Committee 
17 May 2022

Roles and Responsibilities of the Committee

Role of the Committee 
The Committee is required to:-
•  Assist the Board in defining the Group’s 

strategy relating to ESG matters;
•  Review the policies, programmes, 

practices and initiatives of the Group 
relating to ESG matters, including 
environmental concerns, ensuring they 
remain effective and up to date;
•  Provide oversight of the Group’s 

management of ESG matters and 
compliance with legal and regulatory 
requirements, including applicable rules 

and principles of corporate governance, 
and applicable industry standards;

•  Report on these matters to the 

Board and, where appropriate, make 
recommendations to the Board; and

•  Report as required to shareholders of the 
Company on the activities and remit of the 
Committee. 

The Committee has defined Terms of 
Reference which can be found in the 
Investor Centre section of the Group’s 
website at www.candcgroupplc.com.

Membership and Attendance
The following directors served on the Committee during the year.

Member

Jim Thompson (Chair)1

Jill Caseberry 

Patrick McMahon

Helen Pitcher

Andrea Pozzi2

Member Since

24 September 2020

24 September 2020

24 September 2020

24 September 2020

24 September 2020 

Number of 
Meetings 
Attended

Maximum 
Possible 
Meetings

5

6

6

6

2

6

6

6

6

2

1.  Jim Thompson was unable to attend the meeting on 27 October 2021 due to a medical procedure.
2.  Andrea Pozzi was a member of the Committee until he stood down from the Board on 1 September 2021.

No member of the Committee nor any other 
Director participates in discussions or votes 
concerning his or her own re-election or 
evaluation of his or her own performance. 
Details of the skills and experience of the 
Directors are contained in the Directors’ 
biographies on pages 88 and 89. Their 
remuneration is set out in the Remuneration 
Report.

The quorum necessary for the transaction 
of business by the Committee is two, each 
of whom must be a Non-Executive Director. 
Only members of the Committee have the 
right to attend Committee meetings. The 
Committee Secretary is the Senior Assistant 
Company Secretary.

Meeting Frequency 
The Committee met on six occasions 
during the year ended 28 February 2022. 
All members of the Committee attended 
each meeting except on one occasion 

where Jim Thompson could not attend one 
meeting due to a medical procedure. At 
the invitation of the Committee, the Chair, 
the Group CEO, the Company Secretary 
and General Counsel, the Head of ESG, 
the Communications and Corporate Affairs 
Director and the ESG Champions were 
invited to attend all meetings.

Evaluation of the Committee 
The evaluation of the Committee was carried 
out internally as part of the FY2022 internal 
Board evaluation process. An explanation 
of how this process was conducted, the 
conclusions arising from it and the outcome 
of that review can be found on page 98.

This report was approved by the Board of 
Directors on 17 May 2022.

Jim Thompson
Chair of the ESG Committee

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements108

Nomination Committee Report
Nomination Committee Report

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present the 
Nomination Committee (‘the 
Committee’) report covering the 
work of the Committee during 
FY2022. This report provides 
an overview of the Committee’s 
activities in the year under 
review and looks ahead to 
our anticipated activities in the 
coming year.

Year in Review

As in previous years, succession planning 
continued to be the primary focus of the 
Committee’s work. The Committee is 
responsible for leading a formal, rigorous 
and transparent process for Board 
appointments and ensuring that plans are 
in place for orderly succession to the Board 
and senior management positions. The 
Committee is also responsible for keeping 
under review the leadership needs of the 
Group, both executive and non-executive, 
with a view to ensuring the continued ability 
of the organisation to compete effectively in 
a competitive marketplace.

In July 2020, we reported that I would be 
stepping down from the Board and that 
the Committee, led by Vincent Crowley 
Senior Independent Director (‘SID’), would 
be leading the search for my successor. 
Following a thorough selection process 
using external search consultants, 
Spencer Stuart, on 16 September 2021 
we announced the appointment of Ralph 
Findlay as a director and Chair designate. 
Ralph joined the Board as a Non-Executive 
Director on 1 March 2022 and will succeed 
me as Chair of the Company and of the 
Committee on 7 July 2022, following the 
Annual General Meeting. Ralph is a strong 
fit for the Group, with a deep understanding 
of the beverage and hospitality sector in the 
UK, one of our core markets, and extensive 
listed company board experience. Further 
details of the selection process can be 
found later in the Nomination Committee 
Report.

During the year, the Committee continued 
to review the skills and composition of the 
Board. Following this review, the Board 
identified the necessity of having more 
digital and technology experience, which 
is increasingly important in a digitalised 
world. To enhance the Board’s collective 
capability and aid us as we seek to deliver 
our strategic objectives, the Committee 
recommended, and the Board endorsed 
the appointment of Vineet Bhalla. The 

Board was particularly satisfied that 
Vineet’s appointment would bring strong 
digital experience as an experienced IT 
professional, latterly with Burberry as Chief 
Technology Officer and previously as Head 
of IT for Unilever for their digital marketing 
and research and development divisions. 

With each review of its composition, and 
when considering any appointment, the 
Board has particular regard for diversity 
of gender, social and ethnic backgrounds, 
nationality, and cognitive and personal 
strengths. Diversity at Board level – and 
throughout the organisation – is key to 
ensure that we incorporate a wider range of 
perspectives in deliberations and decision 
making. While incorporating all aspects of 
diversity, we have placed a particular focus 
on gender and ethnic diversity in light of the 
Hampton Alexander and Parker Reviews, 
which act as guidance for the Committee. 

In further Board changes, we announced 
in July 2021, that Andrea Pozzi, Chief 
Operating Officer (‘COO’) and Jim Clerkin, 
Non-Executive Director, had each decided 
to step down from their respective Board 
roles, with effect from 1 September and 27 
October 2021 respectively. The Group was 
pleased to announce that Andrea would 
remain with the Group and had agreed to 
take up the role of managing our combined 
GB businesses, with a key focus on aligning 
management structures and guiding us 
through a significant change programme of 
simplification and integration. The Company 
did not replace the Executive Director role 
of COO and current Board responsibilities 
associated with that position are being 
fulfilled by the remaining Executive Directors.

In addition, Jim Clerkin advised the Board 
that, as a consequence of his increased 
work responsibilities in the USA, he was 
finding it increasingly difficult to give the 
necessary time commitment required as a 
Non-Executive Director of the Company. 
After four years on the Board, Jim decided 
to take the decision to step down from 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022109

his position in October 2021. The Board 
would like to thank both Andrea and Jim 
for their significant contribution to the 
Board and to wish Jim well for the future. 

At the financial year-end, 33% of the 
Board’s membership was female. The 
Committee was fully aware that this level 
reduced with the appointment of Ralph 
Findlay and will go back to 33% once I 
step down from the Board in July 2022.
The Committee will continue to monitor 
the composition and balance of the Board 
to ensure that a broad and diverse range 
of expertise is available from the existing 
members and will recommend further 
appointments as and when appropriate 
to assure the long term success of the 
Group. 

At C&C Group our colleagues remain 
our most valuable asset and we are 
committed to creating an open and 
inclusive culture, which enables all of 
our people to thrive, and to leverage 
diversity and inclusion to ensure we 
have a balanced pipeline of talent for 
the future. The Committee will continue 
its work to ensure the Board maintains 
a balance of individuals representing a 
wide cross section of experience, cultural 
backgrounds and specialisms. In the 
coming year, the Committee will continue 
to focus on succession planning and 
on furthering our diversity and inclusion 
agenda. 

On behalf of the Board

Stewart Gilliland
Chair of the Nomination 
17 May 2022

Roles and Responsibilities of the 
Committee

Role of the Committee 
The Committee is responsible for Board 
recruitment and conducts a continuous 
and proactive process of planning and 
assessment, taking into account the Board’s 
composition against the Group’s strategic 
priorities and the main trends and factors 
affecting the long-term success and future 
viability of the Group. The Committee’s 
key objective is to ensure that the Board 
comprises individuals with the necessary 
skills, knowledge, experience and diversity 

to ensure that the Board is effective in 
discharging its responsibilities and that 
appropriate succession arrangements 
are in place. The Committee has defined 
Terms of Reference which can be found in 
the Investor Centre section of the Group’s 
website at www.candcgroupplc.com.

The Committee is responsible for leading 
a formal, rigorous and transparent process 
for the appointment of new Directors to the 
Board and ensuring that plans are in place 
for orderly succession to the Board and 
senior management positions.

Membership and Attendance
The following Non-Executive Directors served on the Committee during the year.

Member

Member Since

Stewart Gilliland (Chair) 1

24 October 2017

Vincent Crowley 

Emer Finnan

Helen Pitcher

1 June 2019

5 July 2018

23 October 2019

Number of Meetings 
Attended

Maximum Possible 
Meetings

7

8

8

8

7

8

8

8

1.  Stewart Gilliland did not attend one meeting concerning the appointment of his successor.

The quorum necessary for the transaction 
of business by the Committee is two, each 
of whom must be a Non-Executive Director. 
Only members of the Committee have the 
right to attend Committee meetings. The 
Company Secretary is Secretary to the 
Committee.

Except for the Chair, all members of the 
Committee are and were, throughout the 
year under review, considered by the Board 
to be wholly independent. 

No member of the Committee nor any 
other Director participates in discussions 
concerning or votes on his or her own 
re-election or evaluation of his or her own 
performance. Details of the skills and 
experience of the Directors are contained 
in the Directors’ biographies on pages 88 
and 89. Their remuneration is set out in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements110

Nomination Committee Report
(continued)

Meeting Frequency and Main 
Activities during the year

The Committee met on eight occasions 
during the year ended 28 February 2022. 
All members of the Committee attended 
each meeting, save and except for the 
Chair in relation to meetings concerning 
the appointment of his successor. At the 
invitation of the Committee, the Group CEO, 
Vineet Bhalla, the Group Director of Human 
Resources, the interim Group Director of 
Human Resources, and the Communications 
Director were invited to attend meetings from 
time to time.

Set out below is a summary of the main 
activities of the Committee in the year.

Chair Appointment

As outlined in his introductory letter, the 
Chair will step down from his role in July 
2022 following 10 years on the Board and 
four years as Chair. A selection process 
for a new Chair was led by the Senior 
Independent Director (‘SID’), Vincent 
Crowley, and the Committee, with assistance 
from the Company Secretary and Group 
General Counsel and the Group Director of 
Human Resources. The current Chair was 
not involved in the selection process.

Existing Non-Executive Directors were 
asked if they wished to be considered for 
the role of Chair. It was agreed an external 
search process was suitable. As part of 
the external search process, the services 
of an executive search firm were used to 
identify potential candidates. The Committee 
considered the credentials of a number of 
search consultants before recommending 
the appointment of Spencer Stuart, which is 
a signatory to the voluntary code of conduct 
for executive search firms. Spencer Stuart is 
used from time to time by the Group for the 
recruitment of senior executives, but does 
not have any other connection to the Group 
or with individual Directors. 

The Company did not use open advertising 
to search for suitable candidates for the 
role as we believe that the optimal way 
of recruiting for this position is to use 
targeted recruitment based on the skills and 
experience required. 

As an initial step, the Committee agreed 
a role profile with Spencer Stuart, which 
referred to the following characteristics and 
experience:
•  Experience as a Chair;
•  City/investor experience;
•  FTSE 250 plc experience and an 

understanding of the UK corporate 
governance environment;

•  Broad sector experience, with an 

emphasis on business to business and 
business to customer environments within 
the beverage industry; 

•  A reputation for delivering shareholder 

value; and

•  A positive match with the culture of the 
Group and the members of the Board.

The search from Spencer Stuart was 
rigorous and international in its scope. 
The Committee considered an extensive 
list of potential candidates, both internally 
and externally, with the skills, knowledge 
and experience required. The candidates 
included in the initial list for the Committee 
were of diverse backgrounds in its widest 
sense (gender, nationality, age, experience, 
ethnicity and social backgrounds). The 
Committee unanimously selected Ralph 
Findlay as its preferred candidate. Ralph, 
brings extensive drinks industry experience 
to the Company. Ralph held a senior 
role at Marston’s for 25 years and has a 
deep understanding of the beverage and 
hospitality sector in the UK, one of our core 
markets, and internationally. He also brings 
extensive listed company board experience. 

Following the Committee’s recommendation 
and due consideration by the Board, 
Ralph Findlay was appointed our new 
Chair designate on 16 September  2021, 
joined the Board on 1 March 2022 and will 
succeed Stewart Gilliland on 7 July 2022. 
The Board is pleased to have recruited an 
individual with his experience and expertise 
to chair the Group.

Induction of New Board Members 

When a new Board member joins 
the Company they receive a formal, 
comprehensive and tailored induction 
designed to suit their individual needs 
and their role. The induction programme 
includes activities and meetings with key 
personnel, technical meetings and site 
visits. This is an effective way of introducing 
them to the Group’s culture and of ensuring 
that they have the information and support 
they need to understand the business and 
to enable them to be productive in their role.

Chair Induction

The induction programme for Ralph 
Findlay has included meetings with senior 
management and operational and functional 
teams around the Group and was structured 
to help Ralph gain an insight into how the 
business works on a day to day basis and to 
understand its strategic priorities, purpose, 
culture, values and people. 

Since joining, Ralph has held a series of 
meetings including one to one sessions 
with Board colleagues, senior management, 
business unit and functional heads and 
has also undertaken visits to key locations 
in the Group. These visits gave Ralph an 
opportunity to meet with local management 
teams and other colleagues and to speak 
with them first hand and to listen to their 
views.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022111

Arrangements will be made for Ralph 
to meet with the Company’s major 
shareholders to discuss areas of 
shareholder interest including performance 
and future opportunities following his 
appointment as Chair. 

New Non-Executive Director

During the year, the Committee continued 
to review the skills and composition of the 
Board and identified an opportunity to bring 
more digital and technology experience into 
its deliberations. A thorough process was 
undertaken by the Committee to identify and 
assess a number of potential candidates. 
A boutique executive search firm, Audeliss 
was instructed to assist with the search 
for the new appointment. The search firm 
signed up to the Voluntary Code of Conduct 
and does not have any other connection 
to the Company or with any individual 
Directors, other than to provide recruitment 
services. Open advertising was not used for 
this position.

To enhance the Board’s collective capability 
and aid us on our journey to meet our 
strategic objectives, the Committee 
recommended the appointment of 
Vineet Bhalla, noting, in particular, that 
the appointment would bring strong 
digital experience as an experienced IT 
professional, latterly with Burberry as 
Chief Technology Officer and previously 
as Head of IT for Unilever for their digital 
marketing and research and development 
divisions. The Committee also noted that 
this appointment would demonstrate 
the Company’s broader commitment to 
diversity. In making this recommendation, 
the Committee also satisfied itself that 
Vineet Bhalla met the independence criteria 
of the Code and took into account his 
other significant commitments and the time 
involved, as disclosed to the Committee. 
The Committee’s recommendation resulted 
in Vineet Bhalla’s appointment to the Board 
as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 
26 April 2021.

Other Board Changes

Succession Planning

In July 2021, we announced that Andrea 
Pozzi, Chief Operating Officer (‘COO’) 
and Jim Clerkin, Non-Executive Director, 
had each decided to step down from 
their respective Board roles, with effect 
from 1 September and 27 October 2021 
respectively. The Group was pleased to 
announce that Andrea would remain with 
the Company and had agreed to take up 
the role of managing our combined GB 
businesses, aligning management structures 
and guiding us through a significant change 
programme of simplification and integration. 
The Company did not replace the Executive 
Director role of COO and current Board 
responsibilities associated with that position 
are being fulfilled by the remaining Executive 
Directors.

The Board plans for its own succession, 
with the support of the Committee. The 
Committee remains focused, on behalf of 
the Board, on succession planning for both 
Executive and Non-Executive Directors.

The Committee aims to ensure that:
•  the succession pipeline for senior 

executive and business critical roles in 
the organisation is strong and diverse;

•  processes are in place to identify 
potential successors and manage 
succession actively;

•  there is a structured approach to 

developing and preparing possible 
successors; and

•  processes are in place to identify “at risk” 

posts.

In addition, Jim Clerkin advised the Board 
that, as a consequence of his increased 
work responsibilities in the USA, he was 
finding it increasingly difficult to give the 
necessary time commitment required as a 
Non-Executive Director of the Company. 
After four years on the Board, Jim decided 
to take the decision to step down from his 
position in October 2021. 

Re-appointment of Directors

The Committee considers the selection 
and reappointment of directors carefully 
before making a recommendation to 
the Board. The Board is conscious of 
the length of tenure of non-executives 
when formulating its succession planning 
process. Non-Executive Directors and the 
Chair are generally appointed for a period 
of three years, which may be renewed for 
a further two terms. Notwithstanding the 
appointment of three years, in line with 
good governance practice, all Directors are 
put forward for re-election by shareholders 
annually at the AGM providing shareholders 
with the opportunity to express their 
confidence and support for the Board as a 
whole and each Director individually.

As part of the Board changes in the 
course of the year, the Committee had 
reason to extensively consider succession 
planning for both Board and senior 
management roles. The Committee 
reviewed the management structures 
proposed in combining the GB businesses. 
Subsequently, the Committee have been 
engaged in reviewing succession plans, 
together with job evaluation and grading of 
roles across the entire Group, with the aim 
of creating a harmonised and consistent 
approach to succession planning across 
the Group.

On at least an annual basis, each Director’s 
intentions are discussed with regard to 
continued service on the Board and their 
succession is considered in the context of 
the composition of the overall Board and 
the corporate governance guidance on 
non-executive tenure. This transparency 
allows for an open discussion about 
succession for each individual, both for 
short term emergency absences as well as 
longer term plans.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements112

Nomination Committee Report
(continued)

As in previous years, we conducted an 
analysis of the balance of experience, 
skills, gender and diversity on the Board 
as a whole, taking account of the future 
needs of the business in the light of the 
business strategy, the Board changes set 
out above, and the knowledge, experience, 
length of service and performance of the 
Directors, including their ability to continue 
to contribute effectively to the Board. In 
accordance with our policy, we also had 
regard to the requirement to achieve a 
diversity of characters, backgrounds, 
experience and gender amongst Board 
members.

Skills Balance and Directors’ 
Performance Evaluation

During the year, the Committee also 
considered the composition of the Board 
and each of its Committees. The Committee 
continues to actively review the long 
term succession planning process for 
Directors to ensure the structure, size and 
composition (including the balance of skills, 
experience, independence, knowledge 
and diversity (including gender, ethnic and 
social backgrounds)) of the Board and 
its Committees continues to be effective, 
promoting the Group’s ability to deliver its 
strategy.

As part of its review, the Committee 
considered the performance and 
independence of Vineet Bhalla, Jill 
Caseberry, Vincent Crowley, Emer Finnan, 
Helen Pitcher and Jim Thompson, each 
of them having confirmed their willingness 
to stand for re-election at the forthcoming 
AGM. 

During FY2020, an external evaluation was 
carried out, meaning that the evaluation 
in FY2022 was carried out on an internal 
basis. Having undertaken a performance 
evaluation of both the Board and individual 
Directors, the Committee considered that the 
independence of each of the Non-Executive 
Directors, being Vineet Bhalla, Jill Caseberry, 
Vincent Crowley, Emer Finnan, Helen Pitcher 
and Jim Thompson. In assessing their 
independence, the Committee has had 
due regard to various matters which might 
affect, or appear to affect, the independence 
of certain of the directors. The Committee 
was fully satisfied that each remained 
fully independent in both character and 
judgement. 

In determining the independence of Stewart 
Gilliland, the Group had regard to the 
sales made to Tesco plc, of which Stewart 
Gilliland is a Non-Executive Director. The 
Committee remains fully satisfied that that 
the relationship is free of conflict, given a 
non-executive position is held and Stewart 
Gilliland is not close to the negotiation of 
any contract between the two companies. 
In determining the independence of Jill 
Caseberry, the Group had regard to the 
products purchased from St Austell Brewery 
Company Limited, of which Jill Caseberry is 
a Non-Executive Director. The Committee 
remains fully satisfied this relationship is not 
material and has in no way impaired her 
independence. Additionally, in determining 
the independence of Emer Finnan, the 
Group had regard to the sales made to 
and products purchased from Britvic plc, 
of which Emer Finnan is a Non-Executive 
Director, and was satisfied that this in no way 
impaired her independence. 

The Committee had also undertaken a review 
of each of the Non-Executive Directors’ 
other interests, external time commitments 
and tenure, such review being particularly 
rigorous in the case of Emer Finnan having 
served eight years on the Board, and has 
concluded that Emer is independent in 
character and judgement and that there 
are no relationships or circumstances likely 

to affect (or which appear to affect) her 
judgement. The Committee is also satisfied 
that Emer continues to be able to devote 
sufficient time to their role. 

No Director participated in the evaluation of 
his/her own performance, independence or 
time commitments.

The Committee was satisfied that the 
Board has the appropriate balance of 
relevant skills, experience, independence 
and knowledge of the Group to enable it to 
discharge its duties to lead and steward the 
business. 

Diversity

As a people focused business, our strength 
comes from an inclusive and welcoming 
environment, where we recognise that the 
experiences and perspectives which make 
us unique come together in our shared 
values and vision. We strongly believe that 
the more our colleagues reflect the diversity 
of our clients and consumers, the better 
equipped we are to service their needs.

We have a Diversity and Inclusion Policy, 
which is published on the Company’s 
website. The Committee is satisfied that 
it supports the development of a more 
diverse workforce within the business and 
is consistent with the Group’s inclusive 
and welcoming culture. The policy equally 
applies to our Board members and all of 
our employees, regardless of their contract, 
location or role in the business. We aim to 
ensure our inclusivity applies to all aspects 
of their careers, including recruitment, 
selection, benefits and opportunities for 
training and promotion. As at 28 February 
2022, the percentage of female directors on 
the Board was 33%, as was the percentage 
of females on the Executive Committee. 
More details on workforce diversity can be 
found on page 113. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
113

knowledge and skills;

Evaluation of the Committee 

During FY2020, an external evaluation was 
carried out, meaning that the evaluation 
in FY2022 was carried out on an internal 
basis as part of the FY2022 internal Board 
evaluation process. An explanation of 
how this process was conducted, the 
conclusions arising from it and the outcome 
of that review can be found on page 98.

This report was approved by the Board of 
Directors on 17 May 2022.

Stewart Gilliland
Chair of the Nomination Committee

•  Encouraging our people to share their 
experiences and help each other to 
understand more about what diversity 
and inclusion means;

•  Authentically telling our diversity and 
inclusion story and celebrating our 
approach, both inside and outside our 
organisation.

Statistical gender diversity employment data 
for the Company as at 28 February 2022 is 
as follows:

Male Number/ 
Percentage

Female Number/
Percentage

Directors

6/67%

3/33%

Senior 
Managers

Other 
employees

58/64%

32/36%

1,913/75%

647/25%

Time Commitment

In line with its terms of reference, the 
Committee performs an annual review 
of the time required from the Chair, SID 
and Non-Executive Directors to perform 
their duties. As part of this process, 
the Committee reflects on a director’s 
attendance at scheduled meetings and 
their availability at other times during the 
year. In the year under review, the Directors 
were available, often at short notice and 
outside regular working hours, to discuss 
matters that required a prompt decision, for 
example, the consideration and oversight of 
the various strategies employed during the 
year to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic upon the business.

Our vision is to be an employer of choice, 
with a rich and diverse mix of people who 
reflect the societies and communities in 
which we work and operate. C&C is a great 
place to work and our policy reinforces 
our commitment to equality, diversity and 
inclusion and to having a truly representative 
workforce where every member feels 
respected, valued and able to be their best. 
We want to ensure that equality, diversity 
and inclusion is a core part of how we 
operate, it’s embedded in our culture, and 
reflected in our people and their behaviours. 

In FY2022, we conducted a diversity and 
inclusion survey, “Getting to know you”, to 
better understand our colleagues and their 
needs, to gain their views on inclusion and 
wellbeing and to obtain identity (diversity 
demographics) data. Subsequently, 
the Committee received a presentation 
regarding proposals to establish in FY2023 
employee relations groups in the areas 
of mental health and wellbeing, physical 
health and parents returning to work as 
one of a number of intended concrete 
and meaningful steps to reinforce our 
commitment to diversity and inclusion.

We are committed to:-
•  Reviewing and adapting our policies and 
procedures to ensure workforce diversity 
and equal opportunities;

•  Implementing initiatives that drive an 

inclusive culture where all employees feel 
accepted and valued;

•  Promoting a more inclusive environment, 
which attracts all candidates and signals 
our commitment to celebrate and 
promote diversity;

•  Taking an inclusive approach to ensure 
we attract a diverse pool of talent and 
experience;

•  The use of clear statements which 

promote equality and inclusion within the 
recruitment process;

•  Training our managers and wider teams 
to increase cultural diversity, awareness, 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements114

Nomination Committee Report
(continued)

Diverse and Effective Board

Board balance

The Board comprises 10 Directors, 
with a broad and complementary set 
of technical skills, educational and 
professional experience, nationalities, 
personalities, cultures and perspectives.

Independence

Gender diversity

Chair 

Independent 

Non-independent 

Ethnicity

White 

Indian 

Tenure

0-3 years 

4-7 years 

8-10 years 

1

7

2

9

1

7

1

2

Male 

Female 

Age Range

40-50 

51-60 

61-70 

Irish 

British 

USA 

Nationality

7

3

2

3

5

4

5

1

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022115

Board Skills Matrix

Executive Directors Non-Executive Directors

Director

David 
Forde

Patrick 
McMahon

Stewart 
Gilliland

Vineet 
Bhalla

Jill 
Caseberry

Vincent 
Crowley

Ralph 
Findlay

Emer 
Finnan

Helen 
Pitcher

Jim 
Thompson

      With skill       Without  skill

Independence

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Core Industry

Senior Executive

Finance/Audit & Risk

Legal/Public Policy

Manufacturing/ 
Supply Chain

Communications/ 
Marketing/
Customer Service

International Markets

UK and Ireland 
Pubs Exp

M&A/Capital Markets

Digital/Technology

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements116

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report

Last year, shareholders showed a high 
level of support for our Report with over 
90% of votes in favour of it. We hope that 
shareholders will demonstrate their support 
again this year.

Information on the membership of the 
Remuneration Committee and its main 
activities in FY2022 is set out on page 119.

Having taken into account a number of 
internal and external measures as well as the 
pay ratio analysis, the Committee believes 
the proposed remuneration decisions in 
this report appropriately reflect the needs 
of the business and long-term interests of 
shareholders. The Committee also believes 
the Policy operated as intended in terms 
of reflecting Company performance and 
the overall level of quantum delivered was 
considered appropriate given the business 
context.

Living Wage Foundation) for all employees 
(rather than the UK’s National Living Wage). 
The Committee has also been engaged in 
considering the overall level of all colleague 
benefits, including pension contribution 
allowances.

As a consequence, and in conjunction 
with new pressures on colleague attraction 
and retention in light of the well publicised 
driver and warehouse shortages within the 
UK, salary increases were made for drivers 
and drivers' mates. In addition, we have 
moved colleagues to a base hourly rate 
significantly above the real Living Wage from 
1 March 2022. Further, a 3.5% increase 
for senior management and the wider 
workforce has been approved with effect 
from 1 March 2022. This recognises the 
challenging period ahead, the commitment 
of our workforce and the aim to return the 
Company to growth.

Business context including Wider 
Workforce Remuneration 

FY2022 has seen the reopening of the 
on-trade across our core markets and a 
return to profit and cash generation for the 
Group. However, the COVID-19 pandemic 
has continued to impact the lives of many 
of us as well as our financial performance 
(excluding exceptional items, FY2022 
operating profit was €47.9m whereas 
FY2020 operating profit was €120.8m). 
It has, as a consequence, impacted on 
individuals' reward opportunities during 
the year both in terms of salary increases 
and bonus, and as a Committee we have 
been mindful of this, particularly having 
regard to the tenacity and tireless work 
of our colleagues who have navigated 
these challenges. We have taken all these 
factors into account, along with the impact 
on our shareholder experience, in all our 
considerations.

The Committee in the past year has been 
examining the financial and commercial 
impact for adopting, as a minimum pay rate, 
the real Living Wage (as promulgated by The 

As in previous years, I along with the rest 
of my Board colleagues remain committed 
to engaging with our employees on a wide 
range of topics, including remuneration 
and ensuring their views are shared 
with the Committee. A programme of 
meetings is currently being developed in 
that regard. My role as the Non-Executive 
Director responsible for engaging with HR 
is an invaluable resource when reviewing 
wider employee incentive arrangements. 
I plan during those meetings to outline 
our Company-wide remuneration policy 
and director and wider workforce pay and 
reward matters, sharing our aspirations 
around equitable rewards and discussing 
the increasing use of ESG measures in goal 
setting and shareholder expectations. 

We announced on 29 July 2021 that Andrea 
Pozzi, our former Chief Operating Officer, 
would step down from the Board with effect 
from 1 September 2021. Andrea remains 
with the business in a new role managing 
our combined GB businesses, aligning 
management structures and guiding us 
through a significant change programme 

Dear Shareholder

On behalf of the Board, I 
am pleased to present the 
Directors’ Remuneration 
Committee Report (‘Report’) 
for the year ended 28 February 
2022. 

The Company is incorporated in Ireland 
and is therefore not subject to the UK 
company law requirement to submit its 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy (‘Policy’) to 
a binding vote. Nonetheless, in line with our 
commitment to best practice, at the AGM in 
July 2021, our revised Policy was approved 
by our shareholders on an advisory basis, 
with a vote in favour of over 90%. As no 
changes to the Policy are proposed this 
year, the Policy will not be subject to a vote 
at the 2022 AGM. Therefore, we have not 
included the full Policy in this report, but 
have included those parts that we think 
shareholders will find most useful. The full 
Policy is included in the Annual Report and 
Accounts for the year ended 28 February 
2021, which is available on the Company’s 
website at www.candcgroup.com.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022117

of simplification and integration. Andrea’s 
remuneration to the end of August is 
included in the Single Total Figure of 
Remuneration on page 127. As he remained 
with the business, Andrea’s existing 
incentive awards continued on their existing 
terms. Andrea did not earn a bonus for 
FY2022 and his LTIP granted in FY2020 
with a three year performance period ended 
28 February 2022 lapsed following the end 
of FY2022.

Long-Term Incentives Awarded in FY2022

In June 2021 the Committee made awards to the Executives under the LTIP. Performance 
measures and targets for the FY2022 LTIP awards were determined having regard to 
the uncertain and unprecedented economic environment associated with COVID-19, its 
already significant and disproportionate impact on the business and the industry compared 
to the broader economy and the associated forward looking continued uncertainty. 
The Committee determined that for the FY2022 LTIP, awards would vest subject to 
the satisfaction of performance metrics based on earnings per share, free cash flow 
and an environmental metric to give impetus to the Group’s sustainability agenda and 
decarbonisation efforts, as set out below. 

Executive Remuneration Outcomes 
for FY2022

The vesting of the FY2022 LTIP awards will be subject to an assessment of the Company’s 
underlying financial performance across the three-year performance period FY2022 – 
FY2024. 

Weighting

Measure

Further detail

45%

Earnings 
per share

Threshold (25% vesting)– 22c
Maximum – 27c
By the end of year 3 target range (end of FY2024) rather than 
as a cumulative target. 

35%

Free 
cash flow 
conversion

Threshold (25% vesting) – 65%
Maximum – 75%
By the end of year 3 target range (end of FY2024) rather than 
as a cumulative target. 

20%

Environmental 
target

To reduce Scope 1 emissions and Scope 2 emissions* over 
the three financial years ending with FY2024 as follows:
Threshold (25% vesting) – 6% reduction
Maximum – 12% reduction

*Definitions
Scope 1 – direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, which includes 
emissions from company-owned or operated facilities and vehicles.
Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy e.g. 
electricity, steam, heat and cooling.

No award will vest until the end of the full three-year period, and Executive Directors’ awards 
will then be subject to a further two year holding period.

Salary

As reported last year, Executive Directors’ 
salaries remain unchanged for FY2022. 

FY2022 Bonus

In light of continued market uncertainty, no 
annual bonus targets were set for the first 
half of the financial year. In the second half 
of the financial year, annual bonus targets 
were set for colleagues (excluding Executive 
Directors), however, due to the continuing 
restrictions on the drinks and hospitality 
industry and the impact of this on our 
performance, no annual bonus in respect of 
the year ended 28 February 2022 was able 
to be paid to any employees.

2019 LTIP Awards

The 2019 LTIP granted to Patrick McMahon 
before he joined the Board in July 2020 had 
a three-year vesting period which ended 
on 11 February 2022, with the performance 
conditions assessed over the three financial 
years ended at the end of FY2021. The 
threshold level of performance was not 
achieved and the award lapsed in full. 
Andrea Pozzi’s LTIP granted in FY2020 
with a three year performance period 
ended 28 February 2022 lapsed following 
the end of FY2022 as the threshold level 
of performance was not achieved, as 
explained above. David Forde did not hold 
any awards under the 2019 LTIP. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements118

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report
(continued)

FY2021 LTIP Awards

In the Report for FY2021, we explained that 
the LTIP awards for that year were subject to 
an assessment of the Company’s underlying 
financial performance across the three-year 
performance period FY2021 – FY2023, 
along with three separate performance 
conditions aligned to the Company’s key 
priorities for each of the three years. The 
separate performance condition for FY2021 
was disclosed in the FY2021 report. 

The performance condition for FY2022 is 
based on the Net Debt to EBITDA ratio for 
FY2022 as set out below.

Net Debt to EBITDA ratio

Greater than 4.1x

4.1x1

3.8x1

Vesting

0%

25%

100%

1. Straight line vesting between 4.1x and 3.8x

Details of the FY2023 condition will 
be disclosed in the FY2023 Directors’ 
Remuneration Committee Report.

Implementation of the Remuneration 
Policy in FY2023

Our approach to the implementation of the 
Policy in FY2023 is set out on pages 120 to 
125.

Rights Issue

In June 2021 the Board undertook a 
Rights Issue raising £151.2m to facilitate 
the Group’s recovery from the impact of 
the pandemic and to materially improve 
the Company’s ability to deliver long-term 
value to shareholders through providing the 
Group with the flexibility to take advantage 
of strategic and investment opportunities. 
We thank our shareholders for their support 
in the process.

In accordance with standard practice we 
have adjusted the number of shares subject 
to outstanding share awards and, where 
applicable, the exercise price, to reflect the 
impact of the Rights Issue. 

Governance

The Committee has defined Terms of Reference which can be found in the Investor Centre 
section of the Group’s website. A copy may be obtained from the Company Secretary.

Remuneration Committee Membership and Meeting Attendance

The following Non-Executive Directors served on the Committee during the year:

Member

Helen Pitcher (Chair)

Vineet Bhalla

Jill Caseberry1

Jim Clerkin2

Member since

1 March 2019

27 October 2021

1 March 2019

24 October 2019

Number of Meetings 
Attended

Maximum Possible 
Meetings

13

2

12

10

13

2

13

11

1.  Jill Caseberry was unable to attend the meeting on 16 September 2021 due to a prior engagement. 
2.  Jim Clerkin was unable to attend the meeting on 7 December 2021 due to a prior engagement.

All members of the Committee are and were considered by the Board to be independent. 

Gender Pay Gap Disclosure

In April 2022 we published our latest Gender 
Pay Gap report for those entities with more 
than 250 UK employees, namely, Matthew 
Clark Bibendum Limited and Tennent 
Caledonian Breweries Limited. Details can 
be found on each business’s respective 
website.

We are committed to promoting equality, 
diversity and inclusion as we build a culture 
where everyone can progress. This includes 
ensuring that our colleagues are paid a 
fair and equitable rate for the work they do 
regardless of gender or other differences. 
Going forward we will continue to focus on 
areas that improve our gender pay gap.

Conclusion 

I would like to express my appreciation to 
our shareholders for their continued support 
during FY2022 and ahead of the next AGM. 

Helen Pitcher OBE
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
17 May 2022

The quorum necessary for the transaction 
of business is two, each of whom must be 
a Non-Executive Director. Only members 
of the Committee have the right to attend 
committee meetings, however, during 
the year, the Chair, the Group CEO, the 
Group CFO, the Group Director of Human 
Resources, the interim Group Director 
of Human Resources, members of the 
finance team, HR and ESG teams, along 
with representatives from Clifford Chance 
solicitors and Deloitte, remuneration 
advisers, were invited to attend meetings 
(although never during the discussion of any 
item affecting their own remuneration or 
employment). 

The Company Secretary is Secretary to the 
Committee.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
119

Main Activities in FY2022

•  Approval of the FY2021 bonus and LTIP 

measures;

•  Approval of the Directors’ Remuneration 
Committee Report for the financial year 
ended 28 February 2021;

•  Reviewing and consulting with 

shareholders on the revised Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy and incorporation of 
their feedback, where applicable;
•  Considering the impact of COVID-19 
on the Executive and all employee 
remuneration arrangements, ensuring the 
alignment of executive compensation with 
the wider stakeholder experience;

•  Approval of the FY2022 bonus and LTIP 

measures;

•  Considering the Rights Issue in relation to 

employee share plans;

•  Considering the results and implications 

of the UK gender pay gap report 
and reviewing and commenting on 
recommendations to address the gap and 
challenges faced by the sector;

•  Examining the financial and commercial 
impact for adopting, as a minimum pay 

rate, the real Living Wage (as promulgated 
by The Living Wage Foundation) for all 
employees (rather than the UK’s National 
Living Wage);

•  Commencing a review to evaluate and 

grade each role, leading to the creation of 
a framework for consistent, transparent 
and appropriate compensation and 
benefits group wide;

•  Considering and recommending to 

the Board the terms of Ralph Findlay’s 
appointment as Chair;

•  Considering the remuneration 

arrangements of Executive Committee 
members and senior management; and
•  Considering the FY2023 remuneration 

structure.

External Advisers

The Committee seeks and considers advice 
from independent remuneration advisers 
where appropriate. During the year ended 
28 February 2022, the Committee obtained 
advice from Deloitte LLP. Deloitte’s fees for 
this advice amounted to £14,365 (excluding 

VAT) charged on a time or fixed fee basis. 
Deloitte is one of the founding members 
of the Remuneration Consultants’ Code of 
Conduct and adheres to this Code in its 
dealings. The Committee is satisfied that 
the advice provided by Deloitte is objective 
and independent. The Committee is 
comfortable that the Deloitte engagement 
team that provide remuneration advice to 
the Committee do not have connections 
with the Company that may impair their 
independence.

Committee Evaluation

The evaluation of the Committee was 
completed as part of the 2022 internal 
board evaluation process. An explanation 
of how this process was conducted, the 
conclusions arising from it and the action 
items identified are set out on page 98. 
The Committee has considered this in the 
context of the matters that are applicable to 
the Committee.

Remuneration at a glance 

Remuneration Outcomes as at 28 February 2022

Element

Base salary as at 28 February 2022 – as set out in last year’s Report, no changes were made 
to Executive Directors’ salaries for FY2022

Pension (% of base salary)

Benefits

Annual Bonus

LTIP (% of max)

1  As noted above, neither Executive Director was eligible to earn a bonus in respect of FY2022.
2  Neither David Forde nor Patrick McMahon had an LTIP capable of vesting by reference to performance in FY2022.

David Forde Patrick McMahon

€690,000

€420,000

5%

5%

7.5%

7.5%

N/A1

N/A1

N/A2

N/A2

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements120

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report
(continued)

Remuneration Policy

Introduction

The current Remuneration Policy for Directors was approved at the 2021 AGM. As no changes to the Policy are proposed this year, the 
Policy will not be subject to a vote at the 2022 AGM. Therefore, we have not included the full Policy in this report, but have included those 
parts that we think shareholders will find most useful; the full Policy is included in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 28 
February 2021, which is available on the Company’s website at www.candcgroup.com.

Policy Table 

Executive Directors
The table below sets out the Company’s Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors.

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

Salary

Reflects the 
individual’s role, 
experience and 
contribution.
Set at levels to 
attract, recruit and 
retain Directors of the 
necessary calibre.

Salaries are set by the Committee taking 
into account factors including, but not 
limited to:
•  scope and responsibilities of the role; 
•  experience and individual 

performance; 

•  overall business performance;
•  prevailing market conditions;
•  pay in comparable companies; and
•  overall risk of non-retention.

Typically, salaries are reviewed annually, 
with any changes normally taking effect 
from 1 March.

None.

While there is no prescribed 
formulaic maximum, any 
increases will take into account 
the outcome of pay reviews 
for employees as a whole. 
Larger increases may be 
awarded where the Committee 
considers it appropriate to 
reflect, for example:
increases or changes in scope 
and responsibility;
to reflect the Executive 
Directors’ development and 
performance in the role; or
alignment to market level.
Increases may be implemented 
over such time period as 
the Committee determines 
appropriate. 

Benefits/cash allowance in lieu

Ensures that benefits 
are sufficient to recruit 
and retain individuals 
of the necessary 
calibre.

The Group seeks to bring transparency 
to Directors’ reward structures through 
the use of cash allowances in place of 
benefits in kind. The cash allowance 
can be applied to benefits such as 
a company car and health benefits. 
Group benefits such as death in service 
insurance are also made available. 
Other benefits may be provided based 
on individual circumstances including 
housing or relocation allowances, travel 
allowance or other expatriate benefits. 
Benefits and allowances are reviewed 
alongside salary.

There is no prescribed 
maximum monetary value of 
benefits.

None.

Benefit provision is set at a 
level which the Committee 
considers appropriate against 
the market and relative to 
internal benefit provision in 
the Group and which provides 
sufficient level of benefit based 
on individual circumstances.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022121

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

Pension/cash allowance in lieu

Contributes towards 
funding later life cost 
of living.

Annual bonus

Motivates employees 
and incentivises 
delivery of annual 
performance targets 
which support the 
strategic direction of 
the Company.

Executive Directors may participate in 
the Company’s defined contribution 
pension scheme or take a cash 
allowance in lieu of pension entitlement 
(or a combination thereof). 

A contribution and/or cash 
allowance not exceeding the 
level available to the majority of 
the Group’s workforce. 

None.

Bonus levels are determined after the 
year end based on performance against 
targets set by the Committee.

Maximum opportunity is 125% 
of base salary.

The Committee has discretion to 
vary the bonus pay out should any 
formulaic output not reflect the 
Committee’s assessment of overall 
business performance, or if the 
Committee considers the pay-out to 
be inappropriate in the context of other 
relevant factors including to avoid 
outcomes which could be seen as 
contrary to shareholder expectations. 

Up to 50% of any bonus earned will 
ordinarily be paid in cash with the 
remainder deferred into shares, for up to 
three years. 

Additional shares may be delivered in 
respect of deferred bonus award shares 
to reflect dividends over the deferral 
period. The number of additional 
shares may be calculated assuming the 
reinvestment of dividends on such basis 
as the Committee determines.

Malus and clawback provisions will 
apply to the annual bonus. See the 
“Malus and clawback” section below for 
more details.

Performance is ordinarily 
measured over the financial 
year. The Committee has 
flexibility to set performance 
measures and targets annually, 
reflecting the Company’s 
strategy and aligned with key 
financial, operational, strategic 
and/or individual objectives.

The majority of the bonus 
will be based on financial 
measures, such as profit and 
cash. The balance of the bonus 
will be based on financial or 
strategic targets such as brand 
equity and our ESG goals.

In the case of financial 
measures, 25% of the bonus 
will be earned for threshold 
performance increasing to 
50% for on-target performance 
and 100% for maximum 
performance. 

For non-financial measures, the 
amount of bonus earned will be 
determined by the Committee 
between 0% and 100% by 
reference to its assessment of 
the extent to which the relevant 
metric or objective has been 
met.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements122

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report
(continued)

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

LTIP

Incentivises Executive 
Directors to execute 
the Group’s business 
strategy over the 
longer term and aligns 
their interests with 
those of shareholders 
to achieve a 
sustained increase in 
shareholder value.

Awards may be made up to 
150% of salary in respect of 
any financial year.

In exceptional circumstances 
the maximum award is 300% 
of salary in respect of any 
financial year.

Vesting is based on the 
achievement of challenging 
performance targets measured 
over a period of three years.

Performance may be assessed 
against financial measures 
(including, but not limited to, 
EPS and Cash Conversion) 
and operational or strategic 
measures (which may include 
ESG measures) aligned with 
the Company’s strategy, 
provided that at least 75% of 
the award is based on financial 
measures.

For the achievement of 
threshold performance against 
a financial measure, no more 
than 25% of the award will 
vest, rising, ordinarily on a 
straight-line basis, to 100% for 
maximum performance; below 
threshold performance, none of 
the award will vest.

For non-financial measures, 
the amount of the award that 
vests will be determined by 
the Committee between 0% 
and 100% by reference to its 
assessment of the extent to 
which the relevant metric or 
objective has been met.

Awards are made in the form of nil-cost 
options or conditional share awards, the 
vesting of which is conditional on the 
achievement of performance targets (as 
determined by the Committee).

Vested awards must be held for a further 
two year period before sale of the shares 
(other than to pay tax). This holding period 
can be operated on the basis that:
•  awards vest following the assessment 

of the applicable performance 
conditions but will not be released (so 
that the participant is entitled to acquire 
shares) until the end of a holding period 
of two years beginning on the vesting 
date; or

•  the participant is entitled to acquire 
shares following the assessment of 
the applicable performance conditions 
but that (other than as regards sales 
to cover tax liabilities) the award is not 
released (so that the participant is able 
to dispose of those shares) until the end 
of the holding period.

The Committee retains discretion to adjust 
the outturn of an LTIP award, including 
to override the formulaic outcome of the 
award, in the event that performance 
against targets does not properly reflect 
the underlying performance of the 
Company, or if the Committee considers 
the pay-out to be inappropriate in the 
context of other relevant factors including 
to avoid outcomes which could be seen 
as contrary to shareholder expectations. 

Additional shares may be delivered in 
respect of vested LTIP award shares to 
reflect dividends over the vesting period 
and, if relevant, the holding period. The 
number of additional shares may be 
calculated assuming the reinvestment 
of dividends on such basis as the 
Committee determines.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022123

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

Share-based rewards – all-employee plans

No performance conditions 
would usually be required in 
tax-advantaged plans.

Align the interests of 
eligible employees 
with those of 
shareholders through 
share ownership.

The C&C Profit Sharing Scheme is an 
all-employee share scheme and has two 
parts.

Part A relates to employees in Ireland  
and has been approved by the Irish 
Revenue Commissioners (‘the Irish 
APSS’). Part B relates to employees 
in the UK and is a HMRC qualifying 
plan of free, partnership, matching or 
dividend shares (or cash dividends) with 
a minimum three year vesting period 
for matching shares (‘the UK SIP’). UK 
resident Executive Directors are eligible 
to participate in Part B only.

There is currently no equivalent plan for 
Directors resident outside of Ireland or 
the UK.

Under the Company’s 
Irish APSS, the maximum 
value of shares that may be 
allocated each year is as 
permitted in accordance with 
the relevant tax legislation 
(currently €12,700, which 
is the combined value for 
the employer funded and 
employee foregone elements).

Under the Company’s UK SIP 
the current maximum value of 
partnership shares that may be 
acquired is £750 per annum, 
with an entitlement to matching 
shares of £750 per annum. 
However, the Committee 
reserves the right to increase 
the maximum to the statutory 
limits (being £1,800 in respect 
of partnership shares, £3,600 
in respect of matching shares 
and £3,600 in respect of 
free shares, or in any case 
such greater limit as may be 
specified by the tax legislation 
from time to time).

Shareholding guidelines

In-service requirement
Executive Directors are required to build and maintain a personal shareholding of at least two times’ salary. 

Executive Directors are required to retain 50% of the after tax value of vested share awards until the shareholding guideline is met. 

Shares subject to awards which have vested but which remain unexercised, shares subject to LTIP awards which have vested but not been 
released (i.e. which are in a holding period) and shares subject to deferred bonus awards count towards the shareholding requirement on a 
net of assumed tax basis. 

Post-employment requirement
The Committee has adopted a post-employment requirement. Shares are subject to this requirement only if they are acquired from LTIP or 
deferred bonus awards granted after 1 March 2021. For the first year after employment the Executive Director is required to retain such of 
those shares as have a value equal to the “in-service” guideline, or their actual shareholding, if lower, and for a further year such of those 
shares as have a value equal to half of the “in-service” guideline or their actual shareholding, if lower.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements124

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report
(continued)

Explanation of performance measures

Performance measures for the LTIP and annual bonus are selected by the Committee to reflect the Company’s strategy. In the case of both 
the annual bonus and the LTIP, the majority of the award (at least 75% in the case of the LTIP) will be based on financial measures, with any 
balance based on operational or strategic measures which reward the Executive Directors by reference to the achievement of objectives 
aligned with future successful implementation of the Company’s strategy. The Committee has discretion to set performance measures 
(and weightings where there is more than one measure) on an annual basis to take account of the prevailing circumstances. Measures and 
weightings may vary depending upon an Executive Director’s area of responsibility. 

Targets are set annually by the Committee having regard to the circumstances at the time and taking into account a number of different 
factors. 

To the extent provided for in accordance with any relevant amendment power under the rules of the share plans or in the terms of any 
performance condition, the Committee may alter the performance conditions relating to an award or option already granted if an event 
occurs (such as a material acquisition or divestment or unexpected event) which the Committee reasonably considers means that the 
performance conditions would not, without alteration, achieve their original purpose. The Committee will act fairly and reasonably in making 
the alteration so that the performance conditions achieve their original purpose and the thresholds remain as challenging as originally 
imposed. The Committee will explain and disclose any such alteration in the next remuneration report.

Malus and clawback

In line with the UK Corporate Governance Code, malus and clawback provisions apply to all elements of performance-based variable 
remuneration (i.e. annual bonus and LTIP) for the Executive Directors. The circumstances in which malus and clawback will be applied are 
if there has been in the opinion of the Committee a material mis-statement of the Group’s published accounts, material corporate failure, 
significant reputational damage, error in assessing a performance condition, or the Committee reasonably determines that a participant has 
been guilty of gross misconduct. The clawback provisions will apply for a period of two years following the end of the performance period; in 
the case of any deferred bonus award or LTIP award which is not released until the end of a holding period, clawback may be implemented 
by cancelling the award before it vests/is released. 

Executive Directors 
Service Contracts 
Details of the service contracts of the Executive Directors in office during the year are as follows: 

Name

David Forde

Patrick McMahon

Andrea Pozzi*

Contract date

2 November 2020

8 July 2020

31 May 2017

Notice period

12 months

12 months

12 months

*Andrea Pozzi stepped down from the Board on 1 September 2021.

Unexpired term of contract

n/a

n/a

n/a

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022125

Non-Executive Directors
The table below sets out the Company’s Remuneration Policy for Non-Executive Directors. 

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics

Fees are based on the level 
of fees paid to Non-Executive 
Directors serving on Boards of 
similar-sized listed companies 
and the time commitment and 
contribution expected for the 
role.

The Articles of Association 
provide that the ordinary 
remuneration of Directors (i.e. 
Directors’ fees, not including 
executive remuneration) shall 
not exceed a fixed amount 
or such other amount as 
determined by an ordinary 
resolution of the Company. 
The current limit was set at the 
Annual General Meeting held in 
2013, when it was increased to 
€1.0 million in aggregate.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable

Non-Executive Director fees

Attract and retain high calibre 
individuals with appropriate 
knowledge and experience

Additional Fees

Provide compensation to Non-
Executive Directors taking on 
additional responsibility

Shareholding Guidelines

Provide alignment of interest 
between Non-Executive 
Directors and shareholders

Fees paid to Non-Executive Directors are 
determined and approved by the Board as 
a whole. The Committee recommends the 
remuneration of the Chair to the Board.

Fees are reviewed from time to time and 
adjusted to reflect market positioning and 
any change in responsibilities.

Non-Executive Directors are not eligible 
to participate in the annual bonus plan or 
share-based plans and, save as noted 
below, do not receive any benefits (including 
pension) other than fees in respect of their 
services to the Company.

Non-Executive Directors may be eligible to 
receive certain benefits as appropriate such 
as the use of secretarial support, travel costs 
or other benefits that may be appropriate. 
If tax is payable in respect of any benefit 
provided, the Company may make a further 
payment to cover the tax liability.  

Non-Executive Directors receive a basic fee 
and an additional fee for further duties (for 
example chairship of a committee or Senior 
Independent Director responsibilities) or time 
commitments.

Non-Executive Directors build up their 
individual shareholding to 50% of their annual 
base fee within 3 years of their appointment 
or within 3 years from the date of approval of 
the Remuneration Policy, if later.

An annual review against the guidelines is 
put in place, after Q4, which would allow 
25% of the fee to be invested into stock if the 
current holding does not meet 50% of the 
annual base fee. The fee and the share price 
on the date of the fourth fee payment of the 
year is the test of whether the guideline is 
met. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements126

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report
(continued)

Letters of appointment

Each of the Non-Executive Directors in office at 28 February 2022 was appointed by way of a letter of appointment. Each appointment was 
for an initial term of three years, renewable by agreement (but now subject to annual re-election by the members in General Meeting). The 
letters of appointment are dated as follows:

Non-Executive Director

Stewart Gilliland

Vineet Bhalla

Jill Caseberry

Vincent Crowley

Ralph Findlay

Emer Finnan

Helen Pitcher

Jim Thompson

Date of letter of appointment

17 April 2012 (Chair)

26 April 2021

7 February 2019

23 November 2015

16 September 2021

4 April 2014

7 February 2019

7 February 2019

The letters of appointment are each agreed to be terminable by either party on one month’s notice and do not contain any pre-determined 
compensation payments in the event of termination of office or employment. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022127

Annual Remuneration Report 

Remuneration in detail for the Year ended 28 February 2022 

Directors’ Remuneration (Audited)

The following table sets out the total remuneration for directors for the year ended 28 February 2022 and the prior year. 

Single Total Figure of Remuneration – Executive Directors (Audited)

The table below reports the total remuneration receivable in respect of qualifying services by each Executive Director during the year ended 
28 February 2022 and the prior year.

Year ended February

2022

2021

2022

2021

2022

2021

2022

2021

2022

2021

2022

2021

2022

2021

2022

Salary/fees
 (a)

Taxable benefits 
(b)

Annual bonus
(c)

Long term
incentives  

Pension related 
benefits  

(d)

(e)

Termination 
payments
(f)

Miscellaneous
(g)

Total

2021

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

Executive Directors

David Forde

Patrick McMahon

Andrea Pozzi1

Jonathan Solesbury2

Total

690

420

188

-

230

255

311 

137 

1298

933

52

33

14

-

99

17

19

27 

13 

76 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

- 

34

21

38

-

12

13

90 

48 

93

163 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 

641 

641 

-  1,472

776 1,731

-

-

-

-

-

37

474

240

-

287

428 

876 

- 1,509 1,490 3,322 

The remuneration for Jonathan Solesbury and Andrea Pozzi was translated from Sterling using the average exchange rate for the relevant year. For Executive Directors who joined or 
left in the year, salary, taxable benefits, annual bonus, long term Incentives and pension relates to the period in which they served as an Executive Director.

1.   Figures for Andrea Pozzi are to 1 September 2021 (the date he left the Board).
2.   Figures for Jonathan Solesbury are to 23 July 2020 (the date he left the Board) plus certain payments made to him in connection with the cessation of his employment on 31 

August 2020 (as further described on page 125 in the 2021 Annual Report).

Details on the valuation methodologies applied are set out in Notes (a) to (g) below. The valuation methodologies are as required by the 
Regulations and are different from those applied within the financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

Notes to Directors’ Remuneration Table 

(a) Salaries and fees
The amounts shown are the amounts earned in respect of the financial year. 

(b) Taxable benefits
The Executive Directors received a cash allowance of 7.5% of base salary. The Group provided death-in-service cover of four times annual 
base salary and permanent health insurance (or reimbursement of premiums paid into a personal policy). 

Patrick McMahon elected to participate in the Irish APSS during the year, an “all employee plan” for employees in Ireland.  Under that plan, 
the Company awarded a number of “free” shares in connection with his purchase of “contributory” shares, as permitted by the legislation.  
The value of those shares at the date of the awards has been included in the taxable benefit column (€1,728). For more details on the Profit 
Sharing Scheme, please see page 123.

(c) Annual bonus
No bonus scheme was implemented in FY2022 for Executive Directors due to the unpredictability of COVID-19.

(d) Long term incentives
1. The amounts shown in respect of long-term incentives are the values of awards where final vesting is determined as a result of the 
achievement of performance measures or targets relating to the financial year and is not subject to achievement of further measures or 
targets in future financial years. 
2. The awards granted in May 2019 under the LTIP were subject to the performance conditions set out below. The threshold level of 
performance was not achieved and the awards lapsed in full subsequent to the year end. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements128

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report
(continued)

LTIP Performance Conditions

Performance condition
Compound annual growth in Underlying EPS over the three year  
performance period FY2020, FY2021 and FY2022

Threshold

Maximum

Free cash flow Conversion

Threshold

Maximum

Return on Capital Employed

Threshold

Maximum

Weighting

Performance 
target

% of element 
vesting

33%

33%

33%

3%

8%

65%

75%

9.3%

10%

25%

100%

25%

100%

25%

100%

(e) Pensions related benefits
No Executive Director accrued any benefits under a defined benefit pension scheme. Under their service contracts, the Group’s current 
Executive Directors received a cash payment of 5% of base salary in order to provide their own pension benefits as disclosed in column (e) 
of the table. Andrea Pozzi’s pension provision reflects his legacy arrangements as described in the FY2021 Directors’ Remuneration Report.

(f) Termination payments
Jonathan Solesbury retired from the Board as Group Chief Financial Officer on 23 July 2020 and left the business on 31 August 2020. 
Payments made to him after 23 July 2020 were included in the FY2021 Report.

(g) Miscellaneous
The miscellaneous payments were described in the FY2021 Report. 

Additional Information

Fees from external appointments
None

Payments to Former Directors and Payments for Loss of Office
There were no payments to former Directors or payments for loss of office in FY2022 other than payments made to Andrea Pozzi in 
connection with his ongoing employment by the Group following his stepping down from the Board with effect from 1 September 2021. 

Directors’ Shareholdings and Share Interests 

Shareholding guidelines
Executive Directors are required to build up (and maintain) a minimum holding of shares in the Company. Under the Policy, the Executive 
Directors are expected to maintain a personal shareholding of at least two times’ salary, 

Executive Directors are expected to retain 50% of the after tax value of vested share awards until at least the shareholding guideline has 
been met. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022129

Executive Directors’ Interests in Share Capital of the Company (Audited)
The beneficial interests, including family interests, of the Directors and the Company Secretary in office at 28 February 2022 in the share 
capital of the Company are detailed below:

Directors

David Forde

Patrick McMahon

Total 

28 February 2022
Total

1 March 2021
Total

48,092

87,939

136,031

-

52,473

52,473

The Executive Directors' progress towards satisfying the shareholding requirements is shown in the table below:

Director

David Forde

Patrick McMahon

Shareholding

48,092

87,939

Target value

€1,380,000

€840,000

Value as at 28 February 2022*

€121,453

€222,084

* The value is based on the number of shares multiplied by the closing share price on 28 February 2022, converted into Euro using a FX rate of 0.8355, being £2.11 (€2.53).

Company Secretary

Mark Chilton *

28 February 2022
Total

1 March 2021
Total

22,693

18,005

* Mark Chilton elected to participate in the UK SIP during the year, pursuant to which he was granted a number of matching shares, as permitted by the legislation.

Between 28 February 2022 and 12 May 2022, being the latest practicable date, Patrick McMahon acquired 242 shares under the Irish APSS. 
There were no other changes in the above Directors’ or the Company Secretary’s interests between these dates.

For more details on the Profit Sharing Scheme, please see page 123.

The Directors and Company Secretary have no beneficial interests in any Group subsidiary or joint venture undertakings.

Share incentive plan interests awarded during year (Audited)

LTIP
The table below sets out the plan interests awarded to Executive Directors during the year ended 28 February 2022. Awards granted under 
the LTIP are subject to performance conditions as set out on page 117 measured over a performance period ending at the end of February 
2024.

Executive Director
David Forde

Type of award 
LTIP

Patrick McMahon

Andrea Pozzi

LTIP

LTIP

Maximum opportunity
150% of base salary

150% of base salary

150% of base salary

Number of shares
377,953

230,058

204,910

Face value
(at date of grant in Euros)2
1,035,000

% of maximum opportunity 
vesting at threshold
25%

630,000

561,000

25%

25%

1.  The LTIP awards were granted on 15 June 2021 in the form of nil cost options over €0.01 ordinary shares in the Company.  
2.  The face value of LTIP awards is based on the number of shares under award multiplied by the closing share price on 14 June 2021 (being the day before the date of grant) 

converted into Euro, being £2.352 (€2.738). 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements130

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report
(continued)

Directors’ Interests in Options (Audited)

Interests in options over ordinary shares of €0.01 each in the Company

Directors
David Forde

Exercise 
Date of  
price
grant
€0.00
3/11/20
€0.00
3/11/20
2/12/20
€0.00
15/06/21 €0.00

Exercise period

Plan
Buy-out 11 3/11/22-3/11/30
Buy-out 21 3/11/23-3/11/30
LTIP
LTIP

Patrick McMahon 11/02/19 €0.00
2/12/20
€0.00
15/06/21 €0.00

LTIP
LTIP
LTIP

Mark Chilton

11/02/19 €0.00
16/06/21 €0.00

LTIP 
R&R

Total at 
1 March 2021
Awarded 
(or date of 
in year
appointment if later)
28,3092
421,318
28,3092
421,318
24,4152
363,357
377,953
-
1,205,993 458,986
-
14,8612
- 230,058
244,919
-
48,894
48,894

345,968
86,334
-
86,334

124,794
221,174

Exercised 
in year
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Lapsed in 
year

Total at 
28 February 
2022
- 449,627
- 449,627
387,772
-
-
377,953
- 1,664,979
-
- 236,035
- 230,058
(124,794) 466,093
-
(86,334)
-
-
48,894
(86,334)

(124,794)

2/12/23 – 2/12/30
15/06/24 – 15/06/31
Total
11/02/22 – 28/02/29
2/12/23 – 2/12/30
15/06/24 – 15/06/31
Total
11/02/22 – 10/2/29
16/06/22 – 16/06/28
Total

Key: LTIP – Long Term Incentive Plan approved in 2015; 
1.  During FY2021, David Forde was granted awards (“Buy-Out Awards”) to replace remuneration forfeited upon his departure from his former employer. The Buy-Out Awards were 

granted in the form of nil cost options over €0.01 ordinary shares in the Company. The number of shares under award was determined by reference to the value of the forfeited 
remuneration.    

2.  The awards granted on 3 November 2020 and 2 December 2020 were adjusted in the year to reflect the impact of the Rights Issue in line with standard practice. The adjustment 

is shown as an additional number of shares “Awarded in year”.

No price was paid for any award of options. The price of the Company’s ordinary shares as quoted on the London Stock Exchange at 
the close of business on 28 February 2022 was £2.11 (26 February 2021 (being the last working day): £2.58). The price of the Company’s 
ordinary shares ranged between £2.03 and £2.98 during the year.

There was no movement in the interests of the Directors in options over the Company ordinary shares between 28 February 2022 and 17 
May 2022.

Single Total Figure of Remuneration – Non-Executive Directors (Audited)

The table below reports the total fees receivable in respect of qualifying services by each Non-Executive Director during the year ended 28 
February 2022 and the prior year. Stewart Gilliland was interim Executive Chair from 15 January 2020 until 2 November 2020, at which point 
he reverted to his role as Non-Executive Chair; given his role, his remuneration for the whole year is included in the following Single Total 
Figure of Remuneration Table.

Each Non-Executive Director agreed to waive their fees for the year in relation to their services on Stakeholder Engagement in FY2021 due 
to the outbreak of COVID-19. Fees are the only element of the Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration in FY2021. 

Year ended February

Non-Executive Directors
Vineet Bhalla1
Jill Caseberry
Jim Clerkin2
Vincent Crowley3
Emer Finnan3
Stewart Gilliland4
Helen Pitcher
Jim Thompson
Total

Salary/fees
2022
€’000

54
75
46
121
126
230
93
90
                 835

2021
€’000

-
64
61
80
84
377
82
71
819

1.  Vineet Bhalla was appointed to the Board on 26 April 2021.
2.  Jim Clerkin left the Board on 27 October 2021.
3.  An additional fee of €32,500 was paid to Vincent Crowley and Emer Finnan to reflect the significant additional time given to assisting the business on a number of projects 

particularly in relation to the Rights Issue. This included but was not limited to the preparation for and attendance at 15 additional sub-committee meetings.

4.   The fees paid to Stewart Gilliland for the year ending 28 February 2021 reflect his appointment as Interim Executive Chair from 16 January 2020 until 2 November 2020. The fee 

paid to Stewart Gilliland for the year ending 28 February 2022 reflect his appointment as Non-Executive Chair.  

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
131

Fees 
€

230,000

65,000

15,000

25,000

20,000

20,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

3,000

3,000

5,000

Fees paid to Non-Executive Directors are determined and approved by the Board as a whole. The Committee recommends the 
remuneration of the Chair to the Board.

Fees are reviewed from time to time and adjusted to reflect market positioning and any change in responsibilities.

Non-Executive Directors receive a base fee and an additional fee for further duties as set out on in the following table:

Non-Executive Role / Position

Non-Executive Chair

Base fee

Senior Independent Director

Audit Committee Chair

Remuneration Committee Chair

ESG Committee Chair

Audit Committee member

ESG Committee member

Remuneration Committee member

Nomination Committee member

Stakeholder engagement - one segment of business 

Stakeholder engagement - two segments of business

Shareholding guidelines

Non-Executive Directors are required to build up (and maintain) a minimum holding of shares in the Company of at least 50% of their base 
fee, within three years of their appointment or within 3 years of the date approval of the 2021 Policy, if later. 

Non-Executive Directors’ Interests in Share Capital of the Company (Audited)
The beneficial interests, including family interests, of the Non-Executive Directors in office at 28 February 2022 in the share capital of the 
Company are detailed below:

Directors

Vineet Bhalla

Jill Caseberry

Vincent Crowley

Emer Finnan

Stewart Gilliland

Helen Pitcher

Jim Thompson

Total 

28 February 2022
(or date of 
retirement from 
the board if 
earlier)
Total

1 March 2021
(or date of 
appointment  

if later)
Total

10,000

6,304

25,216

10,028

-

5,000

20,000

7,954

166,089

129,165

8,015

157,780

383,432

-

157,780

319,899

There were no changes in the above Non-Executive Directors’ share interests between 28 February 2022 and 17 May 2022.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements132

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report
(continued)

Performance graph and table 

Total shareholder return

300

250

200

150

100

50

Feb 2012

Feb 2013

Feb 2014

Feb 2015

Feb 2016

Feb 2017

Feb 2018

Feb 2019

Feb 2020

Feb 2021

Feb 2022

C&C Group

FTSE 250 Index

This graph shows the value, at 28 February 2022, of £100 invested in the Company on 28 February 2012 compared to the value of £100 
invested in the FTSE 250 Index. The Company became a member of the FTSE 250 Index on the London Stock Exchange on 23 December 
2019 and the Committee believes that this is the most appropriate index against which to compare the performance of the Company (prior 
to this the Company had its primary listing on the Irish Stock Exchange).

Chief Executive Officer 

The following table sets out information on the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer for the ten years to 28 February 2022: 

FY2013

Stephen Glancey

FY2014

Stephen Glancey

FY2015

Stephen Glancey

FY2016

Stephen Glancey

FY2017

Stephen Glancey

FY2018

Stephen Glancey

FY2019  Stephen Glancey

FY2020 Stephen Glancey (to 15/01/20)

FY2020 Stewart Gilliland (from 16/01/20) 

FY2021

Stewart Gilliland (to 02/11/20)

FY2021 David Forde (from 02/11/20)

FY2022 David Forde

Total Remuneration
€’000

Annual Bonus
(as % of maximum
opportunity)

Long term incentives 
vesting
(as % of maximum 
number of shares) 

1,321

1,152

980

1,230

1,052

994

1,777

2,219

71

301

1,731

776

Nil

18.75%

Nil

25%

Nil

18%

100%

25%

N/A

N/A

Nil

Nil

100%

 7%

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

100%

N/A

N/A

Nil

Nil

The amounts set out in the above table were translated from Sterling based on the average exchange rate for the relevant year.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
133

FY2020 and FY2021: Stephen Glancey retired as Group Chief Executive Officer on 15 January 2020 and Stewart Gilliland was appointed 
Interim Executive Chair from 16 January 2020 until 2 November 2020 when David Forde was appointed Chief Executive Officer. The salary, 
taxable benefits, annual bonus, long term incentives and pension figures are calculated for the period in office.

Total remuneration for David Forde in FY2021 includes the Buy-Out awards granted to compensate him for remuneration forfeited to join 
C&C as referred to in the FY2021 Report.

Ratio of the pay of the CEO to that of the UK lower quartile, median and upper quartile employees

The table below shows the ratio of the pay of the CEO to that of the UK lower quartile, median and upper quartile full-time equivalent 
employees in FY2020, FY2021 and FY2022. For the wider workforce, the value of benefits provided in the year has not been included as the 
data is not readily available. In the view of the Company, this does not have a meaningful impact on the pay ratios. 

Figures for earlier years are presented on the same basis as in the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the prior year. 

The UK regulations provide three methods for the calculation of the CEO Pay Ratio, A, B and C with Option A (modified) being the preferred 
method as it is the most statistically accurate one. Remuneration for other employees for the purposes of the calculation is for the financial 
year FY2022. In calculating the ratio, the Company determined full time equivalent annual remuneration for UK employees, employed in 
the business as at 28 February 2022. Set out below is the remuneration and salary component of that remuneration for the CEO and for 
employees in the 25th, 50th (median) and 75th quartiles.

Year

2020

2021

2022

Salary Only Ratios

Year

2020

2021

2022

CEO total remuneration 
(salary) €

25th percentile employee 
remuneration 
(salary) €

Median employee remuneration 
(salary) €

75th percentile employee 
remuneration 
(salary) €

2,218,941
697,964

2,031,946
531,161

776,250
690,000

Method

Option A

Option A

Option A

26,146
24,080

23,465
22,146

26,759
25,281

32,257
30,024

29,667
27,894

34,125
31,511

45,075
39,232

42,290
38,358

45,338
41,613

25th percentile ratio

Median ratio

75th percentile ratio

29.0:1

24.0:1

27.3:1

23.2:1

19.0:1

21.9:1

17.8:1

13.8:1

16.6:1

Total Remuneration Ratios

Year

2020

2021

2022

Method

Option A

Option A

Option A

25th percentile ratio

Median ratio

75th percentile ratio

84.9:1

86.6:1

29.0:1

68.8:1

68.5:1

22.7:1

49.2:1

48.0:1

17.1:1

The Company believes that the median pay ratio for FY2022 is consistent with the pay, reward and progression policies for the UK 
employees. The change in the ratios between FY2021 and FY2022 are attributable to a number of factors including the FY2021 CEO 
remuneration being the aggregate of the Executive Chair’s and CEO’s remuneration and a significant proportion of employees being placed 
on furlough during FY2021, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements134

Directors’ Remuneration Committee Report
(continued)

Annual Percentage Change in Remuneration of Directors and Employees

The table below reports the annual percentage change in salary/fees and bonus of the Directors and employees between FY2020 and 
FY2022 in accordance with the UK Regulations. The UK Regulations also require that this disclosure be included in relation to benefits 
however due to the difficulty in obtaining this data, we have decided not to include benefits for the purpose of the calculation, consistent with 
our approach to the CEO Pay Ratio. The “average employee” disclosure shows the average percentage change in the same remuneration 
over the same period in respect of the Company’s UK full time equivalent employees, by reported numbers. We have used the Company’s 
UK full time equivalent employees as the comparator group for consistency with the approach to the CEO Pay Ratio calculation.

The average employee change has been calculated by reference to the mean of employee pay.  Vineet Bhalla was appointed to the Board 
during FY2022 and, accordingly, has been excluded from the table below. Andrea Pozzi and Jim Clerkin left the Board during FY2022 and, 
accordingly, have been excluded from the table below.

Salary/
Fees

Annual 
Bonus

FY2020 – 
FY20211,2

FY2021 – 
FY2022

FY2020 – 
FY2021

FY2021 – 
FY2022

Average 
Employee

(4.2%)

David 
Forde4

N/A

Patrick 
McMahon4

Stewart  
Gilliland3

Jill  
Caseberry

N/A

35.6%

(7.2%)

Vincent  
Crowley5

(7.0%)

Emer  
Finnan5

Helen  
Pitcher

Jim  
Thompson

(8.7%)

(3.5%)

2.9%

1.6%

0.0%

0.0%

(38.9%)

17.2%

50.6%

49.4%

13.4%

26.8%

N/A

N/A

0.6%

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

1.  Due to the impact of COVID-19, a significant proportion of employees were placed on furlough during FY2021, resulting in a reduction in the salaries they earned.
2.  Each Director took a voluntary reduction in salary in FY2021 due to the impact of COVID-19 which had an impact on the fees given for additional services. Jim Thompson’s fee 

increased during FY2021 due to his appointment as Chair of the ESG Committee in September 2020. 

3.   The increase in Stewart Gilliland’s salary/fee between FY2020 and FY2021 was not attributable to an increase in the remuneration paid for a role, but rather a change in role. 
Stewart was interim Executive Chair until 2 November 2020 when David Forde was appointed Chief Executive Officer, at which point Stewart reverted back to his position as 
Non-Executive Chair. Similarly, the decrease in Stewart Gilliland’s salary/fee between FY2021 and FY2022 was not attributable to a decrease in the remuneration paid for a role, 
but rather the change in role as outlined above. 

4.  Each of David Forde and Patrick McMahon was appointed to the board during FY2021. For the purposes of the table above, their salary earned as a Director during that year has 

been annualised to determine the percentage change between FY2021 and FY2022. No bonus was earned by either Director in respect of FY2021 or FY2022.

5.  An additional fee of €32,500 was paid to Vincent Crowley and Emer Finnan in FY2022 to reflect the significant additional time given to assisting the business on a number of 

projects particularly in relation to the Rights Issue.

Implementation of the Remuneration Policy in FY2023

Based on the continuation of the existing approach, the Committee intends to take the following approach to the implementation of the 
Policy for FY2023: 

Salary

In line with the wider workforce, the Committee has agreed that executive salaries will increase by 3.5%.

Annual Bonus

The maximum opportunity will continue to be 100% of base salary. The operation of the annual bonus will continue broadly unchanged, 
reverting back to being based on full year targets, with 75% of the metrics for any bonus will be based on financial measures and the 
remainder on non-financial or strategic goals, including ESG measures. 

Long-Term Incentives

The current intention is that awards of LTIPs will be made in late May / early June 2022. The Committee has yet to determine the 
performance measures, which may include EPS, free cash flow and return on capital employed along with an ESG based measure (with 
financial measures accounting for at least 75% of the awards). The Committee has determined that before the measures are set, it should 
review the first quarter’s trading and the latest assessment of any continuing measures to control the pandemic. The measures will be 
confirmed in the regulatory announcement when the awards are made.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022135

Non-Executive Directors

Following a review, the Board has agreed that non-executive base fees will increase by 3.1% in FY2023.

Chair Fee 

On 16 September 2021, we announced the appointment of Ralph Findlay as a director and Chair designate. Ralph Findlay joined the Board 
on 1 March 2022 as a Non-Executive Director and will succeed Stewart Gilliland as Chair following the 2022 AGM. As a Non-Executive 
Director, Ralph Findlay receives a fee of €65,000, which takes account of the 3.1% increase as explained above, and on his appointment as 
Chair will receive a fee of €250,000, which is slightly higher than that paid to Stewart Gilliland, but takes into account that the chair fee had 
not increased for ten years.

Shareholder Voting at 2021 Annual General Meeting

The following table sets out the votes at our most recent AGM in respect of the Report and the Policy.

Directors’ Remuneration Report

AGM

2021

For

279,246,638

Against

8,817,526

Directors’ Remuneration Policy

AGM

2021

For

273,330,524

Against

14,729,936

Withheld

4,316

Withheld

4,153

The Company is committed to ongoing shareholder dialogue and takes shareholder views into consideration when formulating remuneration 
policy and practice. To the extent that there are substantial numbers of votes against resolutions in relation to directors’ remuneration, the 
Company will seek to understand the reasons for any such vote and will provide details of any actions in response to such a vote.

The Company is incorporated in Ireland and is therefore not subject to the UK company law requirement to submit its Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy (‘Policy’) to a binding vote. Nonetheless, in line with our commitment to best practice, at the AGM in July 2021, our 
Policy was approved by our shareholders on an advisory basis along with the 2021 Annual Remuneration Report.

This report was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by

Helen Pitcher OBE
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
17 May 2022

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements136

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for 
preparing the Annual Report and the 
Group and Company financial statements, 
in accordance with applicable law and 
regulations.

include a management report containing a 
fair review of the business and the position 
of the Group and the parent Company 
and a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties facing the Group. 

Company law requires the Directors to 
prepare Group and Company financial 
statements for each financial year. Under 
that law, the Directors are required to 
prepare the Group financial statements 
in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as adopted 
by the EU, and have elected to prepare 
the Company financial statements in 
accordance with Irish Law (Irish Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice), including 
FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ 
(‘FRS 101’).

Under Irish Company law, the Directors 
must not approve the financial statements 
unless they are satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view of the assets, liabilities and 
financial position of the Group and parent 
company as at the end of the financial year, 
and the profit or loss for the Group for the 
financial year, and otherwise comply with 
Companies Act 2014.

In preparing each of the Group and 
Company financial statements the Directors 
are required to:
•  select suitable accounting policies and 

apply them consistently;

•  make judgements and estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent;

•  state that the Group financial statements 
comply with IFRS as adopted by the EU 
and as regards the Company, comply with 
FRS 101 together with the requirements of 
Irish Company Law; 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 also required by the 
Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC0) 
Regulations 2007 and the Transparency 
rules of the Central Bank of Ireland to 

The Directors are responsible for adequate 
accounting records which disclose with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit or loss 
of the Company, and which will enable them 
to ensure that the financial statements of 
the Group are prepared in accordance with 
applicable IFRS as adopted by the European 
Union and comply with the provisions of 
Irish Company Law, and, as regards to the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of 
the European Communities (International 
Financial Reporting Standards and 
Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 
2005 (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 have appointed appropriate 
accounting personnel, including a 
professionally qualified Finance Director, in 
order to ensure that those requirements are 
met. 

The Directors are responsible for the 
maintenance and integrity of the corporate 
and financial information included on the 
Company’s website (www.candcgroupplc.
com). Legislation in Ireland concerning the 
preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in 
other jurisdictions.

Responsibility Statement As 
Required By The Transparency 
Directive And UK Corporate 
Governance Code

Each of the Directors, whose names and 
functions are listed on pages 88 and 89 of 
this Annual Report, confirm that, to the best 
of each person’s knowledge and belief:

•  So far as they are aware, there is no 

relevant audit information of which the 
Company’s statutory auditor is unaware;
•  They have taken all steps that they ought 
to have taken as Directors in order to 
make themselves aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish that the 
Company’s statutory auditor is aware of 
that information. 

•  The Group Financial Statements, 

prepared in accordance with IFRS as 
adopted by the European Union and the 
Company financial statements prepared in 
accordance with FRS 101 give a true and 
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position of the Group and Company at 28 
February 2022 and of the profit or loss of 
the Group for the year then ended;
•  The Directors’ Report contained in the 
Annual Report includes a fair review of 
the development and performance of the 
business and the position of the Group 
and Company, together with a description 
of the principal risks and uncertainties that 
they face; and

•  The Annual Report and Financial 

Statements, taken as a whole, provides 
the information necessary to assess 
the Group’s performance, business 
model and strategy and is fair, balanced 
and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the Company’s position and 
performance, business model and 
strategy.

Signed
On behalf of the Board

David Forde
Group Chief 
Executive Officer 
17 May 2022

Patrick McMahon  
Group Chief 
Financial Officer

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022Independent Auditor’s Report
to the Members of C&C Group Plc

137

Report on the audit of the financial statements

Opinion 
We have audited the financial statements of C&C Group plc (‘the 
Company’) and its subsidiaries (‘the Group’) for the year ended 28 
February 2022, which comprise: 
•  the Consolidated Income Statement and the Consolidated 

Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year then ended;

•  the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Company Balance Sheet 

as at 28 February 2022;

•  the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the year then ended;
•  the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and the 

Company Statement of Changes in Equity for the year then 
ended; and

•  the notes forming part of the financial statements, including the 
Statement of Accounting Policies set out on pages 154 to 170. 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied 
in their preparation is Irish Law and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European 
Union and, as regards the Company financial statements, 
Accounting Standards including FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure 
Framework issued in the United Kingdom by the Financial Reporting 
Council.

In our opinion:
•  the Group financial statements give a true and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities and financial position of the Group as at 28 
February 2022 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended; 
•  the Company financial statements give a true and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities and financial position of the Company as at 28 
February 2022; 

•  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union;

•  the Company financial statements have been properly prepared 

in accordance with FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework; and 
as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies 
Act 2014;

•  the Group financial statements and Company financial statements 
have been properly prepared in accordance with the requirements 
of the Companies Act 2014 and, as regards the Group financial 
statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards 
on Auditing (Ireland) (ISAs (Ireland)) and applicable law. Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the 
Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements 
section of our report. We are independent of the Group and 
Company in accordance with ethical requirements that are relevant 
to our audit of financial statements in Ireland, including the Ethical 
Standard issued by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory 
Authority (IAASA) as applied to listed entities, and we have 

fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these 
requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern  
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the 
directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the 
preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our evaluation 
of the directors’ assessment of the Group and Company’s ability to 
continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included:

Risk assessment procedures 
•  Obtained an understanding of management’s process for the use 

of the going concern basis of accounting; 

•  Considering whether events or conditions existed that may cast 
doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a 
period not less than 12 months from the approval of the financial 
statements.

Management’s process for assessing going concern
•  In conjunction with our walkthrough of the Group’s financial 

statement close process, we engaged with management early to 
ensure key factors were considered in their assessment including 
controls;

•  Obtained management’s board-approved forecasted cash flows 
and covenant calculations for the going concern period which 
covers a period of at least 12 months from the date the financial 
statements are authorised for issue along with the Group’s 
assessment models for specific stressed scenarios;

•  Using our understanding of the business and through inspection 
and testing, evaluated and determined, whether the forecasting 
model and methods adopted by management in assessing going 
concern were appropriately sophisticated to be able to make an 
assessment for the Group; and

•  Considered the consistency of information obtained from other 
areas of the audit such as the forecasts used for impairment 
assessments. 

Assumptions 
•  Considered past historical accuracy of management’s forecasting;
•  Tested the assumptions included in the model and stressed 
scenarios, noting that the model was prepared on a top-
down basis, driven by volumes sold within each business unit 
and channel with different assumptions around reduction in 
revenue and cost inflation, we reviewed and challenged the key 
assumptions, corroborating to underlying available data;

•  Tested the forecast models for each scenario to ensure that they 

were mathematically accurate; and

•  Considered industry reports and market data for indicators of 

contradictory evidence, including a review of profit warnings within 
the sector.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements138

Independent Auditor’s Report 
to the Members of C&C Group plc (continued)

Debt facilities / liquidity 
•  Performed a detailed review of all borrowing facilities to assess 

their continued availability to the Group through the going concern 
assessment period and to ensure completeness of covenants 
identified by management; and

•  Verified the covenant waivers in place covering the August 2022 
and February 2023 measurement dates. As a result of the Equity 
Raise, the Group’s banking covenants were renegotiated to 
increase the threshold of the Group’s Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA 
covenant to not exceed 4.5x and to reduce the Interest cover 
covenant to be not less than 2.5x for the August 2022 assessment 
date after which the Group returns to its original debt covenants of 
Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA covenant to not exceed 3.5x and the 
Interest cover covenant to be not less than 3.5x.

Stress testing and Management’s plans for future actions 
•  Performed sensitivity analysis assuming inflationary increases 
to operating costs in line with analyst forecasts and general 
economic sentiment, a change in revenue mix and reduction in 
revenue given the potential for changes in consumer behaviour 
as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which indicated that there 
was still liquidity headroom under these scenarios; 

•  Assessed the plausibility of management’s stressed scenarios 

by evaluating the Group’s actual performance in early FY23 and 
considering industry outlook analysis; and

•  Evaluated management’s ability to undertake mitigating actions 
to reduce cash outflows during the going concern assessment 
period to determine whether such actions are feasible. 

Disclosures 
Reviewed the Group’s going concern disclosures in the financial 
statements to ensure they are in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards.

Our key observations 
We have observed that the Group has quickly recovered from the 
pandemic, returning to profitability in the latter part of the current 
year and generating operating cash flows of €33.0 million in the 
year ended 28 February 2022. The Group is not expected to be 
significantly impacted by Covid-19 in the going concern assessment 
period. Further, the Group has access to significant liquidity. The 
majority of the Group’s long-term funding commitments mature after 
July 2024. At 28 February 2022, the Group has unrestricted cash 
and cash equivalents of €64.7 million and unused committed debt 
facilities of up to €374 million from a revolving bank credit facility 
expiring in July 2024.

Conclusion 
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified 
any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, 
individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group 
and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a 
period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements 
are authorised for issue.

In relation to the Group and Company’s reporting on how they have 
applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing 
material to add or draw attention to in relation to the directors’ 
statement in the financial statements about whether the directors 
considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with 
respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of 
this report. However, because not all future events or conditions can 
be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s or 
the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. 

Overview of our audit approach

Audit 
scope

Key audit 
matters

•  We performed an audit of the complete financial 

information of 12 components and performed audit 
procedures on specific balances for a further 3 
components

•  We performed specified procedures at a further 7 

components that were determined by the Group audit 
team in response to specific risk factors

•  The components where we performed either full or 

specific audit procedures accounted for 94.3% of the 
Group’s Profit before Tax from continuing operations, 
99.6% of the Group’s Net Revenue and 95.8% of the 
Group’s Total Assets

•  Components represent business units across the 
Group considered for audit scoping purposes
•  Going concern – presented in the ‘Conclusions 

relating to going concern’ section above

•  Recoverability of on-trade receivable balances and 

advances to customers

•  Impairment assessment of goodwill and intangible 

brand assets

•  Assessment of the valuation of property, plant and 

equipment (PP&E) 
•  Revenue recognition 

Materiality •  Overall Group materiality was assessed to be €3.85 

million which represents approximately 5% of the 
Group’s Normalised Earnings based on the average 
profit before tax and pre-exceptional items for the 
years ended 28 February 2019 to 28 February 2022 
excluding 28 February 2021. We refer to this materiality 
basis as ‘Normalised Earnings’ throughout. In our prior 
year audit, we adopted a materiality of €3.7 million 
based on 0.5% of the Group’s Net Revenue.

•  In the current year, our auditor’s report includes an 
amendment to the key audit matter Assessment of 
the valuation of property, plant and equipment (PP&E), 
where this key audit matter has been narrowed to 
exclude impairment assessment of equity accounted 
investments as the significant equity accounted 
investment is ‘Held For Sale’ at the year end. 

What has 
changed?

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022139

Key audit matters 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of 
the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified, 
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 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. 

Key observations communicated to the 
Audit Committee 

We completed our planned 
audit procedures with no 
exceptions noted. 

Our observations included our 
assessment of management’s 
methodology for calculating 
expected credit losses in 
accordance with IFRS 9. We 
focused on the significant 
judgements made by 
management, benchmarked 
key assumptions and the 
appropriate disclosure of these 
in the financial statements.

Risk

Our response to the risk

Recoverability of on-trade receivable 
balances and advances to customers (Trade 
receivables 2022: €147.5m, 2021: €75.9m, 
advances to customers 2022: €43.0m, 2021: 
€42.1m) 

The Group has a risk through exposure to 
on-trade receivable balances and advances 
to customers who may experience financial 
difficulty given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic 
and the withdrawal of government wage 
subsidies during the year.

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 
102); and Statement of Accounting Policies 
(pages 167 and 170); and Note 15 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements (pages 203 
to 204).

We have evaluated the process and key controls, 
designed and implemented by management, 
related to assessing recoverability of on-trade 
receivable balances and advances to customers. 

We have reviewed the model used by 
management in calculating the expected credit 
losses to ensure that it is compliant with IFRS 9 
and adequately captures the additional risks in 
the current environment. We are satisfied that a 
consistent methodology tailored for local nuances 
has been applied in calculating expected credit 
losses.

We have considered management’s assumptions 
around the impact of the current environment 
on the debtor portfolios. Additionally, we have 
benchmarked the expected credit losses using 
information such as credit default swaps for 
comparable groups operating in the same sector 
and found these to be reasonable.

Given the inherent level of uncertainty and 
the sensitivity of judgements and estimates, 
we reviewed all related disclosures of the key 
assumptions used and judgements made in 
estimating the Expected Credit Loss (ECL).

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements140

Independent Auditor’s Report 
to the Members of C&C Group plc (continued)

Key observations communicated to the 
Audit Committee 

We completed our planned 
audit procedures with no 
exceptions noted. 

Our observations included our 
assessment of management’s 
impairment model methodology 
and then for each CGU and 
intangible brand model: 
•  whether the discount rates 
lay within an acceptable 
range; 

•  the level of headroom of the 
present value of cash flows 
over the CGU and asset 
carrying amounts;

•  analysis of the 5-year forecast 

EBIT growth rate when 
viewed against the prior 
year and current year actual 
growth;

•  the results of our sensitivity 
analyses on the outcome 
of the value-in-use 
models which indicated 
management’s conclusions 
were appropriate; and

•  all disclosures are appropriate 
to the requirements of IAS 36.

Risk

Our response to the risk

Impairment assessment of goodwill & 
intangible brand assets (2022: €656.5m, 
2021: €646.0m) 

The Group holds significant amounts of goodwill 
& intangible brand assets on the balance 
sheet. In line with the requirements of IAS 36: 
‘Impairment of Assets’ (‘IAS 36’), management 
tests goodwill balances annually for impairment, 
and also tests intangible assets where there are 
indicators of impairment. 

We have evaluated the process and key controls, 
designed and implemented by management, 
related to the impairment assessment of goodwill 
& intangible brand assets. 

Valuations specialists within our team performed 
an independent assessment against external 
market data of key inputs used by management 
in calculating appropriate discount rates, 
principally risk-free rates, country risk premia and 
inflation rates.

The annual impairment testing was significant 
to our audit because of the financial quantum 
of the assets it supports as well as the fact 
that the testing relies on a number of critical 
judgements, estimates and assumptions by 
management. Judgemental aspects include 
cash-generating unit (‘CGU’) determination 
for goodwill purposes, assumptions of future 
profitability, revenue growth, margins and 
forecast cash flows, and the selection of 
appropriate discount rates, all of which may be 
subject to management override.

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 
102); Statement of Accounting Policies (pages 
161 to 162 and 169 to 170); and Note 12 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements (pages 194 
to 199).

We carefully considered the determination 
of the Group’s 6 CGUs, and flexed our audit 
approach relative to our risk assessment 
and the level of excess of value-in-use over 
carrying amount in each CGU for goodwill 
purposes and in each model for the impairment 
assessment for intangible brand assets. For all 
models, we assessed the historical accuracy 
of management’s estimates, corroborated 
key assumptions and benchmarked growth 
assumptions to external economic forecasts.

We evaluated management’s sensitivity analyses 
and performed our own sensitivity calculations to 
assess the level of excess of value-in-use over the 
goodwill and intangible brand carrying amount 
and whether a reasonably possible change in 
assumptions could cause the carrying amount to 
exceed its recoverable amount. 

We considered the adequacy of management’s 
disclosures in respect of impairment testing 
and whether the disclosures appropriately 
communicate the underlying sensitivities, in 
particular the requirement to disclose further 
sensitivities for CGUs and intangible brands 
where a reasonably possible change in a key 
assumption would cause an impairment. 

The above procedures were performed by the 
Group audit team.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022141

Key observations communicated to the 
Audit Committee 

We completed our planned 
audit procedures with no 
exceptions noted. 

Our observations included:
•  an overview of the risk;
•  an outline of the procedures 

performed;

•  the judgements we 

focused on including the 
appropriateness of the 
depreciated replacement 
cost methodology; and

•  the results of our testing on 

the outcome of the valuations 
and in respect of the related 
disclosures.

Risk

Our response to the risk

Assessment of the valuation of property, 
plant and equipment (PP&E) (2022: €146.0m, 
2021: €139.3m)

We have evaluated the process and key controls, 
designed and implemented by management, 
related to assessing the valuation of property, 
plant and equipment. 

The Group carries its land and buildings at 
estimated fair value, its plant and machinery 
using a depreciated replacement cost approach 
and motor vehicles and other equipment at cost 
less accumulated depreciation and impairment 
losses.

For PP&E, we inspected the independent expert 
valuation reports to assess the integrity of the 
data and key assumptions underpinning the 
valuations. 

During the year, all land and buildings and plant 
and machinery were subject to independent 
expert valuations.

Our specialist valuation team performed an 
independent assessment on the reasonableness 
of the key assumptions and judgements 
underlying the valuations. 

We considered the valuation of these assets to 
be a risk area due to the size of the balances 
and the lack of comparable market data and 
observable inputs such as market based 
assumptions, plant replacement costs and plant 
utilisation levels due to the specialised nature 
of the Group’s assets. The valuation of PP&E 
involves significant judgement and therefore is 
susceptible to management override.

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 
102); Statement of Accounting Policies (pages 
158 to 159 and 169); and note 11 of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements (pages 189 
to 193).

We corroborated the key assumptions and 
considered consistency to market data and 
observable inputs.

We ensured the related valuation adjustments 
were correctly reflected and we re-calculated 
depreciation considering the useful lives of the 
assets.

We considered the adequacy of management’s 
disclosures in respect of the valuation 
and whether the disclosures appropriately 
communicate the underlying sensitivities. 

All of the above procedures were performed 
predominantly by the Group audit team.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements142

Independent Auditor’s Report 
to the Members of C&C Group plc (continued)

Key observations communicated to the 
Audit Committee 

We completed our planned 
audit procedures with no 
exceptions noted. 

Our observations included:
•  an overview of the risk;
•  an outline of the procedures 

performed; and

•  the judgements we focused 
on and the results of our 
testing.

Risk

Our response to the risk

Revenue recognition (2022: €1,438.1m, 2021: 
€736.9m)

The Group generates revenue from a variety 
of geographies and across a large number 
of separate legal entities spread across the 
Group’s two business segments. 

The Group’s revenue particularly on supply, 
complex and non-standard customer contract 
agreements may not have been accounted for 
correctly. In this regard we focused our risk on 
revenue generated in connection with certain 
of the Group’s arrangements with third parties 
entered into in order to utilise excess capacity 
and other material complex arrangements with 
customers.

Revenue is an important element of how the 
Group measures its performance, and revenue 
recognition is therefore inherently susceptible to 
the risk of management override.

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 
102); Statement of Accounting Policies (page 
164 ); and note 1 of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements (pages 171 to 174).

We considered the appropriateness of the 
Group’s revenue recognition accounting policies; 
in particular, those related to supply, complex and 
non-standard customer contracts.

For the purpose of our audit, the procedures we 
carried out included the following:
•  We have evaluated the systems and key 
controls, designed and implemented by 
management, related to revenue recognition. 

•  We considered the appropriateness of the 

Group’s revenue recognition policy. 

•  We discussed with management the key 
assumptions, estimates and judgements 
related to recognition, measurement, 
classification of revenue and related disclosures 
in accordance with IFRS 15: Revenue.

•  In addition, we have discussed significant and 
complex customer contracts, discounts and 
the treatment of marketing contributions to 
ensure that accounting policies are applied 
correctly.

•  We performed journal entry testing and 
verification of proper cut-off at year-end.

Our application of materiality 
We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the 
audit, in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements on the audit 
and in forming our audit opinion. 

stakeholders in the context of the Group which has not yet returned 
to a normalised level of profits.

During the course of our audit, we reassessed initial materiality and 
considered that no further changes to materiality were necessary.

Materiality
The magnitude of an omission or misstatement that, individually 
or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to influence 
the economic decisions of the users of the financial statements. 
Materiality provides a basis for determining the nature and extent of 
our audit procedures.

Performance materiality
The application of materiality at the individual account or balance 
level. It is set at an amount to reduce to an appropriately low level 
the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected 
misstatements exceeds materiality.

We determined materiality for the Group and Company to be €3.85 
million, which is approximately 5% of the Group’s Normalised 
Earnings based on the average Profit before Tax and pre-exceptional 
items for the years ending 28 February 2019 to 28 February 2022 
excluding 28 February 2021, (2021: €3.7 million based on 0.5% of 
the Group’s Net Revenue). We believe that Normalised Earnings 
provides us with the most appropriate performance metric on which 
to base our materiality calculation as we consider it to be the most 
relevant performance measure to the Group’s equity and debt 

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment 
of the Group’s overall control environment, our judgement was 
that performance materiality was 50% (2021: 50%) of our planning 
materiality, namely €1.93 million (2021: €1.85 million). We have 
set performance materiality at this percentage based on our 
assessment of the risk of misstatements, both corrected and 
uncorrected, consistent with the prior year.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022143

Reporting threshold
An amount below which identified misstatements are considered as 
being clearly trivial.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them 
all uncorrected audit differences in excess of €0.193 million (2021: 
€0.18 million), which is set at 5% of planning materiality, as well 
as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted 
reporting on qualitative grounds. 

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

An overview of the scope of our audit report

Tailoring the scope
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and our 
allocation of performance materiality determine our audit scope for 
each entity within the Group. Taken together, this enables us to form 
an opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

97.0%) of the Group’s Net Revenue and 95.8% (2021: 97.3%) of the 
Group’s Total Assets. The specific scope component contributed 
2.5% (2021: 13.7%) of the Group’s Profit/loss before Tax, 0.0% 
(2021: 0.0%) of the Group’s Net Revenue and 0.0% (2021: 0.5%) of 
the Group’s Total Assets. The components where we performed 
specified procedures that were determined by the Group audit team 
in response to specific risk factors contributed 5.3% (2021: 0.2%) of 
the Group’s Profit/loss before Tax, 0.0% (2021: 2.6%) of the Group’s 
Net Revenue and 0.1% (2021: 1.7%) of the Group’s Total Assets. The 
audit scope of these components may not have included testing of 
all significant accounts of the component but will have contributed 
to the coverage of significant accounts tested for the Group. 

Of the remaining components that together represent 0.4% (2021: 
1.1%) of the Group’s Profit/loss before Tax, none are individually 
greater than 5% (2021: 5%) of the Group’s Profit/loss before Tax. 
For these components, we performed other procedures, including 
analytical review, testing of consolidation journals and intercompany 
eliminations and foreign currency translation recalculations to 
respond to any potential risks of material misstatement to the Group 
financial statements. 

In determining those components in the Group to which we perform 
audit procedures, we utilised size and risk criteria when assessing 
the level of work to be performed at each entity. 

The charts below illustrate the coverage obtained from the work 
performed by our audit teams.

Profit before tax

Net Revenue

In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the Group financial 
statements, and to ensure we had adequate quantitative coverage 
of significant accounts in the financial statements, we selected 15 
(2021: 18) components covering entities across Ireland, UK and the 
US, which represent the principal business units within the Group.
Of the 15 (2021: 18) components selected, we performed an audit 
of the complete financial information of 12 (2021: 10) components 
(“full scope components”) which were selected based on their size 
or risk characteristics. For the remaining 3 (2021: 8) components 
(“specific scope components”), we performed audit procedures on 
specific accounts within that component that we considered had the 
potential for the greatest impact on the significant accounts in the 
financial statements either because of the size of these accounts or 
their risk profile. 

In addition to the 15 (2021: 18) components discussed above, we 
selected a further 7 (2021: 6) components where we performed 
procedures at the component level that were specified by the Group 
audit team in response to specific risk factors. 

The reporting components where we performed audit procedures 
accounted for 99.6% (2021: 98.9%) of the Group’s Profit/loss before 
Tax, 99.6% (2021: 99.6%) of the Group’s Net Revenue and 95.9% 
(2021: 99.5%) of the Group’s Total Assets. 

For the current year, the full scope components contributed 91.8% 
(2021: 85.0%) of the Group’s Profit /loss before Tax, 99.6% (2021: 

Total Assets

91.8% Full scope 

components

2.5%

5.3%

0.4%

Specific scope 
components

Specified
procedures

Other 
procedures

99.6% Full scope 

components

0.0%

0.0%

0.4%

Specific scope 
components

Specified
procedures

Other 
procedures

95.8% Full scope 

components

0.0%

0.1%

Specific scope 
components

Specified

procedures

4.1%

Other 

procedures

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial StatementsProfit before tax

144

Net Revenue

91.8% Full scope 

components

2.5%

5.3%

0.4%

Specific scope 

components

Specified

procedures

Other 
procedures

99.6% Full scope 
Independent Auditor’s Report 
components
to the Members of C&C Group plc (continued)
0.0%

Specific scope 
components

Total Assets

0.0%

0.4%

Specified
procedures

Other 
procedures

95.8% Full scope 

components

0.0%

0.1%

4.1%

Specific scope 
components

Specified
procedures

Other 
procedures

Involvement with component teams 
In establishing our overall approach to the Group audit, we 
determined the type of work that needed to be undertaken at each 
of the components by us, as the primary audit engagement team, 
or by component auditors from other EY global network firms 
operating under our instruction. Where the work was performed 
by component auditors, we determined the appropriate level of 
involvement to enable us to determine that sufficient audit evidence 
had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the Group as a 
whole.

We issued detailed instructions to each component auditor in scope 
for the Group audit, with specific audit requirements and requests 
across key areas. During the current year’s audit cycle, the Group 
audit team performed remote file reviews at Belfast, Glasgow and 
MCB. These visits involved discussing the audit approach and any 
issues arising with the component teams and holding discussions 
with local management and attending closing meetings. 

The Group audit team interacted regularly with the component 
teams, where appropriate, during various stages of the audit, 
reviewed and evaluated the work performed by these teams, 
including review of key reporting documents, in accordance with 
the ISAs (Ireland) and were responsible for the overall planning, 
scoping and direction of the Group audit process. Senior members 
of the Group audit team also participated in component and 
divisional planning, interim and closing meeting calls during which 
the planning and results of the audits were discussed with the 
component auditors, local management and Group management. 
This, together with the additional procedures performed at Group 
level, gave us appropriate evidence for our opinion on the Group 
financial statements.

Other conclusions relating to principal risks, going concern and 
viability statement
We have nothing to report in respect of the following information in 
the annual report, in relation to which the ISAs (Ireland) require us 
to report to you whether we have anything material to add or draw 
attention to: 
•  the disclosures in the annual report (set out on pages 34 to 43) 
that describe the principal risks and explain how they are being 
managed or mitigated;

•  the directors’ confirmation (set out on page 35) in the annual 
report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the 
principal risks facing the Group and the Company, including those 
that would threaten its business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity.

•  the directors’ statement (set out on pages 43 to 44) 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 
to do so over a period of at least twelve months from the date of 
approval of the financial statements;

•  whether the directors’ statement relating to going concern 

required under the Listing Rules in accordance with Listing Rule 
6.8.3(3) is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in 
the audit; or

•  the directors’ explanation (set out on pages 44 to 45) in the annual 
report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group 
and the parent company, 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 and the parent company 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.

Other information

The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other 
information comprises the information included in the Annual Report 
other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other 
information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in 
our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion 
thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our 
responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent 
with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit 
or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022145

material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we 
are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement 
in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other 
information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude 
that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are 
required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

In this context, we also have nothing to report in regard to our 
responsibility to specifically address the following items in the other 
information and to report any uncorrected material misstatements of 
the other information where we conclude that those items meet the 
following conditions:
•  Fair, balanced and understandable (set out on page 96) – the 

statement given by the Directors that they consider the Annual 
Report and financial statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced 
and understandable and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the Group’s and the Company’s 
performance, business model and strategy, is materially 
inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or

•  Audit Committee reporting (set out on pages 100 to 105) – the 
section describing the work of the Audit Committee does not 
appropriately address matters communicated by us to the Audit 
Committee or is materially inconsistent with our knowledge 
obtained in the audit; or

•  Directors’ statement of compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (set out on page 91) – the parts of the 
Directors’ statement required under the Listing Rules relating to 
the Company’s compliance with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code containing provisions specified for review by the auditor 
in accordance with Listing Rule 6.8.6 do not properly disclose 
a departure from a relevant provision of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies 
Act 2014

In our opinion, based solely on the work undertaken in the course of 
the audit, we report that: 
•  the information given in the Directors’ Report, other than those 
parts dealing with the non-financial statement pursuant to the 
requirements of S.I. No. 360/2017 on which we are not required 
to report in the current year, is consistent with the financial 
statements; and 

•  the Directors’ Report, other than those parts dealing with the 

non-financial statement pursuant to the requirements of S.I. No. 
360/2017 on which we are not required to report in the current 
year, has been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 
2014.

We have obtained all the information and explanations which, to the 
best of our knowledge and belief, are necessary for the purposes of 
our audit.

In our opinion the accounting records of the Company were sufficient 
to permit the financial statements to be readily and properly audited 
and the Company Balance Sheet is in agreement with the accounting 
records.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

Based on the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its 
environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified 
material misstatements in the directors’ report.

The Companies Act 2014 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion, 
the disclosures of directors’ remuneration and transactions required 
by sections 305 to 312 of the Act, which relate to disclosures of 
directors’ remuneration and transactions, are not complied with by the 
Company. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

We have nothing to report in respect of section 13 of the European 
Union (Disclosure of Non-Financial and Diversity Information by 
certain large undertakings and groups) Regulations 2017, which 
require us to report to you if, in our opinion, the Company has not 
provided in the non-financial statement the information required by 
Section 5(2) to (7) of those Regulations, in respect of 28 February 
2021.

Respective responsibilities

Responsibilities of directors for the financial statements 
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement set 
out on page 136, the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable 
financial reporting framework that give a true and fair view, and 
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 and the parent Company’s ability to continue as 
going concerns, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless 
management either intends to liquidate the Group or the parent 
Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to 
do so.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements146

Independent Auditor’s Report 
to the Members of C&C Group plc (continued)

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an 
auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance 
is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit 
conducted in accordance with ISAs (Ireland) 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. 

The objectives of our audit, in respect to fraud, are; to identify and 
assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements 
due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence 
regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, 
through designing and implementing appropriate responses; and to 
respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during 
the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and 
detection of fraud rests with both those charged with governance of 
the entity and management. 

Our approach was as follows: 
•  We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory 

frameworks that are applicable to the Group across the various 
jurisdictions globally in which the Group operates. We determined 
that the most significant are those that relate to the form and 
content of external financial and corporate governance reporting 
including company law, tax legislation, employment law and 
regulatory compliance.

•  We understood how C&C Group plc is complying with those 

frameworks by making enquiries of management, internal audit, 
those responsible for legal and compliance procedures and the 
Company Secretary. We corroborated our enquiries through our 
review of the Group’s Compliance Policies, board minutes, papers 
provided to the Audit Committee and correspondence received 
from regulatory bodies.

•  We assessed the susceptibility of the Group’s financial statements 
to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur, by 
meeting with management, including within various parts of 
the business, to understand where they considered there was 
susceptibility to fraud. We also considered performance targets 
and the potential for management to influence earnings or the 
perceptions of analysts. Where this risk was considered to be 
higher, we performed audit procedures to address each identified 
fraud risk. These procedures included testing manual journals and 
were designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial 
statements were free from fraud or error.

•  Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures 

to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations. 
Our procedures included a review of board minutes to identify 
any non-compliance with laws and regulations, a review of the 
reporting to the Audit Committee on compliance with regulations, 
enquiries of internal and external legal counsel and management. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements is located on the IAASA’s website at: http://
www.iaasa.ie/getmedia/b2389013-1cf6-458b-9b8f-a98202dc9c3a/
Description_of_auditors_responsibilities_for_audit.pdf. 

This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Other matters which we are required to address

We were appointed by the Audit Committee following an AGM held 
on 6 July 2017 to audit the financial statements for the year ending 
28 February 2018 and subsequent financial periods. The period of 
total uninterrupted engagement including previous renewals and 
reappointments of the firm is 5 years.

The non-audit services prohibited by IAASA’s Ethical Standard were 
not provided to the Group and we remain independent of the Group 
in conducting our audit. 

Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the audit 
committee.

The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our 
responsibilities

Our report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, 
in accordance with section 391 of the Companies Act 2014. Our 
audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the 
Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them 
in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent 
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to 
anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members, as a 
body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have 
formed. 

Pat O’Neill
for and on behalf of 
Ernst & Young
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Audit Firm
Dublin
17 May 2022

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022147

Total

€m

1,022.8

(285.9)

736.9

(821.7)

(84.8)

5.8

-

(27.4)

Consolidated Income Statement 
For the financial year ended 28 February 2022

Revenue

Excise duties 

Net revenue

Operating costs

Group operating profit/(loss)

Profit on disposal

Finance income

Finance expense

Share of equity accounted investments’ 
profit/(loss) after tax

Profit/(loss) before tax

Income tax (expense)/credit

Group profit/(loss) for the 
financial year

Basic earnings/(loss) per share 
(cent)

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share 
(cent)

Notes

1

1

2

1

5

6

6

13

7

9

9

All of the results are related to continuing operations.

Before 
exceptional items

Year ended 28 February 2022
Exceptional items
(note 5)

 €m

1,796.1

(358.0)

1,438.1

(1,390.2)

47.9

-

-

(16.1)

€m

-

-

-

10.6

10.6

4.5

0.2

(6.7)

Total

€m

1,796.1

(358.0)

1,438.1

(1,379.6)

58.5

4.5

0.2

(22.8)

Before 
exceptional items

Year ended 28 February 2021
Exceptional items 
(note 5)

 €m

1,022.8

(285.9)

736.9

(796.5)

(59.6)

-

-

(19.5)

 €m

-

-

-

(25.2)

(25.2)

5.8

-

(7.9)

2.6

2.7

5.3

(6.1)

(8.8)

(14.9)

34.4

(6.2)

11.3

(2.4)

45.7

(8.6)

(85.2)

14.4

(36.1)

2.4

(121.3)

16.8

28.2

8.9

37.1

(70.8)

(33.7)

(104.5)

9.9

9.9

(31.1)

(31.1)

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
148

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
For the financial year ended 28 February 2022

Other Comprehensive Income:

Items that may be reclassified to Income Statement in subsequent years:

Foreign currency translation differences arising on the net investment in foreign operations

Foreign currency recycled on disposal of subsidiary

(Loss)/gain relating to cash flow hedges

Items that will not be reclassified to Income Statement in subsequent years:

Revaluation of property, plant & equipment

Deferred tax on revaluation of property, plant and equipment

Actuarial gain on retirement benefits

Deferred tax charge on actuarial gain on retirement benefits

Share of equity accounted investments’ Other Comprehensive Income

Notes

6

6

24

11

22

23

22

13

2022

€m

11.9

(0.2)

(0.1)

2.5

(0.6)

32.8

(4.3)

2.2

2021

€m

(17.4)

-

0.3

0.9

(0.2)

13.4

(1.6)

(0.4)

Net gain/(loss) recognised directly within Other Comprehensive Income

44.2

(5.0)

Group profit/(loss) for the financial year

Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the financial year

37.1

(104.5)

81.3

(109.5)

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet 
As at 28 February 2022

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant & equipment
Goodwill & intangible assets
Equity accounted investments/financial assets
Retirement benefits
Deferred tax assets
Derivative financial assets
Trade & other receivables

Current assets
Inventories
Trade & other receivables
Cash 

Assets held for sale

TOTAL ASSETS

EQUITY
Capital and reserves 
Equity share capital
Share premium
Treasury shares
Other reserves
Retained income
Total Equity

LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities
Interest bearing loans & borrowings
Retirement benefits
Provisions 
Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities
Trade & other payables
Interest bearing loans & borrowings
Provisions 
Current income tax liabilities

Liabilities directly associated with the assets held for sale

Total liabilities

TOTAL EQUITY & LIABILITIES

On behalf of the Board

S Gilliland

Chair

D Forde

DATE

Chief Executive Officer

17 May 2022

149

2021

€m

204.0
646.0
63.1
10.4
24.6
-
41.8
989.9

121.3
102.8
107.7
331.8
13.9
345.7

2022

€m

214.0
656.5
1.3
37.6
27.0
4.3
43.0
983.7

168.2
186.3
64.7
419.2
65.8
485.0

1,468.7

1,335.6

4.0
347.2
(36.0)
98.3
285.5
699.0

59.8
219.4
-
3.9
30.2
313.3

20.2
0.1
386.1
36.6
8.2
5.2
456.4
-
456.4

769.7

3.2
171.3
(36.5)
83.1
225.0
446.1

60.7
420.3
5.5
6.5
17.3
510.3

18.9
-
296.2
49.7
6.2
5.8
376.8
2.4
379.2

889.5

1,468.7

1,335.6

Notes

11
12
13
23
22
10
15

14
15

16

25
25
25
25

19
20
23
18
22

19
24
17
20
18

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
150

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the financial year ended 28 February 2022

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Group profit/(loss) for the year
Finance income
Finance expense
Income tax expense/(credit)
(Profit)/loss on share of equity accounted investments
Impairment of intangible asset
Impairment of equity accounted investments
(Revaluation)/ impairment of property, plant & equipment
Depreciation of property, plant & equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Profit on disposal
Net profit on disposal of property, plant & equipment 
Rights Issue costs recorded as exceptional
Charge for equity settled share-based payments
Pension contributions: adjustment from charge to payment  

(Increase)/decrease in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in trade & other receivables
Increase/(decrease) in trade & other payables
(Decrease)/increase in provisions

Interest and similar costs paid
Income taxes (paid)/refunded
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property, plant & equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Net proceeds on disposal of property, plant & equipment
Sale of business – net of cash disposed
Cash outflow re acquisition of equity accounted investments/financial assets
Net cash outflow from investing activities

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from exercise of share options/equity interests
Proceeds from Rights Issue 
Drawdown of debt
Repayment of debt
Payment of lease liabilities
Payment of issue costs
Payment of Rights Issue costs
Dividends paid
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities

Net decrease in cash

Reconciliation of opening to closing cash 
Cash at beginning of year
Translation adjustment
Net decrease in cash 
Cash at end of financial year

A reconciliation of cash to net debt is presented in note 21 to the financial statements.

Notes

6
6
7
13
12
5,13
5
11,19
12
5

                     5
4
23

11
12

10
 13

5

19
20
5
8

2022

€m

37.1
(0.2)
22.8
8.6
(5.3)
0.6
6.4
(0.6)
29.2
2.6
(4.5)
(1.6)
2.6
1.5
0.3
99.5

(43.6)
(84.0)
89.6
(0.9)
60.6

(24.4)
(3.2)
33.0

(14.9)
(2.2)
2.3
12.9
(0.3)
(2.2)

0.7
176.3
49.5
(271.7)
(21.9)
-
(9.2)
-
(76.3)

(45.5)

107.7
2.5
(45.5)
64.7

2021

€m

(104.5)
-
27.4
(16.8)
14.9
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9.1
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28.2
2.6
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(0.4)
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(42.5)

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(97.2)
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(23.4)
7.2
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(8.4)
(1.6)
1.0
6.7
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(9.2)

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(464.0)
(19.0)
(1.4)
-
(0.4)
86.4

(17.4)

123.4
1.7
(17.4)
107.7

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
For the financial year ended 28 February 2022

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*

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
152

Company Balance Sheet
As at 28 February 2022

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Financial assets

Current assets

Trade & other receivables

Cash 

TOTAL ASSETS

EQUITY

Equity share capital

Share premium

Other reserves

Retained income

Total equity

LIABILITIES

Non-current liabilities

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Current liabilities

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Trade & other payables

Total liabilities

TOTAL EQUITY & LIABILITIES

Notes

2022

€m

2021

€m 

13

15

25

25

25

20

20

17

1,158.2

1,158.2

114.7

0.1

114.8

985.4

985.4

118.6

0.7

119.3

1,273.0

1,104.7

4.0

1,048.2

4.2

21.5

1,077.9

143.4

143.4

(0.9)

52.6

51.7

3.2

872.3

3.1

44.7

923.3

139.7

139.7

4.7

37.0

41.7

195.1

181.4

1,273.0

1,104.7

As permitted by section 304 of the Companies Act 2014, the Company is availing of the exemption from presenting its separate Income 
Statement in the Financial Statements and from filing it with the Registrar of Companies. The Company’s loss for the financial year is €17.0m 
(FY2021: €8.8m). In the current financial year, there were no dividends received from subsidiaries (FY2021: €76.6m).

On behalf of the Board

S Gilliland

Chair 

D Forde

DATE

Chief Executive Officer

17 May 2022

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
For the financial year ended 28 February 2022

Company

At 29 February 2020

Loss for the financial year

Total comprehensive expense

Dividend on ordinary shares (note 8)

Exercised share options (note 25)

Reclassification of share-based payments reserve

Equity settled share-based payments (note 4)

Total transactions with owners

At 28 February 2021

Loss for the financial year

Total comprehensive expense

Equity share 
capital

€m

3.2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3.2

-

-

Share premium

€m

872.0

-

-

-

0.3

-

-

0.3

872.3

-

-

Ordinary Share Capital Issued (note 25)

0.8

175.5

Share issue costs (note 5)

Exercised share options (note 25)

Reclassification of share-based payments reserve

Equity settled share-based payments (note 4)

Total transaction with owners

At 28 February 2022

-

-

-

-

0.8

4.0

-

0.4

-

-

175.9

1,048.2

Other 
undenominated 
reserve

 Share-based 
payments 
reserve

 €m

0.9

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.9

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.9

 €m

4.7

-

-

-

-

(3.3)

0.8

(2.5)

2.2

-

-

-

-

-

(0.4)

1.5

1.1

3.3

153

Retained 
income

€m

Total

€m

50.0

930.8

(8.8)

(8.8)

0.2

-

3.3

-

3.5

44.7

(17.0)

(17.0)

-

(6.6)

-

0.4

-

(6.2)

21.5

(8.8)

(8.8)

0.2

0.3

-

0.8

1.3

923.3

(17.0)

(17.0)

176.3

(6.6)

0.4

-

1.5

171.6

1,077.9

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements154

Statement of Accounting Policies
For the year ended 28 February 2022

Significant accounting policies

C&C Group plc (the ‘Company’) is a company incorporated and 
tax resident in Ireland. The Group’s financial statements for the 
year ended 28 February 2022 consolidate the individual financial 
statements of the Company and all subsidiary undertakings 
(together referred to as “the Group”) together with the Group’s share 
of the results and net assets of equity accounted investments for the 
year ended 28 February 2022.

The Company and Group financial statements, together the 
“financial statements”, were authorised for issue by the Directors on 
17 May 2022. 

The accounting policies applied in the preparation of the financial 
statements for the year ended 28 February 2022 are set out below. 
Except if mentioned otherwise these have been applied consistently 
for all periods presented in these financial statements and by all 
Group entities.

Statement of compliance
The Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted 
by the EU and as applied in accordance with Companies Act 2014. 
The individual financial statements of the Company have been 
prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 
Reduced Disclosure Framework (FRS 101). In accordance with 
Section 304 of the Companies Act 2014, the Company is availing of 
the exemption from presenting its individual Income Statement to 
the Annual General Meeting and from filing it with the Registrar of 
Companies. 

In these financial statements, the Company has applied the 
exemptions available under FRS 101 in respect of the following 
disclosures:
•  A cash flow statement and related notes;
•  Disclosures in respect of transactions with wholly owned 

subsidiaries;

•  Disclosures in respect of capital management;
•  The effects of new but not yet effective IFRSs; and
•  Disclosures in respect of the compensation of Key Management 

Personnel.

As the financial statements of the Group include the equivalent 
disclosures, the Company has also taken exemptions under FRS 
101 available in respect of the following disclosures:
•  IFRS 2 Share-Based Payments in respect of Group equity settled 

share-based payments.

Changes in accounting policies and disclosures
IFRS as adopted by the EU applied by the Company and Group in 
the preparation of these financial statements are those that were 
effective for accounting periods ending on or before 28 February 
2022. The IASB have issued the following standards, policies, 
interpretations and amendments which were effective for the Group 
for the first time in the year ended 28 February 2022:

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2 – Amendments to 
IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16
The amendments provide temporary reliefs which address the 
financial reporting effects when an interbank offered rate (IBOR) is 
replaced with an alternative nearly risk-free interest rate (RFR). The 
amendments include the following practical expedients:
•  A practical expedient to require contractual changes, or changes 

to cash flows that are directly required by the reform, to be treated 
as changes to a floating interest rate, equivalent to a movement in 
a market rate of interest.

•  Permit changes required by IBOR reform to be made to hedge 
designations and hedge documentation without the hedging 
relationship being discontinued.

•  Provide temporary relief to entities from having to meet the 

separately identifiable requirement when an RFR instrument is 
designated as a hedge of a risk component.

The Group has completed a review of the implications for the Group 
as a result of the move from LIBOR to SONIA, it has found that all 
contracts and agreements have been updated accordingly. As such 
the basis of interest calculations which previously referenced LIBOR 
will be correct from 1 January 2022 and no further work is required.  

These amendments had no impact on the consolidated financial 
statements of the Group. The Group intends to use the practical 
expedients in future periods if they become applicable.

Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions beyond 30 June 2021 – 
Amendments to IFRS 16
On 28 May 2020, the IASB issued COVID-19 Related Rent 
Concessions - amendment to IFRS 16 Leases. The amendments 
provide relief to lessees from applying IFRS 16 guidance on lease 
modification accounting for rent concessions arising as a direct 
consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a practical expedient, 
a lessee may elect not to assess whether a COVID-19 related rent 
concession from a lessor is a lease modification. A lessee that makes 
this election accounts for any change in lease payments resulting 
from the COVID-19 related rent concession in the same way it would 
account for the change under IFRS 16 if the change were not a lease 
modification. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
155

The amendment was intended to apply until 30 June 2021, but as 
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing, on 31 March 
2021, the IASB extended the period of application of the practical 
expedient to 30 June 2022. The amendment applies to annual 
reporting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2021, however earlier 
application is permitted. This amendment had no material impact on 
the consolidated financial statements of the Group.

The amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on 
or after 1 January 2022 and must be applied retrospectively to items 
of property, plant and equipment made available for use on or after the 
beginning of the earliest period presented when the entity first applies 
the amendment. The amendments are not expected to have a material 
impact on the Group. 

IFRS and IFRIC interpretations being adopted in subsequent 
years
A number of new standards, amendments to standards and 
interpretations are not yet effective for the year ended 28 February 
2022 and have not been applied in preparing these consolidated 
financial statements.

These following new standards, amendments and interpretations are 
either not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated 
financial statements once applied or are still under assessment by 
the Group.

Accounting standard/interpretation (Effective date)
Reference to the Conceptual Framework – Amendments to IFRS 
3 (1 January 2022)
•  In May 2020, the IASB issued Amendments to IFRS 3 Business 

Combinations - Reference to the Conceptual Framework. 
The amendments are intended to replace a reference to the 
Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial 
Statements, issued in 1989, with a reference to the Conceptual 
Framework for Financial Reporting issued in March 2018 without 
significantly changing its requirements. The IASB also added 
an exception to the recognition principle of IFRS 3 to avoid the 
issue of potential ‘day 2’ gains or losses arising for liabilities and 
contingent liabilities that would be within the scope of IAS 37 
or IFRIC 21 Levies, if incurred separately. At the same time, the 
IASB decided to clarify existing guidance in IFRS 3 for contingent 
assets that would not be affected by replacing the reference to 
the Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial 
Statements. 

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2022 and apply prospectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use – 
Amendments to IAS 16 (1 January 2022)
•  In May 2020, the IASB issued Property, Plant and Equipment — 

Proceeds before Intended Use, which prohibits entities deducting 
from the cost of an item of property, plant and equipment, any 
proceeds from selling items produced while bringing that asset 
to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of 
operating in the manner intended by management. Instead, an 
entity recognises the proceeds from selling such items, and the 
costs of producing those items, in profit or loss. 

Onerous Contracts – Costs of Fulfilling a Contract – Amendments to 
IAS 37 (1 January 2022)
•  In May 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 37 to specify 
which costs an entity needs to include when assessing whether 
a contract is onerous or loss-making. The amendments apply a 
“directly related cost approach”. The costs that relate directly to 
a contract to provide goods or services include both incremental 
costs and an allocation of costs directly related to contract activities. 
General and administrative costs do not relate directly to a contract 
and are excluded unless they are explicitly chargeable to the 
counterparty under the contract. 

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning 
on or after 1 January 2022. The Group will apply these amendments 
to contracts for which it has not yet fulfilled all its obligations at the 
beginning of the annual reporting period in which it first applies the 
amendments. 

IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting 
Standards – Subsidiary as a first-time adopter (1 January 2022)
•  As part of its 2018-2020 annual improvements to IFRS standards 
process, the IASB issued an amendment to IFRS 1 First-time 
Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards. The 
amendment permits a subsidiary that elects to apply paragraph 
D16(a) of IFRS 1 to measure cumulative translation differences using 
the amounts reported by the parent, based on the parent’s date of 
transition to IFRS. This amendment is also applied to an associate 
or joint venture that elects to apply paragraph D16(a) of IFRS 1. 

The amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning 
on or after 1 January 2022 with earlier adoption permitted. The 
amendments are not expected to have a material impact on the 
Group.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments – Fees in the ‘10 per cent’ test for 
derecognition of financial liabilities (1 January 2022)
•  As part of its 2018-2020 annual improvements to IFRS standards 
process the IASB issued amendment to IFRS 9. The amendment 
clarifies the fees that an entity includes when assessing whether the 
terms of a new or modified financial liability are substantially different 
from the terms of the original financial liability. These fees include 
only those paid or received between the borrower and the lender, 
including fees paid or received by either the borrower or lender on 
the other’s behalf. An entity applies the amendment to financial 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
156

Statement of Accounting Policies
For the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

liabilities that are modified or exchanged on or after the beginning 
of the annual reporting period in which the entity first applies the 
amendment. 

in accounting estimates and changes in accounting policies 
and the correction of errors. Also, they clarify how entities use 
measurement techniques and inputs to develop accounting 
estimates. 

The amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning 
on or after 1 January 2022 with earlier adoption permitted. The 
Group will apply the amendments to financial liabilities that are 
modified or exchanged on or after the beginning of the annual 
reporting period in which the entity first applies the amendment. 
The amendments are not expected to have a material impact on the 
Group.

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning 
on or after 1 January 2023 and apply to changes in accounting 
policies and changes in accounting estimates that occur on or after 
the start of that period. Earlier application is permitted as long as 
this fact is disclosed. The amendments are not expected to have a 
material impact on the Group. 

IAS 41 Agriculture – Taxation in fair value measurements 
•  As part of its 2018-2020 annual improvements to IFRS standards 
process the IASB issued amendment to IAS 41 Agriculture. The 
amendment removes the requirement in paragraph 22 of IAS 41 
that entities exclude cash flows for taxation when measuring the 
fair value of assets within the scope of IAS 41. 

An entity applies the amendment prospectively to fair value 
measurements on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting 
period beginning on or after 1 January 2022 with earlier adoption 
permitted. The amendments are not expected to have a material 
impact on the Group.

Amendments to IAS 1: Classification of Liabilities as Current or 
Non-current (1 January 2023)
•  In January 2020, the IASB issued amendments to paragraphs 69 
to 76 of IAS 1 to specify the requirements for classifying liabilities 
as current or non-current. The amendments clarify: 

 - What is meant by a right to defer settlement
 - That a right to defer must exist at the end of the reporting period 
 - That classification is unaffected by the likelihood that an entity will 

exercise its deferral right 

 - That only if an embedded derivative in a convertible liability is itself 
an equity instrument would the terms of a liability not impact its 
classification. 

Disclosure of Accounting Policies - Amendments to IAS 1 
Presentation of Financial Statements and IFRS Practice Statement 
(“PS”) 2 (1 January 2023)
•  In February 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS 
Practice Statement 2 Making Materiality Judgements, in which it 
provides guidance and examples to help entities apply materiality 
judgements to accounting policy disclosures. The amendments 
aim to help entities provide accounting policy disclosures that are 
more useful by replacing the requirement for entities to disclose 
their ‘significant’ accounting policies with a requirement to disclose 
their ‘material’ accounting policies and adding guidance on how 
entities apply the concept of materiality in making decisions about 
accounting policy disclosures. 

The amendments to IAS 1 are applicable for annual periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2023 with earlier application 
permitted. Since the amendments to the Practice Statement 2 
provide non-mandatory guidance on the application of the definition 
of material to accounting policy information, an effective date 
for these amendments is not necessary. The Group is currently 
assessing the impact of the amendments to determine the impact 
they will have on the Group’s accounting policy disclosures.

Definition of Accounting Estimates - Amendments to IAS 8 (1 
January 2023)
•  In February 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 8, 

in which it introduces a definition of ‘accounting estimates’. 
The amendments clarify the distinction between changes 

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning 
on or after 1 January 2023 and must be applied retrospectively. 
However in July 2021, IASB tentatively decided to defer the effective 
date of the amendments to no earlier than 1 January 2024. The 
amendments are currently under assessment but are not expected to 
have a material impact on the Group.

IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts (1 January 2023)
•  In May 2017, the IASB issued IFRS 17. It is expected to be effective 
for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023, with 
presentation of comparative figures required. 

The Group will be unaffected by this standard given it does not issue 
insurance contracts.

Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single 
Transaction - Amendments to IAS 12
•  In May 2021, the Board issued amendments to IAS 12, which 

narrow the scope of the initial recognition exception under IAS 12, 
so that it no longer applies to transactions that give rise to equal 
taxable and deductible temporary differences.

The amendments apply to changes in accounting policies and 
changes in accounting estimates that occur on or after the start of 
the effective date. Earlier application is permitted. The amendments 
are currently under assessment but are not expected to have a 
material impact on the Group.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022157

Significant accounting policies

The significant accounting policies applied by the Group in the 
preparation of these financial statements are as follows:

Basis of preparation

The Group and the individual financial statements of the Company 
are prepared on the going concern and historical cost basis, except 
for, retirement benefits, the revaluation of certain items of property, 
plant & equipment, share-based payments at date of grant and 
derivative financial instruments. The accounting policies have been 
applied consistently by Group entities and for all periods presented. 

The financial statements are presented in Euro millions to one 
decimal place.

(i) Going concern basis
The Directors have adopted the going concern basis in preparing 
the financial statements after assessing the Group’s principal risks 
including the risks associated with COVID-19. 

Following the Rights Issue that the Group successfully completed 
in June 2021 in which the Group raised £151m (€176m) and as a 
consequence of COVID-19, the debt covenants for 31 August 2022 
were renegotiated to increase the threshold of the Group's Net 
Debt/Adjusted EBITDA covenant to not exceed 4.5x and to reduce 
the Interest cover covenant to be not less than 2.5x. Restrictions 
including a minimum liquidity requirement of €150.0m each month 
and a monthly gross debt limit of €700.0m also apply. The Group 
is on track to meet these amended covenants, which end in 
August 2022 and revert to the traditional covenant metrics (Net 
Debt: Adjusted EBITDA not exceeding 3.5:1 and Interest Cover not 
less than 3.5:1) for its FY2023 full year results. In fact, the Group 
is back within its traditional covenant metrics as at 28 February 
2022. However the restrictions will continue to apply until the Group 
demonstrates compliance with the traditional covenant metrics at 
its FY2023 full year results, unless it can show Net Debt: Adjusted 
EBITDA not exceeding 3:1 and Interest Cover not less than 4:1 for 
its FY2023 half year results, in which case the restrictions will end at 
that point.

The proceeds from the Rights Issue of £151m (€176m), coupled 
with a return to profitability and cash generation following the easing 
of government restrictions around COVID-19 in our core markets 
and disciplined balance sheet management has led to net debt 
excluding leases and liquidity of €191m and €439m respectively at 
year end compared with €362m and €315m respectively in FY2021. 
The Group delivered a leverage of 3.4x Net Debt/EBITDA as at 28 
February 2022 and as previously noted is back within its traditional 
covenant metrics. 

The Group returned to profitability in May 2021 following the 
easing of government restrictions around COVID-19 in our core 
markets, with trading ahead of plan. However, renewed Government 
restrictions on the hospitality industry around the key Christmas 
trading period adversely impacted performance. With the lifting once 
again of restrictions towards the latter stages of FY2022, the Group’s 
on-trade performance improved, providing a platform for a clean 
start to FY2023. Cost inflation pressures have grown over recent 
months and in response, the Group implemented a series of price 
increases which, alongside the previously announced €18.0m cost 
reduction programme and cost hedge positions taken, affords the 
Group a degree of protection from the inflationary environment as 
we enter into FY2023.

The Directors assessed the Group’s cash flow forecasts for the 
period ending 31 August 2023 (the going concern “assessment 
period”). The Cashflows included various stress testing scenarios 
around higher costs, an evolving inflationary environment and  
reduced volumes, in part associated with the impact of the 
ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but even at FY2022 profit levels, 
which were significantly curtailed as a consequence of the 
COVID-19 restrictions, the Group would have sufficient headroom 
to covenants. The Group's cash flow forecasts assume the 
continuation of trading over the assessment period with no 
lockdowns or the reintroduction of COVID-19 restrictions.

Overall conclusion
The headroom on the covenants within the financing facilities 
have been reviewed in detail by management and assessed by 
the Directors. Given the successful Rights Issue in June 2021, the 
return to profitability in the Group’s core markets, the price increases 
implemented, cost hedge positions taken and the disposal of the 
Group’s share of Admiral Taverns in FY2023; the Group's cashflow 
forecasts demonstrate significant headroom on the covenants 
within the financing facilities. Given the quantum of headroom, the 
Directors have concluded that the covenants will be satisfied and 
therefore consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting with no material uncertainties as to the Group’s ability to 
continue to do so.

Basis of consolidation 

The Group’s financial statements consolidate the financial 
statements of the Company and all subsidiary undertakings 
together with the Group’s share of the results of equity accounted 
investments for the year ended 28 February 2022. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements158

Statement of Accounting Policies
For the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

(i) Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls 
an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns 
from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those 
returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements 
of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements 
from the date on which control commences until the date on which 
control ceases. 

On 30 April 2004, the Group, previously headed by C&C Group 
International Holdings Limited, underwent a reorganisation by virtue 
of which C&C Group International Holdings Limited’s shareholders 
in their entirety exchanged their shares for shares in C&C Group plc, 
a newly formed company, which then became the ultimate parent 
company of the Group. Notwithstanding the change in the legal 
parent of the Group, this transaction has been accounted for as a 
reverse acquisition and the consolidated financial statements are 
prepared on the basis of the new legal parent having been acquired 
by the existing Group except that the capital structure shown is that 
of the legal parent.

Non-controlling interests represents the portion of the equity of a 
subsidiary not attributable either directly or indirectly to the Parent 
Company and are presented separately in the Income Statement 
and within equity in the Balance Sheet distinguished from Parent 
Company shareholders’ equity, when relevant.

Acquisitions of non-controlling interests are accounted for as 
transactions with equity holders in their capacity as equity holders 
and therefore no goodwill is recognised as a result of such 
transactions. On an acquisition by acquisition basis, the Group 
recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair 
value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the 
acquiree’s net assets. If the Group loses control over a subsidiary, 
it derecognises the related assets (including Goodwill), liabilities, 
non-controlling interest and other components of equity, while any 
resultant gain or loss is recognised in the Income Statement. Any 
investment retained is recognised at fair value.

(ii) Investments in associates and jointly controlled entities 
(equity accounted investments)
The Group’s interests in equity accounted investments comprise 
interests in associates and joint ventures. Associates are those 
entities in which the Group has significant influence, but not control 
or joint control, over the financial and operating policies. A joint 
venture is a type of joint arrangement whereby the parties that have 
joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net assets of the 
joint venture. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of 
control of the arrangement, which exists only when decisions about 
the relevant activities require unanimous consent of the parties 
sharing control. The Group’s investments in its joint ventures are 
accounted for using the equity method from the date joint control is 

deemed to arise until the date on which joint control ceases to exist 
or when the interest becomes classified as an asset held for sale. 
The Income Statement reflects the Group’s share of profit after tax 
of the related joint ventures. Investments in joint ventures are carried 
in the Balance Sheet at cost, adjusted in respect of post-acquisition 
changes in the Group’s share of net assets, less any impairment 
in value. If necessary, impairment losses on the carrying amount 
of an investment are reported within the Group’s share of equity 
accounted investments results in the Income Statement. 

Interests in associates are accounted for using the equity method. 
They are initially recognised at cost, which includes transaction 
costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, the consolidated financial 
statements include the Group’s share of the profit or loss and Other 
Comprehensive Income of associates, until the date on which 
significant influence ceases. Dividends receivable from associates 
reduce the carrying amount of the investment.

(iii) Transactions eliminated on consolidation
All intercompany balances and transactions, including unrealised 
gains arising from inter-group transactions, have been eliminated 
in full. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same manner as 
unrealised gains except to the extent that they provide evidence of 
impairment. 

Unrealised gains arising from transactions with equity accounted 
investments are eliminated against the investment to the extent of 
the Group’s interest in the investment.

(iv) Company Financial Statements
Investments in subsidiaries are carried at cost less provision for 
impairment. Dividend income is recognised when the right to receive 
payment is established.

Property, plant and equipment (note 11)

Property (comprising freehold land & buildings) is recognised 
at estimated fair value with the changes in the value of the 
property reflected in Other Comprehensive Income in the case 
of a revaluation gain, to the extent it does not reverse previously 
recognised losses, or as an impairment loss in the Income 
Statement to the extent it does not reverse previously recognised 
revaluation gains. The fair value is based on estimated market 
value at the valuation date, being the estimated amount for which a 
property could be exchanged in an arm’s length transaction, to the 
extent that an active market exists. Such valuations are determined 
based on benchmarking against comparable transactions for 
similar properties in similar locations as those of the Group or on 
the use of valuation techniques including the use of market yields 
on comparable properties. If no active market exists or there are no 
other observable comparative transactions, the fair value may be 
determined using a valuation technique known as a Depreciated 
Replacement Cost approach.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
159

Plant & machinery is carried at its revalued amount. In view of the 
specialised nature of the Group’s plant & machinery and the lack 
of comparable market-based evidence of a similar plant sold, upon 
which to base a market approach of fair value, the Group uses a 
Depreciated Replacement Cost approach to determine a fair value 
for such assets. 

Depreciated Replacement Cost is assessed, firstly, by the 
identification of the gross replacement cost for each class of plant 
& machinery. A depreciation factor derived from both the physical 
and functional obsolescence of each class of asset, taking into 
account estimated residual values at the end of the life of each class 
of asset, is then applied to the gross replacement cost to determine 
the net replacement cost. An economic obsolescence factor, which 
is derived based on current and anticipated capacity or utilisation 
of each class of plant & machinery as a function of total available 
production capacity, is applied to determine the Depreciated 
Replacement Cost. 

Motor vehicles & other equipment are stated at cost less 
accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the 
acquisition of the asset. When parts of an item of property, plant 
& equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as 
separate items (major components) of property, plant & equipment. 
Subsequent costs are included in an asset’s carrying amount or 
recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is 
probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will 
flow to the Group. 

Property, plant & equipment, other than freehold land and assets 
under construction, which are not depreciated, were depreciated 
using the following rates which are calculated to write-off the value 
of the asset, less the estimated salvage value of 5% for other plant & 
machinery and 15% for storage tanks, over its expected useful life: 

Land & Buildings
Land

n/a

Judgement is involved in the depreciation policy applied to certain 
fixed assets where there is considered to be a salvage value. The 
Group considers that such assets have a salvage value equal to 
5% of cost for other plant & machinery and 15% for storage tanks, 
based on the expected scrap value of the associated assets. 
The salvage value and useful lives of property, plant & equipment 
are reviewed and adjusted if appropriate at each reporting date 
to take account of any changes that could affect prospective 
depreciation charges and asset carrying values. When determining 
useful economic lives, the principal factors the Group takes into 
account are the intensity at which the assets are expected to be 
used, expected requirements for the equipment and technological 
developments.

On disposal of property, plant & equipment, the cost or valuation 
and related accumulated depreciation and impairments are removed 
from the Balance Sheet and the net amount, less any proceeds, is 
taken to the Income Statement and any amounts included within the 
revaluation reserve transferred to the retained income reserve.

The carrying amounts of the Group’s property, plant & equipment 
are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there 
is any indication of impairment. An impairment loss is recognised 
when the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit 
exceeds its recoverable amount (being the greater of fair value less 
costs to sell and value in use). Impairment losses are debited directly 
to equity under the heading of revaluation reserve to the extent of 
any credit balance existing in the revaluation reserve account in 
respect of that asset with the remaining balance recognised in the 
Income Statement.

Certain property, plant & equipment is remeasured to fair value at 
regular intervals. In these cases, the revaluation surplus is credited 
directly to Other Comprehensive Income and accumulated in 
equity under the heading of revaluation reserve, unless it reverses 
a revaluation decrease on the same asset previously recognised as 
an expense, where it is first credited to the Income Statement to the 
extent of the previous write down.

Buildings – ROI, US, Portugal

2 - 6% straight-line

Leases (note 11 and note 19)

Buildings – UK 

2 - 3% straight-line

Plant & Machinery
Storage tanks

Other plant & machinery 

 2 - 7% straight-line

6 - 32% reducing 
balance 

Motor vehicles & other equipment
Motor vehicles 

Other equipment incl returnable 
bottles, cases and kegs

15% straight-line

5 - 25% straight-line

The Group enters into leases for a range of assets, principally 
relating to freehold land & buildings, plant & machinery and motor 
vehicles & other equipment. These leases have varying terms, 
renewal rights and escalation clauses.

A contract contains a lease if it is enforceable and conveys the 
right to control the use of a specified asset for a period of time in 
exchange for consideration, which is assessed at inception. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
160

Statement of Accounting Policies
For the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

Group as a lessee
(i) Right-of-use assets
The Group recognises a right-of-use asset at the commencement 
date for contracts containing a lease. The commencement date is 
the date at which the asset is made available for use by the Group.

Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated 
depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any 
remeasurement of lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use assets 
includes the lease liability adjusted for any payments made at or 
before the commencement date, initial direct costs incurred, lease 
incentives received and an estimate of the cost to dismantle or 
restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located at the 
end of the lease term. The right-of-use asset is depreciated over 
the lease term or, where a purchase option is reasonably certain to 
be exercised, over the useful economic life of the asset in line with 
depreciation rates for owned property, plant & equipment. The right-
of-use asset is tested periodically for impairment if any impairment 
indicator is considered to exist. 

(ii) Lease liabilities
At the commencement date of the lease, the Group recognises 
lease liabilities measured at the present value of lease payments 
to be made over the lease term. The commencement date is the 
date at which the asset is made available for use by the Group. 
Lease payments include fixed payments less any lease incentives 
receivable, variable payments that are dependent on a rate or 
index known at the commencement date, payments for an optional 
renewal period and purchase and termination option payments, 
if the Group is reasonably certain to exercise those options. 
Management applies judgement in determining whether it is 
reasonably certain that a renewal, termination or purchase option 
will be exercised.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the 
future lease payments, discounted using the incremental borrowing 
rate or the interest rate implicit in the lease, if this is readily 
determinable, over the remaining lease term. Incremental borrowing 
rates are calculated using a portfolio approach, based on the risk 
profile of the entity holding the lease and the term and currency of 
the lease.

After initial recognition, the lease liability is measured at amortised 
cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there 
is a change in future lease payments or when the Group changes its 
assessment of whether it is reasonably certain to exercise an option 
within the contract. A corresponding adjustment is made to the 
carrying amount of the right-of-use asset. 

The Group chooses whether or not to include certain non-lease 
components, such as maintenance costs, in the measurement of 
the right-of-use asset and lease liability on an underlying asset class 
as afforded by the practical expedients in the standard. Where the 
non-lease components are not included, the costs are separated 
from lease payments and are expensed as incurred.

(iii) Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets 
The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to 
its short-term leases (i.e. those leases that have a lease term of 12 
months or less from the commencement date and do not contain 
a purchase option). It also applies the lease of low-value assets 
recognition exemption to leases where the underlying asset value is 
low. Lease payments on short-term leases and leases of low-value 
assets are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over 
the lease term.

Business combinations (note 10)

Upon making any investment, the Group is required to determine 
whether any control exists and hence whether the business 
acquired is accounted for as a subsidiary. If control is not deemed to 
exist then the investment is accounted for as either a joint venture, 
associate or financial asset depending on the relevant agreement. 
This determination is made based on an assessment of the Group’s 
power to affect the activities of the investment and the extent to 
which it has exposure to variable returns and the ability to affect 
such returns. This assessment is based principally on shareholder 
agreements and representation of the Group on the investment’s 
management committee as well as any relevant other side 
agreements.

Where an investment is made to the extent that the Group is 
deemed to have control over the investee, the investment is 
accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition 
method. In applying the acquisition method, the Group determines 
the cost of acquisition, being the fair value of consideration 
transferred, and also determines the fair value of identifiable assets 
and liabilities acquired.

Where the consideration to be transferred is contingent on future 
events the consideration is initially recorded at fair value with any 
changes recognised in the Income Statement. The only exception 
to this is where the consideration transferred meets the definition 
of an equity instrument, in which case the consideration is not 
remeasured, and the settlement is accounted for within equity. 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022161

Goodwill is initially measured at cost, being the excess of the 
aggregate of the cost of acquisition, non-controlling interests and 
any previous interest held over the fair value of the net identifiable 
assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If the fair value of the 
net assets acquired is in excess of the aggregate consideration 
transferred, the Group reassesses whether it has correctly identified 
all of the assets acquired and all of the liabilities assumed and 
reviews the procedures used to measure the amounts to be 
recognised at the acquisition date. If the reassessment still results in 
an excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over the aggregate 
consideration transferred, then the gain is recognised in the Income 
Statement immediately. 

Goodwill (note 12)

As at the date of acquisition any goodwill acquired is allocated 
to each cash-generating unit (CGU) (which may comprise more 
than one cash-generating unit) expected to benefit from the 
combination’s synergies. Impairment is determined by assessing the 
recoverable amount of the CGU to which the goodwill relates. These 
CGUs represent the lowest level within the Group at which goodwill 
is monitored for internal management purposes. 

Where goodwill forms part of a CGU and part of the operation within 
that unit is disposed of, the goodwill associated with the operation 
disposed of is included in the carrying amount of the operation when 
determining the gain or loss on disposal of the operation. Goodwill 
disposed of in this circumstance is measured on the basis of the 
relative values of the operation disposed of and the proportion of the 
business segment retained. 

Goodwill relating to associates and joint ventures is included in the 
carrying amount of the investment and is neither amortised nor 
individually tested for impairment. Where indicators of impairment 
of an investment arise in accordance with the requirements of IAS 
36, the carrying amount is tested for impairment by comparing its 
recoverable amount with its carrying amount.

Intangible assets (other than goodwill) (note 12)

An intangible asset, which is a non-monetary asset without a 
physical substance, is capitalised separately from goodwill as part 
of a business combination at cost (fair value at date of acquisition) 
to the extent that it is probable that the expected future economic 
benefits attributable to the asset will flow to the Group and that its 
fair value can be reliably measured. Acquired brands and other 
intangible assets are deemed to be identifiable and recognised 
when they are controlled through contractual or other legal rights, or 
are separable from the rest of the business, regardless of whether 
those rights are transferable or separable from the Group or from 
other rights and obligations.

Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at 
cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated 
impairment losses. The carrying values of intangible assets 
considered to have an indefinite useful economic life are 
reviewed for indicators of impairment regularly and are subject to 
impairment testing on an annual basis unless events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be 
recoverable and impairment testing is required earlier.

Software costs incurred with respect to new systems and costs 
incurred in acquiring software and licences that will contribute to 
future period financial benefits through revenue generation and/or 
cost reduction are capitalised. Costs capitalised include external 
direct costs of materials and service and direct payroll and payroll 
related costs of employees’ time spent on the development side of 
the project. 

Cloud software license agreements to use cloud software are 
treated as service contracts and expensed in the Income Statement, 
unless the Group has both the contractual right to take possession 
of the software anytime without significant penalty, and the ability to 
run the software independently of the host vendor. In such cases, 
the license agreement is capitalised as software within intangible 
assets.

The amortisation charge on intangible assets considered to have 
finite lives is calculated to write-off the book value of the asset over 
its useful life on a straight-line basis on the assumption of zero 
residual value. 

The useful lives of the Group’s intangible assets are as follows:

Trade relationship re Tennent’s acquisition 

Trade relationship re Wallaces acquisition

Trade relationship re Gleeson acquisition

Trade relationship re Matthew Clark and 
Bibendum acquisition

20 years

10 years

15 years

15 years

Software and licence costs

5 - 8 years

Impairment of non-financial assets

Further disclosures relating to impairment of non-financial assets are 
also provided in the following notes: 
•  Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives: Note 12
•  Intangible assets: Note 12
•  Property, plant and equipment: Note 11
•  Investments in associates and joint ventures: Note 13

The Group assesses at each reporting date, whether there is an 
indication that an asset may be impaired. If any indication exists, or 
when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the Group 
estimates the asset’s recoverable amount. An asset’s recoverable 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
162

Statement of Accounting Policies
For the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

amount is the higher of an asset’s or CGU’s fair value less costs of 
disposal and its value in use. The recoverable amount is determined 
for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash 
inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or 
groups of assets. When the carrying amount of an asset or CGU 
exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired 
and is written down to its recoverable amount.

In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are 
discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that 
reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and 
the risks specific to the asset. The recoverable amount of goodwill 
is determined by reference to the cash-generating unit to which the 
goodwill has been allocated. Impairment losses arising in respect of 
goodwill are not reversed once recognised. 

In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are 
discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that 
reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and 
the risks specific to the asset. In determining fair value less costs of 
disposal, recent market transactions are taken into account. If no 
such transactions can be identified, an appropriate valuation model 
is used. These calculations are corroborated by valuation multiples, 
quoted share prices for publicly traded companies or other available 
fair value indicators. 

Intangible assets with indefinite useful economic lives are 
reviewed for indicators of impairment regularly and are subject to 
impairment testing on an annual basis unless events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be 
recoverable and impairment testing is required earlier.

Retirement benefit obligations (note 23)

The Group operates a number of defined contribution and defined 
benefit pension schemes. 

Impairment losses of continuing operations are recognised in 
the Income Statement in expense categories consistent with the 
function of the impaired asset, except for properties previously 
revalued with the revaluation taken to Other Comprehensive 
Income. For such properties, the impairment is recognised in 
Other Comprehensive Income up to the amount of any previous 
revaluation. 

For assets excluding goodwill, an assessment is made at each 
reporting date to determine whether there is an indication that 
previously recognised impairment losses no longer exist or have 
decreased. If such indication exists, the Group estimates the asset’s 
or CGU’s recoverable amount. A previously recognised impairment 
loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the assumptions 
used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last 
impairment loss was recognised. The reversal is limited so that 
the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed its recoverable 
amount, nor exceed the carrying amount that would have been 
determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been 
recognised for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognised 
in the Income Statement unless the asset is carried at a revalued 
amount, in which case, the reversal is treated as a revaluation 
increase. 

Goodwill is subject to impairment testing on an annual basis and at 
any time during the year if an indicator of impairment is considered 
to exist. In the year in which a business combination is effected 
and where some or all of the goodwill allocated to a particular 
cash-generating unit arose in respect of that combination, the 
cash-generating unit is tested for impairment prior to the end of 
the relevant annual period. Where the carrying value exceeds the 
estimated recoverable amount (being the greater of the fair value 
less costs of disposal and value-in-use), an impairment loss is 
recognised by writing down goodwill to its recoverable amount. 

Obligations to the defined contribution pension schemes are 
recognised as an expense in the Income Statement as the related 
employee service is received. Under these schemes, the Group has 
no obligation, either legal or constructive, to pay further contributions 
in the event that the fund does not hold sufficient assets to meet its 
benefit commitments.

The liabilities and costs associated with the Group’s defined benefit 
pension schemes, all of which are funded and administered under 
trusts which are separate from the Group, are assessed on the 
basis of the projected unit credit method by professionally qualified 
actuaries and are arrived at using actuarial assumptions based 
on market expectations at the reporting date. The discount rates 
employed in determining the present value of the schemes’ liabilities 
are determined by reference to market yields, at the reporting date, 
on high-quality corporate bonds of a currency and term consistent 
with the currency and term of the associated post-employment 
benefit obligations. The fair value of scheme assets is based on 
market price information, measured at bid value for publicly quoted 
securities. 

The resultant defined benefit pension net surplus or deficit is shown 
within either non-current assets or non-current liabilities on the face 
of the Balance Sheet and comprises the total for each plan of the 
present value of the defined benefit obligation less the fair value of 
plan assets out of which the obligations are to be settled directly. 
The assumptions (disclosed in note 23) underlying these valuations 
are updated at each reporting period date based on current 
economic conditions and expectations (discount rates, salary 
inflation and mortality rates) and reflect any changes to the terms 
and conditions of the post retirement pension plans. The deferred 
tax liabilities and assets arising on pension scheme surpluses 

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022163

and deficits are disclosed separately within deferred tax assets or 
liabilities, as appropriate. 

When the benefits of a defined benefit scheme are improved, 
the portion of the increased benefit relating to the past service of 
employees is recognised as an expense immediately in the Income 
Statement. 

The expected increase in the present value of scheme liabilities 
arising from employee service in the current period is recognised 
in arriving at operating profit or loss together with the net 
interest expense/(income) on the net defined benefit liability/
(asset). Differences between the actual return on plan assets and 
the interest income, experience gains and losses on scheme 
liabilities, together with the effect of changes in the current or 
prior assumptions underlying the liabilities are recognised in Other 
Comprehensive Income. The amounts recognised in the Income 
Statement and Other Comprehensive Income and the valuation of 
the defined benefit pension net surplus or deficit are sensitive to the 
assumptions used.

Company
The Company has no direct employees and is not the sponsoring 
employer for any of the Group’s defined benefit pension schemes. 

Income tax (note 7 and note 22)

Current income tax
Current tax expense represents the expected tax amount to be 
paid in respect of taxable income for the current year and is based 
on reported profit and the expected statutory tax rates, reliefs, 
and allowances applicable in the jurisdictions in which the Group 
operates. Current tax for the current and prior years, to the extent 
that it is unpaid, is recognised as a liability in the Balance Sheet. 

Deferred tax
Deferred tax is provided on the basis of the Balance Sheet 
liability method on all temporary differences at the reporting date. 
Temporary differences are defined as the difference between the 
tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in 
the financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not 
subject to discounting and are measured at the tax rates that are 
expected to apply in the period in which the asset is recovered or 
the liability is settled based on tax rates and tax laws that have been 
enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for all temporary 
differences except where they arise from:
•  The initial recognition of goodwill or an asset or a liability in a 

transaction that is not a business combination and affects neither 
the accounting profit or loss nor the taxable profit or loss at the 
time of the transaction, or, 

•  Taxable temporary differences associated with investments in 
subsidiaries where the timing of the reversal of the temporary 
difference is subject to the Group’s control and it is probable that 
a reversal will not be recognised in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets in respect of deductible temporary differences 
are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that taxable 
profits or taxable temporary differences will be available against 
which to offset these items. The recognition or non-recognition of 
deferred tax assets as appropriate also requires judgement as it 
involves an assessment of the future recoverability of those assets. 
The recognition of deferred tax assets is based on management’s 
judgement and estimate of the most probable amount of future 
taxable profits and taking into consideration applicable tax 
legislation in the relevant jurisdiction. The carrying amounts of 
deferred tax assets are subject to review at each reporting date and 
are reduced to the extent that future taxable profits are considered 
to be insufficient to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be 
utilised.

The Group offsets deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities only 
if it has a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets and 
current tax liabilities and the deferred tax assets and deferred tax 
liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority 
on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities which 
intend either to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, 
or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, in 
each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax 
liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or recovered.

Deferred tax and current tax are recognised as a component of the 
tax expense in the Income Statement except to the extent that they 
relate to items recognised directly in Other Comprehensive Income 
or equity (for example, certain derivative financial instruments 
and actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit pension 
schemes), in which case the related tax is also recognised in Other 
Comprehensive Income or equity.

Company financial assets

The change in legal parent of the Group on 30 April 2004, as 
disclosed in detail in that year’s annual report, was accounted for as 
a reverse acquisition. This transaction gave rise to a financial asset in 
the Company’s accounts, which relates to the fair value at that date 
of its investment in subsidiaries. Financial assets are reviewed for 
impairment if there are any indications that the carrying value may 
not be recoverable. 

Share options granted to employees of subsidiary companies are 
accounted for as an increase in the carrying value of the investment 
in subsidiaries and the share-based payment reserve.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements164

Statement of Accounting Policies
For the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

Revenue recognition

Excise duty

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (IFRS 15) 
establishes a five-step model to account for revenue arising from 
contracts with customers. Under IFRS 15, revenue comprises an 
amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects 
to be entitled to in exchange for transferring goods or services to 
a customer, these are exclusive of value added tax, after allowing 
for discounts, rebates, allowances for customer loyalty and other 
pricing related allowances and incentives. Provision is made for 
returns where appropriate. The Group recognises revenue in the 
amount of the price expected to be received for goods and services 
supplied at a point in time or over time, as contractual performance 
obligations are fulfilled, and control of goods and services passes 
to the customer. Where revenue is earned over time as contractual 
performance obligations are satisfied, the percentage-of-completion 
method remains the primary method by which revenue recognition 
is measured.

The Group manufactures and distributes branded cider, beer, wine, 
spirits and soft drinks in which revenue is recognised at a point in 
time when control is deemed to pass to the customer upon leaving 
the Group’s premises or upon delivery to a customer depending on 
the terms of sale. Contracts do not contain multiple performance 
obligations (as defined by IFRS 15).

Across the Group, goods are often sold with discounts or rebates 
based on cumulative sales over a period. The variable consideration 
is only recognised when it is highly probable that it will not be 
subsequently reversed and is recognised using the most likely 
amount or expected value methods, depending on the individual 
contract terms. In the application of appropriate revenue recognition, 
judgement is exercised by management in the determination of the 
likelihood and quantum of such items based on experience and 
historical trading patterns. 

The Group is deemed to be a principal to an arrangement when 
it controls a promised good or service before transferring them to 
a customer; and accordingly recognises the revenue on a gross 
basis. The Group is determined to be an agent to a transaction, in 
circumstances where the Group arranges for the provision of goods 
or services by another third party, based on the principal of control; 
the net amount retained after the deduction of any costs to the 
principal is recognised as revenue. 

Excise duty is levied at the point of production in the case of the 
Group’s manufactured products and at the point of importation in 
the case of imported products in the relevant jurisdictions in which 
the Group operates. As the Group’s manufacturing and warehousing 
facilities are revenue approved and registered excise facilities, the 
excise duty liability generally crystallises on transfer of product from 
duty in suspense to duty paid status which normally coincides with 
the point of sale. The duty number disclosed represents the cash 
cost of duty paid on the Group’s products. Where goods are bought 
duty paid, and subsequently sold, the duty element is not included 
in the duty line within Net revenue but is included within the cost of 
goods sold.

Net revenue

Net revenue is defined by the Group as revenue less excise duty 
paid by the Group. 

Exceptional items

The Group has adopted an accounting policy and Income Statement 
format that seeks to highlight specific significant items of income 
and expense within the Group results for the year. The Directors 
believe this provides a more useful analysis. These significant items 
are determined based on the following qualitative and quantitative 
framework. The Group considers items which are significant either 
because of their size or their nature, and which are non-recurring.

For items to be considered significant, it must initially meet at least 
one of the following criteria:
•  Non-recurring items – these are events/transactions that are 

infrequent and unusual, or one-off in nature. These include items 
such as restructuring and integration projects, litigation costs and 
settlements, impairment of assets, COVID-19, acquisition related 
costs, and gains/losses from the sale of assets or businesses.

•  Inconsistent items – these are items which are inconsistent 

amounts year on year (where applicable) such as revaluation 
gains/losses.

•  For an item to be deemed exceptional, it must have a significant 
effect on C&C’s profitability and should therefore be separately 
disclosed. For the purposes of FY2022 year-end, the Group 
determined a material amount that would influence the economic 
decisions of a user of the financial statements. 

If an item meets at least one of the criteria, the Directors then 
exercise judgement evaluated based on the above criteria as to 
whether the item meets the Group definition of significant.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022165

Finance income and expenses

Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested and 
any gains on hedging instruments that are recognised in the Income 
Statement. Interest income is recognised as it accrues in the Income 
Statement, using the effective interest method.

Impairment losses on initial classification as held-for-sale and 
subsequent gains and losses on remeasurement are recognised in 
the Income Statement. Once classified as held-for-sale, intangible 
assets and property, plant and equipment are no longer amortised 
or depreciated, and any equity accounted investee is no longer 
equity accounted.

Finance expenses comprise interest expense on borrowings, 
interest expense on sale of trade receivables, bank guarantee 
fees, amortisation of borrowing issue costs, losses on hedging 
instruments that are recognised in the Income Statement, ineffective 
portion of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges and 
unwinding the discount on provisions and leases. All borrowing 
costs are recognised in the Income Statement using the effective 
interest method.

Research and development

Expenditure on research that is not related to specific product 
development is recognised in the Income Statement as incurred.

Expenditure on the development of new or substantially improved 
products or processes is capitalised if the product or process is 
technically feasible and commercially viable.

Government grants

Grants are recognised at their fair value when there is a reasonable 
assurance that the grant will be received, and all attaching 
conditions have been complied with.

Capital grants received and receivable by the Group are credited to 
government grants and are amortised to the Income Statement on 
a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives of the assets to 
which they relate.

Revenue grants are recognised as income over the periods 
necessary to match the grant on a systematic basis to the costs that 
it is intended to compensate.

Assets held for sale

Non-current assets, or disposal groups comprising of assets and 
liabilities, are classified as held-for-sale if it is highly probable that 
they will be recovered primarily through sale rather than through 
continuing use. Such assets, or disposal groups, are generally 
measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less 
costs to sell. Any impairment loss on a disposal group is allocated 
first to goodwill, and then to the remaining assets and liabilities 
on a pro rata basis, except that no loss is allocated to inventories, 
financial assets, deferred tax assets or employee benefit assets, 
which continue to be measured in accordance with the Group’s 
other accounting policies as applicable. 

Discontinued operations

A discontinued operation is a component of the Group’s business, 
the operations and cash flows of which can be clearly distinguished 
from the rest of the Group and which; represents a separate major 
line of business or geographic area of operations; is part of a single 
co-ordinated plan to dispose of a separate major line of business 
or geographic area of operations; or is a subsidiary acquired 
exclusively with a view to resale. 

Classification as a discontinued operation occurs at the earlier of 
disposal or when the operation meets the criteria to be classified 
as held-for-sale. When an operation is classified as a discontinued 
operation, the comparative Income Statement and Other 
Comprehensive Income is represented as if the operation had been 
discontinued from the start of the comparative year. 

Segmental reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the 
internal organisational and management structure of the Group and 
the internal financial information provided to the Chief Operating 
Decision-Maker, the executive Directors, who are responsible for 
the allocation of resources and the monitoring and assessment of 
performance of each of the operating segments. 

Following a business review and organisational structure change 
in FY2022, this has transitioned from four segment operating 
model (Ireland, Great Britain, Matthew Clark and Bibendum and 
International) to a two segment operating model. The Group has 
determined that its reportable segments are Ireland and Great 
Britain. The reportable segments reflect the way financial information 
is reviewed by the Group’s CODM.

The previous reportable segments, as disclosed in the Group’s 
FY2021 annual report have been realigned to follow the Group’s 
new operating segments and how the business will be managed 
internally going forward. The Group has restated the operating 
segment information for the year ended 28 February 2021 
accordingly.

The analysis by segment includes both items directly attributable to 
a segment and those, including central overheads that are allocated 
on a reasonable basis to those segments in internal financial 
reporting packages.

For further information on operating segments see note 1.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
166

Statement of Accounting Policies
For the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

Foreign currency translation 

Inventories 

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 Euro, which 
is the presentation currency of the Group and both the presentation 
and functional currency of the Company.

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the functional 
currency of each entity at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the 
date of the transaction. Non-monetary assets carried at historic 
cost are not subsequently retranslated. Monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the reporting date 
are translated into functional currencies at the foreign exchange 
rate ruling at that date. Foreign exchange movements arising 
on translation are recognised in the Income Statement with the 
exception of all monetary items designated as a hedge of a net 
investment in a foreign operation, which are recognised in the 
consolidated financial statements in Other Comprehensive Income 
until the disposal of the net investment, at which time they are 
recognised in the Income Statement for the year.

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill 
and fair value adjustments arising on consolidation, are translated 
to Euro at the foreign exchange rates ruling at the reporting date. 
The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated to 
Euro at the average exchange rate for the financial period where 
that represents a reasonable approximation of actual rates. Foreign 
exchange movements arising on translation of the net investment 
in a foreign operation, including those arising on long-term intra-
group loans for which settlement is neither planned nor likely 
to happen in the foreseeable future and as a consequence are 
deemed quasi equity in nature, are recognised directly in Other 
Comprehensive Income in the consolidated financial statements in 
the foreign currency translation reserve. The portion of exchange 
gains or losses on foreign currency borrowings or derivatives used 
to provide a hedge against a net investment in a foreign operation 
that is designated as a hedge of those investments, is recognised 
directly in Other Comprehensive Income to the extent that they are 
determined to be effective. The ineffective portion is recognised 
immediately in the Income Statement for the year.

Any movements that have arisen since 1 March 2004, the date of 
transition to IFRS, are recognised in the currency translation reserve 
and are recycled through the Income Statement on disposal of the 
related business. Translation differences that arose before the date 
of transition to IFRS as adopted by the EU in respect of all non-Euro 
denominated operations are not presented separately.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 
Cost includes all expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories 
and bringing them to their present location and condition and is 
based on the first-in first-out principle.

In the case of finished goods and work in progress, cost includes 
direct production costs and the appropriate share of production 
overheads plus excise duties, where appropriate. Net realisable 
value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of 
business, less estimated costs necessary to complete the sale.

Provision is made for slow-moving or obsolete stock where 
appropriate.

Provisions 

A provision is recognised in the Balance Sheet when the Group 
has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past 
event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will 
be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are measured at the 
Directors’ best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the 
obligation at the balance sheet date and are discounted to present 
value at an appropriate rate if the effect of the time value of money is 
deemed material. The carrying amount of the provision increases in 
each period to reflect the passage of time and the unwinding of the 
discount. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is 
recognised in the Income Statement within finance expense.

A contingent liability is not recognised but is disclosed where the 
existence of the obligation will only be confirmed by future events or 
where it is not probable that an outflow of resources will be required 
to settle the obligation or where the amount of the obligation cannot 
be measured with reasonable reliability. Contingent assets are not 
recognised but are disclosed where an inflow of economic benefits 
is probable. Provisions are not recognised for future operating 
losses; however, provisions are recognised for onerous contracts 
where the unavoidable cost exceeds the expected benefit.

Due to the inherent uncertainty with respect to such matters, the 
value of each provision is based on the best information available 
at the time, including advice obtained from third party experts, and 
is reviewed by the Directors on a periodic basis with the potential 
financial exposure reassessed. Revisions to the valuation of a 
provision are recognised in the period in which such a determination 
is made, and such revisions could have a material impact on the 
financial performance of the Group.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
167

Share-based payments

Financial instruments 

The Group operates a number of Share Option Schemes, 
Performance Share Plans and cash settled award schemes, listed 
below:
•  Executive Share Option Scheme (the ‘ESOS’), 
•  Long-Term Incentive Plan (the ‘LTIP’),
•  Recruitment and Retention Plan, 
•  Deferred Bonus Plan (‘DBP’), and
•  Partnership and Matching Share Schemes.

Equity settled share-based payment transactions
Group share schemes allow certain employees to acquire shares 
in the Company. The fair value of share entitlements granted is 
recognised as an employee expense in the Income Statement 
with a corresponding increase in equity, while the cost of acquiring 
shares on the open market to satisfy the Group’s obligations under 
the Partnership and Matching Share Schemes is recognised in the 
Income Statement as incurred.

All awards are subject to non-market vesting conditions only, the 
details of which are set out in note 4.

The expense for the share entitlements shown in the Income 
Statement is based on the fair value of the total number of 
entitlements expected to vest and is allocated to accounting periods 
on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The cumulative 
charge to the Income Statement at each reporting date reflects 
the extent to which the vesting period has expired and the Group’s 
best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately 
vest. It is reversed only where entitlements do not vest because all 
non-market performance conditions have not been met or where 
an employee in receipt of share entitlements leaves the Group 
before the end of the vesting period and forfeits those options in 
consequence.

The proceeds received by the Company net of any directly 
attributable transaction costs on the vesting of share entitlements 
met by the issue of new shares are credited to share capital and 
share premium when the share entitlements are exercised. Amounts 
included in the share-based payments reserve are transferred to 
retained income when vested options are exercised, forfeited post-
vesting or lapse.

The dilutive effect of outstanding options, to the extent that they 
are to be settled by the issue of new shares and to the extent that 
the vesting conditions would have been satisfied if the end of the 
reporting period was the end of the contingency period, is reflected 
as additional share dilution in the determination of diluted earnings 
per share.

Trade & other receivables 
Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value (which usually 
equals the original invoice value) and are subsequently measured 
at amortised cost less loss allowance for impairment losses. The 
Group applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9 Financial 
Instruments to measure expected credit losses for trade receivables, 
which requires expected lifetime losses to be recognised from 
initial recognition of the receivables. The carrying amount of these 
receivables approximates their fair value as these are short-term in 
nature; hence, the maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting 
date is the carrying value of each class of receivable.

Trade receivables are derecognised when the rights to receive cash 
flows from the asset have expired or the Group has transferred 
its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an 
obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material 
delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and 
either (a) the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and 
rewards of the asset, or (b) the Group has neither transferred nor 
retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has 
transferred control of the asset. 

Cash 
Cash in the Balance Sheet comprises of cash at bank and in hand 
and short-term deposits with an original maturity of three months or 
less. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form part 
of the Group’s cash management are included as a component of 
cash for the purpose of the statement of cash flows. 

Advances to customers
Advances to customers, which can be categorised as either an 
advance of discount or a repayment/annuity loan conditional on the 
achievement of contractual sales targets, are initially recognised at 
fair value, amortised to the Income Statement (and classified within 
sales discounts as a reduction in revenue) over the relevant period 
to which the customer commitment is made, and subsequently 
carried at amortised cost less an impairment allowance. Where 
there is a volume target the amortisation of the advance is included 
in sales discounts as a reduction to revenue. Regarding advances 
to customers, the Group applies the general approach to measure 
expected credit losses which requires a loss provision to be 
recognised based on twelve month or lifetime expected credit 
losses, provided a significant increase in credit risk has occurred 
since initial recognition. The Group Credit Committee reviews debt 
collection trends and commercial market information to assess any 
significant change in credit risk.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements168

Statement of Accounting Policies
For the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

Trade & other payables
Trade & other payables are recognised initially at fair value and 
subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest rate method.

Interest-bearing loans & borrowings 
Interest-bearing loans & borrowings are recognised initially at fair 
value less attributable transaction costs and are subsequently 
measured at amortised cost with any difference between the 
amount originally recognised and redemption value being 
recognised in the Income Statement over the period of the 
borrowings on an effective interest rate basis. Where the early 
refinancing of a loan results in a significant change in the present 
value of the expected cash flows, the original loan is derecognised 
and the replacement loan is recognised at fair value. The difference 
between the original loan and the fair value of the replacement loan 
is recognised in finance costs in the year. 

Derivative financial instruments
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date that 
a derivative contract is entered into, and they are subsequently 
remeasured to their fair value at the end of each reporting period. 
The accounting for subsequent changes in fair value 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 hedges of a particular risk associated with the 
cash flows of recognised assets and liabilities and highly probable 
forecast transactions (cash flow hedges). The gains or losses 
related to derivatives not used as effective hedging instruments are 
recognised in the Income Statement.

At inception of the hedge relationship, the Group documents the 
economic relationship between hedging instruments and hedged 
items, including whether changes in the cash flows of the hedging 
instruments are expected to offset changes in the cash flows 
of hedged items. The Group documents its risk management 
objective and strategy for undertaking its hedge transactions. The 
fair values of derivative financial instruments designated in hedge 
relationships are disclosed in note 24. Movements in the hedging 
reserve in shareholders’ equity are shown in note 24. The full fair 
value of a hedging derivative is classified as a non-current asset 
or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is more 
than 12 months; it is classified as a current asset or liability when 
the remaining maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months. 
The Group only trades derivatives for hedging activities. The Group 
documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an 
ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging 
transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or 
cash flows of hedged items.

Cash flow hedges that qualify for hedge accounting
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that 
are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognised in 
the cash flow hedge reserve within equity. The gain or loss relating 
to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the Income 
Statement as finance expenses.

The Group uses forward contracts to hedge forecast transactions, 
the Group generally designates the full change in fair value of the 
forward contract, i.e. the forward rate including forward points, as 
the hedging instrument. Gains or losses relating to the effective 
portion of the change in fair value of the entire forward contract are 
recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve within equity.

Amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified in the periods 
when the hedged item affects profit or loss. Where the hedged item 
subsequently results in the recognition of a non-financial asset (such 
as inventory), the deferred hedging gains and losses are included 
within the initial cost of the asset. The deferred amounts are 
ultimately recognised in profit or loss, since the hedged item affects 
profit or loss (for example, through operating costs).

When a hedging instrument expires, or is sold or terminated, or 
when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, 
any cumulative deferred gain or loss in equity at that time remains 
in equity until the forecast transaction is no longer expected to 
occur, the cumulative gain or loss that were reported in equity are 
immediately reclassified to profit or loss.

Cash flow hedge reserve
The cash flow hedge reserve is used to recognise the effective 
portion of gains or losses on derivatives that are designated and 
qualify as cash flow hedges, as described in note 24. Amounts are 
subsequently either transferred to the initial cost of inventory or 
reclassified to profit or loss as appropriate.

Net investment hedging
Any gain or loss on the effective portion of a hedge of a net 
investment in a foreign operation using a foreign currency 
denominated monetary liability is recognised in Other 
Comprehensive Income while the gain or loss on the ineffective 
portion is recognised immediately in the Income Statement. 
Cumulative gains and losses remain in Other Comprehensive 
Income until disposal of the net investment in the foreign operation 
at which point the related differences are transferred to the Income 
Statement as part of the overall gain or loss on disposal.

Share capital/premium

Ordinary shares are classified as equity instruments. Incremental 
costs directly attributable to the issuance of new shares are shown 
in equity as a deduction from the gross proceeds.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022169

Treasury shares
Equity share capital issued under its Joint Share Ownership Plan, 
which is held in trust by an Employee Trust is classified as treasury 
shares on consolidation until such time as the Interests lapse and 
the shares are cancelled or disposed of by the Trust.

Own shares acquired under share buyback programme
The cost of ordinary shares purchased by a subsidiary of the Group 
on the open market is recorded as a deduction from equity on the 
face of the Group Balance Sheet. When these shares are cancelled, 
an amount equal to the nominal value of any shares cancelled is 
included within other undenominated capital fund and the cost is 
deducted from retained earnings.

Dividends 
Final dividends on ordinary shares are recognised as a liability in 
the financial statements only after they have been approved at an 
Annual General Meeting of the Company. Interim dividends on 
ordinary shares are recognised when they are paid.

Significant Judgements and Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in 
conformity with IFRS as adopted by the EU requires management 
to make certain estimates, assumptions and judgements that affect 
the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of 
assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The significant judgements, 
estimates and assumptions used by management may differ from 
the actual outcome of the transaction and consequently the realised 
value of the associated assets and liabilities may vary. The Group 
has considered the impact of climate change on the consolidated 
financial statements, including the carrying value of assets, the 
useful economic life of assets, and provisions. The significant 
judgements and estimates which have been applied, and which are 
expected to have a material impact, are as follows:

Significant judgements
Income Taxes
The Group is subject to income tax in a number of jurisdictions, 
and judgement is required in determining the worldwide provision 
for taxes. There are many transactions and calculations during 
the ordinary course of business, for which the ultimate tax 
determination is uncertain and the complexity of the tax treatment 
may be such that the final tax charge may not be determined until 
a formal resolution has been reached with the relevant tax authority 
which may take extended time periods to conclude. The ultimate 
tax charge may, therefore, be different from that which initially is 
reflected in the Group’s consolidated tax charge and provision and 
any such differences could have a material impact on the Group’s 
income tax charge and consequently financial performance. 

The determination of the provision for income tax is based on 
management’s understanding of the relevant tax law and judgement 
as to the appropriate tax charge, and management believe that 
all assumptions and estimates used are reasonable and reflective 
of the tax legislation in jurisdictions in which the Group operates. 
Where the final tax charge is different from the amounts that were 
initially recorded, such differences are recognised in the income tax 
provision in the period in which such determination is made.

Deferred tax assets in respect of deductible temporary differences 
are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that taxable 
profits or taxable temporary differences will be available against 
which to offset these items. The recognition or non-recognition of 
deferred tax assets as appropriate also requires judgement as it 
involves an assessment of the future recoverability of those assets. 
The recognition of deferred tax assets is based on management’s 
judgement and estimate of the most probable amount of future 
taxable profits and taking into consideration applicable tax 
legislation in the relevant jurisdiction. 

Valuation of property, plant and equipment
The Group values its freehold land & buildings and plant & 
machinery at market value/Depreciated Replacement Cost 
and consequently, carries out an annual valuation. The Group 
engages external valuers to value the Group’s property, plant & 
machinery at a minimum every three years or as at the date of 
acquisition for assets acquired as part of a business combination. 
An external valuation was conducted at 28 February 2022 by 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to value the freehold land & buildings 
and plant & machinery at the Group’s Clonmel (Tipperary), Wellpark 
(Glasgow) and Portugal sites. 

The key assumptions used to determine the fair value of the freehold 
land & buildings and plant & machinery and sensitivity analyses are 
provided in note 11.

Sources of estimation uncertainty
Recoverable amount of goodwill 
The impairment testing process requires management to make 
significant estimates regarding the future cash flows expected to 
be generated by cash-generating units to which goodwill has been 
allocated. Future cash flows relating to the eventual disposal of 
these cash-generating units and other factors may also be relevant 
to determine the fair value of goodwill. Management periodically 
evaluates and updates the estimates based on the conditions 
which influence these variables. The assumptions and conditions 
for determining impairments of goodwill reflect management’s best 
assumptions and estimates (discount rates, terminal growth rates, 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements170

Statement of Accounting Policies
For the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

forecasted volume, net revenue, operating profit) but these items 
involve inherent uncertainties described above, many of which are 
not under management’s control. The Group also considered the 
potential impact of climate change. This is an area of estimation and 
judgement. As a result, the accounting for such items could result 
in different estimates or amounts if management used different 
assumptions or if different conditions occur in future accounting 
periods. 

The inputs to the value in use calculations are disclosed in note 12.

Incremental borrowing rates on leases
Management use estimation in determining the incremental 
borrowing rates for leases which has a significant impact on the 
lease liabilities and right-of-use assets recognised. The incremental 
borrowing rates includes several key components such as, a 
reference rate (incorporating currency, economic environment and 
term of lease); a financing spread adjustment, an entity specific 
adjustment (if applicable) and a lease specific adjustment (if 
applicable, for example, a property lease compared to vehicle/other 
leases, and the term of the lease).

Please refer to note 19 for the carrying amounts of the right-of-use 
assets and the lease liability impacted.

Pension valuation
Significant estimates are used in the determination of the pension 
obligation, the amounts recognised in the Income Statement and 
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income and the valuation of 
the defined benefit pension net surplus or deficit are sensitive to 
the assumptions used. The assumptions underlying the actuarial 
valuations (including discount rates, rates of increase in future 
compensation levels, mortality rates, salary and pension increases, 
future inflation rates and healthcare cost trends), from which the 
amounts recognised in the consolidated financial statements are 
determined, are updated annually based on current economic 
conditions and for any relevant changes to the terms and conditions 
of the pension and post-retirement plans. These assumptions can 
be affected by (i) the discount rate, changes in the rates of return 
on high-quality corporate bonds; (ii) for future compensation levels, 
future labour market conditions and (iii) for healthcare cost trend 
rates, the rate of medical cost inflation in the relevant regions. 
The weighted average actuarial assumptions used and sensitivity 
analysis in relation to the significant assumptions employed in the 
determination of pension and other post-retirement liabilities are 
contained in note 23 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Whilst management believes that the assumptions used are 
appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in 
assumptions may affect the obligations and expenses recognised 
in future accounting periods. The assets and liabilities of defined 
benefit pension schemes may exhibit significant period-on-
period volatility attributable primarily to changes in bond yields 
and longevity. In addition to future service contributions, cash 
contributions may be required to remediate past service deficits. A 
sensitivity analysis of the change in these assumptions is provided in 
note 23.

Expected credit losses
The Group applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 
9 Financial Instruments to measure expected credit losses for 
trade receivables, which requires expected lifetime losses to be 
recognised from initial recognition of the receivables.

Further to the impact of COVID-19 on the Group, estimates have 
been made around the credit losses expected to be incurred on the 
Group’s financial assets – principally being trade receivables and 
trade loans. In determining the expected credit losses, the loss rates 
are determined based on the grouping of trade receivables sharing 
the same credit risk characteristics and past due days. 

Regarding advances to customers, the Group applies the general 
approach to measure expected credit losses which requires a 
loss provision to be recognised based on twelve month or lifetime 
expected credit losses, provided a significant increase in credit risk 
has occurred since initial recognition.

Please refer to note 15 for the impact of the expected credit loss 
approach on the Group’s trade receivables and advances to 
customers.

Provision for obsolete stock
As a result of COVID-19, the Group has provided for obsolete 
inventory with respect to inventory which has no alternate use or 
right of return to the supplier and/or where inventory has become 
obsolete due to COVID-19 restrictions in the on-trade. 

Please refer to note 14 for details in relation to the provision for 
obsolete stock.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022Notes forming part of the financial statements

171

1. SEGMENTAL REPORTING

The Group’s business activity is the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of branded beer, cider, wine, spirits and soft drinks. Two 
operating segments have been identified in the current financial year; Ireland and Great Britain.  In FY2021, the Group reported under four 
segments (Ireland, GB, MCB and International), however following a business review and organisational structure change in FY2022, this 
has been reduced to two for FY2022. The Group has restated the operating segment information for the year ended 28 February 2021 to 
conform with the current year presentation.

The Group continually reviews and updates the manner in which it monitors and controls its financial operations resulting in changes in 
which information is classified and reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”). The CODM, identified as the Executive 
Directors, assesses and monitors the operating results of segments separately via internal management reports in order to effectively 
manage the business and allocate resources.

The identified business segments are as follows:

(i) Ireland 
This segment includes the financial results from sale of the Group’s own branded products across the island of Ireland, principally Bulmers, 
Magners, Tennent’s, Five Lamps, Clonmel 1650, Heverlee, Dowd’s Lane, Seven Summits hard seltzer, Roundstone Irish Ale, Linden Village, 
Finches and Tipperary Water. The Group also operates the Bulmers Ireland drinks distribution business, a leading distributor of third party 
drinks to the licenced on and off-trade in Ireland. The Group distributes San Miguel, Tsingtao and Budweiser Brewing Group beer brands 
across the island of Ireland. Since July 2020, the Group has also distributed the Budweiser brand on an exclusive basis. Our primary 
manufacturing plant is located in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, with major distribution and administration centres in Dublin and Culcavy, Northern 
Ireland.

(ii) Great Britain (GB)
This segment includes the financial results from sale of the Group’s own branded products in Scotland, with Tennent’s, Caledonia Best, 
Heverlee and Magners the main brands. This division includes the sale of the Group’s portfolio of owned cider brands across the rest 
of GB, including Magners, Orchard Pig, K Cider and Blackthorn which are distributed in partnership with Budweiser Brewing Group. In 
addition, the division includes the Tennent’s drinks distribution business in Scotland. The Group also distributes selected Budweiser Brewing 
Group brands in Scotland and the Tsingtao and Menabrea international beer brands across the UK. Our primary manufacturing plant and 
administration centre is located at the Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow.

In addition, this segment includes the financial results from the Matthew Clark and Bibendum distribution businesses. Matthew Clark is the 
largest independent distributor to the UK on-trade drinks sector. It offers an unrivalled range of products, including beers, wines, spirits, 
cider and soft drinks. Matthew Clark and Bibendum also have a number of exclusive distribution agreements for third party products (mainly 
wines but also including spirits) into the UK market and also has a limited range of own brand wines. Bibendum is one of the largest wine, 
spirits and craft beer distributors and wholesalers to the UK on-trade and off-trade, with a particular focus on wine.

Together the Tennent’s, Matthew Clark and Bibendum distribution businesses operate a nationwide distribution network serving the 
independent free trade and national accounts. 

Further, this segment includes the financial results from the sale and distribution of the Group’s own branded products, principally Magners 
and Tennent’s outside of the UK and Ireland. The Group exports to over 40 countries globally, notably in continental Europe, Asia and 
Australia. The Group operates mainly through local distributors in these markets and regions. 

This segment also includes the sale of the Group’s cider and beer products in the US and Canada. In April 2021, the business divested our 
wholly-owned US subsidiary, Vermont Hard Cider Company and its Woodchuck suite of brands. 

The Group’s analysis by segment includes both items directly attributable to a segment and those, including central overheads, which are 
allocated on a reasonable basis in presenting information to the CODM.

Inter-segmental revenue is not material and thus not subject to separate disclosure.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements172

1. SEGMENTAL REPORTING (continued)

(a) Analysis by reporting segment

Ireland

Great Britain

Total before exceptional items

Exceptional items (note 5)

Group operating profit/(loss) 

Profit on disposal (note 5)

Finance income (note 6)

Finance expense (note 6)

Finance expense exceptional items (note 5)

Share of equity accounted investments’ profit/
(loss) before exceptional items (note 13)

Share of equity accounted investments’ 
exceptional items (note 5)

Profit/(loss) before tax

2022

2021*

Revenue

Net revenue

Operating profit

Revenue 

Net revenue

Operating loss

€m

338.3

€m

224.3

1,457.8

1,213.8

1,796.1

1,438.1

-

-

1,796.1

1,438.1

€m

269.8

753.0

1,022.8

-

1,022.8

€m

166.1

570.8

736.9

-

736.9

€m

16.7

31.2

47.9

10.6

58.5

4.5

0.2

(16.1)

(6.7)

2.6

2.7

45.7

€m

(4.9)

(54.7)

(59.6)

(25.2)

(84.8)

5.8

-

(19.5)

(7.9)

(6.1)

(8.8)

(121.3)

* 

The Group has restated the operating segment information for the year ended 28 February 2021 to conform with the current year presentation.

The exceptional items in the current financial year are a €10.6m credit, of which €9.2m relates to Ireland and €1.4m relates to Great Britain. 
Of the exceptional items in the prior financial year charge of €25.2m, €8.3m loss related to Ireland and a €16.9m loss related to Great Britain. 

Profit on disposal of €4.5m in the current financial year relates to Great Britain. Profit on disposal of €5.8m in the prior financial year related to 
Ireland.

The share of equity accounted investments’ profit after tax before exceptional items of €2.6m (FY2021: €6.1m loss) relates to Great Britain. 
The share of equity accounted investments’ exceptional items of €2.7m (FY2021: €8.8m loss) relates to Great Britain. 

Total assets for the year ended 28 February 2022 amounted to €1,468.7m (FY2021: €1,335.6m).

(b) Other operating segment information

Ireland

Great Britain

Total

2022

2021*

Tangible and 
intangible 
expenditure

Lease additions

Depreciation 
/amortisation /
impairment /
revaluation

Tangible and 
intangible 
expenditure

Lease additions

Depreciation /
amortisation /
impairment/ 
revaluation

€m

7.3

5.9

13.2

€m

4.1

19.0

23.1

€m

6.2

25.6

31.8

 €m

1.9

12.2

14.1

€m

0.9

11.0

11.9

€m

6.1

26.2

32.3

* 

The Group has restated the operating segment information for the year ended 28 February 2021 to conform with the current year presentation.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
173

1. SEGMENTAL REPORTING (continued)

(c) Geographical analysis of revenue and net revenue 

Revenue

Net revenue

Ireland

Great Britain

International*

Total

2022

€m

338.3

1,439.0

18.8

1,796.1

2021

€m

269.8

726.1

26.9

1,022.8

2022

€m

224.3

1,195.1

18.7

1,438.1

* 

International as a geographic region consists of multiple countries that in aggregate represent 1% of Group revenue.

The geographical analysis of revenue and net revenue is based on the location of the third party customers. 

(d) Geographical analysis of non-current assets

28 February 2022
Property, plant & equipment

Goodwill & intangible assets

Equity accounted investments/financial assets

Total

28 February 2021
Property, plant & equipment

Goodwill & intangible assets

Equity accounted investments/financial assets

Total

Ireland

Great Britain

International

€m

€m

€m

73.4

157.6

0.4

231.4

135.9

473.7

0.7

610.3

4.7

25.2

0.2

30.1

Ireland

Great Britain

International

€m

€m

€m

68.5

158.1

0.4

227.0

130.2

462.7

62.5

655.4

5.3

25.2

0.2

30.7

2021

€m

166.1

544.6

26.2

736.9

Total

€m

214.0

656.5

1.3

871.8

Total

€m

204.0

646.0

63.1

913.1

The geographical analysis of non-current assets, with the exception of goodwill & intangible assets, is based on the geographical location of 
the assets. The geographical analysis of goodwill & intangible assets is allocated based on the country of destination of sales at the date of 
acquisition.

(e) Disaggregated net revenue
In the following table, net revenue is disaggregated by principal activities and products. Principal activities and products is the primary 
basis on which management reviews its businesses across the Group. To aid in more useful analysis of the Group’s business performance, 
the Group has introduced Branded and Distribution for the year ended 28 February 2022 to better reflect how the business is managed 
commercially and the distinct revenue sources which drive its performance as a brand-led distributor in the UK and Ireland.  

Principal activities and products
Net revenue

Branded* 

Distribution** 

Co pack/Other

Total Group from continuing operations

2022

Ireland

Great Britain

€m

 78.3

139.8
6.2

 224.3 

€m

 170.1

1,005.5
38.2

1,213.8

Total

€m

248.4

1,145.3

44.4

 1,438.1 

*   Branded defined as being brands either fully owned by C&C or sold by C&C as part of a long-term distribution deal, whereby C&C are responsible for the marketing as well as 

sale of the brand in the associated geography. 

**  Distribution defined as third-party brands sold through our distribution businesses and brands where C&C act as an exclusive agent for a brand in a specific geography. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements174

1. SEGMENTAL REPORTING (continued)

Principal activities and products
Net revenue

Branded* 

Distribution** 

Co pack/Other

Total Group from continuing operations

Ireland

€m

48.6 

 114.0 

3.5

 166.1 

2021***
Great Britain 

€m

133.4

394.2

43.2

570.8

Total

€m

182.0

 508.2

46.7

 736.9 

*  Branded defined as being brands either fully owned by C&C or sold by C&C as part of a long-term distribution deal, whereby C&C are responsible for the marketing as well as 

sale of the brand in the associated geography. 

**  Distribution defined as third-party brands sold through our distribution businesses and brands where C&C act as an exclusive agent for a brand in a specific geography. 
***  The Group has restated the disaggregated net revenue information for the year ended 28 February 2021 to conform with the current year presentation.

2. OPERATING COSTS

Raw material cost of goods sold/bought in finished 
goods

Inventory write-down/(recovered) (note 14)

Employee remuneration (note 3)

Direct brand marketing

Other operating, selling and administration costs

Foreign exchange

Depreciation (note 11) (note 19)

Amortisation (note 12)

Net (profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant & 
equipment

Auditor’s remuneration (a)

Impairment of intangible assets (note 12)

Impairment of equity accounted investment (note 13)

Net (revaluation)/impairment of property, plant & 
machinery (note 11)

Before 
exceptional 
items

2022
Exceptional 
items
(note 5)

€m

€m

Before 
exceptional 
items 

€m

Total

€m

1,108.9

-

1,108.9

1.1

125.5

17.7

102.4

0.5

29.2

2.6

0.2

1.5

0.6

-

-

(4.1)

0.6

-

(11.1)

-

-

-

(1.8)

-

-

6.4

(0.6)

(10.6)

(3.0)

126.1

17.7

91.3

0.5

29.2

2.6

(1.6)

1.5

0.6

6.4

(0.6)

2021
Exceptional 
items
(note 5)

€m

-

5.8

6.8

-

2.7

-

-

-

(0.7)

-

0.3

9.1

1.2

25.2

Total

€m

562.1

6.7

108.4

13.5

89.3

(0.6)

28.2

2.6

(0.4)

1.3

0.3

9.1

1.2

821.7

562.1

0.9

101.6

13.5

86.6

(0.6)

28.2

2.6

0.3

1.3

-

-

-

Total operating expenses

1,390.2

1,379.6

796.5

(a) Auditor’s remuneration: The remuneration of the Group’s statutory auditor, being the Irish firm of the principal auditor of the Group, Ernst & 
Young, Chartered Accountants is as follows:

Audit of the Group financial statements

Audit of subsidiaries 

Non-audit services

Total

EY Ireland 2022

Other EY Offices 
2022

Total 2022

EY Ireland 2021

Other EY Offices 
2021

Total 2021

€m

0.4

0.4

0.4

1.2

€m

-

0.3

-

0.3

€m

0.4

0.7

0.4

1.5

€m

0.5

0.4

-

0.9

€m

-

0.4

-

0.4

€m

0.5

0.8

-

1.3

The audit fee for the audit of the financial statements of the Company was less than €0.1m in the current and prior financial year. There were 
€0.4m of non-audit fees paid to Ernst & Young during the current financial year (FY2021: €nil) in respect of services in connection with the 
Rights Issue.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
175

2. OPERATING COSTS (continued)

(b) Cyber security expenses: On 19 April 2021, the Group announced that it had experienced a cyber security incident within its Matthew 
Clark and Bibendum (MCB) operations. In response, certain IT systems and applications used in those business units were pro-actively shut 
down and were securely restored over the course of a number of weeks. By the end of May 2021, MCB was again using their IT systems 
and applications. The cyber security incident affected MCB only, with other Group business and production sites unaffected throughout the 
period.

The Group incurred €2.6m of costs in FY2022 as a direct result of the cyber security incident in April. These costs primarily related to 
specialist advisory fees incurred to investigate and respond to the incident (€1.1m) and subsequent improvements and additional protection 
tools to enhance the security of the IT systems (€1.5m). Following the incident affecting Matthew Clark and Bibendum IT systems in 
April 2021, the Group has reviewed its information security and cyber preparedness policies and procedures, enhanced its Information 
Technology systems and controls, including the appointment of a Technology and Transformation Director and Group Head of IT. As a 
demonstration of the Group's commitment to tackling cyber security, it is currently pursuing Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation from the 
National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).  

3. EMPLOYEE NUMBERS & REMUNERATION COSTS

The average number of persons employed by the Group (including Executive Directors) during the year, analysed by category, was as 
follows:

Sales & marketing

Production & distribution

Administration

Total

The actual number of persons employed by the Group as at 28 February 2022 was 2,822 (FY2021: 2,653).

The aggregate remuneration costs of these employees can be analysed as follows:

Wages, salaries and other short-term employee benefits, net of government grants (a)

Restructuring costs (note 5)

Social welfare costs

Retirement benefits – defined benefit schemes (note 23)

Retirement benefits – defined contribution schemes, including pension related expenses 

Equity settled share-based payments (note 4)

Other non-equity settled share-based payments and PRSI accrued with respect to share-based payments

2022

Number

435

1,454

852

2,741

2022

€m

106.7

0.6

10.3

0.7

5.5

1.5

0.8

2021

Number

519

1,536

895

2,950

2021

€m

82.9

6.8

10.7

0.9

5.8

0.8

0.5

Charged to the Income Statement    

126.1

108.4

Actuarial gain on retirement benefits recognised in Other Comprehensive Income (note 23)

Total employee benefits

Directors’ remuneration

Directors’ remuneration (note 28)

(32.8)

93.3

2022

€m

4.1

(13.4)

95.0

2021

€m

2.0

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
176

3. EMPLOYEE NUMBERS & REMUNERATION COSTS (continued)

(a)  Government grants and assistance
In the current financial year, wages and salaries amounting to €106.7m (FY2021: €82.9m) are stated net of wage subsidies received by the 
Group from the Irish and UK governments. These wage subsidies are offset against the related wages and salaries expense over the period 
in which they were incurred. During FY2022, the Group availed of wage subsidies of €1.7m from the Irish government and €2.9m (£2.5m) 
from the UK government.

Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (Ireland)

Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (Ireland)

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (UK)

Grants related to income

2022

€m

-

1.7

2.9

4.6

2021

€m

1.3

2.9

21.9

26.1

The Group has availed of the Irish and UK government schemes as a direct consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Group has 
availed of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme from 1 April 2020 to 31 August 2020 and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme from 
1 September 2020 to 7 June 2021 in Ireland and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in the UK from 1 April 2020 to 14 July 2021. The 
Group no longer avails of any wage subsidy schemes. 

The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme was available to employers who lost a minimum of 25% of turnover as a result of the COVID-19 
pandemic and who kept employees on their payroll during this time. The scheme was replaced by the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme 
from 1 September 2020 with similar conditions to the preceding scheme, but with a turnover decline of 30% required compared to a similar 
period in FY2020. 

In the UK, the Group availed of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Up to 30 June 2020, the scheme only applied to furloughed 
employees and employees still working in the Group were not eligible. From 1 July 2020, the UK government introduced a flexible furlough 
scheme where employees can work part time and an employer can claim subsidies which are passed on to employees for the hours not 
worked. In order to be eligible for the scheme, employees must have been on at least a three week furlough period prior to 10 June 2020. 

In the current financial year, the Group was in compliance with all the conditions of the respective schemes. The grant income received has 
been offset against the related costs in operating costs in the Income Statement.

Government assistance 
In addition, the Group received financial assistance by way of commercial rates waivers and deferrals of tax liabilities from the Irish and UK 
governments. 

In Ireland the Group benefitted from a commercial rates waiver of €0.3m in FY2022 (FY2021: €1.0m). 

Under the warehousing of tax liabilities legislation introduced by the Financial Provisions (COVID-19) (No. 2) Bill 2020 and Finance Act 2020 
(Act 26 of 2020), VAT liabilities of €11.0m (FY2021: €19.1m) and payroll tax liabilities of €3.2m (FY2021: €1.3m) relating to FY2022 have been 
deferred. Payments made to the Irish tax authorities in respect of deferred tax liabilities during FY2022 totalled €14.5m for VAT and €2.1m for 
payroll taxes. No comparable payments were made in FY2021. 

At the end of FY2022, the deferred VAT liabilities totalled €15.6m (FY2021: €19.1m) and deferred payroll liabilities totalled €2.5m (FY2021: 
€1.3m), mainly related to new FY2022 deferrals. It is envisaged that the deferred balances will be paid in full by September 2022, subject to 
any unforeseen COVID-19 implications over this time.

In the UK, no additional tax liabilities were deferred during FY2022 (FY2021: €57.0m (£49.6m)). Payments made to the UK tax authorities in 
respect of deferred tax liabilities during FY2022 totalled €32.7m (£27.9m) for VAT (FY2021: €nil (£nil)) and €15.0m (£12.8m) for Excise Duties 
(FY2021: €40.3m (£36.1m)). 

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022177

3. EMPLOYEE NUMBERS & REMUNERATION COSTS (continued)

VAT liabilities of €0.2m (£0.1m) were deferred at the end of FY2022 (FY2021: €32.2m). Excise duty liabilities of €10.5m (£8.8m) were deferred 
at the end of FY2022 (FY2021: €24.8m), included in the Euro equivalent closing balances is a retranslation loss of €1.4m. Both the deferred 
VAT liabilities and the deferred excise duties are mainly related to new FY2022 deferrals and will be repaid in FY2023.

4. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

Equity settled awards
The Group has an established equity settled Executive Share Option Scheme (“ESOS”) in place under which options to purchase shares 
in C&C Group plc are granted to certain Executive Directors and members of management. Under the terms of the scheme, the options are 
exercisable at the market price prevailing at the date of the grant of the option.

Options were granted in June 2017, November 2017 and May 2018 under this scheme. The vesting of these awards is based on compound 
annual growth in underlying EPS over the three year performance period, commencing in the financial year when an award is granted. If 
compound annual growth in underlying EPS over the performance period is 2% per annum, then 25% of the awards vest. If the compound 
annual growth in underlying EPS over the performance period is 6% per annum then 100% of the awards vest. There is straight-line vesting 
between both points and no reward for below threshold performance. Options granted in 2017 have achieved their performance conditions 
and therefore vested in full. Options granted in 2018 did not meet their performance conditions in FY2021 and therefore were deemed to 
have lapsed in the prior year. 

The Group also has an established Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) under the terms of which options to purchase shares in C&C Group 
plc are granted at nominal cost to certain Executive Directors and members of management. All such awards granted from June 2017 to 
December 2019 are subject to the following three performance conditions:
•  33% of the award is subject to compound annual growth in underlying EPS over the three year performance period. If compound annual 
growth in underlying EPS over the performance period is 3% per annum then 25% of the awards vest. If the compound annual growth in 
underlying EPS over the performance period is 8% per annum then 100% of the awards vest. 

•  33% of the award is subject to the performance condition that the Free Cash Flow Conversion ratio (‘FCF’) of the Group (excluding the 
impact of exceptional items) would be 65% conversion, on average, over the three year performance period, at which case 25% of this 
element of the award would vest. If the FCF is 75% on average, then 100% of this element of the award would vest. 

•  33% of the award is subject to a Return on Capital Employed (“ROCE”) target. If the ROCE is 9.3% then 25% of this element of the award 

would vest. If the ROCE is 10% then 100% of this element of the award would vest. 

In all three components of the performance conditions of the LTIP there is straight-line vesting between both points and no reward for below 
threshold performance. Options granted in 2017 have achieved their performance conditions and therefore vested in full. The performance 
conditions for options granted in May 2018, February 2019, May 2019 and December 2019 were deemed to be no longer capable of 
achieving their performance conditions and were therefore deemed to have lapsed in the prior year. 

The vesting of LTIP awards granted in December 2020 will be subject to an assessment of the Group’s underlying financial performance 
across the three-year period FY2021 – FY2023. Each award will also be subject to the following three separate performance conditions:
•  30% of the award was subject to FY2021 liquidity, which was defined as the Group’s cash on hand plus availability from the Group’s 
Revolving Credit Facility as at 28 February 2021. If liquidity was €250.0m, 25% of this element of the award would have vested and if 
liquidity was €300.0m, 100% of this element of the award would have vested. This condition was achieved in full in relation to FY2021 
liquidity.

•  35% of the award is subject to FY2022 Net Debt to FY2022 EBITDA ratio, with a minimum threshold of 4.1 and a maximum threshold of 

3.8 required. This condition was achieved in full in relation to FY2022 Net Debt to FY2022 EBITDA ratio.

•  35% of the award is subject to FY2023 financial measures. The details of these measures will be determined by the Board by no later than 

the start of the FY2023 performance period. The targets will be disclosed in the Group’s FY2023 Annual Report.

Threshold vesting in respect of any year will be no more than 25%, but subject to the overriding three-year financial performance 
assessment. No award will vest until the end of the full three year performance period, and Executive Directors’ awards will then be subject 
to a further two-year holding period. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements178

4. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (continued)

The vesting of LTIP awards granted in June 2021 will be subject to the following performance conditions assessed across the three-year 
performance period FY2022 - FY2024. In each case, threshold vesting will be 25% of the maximum.
•  45% of the award is subject to certain EPS targets being met, with a minimum threshold set of 22c and a maximum of 27c. This is to be 

achieved by the end of the year 3 target range (end of FY2024) rather than as a cumulative target. 

•  35% of the award is subject to the performance condition that the Free Cash Flow Conversion ratio (‘FCF’) of the Group (excluding the 

impact of exceptional items) would be a minimum threshold of 65% conversion and a maximum threshold of 75% by the end of the year 3 
target range (end of FY2024) rather than as a cumulative target. 

•  20% of the award is subject to the performance condition that certain environmental targets are met. To give impetus to the Group's de-
carbonisation efforts, a target has been set to reduce its Scope 1 emissions (being direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, 
which includes emissions from company-owned or operated facilities and vehicles) and Scope 2 emissions (being indirect emissions from 
the generation of purchased energy e.g. electricity, steam, heat and cooling) over the three financial years ending with FY2024, with a 
threshold of a 6% reduction set and a maximum of a 12% reduction. 

Following the appointment of David Forde as Group Chief Executive Officer, the Group made an award of 842,636 shares to David 
on 3 November 2020 (“Buy-Out Awards”). These shares were to compensate David for remuneration which he forfeited from his 
previous employment upon joining the Group. Reflecting the fact that the forfeited remuneration bought out was guaranteed cash-based 
remuneration, the closing share price on the day before the date of grant was used to calculate the number of shares to ensure the value 
was equal to the remuneration forfeited. The award will vest in respect of 50% of the shares in November 2022 (“Buy-Out 1”) and 50% of 
the shares in November 2023 (“Buy-Out 2”). After sales of shares to cover tax, David Forde will be required to retain 50% of the shares 
acquired in satisfaction of the Group’s Executive Director shareholding requirement.

In June 2010, the Group established a Recruitment and Retention Plan (“R&R”) under the terms of which options to purchase shares in 
C&C Group plc at nominal cost are granted to certain members of management, excluding Executive Directors. 

The performance conditions and/or other terms and conditions for awards granted under this plan are specifically approved by the Board of 
Directors at the time of each individual award, following a recommendation by the Remuneration Committee. Performance conditions vary 
per award but include, some or all, of the following conditions; continuous employment, performance targets linked to the business unit to 
which the recipient is aligned or a requirement to have a personal shareholding in the Company at the end of the performance period.

Obligations arising under the Recruitment and Retention Plan will be satisfied by the purchase of existing shares on the open market. Upon 
settlement, any difference between the amount included in the share-based payment reserve account and the cash paid to purchase the 
shares is recognised in retained income via the Statement of Changes in Equity.

The Group also has a Deferred Bonus Plan (“DBP”) under the terms of which options to purchase shares in C&C Group plc at nominal 
cost are granted to certain members of management. Awards under this plan are subject to a continuous employment performance 
condition only. 

In November 2011, the Group set up Partnership and Matching Share Schemes for all ROI and UK based employees of the Group 
under the approved profit sharing schemes referred to below. Under these schemes, employees can invest in shares in C&C Group plc 
(partnership shares) that will be matched on a 1:1 basis by the Company (matching shares) subject to Revenue approved limits. Both the 
partnership and matching shares are held on behalf of the employee by the Scheme trustee, Link Group Limited. The shares are purchased 
on the open market on a monthly basis at the market price prevailing at the date of purchase with any remaining cash amounts carried 
forward and used in the next share purchase. The shares are held in trust for the participating employee, who has full voting rights and 
dividend entitlements on both partnership and matching shares. Matching shares may be forfeited and/or tax penalties may apply if the 
employee leaves the Group or removes their partnership shares within the Revenue-stipulated vesting period. The Revenue stipulated 
vesting period for matching shares awarded under the ROI scheme is three years and under the UK scheme is up to five years. 

The Group held 696,476 matching shares (1,392,646 partnership and matching) in trust at 28 February 2022 (FY2021: 564,152 matching 
shares (1,128,304 partnership and matching shares held)). 

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022179

4. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (continued)

In FY2020 the Group, recognising that some employees of Matthew Clark and Bibendum (“MCB”), which the Group acquired in FY2019, 
had previously lost money in a share scheme operated by the previous owners of MCB and prior to MCB being acquired by the Group, 
committed to allocating to those employees, C&C Group plc shares in May 2021, equivalent in value to the amount they had lost in the share 
scheme of the previous owners of MCB. The employees must also be investing in the Group’s partnership and matching share scheme 
to qualify for the award. In the current financial year, these awards were granted with immediate vesting to participants who were still 
employees of the Group on the date of grant.

Award valuation
The fair values assigned to the equity settled awards granted were computed in accordance with a Black Scholes valuation methodology. 

As per IFRS 2 Share-based Payment, non-market or performance related conditions were not taken into account in establishing the fair 
value of equity instruments granted, instead these non-market vesting conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of equity 
instruments included in the measurement of the transaction amount so that, ultimately the amount recognised for time and services received 
as consideration for the equity instruments granted is based on the number of equity instruments that eventually vest, unless the failure to 
vest is due to failure to meet a market condition.

The main assumptions used in the valuations for equity settled share-based payment awards granted in the current and prior financial years 
were as follows:

LTIP options 
granted
Jun 21

LTIP options 
granted
Dec 20

Buy-Out 
1 options 
granted
Nov 20

Buy-Out 
2 options 
granted
Nov 20

Fair value at date of grant

€2.70

€2.47*

€1.51*

€1.51*

-

0.16%

-

-

-

-

-

-

38.9%

36.8%

38.3%

34.6%

R&R
 options 
granted
Jun 21

€2.70

-

0.02%

44.7%

R&R
 options granted
May 21

€2.90

-

-

R&R
 options 
granted
Nov 20

€1.51*

-

-

R&R 
options 
granted
Oct 20

DBP options 
granted 
Oct 20

€1.85*

€1.85*

-

-

-

-

n/a

41.0%

37.8%

37.8%

3

-

3

-

2

-

3

-

1

-

Immediate

-

1.5

-

2

-

2

-

* 

The Group completed a successful Rights Issue in June 2021 at a discounted price of £1.86. The number of options/equity Interests granted and the fair value at date of grant 
were rebased following the Rights Issue.

Expected volatility is calculated by reference to historic share price movements prior to the date of grant over a period of time commensurate 
with the expected term until exercise. The dividends which would be paid on a share reduces the fair value of an award since, in not owning 
the underlying shares, a recipient does not receive the dividend income on these shares. Due to the Group not paying dividends in the 
current financial year dividend yield has been set to zero. For LTIP, DBP and the Buy-Out awards, the participants are entitled to receive 
dividends, and therefore the dividend yield has been set to zero to reflect this. 

Exercise price

Risk free interest rate

Expected volatility

Expected term until exercise 
–years

Dividend yield

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
180

4. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (continued)

Details of the share entitlements and share options granted under these schemes together with the share option expense are as follows:

Grant date

Vesting period

Number of 
options/ equity 
Interests 
granted*

 Number 
deemed 
outstanding 
at 28 February 
2022**

Executive Share Option Scheme

1 June 2017

13 November 2017

31 May 2018

Long-Term Incentive Plan

1 August 2017

13 November 2017

31 May 2018

11 February 2019

23 May 2019

12 December 2019

2 December 2020

15 June 2021

Buy-Out Award

3 November 2020

Recruitment & Retention Plan

30 October 2015

12 May 2016

1 August 2017

11 February 2019

12 December 2019

18 February 2020

22 October 2020

3 November 2020

27 May 2021****

15 June 2021

Deferred Bonus Plan

11 February 2019

22 October 2020

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

840,568

156,699

246,211

939,466

-

-

500,534

164,140

626,311

478,343

605,249

293,961

93,522

-

-

-

-

-

824,888

824,888

812,921

812,921

2-3 years

899,254

899,254

2 years

1.5-2.5 years

1.8 years

2-3 years

2.5 years

2 years

2 years

490,871

194,003

65,585

477,081

7,689

-

17,750

6,008

476,052

204,255

60,171

17,826

60,171

17,826

1.5 years

149,041

149,041

Immediate

196,963

139,255

1 year

170,230

170,230

2 years

2 years

14,420

17,826

-

17,826

9,561,915 3,577,335

Partnership and Matching Share Schemes

1,392,646***

Grant
price

€

3.40

2.93

2.99

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Market
value at 
date
of grant

€

3.364

2.880

2.99

3.069

2.880

2.990

3.05

3.71

4.66

2.54

2.74

Expense 
/ (income) 
in Income 
Statement
2022

Expense 
/ (income) 
in Income 
Statement
2021

Fair value at 
date of grant*

€ 

€m

€m

0.307

0.219

0.255

2.876

2.880

2.990

3.05

3.71

4.66

2.47

2.70

-

-

-

-

  -

-

-

-

-

0.7

0.5

-

-

(0.1)

0.1

0.1

(0.6)

(0.4)

(0.3)

(0.1)

0.2

-

1.685

1.51

0.6

0.2

3.60

4.041

2.8172

3.20

3.54

2.64

3.05 2.47 – 2.77

4.66

4.52

1.98

1.61

2.93

2.74

3.05

1.98

4.00

3.91

1.85

1.51

2.90

2.70

2.88

1.85

-

-

-

(0.7)

(0.2)

0.1

-

0.2

-

0.3

-

-

1.5

0.7

-

-

-

0.4

0.8

0.1

-

0.1

0.3

-

-

-

0.8

0.7

* 

The Group completed a successful Rights Issue in June 2021 at a discounted price of £1.86. The number of options/equity Interests granted and the fair value at date of grant 
were rebased following the Rights Issue.

**  Excludes awards that are deemed to be not capable of achieving their performance conditions as at 28 February 2022.
***  Includes both partnership and matching shares.
**** Previously named ‘MCB compensation awards’.

The amount charged to the Income Statement includes a credit of €0.9m (FY2021: €1.5m), being the reversal of previously expensed 
charges on equity settled option schemes where the non-market performance conditions were deemed no longer capable of being 
achieved or the employee has left the Group.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022181

4. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (continued)

A summary of activity under the Group’s equity settled share option schemes with the weighted average exercise price of the share options 
is as follows:

Outstanding at beginning of year

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited/lapsed

Outstanding at end of year

2022

2021

Number of 
options/ equity 
Interests

Weighted average 
exercise price

Number of 
options/ equity 
Interests

Weighted average 
exercise price

3,160,858

1,380,647*

(265,749)

(698,421)

3,577,335

€

0.30

4,788,136

-

1,788,653

1.61

(1,002,587)

-

(2,413,344)

0.15

3,160,858

€

1.00

-

0.29

1.47

0.30

* 

The granted value of shares includes the shares allotted in FY2022 as a result of the number of options/equity Interests granted and the fair value at date of grant being rebased 
following the Rights Issue.

The aggregate number of share options/equity Interests exercisable at 28 February 2022 was 420,923 (FY2021: 469,977).

The unvested share options/equity Interests (excluding those awards which are not deemed capable of vesting) outstanding at 28 February 
2022 have a weighted average vesting period outstanding of 1.4 years (FY2021: 1.9 years). The weighted average contractual life outstanding 
of vested and unvested share options/equity Interests (excluding those which are not deemed capable of vesting) is 5.9 years (FY2021: 6.6 
years). 

The weighted average market share price at date of exercise of all share options/equity Interests exercised during the year was £2.55 or 
€2.97 euro equivalent (FY2021: €2.48); the average share price for the year was £2.45 or €2.87 euro equivalent (FY2021: €2.41); and the 
market share price as at 28 February 2022 was £2.11 or €2.52 euro equivalent (28 February 2021: £2.58 or €2.96 euro equivalent).

5. EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

COVID-19 (a)

Restructuring costs (b)

Impairment of equity accounted investment (c)

Reversal of impairment/(impairment) of property, plant & equipment (d)

Rights Issue costs (e) 

Other (f)

Operating profit/(loss) exceptional items

Profit on disposal (g)

Finance income (h)

Finance expense (i)

Share of equity accounted investments’ exceptional items (c)

Included in profit/(loss) before tax 

Income tax (charge)/credit (j)

Included in profit/(loss) after tax

2022
€m

17.5

1.2

(6.4)

0.6

(2.6)

0.3

10.6

4.5

0.2

(6.7)

2.7

11.3

(2.4)

8.9

2021
€m

(4.6)

(8.1)

(9.1)

(1.2)

-

(2.2)

(25.2)

5.8

-

(7.9)

(8.8)

(36.1)

2.4

(33.7)

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
182

5. EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS (continued)

(a) COVID-19 
The Group has continued to account for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as an exceptional item and has realised an exceptional credit of 
€17.5m from operating activities at 28 February 2022 (FY2021: charge of €4.6m). The Group reviewed the recoverability of its debtor book 
and advances to customers and booked a credit of €7.9m with respect to its provision against trade debtors (FY2021: €6.1m) and a credit of 
€5.5m with respect to its provision for advances to customers (FY2021: charge of €1.2m). The Group also realised an exceptional credit of 
€4.1m with respect to inventory (FY2021: charge of €5.8m), this related to inventory that had previously been deemed at risk of obsolescence 
in FY2021, all as a consequence of the COVID-19 restrictions. 

In the prior financial year, the Group also incurred costs of €1.7m with respect to a provision for lost kegs, €0.3m with respect to the write 
off of an IT intangible asset where the project was not completed due to COVID-19 and a net credit of €0.6m with respect to the release of a 
trade provision. Other costs of €2.3m were incurred, which included site improvement costs, impairment of brand dispense equipment and 
an excess holiday accrual all directly linked to the pandemic. 

(b) Restructuring costs
A credit of €1.2m relating to restructuring costs was incurred in the current financial year. This included severance costs of €0.6m, all of 
which arose as a consequence of the optimisation of the delivery networks in England and Scotland. In addition, the Group realised a credit 
of €1.8m in relation to the profit on disposal of a property, as a direct consequence of the optimisation project. 

Restructuring costs of €8.1m were incurred in the prior financial year. These included severance costs of €6.8m, of which €4.9m was 
incurred with respect to the restructuring of the Group as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and €1.9m arose as a consequence 
of the optimisation of the delivery networks in England and Scotland. The Group also incurred additional costs of €2.0m with respect to the 
optimisation of the delivery networks in England and Scotland which was offset by a credit of €0.7m relating to the profit on disposal of a 
property as a direct consequence of the optimisation project.

(c) Equity accounted investments’ exceptional items
On 17 May 2022, the Group announced the sale of its joint venture investment in Admiral Taverns, to Proprium Capital Partners for a total 
consideration of €65.8m (£55.0m). The sale of the shares will be completed and the consideration will be paid in three tranches during 
FY2023, subject only to FCA approval. Admiral Taverns was classified as an asset held for sale as at 24 February 2022.

The net impact of exceptional items in relation to Admiral is a charge of €3.7m (FY2021: €17.7m). The Group continued to equity account 
for this investment up until this date, with the Group recognising a credit of €2.7m with respect to its share of Admiral Taverns’ exceptional 
items (FY2021: €8.8m charge). This included a credit of €4.1m with respect to the Group’s share of the revaluation gain arising from the fair 
value exercise to value Admiral’s property assets (FY2021: €7.0m loss). The Group also recognised an exceptional charge of €1.4m (FY2021: 
€1.8m) in relation to its share of other exceptional items for the year, including the Group’s share of acquisition costs of €1.4m incurred with 
respect to Admiral Taverns’ acquisition of Hawthorn. The Group also recognised its share of other exceptional items for the year of €0.5m, 
primarily relating to restructuring costs. This was offset by a release from the expected loss provision with respect to the recoverability of 
Admiral Taverns’ debtor book as a consequence of COVID-19 of €0.5m. 

As a result of the same property valuation exercise, a gain of €2.2m with respect to the Group’s share of the revaluation was recognised in 
Other Comprehensive Income (FY2021: €0.4m loss).

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
183

5. EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS (continued)

Also in the current financial year, the Group assessed the carrying value of its equity accounted investment as a result of its classification 
as an asset held for sale as at 24 February 2022 and recognised an impairment charge of €6.4m (FY2021: €8.9m). This impairment charge 
reverses previously accumulated gains and losses in relation to the application of equity accounting for the Admiral Taverns investment, to 
reflect the recoverable value of the Group’s investment in line with the agreed consideration of £55.0m (€65.9m at date of classification as 
held for sale, €65.8m at year-end rate).

In the prior financial year, the Group also recorded an impairment charge of €0.2m with respect to the carrying value of its investment in 
Drygate Brewing Company Limited.

(d) Reversal of impairment of property, plant & equipment
Property (comprising freehold land & buildings) and plant & machinery are valued at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and 
reviewed for impairment on an annual basis. During the current financial year, as outlined in detail in note 11, the Group engaged external 
valuers to value the freehold land & buildings and plant & machinery at the Group’s Clonmel (Tipperary), Wellpark (Glasgow) and Portugal 
sites. Using the valuation methodologies, this resulted in a net revaluation gain of €0.6m (FY2021: €1.2m net loss) accounted for in the 
Consolidated Income Statement and a gain of €2.5m (FY2021: €0.9m) accounted for within Other Comprehensive Income. 

(e) Rights Issue costs
The Group completed a successful Rights Issue in June 2021 issuing 81,287,315 New Ordinary Shares at 186 pence per New Ordinary 
Share, raising gross proceeds of £151.2m (€176.3m). Attributable costs of €9.2m were incurred, of which €6.6m was debited directly to 
Equity and €2.6m was recorded as an exceptional charge in the Group’s Condensed Consolidated Income Statement.

(f) Other 
During the current financial year €0.3m was released against a provision for legal disputes (FY2021: €2.2m charge).

(g) Profit on disposal
During the current financial year, as outlined in further detail in note 10, the Group completed the sale of its wholly owned US subsidiary, 
Vermont Hard Cider Company to Northeast Kingdom Drinks Group, LLC on the 2 April 2021 for a total consideration of €17.5m (USD 20.5m) 
(comprised of cash proceeds of €13.4m (€12.9m net cash impact on disposal) and promissory notes of €4.1m at the date of transaction), 
realising a profit of €4.5m on disposal.

During the prior financial year, the Group disposed of its Tipperary Water Cooler business for an initial consideration of €7.4m, realising a 
profit of €5.8m on disposal.

(h) Finance income
The Group earned finance income of €0.2m (FY2021: €nil) relating to promissory notes issued as part of the disposal of the Group’s 
subsidiary Vermont Hard Cider Company.

(i) Finance expense
The Group incurred costs of €6.7m (FY2021: €7.9m) during the current financial year directly associated with continued covenant waivers 
including waiver fees, increased margins payable and other professional fees associated with covenant waivers, negotiated in the prior year 
due to the impact of COVID-19.

(j) Income tax (charge)/credit
The tax charge in the current financial year, with respect to exceptional items amounted to €2.4m (FY2021: €2.4m credit).

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements184

6. FINANCE INCOME AND EXPENSE

Recognised in Income Statement

Finance expense:

Interest expense

Other finance expense

Interest on lease liabilities

Total finance expense

Exceptional finance expense:

Interest expense

Total exceptional finance expense 

Exceptional finance income:

Interest income

Total exceptional finance income 

Net finance expense

Recognised directly in Other Comprehensive Income

Foreign currency translation differences arising on the net investment in foreign operations

Foreign currency recycled on disposal of subsidiary

Net income/(expense) recognised directly in Other Comprehensive Income

2022

€m

2021

€m

(9.4)

(3.4)

(3.3)

(16.1)

(6.7)

(6.7)

0.2

0.2

(13.1)

(2.9)

(3.5)

(19.5)

(7.9)

(7.9)

-

-

(22.6)

(27.4)

2022

€m

11.9

(0.2)

11.7

2021

€m

(17.4)

-

(17.4)

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
185

2021

€m

2.3

(4.0)

(2.0)

(3.7)

0.6

(14.2)

0.2

0.3

(13.1)

(16.8)

(14.4)

(2.4)

(16.8)

2022

€m

2.3

2.0

 (1.4)

2.9

0.5

2.2

3.1

(0.1)

5.7

8.6

6.2

2.4

8.6 

7. INCOME TAX 

(a) Analysis of expense/(credit) in year recognised in the Income Statement

Current tax: 

Irish corporation tax

Foreign corporation tax

Adjustment in respect of previous years

Deferred tax: 

Irish 

Foreign

Adjustment in respect of previous years

Rate change impact

Total income tax expense/(credit) recognised in Income Statement

Relating to continuing operations 

– continuing operations before exceptional items

– continuing operations exceptional items 

Total

The tax assessed for the year is different from that calculated at the standard rate of corporation tax in the Republic of Ireland, as explained 
below:

Profit/(loss) before tax 

Less: Group’s share of equity accounted investments’ (profit)/loss after tax

Adjusted profit/(loss) before tax

Tax at standard rate of corporation tax in the Republic of Ireland of 12.5%

Actual tax expense/(credit) is affected by the following:

Expenses/(non-taxable income) not deductible for tax purposes

Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Income taxed at rates other than the standard rate of tax 

Group relief (received)/surrendered

Other

(Recognition)/non-recognition of deferred tax assets 

Total income tax expense/(credit)

2022

€m

45.7

(5.3)

40.4

5.1

1.7

1.7

5.8 

(4.4)

0.2

(1.5)

8.6

2021

€m

(121.3)

14.9

(106.4)

(13.3)

(4.8)

(1.8)

(4.1)

0.5

-

6.7

(16.8)

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
 
186

7. INCOME TAX (continued)

(b) Deferred tax recognised directly in Other Comprehensive Income 

Deferred tax arising on revaluation of property, plant & machinery reflected in revaluation reserve

Deferred tax arising on movement of retirement benefits

Total deferred tax charge

2022
€m

0.6

4.3

4.9

2021
€m

0.2

1.6

1.8

(c) Factors that may affect future charges
Future income tax charges may be impacted by changes to the corporation tax rates and/or changes to corporation tax legislation in force 
in the jurisdictions in which the Group operates. Under Finance Act 2021, the current UK corporation tax of 19% will increase to 25% from 
1 April 2023. It is expected that Ireland will enact a minimum corporation tax rate of 15%, for groups with annual consolidated revenue in 
excess of €750m, towards the end of 2022 or the start of 2023. The Group is actively monitoring these developments.  

8. DIVIDENDS 

Dividends charged to Income Statement:

Final: €nil dividend paid (FY2021: €nil dividend paid)

Interim: €nil dividend paid (FY2021: €nil dividend paid)

Credit with respect to share-based payments dividend entitlements

Total equity dividends

Settled as follows:

Paid in cash

Scrip dividend

(Credit)/charge with respect to share-based payments dividend entitlements

2022

€m

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2021

€m

-

-

(0.2)

(0.2)

-

-

(0.2)

(0.2)

In order to achieve better alignment of the interest of share-based remuneration award recipients with the interests of shareholders, 
shareholder approval was given at the 2012 AGM to a proposal that awards made and that vest under the LTIP incentive programme should 
reflect the equivalent value to that which accrues to shareholders by way of dividends during the vesting period. The Deferred Bonus Plan 
and the Buy-Out Awards also accrue dividends during the vesting period. In the prior financial year, a credit of €0.2m was a consequence of 
dividend accruing share-based payment awards deemed to have lapsed and their related dividend accrual being released. 

Also in the prior financial year, a payment of €0.4m was made to recipients of dividend accruing share based payment awards, where the 
award was exercised in the prior financial year and the resulting dividends accrued over the vesting period were paid. 

Due to the continued impact of COVID-19, no interim dividend was paid and no final dividend is being declared with respect to FY2022. Total 
dividends for the prior financial year was €nil. Total dividends of €nil (final dividend with respect to FY2021 and interim dividend with respect 
to FY2022) were recognised as a deduction from the retained income reserve in the year ended 28 February 2022 (FY2021: €nil). In the prior 
financial year, a credit of €0.2m was recorded as a consequence of dividend accruing share-based payment awards deemed to have lapsed 
and their related dividend accrual being released. 

Final dividends on ordinary shares are recognised as a liability in the financial statements only after they have been approved at an Annual 
General Meeting of the Company. Interim dividends on ordinary shares are recognised when they are paid.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
 
 
187

2022
Number

‘000

2021
Number

‘000

320,480   

319,495

147

81,287

401,914

985

-

320,480

374,560

336,236**

1,374

-

375,934

336,236**

9. EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE

Denominator computations

Number of shares at beginning of year 

Shares issued in respect of options exercised

Shares issued in respect of Rights Issue

Number of shares at end of year (note 25)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (basic)*

Adjustment for the effect of conversion of options

Weighted average number of ordinary shares, including options (diluted)

*  Excludes 10.7m treasury shares (FY2021: 10.8m).
**  During the current financial year, the Group completed a Rights Issue at a discounted price of £1.86. As the rights price was issued at a discount, this was equivalent to a bonus 
issue of shares combined with a full market price. As such, IAS 33 Earnings Per Share requires an adjustment to the number of shares outstanding before the Rights Issue to 
reflect the bonus element inherent in it and also for this to be included in the EPS calculation for the prior period presented so as to provide a comparable result.

Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders

Group profit/(loss) for the financial year

Adjustment for exceptional items, net of tax (note 5)

Earnings/(loss) as adjusted for exceptional items, net of tax

Basic earnings/(loss) per share restated*

Basic earnings/(loss) per share 

Adjusted basic earnings/(loss) per share 

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share restated*

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share 

Adjusted diluted earnings/(loss) per share 

2022

€m

37.1

(8.9)

28.2

2021

€m

(104.5)

33.7

(70.8)

Cent

Cent

9.9

7.5

9.9

7.5

(31.1)

(21.1)

(31.1)

(21.1)

*  During the current financial year, the Group completed a Rights Issue at a discounted price of £1.86. As the rights price was issued at a discount, this was equivalent to a bonus 
issue of shares combined with a full market price. As such, IAS 33 Earnings Per Share requires an adjustment to the number of shares outstanding before the Rights Issue to 
reflect the bonus element inherent in it and also for this to be included in the EPS calculation for the prior period presented so as to provide a comparable result.

Basic earnings/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing the Group profit/(loss) for the financial year by the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares in issue during the year, excluding ordinary shares purchased/issued by the Group and accounted for as treasury shares 
(FY2022: 10.7m shares, FY2021: 10.8m shares). 

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume 
conversion of all potential dilutive ordinary shares. The average market value of the Company’s shares for purposes of calculating the dilutive 
effect of share options was based on quoted market prices for the period of the year that the options were outstanding.

Employee share awards (excluding awards which were granted under plans where the rules stipulate that obligations must be satisfied by 
the purchase of existing shares (note 4)), which are performance-based are treated as contingently issuable shares because their issue is 
contingent upon satisfaction of specified performance conditions in addition to the passage of time. In accordance with IAS 33 Earnings 
per Share, these contingently issuable shares are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share where the vesting conditions 
would not have been satisfied as at the end of the reporting period (FY2022: 499,828, FY2021: 1,930,864). If dilutive other contingently 
issuable ordinary shares are included in diluted EPS based on the number of shares that would be issuable if the end of the reporting period 
was the end of the contingency period.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
188

10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS/DIVESTMENTS AND NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

The Group completed the sale of its wholly owned US subsidiary, Vermont Hard Cider Company (VHCC) to Northeast Kingdom Drinks 
Group LLC on the 2 April 2021 for a total consideration of €17.5m (USD 20.5m) comprised of cash proceeds of €13.4m (€12.9m net cash 
impact on disposal) and promissory notes of €4.1m (USD 4.8m), realising a profit of €4.5m on disposal (note 5). The sale was completed on 2 
April 2021. VHCC was previously classified as a disposal group held for sale as at 28 February 2021.

The net identifiable assets disposed were as follows:

Asset value on disposal
€m

Non-current assets
Property, plant & equipment 
Leased right-of-use assets 
Non-current assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade & other receivables
Current assets

Current liabilities
Lease liabilities 
Trade & other payables
Current liabilities

Total net identifiable assets disposed

Total consideration
Net identifiable assets disposed
Working capital adjustment
Foreign currency recycled on disposal of subsidiary
Transaction costs incurred
Profit on disposal

Satisfied by:
Cash consideration received 
Non-cash consideration received
Total consideration

Analysis of cash flows on disposal:
Cash consideration received
Cash and cash equivalents outflow
Net cash inflow

5.8
0.2
6.0

4.1
4.2
8.3

(0.2)
(2.0)
(2.2)

12.1

17.5
(12.1)
(0.6)
0.2
(0.5)
4.5

13.4
4.1*
17.5

13.4
(0.5)
12.9

The cumulative foreign exchange gain recognised in other comprehensive income in relation to VHCC was €0.2m. This was reclassified out 
of the Currency Translation Reserve via the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and recognised in the Consolidated Income 
Statement as part of the profit on disposal.

*As at 28 February 2022, the non-cash consideration which relates to the promissory notes issued on the date of transaction at €4.1m (USD 
4.8m) were revalued to €4.3m, with a translation adjustment of €0.2m recognised.

Year ended 28 February 2021
In the prior financial year, the Group disposed of €1.3m of net assets with respect to its non-core Tipperary Water Cooler business for an 
initial consideration of €7.4m, with further consideration potentially being dependent on further revenue targets being achieved. Transaction 
costs of €0.3m were also incurred (included in the cash flows from operating activities) resulting in a profit on disposal of €5.8m.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022189

10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS/DIVESTMENTS AND NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS (continued)

Acquisition of equity accounted investments
Details of the Group’s equity accounted investments in the current and prior financial year are outlined in note 13.

11. PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT 

Group

Cost or valuation

At 29 February 2020

Translation adjustment

Additions

Revaluation/(impairment) of property, plant & machinery

Assets held for sale

Disposal of subsidiary (note 10)

Group transfer reclassification

Disposals

At 28 February 2021

Translation adjustment

Additions

Revaluation of property, plant & machinery

Group transfer reclassification

Disposals

At 28 February 2022

Depreciation

At 29 February 2020

Translation adjustment

Disposals

Assets held for sale

Disposal of subsidiary 

Charge for the year

At 28 February 2021

Translation adjustment 

Disposals

Charge for the year

At 28 February 2022

Net book value

At 28 February 2022

At 28 February 2021

Freehold land & 
buildings

Plant & 
machinery

Motor vehicles & 
other equipment

€m

€m

 €m

Total

€m

98.5

195.3

67.2

361.0

(1.1)

1.7

-

(0.3)

(5.7)

-

(5.9)

55.9

1.7

2.2

-

-

(0.3)

59.5

54.3

(0.8)

(5.3)

(0.2)

 (4.8)

3.8

47.0

1.5

(0.3)

3.2

51.4

(3.6)

12.5

(0.3)

(8.0)

(5.7)

-

(5.9)

350.0

6.3

11.1

3.1

-

(2.0)

368.5

214.3

(1.7)

(5.3)

(2.4)

(4.8)

10.6

210.7

3.4

(1.3)

9.7 

222.5

(1.3)

0.4

3.2

(5.1)

-

(7.1)

-

(1.2)

10.4

(3.5)

(2.6)

-

7.1

-

88.6

205.5

2.7

5.7

-

0.5

(0.3)

214.1

143.2

(0.7)

-

(1.8)

-

4.7

145.4

1.5

(0.2)

4.2

150.9

1.9

3.2

3.1

(0.5)

(1.4)

94.9

16.8

(0.2)

-

(0.4)

-

2.1

18.3

0.4

(0.8)

2.3

20.2

74.7

70.3

63.2

60.1

8.1

8.9

146.0

139.3

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
190

11. PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (continued)

28 February 2022
Leased right-of-use assets

At 28 February 2022, net carrying amount (note 19)

Total property, plant & equipment 

28 February 2021

Leased right-of-use assets

Freehold land & 

buildings Plant & machinery

Motor vehicles & 
other equipment

€m

€m

 €m

Total

€m

34.0

108.7 

3.3

66.5 

30.7

38.8 

68.0

214.0

At 28 February 2021, net carrying amount (note 19)

Total property, plant & equipment

30.3

100.6

0.9

61.0

33.5

42.4

64.7

204.0

Cash outflow with respect to property, plant & equipment was €14.9m (FY2021: €8.4m) primarily due to a decrease in closing capital 
accruals as at 28 February 2022. No depreciation is charged on freehold land which had a book value of €18.2m at 28 February 2022. 

Valuation of freehold land & buildings and plant & machinery - 28 February 2022
In the current financial year, the Group engaged the Real Estate & Capital Equipment Valuation team of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to 
value the Group’s freehold land & buildings and plant & machinery at the Group’s manufacturing facilities in Clonmel (Tipperary), Wellpark 
(Glasgow) and the Group’s facility in Castel Branco in Portugal. The valuers are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors with 
experience of undertaking property, plant and equipment valuations on a global basis. 

For specialised assets, comprising the production facilities at Clonmel, Wellpark Brewery and Portugal the Depreciated Replacement Cost 
approach has been applied to value land & buildings. The Depreciated Replacement Cost approach was also used to derive fair value for the 
plant & machinery at the Group’s manufacturing facilities given their specialised nature. 

The result of these external valuations, as at 28 February 2022, was an increase in the value of freehold land & buildings of €3.1m of which 
€0.6m was credited to the Income Statement and €2.5m was credited to Other Comprehensive Income. 

For all other items of land & buildings and plant & machinery the Group completed an internal assessment of the appropriateness of their 
carrying value. Assisted by a market overview provided by the valuation team from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, with respect to the 
geographic locations of the Group’s assets, the Group concluded that the carrying value was appropriate at 28 February 2022 and no 
adjustment was recorded in this regard.

Valuation of freehold land & buildings and plant & machinery - 28 February 2021
In the prior financial year, the Group also engaged the Real Estate & Capital Equipment Valuation team of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to 
value the Group’s freehold land & buildings and plant & machinery at the Group’s manufacturing facilities in Clonmel (Tipperary), Wellpark 
(Glasgow) and the Group’s facility in Castel Branco in Portugal. The valuers are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors with 
experience of undertaking property, plant and equipment valuations on a global basis.

For specialised assets, comprising the production facilities at Clonmel, Wellpark Brewery and Portugal the Depreciated Replacement Cost 
approach has been applied to value land & buildings. The Depreciated Replacement Cost approach was also used to derive fair value for the 
plant & machinery at the Group’s manufacturing facilities given their specialised nature. 

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022191

11. PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (continued)

The result of these external valuations, as at 28 February 2021, was an increase in the value of freehold land & buildings of €3.2m of which 
€2.3m was credited to the Income Statement and €0.9m was credited to the revaluation reserve via Other Comprehensive Income. The 
value of plant & machinery decreased by €3.5m which was expensed to the Income Statement as there was no previously recognised gain 
in the revaluation reserve against which to offset.

Useful Lives
The following useful lives were attributed to the assets:

Asset category

Tanks

Process equipment 

Bottling & packaging equipment

Process automation

Buildings 

Useful life

30 – 35 years

20 – 25 years

15 – 20 years

10 years

50 years

Net book value (pre right-of-use assets)

Carrying value at 28 February 2022 post revaluation

Carrying value at 28 February 2022 pre revaluation

Gain on revaluation

28 February 2022 classified within:

Income Statement

Other Comprehensive Income

Net book value (pre right-of-use assets)

Carrying value at 28 February 2021 post revaluation

Carrying value at 28 February 2021 pre revaluation

Gain/(loss) on revaluation

28 February 2021 classified within:

Income Statement

Other Comprehensive Income 

Freehold land & 

buildings  Plant & machinery

€m

 €m

74.7

71.6

3.1

63.2

63.2

-

Motor vehicles & 
other equipment 

 €m

8.1

8.1

-

Freehold land & 
buildings 

Plant & 
machinery

Motor vehicles & 
other equipment 

€m

 €m

70.3

67.1

3.2

60.1

63.6

(3.5)

 €m

8.9

8.9

-

Total

€m

146.0

142.9

3.1

0.6

2.5

Total

€m

139.3

139.6

(0.3)

(1.2)

0.9

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
192

11. PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (continued)

Fair value hierarchy
The valuations of freehold land & buildings and plant & machinery, excluding right-of-use assets, are derived using data from sources which 
are not widely available to the public and involve a degree of judgement. For these reasons, the valuations of the Group’s freehold land & 
buildings and plant & machinery are classified as ‘Level 3’ as defined by IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement, and as illustrated below:

Recurring measurements

Freehold land & buildings measured at market value

Freehold land & buildings measured at Depreciated Replacement Cost

Plant & machinery measured at Depreciated Replacement Cost

At 28 February 2022

Recurring measurements

Freehold land & buildings measured at market value

Freehold land & buildings measured at Depreciated Replacement Cost

Plant & machinery measured at Depreciated Replacement Cost

At 28 February 2021

Carrying amount

Quoted prices 
Level 1

€m

€m

Significant 
observable 
Level 2

€m

Significant 
unobservable 
Level 3

€m

15.5

59.2

63.2

137.9

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

15.5

59.2

63.2

137.9

Carrying amount

Quoted prices 
Level 1

€m

€m

Significant 
observable 
Level 2

€m

Significant 
unobservable 
Level 3

€m

14.7

55.6

60.1

130.4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

14.7

55.6

60.1

130.4

Measurement techniques
The Group used the following techniques to determine the fair value measurements categorised in Level 3:
•  The Group’s depots are valued using a market value approach. The market value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or 

paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

•  The Group’s specialised assets such as the production facilities at Clonmel, Wellpark and Portugal are valued using the Depreciated 
Replacement Cost approach. Depreciated Replacement Cost is assessed, firstly, by the identification of the gross replacement cost 
for each class of asset at each of the Group’s plants. A depreciation factor derived from both the physical and functional obsolescence 
of each class of asset, taking into account estimated residual values at the end of the life of each class of asset, is then applied to the 
gross replacement cost to determine the net replacement cost. An economic obsolescence factor, which is derived based on current 
and anticipated capacity or utilisation of each plant and machinery asset, at each of the Group’s plants, as a function of total available 
production capacity, is applied to determine the Depreciated Replacement Cost.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
193

11. PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (continued)

Unobservable inputs
The significant unobservable inputs used in the market value measurement of land & buildings is as follows:

Valuation technique

Significant unobservable inputs

Comparable market 
transactions

Price per square foot/
acre

Range of unobservable inputs – 
Land (‘000)

Range of unobservable inputs – 
Buildings

Relationship of unobservable 
inputs to fair value

The higher the price per 
square foot/acre, the 
higher the fair value

Republic of Ireland

Portugal

€50 – €150 (FY2021: no 
change from current 
year price) per hectare

€59 – €1,169 (FY2021: 
€64- €1,119) per square 
metre

€40 (FY2021: no change 
from current year price) 
per hectare

€100 - €585 (FY2021: 
€96- €571) per square 
metre

United Kingdom

£275- £325 (FY2021: 
£175- £225) per acre

£254 to £1,593 (FY2021: 
£251- £1,524) per 
square metre

The significant unobservable inputs used in the Depreciated Replacement Cost measurement of freehold land & buildings and plant & 
machinery are as follows:

Gross replacement cost adjustment

Economic obsolescence adjustment factor

Increase in gross replacement cost of 0% (FY2021: 0%), based on management’s 
judgment supported by discussions with valuers

Economic obsolescence, considered on an asset by asset basis, for each 
plant, ranging from 0% to 100% (FY2021: 0% to 100%). The weighted average 
obsolescence factor by site is as follows: Cidery, Ireland – 21%; Brewery 
Scotland – 4% and Cidery, Portugal – 0%

Physical and functional obsolescence adjustment 
factor

Adjustment for changes to physical and functional obsolescence ranging from 
64% to 86% (FY2021: 63% to 85%)

The carrying value of depot freehold land & buildings would increase/(decrease) by €0.8m if the comparable open market value increased/
(decreased) by 5%.

The carrying value of freehold land & buildings which is valued on the Depreciated Replacement Cost basis, would increase/(decrease) by 
€2.9m if the economic obsolescence adjustment factor was (decreased)/increased by 5%. The estimated carrying value of the same land & 
buildings would increase/(decrease) by €1.1m if the gross replacement cost was increased/(decreased) by 2%.

The carrying value of plant & machinery in the Group which is valued on the Depreciated Replacement Cost basis, would increase by €2.5m 
if the economic obsolescence adjustment factor was decreased by 5%. If the economic obsolescence adjustment increased by 5% the 
value would increase by €2.5m. If the gross replacement cost was increased by 2% the carrying value of the Group’s plant & machinery 
would increase by €0.9m. If the gross replacement cost decreased by 2% the carrying value of the Group’s plant & machinery would 
decrease by €0.9m.

Company
The Company has no property, plant & equipment.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
194

12. GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Cost

At 29 February 2020

Additions

Translation adjustment

At 28 February 2021

Additions

Translation adjustment

At 28 February 2022

Amortisation and impairment

At 29 February 2020

Impairment charge for the year

Amortisation charge for the year

At 28 February 2021

Impairment charge for the year

Amortisation charge for the year

At 28 February 2022

Net book value 

At 28 February 2022

At 28 February 2021

Goodwill

€m

Brands

€m

Other intangible 
assets

€m

602.9

324.1

-

(3.1)

-

(2.2)

599.8

321.9

-

6.5

-

4.5

606.3

326.4

76.2

214.6

-

-

-

-

76.2

214.6

-

-

-

-

76.2

214.6

530.1

523.6

111.8

107.3

39.2

1.6

(0.3)

40.5

2.2

0.5

43.2

22.5

0.3

2.6

25.4

0.6

2.6

28.6

14.6

15.1

Goodwill
Goodwill has been attributed to cash generating units (as identified under IAS 36 Impairment of Assets) as follows:

At 29 February 2020

Translation adjustment

At 28 February 2021

Translation adjustment

At 28 February 2022

Ireland

€m

154.5

-

154.5

-

154.5

Scotland

C&C Brands

North America

€m

59.8

(0.7)

59.1

1.5

60.6

€m

180.9

(0.3)

180.6

0.7

181.3

€m

9.2

-

9.2

-

9.2

Export

€m

16.0

-

16.0

-

16.0

MCB

€m

106.3

(2.1)

104.2

4.3

108.5

Total

€m

966.2

1.6

(5.6)

962.2

2.2

11.5

975.9

313.3

0.3

2.6

316.2

0.6

2.6

319.4

656.5

646.0

Total

 €m

526.7

(3.1)

523.6

6.5

530.1

Goodwill consists both of goodwill capitalised under Irish GAAP which at the transition date to IFRS was treated as deemed cost and 
goodwill that arose on the acquisition of businesses since that date which was capitalised at cost and subsequently at fair value and 
represents the synergies arising from cost savings and the opportunity to utilise the extended distribution network of the Group to leverage 
the marketing of acquired products.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
195

12. GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued)

In line with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets goodwill is allocated to each cash generating unit (CGU) which is expected to benefit from the 
combination synergies. These CGU’s represent the lowest level within the Group at which goodwill is monitored for internal management 
purposes. 

All goodwill is regarded as having an indefinite life and is not subject to amortisation under IFRS but is subject to annual impairment testing.

Brands
Brands are expected to generate positive cash flows for as long as the Group owns the brands and have been assigned indefinite lives. 

Capitalised brands include the Tennent’s beer brands and the Gaymers cider brands acquired during FY2010, Waverley wine brands 
acquired during FY2013 and the Matthew Clark and Bibendum brands acquired during FY2019.

The Tennent’s, Gaymers, Waverley wine brands and Matthew Clark and Bibendum brands were valued at fair value on the date of 
acquisition in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 3 (2008) Business Combinations by independent professional valuers. The Waverley 
wine brands were valued at cost. 

The carrying value of the Tennent’s beer brand as at 28 February 2022 amounted to €76.6m (FY2021: €73.5m) and has an indefinite life 
which is subject to annual impairment testing. The movement in the current financial year is due to translation adjustment. 

The carrying amount of brands with indefinite lives are allocated to operating segments as follows:

At 29 February 2020

Impairment charge for the year

Translation adjustment

At 28 February 2021

Translation adjustment

At 28 February 2022

Ireland 

Great Britain

€m

-

-

-

-

-

€m

109.5

-

(2.2)

107.3

4.5

111.8

Total

€m

109.5

-

(2.2)

107.3

4.5

111.8

The brands are protected by trademarks, which are renewable indefinitely in all major markets where they are sold and it is the Group’s 
policy to support them with the appropriate level of brand advertising. In addition, there are not believed to be any legal, regulatory or 
contractual provisions that limit the useful lives of these brands. Accordingly, the Directors believe that it is appropriate that the brands be 
treated as having indefinite lives for accounting purposes.

No intangible assets were acquired by way of government grant, there is no title restriction on any of the capitalised intangible assets and 
no intangible assets are pledged as security. There are no contractual commitments in relation to the acquisition of intangible assets at year 
end.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
196

12. GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued)

Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets have been attributed to operating segments (as identified under IFRS 8 Operating Segments) as follows:

Cost

At 29 February 2020

Additions

Translation adjustment

At 28 February 2021

Additions

Translation adjustment

At 28 February 2022

Amortisation and impairment

At 29 February 2020

Impairment charge for the year

Amortisation charge for the year

At 28 February 2021

Impairment charge for the year

Amortisation charge for the year

At 28 February 2022

Net book value 

At 28 February 2022

At 28 February 2021

Ireland

Great Britain

€m

6.8

0.2

-

7.0

0.1

-

7.1

2.8

-

0.6

3.4

-

0.6

4.0

3.1

3.6

€m

32.4

1.4

(0.3)

33.5

2.1

0.5

36.1

19.7

0.3

2.0

22.0

0.6

2.0

24.6

11.5

11.5

Total

€m

39.2

1.6

(0.3)

40.5

2.2

0.5

43.2

22.5

0.3

2.6

25.4

0.6

2.6

28.6

14.6

15.1

In the current financial year, the Group wrote off IT intangible assets of €0.6m relating to cloud software licence agreements treated as 
service contracts. In the prior financial year, the Group wrote off an IT intangible asset where the project was not completed, as a direct 
consequence of COVID-19 of €0.3m. 

Other intangible assets comprise the fair value of trade relationships acquired as part of the acquisition of Matthew Clark and Bibendum in 
FY2019, trade relationships acquired as part of the acquisition of TCB Wholesale during FY2015, the Gleeson trade relationships acquired 
during FY2014 and 20 year distribution rights for third party beer products acquired as part of the acquisition of the Tennent’s business 
during FY2010. These were valued at fair value on the date of acquisition in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 3 (2008) Business 
Combinations by independent professional valuers. The intangible assets have a finite life and are subject to amortisation on a straight-line 
basis. Also included within other intangible assets are software and licences.

The amortisation charge for the year ended 28 February 2022 with respect to intangible assets was €2.6m (FY2021: €2.6m). 

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
197

12. GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued)

Impairment testing
To ensure that goodwill and brands that are considered to have an indefinite useful economic life are not carried at above their recoverable 
amount, impairment testing is performed comparing the carrying value of the assets with their recoverable amount using value-in-use 
computations. Impairment testing is performed annually or more frequently if there is an indication that the carrying amount may not be 
recoverable. Where the value-in-use exceeds the carrying value of the asset, the asset is not impaired. 

As permitted by IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, the value of the Group’s goodwill has been allocated to groups of cash generating units (CGU), 
which are not larger than an operating segment determined in accordance with IFRS 8 Operating Segments. These business segments 
represent the lowest levels within the Group at which the associated goodwill is monitored for management purposes. 

The recoverable amount is calculated using value-in-use computations based on estimated future cash flows discounted to present value 
using a discount rate appropriate to each cash generating unit and brand. Terminal values are calculated on the assumption that cash flows 
continue in perpetuity. 

The key assumptions used in the value-in-use computations using level 3 inputs in accordance with fair value hierarchy are:
•  Expected volume, net revenue and operating profit growth rates – cash flows for each CGU and brand are based on detailed financial 

projections for years one and two which were then projected out for years three, four and five. 

•  Long-term growth rate – cash flows after the first five years were extrapolated using a long-term growth rate, on the assumption that cash 

flows for the first five years will increase at a nominal growth rate in perpetuity.

•  Discount rate.

The key assumptions were based on management’s assessment of anticipated market conditions for each CGU. The Group’s cash flow 
forecasts assume the continuation of trading with no lockdowns or the reintroduction of COVID-19 restrictions. Cost inflation pressures have 
grown over recent months and in response, the Group implemented a series of price increases which, alongside the previously announced 
€18.0m cost reduction programme and cost hedge positions taken, affords the Group a degree of protection from the inflationary 
environment as the Group enters into FY2023. The Group took into account historical experience and in particular the Group’s experience 
over the last twelve month period. The Group also considers its core strengths and weaknesses in the markets in which it operates and 
external factors such as macro-economic factors, inflation expectations by geography, regulation and expected changes in regulation (such 
as expected changes to duty rates and minimum pricing), market growth rates, sales price trend, competitor activity, market share targets 
and strategic plans and initiatives. 

A terminal growth rate of 1.75%-2.00% (FY2021: 1.75%-2.00%) in perpetuity was assumed based on an assessment of the likely long-term 
growth prospects for the sectors and geographies in which the Group operates. The resulting cash flows were discounted to present value 
using a range of discount rates between 5.92%-6.68% (FY2021: 7.11%-8.41%); these rates are in line with the Group’s estimated pre-tax 
weighted average cost of capital for the two main geographies in which the Group operates (Ireland and Great Britain), arrived at using the 
Capital Asset Pricing Model as adjusted for asset and country specific factors.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
198

12. GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued)

The Group has performed the detailed impairment testing calculations by cash generating units with the following discount rates being 
applied:

Market

Ireland 
Scotland

C&C Brands

North America

Export

Matthew Clark Bibendum (MCB)

Discount rate
2022

Discount rate
2021

Terminal growth
rate 2022

Terminal growth
rate 2021

6.68%
6.12%

6.12%

5.92%

6.12%

6.12%

8.41%
7.56%

7.56%

7.11%

7.56%

7.56%

2.00%
2.00% 

2.00% 

1.75%

2.00%

2.00%

2.00%
2.00%

2.00%

1.75%

2.00%

2.00%

The impairment testing carried out at year end identified headroom in the recoverable amount of all the Group’s goodwill and intangible 
assets (FY2021: €nil impairment charge). 

Significant goodwill amounts
The goodwill allocated to Ireland, C&C Brands and MCB CGU’s amount to 29% (FY2021: 30%), 34% (FY2021: 34%) and 20% (FY2021: 20%) 
of the total carrying amount of goodwill respectively.

Goodwill allocated to the cash generating unit 
at balance sheet date

Discount rate applied to the cash flow 
projections (real pre-tax)

Ireland

2022

2021

C&C Brands

2022

2021

MCB

2022

2021

154.5

154.5

181.3

180.6

108.5

104.2

6.68%

8.41%

6.12%

7.56%

6.12%

7.56%

Sensitivity analysis 
In the current financial year, the impairment testing carried out as at 28 February 2022 identified headroom in the recoverable amount of the 
brands and goodwill compared to their carrying values.

The key sensitivities for the impairment testing are net revenue and operating profit assumptions, discount rates applied to the resulting cash 
flows and the expected long-term growth rates. 

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
199

12. GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued)

The value-in-use calculations indicate significant headroom in respect of all cash generating units. The cash generating unit with the least 
headroom, is the C&C Brands cash generating unit, although the headroom is in excess of €102m. The table below identifies the impact of a 
movement in the key inputs with respect to C&C Brands. 

Increase/(decrease) in operating profit

Increase in discount rate

Decrease in discount rate

Increase in terminal growth rate

Decrease in terminal growth rate

2022

2021

Movement

%

Increase/
(decrease) on 
headroom

€m

Movement

%

Increase/
(decrease) on 
headroom

€m

2.5/(2.5)

8.3/(8.3)

2.5/(2.5)

6.9/(6.9)

0.25

(0.25)

0.25

(0.25)

(19.6)

22.1

18.9

(16.8)

0.25

(0.25)

0.25

(0.25)

(12.0)

13.1

10.6

(9.7)

The Group concludes that no reasonable movement in any of the underlying assumptions would result in a material impairment in any of the 
Group’s cash generating units or brands.

13. EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS/FINANCIAL ASSETS

(a) Equity accounted investments/financial assets – Group

Joint ventures 

Associates

Investment in equity accounted investments/financial assets

Carrying amount at 1 March 2020

Purchase price paid

Share of loss after tax

Share of exceptional loss after tax 

Impairment of equity investment

Equity accounted investment asset adjustment

Share of Other Comprehensive Income

Translation adjustment

Carrying amount at 28 February 2021

Purchase price paid

Share of profit after tax

Share of exceptional profit after tax (note 5)

Impairment of equity investment

Share of Other Comprehensive Income

Translation adjustment

Classified as asset held for sale (note 16)

Carrying amount at 28 February 2022

Admiral Taverns

Drygate Brewing 
Company 
Limited

€m

€m

82.8

6.7

(6.0)

(8.8)

(8.9)

(1.1)

(0.4)

(2.2)

62.1

-

 2.6

2.7

(6.4)

2.2

2.7

(65.9)
-

0.3

-

(0.1)

-

(0.2)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 Whitewater 
Brewing 
Company 
Limited

€m

0.4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.4

-

-

-

-

-

-

Other

€m

0.4

0.2

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.6

0.3

-

-

-

-

-

0.4

0.9 

Total

€m

83.9

6.9

(6.1)

(8.8)

(9.1)

(1.1)

(0.4)

(2.2)

63.1

0.3

2.6

2.7

(6.4)

2.2

2.7

(65.9)

1.3

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
200

13. EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS/FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

Summarised financial information for the Group’s investment in joint ventures and associates which are accounted for using the equity 
method is as follows:

Non-current assets

Current assets

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Net assets

Revenue

Profit/(loss) before tax

Other Comprehensive Income

Admiral 
Taverns
2022*

€m

668.4

74.9

(466.3)

(105.9)

171.1**

127.3

4.9

4.4

Joint ventures 
2022

Associates
2022

Admiral Taverns
2021*

Joint ventures 
2021

Associates
2021

€m

2.5

0.9

(1.7)

(1.5)

0.2

2.7

(0.2)

-

€m

3.4

1.5

(2.2)

(0.8)

1.9

1.2

(0.1)

-

€m

379.4

36.1

(239.0)

(27.2)

149.3

42.7

(37.9)

(0.8)

€m

2.4

0.8

(1.7)

(1.3)

0.2

2.5

(0.2)

-

€m

3.2

1.4

(2.1)

(0.7)

1.8

0.3

-

-

* 

Included in the current assets for Admiral Taverns is cash and cash equivalents of €32.0m (FY2021: €15.0m). Admiral Taverns also has depreciation and amortisation of €13.7m 
(FY2021: €10.0m), net interest costs of €29.0m (FY2021: €16.8m) and a tax credit of €5.9m (FY2021: €7.5m).

**  Net assets of €171.1m by the Group’s share in equity at 24 February 2022 of 48.85% amounts to €83.6m however the percentage ownership of the Group has changed multiple 

times since the original investment and therefore the weighted share of net assets attributable to the Group at 24 February 2022 was €81.7m. The Group also booked an 
impairment charge of €8.9m in the prior financial year which translated at FY2022 rates is €9.4m and an impairment charge in the current financial year of €6.4m. 

A listing of the Group’s equity accounted investments is contained in note 29.

Admiral Taverns
On 6 December 2017, the Group entered into a joint venture arrangement for a 49.9% share in Brady P&C Limited (“Admiral Taverns”), a 
UK incorporate entity with Proprium Capital Partners (50.1%). Brady P&C Limited subsequently incorporated a UK company, Brady Midco 
Limited where Admiral management acquired 6.5% of the shares. Brady Midco Limited incorporated Brady Bidco Limited which acted as 
the acquisition vehicle to acquire the entire share capital of AT Brit Holdings Limited (trading as Admiral Taverns) on the 6 December 2017. 
The equity investment by the Group was £37.4m (€42.4m euro equivalent on date of investment) representing 46.65% of the issued share 
capital of Admiral Taverns. The Group has 50% representation on the board and no decision can be made without 100% agreement by all 
Directors. The Group determined that Admiral Taverns was to be accounted for as a joint venture. 

In FY2020, Admiral management disposed of 2% of their shareholding which in turn increased C&C’s shareholding from 46.65% to 47.7%. 
In the prior financial year, the Group made an equity investment in Admiral Taverns for €6.7m (£6.0m). Also, during the prior financial year, 
Admiral management disposed of 2.4% of their shareholding which in turn increased C&C’s shareholding from 47.7% to 48.85%. 

On 17 May 2022, the Group announced the sale of its joint venture investment in Admiral Taverns, to Proprium Capital Partners for a total 
consideration of €65.8m (£55.0m). The sale of the shares will be completed and the consideration will be paid in three tranches during 
FY2023, subject only to FCA approval. Admiral Taverns was classified as an asset held for sale as at 24 February 2022. The Group continued 
to equity account for this investment up until this date.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022201

13. EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS/FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

In the current financial year, the share of profit before exceptional items of Admiral Taverns attributable to the Group was €2.6m (FY2021: 
€6.0m loss). The Group also recognised a credit of €2.7m with respect to its share of Admiral Taverns’ exceptional items (FY2021: €8.8m 
charge). This included a credit of €4.1m with respect to the Group’s share of the revaluation gain arising from the fair value exercise to value 
Admiral’s property assets (FY2021: €7.0m loss). The Group also recognised an exceptional charge of €1.4m (FY2021: €1.8m) in relation to 
its share of other exceptional items for the year, including the Group’s share of acquisition costs of €1.4m incurred with respect to Admiral 
Taverns’ acquisition of Hawthorn. The Group also recognised its share of other exceptional items for the year of €0.5m, primarily relating 
to restructuring costs. This was offset by a release from the expected loss provision with respect to the recoverability of Admiral Taverns’ 
debtor book as a consequence of COVID-19 of €0.5m. 

As a result of the same property valuation exercise, a gain of €2.2m with respect to the Group’s share of the revaluation was recognised in 
Other Comprehensive Income (FY2021: €0.4m loss).

Also in the current financial year, the Group assessed the carrying value of its equity accounted investment as a result of its classification 
as an asset held for sale as at 24 February 2022 and recognised an impairment charge of €6.4m (FY2021: €8.9m). This impairment charge 
reverses previously accumulated gains and losses in relation to the application of equity accounting for the Admiral Taverns investment, to 
reflect the recoverable value of the Group’s investment in line with the agreed consideration of £55.0m (€65.9m at date of classification as 
held for sale, €65.8m at year-end rate).

In the prior financial year, the Group also recognised its share of an adjustment to the net asset allocation between the joint venture partners 
and the minority shareholder of €1.1m resulting from the repurchase of shares from the minority shareholder. 

Drygate Brewing Company Limited
In 2015, the Group entered into a joint venture arrangement with Heather Ale Limited, run by the Williams brothers who are recognised 
as leading family craft brewers in Scotland, to form a new entity Drygate Brewing Company Limited. The joint venture, which is run 
independently of the joint venture partners existing businesses, operates a craft brewing and retail facility adjacent to Wellpark brewery. 

In the prior financial year, in light of the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality and pub industry the Group assessed the carrying value of 
its investment in Drygate Brewing Company Limited at 28 February 2021 and recorded an impairment charge of €0.2m (£0.2m) within 
exceptional operating costs.  

Whitewater Brewing Company Limited
On 20 December 2016, the Group acquired 25% of the equity share capital of Whitewater Brewing Company Limited, an Irish craft brewer 
for £0.3m (€0.3m). 

Other
During the current financial year, the Group made an additional investment into Jubel Ltd of €0.3m (£0.2m), the additional subscription of 
shares in Jubel maintained the Group's existing percentage shareholding of 8.4%.

During the prior financial year, the Group made a 1% investment in an English entity Bramerton Condiments Limited for €0.1m (£0.1m) and a 
50% investment in 3 Counties Spirits Limited for €nil consideration. The Group also acquired an 8% shareholding in Innis & Gunn Holdings 
Limited at €nil cost. Share subscription costs of €0.1m (£0.1m) were incurred in this regard. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements202

13. EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS/FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

The Group has a 33% investment in CVBA Braxatorium Parcensis of €0.2m. The Group also has an equity investment in Shanter Inns 
Limited, CVBA Braxatorium Parcensis, Beck & Scott (Services) Limited (Northern Ireland) and The Irish Brewing Company Limited (Ireland). 
The value of each of these investments is less than €0.1m in the current and prior financial year.

(b) Financial Assets – Company 

Equity investment in subsidiary undertakings at cost

At beginning of year

Capital contribution in respect of share options granted to employees of subsidiary undertakings 

Capital contribution in respect of the Rights Issue 

At end of year

2022

€m

985.4

1.5

171.3

2021

€m

984.6

0.8

-

1,158.2

985.4

The total expense of €1.5m (FY2021: €0.8m) attributable to equity settled awards granted to employees of subsidiary undertakings has been 
included as a capital contribution in financial assets. 

In the opinion of the Directors, the shares in the subsidiary undertakings are worth at least the amounts at which they are stated in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheet. Details of subsidiary undertakings are set out in note 29.

14. INVENTORIES

Group

Raw materials & consumables

Finished goods & goods for resale

Total inventories at lower of cost and net realisable value

2022

€m

37.6

130.6

168.2

2021

€m

38.4

82.9

121.3

Inventory write-down recognised within operating costs before exceptional items amounted to €1.1m (FY2021: €0.9m). The inventory write-
down in the current and prior financial year was with respect to breakages and write off of damaged and obsolete stock. The Group realised 
an exceptional credit of €4.1m with respect to inventory (FY2021: €5.8m charge), this related to recoveries on inventory that had been 
deemed at risk of obsolescence as a consequence of the COVID-19 restrictions.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
 
203

                 Group

                 Company

2022

€m

147.5

-

4.6

34.2

186.3

38.4

4.6

43.0

229.3

2021

€m

75.9

-

3.8

23.1

2022

€m

-

114.7

-

-

2021

€m

-

118.6

-

-

102.8

114.7

118.6

38.3

3.5

41.8

144.6

-

-

-

-

-

-

114.7

118.6

15. TRADE & OTHER RECEIVABLES 

Amounts falling due within one year:

Trade receivables

Amounts due from Group undertakings

Advances to customers

Prepayments and other receivables 

Amounts falling due after one year:

Advances to customers

Prepayments and other receivables

Total

Amounts due from Group undertakings are a combination of interest bearing and interest free receivables and are all repayable on demand.

The Group manages credit risk through the use of a receivables purchase arrangement, for an element of its trade receivables. Under 
the terms of this arrangement, the Group transfers the credit risk, late payment risk and control of the receivables sold. This arrangement 
contributed €84.1m to Group cash (FY2021: €45.0m) at 28 February 2022. The Group’s debtors would therefore have been €84.1m higher 
(FY2021: €45.0m) had the programme not been in place. The Group’s trade receivables programme is not recognised on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet as it meets the de-recognition criteria under IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.

The aged analysis of trade receivables and advances to customers analysed between amounts that were not past due and amounts past 
due at 28 February 2022 and 28 February 2021 were as follows:

Group

Not past due

Past due:

Past due 0-30 days

Past due 31-120 days

Past due 121-365 days

Past due more than one year

Total

            Trade receivables

        Advances to customers

      Total

      Total

Gross

Impairment

Gross

Impairment

Gross

Impairment

Gross

Impairment

2022

€m

2022

€m

2022

€m

2022

€m

2022

€m

2022

€m

2021

€m

2021

€m

127.6

(2.0)

46.1

(5.2)

173.7 

(7.2)

107.5

(10.8)

5.0

9.6

7.9

7.8

(0.3)

(0.3)

(0.3)

(7.5)

-

0.4

0.7

3.2

157.9

(10.4)

50.4 

-

(0.1)

(0.3)

(1.8)

(7.4)

5.0

10.0

8.6

11.0

(0.3)

(0.4)

(0.6)

(9.3)

5.8

13.6

9.0

9.8

(1.0)

(3.7)

(4.9)

(7.3)

208.3 

(17.8)

145.7

(27.7)

Trade receivables, advances to customers and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at 
amortised cost less loss allowance or impairment losses. 

Specifically, for advances to customers, any difference between the present value and the nominal amount at inception is treated as an 
advance of discount prepaid to the customer and is recognised in the Income Statement in accordance with the terms of the agreement. 
The discount rate calculated by the Group is at least based on the risk-free rate plus a margin, which takes into account the risk profile of the 
customer. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
204

15. TRADE & OTHER RECEIVABLES (continued)

The Group applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9 Financial Instruments to measure expected credit losses for trade 
receivables, which requires expected lifetime losses to be recognised from initial recognition of the receivables. 

To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables are assessed collectively in groups that share similar credit risk characteristics, 
such as customer segments and in particular the Group’s view of how COVID-19 and related restrictions impacted particular customer 
segments over the last twelve month period and how they are expected to impact them going forward, historical information on payment 
patterns including the payment patterns over the last twelve month period, terms of payment and the impact of government schemes 
coming to an end as markets reopened. COVID-19 had and continues to have a material impact on the assessment of credit losses of the 
Group’s receivables balances. The Group recorded an exceptional credit of €7.9m with respect to the Group’s receivables balances in the 
current financial year (FY2021: €6.1m) in this regard (note 5). 

Regarding advances to customers, the Group applies the general approach to measure expected credit losses which requires a loss 
provision to be recognised based on twelve month or lifetime expected credit losses, provided a significant increase in credit risk has 
occurred since initial recognition. The Group assesses the expected credit losses for advances to customers based on historical information 
on repayment patterns including the repayment patterns over the last twelve month period and the impact of government schemes coming 
to an end as markets reopened. The credit risk on advances to customers can be reduced through the value of security and/or collateral 
given. In the current and prior financial year, COVID-19 had a material impact on the assessment of credit losses with regard to advances to 
customers at year end and the Group recorded an exceptional credit of €5.5m (FY2021: charge of €1.2m) in this regard (note 5).

Trade receivables are on average receivable within 32 days (FY2021: 33 days) of the balance sheet date, are unsecured and are not interest-
bearing. For more information on the Group’s credit risk exposure refer to note 24.

The movement in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade receivables and advances to customers during the year was as follows:

Group

At beginning of year 

Recovered during the year

Provided during the year

Derecognised on disposal

Written off during the year

Translation adjustment

At end of year

Trade receivables

Advance to 
customers

2022

€m

16.4

(7.9)

3.1

(0.5)

(1.9)

1.2

10.4

2022

€m

11.3

(5.5)

1.5

-

-

0.1

7.4

Total

2022

€m

27.7

(13.4)

4.6

(0.5)

(1.9)

1.3

17.8

Total

2021

€m

40.0

(11.4)

5.3

(0.2)

(5.1)

(0.9)

27.7

At 28 February 2022, regarding the impact of the expected credit loss model on trade receivables and advances to customers, the Group 
has provided for expected credit losses over the next twelve months of €5.7m (FY2021: €6.2m) and expected lifetime losses of  €12.1m 
(FY2021: €21.5m).

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022205

16. ASSET HELD FOR SALE 

On 17 May 2022, the Group announced the sale of its joint venture investment in Admiral Taverns, to Proprium Capital Partners for a total 
consideration of €65.8m (£55.0m). The sale of the shares will be completed and the consideration will be paid in three tranches during 
FY2023, subject only to FCA approval. Admiral Taverns was classified as an asset held for sale as at 24 February 2022. The Group assessed 
the carrying value of its equity accounted investment as a result of its classification as an asset held for sale as at 24 February 2022 and 
recognised an impairment charge of €6.4m. This impairment charge reverses previously accumulated gains and losses in relation to the 
application of equity accounting for the Admiral Taverns investment, to reflect the recoverable value of the Group’s investment in line with the 
agreed consideration of €65.8m (£55.0m).

The equity accounted investment in Admiral Taverns was previously presented within the Great Britain reportable segment in note 1 in 
accordance with IFRS 8 Operating Segments. 

Asset held for sale

Equity accounted investment

Translation adjustment

At 28 February 2022

2022
€m

65.9

(0.1)

65.8

The cumulative foreign exchange gain recognised in other comprehensive income in relation to the asset held for sale as at 24 February 
2022 was €2.7m.

In the prior financial year, the Group classified its wholly owned US subsidiary, Vermont Hard Cider Company (“VHCC”) as a disposal group 
held for sale, as at 28 February 2021. On 2 April 2021, the Group completed the sale of VHCC for a total consideration of €17.5m (USD 
20.5m) (see note 10).

17. TRADE & OTHER PAYABLES

Trade payables

Payroll taxes & social security

VAT

Excise duty

Accruals

Amounts due to Group undertakings

Total

                   Group

                    Company

2022

€m

206.8

6.5

32.3

46.2

94.3

-

2021

€m

135.2

4.1

41.4

40.0

75.5

-

386.1

296.2

2022

€m

-

-

-

-

2.9

49.7

52.6

2021

€m

-

-

-

-

3.1

33.9

37.0

Amounts due to Group undertakings are a combination of interest bearing and interest free payables and are all payable on demand.

The Group’s exposure to currency and liquidity risk related to trade & other payables is disclosed in note 24.

Company
The Company has entered into financial guarantee contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of the liabilities of certain of its subsidiary 
undertakings. As at 28 February 2022, the Directors consider these to be in the nature of insurance contracts and do not consider it 
probable that the Company will have to make a payment under these guarantees and as such discloses them as a contingent liability as 
detailed in note 27. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements206

18. PROVISIONS

At 1 March

Translation adjustment

Charged during the year

Released during the year

Utilised during the year

At end of year

Classified within:

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Restructuring

Dilapidation

2022
€m

2.0

-

0.6

-

(2.4)

0.2

2022
€m

3.8

0.2

1.6

(0.1)

(0.1)

5.4

Other

2022
€m

6.9

0.1

0.9

(0.8)

(0.6)

6.5

Total

2022
€m

12.7

0.3

3.1

(0.9)

(3.1)

12.1 

8.2

3.9

12.1

Total

2021
€m

9.2

-

13.8

(2.2)

(8.1)

12.7

6.2

6.5

12.7

Restructuring
Restructuring costs of €0.6m were incurred in the current financial year (FY2021: €8.1m). These related to severance costs of €0.6m (FY2021: 
€4.9m) which were incurred with respect to the restructuring of the Group as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the prior year an 
additional €1.9m severance costs arose as a consequence of the optimisation of the delivery networks in England and Scotland. Also in the 
prior year, the Group incurred additional costs of €2.0m with respect to the optimisation of the delivery networks in England and Scotland 
which was offset by a credit of €0.7m relating to the profit on disposal of a property as a direct consequence of the optimisation project. 
€2.4m of these costs were paid during the year (FY2021: €6.2m) with €0.2m outstanding at year end (FY2021: €2.0m).

Dilapidation
The Group has a dilapidation provision of €5.4m at 28 February 2022 (FY2021: €3.8m). The Group’s dilapidation provision at 28 February 
2022 is with respect to dilapidation costs for leased depots of €5.1m (FY2021: €3.5m) and a €0.3m dilapidation provision for the leased fleet 
(FY2021: €0.3m). 

Other 
A significant proportion of the Other provision balance of €6.5m relates primarily to a provision with respect to lost kegs and a legal provision 
which was settled post year end. The remainder of this provision is in respect of costs associated with the cyber security incident within the 
Group's Matthew Clark and Bibendum operations. 

Other provisions carried forward from FY2021 relate to provisions for various legal claims, a provision for an onerous trade contract and a 
provision for the Group’s exposure to employee and third-party insurance claims. Under the terms of employer and public liability insurance 
policies, the Group bears a portion of the cost of each claim up to the specified excess. The provision is calculated based on the expected 
portion of settlement costs to be borne by the Group in respect of specific claims arising before the Balance Sheet date.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
207

19. LEASES

The Group adopted IFRS 16 Leases from 1 March 2019 and has lease contracts for various items of freehold land & buildings, plant & 
machinery and motor vehicles & other equipment. 

Set out below are the carrying amounts of right-of-use assets (included under property, plant & equipment note 11) recognised and the 
movements during the year:

Leased right-of-use assets
At 1 March 2020, net carrying amount
Translation adjustment
Additions
Remeasurement
Disposals
Disposal of subsidiary 
Asset held for sale
Depreciation charge for the year
At 28 February 2021

Translation adjustment
Additions
Reclassification
Remeasurement
Disposals
Depreciation charge for the year
At 28 February 2022

Leased liabilities
At 1 March 2020, net carrying amount
Translation adjustment
Additions to lease liabilities
Remeasurement
Disposals
Disposal of subsidiary
Payments*
Asset held for sale 
Discount unwinding
At 28 February 2021

Translation adjustment
Additions to lease liabilities
Reclassification 
Remeasurement
Disposals
Payments*
Discount unwinding
At 28 February 2022

Freehold land & 
buildings

Plant & 
machinery

Motor vehicles & 
other equipment

€m

€m

 €m

35.2
(0.8)
2.7
(1.0)
-
-
(0.2)
(5.6)
30.3

1.1
0.4
-
7.2
-
(5.0)
34.0

1.3
-
-
-
-
-
-
(0.4)
0.9

-
-
3.1
(0.3)
-
(0.4)
3.3

40.2
(0.9)
9.2
(2.9)
(0.1)
(0.4)
-
(11.6)
33.5

1.3
22.7
(3.1)
(4.8)
(4.8)
(14.1)
30.7

Freehold land & 
buildings

Plant & 
machinery

Motor vehicles & 
other equipment

€m

€m

 €m

(49.3)
1.0
(2.7)
1.0
-
-
8.7
0.2
(1.9)
(43.0)

(1.8)
(0.4)
-
(6.5)
-
8.5
(1.6)
(44.8)

(1.3)
-
-
-
-
-
0.5
-
-
(0.8)

(0.2)
-
(3.1)
0.4
-
0.5
-
(3.2)

(42.7)
1.0
(9.2)
2.9
0.1
0.4
13.3
-
(1.6)
(35.8)

(1.2)
(22.7)
3.1
5.2
4.9
16.2
(1.7)
(32.0)

Total

€m

76.7
(1.7)
11.9
(3.9)
(0.1)
(0.4)
(0.2)
(17.6)
64.7

2.4
23.1
-
2.1
(4.8)
(19.5)
68.0

Total

€m

(93.3)
2.0
(11.9)
3.9
0.1
0.4
22.5
0.2
(3.5)
(79.6)

(3.2)
(23.1)
-
(0.9)
4.9
25.2
(3.3)
(80.0)

*  Payments are apportioned between finance charges €3.3m (FY2021: €3.5m) and payment of lease liabilities €21.9m (FY2021: €19.0m) in the Cash Flow Statement

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements208

19. LEASES (continued)

Lease liabilities classified within:

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Total

2022

€m

(20.2)

(59.8)

(80.0)

Total

2021

€m

(18.9)

(60.7)

(79.6)

The table below shows a maturity analysis of the discounted and undiscounted lease liability arising from the Group’s leasing activities. The 
projections are based on the foreign exchange rates at the end of the relevant financial year and on interest rates (discounted projections 
only) applicable to the lease portfolio. 

Within one year 

Between one and two years 

Between two and three years

Between three and four years 

Between four and five years

After five years

Total 

As at 28 February 2022

As at 28 February 2021

Discounted

Undiscounted

Discounted

Undiscounted

€m

(20.2)

(14.7)

(11.9)

(10.4)

(7.0)

(15.8)

(80.0)

€m

(23.1)

(16.9)

(13.5)

(11.6)

(7.9)

(18.4)

(91.4)

€m

(18.9)

(17.4)

(10.5)

(8.1)

(7.3)

(17.4)

(79.6)

€m

(21.7)

(19.5)

(12.2)

(9.4)

(8.3)

(19.8)

(90.9)

The Group avails of the exemption from capitalising lease costs for short-term leases and low-value assets where the relevant criteria are 
met. The following lease costs have been charged to the Income Statement as incurred:

Expense relating to short-term leases (included in operating costs)

Total 

20. INTEREST BEARING LOANS & BORROWINGS

Current liabilities

Unsecured loans repayable by one repayment on maturity

Unsecured loans repayable by instalment

Private Placement notes repayable by one repayment on maturity

Non-current liabilities

Unsecured loans repayable by one repayment on maturity

Unsecured loans repayable by instalment

Private Placement notes repayable by one repayment on maturity

Total borrowings

2022

€m

1.5

1.5

                   Group

                   Company

2022

€m

0.7

(37.4)

0.1

(36.6)

(75.0)

-

(144.4)

(219.4)

(256.0)

2021

€m

0.8

(50.6)

0.1

(49.7)

(241.3)

(37.5)

(141.5)

(420.3)

(470.0)

2022

€m

0.7

0.1

0.1

0.9

1.0

-

(144.4)

(143.4)

(142.5)

2021

€m

0.7

0.7

2021

€m

0.8

(5.6)

0.1

(4.7)

1.8

-

(141.5)

(139.7)

(144.4)

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
209

20. INTEREST BEARING LOANS & BORROWINGS (continued)

Group and Company
Outstanding borrowings of the Group and Company are net of unamortised issue costs. During the prior financial year, the Group completed 
the successful issue of new US Private Placement (“USPP”) notes and incurred additional issue costs of €1.4m in this regard. All unamortised 
issue costs are being amortised to the Income Statement over the remaining life of the multi-currency revolving facilities agreement, the Euro 
term loan and the US Private Placement notes to which they relate. The value of unamortised issue costs at 28 February 2022 was €2.9m 
(FY2021: €3.9m) of which €0.9m (FY2021: €1.0m) is netted against current liabilities and €2.0m (FY2021: €2.9m) is netted against non-
current liabilities. 

Terms and debt repayment schedule

Group

Unsecured loans repayable by one repayment 
on maturity

Unsecured loans repayable by instalment

Unsecured loans repayable by instalment

Private Placement notes repayable by one 
repayment on maturity

Currency

Nominal rates of interest at 28 
February 2022

Year of maturity

2022
Carrying value

2021
Carrying value

€m

€m

Multi

Euro

GBP

Euribor/Sonia + 2.4%

Euribor + 2.85%

Sonia + 2.0%

2024

2022

2021

Euro/GBP

1.6%-2.74%

2030/2032

76.0

37.5

-

145.4

258.9

243.1

82.5

5.7

142.6

473.9

Currency

Nominal rates of interest at 28 
February 2022

Year of maturity

2022
Carrying value

2021
Carrying value

Company

Unsecured loans repayable by instalment

GBP

Sonia + 2.0%

2021

Private Placement notes repayable by one 
repayment on maturity

Euro/GBP

1.6%-2.74%

2030/2032

€m

-

145.4

145.4

€m

5.7

142.6

148.3

Borrowing facilities
Group
The Group manages its borrowing requirements by entering into committed loan facility agreements and in the prior financial year also 
completed the successful issue of new USPP notes which diversifies the Group’s sources of debt finance.

In July 2018, the Group amended and updated its committed €450m multi-currency five year syndicated revolving loan facility and executed 
a three-year Euro term loan. Both the multi-currency facility and the Euro term loan were negotiated with eight banks, namely ABN Amro 
Bank, Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, Bank of Scotland, Barclays Bank, HSBC, Rabobank and Ulster Bank. In FY2020 the Group availed 
of an option within the Group’s multi-currency revolving loan facility agreement to extend the tenure for a further 364 days from termination 
date. The multi-currency facility agreement is therefore now repayable in a single instalment on 11 July 2024. In the prior financial year, the 
Group renegotiated an extension of the repayment schedule of the Euro term loan with its lenders and the last instalment is now payable on 
12 July 2022. 

In March 2020, the Group completed the successful issue of new USPP notes. The unsecured notes, denominated in both Euro and 
Sterling, have maturities of 10 and 12 years and diversify the Group’s sources of debt finance. The Group’s Euro term loan included 
a mandatory prepayment clause from the issuance of any Debt Capital Market instruments however a waiver of the prepayment was 
successfully negotiated in addition to a waiver of a July 2020 repayment, as a consequence of COVID-19, which now becomes payable with 
the last instalment in July 2022. 

Under the terms of the multi-currency facility and the Euro term loan, the Group must pay a commitment fee based on 35% of the applicable 
margin on undrawn committed amounts and variable interest on drawn amounts based on variable Euribor/Sonia interest rates plus a 
margin, the level of which is dependent on the Net Debt: EBITDA ratio, plus a utilisation fee, the level of which is dependent on percentage 
utilisation. The Group may select an interest period of one, two, three or six months.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
210

20. INTEREST BEARING LOANS & BORROWINGS (continued)

Under the terms of the USPP, the Group pays a margin of 1.6% with respect to €19.0m USPP notes with a 10 year tenure; 1.73% with respect 
to €57.0m USPP notes with a 12 year tenure and 2.74% with respect to £58.0m notes with a 10 year tenure. A waiver fee is payable with 
respect to the covenant waivers secured during the current and previous financial year, including a reduced EBITDA fee payable while EBITDA 
is below €120.0m and a below investment grade fee payable when the Group’s credit rating is below investment grade. The maximum 
payable under the three components is capped at 1.5%. 

The Group had further financial indebtedness in the form of non-bank debt of €5.7m at 28 February 2021, which was fully repaid in the current 
financial year with the last instalment paid on 3 April 2021. 

The Euro term loan and multi-currency revolving facilities agreement provides for a further €100m in the form of an uncommitted accordion 
facility. 

All bank loans drawn are unsecured and rank pari passu. All borrowings of the Group are guaranteed by a number of the Group’s 
subsidiary undertakings. The USPP allows the early prepayment of the notes at any time subject to the payment of a make whole amount to 
compensate the note holders for the interest that would have been received on the notes had they not been prepaid early. 

All borrowings of the Group at 28 February 2022 are repayable in full on change of control of the Group.

Company 
The Company is an original borrower under the terms of the Group’s Euro term loan and multi-currency revolving credit facility but is not a 
borrower in relation to the Group’s Euro term loan and multi-currency revolving credit facility drawn debt at 28 February 2022. 

The Company is a borrower with respect to the Group’s USPP notes of €145.4m (FY2021: €142.6m) as at 28 February 2022. Under the terms 
of the USPP, the Company pays a margin of 1.6% with respect to €19.0m notes with a 10 year tenure, 1.73% with respect to €57.0m notes 
with a 12 year tenure and 2.74% with respect to £58.0m notes with a 10 year tenure. A waiver fee is payable with respect to the covenant 
waivers secured during the current and previous financial year, including a reduced EBITDA fee payable while EBITDA is below €120.0m and 
a below investment grade fee is payable when the Group’s credit rating is below investment grade. The maximum payable under the three 
components is capped at 1.5%.

The Company was also a borrower with respect to the Group’s non-bank debt of €5.7m at 28 February 2021, which was fully repaid in the 
current financial year with the last instalment paid on 3 April 2021. 

Covenants
As outlined previously, as a direct consequence of the impact of COVID-19, the Group successfully negotiated waivers on its debt covenants 
from its lending group for FY2021, and these have been extended up to, but not including, the August 2022 test date. Conditional on a 
Minimum Equity Raise, the Group's banking covenants were also renegotiated to increase the threshold of the Group’s Net Debt/Adjusted 
EBITDA covenant to not exceed 4.5x and to reduce the Interest cover covenant to be not less than 2.5x. The Minimum Equity Raise was 
defined as the receipt of at least £125.0m of gross cash proceeds from the issuance of new ordinary shares in the Company including in such 
proceeds the gross amount received by the Company upon issuance of any right to acquire any new ordinary shares in the Company. The 
Company successfully raised gross cash proceeds of £151m (€176m) in June 2021.

As part of the agreement reached to waive the debt covenants, a minimum liquidity requirement and a gross debt restriction have been put 
in place. Following the successful Rights Issue, the minimum liquidity requirement and gross debt restriction will remain in place until the 
Group is able to show compliance with its original debt covenant levels at the 28 February 2023 or earlier if compliance can be demonstrated, 
and, with respect to the minimum liquidity requirement, the Group must maintain liquidity of at least €150.0m each month. A monthly gross 
debt cap of €750.0m in FY2021 was also applied which will continue through FY2022 but was reduced to €700.0m in June 2021 post the 
successful Rights Issue. The minimum liquidity requirement and a gross debt restriction can be lifted earlier in certain circumstances. 

The Group complied with these new minimum liquidity and gross debt requirements during the financial year. 

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022211

20. INTEREST BEARING LOANS & BORROWINGS (continued)

The Group’s Euro term loan and multi-currency debt facility incorporates the following financial covenants (before the current waivers were 
secured):
•  Interest cover: The ratio of EBITDA to net interest for a period of twelve months ending on each half-year date will not be less than 3.5:1
•  Net debt: EBITDA: The ratio of net debt on each half-year date to EBITDA for a period of twelve months ending on a half-year date will not 

exceed 3.5:1

The Company and Group also had covenants with respect to its non-bank financial indebtedness (before the current waivers were secured).
•  Interest cover: The ratio of EBITDA to net interest for a period of twelve months ending on each half-year date will not be less than 3.5:1
•  Net debt: EBITDA: The ratio of net debt on each half-year date to EBITDA for a period of twelve months ending on a half-year date will not 

exceed 3.5:1

There is no effect on the Group’s covenants as a result of implementing IFRS 16 Leases as all covenants are calculated on a pre IFRS 16 
Leases adoption basis. 

Further information about the Group’s exposure to interest rate, foreign currency and liquidity risk is disclosed in note 24.

21. ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT

Group

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Cash 

Net debt excluding leases

Lease liabilities (note 19)

Net debt including leases

1 March 2021

€m

Translation 
adjustment

€m

Additions/
disposals/
remeasurement

Cash Flow, net

€m

 €m

Non-cash
changes

€m

28 February 2022

€m

(470.0)

107.7

(362.3)

(79.6)

(441.9)

(7.2)

2.5

(4.7)

(3.2)

(7.9)

-

-

-

(19.1)

(19.1)

222.2

(45.5)

176.7

25.2

201.9

(1.0)

-

(1.0)

(3.3)

(4.3)

(256.0)*

64.7

(191.3)

(80.0)

(271.3)

* 

Interest bearing loans & borrowings at 28 February 2022 are net of unamortised issue costs of €2.9m.

Group

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Cash 

Net debt excluding leases

Lease liabilities (note 19)

Net debt including leases

1 March 2020

€m

Translation 
adjustment

€m

Additions/
disposals/ 
remeasurement

Cash Flow, net

€m

€m

Non-cash
changes

€m

28 February 2021

 €m

(357.0)

123.4

(233.6)

(93.3)

(326.9)

(6.3)

1.7

(4.6)

2.0

(2.6)

-

-

-

(7.3)

(7.3)

(105.5)

(17.4)

(122.9)

22.5

(100.4)

(1.2)

-

(1.2)

(3.5)

(4.7)

(470.0)*

107.7

(362.3)

(79.6)

(441.9)

* 

Interest bearing loans & borrowings at 28 February 2021 are net of unamortised issue costs of €3.9m.

Company

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Cash 

1 March 2021

Translation 
adjustment

Cash Flow, net

€m

€m

 €m

Non-cash
changes

€m

28 February 
2022

€m

(144.4)

0.7

(143.7)

(3.0)

-

(3.0)

5.9

(0.6)

5.3

(1.0)

-

(1.0)

(142.5)*

0.1

(142.4)

* 

Interest bearing loans & borrowings at 28 February 2022 are net of unamortised issue costs of €2.9m.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements212

21. ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT (continued)

Company

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Cash 

1 March 2020

€m

Translation 
adjustment

€m

Cash Flow, net

 €m

Non-cash
changes

€m

28 February 2021

€m

(13.9)

-

(13.9)

(2.4)

-

(2.4)

(126.9)

0.7

(126.2)

(1.2)

-

(1.2)

(144.4)*

0.7

(143.7)

* Interest bearing loans & borrowings at 28 February 2021 are net of unamortised issue costs of €3.9m.

The non-cash change to the Company and Group’s interest bearing loans and borrowings in the current financial year relates to the 
amortisation of issue costs of €1.0m (FY2021: €1.2m). The non-cash changes for the Group’s lease liabilities in the current financial year 
relate to discount unwinding of €3.3m (FY2021: €3.5m). 

As outlined in further detail in note 27, the Company, together with a number of its subsidiaries, gave a letter of guarantee to secure its 
obligations in respect of all debt drawn by the Company and Group at 28 February 2022. 

22. RECOGNISED DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Group

Property, plant & equipment

Intangible assets

Retirement benefits

Trade related items & losses

Assets

€m

2.6

7.2

0.2

17.0

27.0

2022

Liabilities

€m

Net 
(liabilities)/assets 

€m

(12.8)

(9.4)

(6.3)

(1.7)

(30.2)

(10.2)

(2.2)

(6.1)

15.3

(3.2)

Assets

€m

2.1

5.3

0.7

16.5

24.6

2021

Liabilities

€m

Net assets/
(liabilities)

€m

(8.7)

(6.1)

(2.5)

-

(17.3)

(6.6)

 (0.8)

(1.8)

16.5

7.3

The Group has not recognised deferred tax in relation to temporary differences applicable to investments in subsidiaries on the basis that 
the Group can control the timing and the realisation of these temporary differences and it is unlikely that the temporary differences will 
reverse in the foreseeable future. The aggregate amount of temporary differences applicable to investments in subsidiaries and equity 
accounted investments, in respect of which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised, is immaterial on the basis that the participation 
exemptions and foreign tax credits should be available such that no material temporary differences arise. There are no other unrecognised 
deferred tax liabilities.

€16.5m of deferred tax assets have been recognised at the end of FY2022 in respect of tax losses that require future taxable profits to arise 
in excess of profits arising from the reversal of existing temporary differences. Following a forecasting exercise, the Group is estimating 
sufficient future taxable profits to recognise these deferred tax assets.

No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of certain tax losses incurred by the Group on the basis that the recovery is 
considered unlikely in the foreseeable future or due to the complexity and uncertainty of the tax treatment in connection with certain items 
giving rise to some of the losses. The cumulative value of such tax losses is €43.1m (FY2021: €49.6m). In the event that sufficient taxable 
profits arise or the tax treatment becomes sufficiently certain in the relevant jurisdictions in future years, these losses may be utilised. With 
the sale of Vermont Hard Cider Company, the losses in connection with this business expired in 2021/2022 and the majority of the remaining 
losses are due to expire in 2035/2038.

Company
The Company had no deferred tax assets or liabilities at 28 February 2022 or at 28 February 2021.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
213

22. RECOGNISED DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (continued)

Analysis of movement in net deferred tax (liabilities)/assets

Group

Property, plant & equipment: ROI 

Property, plant and equipment: other

Trade related items & losses

Intangible assets

Retirement benefits

1 March 2021

Recognised in 
Income Statement

Recognised 
in Other 
Comprehensive 
Income

Translation 
adjustment

€m

€m

€m

0.4

(7.0)

16.5

(0.8)

(1.8)

7.3

(0.6)

(2.2)

(1.5)

(1.4)

-

(5.7)

-

(0.6)

 -

-

(4.3)

(4.9)

€m

-

(0.2)

0.3

-

-

0.1

28 February 2022

€m

(0.2)

(10.0)

15.3

(2.2)

(6.1)

(3.2)

From 1 April 2023, the UK corporation tax is expected to increase from 19% to 25%. An assessment on the expected unwind of UK deferred 
tax assets and UK deferred liabilities has been calculated resulting in a €0.1m credit to the Income Statement and a charge to Statement of 
Other Comprehensive Income of €0.5m, which is included in Property, plant and equipment: other.   

Group

Property, plant & equipment: ROI

Property, plant and equipment: other

Trade related items & losses

Intangible assets

Retirement benefits

23. RETIREMENT BENEFITS

1 March 2020

Recognised in 
Income Statement

Recognised in Other 
Comprehensive 
Income

Translation 
adjustment

28 February 2021

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

0.7

(6.1)

0.9

0.1

(0.2)

(4.6)

(0.3)

(0.5)

14.8

(0.9)

-

13.1

-

(0.2)

-

-

(1.6)

(1.8)

-

(0.2)

0.8

-

-

0.6

0.4

(7.0)

16.5

(0.8)

(1.8)

7.3

The Group operates a number of defined benefit pension schemes for certain employees, past and present, in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) 
and in Northern Ireland (NI), all of which provide pension benefits based on final salary and the assets of which are held in separate trustee 
administered funds. The Group closed its defined benefit pension schemes to new members in March 2006 and provides only defined 
contribution pension schemes for employees joining the Group since that date. The Group provides permanent health insurance cover for 
the benefit of certain employees and separately charges this to the Income Statement.

The defined benefit pension scheme assets are held in separate trustee administered funds to meet long-term pension liabilities to past and 
present employees. The trustees of the funds are required to act in the best interest of the funds’ beneficiaries. The appointment of trustees 
to the funds is determined by the schemes’ trust documentation. The Group has a policy in relation to its principal staff pension fund that 
members of the fund should nominate half of all fund trustees.

There are no active members remaining in the executive defined benefit pension scheme (FY2021: no active members). There are 51 active 
members, representing less than 10% of total membership, in the ROI Staff defined benefit pension scheme (FY2021: 52 active members) 
and 2 active members in the NI defined benefit pension scheme (FY2021: 2 active members). The Group’s ROI defined benefit pension 
reform programme concluded during the financial year ended 29 February 2012 with the Pensions Board issuing a directive under Section 
50 of the Pensions Act 1990 to remove the mandatory pension increase rule, which guaranteed 3% per annum increase to certain pensions 
in payment, and to replace it with guaranteed pension increases of 2% per annum for each year 2012 to 2015 and thereafter for all future 
pension increases to be awarded on a discretionary basis.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
 
214

23. RETIREMENT BENEFITS (continued)

Actuarial valuations – funding requirements 
Independent actuarial valuations of the defined benefit pension schemes are carried out on a triennial basis using the attained age method. 
The most recently completed actuarial valuations of the ROI defined benefit pension schemes were carried out with an effective date of 
1 January 2021 while the date of the most recent actuarial valuation of the NI defined benefit pension scheme was 31 December 2020. 
The actuarial valuations are not available for public inspection; however the results of the valuations are advised to members of the various 
schemes. 

The funding requirements in relation to the Group’s ROI defined benefit pension schemes are assessed at each valuation date and are 
implemented in accordance with the advice of the actuaries. Arising from the formal actuarial valuations of the Group’s staff defined benefit 
pension scheme, the Group has committed to contributions of €418,000 per annum commencing in 2021 and increasing at a rate of 1.4% 
each year thereafter. This will be reviewed at the next actuarial valuation, which is due in the normal course of events at 1 January 2024. 
There is no funding requirement with respect to the Group’s ROI executive defined benefit pension scheme or the Group’s NI defined benefit 
pension scheme, both of which are in surplus. The Group has an unconditional right to any surplus remaining in these schemes in the event 
the scheme concludes.

The Group is exposed to a number of risks in relation to the funding position of these schemes, namely:

Asset volatility: It is the Group’s intention to pursue a long-term investment policy that emphasises investment in secure monetary assets to 
provide for the contractual benefits payable to members. The investment portfolio has exposure to equities, other growth assets and fixed 
interest investments, the returns from which are uncertain and may fluctuate significantly in line with market movements. Assets held are 
valued at fair value using bid prices where relevant. 

Discount rate: The discount rate is the rate of interest used to discount post-employment benefit obligations and is determined by reference 
to market yields at the balance sheet date on high quality corporate bonds with a currency and term consistent with the currency and 
estimated term of the Group’s post-employment benefit obligations. Movements in discount rates have a significant impact on the value of 
the schemes’ liabilities.

Longevity: The value of the defined benefit obligations is influenced by demographic factors such as mortality experience and retirement 
patterns. Changes to life expectancy have a significant impact on the value of the schemes’ liabilities. 

Method and assumptions 
The schemes’ independent actuary, Mercer (Ireland) Limited, has employed the projected unit credit method to determine the present value 
of the defined benefit obligations arising and the related current service cost. 

The financial assumptions that have the most significant impact on the results of the actuarial valuations are those relating to the discount 
rate used to convert future pension liabilities to current values and the rate of inflation/salary increase. These and other assumptions used to 
determine the retirement benefits and current service cost under IAS19(R) Employee Benefits are set out below.

Mortality rates also have a significant impact on the actuarial valuations, as the number of deaths within the scheme have been too small to 
analyse and produce any meaningful scheme-specific estimates of future levels of mortality, the rates used have been based on the most 
up-to-date mortality tables, (the S3PMA CMI 2019 1.5% (males) and S3PFA CMI 2019 1.5% (females) for the ROI schemes and S3PMA CMI 
2020 1.5%(males) and S3PFA CMI 2020 1.5% (females) for the NI scheme) with age ratings and loading factors to allow for future mortality 
improvements. These tables conform to best practice. The growing trend for people to live longer and the expectation that this will continue 
has been reflected in the mortality assumptions used for this valuation as indicated below. This assumption will continue to be monitored in 
light of general trends in mortality experience. Based on these tables, the assumed life expectations on retirement are:

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
215

23. RETIREMENT BENEFITS (continued)

Future life expectations at age 65

Current retirees – no allowance for future improvements

Future retirees – with allowance for future improvements

ROI

NI

2022

2021

2022

2021

No. of years

No. of years

No. of years

No. of years

22.5-23.3

22.6-23.5

24.2-25.1

24.5-25.4

23.2-24.1

23.5-24.3

25.2-26.0

25.5-26.3

22.4

24.2

24.0

26.0

22.6

24.5

24.4

26.3

Male

Female

Male

Female

Scheme liabilities
The average age of active members is 51 and 50 years (FY2021: 50 and 51 years) for the ROI Staff and the NI defined benefit pension 
schemes respectively (the executive defined benefit pension scheme has no active members), while the average duration of liabilities ranges 
from 13 to 22 years (FY2021: 14 to 23 years).

The principal long-term financial assumptions used by the Group’s actuaries in the computation of the defined benefit liabilities arising on 
pension schemes as at 28 February 2022 and 28 February 2021 are as follows:

Salary increases

Increases to pensions in payment

Discount rate

Inflation rate

2022

2021

ROI

NI

ROI

0.0%-2.6%

4.0% 0.0%-2.3%

2.0%

1.8%-2.0%

1.6%-1.7%

2.0%

2.6%

3.6%

1.6%-1.7%

1.3%-1.5%

1.6%-1.7%

NI

3.6%

1.9%

2.2%

3.2%

A reduction in discount rate used to value the schemes’ liabilities by 0.25% would increase the valuation of liabilities by €6.9m (FY2021: 
€9.7m) while an increase in inflation/salary increase expectations of 0.25% would increase the valuation of liabilities by €7.4m (FY2021: 
€9.5m). The sensitivity is calculated by changing the individual assumption while holding all other assumptions constant.

The pension assets and liabilities have been prepared in accordance with IAS19(R) Employee Benefits. 

(a) Impact on Income Statement

Analysis of defined benefit pension 
expense:

Current service cost

Interest cost on scheme liabilities

Interest income on scheme assets

Total (expense)/income recognised in Income 
Statement

ROI

€m

(0.7)

(2.6)

2.6

(0.7)

2022

NI

€m

-

(0.2)

0.2

-

Total

€m

(0.7)

(2.8)

2.8

(0.7)

ROI

€m

(0.8)

(1.9)

1.8

(0.9)

2021

NI

€m

-

(0.2)

0.2

-

Total

€m

(0.8)

(2.1)

2.0

(0.9)

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
216

23. RETIREMENT BENEFITS (continued)

Analysis of amount recognised in Other Comprehensive Income:

Actual return on scheme assets

Expected interest income on scheme assets

Experience gains and losses on scheme 
liabilities

Effect on changes in financial assumptions

Effect of changes in demographic assumptions

Total income/(expense)

Scheme assets

Scheme liabilities

Deficit in scheme

Surplus in scheme

ROI

€m

13.4

(2.6)

12.2

5.9

2.9

31.8

195.1

(164.0)

-

31.1

2022

NI

€m

0.7

(0.2)

-

0.3

0.2

1.0

14.4

(7.9)

-

6.5

Total

€m

14.1

(2.8)

12.2

6.2

3.1

32.8

209.5

(171.9)

-

37.6

ROI 

€m

6.1

(1.8)

2.7

6.5

-

13.5

187.1

(187.5)

(5.5)

5.1

(b) Impact on Balance Sheet
The retirement benefits deficit at 28 February 2022 and 28 February 2021 is analysed as follows:

Analysis of net pension deficit:

Investments quoted in active markets

Bid value of assets at end of year:

Equity* 

Bonds

Alternatives

Cash

Investments unquoted

Property

ROI

€m

35.7

120.9

23.1

2.4

13.0

195.1

2022

NI

€m

2.9

11.4

-

0.1

-

14.4

Total

€m

ROI

€m

38.6

132.3

23.1

40.0

107.9

26.5

2.5

0.2

13.0

209.5

12.5

187.1

2021

NI 

€m

-

(0.2)

-

0.1

-

(0.1)

13.7

(8.4)

-

5.3

2021

NI

€m

2.9

10.8

-

-

-

13.7

Total

€m

6.1

(2.0)

2.7

6.6

-

13.4

200.8

(195.9)

(5.5)

10.4

Total

€m

42.9

118.7

26.5

0.2

12.5

200.8

Actuarial value of scheme liabilities

(164.0)

(7.9)

(171.9)

(187.5)

(8.4)

(195.9)

Deficit in the scheme

Surplus in the scheme

Surplus/(deficit) in the scheme

Related deferred tax asset (note 22)

Related deferred tax liability (note 22)

Net pension surplus/(deficit)

-

31.1

31.1

-

 (4.0)

27.1

-

6.5

6.5

-

(2.1) 

4.4

-

37.6

37.6

-

(6.1)

31.5

(5.5)

5.1

(0.4)

0.7

(0.7)

(0.4)

-

5.3

5.3

-

(1.8)

3.5

(5.5)

10.4

4.9

0.7

(2.5)

3.1

*The defined benefit pension schemes have a passive self-investment in C&C Group plc of €nil (FY2021: €nil).

The alternative investment category includes investments in various asset classes including equities, commodities, currencies and funds. 
The investments are managed by fund managers.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
217

23. RETIREMENT BENEFITS (continued)

Reconciliation of scheme assets

Assets at beginning of year

Movement in year:

Translation adjustment

Expected interest income on scheme assets

Actual return less interest income on scheme assets

Employer contributions

Member contributions

Benefit payments

Assets at end of year

ROI

€m

187.1

-

2.6

10.8

0.4

0.2

(6.0)

195.1

2022

NI

€m

13.7

0.6

0.2

0.5

-

-

(0.6)

14.4

Total

€m

200.8

0.6

2.8

11.3

0.4

0.2

(6.6)

209.5

ROI

€m

186.8

-

1.8

4.3

0.4

0.1

(6.3)

187.1

2021

NI

€m

14.1

(0.3)

0.2

(0.2)

-

-

(0.1)

13.7

Total

€m

200.9

(0.3)

2.0

4.1

0.4

0.1

(6.4)

200.8

The expected employer contributions to fund defined benefit scheme obligations for year ending 28 February 2022 is €0.4m.

The scheme assets had the following investment profile at the year-end:

2022

2021

ROI

NI

ROI

NI

Investments quoted in active markets

Equities

Bonds

Alternatives

Cash

Investments unquoted

Property

18%

62%

12%

1%

7%

100%

20%

80%

-

-

-

100%

21%

58%

14%

-

7%

100%

Reconciliation of actuarial value of scheme liabilities 

Liabilities at beginning of year

Movement in year:

Translation adjustment

Current service cost

Interest cost on scheme liabilities

Member contributions

Actuarial (gain)/loss immediately recognised in equity

Benefit payments

Liabilities at end of year

ROI

€m

187.5

-

0.7

2.6

0.2

(21.0)

(6.0)

164.0

2022

NI

€m

8.4

0.4

-

0.2

-

(0.5)

(0.6)

7.9

Total

€m

195.9

ROI

€m

200.2

0.4

0.7

2.8

0.2

(21.5)

(6.6)

171.9

-

0.8

1.9

0.1

(9.2)

(6.3)

187.5

2021

NI

€m

8.6

(0.2)

-

0.2

-

(0.1)

(0.1)

8.4

21%

79%

-

-

-

100%

Total

€m

208.8

(0.2)

0.8

2.1

0.1

(9.3)

(6.4)

195.9

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
 
218

24. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group’s multinational operations expose it to various financial risks in the ordinary course of business that include credit risk, liquidity 
risk, commodity price risk, currency risk and interest rate risk. This note discusses the Group’s exposure to each of these financial risks and 
summarises the risk management strategy for managing these risks. The note is presented as follows:

(a) Overview of the Group’s risk exposures and management strategy
(b) Financial assets and liabilities as at 28 February 2022/28 February 2021 and determination of fair value
(c) Market risk 
(d) Credit risk
(e) Liquidity risk

(a) Overview of the Group’s risk exposures and management strategy
The main financial market risks that the Group is exposed to include foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price fluctuations, 
interest rate risk and financial counterparty creditworthiness. The Board continues to monitor and manage this and all other financial risks 
faced by the Group closely. 

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group’s risk management framework. This is 
executed through various committees to which the Board has delegated appropriate levels of authority. An essential part of this framework 
is the role undertaken by the Audit Committee, supported by the internal audit function, and the Group Chief Financial Officer. The Board, 
through its Committees, has reviewed the internal control environment and the risk management systems and process for identifying and 
evaluating the significant risks affecting the business and the policies and procedures by which these risks will be managed effectively. The 
Board has embedded these structures and procedures throughout the Group and considers them to be a robust and efficient mechanism 
for creating a culture of risk awareness at every level of management. 

The Group’s risk management programme seeks to minimise the potential adverse effects, arising from fluctuations in financial markets, on 
the Group’s financial performance in a non-speculative manner at a reasonable cost when economically viable to do so. The Group achieves 
the management of these risks in part, where appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. All derivative financial contracts 
entered into in this regard are in liquid markets with credit-worthy parties. Treasury activities are performed within strict terms of reference 
that have been approved by the Board. See currency risk section for further details. 

(b) Financial assets and liabilities
The carrying and fair values of financial assets and liabilities by measurement category were as follows:

Group

28 February 2022

Financial assets:

Cash 

Trade receivables

Advances to customers

Financial liabilities:

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Derivative contracts

Trade & other payables 

Provisions

Other financial 
assets

Other financial 
liabilities

Carrying value

Fair value

€m

 €m

 €m

 €m

64.7

147.5

43.0

-

-

-

-

255.2

-

-

-

(256.0)

(0.1)

(386.1)

(12.1)

(654.3)

64.7

147.5

43.0

(256.0)

(0.1)

(386.1)

(12.1)

(399.1)

64.7

147.5

43.0

(258.9)

(0.1)

(386.1)

(12.1)

(402.0)

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022219

24. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

Group

28 February 2021

Financial assets:

Cash 

Trade receivables

Advances to customers

Financial liabilities:

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Trade & other payables

Provisions

Company

28 February 2022

Financial assets:

Cash

Amounts due from Group undertakings

Financial liabilities:

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Amounts due to Group undertakings

Accruals

Company

28 February 2021

Financial assets:

Cash

Amounts due from Group undertakings

Financial liabilities:

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Amounts due to Group undertakings

Accruals

Other financial 
assets

Other financial 
liabilities

Carrying value

Fair value

€m

 €m

 €m

 €m

107.7

75.9

42.1

-

-

-

225.7

-

-

-

(470.0)

(296.2)

(12.7)

(778.9)

107.7

75.9

42.1

(470.0)

(296.2)

(12.7)

(553.2)

107.7

75.9

42.1

(473.9)

(296.2)

(12.7)

(557.1)

Other financial 
assets

Other financial 
liabilities

Carrying value

Fair value

€m

 €m

 €m

 €m

0.1

114.7

-

-

-

114.8

-

-

0.1

114.7

0.1

114.7

(142.5)

(49.7)

(2.9)

(195.1)

(142.5)

(145.4)

(49.7)

(2.9)

(80.3)

(49.7)

(2.9)

(83.2)

Other financial 
assets

Other financial 
liabilities

Carrying value

Fair value

€m

 €m

 €m

 €m

0.7

118.6

-

-

-

119.3

-

-

0.7

118.6

0.7

118.6

(144.4)

(33.9)

(3.1)

(181.4)

(144.4)

(33.9)

(3.1)

(62.1)

(148.3)

(33.9)

(3.1)

(66.0)

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
220

24. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

Determination of Fair Value
Set out below are the main methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair values of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities. There is 
no material difference between the fair value of financial assets and liabilities falling due within one year and their carrying amount as due to 
the short-term maturity of these financial assets and liabilities their carrying amount is deemed to approximate fair value.

Short-term bank deposits and cash 
The nominal amount of all short-term bank deposits and cash is deemed to reflect fair value at the balance sheet date.

Advances to customers
Advances to customers adjusted for advances of discount prepaid is considered to reflect fair value. 

Trade & other receivables/payables
The nominal amount of all trade & other receivables/payables after provision for impairment is deemed to reflect fair value at the balance 
sheet date with the exception of provisions which are discounted to fair value.

Interest bearing loans & borrowings
The fair value of all interest bearing loans & borrowings has been calculated by discounting all future cash flows to their present value using a 
market rate reflecting the Group’s cost of borrowing at the balance sheet date. 

(c) Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as commodity prices, foreign exchange rates and interest rates, will affect the 
Group’s income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management is to manage and control 
market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising the return on risk.

Commodity price risk
The Group is exposed to variability in the price of commodities used in the production or in the packaging of finished products, such 
as apples, glass, barley, aluminium, polymer, wheat and sugar/glucose. Commodity price risk is managed, where economically viable, 
through fixed price contracts with suppliers incorporating appropriate commodity hedging and pricing mechanisms. The Group does not 
directly enter into commodity hedge contracts. The cost of production is also sensitive to variability in the price of energy, primarily gas and 
electricity. It is Group policy to fix the cost of a certain level of its energy requirement through fixed price contractual arrangements directly 
with its energy suppliers. 

Currency risk
The Company’s functional and reporting currency is Euro. The Euro is also the Group’s reporting currency and the currency used for 
all planning and budgetary purposes. The Group is exposed to currency risk in relation to sales and purchase transactions by Group 
companies in currencies other than their functional currency (transaction risk), and fluctuations in the Euro value of the Group’s net 
investment in foreign currency (primarily Sterling) denominated subsidiary undertakings (translation risk). Currency exposures for the entire 
Group are managed and controlled centrally. The Group seeks to minimise its foreign currency transaction exposure, when possible, by 
offsetting the foreign currency input costs against the same foreign currency receipts, creating a natural hedge. When the remaining net 
currency exposure is material, the Group enters into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate and protect against adverse movements 
in currency risk and remove uncertainty over the foreign currency equivalent cash flows. At 28 February 2022 the Group had €22.2m of 
forward foreign currency cash flow hedges outstanding (FY2021: €nil).

In addition, the Group has a number of long-term intra-group loans for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to happen in the 
foreseeable future, and as a consequence of which are deemed quasi equity in nature and are therefore part of the Group’s net investment 
in its foreign operations. The Group does not hedge the translation exposure arising on the translation of the profits of foreign currency 
subsidiaries.

The net currency gains and losses on transactional currency exposures are recognised in the Income Statement and the changes arising 
from fluctuations in the Euro value of the Group’s net investment in foreign operations are reported separately within Other Comprehensive 
Income.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
 
221

2022
€m

(0.1)

(0.1)

2021
€m

-

-

24. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

Derivatives

Cash flow hedges – currency forwards

Total

Derivatives are only used for economic hedging purposes and not as speculative investments. However, where derivatives do not meet the 
hedge accounting criteria, they are classified as “held for trading” for accounting purposes and are accounted for at fair value through the 
Income Statement. They are presented as current assets or liabilities to the extent they are expected to be settled within 12 months after the 
end of the reporting period.

Hedging reserves

Opening balance 1 March 

Change in fair value of hedging recognised in Other Comprehensive Income for the year

Reclass to retained earnings

Closing balance 28 February – continuing hedges

2022
€m

-

(0.1)

-

(0.1)

2021
€m

0.3

0.3

(0.6)

-

Hedge ineffectiveness is determined at the inception of the hedge relationship, and through periodic prospective effectiveness assessments, 
to ensure that an economic relationship exists between the hedged item and hedging instrument. 

For hedges of foreign currency purchases, the Group enters into hedge relationships where the critical terms of the hedging instrument 
match exactly with the terms of the hedged item. The Group therefore performs a qualitative assessment of effectiveness. If changes in 
circumstances affect the terms of the hedged item, such that the critical terms no longer match exactly with the critical terms of the hedging 
instrument, the Group uses the hypothetical derivative method to assess effectiveness. 

In hedges of foreign currency purchases, ineffectiveness might arise if the timing of the forecast transaction changes from what was 
originally estimated, or if a degree of forecast purchases are no longer highly probable to occur. The hedging ratio is 1:1 as the quantity of 
purchases designated matches the notional amount of the hedging instrument. 

No ineffectiveness was recognised in the Income Statement in the current or prior financial year. 

The currency profile of the Group and Company’s financial instruments subject to transactional exposure as at 28 February 2022 is as 
follows:

Group

Cash 

Trade receivables 

Advances to customers

Interest bearings loans & borrowings

Lease liabilities 

Trade & other payables 

Provisions 

Gross currency exposure

Euro

€m

Sterling

€m

USD

€m

CAD/AUD

€m

5.7 

3.5

-

-

-

2.3

0.1

-

-

-

(13.7)

(14.5)

-

-

(4.5)

(12.1)

3.3

1.4

-

-

-

(3.1)

-

1.6

0.3

0.4

-

-

-

(0.3)

-

0.4

NZD

€m

0.1

0.2

-

-

-

(1.1)

-

(0.8)

SGD

€m

Not at risk

€m

Total

€m

0.1

-

-

-

-

-

-

52.9 

141.9

43.0

64.7

147.5

43.0

(256.0)

(256.0)

(80.0)

(80.0)

(353.4)

(386.1)

(12.1)

(12.1)

0.1

(463.7)

(479.0)

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
222

24. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

Sterling

€m

Not at risk

€m

Company

Cash

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Net amounts due to Group undertakings

Accruals

Total

-

-

20.0

(1.2)

18.8

Total

€m

0.1

0.1

(142.5)

(142.5)

45.0

(1.7)

(99.1)

65.0

(2.9)

(80.3)

The currency profile of the Group and Company’s financial instruments subject to transactional exposure as at 28 February 2021 is as 
follows:

Sterling

€m

USD

€m

CAD/AUD

€m

ZAR

€m

Not at risk

€m

Euro

€m

6.2

2.5

-

-

-

4.3

3.9

-

-

-

(12.6)

(39.7)

-

(3.9)

-

(31.5)

2.3

1.3

-

-

-

(2.4)

-

1.2

1.8

0.4

-

-

-

(0.6)

-

1.6

Group

Cash 

Trade receivables

Advances to customers

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Lease liabilities

Trade & other payables

Provisions

Gross currency exposure

Company

Cash

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Net amounts due to Group undertakings

Accruals

Total

NZD

€m

0.1

-

-

-

-

(0.9)

-

(0.8)

USD

€m

-

-

(0.4)

-

(0.4)

SGD

€m

0.3

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total

€m

107.7

75.9

42.1

91.9

67.8

42.1

(470.0)

(470.0)

(79.6)

(79.6)

(240.0)

(296.2)

(12.7)

(12.7)

0.8

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.3

0.8

(600.5)

(632.8)

Sterling

€m

-

(5.7)

(30.1)

(1.6)

(37.4)

Not at risk

€m

0.7

(138.7)

115.2

(1.5)

(24.3)

Total

€m

0.7

(144.4)

84.7

(3.1)

(62.1)

A 10% strengthening in the Euro against all currencies noted above, based on outstanding financial assets and liabilities at 28 February 
2022, would have a €1.4m positive impact (FY2021: €2.9m) on the Income Statement. A 10% weakening in the Euro against all currencies 
noted above would have a €1.7m negative effect (FY2021: €3.6m) on the Income Statement. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in 
particular interest rates, remain constant.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
223

24. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

Interest rate risk 
The interest rate profile of the Group and Company’s interest-bearing financial instruments at the reporting date is summarised as follows:

Variable/fixed rate instruments

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Cash 

Group

Company

2022

€m

(258.9)

64.7

(194.2)

2021

€m

(473.9)

107.7

(366.2)

2022

€m

(145.4)

0.1

(145.3)

2021

€m

(148.3)

0.7

(147.6)

The Group exposure to interest rate risk arises principally from its long-term debt obligations. A 0.25% increase/decrease in Euribor and 
Sonia rates would result in a €0.1m (FY2021: €1.9m) impact on the Income Statement, over the duration of the tenure, with respect to the 
interest charge on interest bearing loans & borrowings.

The USPP notes were issued in March 2020 with a fixed interest rate for Euro and GBP notes (except in relation to the Covid margin), the 
notes have maturity dates ranging from 2030 to 2032.

(d) Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual 
obligations, and arises principally from the Group’s trade receivables, its cash advances to customers, cash including deposits with banks 
and derivative financial instruments contracted with banks. The Group has an indirect exposure to European Sovereigns via its defined 
benefit pension scheme investment portfolio. In the context of the Group’s operations, credit risk is mainly influenced by the individual 
characteristics of individual counterparties and is not considered particularly concentrated as it primarily arises from a wide and varied 
customer base; there are no material dependencies or concentrations of individual customers which would warrant disclosure under IFRS 8 
Operating Segments.

The Group has detailed procedures for monitoring and managing the credit risk related to its trade receivables and advances to customers 
based on experience, customer track records and historic default rates and forward looking information, such as concentration maturity 
and the macroeconomic circumstances within the Group’s primary trading markets. The impact of COVID-19 resulted in the Group booking 
exceptional provisions in the prior financial year (note 5).

Generally, individual ‘risk limits’ are set by customer and risk is only accepted above such limits in defined circumstances. A strict credit 
assessment is made of all new applicants who request credit-trading terms. The utilisation and revision, where appropriate, of credit limits 
is regularly monitored. Impairment provision accounts are used to record impairment losses unless the Group is satisfied that no recovery 
of the amount owing is possible. At that point, the amount is considered irrecoverable and is written off directly against the trade receivable/
advance to customer. The Group also manages credit risk through the use of a receivables purchase arrangement, for an element of its 
trade receivables. Under the terms of this arrangement, the Group transfers the credit risk, late payment risk and control of the receivables 
sold. As at 28 February 2022, the Group’s year end cash had benefited by €84.1m (FY2021: €45.0m) with respect to this purchase 
arrangement. The Group’s trade receivables purchase arrangement is not recognised on the Balance Sheet as it meets the de-recognition 
criteria under IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.

Advances to customers are generally secured by, amongst others, rights over property or intangible assets, such as the right to take 
possession of the premises of the customer. During the financial year, the Group did not exercise their right to take possession of any 
material collateral that would require disclosure. At 28 February 2022, the Group held collateral of €1.3m (FY2021: €2.7m) on financial assets 
that are credit impaired and recognised no expected credit loss on financial assets of €6.3m (FY2021: €9.8m) due to collateral.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
224

24. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

Interest rates calculated on repayment/annuity advances are generally based on the risk-free rate plus a margin, which takes into account 
the risk profile of the customer and value of security given. The Group establishes an allowance for impairment of customer’s advances that 
represents its estimate of potential future losses. 

From time to time, the Group holds significant cash balances, which are invested on a short-term basis and disclosed under cash in the 
Balance Sheet. Risk of counterparty default arising on short-term cash deposits is controlled within a framework of dealing primarily with 
banks who are members of the Group’s banking syndicate, and by limiting the credit exposure to any one of these banks or institutions. 
Management does not expect any counterparty to fail to meet its obligations.

The Company also bears credit risk in relation to amounts owed by Group undertakings and from guarantees provided in respect of the 
liabilities of wholly owned subsidiaries as disclosed in note 27.

The carrying amount of financial assets, net of impairment provisions represents the maximum credit exposure. The maximum exposure to 
credit risk at the reporting date was:

Trade receivables

Advances to customers

Amounts due from Group undertakings

Cash 

Group

Company

2022

€m

147.5 

43.0

-

64.7

255.2 

2021

€m

75.9

42.1

-

107.7

225.7

2022

€m

-

-

114.7

0.1

114.8

2021

€m

-

-

118.6

0.7

119.3

The ageing of trade receivables and advances to customers together with an analysis of movement in the Group’s impairment provisions 
against these receivables are disclosed in note 15. The Group does not have any significant concentrations of risk.

(e) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group or Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. 

The Group’s policy is to ensure that sufficient resources are available either from cash balances, cash flows or committed bank facilities to 
meet all debt obligations as they fall due. To achieve this, the Group (a) maintains adequate cash balances; (b) prepares detailed 2 year cash 
projections; and (c) keeps refinancing options under review. In addition, the Group maintains an overdraft facility that is unsecured. 

Cash and liquidity have been a key focus for the Group throughout FY2022. On 26 May 2021, the Group announced a Rights Issue, the 
Group successfully completed the Rights Issue in June 2021 raising gross cash proceeds of £151m (€176m). As a result of this, the Group 
reduced leverage, improving the Group’s overall liquidity position and providing the Group with the capital structure to both support the 
business during further potential disruptions from COVID-19 and to deliver on its strategy. 

In March 2020, the Group completed the successful issue of the new USPP notes. The unsecured notes, denominated in both Euro and 
Sterling, have maturities of 10 and 12 years and diversify the Group’s sources of debt finance. The Group’s Euro term loan included a 
mandatory prepayment clause from the issuance of any Debt Capital Market instruments however, as a consequence of COVID-19, a waiver 
of the prepayment was successfully negotiated in addition to a waiver of a July 2020 repayment which now becomes payable with the last 
instalment in July 2022. 

In July 2018, the Group amended and updated its committed €450m multi-currency five year syndicated revolving loan facility and executed 
a three year Euro term loan. Both the multi-currency facility and the Euro term loan were negotiated with eight banks, namely ABN Amro 
Bank, Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, Bank of Scotland, Barclays Bank, HSBC, Rabobank, and Ulster Bank. 

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
 
225

24. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

In FY2020 the Group availed of an option within the Group’s multi-currency revolving loan facility agreement to extend the tenure for a further 
364 days from termination date. The multi-currency facility agreement is therefore now repayable in a single instalment on 11 July 2024. 
During the prior financial year, the Group renegotiated an extension of the repayment schedule of the Euro term loan with its lenders and the 
last instalment is now payable on 12 July 2022. 

The Euro term loan and multi-currency revolving facilities agreement provides for a further €100m in the form of an uncommitted accordion 
facility. At 28 February 2022 the Group had €113.5m drawn down from the term loan and multi-currency revolving facilities (FY2021: 
€325.6m), €145.4m drawn down from Private Placement notes (FY2021: €142.6m) and €nil from its non-bank financial indebtedness 
(FY2021: €5.7m). 

As outlined previously, as a direct consequence of the impact of COVID-19, the Group successfully negotiated waivers on its debt covenants 
from its lending group for FY2021, and these have been extended up to, but not including, the August 2022 test date. Conditional on a 
Minimum Equity Raise, the Group's banking covenants were also renegotiated to increase the threshold of the Group’s Net Debt/Adjusted 
EBITDA covenant to not exceed 4.5x and to reduce the Interest cover covenant to be not less than 2.5x. The Minimum Equity Raise was 
defined as the receipt of at least £125.0m of gross cash proceeds from the issuance of new ordinary shares in the Company including in 
such proceeds the gross amount received by the Company upon issuance of any right to acquire any new ordinary shares in the Company. 
The Company successfully raised gross cash proceeds of £151m (€176m) in June 2021.

As part of the agreement reached to waive the debt covenants, a minimum liquidity requirement and a gross debt restriction have been 
put in place. Following the successful Rights Issue, the minimum liquidity requirement and gross debt restriction will remain in place 
until the Group is able to show compliance with its original debt covenant levels at the 28 February 2023 or earlier if compliance can be 
demonstrated, and, with respect to the minimum liquidity requirement, the Group must maintain liquidity of at least €150.0m each month. 
A monthly gross debt cap of €750.0m in FY2021 was also applied which will continue through FY2022 but was reduced to €700.0m in 
June 2021 post the successful Rights Issue. The minimum liquidity requirement and gross debt restriction can be lifted earlier in certain 
circumstances. 

The Group complied with these new minimum liquidity and gross debt requirements during the financial year. 

The Company and Group had further financial indebtedness in the form of non-bank debt of €5.7m at 28 February 2021, which was fully 
repaid in the current financial year with the last instalment paid on 3 April 2021. 

All bank loans drawn are unsecured and rank pari passu. All borrowings of the Group are guaranteed by a number of the Group’s subsidiary 
undertakings. The euro term loan and multi-currency facilities agreement allows the early repayment of debt without incurring additional 
charges or penalties. The USPP allows the early prepayment of the notes at any time subject to the payment of a make whole amount to 
compensate the note holders for the interest that would have been received on the notes had they not been prepaid early. 

All borrowings of the Company and Group at 28 February 2022 are repayable in full on change of control of the Group. 

The Company and the Group complied with all covenants at each reporting date in the current and prior financial year. There is no effect 
on the Group’s covenants as a result of implementing IFRS 16 Leases in FY2020 as all covenants are calculated on a pre IFRS 16 Leases 
adoption basis. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements226

24. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

During the current financial year, the Group also implemented various working capital initiatives, including availing of Government furlough 
schemes across the UK and Ireland up to and including May 2021, the Group discontinued the use of furlough in June 2021 when the 
business returned to profit. The Group repaid €47.7m (£40.7m) of tax deferrals to the UK tax authorities and €16.6m of tax deferrals to the 
Irish tax authorities in FY2022, with €10.7m (£8.9m) to the UK tax authorities and €18.1m to the Irish tax authorities remaining to be repaid in 
FY2023. The Group successfully completed an operating cost reduction plan which delivered €18.0m in annualised savings against its pre 
COVID-19 cost base.

The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities, including interest payments:

Carrying amount

flows 6 months or less

6 – 12 months

1 – 2 years

Contractual cash 

Greater than 2 
years

€m

€m

€m

€m

 €m

€m

Group
2022

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Trade & other payables 

Lease liabilities

Provisions

Total contracted outflows

Group

2021

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Trade & other payables 

Lease liabilities

Provisions

Total contracted outflows

Company

2022

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Amounts due to Group undertakings

Accruals 

Total contracted outflows

2021

Interest bearing loans & borrowings

Amounts due to Group undertakings

Accruals

Total contracted outflows

(256.0)

(386.1)

 (80.0)

(12.1)

(734.2)

(470.0)

(296.2)

(79.6)

(12.7)

(858.5)

(142.5)

(49.7)

(2.9)

(195.1)

(144.4)

(33.9)

(3.1)

(181.4)

(294.6)

(386.1)

(86.3)

(12.1)

(779.1)

(531.6)

(296.2)

(90.9)

(12.7)

(931.4)

(173.5)

(49.7)

(2.9)

(226.1)

(178.6)

(33.9)

(3.1)

(215.6)

(40.6)

(386.1)

(10.8)

(2.0)

(439.5)

(35.3)

(296.2)

(10.9)

(3.6)

(346.0)

(1.6)

(49.7)

(2.9)

(54.2)

(7.3)

(33.9)

(3.1)

(44.3)

(2.7)

-

(10.9)

(5.1)

(18.7)

(29.3)

-

(10.8)

(2.6)

(42.7)

(5.3)

-

(16.3)

(1.1)

(22.7)

(49.9)

-

(19.5)

(3.3)

(72.7)

(246.0)

-

(48.3)

(3.9)

(298.2)

(417.1)

-

(49.7)

(3.2)

(470.0)

(1.6)

(3.2)

(167.1)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1.6)

(3.2)

(167.1)

(1.6)

(3.1)

(166.6)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1.6)

(3.1)

(166.6)

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022227

25. SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES

At 28 February 2022

Ordinary shares of €0.01 each

At 28 February 2021

Ordinary shares of €0.01 each

At 29 February 2020

Ordinary shares of €0.01 each

* 
** 

Inclusive of 10.7m (3%) treasury shares.
Inclusive of 10.8m (3%) treasury shares.

All shares in issue carry equal voting and dividend rights. 

Reserves
Group

As at 1 March

Shares issued in respect of options exercised

Shares issued in Rights Issue

As at 28 February 

Authorised

Number

Allotted and 
called up

Number

800,000,000

401,913,690*

Authorised

Allotted and 
called up

€m

8.0

€m

4.0

800,000,000

320,480,164**

8.0

3.2

800,000,000

319,495,110**

8.0

3.2

Allotted and called up
Ordinary Shares

2022

‘000

2021

‘000

320,480

319,495

147

81,287

985

-

401,914*

320,480*

*  

Includes 9.025m shares bought by the Group during the financial year ended 28 February 2015 which continue to be held as Treasury Shares and Ordinary Shares held by the 
Trustee of the Employee Trust as outlined below.

As at 1 March

Shares disposed of or transferred to Participants

As at 28 February 

Ordinary Shares held by the
 Trustee of the Employee Trust

Other 
Treasury Shares

2022

‘000

1,766

(121)

1,645

2021

‘000

1,785

(19)

1,766

2022

‘000

9,025

 -

9,025

2021

‘000

9,025

 -

9,025

Total Treasury Shares

2022

‘000

2021

‘000

10,791

10,810

(121)

(19)

10,670

10,791

Movements in the year ended 28 February 2022 
All shares held by Kleinwort Benson (Guernsey) Trustees Limited as trustees of the C&C Employee Trust which were neither cancelled nor 
disposed of by the Trust at 28 February 2022 continue to be included in the treasury share reserve. During the financial year, 121,382 shares 
were sold by the Trustees and are no longer accounted for as treasury shares.

Movements in the year ended 28 February 2021 
All shares held by Kleinwort Benson (Guernsey) Trustees Limited as trustees of the C&C Employee Trust which were neither cancelled nor 
disposed of by the Trust at 28 February 2021 continued to be included in the treasury share reserve. During the prior financial year, 18,532 
shares were sold by the Trustees and are no longer accounted for as treasury shares.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
228

25. SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (continued)

Share premium – Group
The change in legal parent of the Group on 30 April 2004, as disclosed in detail in that year’s annual report, was accounted for as a reverse 
acquisition. This transaction gave rise to a reverse acquisition reserve debit of €703.9m, which, for presentational purposes in the Group 
financial statements, has been netted against the share premium in the Balance Sheet. 

The current financial year movement primarily relates to the completion of the Rights Issue. This led to an increase in the Group’s share 
premium of €175.5m. Also during the current year there was the exercise of share options equating to €0.4m (FY2021: €0.3m).

Share premium – Company
The share premium, as stated in the Company Balance Sheet, represents the premium recognised on shares issued and amounts to 
€1,048.2m as at 28 February 2022 (FY2021: €872.3m). 

The current year movement primarily relates to the completion of the Rights Issue. This led to an increase in the Company’s share premium 
of €175.5m. Also during the current year there was the exercise of share options equating to €0.4m (FY2021: €0.3m).

Other undenominated reserve and capital reserve
These reserves initially arose on the conversion of preference shares into share capital of the Company and other changes and 
reorganisations of the Group’s capital structure. 

Cash flow hedge reserve
The hedging reserve includes the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments related to 
hedged transactions that have not yet occurred.

Share-based payment reserve
The reserve relates to amounts expensed in the Income Statement in connection with share option grants falling within the scope of IFRS 
2 Share-Based Payment, less reclassifications to retained income following exercise/forfeit post vesting or lapse of such share options and 
interests, as set out in note 4.

Currency translation reserve 
The translation reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences from 1 March 2004, arising from the translation of the Group’s net 
investment in its non-Euro denominated operations, including the translation of the profits of such operations from the average exchange rate 
for the year to the exchange rate at the Balance Sheet date, as adjusted for the translation of foreign currency borrowings designated as net 
investment hedges and long-term intra group loans for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to happen in the foreseeable future, and 
as a consequence are deemed quasi equity in nature and are therefore part of the Group’s net investment in foreign operations.

Revaluation reserve
Since 2009 the Group has completed a number of external and internal valuations on its property, plant and equipment. Gains arising from 
such revaluations are posted to the Group’s revaluation reserve, unless it reverses a revaluation decrease on the same asset previously 
recognised as an expense, where it is first credited to the Income Statement to the extent of the write down. Any decreases in the value of 
the Group’s property, plant and equipment as a result of external or internal valuations are recognised in the Income Statement except where 
there had been a previously recognised gain in the revaluation reserve as a result of the same asset, in which case, the gain is eliminated 
from the revaluation reserve to offset the loss in the first instance.

During the current financial year, as outlined in detail in note 11, the Group engaged external valuers to value the freehold land & buildings 
and plant & machinery at the Group’s Clonmel (Tipperary), Wellpark (Glasgow) and Portugal sites. Using the valuation methodologies, this 
resulted in a net revaluation gain of €0.6m accounted for in the Income Statement and a gain of €2.5m accounted for within the revaluation 
reserve via Other Comprehensive Income. 

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022229

25. SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (continued)

During the prior financial year, as outlined in detail in note 11, the Group engaged external valuers to value the freehold land & buildings and 
plant & machinery at the Group’s Clonmel (Tipperary), Wellpark (Glasgow) and Portugal sites. Using the valuation methodologies, this resulted 
in a net revaluation loss of €1.2m accounted for in the Income Statement and a gain of €0.9m accounted for within the revaluation reserve via 
Other Comprehensive Income. 

Treasury shares
Included in this reserve is where the Company issued equity share capital under its Joint Share Ownership Plan, which was held in trust by 
the Group’s Employee Trust. All interests have now vested or lapsed and all vested interests have now been exercised. Remaining in the Trust 
are shares that lapsed and shares that were withheld by the Trust in lieu of some, or all, of the consideration due with respect to exercised 
Interests. Also included in the reserve is the purchase of 9,025,000 of the Company’s own shares in the financial year ended 28 February 
2015 at an average price of €3.29 per share under the Group’s share buyback programme. 

The current and prior year movement in the reserve relates to the sale of excess shares by the Trust to satisfy other share entitlements. 

Capital management
The Board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to safeguard the Group’s ability: to continue as a going concern for the benefit of 
shareholders and stakeholders; to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence; and, to sustain the future development of the business 
through the optimisation of the value of its debt and equity shareholding balance. 

The Board considers capital to comprise of long-term debt and equity. The Board periodically reviews the capital structure of the Group, 
considering the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital. The Board approves any material adjustments to the capital 
structure in terms of the relative proportions of debt and equity. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may issue new 
shares, dispose of assets to reduce debt, alter dividend policy by increasing or reducing the dividend paid to shareholders, return capital to 
shareholders and/or buyback shares. 

On 26 May 2021, the Group announced a Rights Issue, the Group successfully completed the Rights Issue in June 2021 raising gross cash 
proceeds of £151m (€176m). As a result of this, the Group reduced leverage, improving the Group’s overall liquidity position and providing the 
Group with the capital structure to both support the business during further potential disruptions from COVID-19 and to deliver on its strategy. 

In March 2020, the Group completed the successful issue of the new USPP notes. The unsecured notes, denominated in both Euro and 
Sterling, have maturities of 10 and 12 years and diversify the Group’s sources of debt finance. The Group’s Euro term loan included a 
mandatory prepayment clause from the issuance of any Debt Capital Market instruments however, as a consequence of COVID-19, a waiver 
of the prepayment was successfully negotiated in addition to a waiver of a July 2020 repayment which now becomes payable with the last 
instalment in July 2022. 

In July 2018, the Group amended and updated its committed €450m multi-currency five year syndicated revolving loan facility and executed a 
three year Euro term loan. Both the multi-currency facility and the Euro term loan were negotiated with eight banks, namely ABN Amro Bank, 
Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, Bank of Scotland, Barclays Bank, HSBC, Rabobank, and Ulster Bank. 

In FY2020 the Group availed of an option within the Group’s multi-currency revolving loan facility agreement to extend the tenure for a further 
364 days from termination date. The multi-currency facility agreement is therefore now repayable in a single instalment on 11 July 2024. 
During the prior financial year, the Group renegotiated an extension of the repayment schedule of the Euro term loan with its lenders and the 
last instalment is now payable on 12 July 2022. 

The Euro term loan and multi-currency revolving facilities agreement provides for a further €100m in the form of an uncommitted accordion 
facility. At 28 February 2022 the Group had €113.5m drawn down from the term loan and multi-currency revolving facilities (FY2021: €325.6m), 
€145.4m drawn down from Private Placement notes (FY2021: €142.6m) and €nil from its non-bank financial indebtedness (FY2021: €5.7m). 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
230

25. SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (continued)

As outlined previously, as a direct consequence of the impact of COVID-19, the Group successfully negotiated waivers on its debt covenants 
from its lending group for FY2021, and these have been extended up to, but not including, the August 2022 test date. Conditional on a 
Minimum Equity Raise, the Group's banking covenants were also renegotiated to increase the threshold of the Group’s Net Debt/Adjusted 
EBITDA covenant to not exceed 4.5x and to reduce the Interest cover covenant to be not less than 2.5x. The Minimum Equity Raise was 
defined as the receipt of at least £125.0m of gross cash proceeds from the issuance of new ordinary shares in the Company including in 
such proceeds the gross amount received by the Company upon issuance of any right to acquire any new ordinary shares in the Company. 
The Company successfully raised gross cash proceeds of £151m (€176m) in June 2021.

As part of the agreement reached to waive the debt covenants, a minimum liquidity requirement and a gross debt restriction have been 
put in place. Following the successful Rights Issue, the minimum liquidity requirement and a gross debt restriction will remain in place 
until the Group is able to show compliance with its original debt covenant levels at the 28 February 2023 or earlier if compliance can be 
demonstrated, and, with respect to the minimum liquidity requirement, the Group must maintain liquidity of at least €150.0m each month. 
A monthly gross debt cap of €750.0m in FY2021 was also applied which will continue through FY2022 but was reduced to €700.0m in 
June 2021 post the successful Rights Issue. The minimum liquidity requirement and the gross debt restriction can be lifted earlier in certain 
circumstances. 

The Group complied with these new minimum liquidity and gross debt requirements during the financial year. 

In respect of the financial year ended 28 February 2022, due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, no final dividend is being declared and no 
interim dividend was paid (FY2021: €nil). Total dividend for the year is €nil (FY2021: €nil). 

In the financial year ended 28 February 2015, a subsidiary of the Group invested €30.0m as part of an on-market share buyback 
programme, purchasing 9,025,000 of the Company’s shares at an average price of €3.29. All shares acquired as part of this share buyback 
programme are held as Treasury shares. 

26. COMMITMENTS

(a) Capital commitments
At the year end, the following capital commitments authorised by the Board had not been provided for in the consolidated financial 
statements:

Contracted

Not contracted

2022

€m

2.8

14.2 

17.0

2021

€m

5.7

5.0

10.7

The contracted capital commitments at 28 February 2022 are with respect of contracts that support the Group in achieving its environmental 
targets and optimising its operational footprint. 

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
 
231

26. COMMITMENTS (continued)

(b) Other commitments
At the year end, the value of contracts placed for future expenditure was:

Payable in less than one year

Payable between 1 and 5 years

Payable greater than 5 years

Apples**

Glass

Marketing

€m

4.4

8.9

6.0

19.3

€m

2.2

-

-

2.2

€m

3.1

5.9

-

9.0

2022

Barley*** Sugar/ glucose
€m

€m

8.4

0.6

-

9.0

-

-

-

-

Aluminium

€m

2.8

-

-

2.8

Total*

€m

20.9

15.4

6.0

42.3

*   Commitment obligations range from between 1 year to 24 years.
** 

In the current financial year, the Group exited some commitments regarding Apples and the value of some of the continuing Apple commitments were also revised downwards in 
line with the latest estimate of their cost of completion.

***  In the current financial year, the commitments with respect to Barley were revised downwards due to the change in the open market price and consequently the option for the 

Group to resell its commitment to the market.

Payable in less than one year

Payable between 1 and 5 years

Payable greater than 5 years

*   Commitment obligations range from between 1 year to 24 years. 

Apples

Glass

Marketing

Barley Sugar/ glucose

2021

€m

6.3

12.1

17.9

36.3

€m

1.7

-

-

1.7

€m

3.0

7.5

-

10.5

€m

7.1

14.3

-

21.4

€m

6.3

-

-

6.3

Aluminium

€m

-

-

-

-

Total*

€m

24.4

33.9

17.9

76.2

Where the Group has hedged an Input cost, but a market exists for the Group to resell that input cost in the open market, then the Group 
does not classify that as a commitment.

27. GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES

Where the Group or subsidiaries enters into financial guarantee contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of other companies or joint 
ventures and associates within the Group, the Group/subsidiaries consider these to be insurance arrangements and account for them 
as such. The Group/subsidiary treats the guarantee contract as a contingent liability until such time as it becomes probable that it will be 
required to make a payment under the guarantee.

As outlined in note 20, the Group has a euro term loan, US Private Placement notes and a multi-currency revolving facility in place at year 
end. The Company has US Private Placement notes in place at year end. The Company, together with a number of its subsidiaries, gave a 
letter of guarantee to secure its obligations in respect of all borrowings as at 28 February 2022. The actual loans outstanding for the Group at 
28 February 2022 amounted to €258.9m (FY2021: €473.9m). 

During the financial year ended 28 February 2015, a subsidiary of the Group entered into guarantees in favour of HSBC Bank plc, HSBC 
Asset Finance (UK) Limited and HSBC Equipment Finance Limited whereby it guaranteed drawn debt plus interest charges by Drygate 
Brewing Company Limited to HSBC Bank plc of up to £540,000 and to HSBC Asset Finance (UK) Limited and HSBC Equipment Finance 
Limited of up to £225,000 in aggregate. The guarantees reduce on a pound for pound basis to the extent of capital repayments in respect 
of the drawn debt and any amounts realised by the bank pursuant to any security provided in respect of the debt. The Guarantee with 
respect to HSBC Bank plc expires on the earlier of eleven years and three months from the date on which the guarantee became effective, 
the secured liabilities are repaid, or by mutual agreement with HSBC Bank plc. The Guarantees with HSBC Asset Finance (UK) Limited and 
HSBC Equipment Finance Limited expire after the secured liabilities are repaid, or by mutual agreement with HSBC Asset Finance (UK) 
Limited and HSBC Equipment Finance Limited respectively.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 357 of the Companies Act 2014, the Company has guaranteed commitments entered into and liabilities 
of certain of its subsidiary undertakings incorporated in the Republic of Ireland for the financial year to 28 February 2022 and as a result such 
subsidiaries are exempt from certain filing provisions. 

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
232

28. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

The principal related party relationships requiring disclosure in the consolidated financial statements of the Group under IAS 24 Related Party 
Disclosures pertain to the existence of subsidiary undertakings and equity accounted investments, transactions entered into by the Group 
with these subsidiary undertakings and equity accounted investments and the identification and compensation of and transactions with key 
management personnel.

(a) Group
Transactions 
Transactions between the Group and its related parties are made on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm’s length transactions.

Subsidiary undertakings
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. A listing of all subsidiaries 
is provided in note 29. Sales to and purchases from subsidiary undertakings, together with outstanding payables and receivables, are 
eliminated in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Equity accounted investments
See note 13 for details on equity accounted investments. 

Loans extended by the Group to equity accounted investments are considered trading in nature and are included within advances to 
customers in trade & other receivables (note 15).

Details of transactions with equity accounted investments during the year and related outstanding balances at the year end are as follows: 

Net revenue

Trade & other receivables

Purchases

Trade & other payables

Loans

Joint ventures

Associates

2022

€m

1.3

0.5

0.9

0.1

1.5

2021

€m

0.9

0.2

0.3

-

1.5

2022

€m

0.5

-

0.5

-

0.9

2021

€m

0.1

-

0.2

-

1.0

All outstanding trading balances with equity accounted investments, which arose from arm’s length transactions, are to be settled in cash 
within 60 days of the reporting date. 

Key management personnel 
For the purposes of the disclosure requirements of IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures, the Group has defined the term ‘key management 
personnel’, as its Executive and Non-Executive Directors. Executive Directors participate in the Group’s equity share award schemes (note 
4) and are covered for death in service by an insurance policy. Executive Directors may also benefit from medical insurance under a Group 
policy (or the Group offers a cash alternative). No other non-cash benefits are provided. Non-Executive Directors do not receive share-based 
payments nor post-employment benefits.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022 
233

2022

Number

10

2021

Number

10

€m

2.3

0.1

1.7

-

4.1

€m

1.9

0.2

(0.7)

0.6

2.0

28. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

Details of key management remuneration, charged to the Income Statement, are as follows:

Number of individuals

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Equity settled share-based payment charge/(credit) and related dividend accrual

Pay in lieu of notice

Total 

During the current and prior financial year, there were no transactions or balances between the Group and its key management personnel or 
members of their close family apart from:
•  The Group sells stock to Tesco plc, of which Stewart Gilliland is a Non-Executive Director;
•  The Group purchases from and sells stock to St Austell Brewery Company Limited, of which Jill Caseberry is a Non-Executive Director; 

and

•  Also in the current financial year, the Group sold and purchased stock from Britvic plc, of which Emer Finnan is a Non-Executive Director. 

All transactions with related parties involve the normal supply of goods or services and are priced on an arm’s length basis.

For the purposes of the Section 305 of the Companies Act 2014, the aggregate gains by Directors on the exercise of share options during 
FY2022 was €nil (FY2021: €0.6m).

(b) Company
The Company has a related party relationship with its subsidiary undertakings. Details of the transactions in the year between the Company 
and its subsidiary undertakings are as follows:

Dividend income

Expenses paid on behalf of and recharged by subsidiary undertakings to the Company 

Equity settled share-based payments for employees of subsidiary undertakings

(Injection)/drawdown of cash funding and other movements with subsidiary undertakings

2022

€m

-

(2.8)

1.5

(16.9)

2021

€m

76.6

(2.1)

0.8

49.3

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
 
234

29. SUBSIDIARIES AND EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS 

Notes

Nature of business

Class of shares held as at 28 February 2022
(100% unless stated)

Trading subsidiaries

Incorporated and registered in Republic of Ireland

Bulmers Limited

C&C Financing DAC

(a) (n)

(b) (n) 
(o)

Cider

Financing company

Ordinary

Ordinary

C&C Group International Holdings Limited

(a) (n) (o)

Holding company

Ordinary & Convertible 

C&C Group Irish Holdings Limited

(a) (n) 

Holding company

C&C Group Sterling Holdings Limited

C&C (Holdings) Limited

C&C Management Services Limited

C&C Finco Limited

Cantrell & Cochrane Limited

Latin American Holdings Limited

M&J Gleeson & Co Unlimited Company

Tennent’s Beer Limited 

The Annerville Financing Company Unlimited 
Company

The Five Lamps Dublin Beer Company Limited

Wm. Magner Limited

Wm. Magner (Trading) Limited

Bibendum Wine Ireland Limited

Incorporated and registered in Northern Ireland

C&C Holdings (NI) Limited 

Gleeson N.I. Limited

Tennent’s NI Limited

Incorporated and registered in England and Wales

Bibendum Group Limited 

Bibendum PLB (Topco) Limited

C&C Management Services (UK) Limited

Magners GB Limited

(b) (n)

(a) (n)

(a) (n)

(b) (n) 
(o)

(a) (n)

(b) (n)

(b) (n)

(a) (n)

(a) (n)

(b) (n)

(a) (n)

(a) (n)

(b) (n)

(c)

(c)

(c)

(l) 

(k) 

(k)

(k)

Holding company

Holding company

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Provision of management services 6% Cumulative Preference, 

5% Second Non-Cumulative 
Preference & Ordinary Stock 

Financing company 

Ordinary 

Holding company

Holding company

Wholesale of drinks

Beer 

Financing company

Beer 

Cider

Financing company 

Wine

Holding company

Wholesale of drinks

Cider and beer 

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary 

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary & 3.25% Cumulative 
Preference

Holding company

Holding company

Ordinary

Ordinary

Provision of management services Ordinary

Cider and beer 

Ordinary

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022235

Class of shares held as at 28 February 2022
(100% unless stated)

Ordinary 

Ordinary

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

29. SUBSIDIARIES AND EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS (continued)

Matthew Clark Bibendum (Holdings) Limited 

Matthew Clark Bibendum Limited 

Bibendum Off Trade Limited 

The Orchard Pig Limited

Walker & Wodehouse Wines Limited 

C&C IP UK Limited 

Notes

(k) 

(k)

(l) 

(i)

(l) (p)

(k)

Nature of business

Holding company 

Wholesale of drinks

Wholesale of drinks

Cider

Wine

Licensing activity 

The Wondering Wine Company Limited

(k) (p)

Wine 

Incorporated and registered in Scotland

Badaboom Limited

Macrocom (1018) Limited

Tennent Caledonian Breweries UK Limited

Tennent Caledonian Breweries Wholesale Limited 

Wallaces Express Limited

Wellpark Financing Limited

Incorporated and registered in Luxembourg

C&C IP Sàrl

C&C IP (No. 2) Sàrl

C&C Luxembourg Sàrl

Incorporated and registered Portugal

Frutíssima - Concentrados de Frutos da Cova da 
Beira, Lda 

Frontierlicious Limitada

Incredible Prosperity Limitada

Incorporated and registered in Delaware, US 

Vermont Hard Cider Company Holdings, Inc.

Wm. Magner, Inc.

Incorporated and registered in Singapore

(d)

(e)

(d)

(e)

(e)

(d)

(f)

(f)

(f)

(g)

(g)

(g)

(h)

(h)

Marketing

Investment

Beer and cider

Wholesale of drinks

Holding company

Financing company

Licensing activity

Licensing activity

Class A to J Units

Class A to J Units

Holding and financing company

Class A to J Units

Ingredients

Orchard management

Orchard management

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Holding company 

Cider 

Common Stock

Common Stock

C&C International (Asia) Pte. Ltd.

(j)

Sales & Marketing 

Ordinary

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements236

29. SUBSIDIARIES AND EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS (continued)

Notes

Nature of business

Class of shares held as at 28 February 2022
(100% unless stated)

Non-trading subsidiaries

Incorporated and registered in Republic of Ireland

C&C Brands Limited 

C&C Gleeson Group Pension Trust Limited 

C&C Group Pension Trust Limited

C&C Group Pension Trust (No. 2) Limited

C&C Profit Sharing Trustee Limited

Ciscan Net Limited

Cooney & Co. Unlimited Company

Cravenby Limited

Crystal Springs Water Company Limited

Dowd’s Lane Brewing Company Limited 

Edward and John Burke (1968) Limited

Findlater (Wine Merchants) Limited

Fruit of the Vine Limited

Gleeson Logistic Services Limited

Gleeson Wines & Spirits Limited

Greensleeves Confectionery Limited

M.& J. Gleeson (Investments) Limited

M&J Gleeson Nominees Limited 

M. and J. Gleeson (Manufacturing) Company u.c. 

M and J Gleeson (Manufacturing) Company Holdings 
Limited

M and J Gleeson and Company Holdings Limited

M & J Gleeson Property Development Limited

Magners Irish Cider Limited

Sceptis Limited

Showerings (Ireland) Limited

Tennmel Limited 

Thwaites Limited

Tipperary Natural Mineral Water Company Holdings 
Limited

(a) (n)

(b) (n)

(a) (n)

(a) (n)

(a) (n)

(a) (n)

(b) (n) 
(q)

(a) (n)

(b) (n)

(a) (n)

(a) (n)

(a) (n)

(a) (n)

(b) (n) 
(q)

(b) (n)

(b) (n)

(b) (n)

(b) (n)

(b) (n)

(b) (n)

(b) (n)

(b) (n) 
(q) 

(a) (n)

(a) (n)

(a) (n)

(b) (n) 
(q)

(a) (n)

(b) (n)

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary & A Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary & A Ordinary 

Ordinary & A Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary, 12% Cumulative 
Convertible Redeemable 
Preference & 3% Cumulative 
Redeemable Convertible 
Preference

Ordinary

Ordinary & Preference

Ordinary 

Ordinary & Non-Voting Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary & A-E Non-Voting

A & B Ordinary

Ordinary

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022237

29. SUBSIDIARIES AND EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS (continued)

Tipperary Natural Mineral Water (Sales) Holdings 
Limited

Notes

(b) (n)

Nature of business

Non-trading

Tipperary Pure Irish Water Unlimited Company

(a) (n)

Non-trading

Class of shares held as at 28 February 2022
(100% unless stated)

Ordinary

Ordinary

Vandamin Limited 

 (a) (n) 

Non-trading 

A & B Ordinary 

Incorporated and registered in Northern Ireland

C&C Profit Sharing Trustee (NI) Limited

(c)

Non-trading

Ordinary

Incorporated and registered in England and Wales

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary 

Ordinary

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary

A2 Contractors Limited

Bibendum Limited

Bibendum Wine Limited

Catalyst-PLB Brands Limited

Chalk Farm Wines Limited

Elastic Productions Limited

Gaymer Cider Company Limited

Instil Drinks Limited 

Matthew Clark and Sons Limited

Matthew Clark Limited

Matthew Clark (Scotland) Limited

Matthew Clark Wholesale Bond Limited

Mixbury Drinks Limited

Odyssey Intelligence Limited

PLB Wines Limited 

The Real Rose Company Limited

The Wine Studio Limited

The Yorkshire Fine Wines Company Limited

(k)

(k)

Non-trading

Non-trading

(l) (p)

Non-trading

(k)

(k)

(k) 

(k)

(k)

(k)

(k) 

(d)

(k)

(k)

(k)

(k)

(k)

(k)

(k)

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading 

Non-trading

Non-trading 

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading 

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading

Non-trading 

West Country Beverages Limited

(m)

Non-trading 

Notes (a) – (q) 
The address of the registered office of each of the above companies and notes is as follows:
(a)  Annerville, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, E91 NY79, Ireland.
(b)  Bulmers House, Keeper Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, D12 K702, Ireland.
(c)  6 Aghnatrisk Road, Culcavy, Hillsborough, Co Down, Northern Ireland, BT26 6JJ.
(d)  Wellpark Brewery, 161 Duke Street, Glasgow, G31 1JD, Scotland.
(e)  Crompton Way, North Newmoor Industrial Estate, Irvine, Strathclyde, KA11 4HU, Scotland. 
(f)  L-2132 Luxembourg, 18 Avenue Marie-Therese, Luxembourg.
(g)  Quinta Da Ferreira De Baxio, Castelo Branco, Fundão Parish, 6230 610 Salgueiro, Portugal.
(h)  2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, US.
(i)  West Bradley Orchards, West Bradley, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8LT.
(j)  143, Cecil Street, #03-01, GB Building, Singapore – 069542. 
(k)  Whitchurch Lane, Bristol, BS14 0JZ.
(l)  109A Regents Park Road, London, NW1 8UR.
(m)  C/O Tlt, 1 Redcliff Street, Bristol, United Kingdom, BS1 6TP.
(n)  Companies covered by Section 357, Companies Act 2014 guarantees (note 27). 
(o)  Immediate subsidiary of C&C Group plc.
(p)  Entities that have availed of the audit exemption set out within Section 479A of the Companies Act 2006.
(q)  Struck off on 31st March 2022.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements238

29. SUBSIDIARIES AND EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS (continued)

Equity accounted investments

Joint venture

Beck & Scott (Services) Limited (Northern Ireland)

Brady P&C Limited (England)

Drygate Brewing Company Limited (Scotland)

The Irish Brewing Company Limited (Ireland)

3 Counties Spirits Limited (Ireland)

Associate

CVBA Braxatorium Parcensis

Shanter Inns Limited (Scotland)

Whitewater Brewing Co. Limited (Northern Ireland)

Financial asset

Jubel Limited 

Innis & Gunn Holdings Limited

Bramerton Condiments Limited

Notes

Nature of business

Class of share held as at 28 February 2022

(a)

(b)(l)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

(k)

Wholesale of drinks 

Ordinary, 50%

Holding Company

Brewing 

Non-trading

Spirits

Ordinary, 49.9%

B Ordinary, 49%

Ordinary, 45.61%

Ordinary, 50%

Brewing

Public houses

Brewing

Brewing

Brewing

33.33%

Ordinary, 33%

Ordinary, 25%

Ordinary, 8%

8%

Food and beverage

Ordinary, 1%

Notes: (a) – (k) 
The address of the registered office of each of the above equity accounted investments is as follows:
(a)  Unit 1, Ravenhill Business Park, Ravenhill Road, Belfast, BT6 8AW, Northern Ireland. 
(b)  49 Berkeley Square, 2nd Floor, London W1J 5AZ.
(c)   85 Drygate, Glasgow, G4 0UT, Scotland.
(d)   Bulmers House, Keeper Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, D12 K702, Ireland.
(e)  Gilligan & Co, Silversprings House, Saint Patrick’s Road, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, E91 NT32, Ireland.
(f)  3001 Leuven-Heverlee, Abdij van Park 7, Belgium.
(g)  230 High Street, Ayr, KA7 1RQ, Scotland.
(h)  Lakeside Brae, Castlewellan, Northern Ireland, BT31 9RH.
(i)  Office 311 Edinburgh House, 170 Kennington Lane, London, England, SE11 5DP.
(j)   6 Randoplh Crescent, Edniburgh, EH3 7TH.
(k)   5th Floor 14-16 Dowgate Hill, London, England, EC4R 2SU.
(l)   On 17 May 2022, the Group announced the sale of its joint venture investment in Brady P&C Limited (“Admiral Taverns”), to Proprium Capital Partners for a total consideration of 

€65.8m (£55.0m). Admiral Taverns was classified as an asset held for sale as at 24 February 2022.

Notes forming part of the financial statements(continued)C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022239

30. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

On 17 May 2022, the Group announced the sale of its joint venture investment in Admiral Taverns, to Proprium Capital Partners for a total 
consideration of €65.8m (£55.0m). The sale of the shares will be completed and the consideration will be paid during FY2023, subject only to 
FCA approval. Admiral Taverns was classified as an asset held for sale as at 24 February 2022. 

There were no other events affecting the Group that have occurred since the year end which would require disclosure or amendment of the 
consolidated financial statements.

31. APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

These financial statements were approved by the Directors on 17 May 2022.

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements240

Financial Definitions

Adjusted earnings

Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to equity shareholders as adjusted for exceptional items

Company

C&C Group plc

Constant Currency

DWT

EBITDA

Prior year revenue, net revenue and operating profit for each of the Group’s reporting segments is 
restated to constant exchange rates for transactions by subsidiary undertakings in currencies other 
than their functional currency and for translation in relation to the Group’s non-Euro denominated 
subsidiaries by revaluing the prior year figures using the current year average foreign currency rates 

Dividend Withholding Tax

Earnings/(loss) before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation charges excluding the Group’s 
share of equity accounted investments’ profit/(loss) after tax

Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA as adjusted for exceptional items

EBIT

Earnings/(loss) before Interest and Tax

Adjusted EBIT

EBIT as adjusted for exceptional items

Effective tax rate (%)

Income and deferred tax charges relating to continuing activities before the tax impact of exceptional 
items calculated as a percentage of profit/(loss) before tax for continuing activities before exceptional 
items and excluding the Group’s share of equity accounted investments’ profit/(loss) after tax

EPS

EU

Exceptional

Free Cash Flow

Earnings/(loss) per share

European Union

Significant items of income and expense within the Group results for the year which by virtue of their 
size or nature are disclosed in the Income Statement and related notes as exceptional items

Free Cash Flow is a measure that comprises cash flow from operating activities net of capital
investment cash outflows which form part of investing activities. Free Cash Flow highlights the
underlying cash generating performance of the ongoing business

GB

Great Britain (i.e. England, Wales and Scotland).  

For the purposes of segmental reporting, GB includes all sales executed and managed outside the 
Island of Ireland.

Group

HL

IAS

IASB

IFRIC

IFRS

Interest cover

C&C Group plc and its subsidiaries

Hectolitre (100 Litres)

kHL = kilo hectolitre (100,000 litres) 

mHL = millions of hectolitres (100 million litres)

International Accounting Standards

International Accounting Standards Board

International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee

International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU

Calculated by dividing the Group’s EBITDA excluding exceptional items and discontinued activities 
by the Group’s interest expense, excluding IFRS 16 Leases finance charges, issue cost write-offs, 
fair value movements with respect to derivative financial instruments and unwind of discounts on 
provisions, for the same period

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022241

Export

LAD

Liquidity

Net debt

Net debt/EBITDA

Net revenue

Sales in territories outside of Ireland, Great Britain and North America

Long Alcoholic Drinks 

Liquidity is defined as cash plus undrawn amounts under the Group’s revolving credit facility

Net debt comprises borrowings (net of issue costs) less cash plus lease liabilities capitalised under 
IFRS 16 Leases 

A measurement of leverage, calculated as the Group’s Net debt divided by its EBITDA excluding 
exceptional items and discontinued activities. The net debt to EBITDA ratio is a debt ratio that shows 
how many years it would take for the Group to pay back its debt if net debt and EBITDA are held 
constant

Net revenue is defined by the Group as revenue less excise duty. The duty number disclosed 
represents the cash cost of duty paid on the Group’s products. Where goods are bought duty paid 
and subsequently sold, the duty element is not included in the duty line but within the cost of goods 
sold. Net revenue therefore excludes duty relating to the brewing and packaging of certain products. 
Excise duties, which represent a significant proportion of revenue, are set by external regulators over 
which the Group has no control and are generally passed on to the consumer

NI

Northern Ireland

Non-controlling interest

Non-controlling interest is the share of ownership in a subsidiary entity that is not owned by the 
Group 

Off-trade

On-trade

Operating profit/(loss)

All venues where drinks are sold for off-premise consumption including shops, supermarkets and 
cash & carry outlets selling alcohol for consumption off the premises

All venues where drinks are sold at retail for on-premise consumption including pubs, hotels and 
clubs selling alcohol for consumption on the premises

Profit/(loss) earned from the Group’s core business operations before net financing and income tax 
costs and excluding the Group’s share of equity accounted investments’ profit/(loss) after tax. In line 
with the Group’s accounting policies certain items of income and expense are separately classified 
as exceptional items on the face of the Income Statement

Operating margin 

Operating margin is based on operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items and is calculated as a 
percentage of net revenue

PPE

Revenue

ROI

TSR

UK

US 

Property, plant & equipment

Revenue comprises the fair value of goods supplied to external customers exclusive of intercompany 
sales and value added tax, after allowing for discounts, rebates, allowances for customer loyalty and 
other pricing related allowances and incentives

Republic of Ireland

Total Shareholder Return

United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

United States of America

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements242

Shareholder and Other Information

C&C Group plc is an Irish registered company (registered number: 
383466). Its ordinary shares are quoted on the London Stock 
Exchange (ISIN: IE00B010DT83 SEDOL: B010DT8). 

C&C Group plc also has a Level 1 American Depository Receipts 
(ADR) programme for which Deutsche Bank acts as depository 
(symbol CCGGY). Each ADR share represents three C&C Group plc 
ordinary shares. 

The authorised share capital of the Company at 28 February 2022 
was ordinary 800,000,000 ordinary shares at €0.01 each. The 
issued share capital at 28 February 2022 was 401,913,690 ordinary 
shares of €0.01 each. 

Euroclear Bank 

Following the migration in March 2021 of securities settlement in the 
securities of Irish registered companies listed on the London Stock 
Exchange (such as the Company) and/or Euronext Dublin from the 
CREST settlement system to the replacement system, Euroclear 
Bank, the Company’s shares are held and transferred in certificated 
form (that is, represented by a share certificate) or in electronic form 
indirectly through the Euroclear System or through CREST in CDI 
(CREST Depository Interest) form. Shareholders have the choice 
of holding their shares in electronic form or in the form of share 
certificates. Shareholders should consult their stockbroker if they 
wish to hold their shares in electronic form.

SHARE PRICE DATA

Share price at year end

2022

£2.11

2022
Number

2021

£2.58

2021
Number

Dividend Payments

The Company may, by ordinary resolution declare dividends in 
accordance with the respective rights of shareholders, but no 
dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors. 
The Directors may also declare and pay interim dividends if they 
believe they are justified by the profits of the Company available for 
distribution.

Due to COVID-19 and the impact this had on global economies and 
on business generally, the Board concluded it was not appropriate 
to pay an interim dividend or a final dividend for FY2022.

Dividend Withholding Tax (‘DWT’) must be deducted from dividends 
paid by an Irish resident company, unless a shareholder is entitled to 
an exemption and has submitted a properly completed exemption 
form to the Company’s Registrars. DWT applies to dividends paid 
by way of cash or by way of shares under a scrip dividend scheme 
and is deducted at the standard rate of income tax (currently 20%). 
Non-resident shareholders and certain Irish companies, trusts, 
pension schemes, investment undertakings, companies resident 
in any member state of the European Union and charities may be 
entitled to claim exemption from DWT. DWT exemption forms may 
be obtained from the Irish Revenue Commissioners website: http://
www.revenue.ie/en/tax/dwt/forms/index.html. Shareholders should 
note that DWT will be deducted from dividends in cases where a 
properly completed exemption form has not been received by the 
relevant record date. Shareholders who wish to have their dividend 
paid direct to a bank account, by electronic funds transfer, should 
contact Link Registrars to obtain a mandate form. Tax vouchers 
will be sent to the shareholder’s registered address under this 
arrangement.

No of Shares in issue at year end

401,913,690

320,480,164

Market capitalisation 28 February

£848m

£827m

Holders through Euroclear Bank

Share price movement during the financial year

 – high

 – low

£2.98

£2.03

£3.36

£1.45

Investors who hold their shares via Euroclear Bank or (in CDI form) 
through CREST will automatically receive dividends in Euro unless 
they elect otherwise.

Certificated shareholders 

Shareholders who hold their shares in certificated form will 
automatically receive dividends in Euro with the following exceptions:
•  Shareholders with an address in the United Kingdom (UK) will 

automatically receive dividends in Sterling,

•  Shareholders who had previously elected to receive dividends 

in a particular currency will continue to receive dividends in that 
currency.

Shareholders who wish to receive dividends in a currency other than 
that which will be automatically used should contact the Company’s 
Registrars.

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022243

Electronic Communications

Investor Relations

In order to promote a more cost effective and environmentally 
friendly approach, the Company provides the Annual Report 
electronically to shareholders via the Group’s website and only 
sends a printed copy to those who specifically request one. 
Shareholders who wish to alter the method by which they receive 
communications should contact the Company’s registrar. All 
shareholders will continue to receive printed proxy forms, dividend 
documentation, shareholder circulars, and, where the Company 
deems it appropriate, other documentation by post.

Company Secretary and Registered Office

Mark Chilton, C&C Group plc
Bulmers House, Keeper Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, D12 K702 
Tel: +353 1 506 3900

Registrars

Shareholders with queries concerning their holdings, dividend 
information or administrative matters should contact the Company’s 
registrars:
Link Registrars Limited (trading as Link Assets Services) 
P.O. Box 1110, Maynooth, Co. Kildare (if delivered by post) or;
Block C, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, County Kildare, 
W23 F854, Ireland (if delivered by hand)
Tel: +353 1 553 0050 
Fax: +353 1 224 0700 
Email: enquiries@linkgroup.ie
Website: www.linkassetservices.com

American Depositary Receipts (ADR)

Shareholder with queries concerning their ADR holdings should 
contact: 
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas 
C/o American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 6201 15th Avenue,
Brooklyn, NY 11219.
Tel: Toll free +1 866 249 2593
International +1 718 921 8137 
Email: db@astfinancial.com

FTI Consulting
10 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, D02 DW94

Principal Bankers

ABN Amro Bank
Allied Irish Bank
Bank of Ireland
Bank of Scotland
Barclays Bank
HSBC
Rabobank
Ulster Bank

Solicitors 

McCann FitzGerald
Riverside One, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, D02 X576

Stockbrokers

Davy 
Davy House, 49 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, D02 PY05

Barclays Bank plc
5 The North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 4BB

Numis Securities Limited
10 Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7LT

Auditor

Ernst & Young,
Chartered Accountants,
Harcourt Building,
Harcourt Street,
Dublin 2.

Website

Further information on C&C Group plc is available at www.
candcgroupplc.com

Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements 
244

Notes

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022245

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Corporate GovernanceBusiness  & StrategyFinancial Statements246

Bulmers House, Keeper Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, D12 K702. 
www.candcgroupplc.com

C&C Group plc Annual Report 2022