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Caffyns PLC

cfyn · LSE
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Ticker cfyn
Exchange LSE
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Industry Auto - Dealerships
Employees 201-500
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FY2021 Annual Report · Caffyns PLC
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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Caffyns plcAnnual Report for the year ended  31 March 2021Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   330620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   321/06/2021   13:00:1221/06/2021   13:00:1230620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Summary2021£’0002020£’000Revenue (restated, see page 53)165,085 195,787 Underlying EBITDA (see note below and note 3)5,124 3,428 Underlying profit before tax (see note)1,876 251 Profit before tax1,424103 pence penceUnderlying earnings/(deficit) per share (see note 8)66.0 (4.9)Earnings/(deficit) per share52.4 (9.4)Proposed final dividend per ordinary share– – Dividend per ordinary share for the year– 7.50 Note: Underlying results exclude items that have non-trading attributes due to their size, nature or incidence. Non-underlying items for the period totalled a charge of £250,000 (2020: credit of £39,000) and are detailed in Note 2 to these consolidated financial statements. Underlying EBITDA of £5,124,000 (2020: £3,428,000) represents Operating profit before non-underlying items of £3,142,000 (2020: £1,633,000) adding back Depreciation and amortisation of £1,982,000 (2020: £1,795,000). Results at a GlanceContentsOur BusinessResults at a GlanceIFCOperational and Business Review02Strategic Report07GovernanceBoard of Directors14Chairman’s Statement on  Corporate Governance15Directors’ Remuneration Report21Report of the Directors33Directors’ Responsibilities Statement38FinancialsReport of the Independent Auditor39Income Statement47Statement of Comprehensive Income48Statement of Financial Position49Statement of Changes in Equity50Cash Flow Statement51Principal Accounting Policies52Notes to the Financial Statements58Other InformationFive-year Review85Visit us onlinewww.caffyns.co.uk30620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   330620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   321/06/2021   13:00:1321/06/2021   13:00:13Stock code CFYN

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Overview
•  Revenue down 16% to £165.1 million 
due to the impact of the covid-19 
pandemic

•  Like-for-like new car unit deliveries 

down by 10.0%

•  Like-for-like used car unit sales down 

by 19.4%

•  Like-for-like aftersales revenues down 

11.5% to £16.2 million

•  Underlying profit before tax of 
£1.9 million (2020: £0.3 million)

•  No final dividend for the year ended 

31 March 2021

•  Net bank borrowings at 31 March 
2021 of £10.3 million (2020: £16.2 
million)

•  Property portfolio revaluation as at 

31 March 2021 showing £12.3 million 
surplus (2020: £11.8 million surplus) 
to net book value (not recognised in 
these accounts)

Revenue  
(£’000)

Underlying PBT  
(£’000)

21

20

19

18

17

165,085

195,787

209,246

215,868

212,581

21

20

19

18

17

251

1,876

1,445

1,390

2,051

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Underlying earnings per  
ordinary share (pence)

21

20

19

18

17

66.0

(4.9)

35.3

45.6

58.0

Like-for-like comparisons exclude from the current year the impact of the Volvo business at Worthing and LEVC in Eastbourne, both of which were opened during the year. All 
other businesses operated for the full twelve-month period in both the current and prior years.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Operational and Business ReviewSummaryThe underlying profit before tax of £1.88 million for the financial year ended 31 March 2021 (“the year”) was a significant improvement on the £0.25 million recorded for the prior year. However, the year was defined by the coronavirus pandemic (“covid-19”) which had a material impact on the business, starting in March 2020 and continuing, in one form or another, throughout the entire year. Full year turnover fell by 16% to £165.1 million (2020: £195.8 million), predominantly from significantly lower levels of new and used car deliveries. Aftersales revenues were also adversely impacted by covid-19. Margins improved, largely from very buoyant trading in the period from June to October 2020 as the business re-opened from the first lockdown in April and May 2020. The Company also implemented a cost-savings programme and, in addition, received significant furlough and grant support from the Government and from local Councils in the areas in which it operates.Our statutory profit before tax for the year was £1.4 million (2020: £0.1 million). Basic earnings per share for the year were 52.4 pence (2020: loss per share of 9.4 pence due to a high tax charge in excess of the pre-tax profit).Underlying earnings per share for the year were 66.0 pence (2020: loss per share of 4.9 pence).The Company’s defined-benefit pension scheme deficit, calculated in accordance with the requirements of IAS 19 Pensions, remained unchanged at £9.4 million (2020: £9.4 million). Investment gains in the Scheme’s investments were offset by increases to the net present value of the Scheme’s liabilities.The Company continues to own all but two of the freeholds of the properties from which it operates, and this provides the dual strengths of a strong asset base and minimal exposure to rent reviews.In the light of the scale of Government support made available to the Company in the year, and continuing uncertainty over the future path of covid-19, the board is not proposing a final dividend for the year (2020: nil pence per ordinary share). No interim dividend for the year was declared, against a 7.5 pence interim dividend in the comparative year.Net bank debt at 31 March 2021 was £10.3 million (2020: £16.2 million) with the substantial improvement reflecting actions taken by management to control both working capital and costs, as well as the significant covid-19 support received by the Company from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme  and the business rates holiday.Covid-19The Company faced an unprecedented situation when it was required to temporarily close all its car showrooms and most of its aftersales operations on 24 March 2020, following Government restrictions implemented to deal with the nationwide covid-19 pandemic. With our showrooms closed in April and May 2020, only online and telephone sales operations were able to continue, alongside three aftersales operations which provided essential support for NHS and other key workers only.By the middle of May 2020, we were satisfied that we could provide a safe environment for our staff and customers and restarted our aftersales operations at all sites. Our showrooms reopened on 1 June 2020, as Government restrictions were eased. Our showrooms and workshops were able to continue operating throughout the summer and into the autumn, albeit with social-distancing and significant restrictions around access. However, Government restrictions returned in November 2020 when we were again required to close to customers and were able to operate only a “click-and-collect” service. We reopened in December 2020 but our Kent-based showrooms were required 02Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   230620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   221/06/2021   13:00:2021/06/2021   13:00:20to close again before Christmas, with the 
remainder of our showrooms then having 
to close to customers in early January 
2021. In all, our showrooms were closed 
to customers for six of the twelve months 
in the year and were not able to reopen 
again until after the end of the year, on 
12 April 2021.

The first “hard” lockdown of the business 
in April and May 2020 resulted in a very 
substantial loss, despite the receipt 
of grants in that period of £1.3 million 
under the Government’s Coronavirus 
Job Retention Scheme, which allowed 
us to maintain employment levels. In 
response to the adverse financial impact 
of covid-19, the Company implemented 
numerous cash preservation and cost 
saving measures across many areas of 
the business. Approximately 80% of the 
Company’s employees were furloughed 
in April 2020, although this number 

began to reduce from May 2020 as our 
aftersales operations returned to more 
normal activity levels, and then reduced 
further in June 2020 as we were given 
permission to reopen our showrooms. 
As part of our cost savings exercise, 
an annual salary ceiling of £37,500 was 
implemented for all active employees, 
including the executive directors and 
the chairman of the Company. The 
non-executive directors of the Company 
also agreed a significant reduction 
to their fees. These salary reductions 
were then reduced in stages, with all 
non-furloughed employees, including 
the board, being returned to their full 
contractual salaries from 1 July 2020. 
After assessing the performance of 
the business over the ten months of 
the year post the initial lockdown, the 
board decided to repay these savings 
to employees (excluding the board) in 

Stock code CFYN

recognition of their excellent efforts over 
that period. 

The year has presented our stakeholders 
with significant challenges: many of 
our employees have continued to work 
throughout the pandemic in difficult 
conditions whilst others have had to 
face the implications of furlough; our 
shareholders have seen no dividend 
income this year; and our manufacturers 
have seen significantly reduced activity 
levels. For these reasons, the salary 
repayments excluded members of the 
board. In addition, the executive directors 
have declined their bonuses for the year 
that, ordinarily, would have been payable 
based on the achievement of financial 
targets set for the year. 

Trading over the summer and autumn 
of 2020 was buoyant but showroom 
closures returned in November 2020 
and across the whole of the first quarter 
of 2021. As a result, the Company was 
forced to return a number of employees 
to furlough. However, at the year-end in 
March 2021, under a fifth of employees 
still remained on furlough, and this has 
since fallen further as we have been able 
to welcome employees back to work 
as showrooms again reopened in April 
2021. Across the year, the Company 
received total grants of £2.4 million 
from the Government’s Coronavirus Job 
Retention Scheme.

Omni-channel retailing
Our omni-channel offering allows 
customers to interact with us in a way 
that suits them best, from the traditional 
showroom discussion through to a 
fully online sales process, and any 
combination in between. We have learnt 
a great deal during the last year and the 
new options we have introduced have 
significantly advanced our on-line selling 
capabilities. We are now able to provide 
our customers with this omni-channel 
approach to selling, and we will continue 
to invest and develop this further in the 
future.

Our People
I am very grateful for the dedication 
of our employees and the effort they 
continue to apply to provide our 
customers with a first-class experience. 
Their response to the covid-19 pandemic 
has been outstanding and the board 
would like to particularly thank those 

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Operational and Business Review continuedthat remained active throughout the initial lockdown period. This ensured that we were able to offer an emergency aftersales response to NHS and other key workers. We have been, and remain, very focused on the health and safety of our employees and customers. Our showroom and workshop activities have been undertaken in a responsible and socially distanced way throughout the year. As a result of the hard work and professionalism shown by everyone involved, we have managed the lockdown periods well and were able to reopen our showrooms in April 2021 in  a strong position.The Company has a long tradition of investing in apprenticeship programmes. Despite the pressures on the business, we have kept our apprenticeship numbers at a high level and continue to see the benefits flow through the business as more apprentices complete their training and become fully qualified. Due to our apprentice numbers, we continue to fully utilise our Government apprenticeship levy payments within the stipulated time limits.We remain firmly committed to the long-term benefits of apprenticeships and our recruitment programme continues with the aim of maintaining a healthy complement in the coming year to assist the Company to grow.New and used car salesTotal UK new car registrations in the year declined by 25% as a result of the covid-19 pandemic and, within this total, new car registrations in the private and small business sector in which we principally operate fell by 24%. However, we were very pleased that our own new unit sales fell by only 10% on a like-for-like basis, despite our showrooms having operated under covid-19 restrictions for six of the twelve months in the year, with only a click-and-collect service allowed during closure periods. Volumes of sold used cars also fell, by 19% on a like-for-like basis, although we were reassured by the resilience in unit margins. Significant efforts have been made over the last twelve months to enhance and develop our omni-channel offering for our customers and we continue to see this element of our business providing a major opportunity for further growth. The number of used cars sold again exceeded the number of new cars sold in the year.AftersalesDespite the impact of covid-19 on our aftersales business, we were encouraged that our service revenues in the year fell by only 10% on a like-for-like basis. We continue to place great emphasis on our customer retention programmes and in growing sales of service plans. Our parts business also reported lower sales, down by 12% on a like-for-like basis from the previous year.OperationsOur Audi businesses produced an exceptional performance in the year, significantly growing their new car deliveries despite the backdrop of a falling UK market.Our Volvo business in Eastbourne traded profitably in the year and we were delighted to extend our representation by signing a new dealer agreement for a territory in Worthing, West Sussex. The new business was scheduled to open at the end of the previous financial year, in March 2020, but the Government-mandated temporary showroom closures meant the business was unable to begin trading until June 2020. We were extremely pleased that, once opened, the business traded profitably in the year. It continues to reap the benefits of an excellent model range of cars, which are being positively received by customers.The performance of our Volkswagen businesses improved in the year and we remain confident that the strength of the brand, the excellent model range, and exciting new products will help to boost future trading performance.In Tunbridge Wells, our SEAT business continued to perform well although the adjacent Skoda business found the year more challenging. Our Skoda business in Ashford performed satisfactorily, after allowing for the impact of the covid-19 temporary closures. Our Vauxhall business in Ashford performed satisfactorily in the year.Trading at Caffyns Motorstore, our used car business in Ashford, remained subdued as the business suffered from covid-19 temporary closures. However, the performance of the business improved in the year and we remain reassured that the concept has been very well received by our customers, who particularly value the reassurance of the Caffyns brand.Groupwide projectsWe remain focused on generating further improvements in used car sales, used car finance and service labour sales. These three areas will be key to achieving increases in profitability in the coming years. In addition, we continue to make very good progress utilising technology to enhance the customer-buying experiences from their first point of contact right through to the buying process, as well as improving aftersales retention.New brands and modelsWe continue to invest in enhanced facilities to allow us to sell and service our manufacturers’ ever-increasing range of electric and hybrid vehicles. During the year we also added three new brands to our portfolio, all of which offer excellent electric product. In Eastbourne we have added LEVC, based in premises adjacent to our Volvo business. LEVC, alongside Volvo, is part of the Zhejiang Geely group and supply battery-powered taxis and vans. In Ashford we are adding two new franchises in Lotus, also part of the Zhejiang Geely group, and MG, a subsidiary of SAIC. Both of these brands have battery-powered electric products and MG offers outstanding value for money in this field.PropertyWe operate primarily from freehold sites and our property portfolio provides additional stability to our business model. As in previous years, our freehold premises were revalued at the balance sheet date by chartered surveyors CBRE Limited based on an existing use valuation. The excess of the valuation over net book value of our freehold properties at 31 March 2021 was £12.3 million (2020: £11.8 million). This is after an impairment of the carrying value of a single property by £0.2 million, which was charged to administrative expenses as a non-underlying expense. In accordance with our accounting policies (which reflect those generally utilised 04Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   430620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   421/06/2021   13:00:2221/06/2021   13:00:22throughout the motor retail industry), the 
surplus has not been incorporated into 
our accounts.

During the year, we incurred capital 
expenditure of £0.4 million (2020: £1.0 
million). There were no major property 
development projects in the year and the 
spend reflected a mixture of the further 
installation of electric charging points and 
replacement spend on existing assets.

Our freehold premises in Lewes remain 
leased until 9 June 2021, to the 
purchaser of our former Land Rover 
business, which was sold in April 2016. 
The board continues to evaluate future 
opportunities for the site.

Bank facilities
The Company’s banking facilities 
with HSBC comprise a term loan, 
originally of £7.5 million, repayable by 
instalments over a twenty-year period 
to 2038 and a revolving-credit facility 
of £7.5 million, both of which will next 
become renewable in March 2023. 
HSBC also provides an overdraft facility 
of £3.5 million, renewable annually. 
The Company enjoys a supportive 
relationship with HSBC and, following 
the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic 
in March 2020, the Company temporarily 
increased its overdraft facility limit from 
£3.5 million to £6.0 million. In September 
2020, the Company reduced its overdraft 
facility back down to £3.5 million. 

In addition to its facilities with HSBC, the 
Company also has an overdraft facility 
of £7.0 million provided by Volkswagen 
Bank, renewable annually, together with a 
term loan, originally of £5.0 million, which 
is repayable by instalments over the ten 
years to November 2023.

In order to assist in the conservation of 
cash balances, HSBC granted capital 
repayment holidays on our term loans, 
for the March and June 2020 quarters, 
each being a repayment of £94,000. 
Similar concessions were granted by 
Volkswagen Bank, for the months of 
April May and June 2020, each being a 
repayment of £42,000.

The term loan and revolving credit 
facilities provided by HSBC include 
certain covenant tests which were 
comfortably passed at the previous 
year-end, 31 March 2020. During the 
year, HSBC agreed to a relaxation in the 

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Stock code CFYN

covenant tests for September 2020 and 
March 2021 although neither relaxation 
was ultimately required with the original 
covenant tests being passed on both 
those dates. The failure of a covenant 
test would render these facilities 
repayable on demand at the option of 
the lender.

Bank borrowings, net of cash balances, 
at 31 March 2021 were £10.3 million 
(2020: £16.2 million) and as a proportion 
of shareholders’ funds at 31 March 2021 
were 37% (2020: 62%). This substantial 
reduction reflected the strengthened 
controls over working capital and cost 
savings implemented during the year, as 
well as the significant covid-19 support 
received by the Company from the 
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and 
the business rates holiday. Gearing at the 
prior year-end was substantially higher 
than usual as a result of the initial effects 
of the covid-19 pandemic. Available 
but undrawn facilities with HSBC and 
Volkswagen Bank at 31 March 2021  
were some £16 million (2020: £10 million).

Taxation
The year ended 31 March 2021 resulted 
in a tax charge of £0.01 million (2020: 
£0.36 million). The effective tax rate 
was lower than the standard rate of 
corporation tax in force for the year of 
19%, mainly due to the reversal of an 
impairment provision against the carrying 
value of an Advanced Corporation Tax 
asset. This impairment was made in the 
year ended 31 March 2019 at which time 
management did not recognise an overall 
deferred tax asset due to the inherent 
uncertainty at that date. This approach 
remained unchanged at 31 March 2020, 
being immediately after the start of 
the first covid-19 lockdown and at the 
height of the accompanying economic 
uncertainty, but was altered at the half-
year, in September 2020. Management 
have prepared forecasts extending 
across the next five years which have 
provided sufficient comfort to allow 
the previously held view to be revised 
and the impairment reversed, given 
management’s judgement of a higher 
level of certainty that the available 
Advanced Corporation Tax and other 
deferred tax assets will be utilised in 
future years.

The Company has no current 
outstanding trading losses awaiting relief  
(2020: £0.1 million). There are also no 
capital losses awaiting relief. Capital 
gains which remain unrealised, where 
potentially taxable gains arising from 
the sale of properties and goodwill 
have been rolled over into replacement 
assets, amount to £8.3 million (2020: 
£8.9 million) which could equate to a 
future potential tax liability of £1.6 million 
(2020: £1.7 million). The Company also 
has an amount of £1.1 million (2020: 
£1.1 million) of recoverable Advanced 
Corporation Tax (“ACT”) and £0.4 million 
(2020: £0.8 million) of shadow ACT. 
The board remains confident in the 
recoverability of the ACT, although the 
shadow ACT must first be fully absorbed 
before the ACT balance itself can 
become available to be utilised.

Pension Scheme
The Company’s defined benefit scheme 
was closed to future accrual in 2010. 
In common with many companies, the 
board has little control over the key 
assumptions in the valuation calculations 
as required by accounting standards 
and the low yields of gilts and bonds 
continues to have a significant impact on 
the net funding position of the scheme. 
At 31 March 2021 the deficit was  
£9.4 million (2020: £9.4 million).  
The deficit, net of deferred tax, was  
£7.6 million (2020: £7.6 million).

The Scheme operates with a fiduciary 
manager and the board, together with 
the independent pension fund trustees, 
continues to review options to reduce the 
cost of operation and its deficit. Actions 
that could further reduce the risk profile 
of the assets and more closely match 
the nature of the Scheme’s assets to its 
liabilities continue to be considered.

The pension cost under IAS 19 is 
charged as a non-underlying cost and 
amounted to £0.2 million in the year 
(2020: £0.2 million).

During the year, the Company made 
deficit-reduction contributions into the 
Scheme under the 2017 recovery plan 
of £0.5 million (2020: £0.5 million). Since 
the year-end, the latest formal triennial 
valuation of the Scheme, effective  
31 March 2020, has been completed. 
This valuation will be formally submitted 
to the Pensions Regulator prior to the 
requisite deadline of 30 June 2021. 

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Operational and Business Review continuedA recovery plan to address the Scheme deficit identified from this triennial valuation has been agreed with the trustees, pending approval from the Pensions Regulator, under which the annual recovery plan payment for the coming year will increase to £0.8 million, with an additional one-off £1.0 million contribution to be paid in June 2021. The recurring annual recovery plan payment for each subsequent year will then increase by 2.25%, until superseded by any future new recovery plan to be agreed between the Company and the trustees.DividendThe Company has a strong balance sheet and the board remains confident in its future prospects. However, in the light of the scale of the covid-19 support received from Government by the Company in the year, to conserve cash resources, and to be mindful of the continued ongoing uncertainty over covid-19, the board has decided not to declare a final dividend in relation to the year ended 31 March 2021. For the same reasons, no interim dividend was declared (2020: 7.5 pence per Ordinary share) during the year. The total dividend for the year was therefore nil pence per ordinary share (2020: 7.5 pence). However, the board remains committed to restarting the payment of dividends to shareholders as soon as it deems it is appropriate to do so.StrategyOur continuing strategy is to focus on representing premium and premium-volume franchises as well as maximising opportunities for premium used cars. We recognise that we operate in a rapidly changing environment and continue to carefully monitor the appropriateness of this strategy. We continue to seek opportunities to invest in the future growth of our businesses.We are concentrating on business opportunities in stronger markets to deliver higher returns from fewer but bigger sites. We continue to seek to deliver performance improvement, in particular in our used car and aftersales operations.Annual General MeetingThe Annual General Meeting will be held on 3 August 2021. It is anticipated that social-distancing restrictions will have been largely lifted by the date of this meeting, and therefore it is intended that the Annual General Meeting will revert to an open meeting, to which shareholders will be invited to attend in person.OutlookOur showrooms were allowed to reopen in mid-April 2021 so we have started the new financial year with a sense of optimism, although we are mindful that the future course of the covid-19 pandemic remains uncertain. We continue to enjoy supportive relationships with our banking partners, HSBC and Volkswagen Bank with available but undrawn facilities in excess of  £16 million at the year-end. Our manufacturer partners also continue to be very supportive. Therefore, the board is confident that the Company has sufficient liquidity to allow it to effectively navigate the coming year and to capitalise on the trading and investment opportunities which are expected to arise as markets return to more normal levels of activity.S G M CaffynChief Executive1 June 202106Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   630620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   621/06/2021   13:00:2221/06/2021   13:00:22Stock code CFYN

Strategic Report

Business model
Caffyns is one of the leading motor retail and aftersales companies in the south-east of England. The Company’s principal activities 
are the sale and maintenance of motor vehicles, including the sale of tyres, oil, parts and accessories. The Operational and Business 
Review, which forms part of the Strategic Report, principally covers the development and performance of the business and the 
external environment and is set out on pages 2 to 6. The main Key Performance Indicators are:

Financial
Revenue (£ million) (restated)

Underlying EBITDA (£ million)

Profit for the year before tax (£ million)

Underlying earnings/(deficit) per share (pence)

Earnings/(deficit) per share (pence)

Bank overdrafts and loans (net of cash in hand balances) (£ million)

Gearing (%)

Note: Underlying results exclude items that have non-trading attributes due to their size, nature or incidence.

Other and non-financial
UK new car market – total registrations (million)

UK new car market – retail and small business sector registrations (million)

Caffyns new car sales (‘000)

Caffyns used car sales (‘000)

Caffyns aftersales revenues (excluding internal sales) (£ million)

Company employees (full time equivalents)

Source of UK market registrations: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (“SMMT”).

Business Performance
New and Used Cars
Due to the impact of the covid-19 
pandemic, our new unit deliveries were 
down by 10.0% on a like-for-like basis. 
However, over the twelve-month period, 
total UK new car registrations fell by 
24.9% and, within this, the private and 
small business sector in which we 
primarily operate fell by 23.8%. Although 
a reduction, we were therefore satisfied 
with the level of new car deliveries 
achieved for the year.

Our used unit sales decreased by 19.4% 
on a like-for-like basis, again being 
heavily impacted by the Government’s 
restrictions on businesses to counter 
the covid-19 pandemic. As a result of 
these restrictions, our car showrooms 
were closed to customers for six of 
the twelve months in the year, able to 
operate only online and with a click-and-
collect service.

Aftersales
The significant reductions in new car 
registrations in the period caused by 
the covid-19 pandemic acted to further 

reduce the number of one to three-year-
old cars in circulation. Improvements to 
customer retention rates for many of our 
marques mitigated the scale of the fall in 
aftersales revenue to 11.5%, on a like-
for-like basis, against the previous year. 
The actions we have taken to enhance 
our aftersales marketing and retention 
procedures, together with our new and 
used car sales, continue to benefit this 
area of the business.

Business strategy
The Company continues to focus on the 
premium and premium-volume market 
where it believes that there is greater 
scope to deliver stronger sales, profits 
and returns. Representation is held for a 
strong portfolio of nine franchises being 
Audi, LEVC, Lotus, MG, SEAT, Skoda, 
Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo. We 
generally operate from our own freehold 
properties, which we believe offers 
better long-term returns and greater 
flexibility. Proceeds from disposals of 
properties are generally reinvested in the 
property portfolio.

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165.09

5.12

1.42

66.0

52.4

10.33

37

2021

1.57

0.74

3.60

4.43

17.03

402

2020

195.79 

3.43 

0.10 

(4.9)

(9.4)

16.24 

62 

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2.09 

0.97 

3.84 

5.31 

18.32 

419 

Principal risks and uncertainties
Risk is an accepted part of doing 
business and the Company has a risk 
assessment process that facilitates the 
identification and mitigation of risk. While 
the risk factors listed on pages 8 and 9 
could cause our actual future results to 
differ materially from expected results, 
other factors could also adversely affect 
the Company and they should therefore 
not be considered to be a complete set 
of all potential risks and uncertainties. 
The risk factors should be considered 
alongside the statement on internal 
control and risk management included in 
the Statement on Corporate Governance 
on page 19 and those in notes 20 and 21 
to the financial statements. 

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Strategic Report continuedPrincipal risksPotential impact/material riskKey controls and mitigating factorsBusiness conditions and the UK economyThe profitability of the Company could be adversely affected by a worsening of general economic conditions in the United Kingdom, where all of its business is transacted. Other relevant factors would include the on-going covid-19 pandemic, interest rates, unemployment, fuel prices, inflation, indirect taxation, the availability and cost of credit and other factors which affect levels of consumer confidence.Monitoring of key macroeconomic indicators against internal performance leads to anticipation of, and mitigation for, expected volatilities. The Company is not responsible for the importation of new cars into the UK and is not exposed to border frictions.Vehicle manufacturer marketing programmesVehicle manufacturers provide a wide variety of marketing programmes which are used to promote new vehicle sales. A withdrawal or reduction in these programmes would have an adverse impact on our business.By representing multiple marques, the Company believes that this diversity reduces the potential impact on the Company. In addition, the Company continues to develop its own marketing initiatives.Used car pricesThe value of our used car inventory could decline significantly if market prices were to quickly fall. A large proportion of our business comprises used car sales and such declines could have a material impact through reduced profits on sales and write-downs in the value of inventories.Close monitoring of the ageing of vehicle inventories and a firm policy of inventory management help to mitigate this risk. Any impact is also mitigated by revenue streams being balanced between aftersales, new and used car sales.Vehicle manufacturer dependenciesCaffyns operates franchised motor dealerships. These franchises are awarded to the Company by the vehicle manufacturers. For ongoing business, the Company holds franchise agreements for its dealership operations. These agreements can be terminated by giving two years’ notice, or less in the event of a serious unremedied breach including continued under-performance. The Company is not aware of any breach of these agreements. Diversifying through representing multiple marques reduces the potential dependency on any single manufacturer. Revenue streams from other activities (aftersales and used cars) prevent over-reliance on new car sales.Transition to electric vehicle  power trainsGovernment announcements have indicated that solus petrol and diesel power trains will no longer be permitted in vehicles sold after 2030. This change may result in disruption to both supply and demand of new cars in the run up to 2030, and to aftersales revenues.Ensuring that our premises and aftersales activities are developed to be able to adapt to the expected future shift towards electric vehicles.Liquidity and financingLiquidity and financing risks relate to our ability to pay for goods and services enabling us to trade. Our principal sources of finance are from our bankers by way of committed borrowing facilities, from manufacturers to fund the purchases of inventories, and trade credit from our suppliers. A withdrawal of facilities, or failure to renew them when due, could lead to a significant reduction in the trading capability of the Company.We work closely with providers of finance to help reduce this risk by managing expectations of trading results and utilisation of facilities. The status of our bank facilities is set out in note 21. These negotiated facilities provide sufficient liquidity and funding. We do not presently hedge against interest rate movements, but the position is kept under regular review.Regulatory complianceThe Company is subject to regulatory compliance risk which could arise from a failure to comply fully with the laws, regulations or codes applicable. Non-compliance could lead to fines, cessation of certain business activities or public reprimand.The direction of new regulatory policy is monitored through close contact with relevant trade and representative bodies and these are carefully considered when developing strategy.08Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   830620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   821/06/2021   13:00:2221/06/2021   13:00:22Stock code CFYN

Principal risks

Potential impact/material risk

Key controls and mitigating factors

Information 
systems

Competition

Changes in 
legislation in 
relation to the 
distribution 
and sale of 
vehicles

Pension 
scheme

Political 
uncertainties

The Company is dependent upon certain 
business-critical systems which, if interrupted 
for any considerable length of time, could have 
a material effect on the efficient running of our 
businesses.

Caffyns competes with other franchised vehicle 
dealerships, private buyers and sellers, internet-
based dealers, independent service and repair 
shops and manufacturers who have entered the 
retail market. The sale of new and used cars, 
the performance of warranty repairs, routine 
maintenance business and the supply of spare 
parts operate in highly competitive markets. 
The principal competitive factors are price, 
reputation, customer service and knowledge of 
a manufacturer’s brands and models. We also 
compete with funders who finance customers’ 
car purchases directly.

Sales agreements are granted by manufacturers 
based on standards, but agreements are 
restricted to areas of influence granted by 
manufacturers, who also determine choice 
of partner, enabling them to restrict entry into 
the franchise or the number of outlets any one 
dealer can hold. Aftersales agreements are 
legislated by a Block Exemption, dictating that 
aftersales businesses that meet a manufacturer’s 
qualitative standards criteria have an entitlement 
to represent that brand’s aftersales service and 
parts franchise.

Caffyns operates a defined-benefit pension 
scheme which was closed to new entrants 
in 2006 and closed to future accrual in 2010. 
The scheme relies on achieving satisfactory 
investment returns sufficient to meet the 
present value of the accrued liabilities. Reduced 
investment returns or higher liabilities due to 
increased mortality rates and/or continuing 
record low interest rates could adversely affect 
the surplus or deficit of the scheme and may 
result in increased cash contributions in future.

The United Kingdom’s departure from the 
European Union, coupled with wider global 
political developments, means that a degree of 
uncertainty in the United Kingdom economic 
outlook continues to exist. We believe the main 
risks to arise from this state of affairs relate to 
consumer confidence, the potential impact 
that sterling/euro exchange rates may have on 
vehicle pricing, the possible imposition of tariffs 
and/or restrictions on the imports of cars and 
parts into the United Kingdom.

A series of contingency plans are in place that would 
enable the resumption of operations within a short space 
of time, thus mitigating the likelihood of material loss.

We regularly monitor our competitors’ activities and seek 
to price our products competitively, optimise customer 
service, efficiently utilise our customer database and fully 
understand our manufacturers’ brands and products.

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By continuing to focus on providing excellent customer 
facilities, excellent customer service and by providing 
high-level representation for the Company’s manufacturer 
partners, current business relationships will be 
maintained, providing opportunities for selective growth.

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pension scheme through regular meetings of a Pensions 
sub-Committee, chaired by the Chairman of the Audit 
and Risk Committee. The Company continues to review 
possible options to mitigate the risk of underlying volatility 
causing an increase in the deficit.

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We continue to focus on delivering an excellent service 
to new and existing customers, giving confidence in our 
operations and building a strong loyalty base and to 
maintaining our close working relationship with our nine 
manufacturers.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Strategic Report continuedCorporate Social Responsibility, Human Rights and DiversityCaffyns has a long-standing Corporate and Social Responsibility agenda including its approach to its employees, the environment, and health and safety. We are also conscious of human rights issues within the Company and the key area that would impact our business would be via our supply chain. However, our supply chain is predominantly the major international motor manufacturers who also take these issues very seriously.The UK Corporate Governance Code includes a recommendation that boards should consider the benefits of diversity, including gender, when making board appointments. The board recognises the importance of gender balance and the important requirement to ensure that there is an appropriate range of experience, balance of skills and background on the board. We will continue to make changes to the composition of the board irrespective of gender or any form of discrimination so that the best candidate is appointed.The table below gives the total number of our employees in each category, by gender, as at 31 March 2021.FemaleMaleTotalDirector156Senior management–1111All other employees99326425EmployeesWe recognise that our people are our key asset and are responsible for delivering our strategy. We continue to invest in an enhanced training and development programme, with particular support from our manufacturer partners. The positive approach shown by our employees throughout the Company’s businesses has been key to this success.Employees are encouraged to discuss with management any matters that they are concerned about and factors affecting the Company. In addition, the board takes account of employees’ interests when making decisions. We have a HR director. Suggestions from employees aimed at improving the Company’s performance are welcomed.Good performance from employees is recognised every four months by their peer group who nominate employees for awards and formal company-wide recognition. A significant number of employees are remunerated partly by profit-related bonus schemes.We have a dedicated company intranet which keeps employees up to date with company developments and activities. This platform also includes the Company’s policies and procedures. Long service awards were made during the year to those staff with 25 years’ continuous service. All employment policies remain compliant with current legislation.It is our policy to encourage career development for all employees and to help staff achieve job satisfaction and increase personal motivation.We support the recruitment of disabled people wherever possible. Priority is given to those who become disabled during their employment. Employment by the Company is offered on the basis of the person’s ability to work and not on the basis of race, individual characteristics or political opinion.We have continued to recruit to our apprenticeship programme, and we are seeing the benefits of this investment. We look to further recruit both apprentices and others across the Company’s businesses as we continue to grow.EnvironmentThe Company is aware of its environmental responsibilities arising from its motor retailing and aftersales activities and recognises that some of its activities affect the environment. Our Health, Safety and Environment Officer has received formal training in environmental management and is appropriately experienced in this field. Our policy is to promote and operate processes and procedures which, so far as is reasonably practicable, avoid or minimise the contamination of water, air or the ground.Licences are obtained from the relevant authorities, where required, to operate certain elements of the Company’s business. Waste is disposed of by authorised contractors and is recycled where possible. Special care is taken in the storage of fuels and oils. Through the management of these activities, we seek to minimise any adverse effects of its activities on the environment.We also seek to reduce our energy and water consumption and audit processes are in place to measure usage and make recommendations for improvements. An electrical test monitoring regime is in place throughout the Company’s businesses. Use of the latest building materials is made in the construction of new sites and the refurbishment of existing locations.Future emissions legislative changesDuring the year the Government indicated that the sale of vehicles powered solely by an internal combustion engine will be banned from the end of 2030 onwards. Hybrid vehicles, which are powered by a combination of a battery and an internal combustion engine, will still be allowed to be sold up to the end of 2035. After that time, all vehicles will need to be powered without the use of an internal combustion engine. The implementation of this intended legislation will bring significant change to the motor retail industry and we are working with our manufacturers to more fully develop our transitional plans. We have already installed electric charging points in all our dealerships, although further installations will be required in the coming years. A number of the other actions we have already taken are detailed on page 11 and we anticipate fuller disclosures on our plans, and their possible impact on the business, will be made in future Annual Reports.10Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   1030620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   1021/06/2021   13:00:2221/06/2021   13:00:22Stock code CFYN

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting
This section includes our mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions for the period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020, 
the latest annual period for which data is available, and is pursuant to the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Report) Regulations 2013. We report our emissions data using an operational control approach taking data for which we deem 
ourselves responsible, including both energy consumption and vehicle usage for business use. In the 2020 calendar year, our 
businesses emitted 1,197 tonnes of carbon dioxide (“CO2”) (2019: 1,354 tonnes). Our emissions are principally of CO2 and are from 
the following sources:

Greenhouse gas emissions data

Scope 1
Gas consumption

Owned transport

Water supply

Scope 2
Purchased electricity

Generated electricity

Statutory total

Revenue (£million)

Scope 1 and Scope 2 energy 
consumption and greenhouse gas 
emissions data has been calculated 
in line with the UK Government 
environmental reporting guidance. 
Emission Factor Databases consistent 
with the UK Government environmental 
reporting guidance have been used, 
utilising the current published kWh gross 
calorific value and CO2e emissions 
factors relevant for reporting calendar 
year.We have selected emissions £million 
of revenues per tonne as our intensity 
ratio as this, in our view, provides the 
best comparative measure over time.

2018 intensity ratio: 7.4 tonnes of  
CO2 per £million of revenue

2019 intensity ratio: 6.6 tonnes of  
CO2 per £million of revenue

2020 intensity ratio: 6.8 tonnes of  
CO2 per £million of revenue

The Company’s total energy 
consumption for the period 1 January 
2020 to 31 December 2020 was  
3.5 million kWh (2019: 4.0 million kWh). 
The methodology for calculating this 
annual energy consumption figure was 

the same as that outlined above for 
producing the estimate of the Company 
greenhouse gas emissions. All of the 
Company’s energy consumption arose in 
the United Kingdom.

Our greenhouse gas emissions 
associated with waste arise from a 
number of waste streams generated 
from our business. For conversion to 
carbon dioxide equivalent, CO2e, data is 
not readily available for a number of our 
waste streams, so we have chosen to 
report this in weight and percentage of 
waste recycled compared to waste sent 
to landfill, as opposed to CO2. Waste in 
2020 was 491.8 tonnes (2019: 705.4 
tonnes) of which 98% was recycled 
(2019: 96%).

Reducing carbon and waste
During the year, we have continued 
to assess and monitor our energy use 
and, where practicable, we continue to 
implement measures in order to reduce 
the environmental impact of our activities.

Tonnes of 
CO2
2020

Tonnes of 
CO2
2019

Tonnes of 
CO2
2018

250.8 

27.4 

4.4 

920.8 

(6.3)

1,197.1

176.1

308.8 

74.2 

4.8 

972.6 

(6.3)

1,354.1

203.7

308.6 

87.4 

5.2 

995.9 

(12.2)

1,384.9

186.3

Climate change influences seasonal 
energy usage and while, at times, we 
benefit from milder weather we are aware 
that any adverse change could affect 
energy usage. To minimise our energy 
usage we continue, where practicable, 
to install LED lighting at our sites as 
this uses significantly less energy than 
conventional lighting. In addition, we limit 
the duration of periods when full lighting 
is used, using sensors and timers to 
further reduce the energy we use. 

We continue to improve our energy use 
and efficiency by replacing old equipment 
with new efficient units and ensuring 
workshop doors are closed when not in 
use by fitting automatic closing devices. 
Water use in valeting areas uses recycling 
facilities, where practicable, and all 
sites have appropriate water filtration 
systems. At one dealership we are able 
to generate electricity through the use of 
roof-mounted photovoltaic cells, whilst 
elsewhere, we use air-sourced heat 
pumps to reduce electricity consumption. 
We seek to limit our paper consumption 
and waste through increasingly paperless 
communications and systems.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Strategic Report continuedHealth and safetyThe board recognises its responsibility to members of staff and others working or visiting our facilities to provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, an environment that is safe and without risk to their health and this is always the first agenda item at each board meeting. The board maintains ultimate responsibility for health and safety issues with a full time Heath, Safety and Environment Officer responsible on a day-to-day basis, supported by all levels of management. The Company’s policy is to identify potential hazards and assess the risks presented by its activities and to provide systems and procedures which allow our staff to take responsible decisions in their work in relation to their own, and others’, safety. We promote awareness of potential risks and hazards and implementation of corresponding preventative or remedial actions through online health and safety systems, operations manuals and monthly communication on topical issues. With clear lines of operating unit responsibility, staff are supported by specialist guidance from the Heath, Safety and Environment Officer. All our staff have access to a detailed health and safety guide.Section 172 statementSection 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires directors to take into consideration the interests of stakeholders and other matters in their decision making. The directors continue to have regard to the interests of the Company’s employees and other stakeholders, the impact of its activities on the community, the environment and the Company’s reputation for good business conduct, when making decisions. In this context, acting in good faith and fairly, the directors consider what is most likely to promote the success of the Company for its members in the long term. We explain in this Annual Report how the board engages with stakeholders.• Relations with key stakeholders, such as shareholders and suppliers, are considered in more detail on page 20;• The Company’s employees are recognised as vital to its success and employee relations are considered in more detail on pages 3, 4, 10 and 35. The board intends to further enhance its methods of engagement with its employees in the coming financial year with the Chief Executive visiting the Company’s sites regularly for question-and-answer sessions with staff. He will report to the board on the outcome of these sessions. In addition, the board takes account of employees’ interests when making decisions;• The directors are fully aware of their responsibilities to promote the success of the Company in accordance with section 172 of the Companies Act 2006. To ensure the Company operates in line with good corporate practice, all directors receive refresher training annually on the scope and application of section 172. This encourages the board to reflect on how the Company engages with its stakeholders and opportunities for enhancement in the future and was considered at the Company’s Audit and Risk Committee meeting in November 2020. As required, the Company Secretary provides support to the board to help ensure that sufficient consideration is given to issues relating to the matters set out in s172(1)(a)-(f);• The board regularly reviews the Company’s principal stakeholders and how it engages with them.• This is achieved through information provided by management and also by direct engagement with stakeholders themselves;• We aim to work responsibly with our stakeholders, including suppliers. The board has recently reviewed its anti-corruption and anti-bribery, equal opportunities, and whistleblowing policies.During the year under review, ended 31 March 2021, the key decisions taken by the board included:Covid-19 pandemic: On 23 March 2020, the Government announced restrictions on businesses as a result of the growing impact from the worldwide covid-19 pandemic. Car showrooms were classified as non-essential and were required to close and the board reacted swiftly with all showrooms closing in line with this instruction. Car workshops were classified by the Government as essential businesses and were permitted to remain open, but the board was concerned that a safe environment for our staff and customers could not be immediately provided and therefore took the decision that these should also close temporarily. Emergency response teams in three of our then twelve workshops, comprising a skeleton staff of volunteers, remained in post to provide assistance to NHS and other key workers. Over the following weeks, social-distancing procedures, along with physical changes such as perspex screens, enhanced personal protective equipment and additional hygiene measures were put in place and the Company was able to reopen its workshops in a controlled and careful way from mid-May 2020 onwards. In late May 2020, the UK Government announced a relaxation of controls over certain businesses and, from the beginning of June 2020, car showrooms were allowed to reopen. In addition to the measures adopted for our aftersales businesses, the board adopted further measures for car sales, such as appointment-only access to showrooms and unaccompanied test drives, and proactively reviews these measures on a continuing basis. Although both our car showrooms and aftersales workshops were able to operate throughout the summer, our showrooms were returned to operating a click-and-collect only service in November 2020, as covid-19 restrictions on business were once again tightened. Restrictions remained in place throughout 12Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   1230620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   1221/06/2021   13:00:2321/06/2021   13:00:23between the Company and the Scheme 
trustees following the previous triennial 
valuation in 2017. The board has been 
very mindful of its responsibilities to its 
current and previous employees who 
are members of the Scheme and for 
the need to appropriately deal with the 
Scheme’s deficit, whilst ensuring that the 
Company has adequate resources to 
develop and strengthen its businesses, in 
order to ensure its future success. 

The board has worked constructively 
with the Scheme’s trustees and, since 
the year-end, has agreed a new recovery 
plan with the Scheme’s trustees. The 
formal valuation and associated recovery 
plan will be submitted to the Pensions 
Regulator prior to the requisite deadline 
of 30 June 2021.

Additional manufacturer 
representation: The board continues 
to seek new opportunities to maximise 
the effectiveness of its property portfolio, 
and was pleased to receive in December 
2020 the offer from the London EV 
Company (“LEVC”) for representation 
for the Kent and East Sussex territory, 
based in Eastbourne. LEVC, a subsidiary 
of the Zhejiang Geely group who also 
own the Volvo brand, is at the forefront 
of the development of electric taxis 
and commercial vans and will operate 
from premises in close proximity to our 
existing Eastbourne Volvo dealership. 
This new business commenced trading 
in May 2021 and we believe these 
products will experience strong demand 
from customers as the requirement for 
“greener delivery” continues to grow.

The board has also agreed 
representation for two additional 
manufacturer franchises for territories in 
Kent, both of which will be based at its 
existing premises on the Orbital Business 
Park in Ashford. Firstly, MG who are 
part of the SAIC Motor Corporation and 
offer customers an excellent range of 
cars, including excellent value electric 
and hybrid models. This business is 
anticipated to commence trading in the 
summer of 2021.

our final quarter, and we finished our 
financial year with our car showrooms 
still closed to customer access. Across 
the year as a whole, our car showrooms 
were closed to customers for six of the 
twelve months in the year.

Dividends: The Company is aware of its 
responsibility to shareholders to provide 
a return on the investment that they have 
made and has returned over £3.50 in 
dividends per ordinary share over the 
last two decades. However, covid-19 
has presented a major challenge to 
the business and has resulted in the 
Company receiving significant financial 
support in the year from Government, 
local Councils and from stakeholders 
such as its funders and suppliers. The 
future path of the pandemic still remains 
uncertain. Therefore, the board decided 
that it should pause the payment of 
dividends and accordingly has not 
declared a dividend since the pandemic 
started in March 2020. The board 
remains committed to restarting the 
payment of dividends to shareholders 
as soon as it deems it is appropriate 
to do so.

Expansion of Volvo representation: As 
explained in last year’s Annual Report the 
board was delighted to receive an offer 
to extend its representation for Volvo 
through the provision of a new dealer 
agreement for a West Sussex territory, 
based in Worthing. The Government’s 
imposition of covid-19 social distancing 
restrictions resulted in a delay to the 
opening of this new dealership, but 
we were finally able to fully open the 
business on 1 June 2020. 

The directors believe that the investment 
in expanding its representation of the 
Volvo brand will provide a return to 
enhance the long-term sustainability of 
the Company’s activities. The directors 
are encouraged that the business has 
traded well in its first year of operation.

Pension scheme triennial valuation: 
The triennial valuation of the Company’s 
defined-benefit pension scheme was 
effective from 31 March 2020, being 
the start of the current financial year. 
The Scheme has operated with an 
actuarial deficit for a number of years 
with a recovery plan having been agreed 

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Secondly, Lotus who are part of 
the Zhejiang Geely group and are 
developing several new electric-vehicle 
models, including the Evija, an electric-
powered supercar. We are excited to 
be representing this venerable British 
brand and anticipate that we will also 
commence trading in the summer 
of 2021.

Lewes freehold: The Company leases 
its freehold property in Lewes to the 
third-party that, in 2016, acquired the 
Land Rover business that operated 
from that site. That lease was originally 
scheduled to run for two years from the 
date of sale of the business in April 2016 
but has been extended four times and 
will now expire on 9 June 2021. The 
board has considered several options 
for the site to include operating a new 
motor retail franchise, a used car Caffyns 
Motorstore and developing the site 
itself for an alternative non-motor retail 
use. The board has concluded that the 
maximum value would be gained through 
a sale of the freehold and it is negotiating 
a sale to a third-party, contingent on 
an appropriate planning consent being 
obtained by the purchaser. The final sale 
of the freehold would not be expected to 
complete until 2023.

By order of the board

S G M Caffyn
Chief Executive
1 June 2021

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5DirectorsRICHARD C WRIGHT PG Dip FIMI FCIMChairmanSIMON G M CAFFYN MA FIMIChief ExecutiveMICHAEL WARREN BSc FCAFinance SARAH J CAFFYN BSc FCIPD AICSA FIMIHuman resourcesNIGEL T GOURLAY BScNon-executive and senior independent directorSTEPHEN G BELLAMY BCom CA(NZ)Non-executiveBankersHSBC BANK PLC1st floor, First Point, Buckingham Gate, London Gatwick Airport, West Sussex, RH6 0NTVOLKSWAGEN BANKBrunswick Court, Yeomans Drive, Blakelands, Milton Keynes, MK14 5LRIndependent AuditorBDO LLPStatutory AuditorArcadia House, Maritime Walk, Ocean Village, Southampton, SO14 3TLCompany SecretarySARAH J CAFFYN BSc FCIPD AICSA FIMIRegistered Office4 Meads Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN20 7DRTelephone (01323) 730201Board of Directors14Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   1430620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   1421/06/2021   13:00:2321/06/2021   13:00:23Chairman’s Statement on Corporate Governance

Stock code CFYN

This statement explains how the 
Company has applied the main and 
supporting principles of corporate 
governance and describes the 
Company’s compliance with the 
provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the “Code”), as 
published in 2018 by the Financial 
Reporting Council and available at 
www.frc.org.uk.

The Company fully complied with all 
provisions of the Code throughout the 
year ended 31 March 2021, except for 
Provisions 11, 24, 36, 38 and 39.

•  Provision 11 requires at least half 

the board, excluding the Chairman, 
should consist of independent 
non-executive directors. The board 
believes the composition of the 
board and the committees reflect the 
compact nature of the board and size 
of the Company as a whole, and that 
directors have shown that they are 
able to work in a collegiate fashion;

•  Provision 24 requires that the 

chairman of the board should not be 
a member of the Audit Committee. 
The Company believes that an Audit 
Committee of three non-executive 
directors operates better than one 
with just two members and, due to 
the size of the board, the chairman 
needs to be a member in order to 
achieve this;

•  Provision 36 requires that 
remuneration schemes for 
directors should promote long-term 
shareholdings by executive directors 
and support alignment with long-term 
shareholder interests. The Company 
operates a Save As You Earn 
scheme for all eligible employees, 
including directors, but does not 
operate a Long-Term Incentive Plan 
(“LTIP”) for directors, primarily due 
to the volatility in the share price and 
relative lack of liquidity in the trading 
of its shares. However, all executive 
directors are ordinary shareholders 
and those shareholdings are detailed 
on page 34;

•  Provision 38 requires that only 
directors’ salaries should be 
pensionable. The Company Secretary 
is a member of the Company’s 
defined-contribution pension scheme 
on the same terms as all other 
employees and any bonus payments 

www.caffyns.co.uk

made to her are pensionable. This 
is a long-standing arrangement 
with which the board is satisfied 
and has decided that it would 
not be in the best interests of the 
Company to change her existing 
employment contract;

•  Provision 39 requires that notice 

periods should be one year or less. 
The Chief Executive has a service 
contract which runs for more than 
twelve months, (see page 25 of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report). This 
also is a long-standing arrangement. 
The Remuneration Committee 
reviews the position annually and 
has decided that it would not be in 
the best interests of the Company to 
change his existing contract.

•  Financial reporting to shareholders;

•  Dividend policy;

•  Health and safety policy;

•  Changes in employee share 

incentives;

•  Reviewing the overall corporate 
governance arrangements;

•  Appointments to the board and its 

committees;

•  Policies relating to directors’ 
remuneration and service;

•  Prosecution, defence or settlement of 

material litigation;

•  Any alterations to the share capital of 

the Company;

•  Approval of all circulars and 

announcements to shareholders; and

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•  A description of the Company’s 

•  Major changes to the Company’s 

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business model and strategy is set 
out in the Strategic Report on page 7.

Structure of the board and its 
key activities
The board is collectively responsible for 
the long-term success of the Company 
and for ensuring that it operates to a 
governance standard, which serves the 
best interests of the Company. The board 
sets the strategy of the Company and its 
individual trading businesses and ensures 
that the Company has in place the 
financial and human resources it needs 
to meet its objectives. There is a written 
schedule of matters reserved for board 
decision, which is summarised below.

Schedule of matters reserved 
for decision by the board
•  Business strategy;

•  Approval of significant capital projects 

and investments;

•  Principal terms of agreements for the 
Company’s principal banking facilities;

•  Annual business plan and budget 

monitoring;

•  Risk management strategy and 
internal control and governance 
arrangements;

•  Approval of acquisitions and 

divestments;

•  Changes to management and control 

structure;

•  Significant changes to accounting 

policies or practices;

pension schemes

• 

Insurance cover including directors’ 
and officers’ liability insurance and 
indemnification of the directors.

The Chairman takes responsibility for 
ensuring that the directors receive 
accurate, timely and clear information. 
Monthly financial information is provided 
to the directors. Regular and ad-hoc 
reports and presentations are circulated, 
with all board and committee papers 
being issued in advance of meetings by 
the Company Secretary. In addition to 
formal board meetings, the Chairman 
maintains regular contact with the Chief 
Executive and other directors to discuss 
specific issues. In furtherance of their 
duties, the directors have full access to 
the Company Secretary and may take 
independent professional advice at the 
Company’s expense. The board believes 
that, given the experience and skills of 
its directors, the identification of training 
needs is best left to the individual’s 
discretion. If any developmental need 
is identified through the board’s formal 
appraisal process or by an individual 
director, the Company makes the 
necessary resources available.

As part of their role, the non-executive 
directors constructively challenge and 
help develop proposals on strategy. 
The non-executive directors scrutinise 
management’s performance in meeting 
agreed goals and objectives and monitor 
the reporting of performance. They satisfy 
themselves on the integrity of financial 
information and that financial controls 

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Chairman’s Statement on Corporate Governance continuedand systems of risk management are robust and defensible. They determine appropriate levels of remuneration of executive directors and have a prime role in appointing and, where necessary, removing executive directors, and in succession planning. The non-executive directors meet formally, without the executive directors, at least once a year.Operating within prescribed delegated authority, such as capital expenditure limits, the operational running of the Company and its businesses is carried out by the executive directors, led by the Chief Executive.The board delegates certain of its duties to its Audit and Risk, Nomination and Remuneration Committees, each of which operates within prescribed terms of reference. These are set out on the Company’s website. The responsibilities of the board’s committees are set out below and on pages 17 and 18 of this report and in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.The board has evaluated the performance of its Audit & Risk and Remuneration Committees for the year under review. The Chairman and the respective committee chairman take responsibility for carrying out any actions recommended as a result of that evaluation.Performance evaluationThe board has established a procedure to evaluate its performance, as well of its Audit & Risk and Remuneration committees, and its individual directors. Detailed questionnaires are completed by the directors, who then debate any matters arising.Individual director evaluation has shown that each director continues to demonstrate commitment to the role. The non-executive directors, led by the senior independent director, have carried out a performance evaluation of the Chairman after taking account of the views of the executive directors. The Chairman has reviewed the performance of the non-executive directors and the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive has reviewed the other executive directors. The board intends to carry out further performance evaluations but will keep under review the method and frequency.The latest board evaluation process concluded that the board and its committees were operating effectively, with clear demarcation of the respective responsibilities of individual directors and board committees. The board is satisfied that all directors are each able to devote the amount of time required to attend to the Company’s affairs and their duties as a board member. The Chairman discusses with each director any training and development needs.Board composition and independenceAs at 1 June 2021 the board comprised three executive directors and three non-executive directors, one of whom is the Chairman. Mr R C Wright is the non-executive Chairman and Mr S G M Caffyn is the Chief Executive. The Chairman leads the board and the Chief Executive manages the Company and implements the strategy and policies adopted by the board. There is a clear division of responsibility between the role of the non-executive Chairman and the Chief Executive; this is recorded in a written statement which is reviewed and agreed annually by the board. The Chairman is responsible for leadership of the board and ensuring its effectiveness for all aspects of its role.The Company maintains appropriate directors’ and officers’ insurance in respect of legal action against its directors.Directors’ conflict of interestConflicts of interest can include situations where a director has an interest that directly or indirectly conflicts, or may possibly conflict, with the interests of the Company. The board operates a formal system for directors to declare at all board meetings all conflicts of interest. The non-conflicted directors must act in the way they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the Company.Balance and challengeThe non-executive directors complement the skills and experience of the executive directors, providing the requisite degree of judgement and scrutiny to the decision-making process at board and committee level. Mr N T Gourlay is the senior independent director.The board maintains and regularly reviews a register of all interests, offices and appointments that are material to be considered in the assessment of the independence of directors and has concluded that there are not, in relation to any director, any relationships or circumstances regarded by the Company as affecting their exercising independent judgement.Re-election of directorsAll directors will seek re-election annually in accordance with the latest corporate governance recommendations.Meetings and attendanceThe Board is normally scheduled to meet eight times each year but met fifteen times, all via video conferencing calls, in the year under review due to the pressures caused on the business by the covid-19 pandemic. All the directors were in attendance for all the meetings.Nomination CommitteeOur Nomination Committee comprises two non-executive directors, the non-executive Chairman and the Chief Executive. The members are:R C Wright (Chairman)N T GourlayS G BellamyS G M CaffynThe Nomination Committee is responsible for leading the process for appointments to the board and meets at least once a year. The Committee is chaired by Mr R C Wright. The Company Secretary or alternate also attends meetings in her capacity as secretary of the Committee. Where the matters discussed relate to the chairman, such as in the case of selection and appointment of the Company Chairman, the senior independent director chairs the Committee. New directors receive a full, formal and tailored induction on joining the board.The principal responsibilities of the Committee are as follows:• To regularly review the structure, size and composition of the board and make recommendations to the board regarding any adjustments deemed appropriate;16Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   1630620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   1621/06/2021   13:00:2521/06/2021   13:00:25Stock code CFYN

•  To prepare the description of the 
role and capabilities required for 
a particular board appointment. 
Executive search consultants may be 
retained as appropriate to assist in 
this process;

•  To identify, and nominate for the 

approval by the board, candidates 
to fill board vacancies as and when 
they arise;

•  To satisfy itself, with regard to 

succession planning, that processes 
are in place regarding both board and 
senior appointments; and

•  To undertake an annual performance 
evaluation to ensure that all members 
of the board have devoted sufficient 
time to their duties.

The Committee met twice during the 
year, both by video conferencing call. All 
members eligible to attend were present 
at both the meetings.

Audit and Risk Committee
Our Audit and Risk Committee comprises 
two non-executive directors and the 
Chairman. The members are:

N T Gourlay (chairman)
R C Wright
S G Bellamy

The Committee is chaired by Mr N T 
Gourlay. The Company Secretary, or 
alternate, also attends meetings in her 
capacity as secretary of the Committee. 
The chairman of the Committee is 
considered by the board as having recent 
and relevant financial experience. The 
board also remains satisfied that the 
Committee as a whole has competence 
relevant to the sectors in which the 
Company operates. The chairman of the 
board is on the Committee due to his 
experience and the small number of non-
executive directors on the board. The 
board are satisfied with this arrangement. 
The Audit and Risk Committee meets at 
least three times a year. The meetings 
are attended by invitation by the 
executive directors and by the head 
of the internal audit function and the 
internal auditor, and by representatives 
of the Company’s external auditor, at the 
chairman’s discretion.

The Committee’s meetings in quarters 
one and three coincide with the 
Company’s reporting timetable for 
its audited financial statements and 
unaudited interim condensed financial 
statements respectively. During these 
meetings, the Committee:

•  Reviews the drafts of the financial 
statements and preliminary and 
interim results announcements; and

•  Reviews all published accounts 
(including interim reports) and 
post-audit findings before their 
presentation to the board, focusing 
in particular on accounting policies, 
compliance, management judgement 
and estimates, and considers the 
reports of the external auditor on the 
unaudited interim condensed financial 
statements and the full year audited 
financial statements.

At its second meeting, the Committee 
reviews the external audit plan.

The Committee’s third meeting is 
primarily concerned with:

•  Reviewing the Company’s systems of 

control and their effectiveness;

•  Significant corporate governance 

issues, such as those relating to the 
regulation of financial services;

•  Reviewing the external auditor’s 

performance;

•  Reviewing the risk register and 

making recommendations to the 
board on the content and relative 
importance of the risks identified;

•  Recommending to the board the 

reappointment, or not, of the external 
auditor; and

•  Reviewing the effectiveness and 

independence of the external auditor, 
including monitoring the level of audit 
and non-audit fees.

The Committee normally meets three 
times in the year but, in the year under 
review, met four times, with all directors 
in attendance at all the meetings. All 
meetings in the year were held by video 
conferencing call due to the covid-19 
pandemic. The Committee reviewed the 
effectiveness of the Company’s system 
of internal control and financial risk 
management during the year, including 
the review of the Company’s risk register, 

and including consideration of reports 
from both the internal and external 
auditors. The Committee reported the 
results of its work to the board and 
the board considered these reports 
when reviewing the effectiveness of the 
Company’s system of internal control 
which forms part of the board’s high-level 
risk review performed during the year. 
The effectiveness of the internal audit 
function was also monitored.

The Committee provides advice to the 
board on whether the annual report is 
fair, balanced and provides the necessary 
information shareholders require to 
assess the Company’s performance, 
business model and strategy. In doing 
so, the following issues have been 
addressed specifically:

•  Review of key strategic risks: 

The Committee chairman conducts 
an annual review of key strategic 
risks and would normally undertake 
site visits in order to ensure that 
the review includes a detailed 
understanding of the business. These 
visits could not be made in the year 
due to covid-19 restrictions. The 
review highlights the key risks based 
on a combination of likelihood and 
impact, and then also considers 
what appropriate mitigating factors 
should be implemented (highlights 
from this work are included in the 
Strategic Report).

•  Review of poorly performing 
dealerships: As part of both 
the interim and year-end review 
processes, consideration is given to 
potential impairments of property, 
plant and equipment, investment 
property and goodwill relating to 
poorly performing locations and that 
any related impairments are provided 
for. Management then follow up 
with detailed action plans to either 
improve dealership performance or 
seek an exit solution. The Committee 
also reviews progress on these plans 
at the following review. As part of the 
external audit, the Committee fully 
discusses with the external auditor 
the identification of cash generating 
units (“CGUs”) for the purposes of 
impairment testing. The Committee 
is satisfied that only a single material 
impairment was required in relation to 

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Chairman’s Statement on Corporate Governance continuedthe current financial year.• Going concern: The Finance Director provides an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue to trade on a going concern basis for at least the next twelve months. Forecasts are based on financial plans agreed with the board (budgets or forecasts), the Company’s most recent trading results, and include a range of possible downside scenarios including the impact of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic and restrictions placed on business in order to combat its effects. The assumptions that underpin the assessments are considered and discussed in detail when the Committee meets. The conclusion of that review is included in the Going Concern section of this report.• Inventory valuation: The value of new and used cars, as well as the provision for slow-moving and obsolete inventory, can have a significant influence on the inventory valuation in the financial statements. The Committee has considered the Company’s procedures and controls, which are satisfactory, to reduce the risk of misstatement in relation to inventory valuation.• Pensions: The Company operates a defined-benefit pension scheme, closed to future accrual, which has an excess of liabilities over the value of assets owned by the scheme. The assessment of the valuation of the scheme is based on several key assumptions, which can have a significant impact on the valuation of the deficit. The Committee has considered the assumptions used for the valuation of the liabilities of the scheme and is satisfied that these are reasonable.Mr N T Gourlay will attend the 2021 Annual General Meeting and will be available at that meeting to answer any questions regarding the workings of the Audit & Risk Committee that shareholders may wish to raise.Anti-briberyDuring the year, as well as its routine business, the Committee continued to monitor the suitability of the Company’s controls designed to combat bribery so as to satisfy itself of the adequacy of its systems and procedures for the prevention of bribery and corruption, particularly in the light of the Bribery Act 2010. It has reviewed the Company’s anti-bribery policy statement which has been adopted by the board.WhistleblowingThe Committee has reviewed the arrangements for its employees to raise, in confidence, concerns about possible improprieties in relation to financial reporting, suspected fraud and dishonest acts, or other similar matters, commonly known as “whistleblowing”. The Committee reviews any such reported incidences and any improvements to internal procedures that may be required.Non-audit services provided by the external auditorNon-audit services provided by the Company’s auditor are kept under review by the Committee. The Company’s auditor does not provide compliance services in the field of taxation advice.The Committee ensures that the auditor’s objectivity and independence are safeguarded by ensuring that the level of fees is not material to either the Company nor the auditor. The report from BDO LLP confirming their independence and objectivity was reviewed by the chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Finance Director. The level of fees paid to BDO LLP for non-audit services is not regarded to conflict with auditor independence. Fees payable to the auditor are set out in note 3 to the financial statements.Effectiveness and independence of the external auditorThe Committee is responsible for advising the board on the appointment of the auditor, assessing their independence and formulating policy on the award of non-audit work. The current auditor is BDO and the year under review is their second year of tenure. They were appointed as the result of a formal competitive tender process in 2019.Non-audit work is only awarded to the external auditor after due consideration of matters of objectivity, independence, value for money, quality of service and efficiency.At the conclusion of each year’s audit, the performance of the external auditor is reviewed by the Committee, with the executive directors, covering such areas as quality of audit team, business understanding, audit approach and process management. Where appropriate, actions are agreed against the points raised and subsequently monitored for progress.Tax strategy and objectiveAs a responsible taxpayer, the Company is committed to establishing, maintaining and monitoring the implementation of an appropriate tax strategy. Our tax strategy is aligned with our objective of paying the correct amount of tax at the right time. Commercial transactions are therefore structured in the most tax efficient way but without resorting to artificial arrangements that we would regard as abusive. There is an ethical dimension to achieving this objective. The ethical dimension reflects the need to mitigate the risk to the Company’s reputation that would arise from tax strategy that entails aggressive tax planning.A copy of the Company’s tax strategy is available from its corporate website, www.caffynsplc.co.uk.Going concernThe financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which the directors consider appropriate for the reasons set out below.The directors have considered the going concern basis and have undertaken a detailed review of trading and cash flow forecasts for a period in excess of one year from the date of approval of this Annual Report. This has focused primarily on the achievement of the banking covenants. Both bank covenants have been achieved for the year under review. Under the Company’s covenant tests, it is required to make an underlying profit before interest for the rolling twelve-month period to September 2021, and to March 2022, which is at least double the level of interest payable on bank borrowings to HSBC and Volkswagen Bank. The covenant test at 31 March 2022 will be the final test to be carried out within the twelve-month period from the anniversary of the signing of these 18Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   1830620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   1821/06/2021   13:00:2521/06/2021   13:00:25financial statements. The Company has 
modelled these periods and conclude 
that there is headroom that would allow 
for an approximate 20% reduction in 
expected new and used units over this 
period. External market commentary 
provided by the Society of Motor 
Manufacturers and Traders (“SMMT”) 
indicate that new car registrations are 
forecast to show a year-on-year increase 
of 14% in 2021 to 1.86 million, with 
a further 14% increase into 2022 to 
2.12 million registrations. The used car 
market has remained stable over the five 
years from 2015 to 2019, at between 
7.6 and 8.2 million transactions and 
dropped by only 15% in 2020 due to 
the effects of the covid-19 pandemic, 
compared to a comparable 29% fall in 
new car registrations. Since showrooms 
reopened on the 12 April 2021, demand 
and financial results have both been 
stronger than had been anticipated and 
the current new car order take for June 
and beyond is at healthy levels.

The Company’s second covenant 
test requires that the level of its bank 
borrowings do not exceed 70% of the 
independently assessed value of its 
charged freehold properties. Property 
values would need to reduce by some 
two-thirds before this covenant test 
became at risk of failure. 

The directors have also considered the 
Company’s working capital requirements. 
The Company meets its day-to-day 
working capital requirements through 
short-term stocking loans and bank 
overdraft and medium-term revolving 
credit facilities and term loans. At the 
year-end, the medium-term banking 
facilities included a term loan with an 
outstanding balance of £6.6 million and 
a revolving credit facility of £7.5 million 
from HSBC, its primary bankers, with 
both facilities being renewable in March 
2023. HSBC also make available a short-
term overdraft facility of £3.5 million, 
which is renewed annually in August. The 
Company also has a ten-year term loan 
from Volkswagen Bank with a balance 
outstanding at 31 March 2021 of  
£1.5 million which is repayable, to 
November 2023, and a short-term 
overdraft facility of £7.0 million, which 
is renewed annually in August. In the 
opinion of the directors, there is a 
reasonable expectation that all facilities 

www.caffyns.co.uk

Stock code CFYN

will be renewed at their scheduled expiry 
dates. The failure of a covenant test 
would render these facilities repayable on 
demand at the option of the lender.

Information concerning the Company’s 
liquidity and financing risk are set 
out on page 8 and note 21 to the 
financial statements.

The directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Company has 
adequate resources and headroom 
against the covenant test to be able 
continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future and for at least twelve 
months from the date of approval of the 
Annual Report. For those reasons, they 
continue to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing this Annual Report.

Viability statement
In accordance with provision 31 of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code, the 
directors have assessed the viability of 
the Company over a three-year period 
to 31 March 2024. The directors believe 
this period to be appropriate as the 
Company’s strategic review considered 
by the board encompasses this period. 
In making their assessment, the directors 
have considered the Company’s current 
financial position and performance 
and its cash flow projections, including 
future capital expenditure, in relation to 
the availability of finance and funding 
facilities, and have considered these 
factors in relation to the principal risks 
and uncertainties which are included in 
the Report of the Directors.

During the year to 31 March 2021, the 
board carried out a robust assessment 
of the principal risks facing the Company, 
including those that would threaten its 
business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity. The directors believe 
that the Company is well placed to 
manage its business risks successfully, 
having considered the principal risks 
and uncertainties. Accordingly, the 
board believes that, taking into account 
the Company’s current position, and 
subject to the principal risks faced by 
the business, the Company will be able 
to continue in operation and to meet its 
liabilities as they fall due for the period up 
to 31 March 2024.

Risk management and 
internal controls
The board is responsible for 
maintaining a sound system of 
internal controls, including financial, 
operational and compliance controls 
and risk management, and reviews 
the effectiveness of the system at 
least annually in order to safeguard 
shareholders’ investment and the 
Company’s assets. The system is 
designed to manage rather than eliminate 
risk and can provide only reasonable and 
not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss.

The board has completed a robust 
assessment of the Company’s 
emerging and principal risks, including 
a description of its principal risks, the 
procedures that are in place to identify 
emerging risks, and an explanation of 
how these risks are being managed 
or mitigated.

The board has reviewed the effectiveness 
of the system of internal control. In 
particular, it has reviewed and updated 
the process for identifying and evaluating 
the significant risks affecting the business 
and the policies and procedures by 
which these risks are managed.

Management are responsible for the 
identification and evaluation of significant 
risks applicable to their areas of 
business together with the design and 
operation of suitable internal controls. 
These risks are assessed on a regular 
basis and may be associated with a 
variety of internal or external sources, 
including control breakdowns, disruption 
to information systems, competition, 
natural catastrophe, customer or supplier 
actions and regulatory requirements.

The process used by the board is to 
review the effectiveness of the system 
of internal control including a review of 
legal compliance, health and safety and 
environmental issues on a six-monthly 
basis. Insurance and risk management 
and treasury issues are reviewed annually 
or more frequently if necessary. In 
addition, the Audit and Risk Committee 
reviews the scope of audits, the half-
yearly and annual financial statements 
(including compliance with legal and 

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Chairman’s Statement on Corporate Governance continuedregulatory requirements) and reports to the board on financial issues raised by both the internal and external audit functions. Financial control is exercised through an organisational structure which has clear management responsibilities with segregation of duties, authorisation procedures and appropriate information systems. The system of annual budgeting with monthly reporting and comparisons to budget is a key control over the business and in the preparation of consolidated accounts.There is an ongoing programme of internal audit visits to monitor financial and operational controls throughout the Company. The executive directors receive regular reports from the internal audit and health and safety monitoring functions which include recommendations for improvement.Financial reportingThe directors consider the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, to be fair, balanced and understandable, and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s position, performance, business model and strategy.Relations with shareholdersThe board values the constructive views of its shareholders and recognises their interest in the Company’s strategy and performance, board membership and quality of management. The views of major shareholders are reported back to the board as appropriate. The non-executive directors are available to attend meetings with major shareholders. The principal methods of communication with private investors are the Interim Report, the Annual Report and the Annual General Meeting. Information on the Company is also included on its corporate website www.caffynsplc.co.uk.The Annual General Meeting is used to communicate with investors. The chairmen of the Audit and Risk Committee, Remuneration and Nomination Committees are available to answer questions. Separate resolutions are proposed on each issue so that they can be given proper consideration and there is a resolution to approve the Annual Report and financial statements. The Company counts all proxy votes and, after it has been dealt with by a show of hands, indicates the level of proxies lodged on each resolution.Relations with suppliersThe board maintains close relationships with its suppliers and, in particular, with the nine motor manufacturers for which it currently holds operating franchises: namely Audi, LEVC, Lotus, MG, SEAT, Skoda, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo. The Chief Executive holds regular meetings with these parties and the Company’s operations are split into three divisions with the head of each division specifically tasked with maintaining a close and mutually beneficial relationship with their manufacturer. For its wider supplier base, the Company ensures that it operates in an ethical manner, ensuring that invoices are settled within agreed terms. The average credit period taken for trade-related purchases in the year under review was thirty-three days (2020: twenty-five days). The lengthening of the payment settlement period arose primarily from payment extensions allowed by many of the Company’s vehicle manufacturers.During the year, the Company has been appointed to represent the London EV Company (“LEVC”) from its existing premises in Eastbourne and, since the year-end, has already commenced trading. The Company has also been separately appointed to represent MG and Lotus and expects to commence trading for these brands from its existing site in Ashford, Kent, in the summer of 2021.By order of the boardR C WrightChairman1 June 202120Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   2030620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   2021/06/2021   13:00:2521/06/2021   13:00:25Directors’ Remuneration Report

Annual Statement from 
the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee
Introduction
On behalf of your board, I am pleased 
to present our Directors’ Remuneration 
Report for the year ended 31 March 
2021. The Directors’ Remuneration 
Report has been prepared on behalf 
of the board by the Remuneration 
Committee in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 
2006 and the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and 
Reports) (Amendments) Regulations 
2013, and is split into two sections:

•  The directors’ remuneration policy 
sets out the Company’s policy on 
remuneration, which was subject  
to a binding shareholder vote at  
the Annual General Meeting on  
24 September 2020. This 
remuneration policy will continue to 
be voted on in the future at least once 
every three years; and

•  The annual report on remuneration 
sets out the payments and awards 
made to the directors and details the 
link between company performance 
and remuneration for the 2021 
financial year.

The information set out on pages 22 to 
32 (the annual report on remuneration) 
is subject to audit except for the 
performance graph and table, the 
change in remuneration of the Chief 
Executive, the relative importance of 
the spend on pay, the implementation 
of remuneration policy in the year, the 
considerations by the directors of matters 
relating to directors’ remuneration and 
the statement of shareholder voting at 
the 2020 Annual General Meeting.

Remuneration outcomes for the 
2021 financial year
The covid-19 pandemic that started in 
March 2020 had a significant impact on 
the business in the year under review and 
the board recognises that it will have also 
impacted on our stakeholders. As part 
of the board’s response, the directors 
agreed to waive elements of their salary, 
and did not receive any inflationary 
increase in salary during the year. Details 
on the waived salaries can be found on 
page 28.

Annual bonus opportunities for the 
directors are based on the achievement 
of underlying profit before tax targets, 
subject to the discretion of the 
Remuneration Committee. Although the 
necessary profit target was achieved 
in relation to the financial year ended 
31 March 2021, the Remuneration 
Committee, with the full agreement of the 
executive directors, applied its discretion 
and did not award any bonuses to the 
executive directors. This was due to 
a combination of factors including the 
level of Government support received by 
the Company during the year from the 
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and 
from local Council support grants; the 
holiday from business rates provided by 
local Councils in the areas in which the 
Company operates; and the fact that the 
Company did not award any dividends to 
ordinary shareholders during the year.

Key remuneration decisions for 
the coming 2022 financial year
Under the Company’s annual salary 
review, the base salaries for the executive 
directors were increased by 2.0% with 
effect from 1 April 2021. Salaries for all 
employees were increased by an overall 
average of 2.0% from that date.

Stock code CFYN

Conclusion
The directors’ remuneration policy that 
follows this annual statement sets out the 
Committee’s principles on remuneration 
for the future and the annual report on 
remuneration provides details of the 
remuneration for the year ended 31 
March 2021.

The Committee will continue to be 
mindful of shareholder views and 
interests and we believe that our 
directors’ remuneration policy continues 
to be aligned with the achievement of the 
Company’s business objectives. 

By order of the board

S G Bellamy
Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee
1 June 2021

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Director’s Remuneration Report continuedRemuneration policyThe policy of the Committee is to ensure that the executive directors are fairly rewarded for their individual contributions to the Company’s overall performance and to provide a competitive remuneration package to executive directors to attract, retain and motivate individuals of the calibre required to ensure that the Company is managed successfully in the interests of all stakeholders. In addition, the Committee’s policy is that a substantial proportion of the remuneration of the executive directors should be performance related.The Company’s directors’ remuneration policy is voted on every three years and was last approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on 24 September 2020, and became effective from that date. The full policy was disclosed in the 2020 Annual Report, which is available on the Caffyns plc website located at www.caffynsplc.co.uk.The main elements of the remuneration package of executive directors are set out below:Purpose and link to strategyOperationMaximum  potential valuePerformance metricsBase salaryProvide competitive remuneration that will attract and retain high-calibre executive directors to develop and implement the Company’s strategy, without paying more than necessary, and having regard to the views of shareholders and other stakeholders. Reviewed annually effective from  1 April to reflect role, responsibility and performance of the individual and the Company, and to take account of rates of pay for comparable roles in similar companies. Paid in twelve equal monthly instalments during the year. When selecting comparators, the Committee has regard to the Company’s revenue, market worth and business sector.There is no prescribed maximum increase although the Committee would carefully consider any increases against those awarded to the Company’s employees, taken as a whole. The annual rate of any increase is set out in the Annual Report in the section covering remuneration for the current year and the following year.The Committee considers individual salaries at the appropriate Committee meeting each year taking due account of the factors noted in the operation of the salary policy.BenefitsProvide market competitive benefits consistent with the role.Benefits consist of the provision of a company car, private medical health insurance, business-related and certain other subscriptions, and the opportunity to join any Company savings-related share option scheme.The cost of providing benefits varies from time to time and is borne wholly by the Company except for the cost of private medical health insurance where the Company contributes half of the cost.Not applicable.22Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   2230620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   2221/06/2021   13:00:2621/06/2021   13:00:26Purpose and link to 
strategy

Annual bonus

Incentivises achievement 
of business objectives 
by providing a reward for 
performance against annual 
targets. 

Stock code CFYN

Operation

Maximum  potential 
value

Performance metrics

Paid in cash after the end of the 
financial year to which it relates.

Up to 100% of salary.

Targets based on the 
underlying profit before tax 
of the Company.

The Committee sets 
threshold and maximum 
targets on an annual basis. 
In general:

•  A percentage of the 
maximum bonus is 
payable for hitting the 
threshold target; and

•  100% of the maximum 
bonus is payable for 
meeting or exceeding 
the maximum target.

A sliding scale operates 
between threshold and 
maximum performance. 
Payment of any bonus is 
subject to the discretion 
of the Committee and, 
if deemed appropriate, 
a bonus of up to 10% 
of salary may be paid in 
exceptional circumstances, 
despite the threshold 
target not being reached.

See page 29 for details.

Not applicable.

3% of base salary plus 
bonus.

Not applicable.

Long-term incentives

Alignment of interests with 
shareholders by providing 
long-term incentives 
delivered in the form of 
shares.

Pension

Attract and retain executive 
directors for the long term 
by providing funding for 
retirement.

Executive directors are able to apply 
for maximum entitlement under the 
rules of any Company savings-related 
share option scheme.

No other long-term incentive scheme 
is considered appropriate for the 
Company’s specific circumstances.

Executive directors are eligible to join 
the Company’s defined-contribution 
pension scheme on the same terms 
as staff generally. In accordance with 
the rules of the pension scheme, 
bonuses are pensionable.

As a result of changes in pensions’ 
legislation effective from 6 April 2006, 
executive directors can choose to 
be paid a salary supplement in lieu 
of the employers’ contribution to the 
Company’s pension scheme.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Director’s Remuneration Report continuedNotes to the policy tableThe remuneration policy is designed to support the strategy and promote long term sustainable success. There is no link between the levels of remuneration earned by the executive directors and the Company’s share price.The remuneration policy is also linked to company purpose, values and culture.Performance conditionsThe Committee selected the performance conditions as they are central to the Company’s strategy and are key metrics used by the executive directors to oversee the operation of the business. The performance targets for the annual bonus are determined annually by the Committee.The performance targets for any annual bonus in the 2022 financial year will be based on achievement of a pre-set underlying profit before tax for that year, as outlined on page 23. However, in determining whether to award a bonus the Committee would also take into account factors such as dividend cover and year-on-year changes to the net asset value of the Company. The Committee is of the opinion that these performance targets are commercially sensitive and that it would therefore be detrimental to the Company to disclose their details in advance. The targets will be disclosed after the end of the financial year in the Directors’ Remuneration Report in next year’s Annual Report.In exceptional circumstances, the Remuneration Committee would have the discretion to pay a maximum of 10% of salary as a bonus, even if performance were to be below the threshold required.Differences from remuneration policy for all employeesAll employees of the Company are entitled to base salary and benefits. The opportunity to earn commission or a bonus is made available to a high proportion of employees. The maximum opportunity available is based on the seniority and responsibility of the role.Statement of consideration of employment conditions of employees elsewhere in the CompanyThe Committee receives reports on an annual basis on the level of pay rises awarded across the Company and takes these into account when determining salary increases for executive directors. In addition, the Committee receives reports on the structure of remuneration for senior management in the tier below the executive directors and uses this information to ensure a consistency of approach for its most senior managers.The Committee does not specifically invite employees to comment on the directors’ remuneration policy, but it does take note of any comments made by employees.Statement of consideration of shareholder viewsThe board considers shareholder feedback received in relation to the Annual General Meeting each year and any action is built into the Committee’s business for the ensuing period. This, and any additional feedback received from shareholders from time to time, is considered by the Committee as part of the Company’s annual review of remuneration policy.Approach to recruitment remunerationThe Committee’s approach to recruitment remuneration is to offer a market competitive remuneration package sufficient to attract high calibre candidates who are appropriate to the role but without paying any more than is necessary.Any new executive director’s remuneration package would include the same elements and be in line with the policy table set out earlier in the directors’ remuneration policy, including the same limits on performance-related remuneration.Were an internal candidate promoted to the board, the original grant terms and conditions of any bonus or share awards made before that promotion would continue to apply.Reasonable relocation and other similar expenses may be paid if appropriate.24Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   2430620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   2421/06/2021   13:00:2621/06/2021   13:00:26Directors’ service contracts, notice periods and termination payments
Contractual 
provisions on a 
change of control 
of the Company

Provision

Details

Policy

Notice periods 
in executive 
directors’ 
service 
contracts.

Twelve months by executive 
directors and the Company.

Executive directors 
may be required to 
work during the notice 
period.

Twelve months by 
executive directors 
and the Company.

Compensation 
for loss of office.

No more than twelve months’ 
basic salary, bonus and benefits 
(including Company pension 
contributions).

None.

None, except for the 
Chief Executive.

Stock code CFYN

Other provisions 
in specific service 
contracts

S G M Caffyn may 
give six months’ notice 
but is entitled to two 
years’ notice from 
the Company and 
an unreduced early 
retirement pension.

M Warren may give 
six months’ notice 
and is entitled to six 
months’ notice from 
the Company.

Termination payment to 
S G M Caffyn following 
a change of control 
comprises a cash 
amount equal to two 
years’ basic salary, 
bonus and benefits 
(including Company 
pension contributions).

Treatment of 
annual bonus on 
termination.

Treatment 
of unvested 
options from 
savings-related 
share option 
schemes.

Bonuses that have already been 
declared are payable in full. In 
the event of termination by the 
Company (except for cause) a 
prorated bonus to the end of 
the notice period would also 
be payable.

Good leavers may exercise their 
options within six months of 
cessation (one year for death). 

Options of leavers for fraud, 
dishonesty or misconduct 
lapse. Options of other leavers 
may be exercised within six 
months of cessation, but only 
to the extent that they would 
ordinarily become vested during 
that time. There is no discretion 
to treat any such leaver as a 
“good leaver”.

Exercise of 
discretion.

Intended only to be relied upon 
to provide flexibility in unusual 
circumstances.

None.

None.

None.

Not applicable.

The number of 
options that can be 
exercised is reduced 
pro rata to reflect 
the proportion of 
the vesting period 
before cessation.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Other than death, 
“good leaver” 
circumstances 
comprise: injury, 
disability, redundancy, 
retirement or transfer 
of employing business 
outside the Company. 
The number of options 
that can be exercised 
is reduced pro rata to 
reflect the proportion 
of the vesting period 
before cessation.

The Committee’s 
determination would 
consider the particular 
circumstances of the 
executive director’s 
departure and the 
recent performance of 
the Company.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Director’s Remuneration Report continuedProvisionPolicyDetailsContractual provisions on a change of control of the CompanyOther provisions in specific service contractsOutside appointments.Subject to approval.Board approval must be sought.Not applicable.Not applicable.Non-executive directors.Appointed for three-year terms.Compensation of six months’ fees payable if required to stand down.Not applicable.Not applicable.In the event of the negotiation of a compromise or settlement agreement between the Company and a departing director, the Committee may make payments it considers reasonable in settlement of potential legal claims. Such payments may also include reasonable reimbursements of professional fees in connection with such agreements.The Committee may also include the reimbursement of repatriation costs or fees for professional or outplacement advice in the termination package, if it considers it reasonable to do so. It may also allow the continuation of benefits for a limited period.There are no contractual requirements for directors to own shares in the Company although they are encouraged to become shareholders in order to increase the alignment of their interests with those of other shareholders. At 31 March 2021, all directors held a direct interest in the ordinary shares of the Company and their interests are detailed on page 34.Service contractsExecutive directors are appointed under rolling service contracts, whereas non-executive directors each have a fixed-term appointment of three years, renewable upon expiry at the Company’s discretion. When considering the reappointment of a non-executive director, the board reviews their attendance at, and participation in, meetings and their overall performance, and takes into account the balance of skills and experience of the board as a whole.DirectorCommencement of current renewal contractExpiryUnexpired terms at 31 March 2021R C Wright27 July 201826 July 2024*40 monthsN T Gourlay26 September 201925 September 2022*18 monthsS G Bellamy18 June 201917 June 2022*15 months*  On 25 March 2021, based on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee, the board extended the contract of Mr R C Wright by a further three years, until 26 July 2024.Copies of directors’ service contracts and letters of appointment are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office.Fees from external directorshipsNone of the executive directors holds office as a non-executive director of other companies other than in a voluntary or honorary (that is, unpaid) capacity. The Company does not have a formal policy on whether an executive director may or may not keep fees gained from holding an external non-executive directorship. This would be decided on a case-by-case basis.26Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   2630620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   2621/06/2021   13:00:2621/06/2021   13:00:26Stock code CFYN

Total remuneration opportunity for the year ending 31 March 2022
The chart below illustrates the remuneration that would be paid to each of the executive directors under three different performance 
scenarios: (i) below threshold; (ii) on target; and (iii) outperformance.

The elements of remuneration have been categorised into two components: (i) fixed; and (ii) annual variable (annual bonus awards).

S G M Caffyn

M Warren

Outperformance

50%

50%

£590,000

Outperformance

50%

50%

£304,000

Target

80%

20% £369,000

Target

80%

20% £190,000

Below threshold

100%

£295,000

Below threshold

100%

£152,000

S J C Caffyn

Outperformance

50%

50%

£96,000

  Fixed

  Annual bonus

Target

80%

20% £60,000

Below threshold

100%

£48,000

Each element of remuneration is defined in the table below:

Element
Fixed

Annual variable

Description
Base salary and benefits in kind

Annual bonus awards

The on-target scenario assumes that for the annual bonus, underlying profit before tax would be 111% of the threshold target.

Non-executive directors’ fee policy
The policy for the remuneration of the non-executive directors is as set out below. Non-executive directors are not entitled to a 
bonus, cannot participate in the Company’s savings-related share option scheme and are not eligible for pension arrangements or 
any other employment benefits.

Purpose and link to 
strategy

Operation

Non-executive director fees

Attract non-executive 
directors who have a 
broad range of experience 
and skills to oversee the 
implementation of the 
Company’s strategy. 

Non-executive directors’ fees are 
determined by the board within 
the limits set out in the Articles of 
Association and are paid in twelve 
equal, monthly instalments during 
the year.

Maximum 
potential value

Performance metrics

None.

Reviewed annually to reflect 
the role, responsibility and 
performance of the individual 
and the Company. Annual rate 
of increase set out in the annual 
report on remuneration for the 
current year and the following 
year. No prescribed maximum 
annual increase.

Annual report on remuneration
Save for the performance graph and table, the change in the remuneration of the Chief Executive, the relative importance of the 
spend on pay, the implementation of remuneration policy for the year ending 31 March 2022, the consideration by the directors 
of matters relating to directors’ remuneration and the statement of shareholder voting at the 2020 Annual General Meeting, the 
information set out in this part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report is subject to audit.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Director’s Remuneration Report continuedSingle total figure of remuneration for the year ended 31 March 2021The following table shows a single total figure of remuneration in respect of qualifying services for the year ended 31 March 2021 for each director, together with comparative figures for the year ended 31 March 2020. The information provided in this part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report is subject to audit.Salary and fees£’000Taxable benefits£’000Annual bonus£’000In lieu of pension contributions £’000Single total figure£’000Fixed sums£’000Variable sums£’000202120202021202020212020202120202021202020212021ExecutiveS G M Caffyn2522902120––89281319281–M Warren1130140712––44141156141–S J Caffyn454764––11525252–Total4274773436––1314474527474–Non-executiveR C Wright6167––––––616761–N T Gourlay2830––––––283028–N W Hollingworth2–10–––––––10––S G Bellamy32823––––––282328–Total117130––––––117130117–5446073436––1314591657591–1 The contractual salary of M Warren for both years ended 31 March 2020 and 2021 was £148,569. This was reduced in the prior year under review by a sum equivalent to fifteen days’ unpaid leave2 N W Hollingworth resigned at the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 25 July 20193 S G Bellamy was appointed as a non-executive director on 18 June 2019 As part of the Company’s response to the covid-19 pandemic the executive directors and the Chairman of the Company agreed to reduce their contractual salaries to a rate of £37,500 per annum, for the month of April 2020. The remaining non-executive directors, whose annual fees were already below this level, agreed to a 20% reduction in their fees. These salary and fee reductions were then unwound in stages with the full-time executive directors moving to 50% of their contractual salary from 1 May 2020 and then to 80% of their contractual salary from 1 June 2020. The remuneration of both the Company Secretary and the Chairman remained at the annual ceiling of £37,500 for the month of May and then increased to 80% of their contractual salary and fees for June. All board members returned to their full contractual fee and salary levels from 1 July 2020. The total salary reductions across the three-month period amounted to £68,000 and these savings are reflected in the remuneration table above. In addition, the inflationary pay increase that had been scheduled for implementation from 1 April 2020 was initially deferred and subsequently cancelled.Employment benefits made available to the executive directors include the provision of a company car, a 50% contribution towards the cost of private medical health and the cost of appropriate subscriptions.Annual bonusBonuses are earned by reference to the financial year and paid in May or June following the end of the financial year. Any bonuses accruing to the executive directors in respect of the year ended 31 March 2021 were based on the underlying profit before tax as shown below.Bonus paid as a percentage of base salaryS G M CaffynM WarrenS J CaffynThresholdTargetMaximumActual performanceMaxActualMaxActualMaxActualUnderlying profit before tax (£’million)*£1.50 £1.73£3.47£1.88100%0%100%0%100%0%Bonus receivable15%25%100%31% £0 £0 £0*  The underlying profit before tax is calculated after taking account of the cost of such bonus including employer’s National Insurance charges and contributions in lieu of pension contributions.28Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   2830620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   2821/06/2021   13:00:2721/06/2021   13:00:27Stock code CFYN

Although the stipulated profit target was met in relation to the financial year ended 31 March 2021, the Remuneration Committee, 
with the full agreement of the executive directors, applied its discretion and did not award any bonuses to the executive directors. 
This was due to a combination of factors, including the level of Government support received by the Company during the year 
from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and from local Council support grants; the holiday from business rates provided by 
local Councils in the areas in which the Company operates; and the fact that the Company did not award any dividends to ordinary 
shareholders during the year.

Pension entitlements and cash allowances
One executive director, the Company Secretary, was a deferred member of the Company’s closed defined-benefit pension scheme 
at 31 March 2021 (2020: one). The defined-benefit pension scheme will provide a pension to the Company Secretary of a maximum 
of two-thirds of final salary in respect of benefits accrued up to 31 March 2006. From 1 April 2006 until 1 April 2010 when the 
scheme closed to future accrual, the accrued benefits of this director were based on a “career average” basis and based upon 
earnings in each financial year. Under the rules of the scheme, the Company Secretary is eligible for a pension at normal retirement 
age of 65. If early retirement is taken before age 65, the accrued pension is discounted by 5% per annum (2020: 5%) simple, except 
where the Company consents to early retirement between 60 and 65 and then no discount is applied. Pensions paid increase in line 
with price indexation which may be limited. On death, one-half of the spouse’s pension becomes available. Children’s allowances up 
to a maximum of 100% of the executive’s pension may be payable, including any spouse’s pension. Allowance is made in transfer 
value payments for discretionary benefits. The total annual accrued pension excludes transferred-in benefits.

S J Caffyn

Normal 
retirement date

12 December 2033

Total annual accrued 
defined-benefit pension 
at 31 March 2021
£’000

Total annual accrued 
defined-benefit pension 
at 31 March 2020
£’000

36

36

The pension for the Company Secretary for service since 2010 has been provided on a contributory basis through the Company’s 
defined-contribution pension scheme. In certain years, the Company Secretary elected not to be included in the defined-
contribution pension scheme and instead to be paid a salary supplement in lieu of the employer’s contribution to the Company’s 
defined-contribution pension scheme.

In the year to 31 March 2021, one of the executive directors was a member of the Company’s defined-contribution pension scheme 
(2020: none).

The non-executive directors are not members of the Company’s defined-contribution pension scheme (2020: none).

Statement of directors’ shareholdings
The directors’ shareholdings as at 31 March 2021 are summarised within the Report of the Directors.

All-employee share scheme
Details of share options held by executive directors under the Company’s savings-related share option schemes, the latest of which 
were granted in December 2020, are as follows:

SGM Caffyn

Scheme Date of grant
12/07/2017

ShareSave

Earliest 
exercise 
date
01/09/2020

Expiry date
28/02/2021

SGM Caffyn

ShareSave

23/12/2020

01/04/2024

30/09/2024

M Warren

M Warren

ShareSave

12/07/2017

01/09/2020

28/02/2021

ShareSave

23/12/2020

01/04/2024

30/09/2024

Exercise 
price
£
3.99

3.06

3.99

3.06

Number at 1 
April 2020
1,434

–

1,434

–

Granted/
(lapsed) in 
the year

Number at 
31 March 
2021

(1,434)

1,211 

(1,434)

1,211 

–

1,211

–

1,211

The market value of the shares at the date of the grant on 23 December 2020 was £3.85 giving a face value of the awards for each 
of the directors listed of £957.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Director’s Remuneration Report continuedPerformance graph and tableThe chart below shows the Company’s eight-year annual Total Shareholders Return performance against the FTSE Small-Cap Total Return Index, which is considered an appropriate comparison to other public companies of a similar size.0.050.0100.0150.0200.0250.0FTSE Small Cap TSRCaffyns TSRApr-13Jul-13Oct-13Jan-14Apr-14Jul-14Oct-14Jan-15Apr-15Jul-15Oct-15Jan-16Apr-16Jul-16Oct-16Jan-17Apr-17Jul-17Oct-17Jan-18Apr-18Jul-18Oct-18Jan-19Apr-19Jul-19Oct-19Jan-20Apr-20Jul-20Oct-20Jan-21Apr-21The table below sets out the total remuneration delivered to the Chief Executive over each of the last eight years, valued using the same methodology as applied to the single total figure of remuneration.Chief Executive: S G M CaffynFinancial years ended 31 March20142015201620172018201920202021Total single remuneration figure (£’000)534389410388302364319281Annual bonus % of maximum opportunity100%39%43%31%0%19%0%0%% reduction in average salary compared to the prior year% increase/(reduction) in benefits in kind compared to the prior year % increase in value of bonus schemes compared to the prior yearS G M Caffyn, Chief Executive(13)4 0 S J Caffyn, HR Director and Company Secretary(5)44 0 M Warren, Finance Director(7)(45)0 R C Wright, Chairman and non-executive director(9)00 N T Gourlay, senior independent non-executive director(5)00 S G Bellamy, non-executive director(5)00 Employees of the Company as a whole(4)1462 As a result of the covid-19 pandemic the directors made voluntary salary reductions in the period April to June 2020. Full details can be found on page 28. Mr S G Bellamy was appointed in the prior year on 18 June 2019. The salary reduction above has been calculated by comparing the period 18 June to 31 March in both the current and prior years. The reduction in salary for the employees of the Company as a whole was a function of the impact from those employees on furlough under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme whereby salary was paid at 80%, and subject to a monthly cap of £2,500. The underlying package of benefit in kind for the directors, and for employees in general, remained unchanged in comparison to the prior years although the outcomes were different. Care should be exercised when considering the percentage changes, given the relatively small sums involved in each year.30Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   3030620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   3021/06/2021   13:00:2721/06/2021   13:00:27Stock code CFYN

Single remuneration figure for the 
Chief Executive

Remuneration for the Company’s 
remaining full time equivalent employees:

25th percentile

Median

75th percentile

Salary
only
2021
£’000

Total
earnings
2021
£’000

Ratio
2021
% 

Salary
only
2020
£’000

Total
Earnings
2020
£’000

252

281

290

319

32

14

21

42

32

22

7:1

9:1

13:1

28

22

14

40

29

19

Ratio
2020
%

8:1

11:1

17:1

The pay ratio disclosure above complies with Regulation 18 of The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) regulations 2018. 
These ratios have been prepared using Option A in the regulations by ranking the annualised earnings of those employees of the 
Company in employment on 31 March 2021, the last day of the financial year under review. Earnings includes salary, bonuses, 
variable elements of pay such as commissions and overtime, holiday and sickness pay, company pension contributions and the 
taxable value of benefits-in-kind. The Company’s Chairman and non-executive directors have been excluded from the calculation 
as they receive a fee rather than a salary. Any employees on zero-hour contracts have been included if they worked in the month of 
March 2021.

Change in remuneration of Chief Executive
The base salary of the Chief Executive did not change between 31 March 2020 and 31 March 2021, mirroring that for the 
Company’s Regional Directors and Heads of Business. Neither the Chief Executive nor the comparator group received any changes 
to their employment benefits during the year. The Chief Executive did not receive a bonus for either the current or prior year. 
The bonuses earned by the comparator group reduced by 0.6% compared to the prior year. The comparator group comprises 
Regional Directors and Heads of Business and has been selected on the basis that these managers have direct senior operational 
management responsibilities.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below sets out the total spend on pay in the two years to 31 March 2021 compared with other disbursements from profit 
(i.e. distributions to shareholders). These were the most significant outgoings for the Company in the last financial year).

Spend on staff pay (including directors)

Profit distributed by way of dividend

Spend in 
2021
£’000

13,614

–

Spend in 
2020
£’000

13,670

202

Decrease
%

(0)

(100)

No final dividend has been declared for the year ended 31 March 2021. The total dividend payable in respect of the year to 
31 March 2021 will therefore be £Nil (2020: £202,000).

Implementation of remuneration policy for the 2022 financial year
The annual salaries and fees to be paid to directors in the 2022 financial year are set out in the table below, together with any 
increases expressed as a percentage.

2022 
salary/fees
£’000

2021 
salary/fees
£’000

Increase
%

S G M Caffyn

M Warren

S J Caffyn

R C Wright

N T Gourlay

S G Bellamy

295

152

48

68

30

30

290

149

47

67

30

30

The salaries shown in the table above for the year ended 31 March 2021 are the full contractual salaries and fees for the board 
members, and not the salaries and fees that were actually received.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Director’s Remuneration Report continuedThe basis for determining annual bonus payments for the financial year ending 31 March 2022 is set out in the policy table in the directors’ remuneration report on page 23. The profit targets are considered commercially sensitive because of the information that it could provide to the Company’s competitors and consequently these profit targets will only be disclosed after the end of the financial year, in the Directors’ Remuneration Report in the 2022 Annual Report.Consideration by the directors of matters relating to directors’ remunerationThe CommitteeThe Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending the framework and policy for remuneration of the executive directors and of senior management. The Committee’s terms of reference are available on the Company’s corporate website. The members of  the Committee at 31 March 2021 were  Mr S G Bellamy (Chairman),  Mr R C Wright and Mr N T Gourlay.  Mr S G Bellamy and Mr N T Gourlay were independent non-executive directors throughout the year. The Committee met twice during the year and all members were present.The primary role of the Committee is to set the directors’ remuneration policy and accordingly to:• review, recommend and monitor the level and structure of remuneration for the executive directors and to review and monitor the level and structure of remuneration of other senior executives;• approve the remuneration package for the executive directors;• determine the balance between base pay and performance-related elements of the package to align executive directors’ interests with those of shareholders and other stakeholders; and• approve annual incentive payments for executive directors.Summary of activity during the year ended 31 March 2021During the year the Committee conducted its annual review of all aspects of the remuneration packages of the executive directors to ensure that they continue to reward and motivate achievement of medium and long-term objectives, and align their interests with those of shareholders and other stakeholders. Accordingly, the Committee’s activities during the year included:• reviewing the basic salaries of the executive directors and reviewing and monitoring the level and structure of remuneration of other senior executives;• reviewing the basic salary of the Company’s Chairman. This review was performed by Mr S G Bellamy and Mr N T Gourlay only;• setting the annual performance targets in line with the Company’s plan for the 2022 financial year and determining the amounts that may potentially have been payable for the 2021 financial year.Statement of voting at the 2020 Annual General MeetingAt the last Annual General Meeting, votes to approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report were cast as follows:Votes for%Votes against%Withheld%2,899,27999.951,7000.051000.00A shareholder vote on the directors’ remuneration policy is required at least every third year. The policy was last voted on at the 2020 Annual General Meeting and will be voted on again at the 2023 Annual General Meeting. Votes at the 2020 meeting on the directors’ remuneration policy were cast as follows:Votes for%Votes against%Withheld%2,899,27999.951,7000.051000.00Mr S G Bellamy will attend the 2021 Annual General Meeting and will be available at that meeting to answer any questions that shareholders may wish to raise.By order of the boardS G BellamyChairman of the Remuneration Committee1 June 202132Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   3230620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   3221/06/2021   13:00:2721/06/2021   13:00:27Stock code CFYN

worked at Coopers & Lybrand (now 
PwC), both in New Zealand and New 
York. He is currently also a non-executive 
director and Audit Chair of Advanced 
Medical Solutions Group plc, an AIM 30 
company.

Mr S G M Caffyn MA FIMI joined the  
board on 16 July 1992 and was appointed  
Chief Executive on 1 May 1998. 
He graduated from Cambridge in 
1983 having read engineering, and 
subsequently worked for Andersen 
Consulting. He joined the Company in 
1990.

Mr M Warren BSc FCA joined the board 
on 31 May 2016 and was appointed 
Finance Director on 31 July 2016. He is a 
Chartered Accountant and spent twenty 
one years with H.R. Owen plc of which 
the eight years until April 2015 were as 
Finance Director. He graduated from 
Southampton in 1986 having read civil 
engineering and subsequently worked for 
PwC.

Ms S J Caffyn BSc FCIPD AICSA FIMI 
has thirty years’ Human Resource 
experience across several different 
sectors. She joined the board on  
28 April 2003 as Human Resources 
Director, having previously been  
Group Personnel Manager and Company 
Secretary. A Chartered Company 
Secretary, she has governance 
experience from several not-for-profit 
organisations.

Report of the Directors

The directors present their report and the 
financial statements for the year ended 
31 March 2021.

Results and dividends
The results of the Company for the year 
are set out in the financial statements 
on pages 47 to 84. The board did not 
declare either an interim or final dividend 
in respect of the year (2020: 7.5p) due 
to the impact of the covid-19 pandemic 
and levels of Government and local 
Council support it received. Therefore, 
total ordinary dividends paid in the year 
amounted to £Nil. Dividends paid in 
the year to preference shareholders 
amounted to £72,000 (2020: £72,000) 
as set out in note 10 to the financial 
statements.

Future developments of the Company are 
set out in the Operational and Business 
Review on pages 2 to 6.

Financial risk management
Consideration of principal risks and 
uncertainties is included on page 8 and 
9 of the Strategic Report, including the 
management of financial risks. These 
are also outlined further in note 21 to the 
financial statements.

Appointment and 
replacement of the Company’s 
directors
The rules for the appointment and 
replacement of the Company’s directors 
are detailed in the Company’s Articles of 
Association. Directors are appointed by 
ordinary resolution at a general meeting 
by shareholders entitled to vote or by 
the board either to fill a vacancy or as 
an addition to the existing board. The 
appointment of non-executive directors 
is on the recommendation of the 
Nominations Committee; the procedure 
is detailed in the Chairman’s Statement 
on Corporate Governance on page 16.

Directors
Details of the directors who served during 
the year and who remained in office at 
31 March 2021 are set out below.

Mr R C Wright PG Dip FIMI FCIM was  
appointed Chairman on 26 July 2012. 
He joined the board as a non-executive 
director and Chairman-elect on 
1 November 2011. He has previously 
held senior executive roles with the Ford 
Motor Company including: Director, 
European Operations at Jaguar Cars 
Limited; Director of Sales, Ford Motor 
Company Limited; and President/
Managing Director of Ford Belgium NV. 
He was Chairman of API Group plc from 
2001 until 31 October 2014, and sat on 
the advisory board of Warwick Business 
School, University of Warwick, for several 
years. He is the former Chair of the board 
of National Savings and Investments, part 
of HM Treasury. He is currently an advisor 
to a number of privately held companies 
including being Chairman of Thames 
River Moorings Limited.

Mr N T Gourlay BSc, a Chartered 
Accountant, joined the board as a non-
executive director on 26 September 2013. 
He spent more than twenty years with 
the BAT plc group of companies, leaving 
in 2001. In 2003 Mr Gourlay co-founded 
Animos LLP, a business consultancy of 
which he remains a partner.

Mr S G Bellamy BCom CA(NZ) joined 
the board on 18 June 2019 and has 
been chairman and non-executive 
director to a wide range of both 
public and private companies and 
chairman of, and advisor to, investment 
committees and capital providers. He 
was previously Chief Operating Officer 
and Chief Financial Officer of Sherwood 
International Plc. Prior to Sherwood, 
he was a UK Investment Director of 
Brierley Investments, an active investor 
in quoted UK companies. He is a New 
Zealand Chartered Accountant and 

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Report of the Directors continuedInterests in sharesThe interests of the directors and their families in the shares of the Company are as follows:As at 31 March 2021As at 31 March 2020Ordinary11%Preference7%PreferenceOrdinary11%Preference7%PreferenceR C Wright7,500––7,500––S G M Caffyn76,9881,60020051,9881,600200M Warren6,825––5,000––S J Caffyn46,2321,655–39,2321,655–N T Gourlay4,893––4,893––S G Bellamy5,000––5,000––On 6 May 2020 Mr S G M Caffyn was gifted 25,000 Ordinary shares in the Company (“Ordinary shares”) for nil consideration, taking his holding in Ordinary shares in the Company to 76,988. On 19 June 2020,  Ms S J Caffyn was gifted 14,000 Ordinary shares for nil consideration, of which 7,000 have been placed in trust for her children. Following the transaction, her holding in Ordinary shares in the Company increased to 46,232.Mr S G M Caffyn and Ms S J Caffyn are directors of Caffyn Family Holdings Limited, which owns all the 2,000,000 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares which have full voting rights, except in relation to matters that under the Listing Rules (as amended from time to time) are required to be voted on by premium-listed securities, being the Ordinary shares.The market price of the Company’s Ordinary shares at 31 March 2021 was £3.50 and the range of market prices during the year was £2.80 to £4.25.Compensation for loss of officeIn the event of an executive director’s employment with the Company being terminated, Mr S G M Caffyn is entitled to receive from the Company a sum equivalent to twice his annual emoluments, which applied immediately before his termination. Ms S J Caffyn is entitled to receive from the Company a sum equivalent to her annual emoluments, which applied immediately before her termination, and Mr M Warren is entitled to receive from the Company a sum equivalent to six months’ emoluments, which applied immediately before his termination. Emoluments include a proportion of the available bonus, which the expired part of the measured period for bonus bears to the whole of such measurement period. The executive directors’ service contracts commenced from the date of their appointment to the board.In the event of the Chairman’s or a non-executive director’s employment with the Company being terminated, they are entitled to receive from the Company a sum equivalent to six months’ fees.Directors’ indemnity and insuranceThe Company’s Articles of Association permit the board to grant the directors indemnities in relation to their duties as directors in respect of liabilities incurred by them in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the Company. In line with market practice, each director has the benefit of a deed of indemnity. The Company has also purchased insurance cover for the directors against liabilities arising in relation to the Company, as permitted by the Companies Act 2006. This insurance does not cover fraudulent activity.Sharesave schemeThe Company encourages employee share ownership through the provision of periodic Save As You Earn schemes. The current scheme, which is administered by the Yorkshire Building Society, was launched in December 2020 with share options for 101,926 Ordinary shares being subscribed. The scheme matures in February 2024 when the share options become exercisable upon expiry of a three-year savings contract at a pre-determined price of £3.06 per share. At 31 March 2021, the number of share options outstanding remained at 101,926.The Company’s previous scheme, launched in July 2017, matured in September 2021. As the market price for the shares at that time was lower than the pre-determined exercise price of £3.99 per share, most participants allowed their options to lapse and only 586 share options were exercised.Greenhouse gas emissionsInformation on greenhouse gas emissions is set out in the Strategic Report on page 11.34Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   3430620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   3421/06/2021   13:00:2721/06/2021   13:00:27Stock code CFYN

Employees
Employees are encouraged to discuss 
with management any matters which 
they are concerned about and issues 
affecting the Company. The Chief 
Executive had planned in the 2021 
financial year to start visiting each site 
regularly for a question-and-answer 
session with staff although this has 
had to be delayed due to the covid-19 
pandemic. Once visits are able to 
commence, he will be reporting to the 
board on the outcome of these sessions. 
In addition, the board takes account 
of employees’ interests when making 
decisions. Suggestions from employees 
aimed at improving the Company’s 
performance are welcomed. The board 
reviews feedback from the employee 
consultation group on pay and bonuses 
as well as reviewing all exit interview 
feedback. The board also meets with 
senior staff during the strategic review 
process. The Company has a Human 
Resources director, Ms S J Caffyn. 
Further information on employees is 
set out in the Strategic Report on page 
10 and the Section 172 statement on 
page 12.

Share capital and the rights 
and obligations attaching to 
shares
As at 31 March 2021, the issued share 
capital of the Company comprised 
Ordinary shares of 50p each and three 
classes of preference share, namely 7% 
Cumulative First Preference shares of £1 
each, 11% Cumulative Preference shares 
of £1 each, and 6% Cumulative Second 
Preference shares of 10p each. Details of 
the share capital of the Company are set 
out in note 25 to the financial statements. 

Subject to applicable statutes and other 
shareholders’ rights, shares may be 
issued with such rights and restrictions 
as the Company may by ordinary 
resolution decide.

Holders of Ordinary shares are entitled 
to attend and speak at general meetings 
of the Company, to appoint one or more 
proxies (and, if they are corporations, 
corporate representatives). Holders of 
Ordinary shares are entitled to receive a 
dividend if one is declared and receive 
a copy of the Company’s annual report 
and accounts.

Holders of Cumulative First Preference 
shares are entitled, in priority to any 

payment of dividend on any other 
class of shares, to a fixed cumulative 
preferential dividend at the rate of 7% per 
annum.

Subject to the rights of the holders of 
Cumulative First Preference shares, 
holders of 6% Cumulative Second 
Preference shares of 10p each are 
entitled in priority to any payment of 
dividend on any other class of shares to 
a fixed cumulative preferential dividend at 
the rate of 6% per annum.

Subject to the rights of the holders of 
Cumulative First Preference shares and 
6% Cumulative Second Preference 
shares of 10p, holders of 11% 
Cumulative Preference shares of £1 each 
are entitled in priority to any payment of 
dividend on any other class of shares to 
a fixed cumulative preferential dividend 
at the rate of 11% per annum. The 
percentage of the total share capital 
represented by each class of share as at 
31 March 2021 is shown below.

The full rights and obligations attaching 
to the Company’s shares are set out in 
the Company’s Articles of Association, 
copies of which can be obtained from 
Companies House or by writing to the 
Company Secretary.

Authorised
500,000 7% Cumulative First Preference shares of £1 each

1,250,000 11% Cumulative Preference shares of £1 each

3,000,000 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares of 10p each

4,000,000 Ordinary shares of 50p each

Allotted, called-up and fully paid
170,732 7% Cumulative First Preference shares of £1 each

441,401 11% Cumulative Preference shares of £1 each

2,000,000 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares of 10p each

Total Preference shares recognised as a financial liability

2,879,298 Ordinary shares of 50p each

£’000

500

1,250

300

2,000

4,050

171

441

200

812

1,439

2,251

%

12.35

30.86

7.41

49.38

100.00

7.58

19.60

8.88

36.06

63.94

100.00

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Report of the Directors continuedPropertyThe Company valued its portfolio of freehold premises as at 31 March 2021. The valuation was carried out by CBRE Limited, Chartered Surveyors, based on an existing use valuation. The excess  of the valuation over net book value  at that date was £12.3 million  (2020: £11.8 million). In accordance with the Company’s accounting policies, this surplus has not been incorporated into these financial statements. The value of a single freehold property was impaired by £0.2 million in the year.Voting rights, restrictions on voting rights and deadlines for voting rightsShareholders (other than any who, under the provisions of the Articles of Association or the terms of the shares they hold, are not entitled to receive such notices from the Company) have the right to receive notice of, and attend, and to vote at all general meetings of the Company. The Company’s auditor has similar rights except that they may not vote. A resolution put to the vote at any general meeting is to be decided on a show of hands unless (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands or on the withdrawal of any demand for a poll) a poll is properly demanded.Every member present in person at a general meeting has, on the calling of a poll, one vote for every Ordinary share of which the member is the holder, and one vote for every 6% Cumulative Second Preference share of which the member is the holder. In the case of joint holders of a share, the vote of the member whose name stands first in the register of members is accepted to the exclusion of any vote tendered by any other joint holder. Unless the board decides otherwise, a shareholder may not vote at any general meeting or class meeting or exercise any rights in relation to meetings while any amount of money relating to their shares remains outstanding.A member is entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of their rights to attend and speak and vote on their behalf at a general meeting. Further details regarding voting at the Annual General Meeting can be found in the notes to the Notice of the Annual General Meeting. To be effective, paper proxy appointments and voting instructions must be received by the Company’s registrars no later than 48 hours before a general meeting.There are no restrictions on the transfer of Ordinary shares other than certain restrictions which may be imposed pursuant to the Articles of Association of the Company, certain restrictions, which may, from time to time, be imposed by laws and regulations (for example in relation to insider dealing), restrictions pursuant to the Company’s share dealing code whereby directors and certain employees of the Company require prior approval to deal in the Company’s shares, and where a person has failed to provide the Company with information concerning the interests in those shares.The Company is not aware of any arrangements or agreements between shareholders that may result in restrictions on the transfer of Ordinary shares or on voting rights.Significant direct or indirect shareholdingsAt 1 June 2021, the directors were aware of the following interests in 3% or more of the nominal value of the Ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) of the Company:Ordinary shares%Maland Pension Fund (Pershing Nominees Ltd RKCLT)352,50013.08Charles Stanley234,6278.70HSBC Republic Bank Suisse SA128,3494.76Caffyns Pension Fund125,5704.66A W Caffyn/B Lees107,4093.98K E Caffyn104,8043.89M I Caffyn103,4953.84Armstrong Investments (Nortrust Nominees)100,0003.71GAM Exempt UK Opportunities Fund88,2673.2736Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   3630620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   3621/06/2021   13:00:2821/06/2021   13:00:28Fostering relationships with 
stakeholders
Details of the Company’s engagement 
with stakeholders are explained in more 
detail on page 12.

The Company also engages with its 
suppliers in order to maintain good 
relationships, and with its prospective 
and actual customers by offering 
excellent service and an attractive omni-
channel retail experience.

Modern Slavery Act 2015
In the light of the legislation regarding 
employment and human rights, in 
particular the Modern Slavery Act 2015, 
the board continues to review its policies 
and risk management processes to 
determine additional measures which 
may be required to prevent slavery and 
human trafficking taking place in any part 
of its businesses, or in its supply chains. 

We expect all who have, or seek to have, 
a business relationship with Caffyns plc  
or with any of our employees, to 
familiarise themselves with our anti-
slavery values and to act at all times in 
a way which is consistent with those 
values.

The board has adopted a Statement on 
Slavery and Human Trafficking, which 
can be found on its corporate website at 
www.caffynsplc.co.uk.

Business at the Annual 
General Meeting
As well as dealing with formal business, 
the Company takes the opportunity 
afforded at the Annual General Meeting 
to provide up-to-date information 
about the Company’s trading position 
and to invite and answer questions 
from shareholders on its policies and 
business. At the Annual General Meeting, 
a separate resolution is proposed for 
each substantive matter. The Company’s 
Annual Report and financial statements 
are posted to shareholders, together with 
the Notice of Annual General Meeting 
summarising the business proposed, 
giving the requisite period of notice.

The board has carefully considered the 
format of this year’s Annual General 
Meeting, which is scheduled to be 
held on 3 August 2021. Based on its 
expectations for the levels of social-
distancing restrictions which are 
expected to be in place at that time the 
board’s intention is that the meeting will 
be run as an open meeting to which 
shareholders will be invited to attend 
in person. Further information will be 
made available closer to the date of the 
meeting via the Company’s corporate 
website, www.caffynsplc.co.uk.

Stock code CFYN

Auditor
BDO LLP has indicated its willingness 
to continue as the independent auditor 
to the Company and a resolution 
concerning its reappointment will be 
proposed at the Annual General Meeting 
in August 2021.

By order of the board

S J Caffyn
Company Secretary
1 June 2021

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Directors’ Responsibilities StatementThe directors are responsible for preparing the Report of the Directors and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors are required to prepare  the group financial statements of  Caffyns plc and its subsidiaries  (the “Group”) and have elected to prepare the parent company financial statements in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with international financial reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs and profit or loss of the Company and Group for that period. In preparing these financial statements the directors are required to:• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;• state whether applicable IFRSs have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;• prepare a Director’s Report, a Strategic Report and Remuneration Committee Report which comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006; and• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the Directors’ Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.The directors confirm that:• so far as each director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and• the directors have taken all the 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 auditors are aware of that information.The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Having taken advice from the Audit and Risk Committee, the directors consider that the annual report and the financial statements, taken as a whole, provides the information necessary to assess the Company’s performance, business model and strategy and is fair, balanced and understandable.The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.To the best of the directors’ knowledge:• the Group financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and• the annual report, including the strategic report, includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.Approved by order of the boardS G M Caffyn M WarrenChief Executive Finance Director1 June 202138Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   3830620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   3821/06/2021   13:00:2821/06/2021   13:00:28Report of the Independent Auditor

Opinion on the financial 
statements
In our opinion:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the financial statements give a true 
and fair view of the state of the 
Group’s and of the Parent Company’s 
affairs as at 31 March 2021 and 
of the Group’s profit for the year 
then ended;

the Group financial statements 
have been properly prepared in 
accordance with international 
accounting standards in conformity 
with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006;

the Group financial statements 
have been properly prepared in 
accordance with international 
financial reporting standards adopted 
pursuant to Regulation (EC)  
No 1606/2002 as it applies in the 
European Union; 

the Parent Company financial 
statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with 
international accounting standards 
in conformity with the requirements 
of the Companies Act 2006 and 
as applied in accordance with the 
provisions of the Companies Act 
2006; and

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

We have audited the financial statements 
of Caffyns plc (the ‘Parent Company’) 
and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) for 
the year ended 31 March 2021 which 
comprise the Group and Company 
Income Statement, the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income, the Group 
and Company Statement of Financial 
Position, the Group and Company 
Statement of Changes in Equity, the 
Group and Company Cash Flow 
Statement and notes to the financial 
statements, including a summary of 
significant accounting policies. The 
financial reporting framework that 
has been applied in their preparation 
is applicable law and international 
accounting standards in conformity with 
the requirements of the Companies 
Act 2006 and international financial 
reporting standards adopted pursuant 
to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it 
applies in the European Union, and as 
regards the Parent Company financial 
statements, as applied in accordance 
with the provisions of the Companies 
Act 2006.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance 
with International Standards on Auditing 
(UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our 
responsibilities under those standards 
are further described in the Auditor’s 
responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements section of our report. 
We believe that the audit evidence 
we have obtained is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our 
opinion. Our audit opinion is consistent 
with the additional report to the audit 
committee. 

Stock code CFYN

Independence
Following the recommendation of the 
audit committee, we were appointed by 
the directors on 25 July 2019 to audit the 
financial statements for the year ended 
31 March 2020 and subsequent financial 
periods. The period of total uninterrupted 
engagement including retenders and 
reappointments is two years, covering 
the years ended 31 March 2020 to  
31 March 2021. We remain independent 
of the Group and the Parent Company in 
accordance with the ethical requirements 
that are relevant to our audit of the 
financial statements in the UK, including 
the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to 
listed public interest entities, and we have 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities 
in accordance with these requirements. 
The non-audit services prohibited by that 
standard were not provided to the Group 
or the Parent Company. 

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 the Parent Company’s ability 
to continue to adopt the going concern 
basis of accounting included building 
on our understanding of the business 
model, objectives, strategies and 
related business risk, the measurement 
and review of the entity’s financial 
performance including forecasting and 
budgeting processes and the entity’s risk 
assessment process. 

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and 
the resultant economic uncertainty, 
as described in the going concern 
accounting policy, we considered the 
ability of the Group to operate within 
its facilities and continue as a going 
concern in this environment to be a Key 
Audit Matter.

The directors have forecast a number of 
scenarios. This is described further in the 
going concern accounting policy to these 
financial statements.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Report of the Independent Auditor continuedOur procedures included the following:• Reviewing management’s assessment of going concern through analysis of the group’s cash flow forecast through to  31 March 2024, including assessing and challenging the assumptions underlying the forecasts by reference to our own knowledge of the industry and also commentary made by industry experts (e.g. SMMT, CAP). We looked at the relevance and reliability of underlying data used to make the assessment via consideration of the underlying assumptions and agreement to underlying forecasts.• As part of this process we have considered the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on the forecasts. We have also sensitised these forecasts and also considered the underlying assumptions of the forecasts to industry commentary.• We also obtained an understanding of the financing facilities, including the nature of these facilities, repayment terms and covenants. We then assessed the facility headroom calculations on both a base case scenario, and the sensitised forecasts.• We considered the likelihood of the sensitised forecasts happening and considered what actions the group has available should there be a potential covenant breach.• The adequacy and appropriateness of disclosures in the financial statements regarding the going concern assessment.Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group’s or the 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 Parent Company’s reporting on how it has 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.OverviewCoverage1100% (2020: 100%) of Group profit before tax100% (2020: 100%) of Group revenue100% (2020: 100%) of Group total assetsKey audit matters20212020Defined benefit pension scheme✔✔Going concern✔✔Impairment review✔✔Revenue recognition✗✔Revenue recognition is no longer considered to be a key audit matter due to the straightforward revenue recognition adopted by the Group.MaterialityGroup financial statements as a whole£80,000 (2020: £80,000) based on 5% (2020: 8%) of profit before tax adjusted for the impairment charge in the year (2020: average underlying profit of past three years)1 These are areas which have been subject to a full scope audit by the group engagement team40Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   4030620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   4021/06/2021   13:00:2821/06/2021   13:00:28Stock code CFYN

An overview of the scope of our audit
Our Group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group and its environment, including the Group’s system 
of internal control, and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. We also addressed the risk of 
management override of internal controls, including assessing whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that may have 
represented a risk of material misstatement.

The only trading component in the group is the parent company Caffyns plc with all the subsidiary companies being dormant. 
Caffyns plc was deemed the only significant component and was subject to a full scope audit.

All work was carried out by the group audit team.

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. In addition 
to the matter described in the Conclusions related to going concern section of our report, we have determined the matters below to 
be the key audit matters to be communicated in our report.

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Key audit matter 

Defined benefit 
pension scheme

Please refer 
to note 23, 
accounting 
policies on page 
52 to 57

The Group operates a defined 
benefit pension scheme, which is 
accounted for in accordance with IAS 
19 Employee Benefits which requires 
complex calculations and disclosures. 

Management exercise a number of 
judgements and actuarial assumptions, 
with the assistance from their actuaries, 
which have a significant impact on 
the valuation of the pension scheme 
assets and liabilities recognised on the 
balance sheet.

The valuation of the defined benefit 
pension scheme is highly sensitive to 
movements into the key inputs.

The valuation of the liability is therefore 
considered a significant audit risk.

How the scope of our audit addressed the key audit matter

We performed an assessment of whether the Group’s 
accounting policy for the defined benefit pension scheme 
complied with IAS 19 Employee Benefits and ensuring its 
consistent application.

Working with our external actuarial experts, we challenged 
the appropriateness of the actuarial valuation methodologies 
and their inherent assumptions such as discount rates, growth 
rates and mortality rates with reference to relevant market data 
and industry practice. We also considered the capabilities and 
competence of management’s as well as our own actuarial 
experts.

We also assessed the accuracy of the underlying data utilised in 
the actuarial valuation on a sample basis through use of source 
documentation such as the pension scheme accounting records.

The pension scheme assets were agreed to investment 
statements prepared by the fiduciary manager. 

Key observations: 
Based on the procedures performed, we considered the 
assumptions and judgements made by management to be 
reasonable.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Report of the Independent Auditor continuedKey audit matter How the scope of our audit addressed the key audit matterImpairment of assetsPlease refer to note 13, the accounting policies on pages 52 to 57Under IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, the directors are required to determine whether the carrying value of the Group’s assets, which includes the Group’s property, plant and equipment, investment property and goodwill, is impaired. As at 31 March 2021 the carrying amount of the net assets of the Group was more than the market capitalisation, being a potential indicator of impairment.There is judgement in assessing the ability of assets to generate cash inflows largely independent of other assets and therefore also in the identification of appropriate cash generating units (CGUs).In addition, there is significant judgement and estimation involved in determining the recoverable amount of each CGU. For all CGU’s this relates to both establishing fair value as part of the fair value (using CBRE, the group’s external valuers) less costs to sell method and the key inputs, such as projected future cash flows and the discount rate applied, into the value in use model.As described further in note 13 to the financial statements, the exercise of judgement in respect of CGUs valued on the basis of fair value less costs to sell was heightened due to the surveyor’s reference to a material valuation uncertainty in their valuation report. Movements in the judgements and estimates could impact the conclusion of the impairment review and we therefore the matter as a key audit matter. As a result of the review an impairment charge of £184,000 has been made in the financial statements.We performed an assessment of whether the Group’s accounting policies for impairment of assets complied with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets and ensuring its consistent application. We obtained management’s assessment of relevant cash generating units (CGUs) used in the impairment calculation. This included the identification of each CGU. We compared those to our understanding of the business units and operating structure of the Group. We also performed arithmetical checks to management’s model to provide assurance over its accuracy in comparing CGU recoverable amounts to the relevant carrying values. We agreed property valuations used for the purposes of impairment testing to the valuation report and considered the expertise and independence of the third party surveyor engaged by management.In relation to the property valuations, we considered the implications of the material valuation uncertainty and consulted with internal and the Group’s external real estate specialists.Where CGUs are valued based on value in use, we critically assessed estimated future cash flows with reference to past performance and the potential impact of the covid-19 pandemic and challenged the appropriateness of the inputs and valuation methodology, including the discount rate applied, with the assistance of our internal valuation experts.For both fair value less costs to sell and value in use bases of valuation, we performed sensitivity analysis on the assumptions.Key observations: Based on the procedures performed, we considered management’s impairment review to be appropriate. 42Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   4230620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   4221/06/2021   13:00:2821/06/2021   13:00:28Stock code CFYN

Our application of materiality
We apply the concept of materiality both in planning and performing our audit, and in evaluating the effect of misstatements. We 
consider materiality to be the magnitude by which misstatements, including omissions, could influence the economic decisions of 
reasonable users that are taken on the basis of the financial statements. 

In order to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that any misstatements exceed materiality, we use a lower materiality 
level, performance materiality, to determine the extent of testing needed. Importantly, misstatements below these levels will not 
necessarily be evaluated as immaterial as we also take account of the nature of identified misstatements, and the particular 
circumstances of their occurrence, when evaluating their effect on the financial statements as a whole. 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole and performance materiality 
as follows:

Materiality

Group financial statements

Parent company financial statements

2021 
£

80,000

2020 
£

80,000

2021 
£

80,000

2020 
£

80,000

Basis for determining 
materiality

5% of adjusted profit 
before tax

Rationale for the 
benchmark applied

We considered 5% 
of adjusted profit 
before tax to be a 
key performance 
benchmark for the 
Group and the users of 
the financial statements 
in assessing financial 
performance. In light 
of the results for the 
year the basis of 
materiality changed to 
5% of adjusted profit 
before tax for the year. 
The level of materiality 
remained at the same 
level as prior year.

5% of adjusted profit 
before tax

We considered 5% 
of adjusted profit 
before tax to be a 
key performance 
benchmark for the 
Group and the users of 
the financial statements 
in assessing financial 
performance.

8% of three year 
average of underlying 
profit before tax

We considered 8% 
of the three year 
average of underlying 
profit before tax to be 
a key performance 
benchmark for the 
Group and the users of 
the financial statements 
in assessing financial 
performance.

8% of three year 
average of underlying 
profit before tax

We considered 8% 
of the three year 
average of underlying 
profit before tax to be 
a key performance 
benchmark for the 
Group and the users of 
the financial statements 
in assessing financial 
performance.

Due to the low level 
of profitability in the 
year this metric was 
deemed suitable for the 
year under review.

Performance materiality

60,000

52,000

60,000

52,000

On the basis of our risk 
assessment, together 
with our assessment 
of the Group’s control 
environment, our 
judgement is that 
performance materiality 
for the financial 
statements should be 
75%.

On the basis of our risk 
assessment, together 
with our assessment 
of the Group’s control 
environment, our 
judgement is that 
performance materiality 
for the financial 
statements should be 
65%.

Basis for determining 
performance materiality

On the basis of our risk 
assessment, together 
with our assessment 
of the Group’s 
control environment, 
our judgement is 
that performance 
materiality for the 
financial statements 
should be 65%. As a 
first year audit it was 
deemed appropriate 
to adopt a 65% 
level of performance 
materiality.

On the basis of our risk 
assessment, together 
with our assessment 
of the Group’s control 
environment, our 
judgement is that 
performance materiality 
for the financial 
statements should 
be 75%. In light of it 
being the second year 
of audit by BDO LLP 
and our review of the 
risk assessment and 
the Group’s control 
environment we 
reassessed the level of 
performance materiality 
and increased it from 
65% to 75%.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Report of the Independent Auditor continuedReporting threshold We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them all individual audit differences in excess of £1,600  (2020: £1,600). We also agreed to report differences below this threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.Other informationThe 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. 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 course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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.Corporate governance statementThe Listing Rules require us to review the directors’ statement in relation to going concern, longer-term viability and that part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the parent company’s compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Statement specified for our review. Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the Corporate Governance Statement is materially consistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained during the audit. Going concern and longer-term viability• The directors’ statement with regards to the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of accounting and any material uncertainties identified set out on pages 18 and 19; and• The directors’ explanation as to its Assessment of the entity’s prospects, the period this assessment covers and why the period is appropriate set out on pages 18 and 19.Other Code provisions • The directors’ statement on fair, balanced and understandable set out on page 20; • The board’s confirmation that it has carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks set out on pages 17 to 18; • The section of the annual report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management and internal control systems set out on page 19; and• The section describing the work of the audit committee set out on pages 17 to 1844Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   4430620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   4421/06/2021   13:00:2921/06/2021   13:00:29Stock code CFYN

Other Companies Act 2006 reporting
Based on the responsibilities described below and our work performed during the course of the audit, we are required by the 
Companies Act 2006 and ISAs (UK) to report on certain opinions and matters as described below. 

Strategic report and 
Directors’ Report 

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• 

• 

the information given in the Strategic report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the 
financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

the Strategic report and the Directors’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal 
requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Parent Company and its environment 
obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or 
the Directors’ Report.

Directors’ 
remuneration

In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Matters on which 
we are required to 
report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 
requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or returns adequate for our 

audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• 

the Parent Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be 
audited are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is 
necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the Parent Company’s ability to 
continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of 
accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease operations, or have no 
realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a 
high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the 
aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial 
statements.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Report of the Independent Auditor continuedfor the year ended 31 March 2021Extent to which the audit was capable of detecting irregularities, including fraudIrregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.Procedures performed by the group audit team included:• Discussions with management regarding known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;• Obtaining an understanding of controls designed to prevent and detect irregularities, including specific consideration of controls and group accounting policies relating to significant accounting estimates;• Obtaining an understanding of the significant laws and regulations impacting the group and the motor retail industry, including data protection laws and regulations around FCA compliance;• Communicating relevant laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members (which included motor dealership specialists) and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit; • Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;• Assessing journals entries as part of our planned audit approach, with a particular focus on journal entries to key financial statement areas such as revenue and inventories and journals raised after the year end; and• Consideration of significant management judgements, particularly in respect of the underlying assumptions in impairment assessments and estimating the defined pension benefit liability (as detailed within key audit matters above).Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.Use of our reportThis report is made solely to the Parent Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Parent 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 Parent Company and the Parent Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.Stephen Le Bas  (Senior Statutory Auditor)For and on behalf of BDO LLP,  Statutory AuditorSouthamptonUnited KingdomBDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales  (with registered number OC305127).1 June 202146Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   4630620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   4621/06/2021   13:00:2921/06/2021   13:00:29Income Statement

for the year ended 31 March 2021

Group and Company

Revenue (restated)
Cost of sales (restated)

Gross profit

Operating expenses
Distribution costs

Administration expenses

Operating profit before other income
Other income (net)

Operating profit

Operating profit before non-underlying items

Non-underlying items within operating profit

Operating profit

Finance expense

Finance expense on pension scheme

Net finance expense

Profit before taxation

Profit before tax and non-underlying items

Non-underlying items within operating profit

Non-underlying items within finance expense on pension scheme

Profit before taxation

Taxation

Profit/(loss) for the year

Earnings/(deficit) per share

Basic

Diluted

Underlying earnings/(deficit) per share

Basic

Diluted

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

Stock code CFYN

Note

1

2021
£’000

2020
£’000

165,085 

195,787 

(142,304)

(170,783)

22,781 

25,004 

(13,481)

(7,317)

1,983 

909 

2,892 

3,142 

(250)

2,892 

(1,266)

(202)

(1,468)

(16,035)

(8,025)

944 

728 

1,672 

1,633 

39 

1,672 

(1,382)

(187)

(1,569)

1,424 

103

1,876 

(250)

(202)

1,424 

(14)

1,410 

52.4p

52.1p

66.0p

65.6p

251 

39 

(187)

103 

(355)

(252)

(9.4)p

(9.4)p

(4.9)p

(4.9)p

4

2

3

6

7

2

2

8

9

9

9

9

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Statement of Comprehensive Incomefor the year ended 31 March 2021Group and CompanyNote2021 £’0002020£’000Profit/(loss) for the year1,410 (252) Items that will never be reclassified to profit and loss:Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability23(301)(1,169)Deferred tax on remeasurement2457 222 Effect of change in deferred tax rate– 154 Total other comprehensive expense, net of taxation(244)(793)Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year1,166 (1,045)See accompanying notes to the financial statements.48Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   4830620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   4821/06/2021   13:00:2921/06/2021   13:00:29Statement of Financial Position

at 31 March 2021

Stock code CFYN

Non-current assets
Right-of-use assets

Property, plant and equipment

Investment properties

Interest in lease

Goodwill

Deferred tax asset

Investment in subsidiary undertakings

Current assets
Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Interest in lease

Current tax recoverable

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities
Interest-bearing overdrafts and loans

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Current tax payable

Net current assets

Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing overdrafts and loans

Lease liabilities

Preference shares

Retirement benefit obligations

Total liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Share capital

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Non-distributable reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity attributable to shareholders

Note

11

12

13

14

15

24

16

17

18

14

20

19

22

20

22

25

23

25

Group
2021
£’000

610

37,624

7,751

557

286

412

–

Restated 
Group
2020
£’000

Company
2021
£’000

Restated 
Company
2020
£’000

925

38,783

8,052

730

286

–

–

610

37,624

7,751

557

286

412

250

925

38,783

8,052

730

286

–

250

47,240

48,776

47,490

49,026

36,562

5,072

173

34

5,735

47,576

94,816

3,875

39,338

495

306

44,014

3,562

41,459

4,318

178

66

1,478

47,499

96,275

5,875

40,077

491

–

46,443

1,056

36,562

5,072

173

34

5,735

47,576

95,066

3,875

39,588

495

306

44,264

3,312

41,459

4,318

178

66

1,478

47,499

96,525

5,875

40,327

491

–

46,693

806

12,187

11,844

12,187

11,844

783

812

9,434

23,216

67,230

27,586

1,439

272

707

1,724

23,444

27,586

1,362

812

9,434

23,452

69,895

26,380

1,439

272

707

1,724

22,238

26,380

783

812

9,434

23,216

67,480

27,586

1,439

272

707

1,724

23,444

27,586

1,362

812

9,434

23,452

70,145

26,380

1,439

272

707

1,724

22,238

26,380

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The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 1 June 2021 and were signed on its 
behalf by:

R C Wright 
Chairman 

M Warren 
Finance Director

See accompanying notes to the financial statements. 

 Company number: 105664

www.caffyns.co.uk

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Statement of Changes in Equityfor the year ended 31 March 2021Group and CompanySharecapital£’000Sharepremium£’000Capitalredemptionreserve£’000Non-distributablereserve£’000Retained earnings£’000Total£’000At 1 April 20201,439 272 707 1,724 22,238 26,380 Total comprehensive  income/(expense)Profit for the year––––1,410 1,410 Other comprehensive expense––––(244)(244)Total comprehensive Income  for the year ––––1,166 1,166 Transactions with owners:Issue of shares – SAYE––––3 3 Share-based payment––––37 37 At 31 March 20211,4392727071,72423,444 27,586 for the year ended 31 March 2020Group and CompanySharecapital£’000Sharepremium£’000Capitalredemptionreserve£’000Non-distributablereserve£’000Retained earnings£’000Total£’000At 1 April 20191,4392727071,72423,833 27,975 Total comprehensive expenseLoss for the year––––(252)(252)Other comprehensive expense––––(793)(793)Total comprehensive expense  for the year––––(1,045)(1,045)Transactions with owners:Dividends––––(606)(606)Share-based payment––––56 56 At 31 March 20201,439 2727071,72422,23826,38050Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   5030620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   5021/06/2021   13:00:2921/06/2021   13:00:29Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 31 March 2021

Group and Company

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

Investing activities
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Receipt from investment in lease

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Financing activities
Overdraft facility (repaid)/utilised

Revolving-credit facility utilised

Secured loans repaid

Issue of shares – SAYE scheme

Dividends paid

Repayment of lease liabilities

Net cash outflow from financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Cash and cash equivalents

Bank overdrafts 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

Stock code CFYN

Note

27

2021
£’000

6,724 

– 

(394)

185 

(209)

(2,000)

1,000 

(657)

3 

– 

(604)

(2,258)

4,257 

1,478 

5,735 

2021
£’000

5,735 

(3,000)

2,735 

Restated
2020
£’000

(802)

– 

(980)

185 

(795)

1,000 

– 

(781)

– 

(606)

(446)

(833)

(2,430)

3,908 

1,478 

2020
£’000 

1,478 

(5,000)

(3,522)

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Principal Accounting PoliciesBasis of preparation and statement of complianceThe financial statements have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union.The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting year. Although these estimates are based upon management’s best knowledge of the amount, events or actions, actual results may ultimately differ from those estimates.The estimated and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.Judgements made by the directors in the application of accounting policies that have significant effect on the financial statements and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustment in the next year are discussed in note 32.The consolidated financial statements are prepared in Sterling, which is both the functional currency of the Company and its subsidiaries and the presentational currency of the Group. All values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£’000) except where otherwise indicated.Standards, amendments and interpretations to existing Standards that are not yet effective and have not been adopted early by the GroupDuring the year the Group has adopted the amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial statements, IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors, IFRS 3 Business Combinations which has had no impact on the financial statements. The standards have been published by the International Accounting Standards Board and adopted by EU.At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, there are no new Standards, or amendments to existing Standards, that have been published by the International Accounting Standards Board that are not effective, and, in some cases not yet been adopted by the UK endorsement board that would have a material impact on the Group.Going concernThe financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which the directors consider appropriate for the reasons set out below.The directors have considered the going concern basis and have undertaken a detailed review of trading and cash flow forecasts for a period in excess of one year from the date of approval of this Annual Report. This has focused primarily on the achievement of the banking covenants. Both banking covenants have been achieved for the year under review. Under the Company’s first covenant test, it is required to make an underlying profit before interest for the rolling twelve-month period to September 2021, and to March 2022, which is at least double the level of interest payable on bank borrowings to HSBC and Volkswagen Bank. The covenant test at 31 March 2022 will be the final test to be carried out within the twelve-month period from the anniversary of the signing of these financial statements. The Company has modelled these periods and conclude that there is headroom that would allow for an approximate 20% reduction in expected new and used units over this period. External market commentary provided by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (“SMMT”) indicate that new car registrations are forecast to show a year-on-year increase of 14% in 2021 to 1.86 million, with a further 14% increase into 2022 to 2.12 million registrations. The used car market has remained stable over the five years from 2015 to 2019, at between 7.6 and 7.9 million transactions and dropped by only 15% in 2020 due to the effects of the covid-19 pandemic, compared to a comparable 29% fall in new car registrations. Since showrooms reopened on the 12 April 2021, demand and financial results have both been stronger than had been anticipated and the current new car order take for June and beyond is at healthy levels.The Company’s second covenant test requires that the level of its bank borrowings do not exceed 70% of the independently assessed value of its charged freehold properties. Property values would need to reduce by some two-thirds before this covenant test became at risk of failure.The directors have also considered the Company’s working capital requirements. The Company meets its day-to-day working capital requirements through short-term stocking loans and bank overdraft and medium-term revolving credit facilities and term loans. At the year-end, the medium-term banking facilities included a term loan with an outstanding balance of £6.6 million and a revolving credit facility of £7.5 million from HSBC, its primary bankers, with both facilities being renewable in March 2023. HSBC also make available a short-term overdraft facility of £3.5 million, which is renewed annually in August. The Company also has a ten-year term loan from Volkswagen Bank with a balance outstanding at 31 March 2021 of  £1.5 million, which is repayable to November 2023, and a short-term overdraft facility of £7.0 million, which 52Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   5230620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   5221/06/2021   13:00:3021/06/2021   13:00:30is renewed annually in August. In the 
opinion of the directors, there is a 
reasonable expectation that all facilities 
will be renewed at their scheduled expiry 
dates. The failure of a covenant test 
would render these facilities repayable on 
demand at the option of the lender.

Information concerning the Company’s 
liquidity and financing risk are set out 
on page 8 and note 21 to the financial 
statements.

The directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Company has 
adequate resources and headroom 
against the covenant test to be able 
continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future and for at least twelve 
months from the date of approval of the 
Annual Report. For those reasons, they 
continue to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing this Annual Report.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements 
incorporate the financial statements of 
the Company and its subsidiaries made 
up to 31 March each year. All subsidiaries 
are currently dormant, so the income, 
expenses and cash flows are the same 
for the Group and the Company.

The results of businesses and 
subsidiaries acquired or disposed of 
during the year are included in the 
Consolidated Income Statement using 
the acquisition method from the effective 
date of acquisition or up to the effective 
date of disposal, as appropriate.

Where necessary, adjustments are made 
to the financial statements of subsidiaries 
to bring the accounting policies used into 
line with those used by the Group.

All intra-Group transactions, balances, 
income and expenses are eliminated on 
consolidation.

Prior year reclassifications
Revenue and cost of sales for the prior 
period have been restated and each 
reduced by £2,067,000 to remove 
certain vehicle sales transactions which 
should have been classified as leases. 
The correction has no impact on either 
the previously stated gross profit or the 
profit for the year.

www.caffyns.co.uk

Inventories and trade payables for 
the prior year have been restated to 
increase each by £1,731,000, also to 
reflect the reclassification of certain 
vehicle transactions which were originally 
recorded as sales but which have now 
been recorded as lease transactions. 
There was no impact on either cash and 
cash equivalents or net assets in the prior 
year.

Finally, the prior year cash flow amounts 
have been restated to correct an error 
to separately identify the receipt from 
the Company’s investment in a lease of 
£185,000. This receipt has now been 
presented within cashflows from investing 
activities rather than being offset against 
the repayments of lease liabilities within 
financing activities.

A third balance sheet as at 31 March 
2019 has not been presented because 
any correction would not have impacted 
net current assets or net assets. The only 
correction would have been to increase 
inventories and trade payables at that 
date by £776,000.

Acquisitions
On acquisition, the assets and liabilities 
and contingent liabilities of a subsidiary 
are measured at their fair values at the 
date of acquisition. Any excess of the 
cost of acquisition over the fair values 
of the identifiable net assets acquired 
is recognised as goodwill, which is 
allocated to Cash Generating Units 
(“CGUs”). Any deficiency of the cost of 
acquisition below the fair values of the 
identifiable net assets acquired  
(i.e. discount on acquisition) is credited to 
profit or loss in the period of acquisition.

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the 
cost of an acquisition over the fair value 
of the net identifiable assets acquired and 
is tested annually for impairment. Any 
impairment is recognised immediately 
in the income statement and is not 
subsequently reversed. Gains and losses 
on subsequent disposal of the assets 
acquired include any related goodwill.

Goodwill arising on acquisitions before 
the date of transition to IFRS has been 
retained at the previous UK GAAP 
amounts subject to being tested for 
impairment at that date, and annually 
thereafter.

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Stock code CFYN

Revenue recognition
Revenue generated from a contract 
for the sale of goods is recognised 
on delivery when all promises to the 
customer have been fulfilled, such as 
the supply of a specific vehicle. If the 
customer has added various accessory 
products to their order, the Company’s 
promise is fulfilled by supplying these 
products onto the vehicle at the time of 
its delivery. Where the Company acts 
as an agent on behalf of a principal in 
relation to the sale of a new car, the 
associated income is recognised within 
revenue in the period in which the 
product is sold.

Finance commissions are earned from 
the finance house that is providing a 
finance arrangement to a consumer 
buying the vehicle. In this regard, the 
Company’s customer is considered to be 
the finance house, rather than the end 
user of the vehicle. Income derived from 
such commissions is recognised within 
revenue on completion of the arranging 
of the various products (i.e. at the point 
at which control passes to the customer).

For servicing work, the Company 
promises to complete the work in 
accordance to the contract. This 
obligation is satisfied when the customer 
takes collection of their vehicle on 
completion of the work. If a customer 
takes out a service plan, the Company 
has a future obligation to complete 
agreed work over a set period of time – 
these obligations are only completed in 
full once those elements of the service 
plan have expired. Where the Company 
sells a service plan alongside a vehicle, 
the service element is distinct from the 
vehicle sale and is subject to a fixed and 
determinable transaction price. Each 
individual service included within the 
service plan is considered distinct and 
revenue is recognised at a point in time 
when the services have been carried out.

The obligation of supplying vehicle 
parts to customers is satisfied when the 
customer takes delivery of the goods. 

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Principal Accounting Policies continuedSupplier incomeThe Company receives income from brand partners and other suppliers. These are generally based on achieving certain predetermined objectives such as specific sales volumes and maintaining agreed operational standards. The supplier income received is recognised as a deduction from cost of sales at the point when it is reasonably certain that the targets have been achieved for the relevant period and when income can be measured reliably based on the terms of each relevant supplier agreement. Supplier income that has been earned but not invoiced at the balance sheet date is recognised in other receivables.Manufacturer bonuses are recognised as income to gross profit but not within revenue.Government and other support grantsGovernment grants received under the Coronavirus Job retention Scheme (“CJRS”) and support and re-opening grants received from local Councils in the areas that the Company operates are recognised where there is reasonable assurance that the grants will be received and that all attached conditions have been complied with. The grants received under CJRS are credited to the appropriate cost lines in Income Statement to which the affected furlough employees would normally be charged. Local Council support and re-opening grants are recognised as Other Income.Non-underlying itemsNon-underlying items are those items that are unusual because of their size, nature or incidence. Management consider that these items should be disclosed separately to enable a full understanding of the operating results. Profits and losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment are also disclosed as non-underlying, as are certain redundancy costs and costs attributable to vacant properties held pending their disposal.The net financing return and service cost on pension obligations in respect of the defined benefit pension scheme, which is closed to future accrual, are presented as non-underlying items due to the inability of management to influence the underlying assumptions from which the charges are derived.All other activities are treated as underlying.Borrowing costsAll borrowing costs are recognised in the Income Statement in the period in which they are incurred unless the borrowing costs are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset, in which case they are capitalised.Retirement benefit costsThe Company operates the Caffyns Pension Scheme, which is a defined benefit pension scheme. The defined benefit scheme defines the amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, dependent on one or more factors including age, years of service and final salary. The Scheme was closed to new members in 2006 and to future accrual in April 2010.Under IAS 19 (Revised) Employee Benefits, the defined benefit deficit is included on the Statement of Financial Position. Liabilities are calculated based on the current yields on high-quality corporate bonds and on market conditions. Surpluses are only included to the extent that they are recoverable through reduced contributions in the future or through refunds from the Scheme.Remeasurement arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions each year are charged or credited, net of deferred tax, to reserves and shown in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.An interest expense or income is calculated on the defined benefit liability or asset respectively by applying the discount rate to that defined benefit liability or asset.The Company also provides pension arrangements for employees under defined contribution schemes. Contributions for these schemes are charged to the Income Statement in the year in which they are payable.Share-based employee compensationThe Company operates an equity settled share-based compensation plan for all employees through the Company’s Save As You Earn (“SAYE”) scheme. All employee services received in exchange for the grant of any share-based compensation are measured at their fair values. These are indirectly determined by reference to the share option awarded. Their fair value is appraised at the grant date. The vesting period from the date of grant is three years.All share-based compensation is ultimately recognised as an expense in the Income Statement with a corresponding credit to retained earnings, net of deferred tax where applicable in the Statement of Financial Position. If vesting periods or other vesting conditions apply, the expense is allocated over the vesting period, based on the best available estimate of the number of share options expected to vest. Service and performance vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are expected to become exercisable. Non-vesting conditions, such as the employee’s requirement to continue to save under the SAYE scheme, are considered when determining the fair value of the award. Estimates are subsequently revised if there is any indication that the number of share options expected to vest differs from previous estimates. No adjustment to the expense recognised in prior periods is made if fewer share options ultimately are exercised than originally estimated. Failure by the employee to meet a vesting condition is treated as a cancellation.Fair value is measured by use of the Black-Scholes model. The expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.54Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   5430620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   5421/06/2021   13:00:3021/06/2021   13:00:30Stock code CFYN

Property, plant and 
equipment
Land and buildings used in the business 
are stated in the Statement of Financial 
Position at cost. The property held at the 
date of transition to IFRSs in 2007 was 
recognised at deemed cost, being the 
carrying amount at the date of transition 
to IFRSs. The date of the last valuation 
undertaken under its previous GAAP was 
in 1995.

Depreciation on buildings is charged 
to the Income Statement. On the 
subsequent sale of a property, the 
attributable surplus remaining in the non-
distributable reserve is transferred directly 
to accumulated profits.

Properties in the course of construction 
are carried at cost, less any recognised 
impairment loss. Cost includes 
professional fees and attributable 
borrowing costs. Depreciation of these 
assets, on the same basis as other 
property assets, commences when the 
assets are ready for their intended use.

Properties are regarded as purchased 
or sold on the date on which contracts 
for the purchase or sale become 
unconditional. The gain or loss arising on 
the disposal of an asset is determined 
as the difference between the sales 
proceeds and the carrying amount of the 
asset and is recognised in the Income 
Statement.

Other assets are stated at cost less 
accumulated depreciation and any 
recognised impairment loss.

Depreciation is charged so as to write off 
the cost less residual values of assets, 
other than land and properties under 
construction, over their estimated useful 
lives using the straight-line method, on 
the following basis:

Freehold buildings 

 – 50 years

Leasehold buildings 

 – period of lease

Plant and machinery,  
fixtures and fittings 

 – 3 to 10 years

The residual value of all assets, 
depreciation methods and useful 
economic lives, if significant, are 
assessed annually.

Investment property
Investment property, which is 
property held to earn rentals and/
or capital appreciation, is stated at 
cost less accumulated depreciation 
and impairment. Rental income from 
investment property is recognised on 
a straight-line basis over the term of 
the lease. Depreciation is charged to 
write off the cost less residual values 
of investment properties over their 
estimated useful lives using the straight-
line method over 50 years. Any transfers 
from property, plant and equipment 
are made at cost less accumulated 
depreciation.

Leases
The Company recognises a right-of-
use asset and a lease liability at the 
commencement date of the lease. The 
right-of-use asset is initially measured 
at cost, and subsequently at cost 
less accumulated depreciation and 
impairment losses and is then adjusted 
for certain remeasurements of the lease 
liability. Depreciation is recognised on a 
straight-line basis over the period of the 
lease the right-of-use asset is expected 
to be utilised.

The lease liability is initially measured 
at the present value of lease payments 
that are not paid at the commencement 
date, discounted by the Company’s 
incremental borrowing rate. The lease 
liability is subsequently increased by 
the interest cost on the lease liability 
and reduced by payments made. It is 
remeasured when there is a change in 
future lease payments arising from a 
change of index or rate, a variation in 
amounts payable following contractual 
rent reviews and changes in the 
assessment of whether an extension/
termination option is reasonably certain 
to be exercised.

Where lease contracts include renewal 
and termination options, judgement is 
applied to determine the lease term. The 
assessment of whether the Company 
is reasonably certain to exercise such 
options impacts the lease term and the 
subsequent recognition of the lease 
liability and right-of-use asset.

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Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of 
the tax currently payable and deferred 
tax. Tax balances are not discounted.

The tax currently payable is based 
on taxable profit for the year. Taxable 
profit differs from net profit as reported 
in the Income Statement because it 
excludes items of income or expense 
that are taxable or deductible in other 
years and it further excludes items that 
are never taxable or deductible. The 
liability for current tax is calculated using 
tax rates that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted by the year-end 
accounting date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be 
payable or recoverable on differences 
between the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities in the financial statements 
and the corresponding tax bases 
used in the computation of taxable 
profit and is accounted for using the 
liability method. Deferred tax liabilities 
are generally recognised for all taxable 
temporary differences and deferred tax 
assets are recognised to the extent that 
it is probable that taxable profits will 
be available against which deductible 
temporary differences can be utilised. 
Such assets and liabilities are not 
recognised if the temporary difference 
arises from goodwill or from the initial 
recognition (other than in a business 
combination) of other assets and liabilities 
in a transaction that affects neither the 
tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The carrying amount of deferred tax 
assets is reviewed at each financial year-
end date and reduced to the extent that 
it is no longer probable that sufficient 
taxable profits will be available to allow all 
or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax 
rates that are expected to apply in 
the period when the liability is settled 
or the asset is realised. Deferred tax 
is charged or credited in the Income 
Statement, except when it relates to 
items charged or credited within other 
comprehensive income, in which case 
the deferred tax is also dealt with in other 
comprehensive income. The tax base of 
an item considers its intended method of 
recovery by either sale or use.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Principal Accounting Policies continuedWhere the Company acts as a lessor, receipts of lease payments are recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease unless it is deemed that the risks and rewards of ownership have been substantially transferred to the Company’s lessee. If it is deemed that the risks and rewards of ownership have been substantially transferred then the Company will, rather than recognise a right-of-use asset, recognise an investment in the lease, this being the present value of future lease receipts discounted at the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if this is not specified, at the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The finance lease receivable will be increased by the interest received less payments made by the lessee.Impairmenta. Impairment of goodwill: Goodwill is tested annually for impairment. If an impairment provision is made, it cannot subsequently be reversed.b. Impairment of property, plant and equipment, investment properties and right-of-use assets: At each financial year-end date, the Company reviews the carrying amounts of its property, plant and equipment, investment properties and right-of-use assets in order to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does not generate cash inflows that are independent from other assets, the Company estimates the recoverable amount of the CGU to which it belongs.The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash inflows 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 for which the estimates of future cash inflows have not been adjusted.If the recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (CGU) is reduced to its recoverable amount.An impairment loss is recognised as an expense immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (CGU) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (CGU) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised as income immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.For the purpose of impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other groups of assets. Management have determined that the CGUs are the individual dealerships for each franchise.InventoriesInventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost represents the purchase price plus any additional costs incurred.Vehicle inventories include owned vehicles used for demonstration purposes and as courtesy cars for service customers. Consignment vehicles are regarded as being under the effective control of the Company and are included within inventories on the Statement of Financial Position as the Company has substantially all the significant risks and rewards of ownership even though legal title may not yet have passed. The corresponding liability is included in trade and other payables. Parts inventories are valued at cost and are written down to net realisable value, in accordance with normal industry practice, by providing for obsolescence on a time in stock basis.Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated costs to completion and costs to be incurred in marketing and selling.Cash and cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and on demand deposits. In the Cash Flow Statement, cash and cash equivalents exclude the Company’s Cash Overdraft facility from Volkswagen Bank, as this facility has the properties of a revolving-credit facility. This facility is shown within interest-bearing borrowings in current liabilities on the Statement of Financial Position.Investments in subsidiary undertakingsInvestments in subsidiary undertakings are included at cost less amounts written off if the investment is determined to have been impaired and are included in the Parent Company’s separate financial statements.Interest-bearing borrowingsInterest-bearing bank loans and revolving-credit facilities are recorded at their fair value on initial recognition (normally the proceeds received less transaction costs that are directly attributable to the financial liability) and subsequently at amortised cost under the effective interest method. Finance charges, including premiums payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accruals basis to profit or loss using the effective interest method and are added to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the period in which they arise.56Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   5630620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   5621/06/2021   13:00:3021/06/2021   13:00:30Stock code CFYN

Trade and other payables
Trade payables are not interest-bearing 
and are stated at their fair value on initial 
recognition and are subsequently carried 
at amortised cost.

Other payables include obligations 
relating to consignment stock and vehicle 
stocking loans.

Obligations relating to consignment 
stock relate to new cars supplied by 
manufacturers on consignment terms 
and the full purchase price can be 
funded.

Vehicle stocking loans relates to 
creditors in relation to used vehicles and 
is funded up to a level generally 80% 
of market value of the used car based 
on independent market guides. The 
utilisation is recorded at fair value with 
associated interest charged to profit 
or loss. Cash flows relating to these 
arrangements are included in operating 
cash flows.

Equity
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. 
Incremental costs directly attributable 
to the issue of new shares are shown in 
equity as a deduction, net of tax, from 
the proceeds.

Share premium includes any premium 
received on the sale of shares. Any 
transaction costs associated with the 
issuing of shares are deducted from 
share premium, net of any corporation 
tax benefits.

The capital redemption reserve 
comprises the nominal value of ordinary 
and preference share capital purchased 
by the Company in prior years and 
cancelled. The non-distributable reserve 
within equity is a revaluation reserve 

which comprises gains and losses due 
to the revaluation of property, plant 
and equipment prior to 1995. Retained 
earnings includes all current and prior 
period retained profits.

Financial assets are derecognised when 
the contractual rights to the cash flows 
from the financial asset expire, or when 
the financial asset and substantially all 
the risks and rewards are transferred.

The only types of financial assets held 
by the Group are financial assets at 
amortised cost.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when 
the obligation specified in the contract is 
discharged, cancelled or expires.

Financial assets at amortised cost
Trade receivables do not carry any 
interest and are stated at their fair value 
on initial recognition as reduced by 
appropriate allowances for estimated 
irrecoverable amounts and subsequently 
carried at amortised cost.

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified 
approach to measuring expected credit 
losses, which uses a lifetime expected 
loss allowance for all receivables. The 
expected loss rates are based on the 
payment profile of sales over 36 months 
before the year-end date, or the first day 
of the accounting period under review 
respectively, and the corresponding 
historical losses expected in the 
period. The Company also considers 
future expected credit losses due to 
circumstances in addition to historical 
loss rates.

Where any company in the Group 
purchases the Company’s equity 
share capital (treasury shares), the 
consideration paid, including any directly 
attributable incremental costs (net of 
tax), is deducted from equity attributable 
to the Company’s equity holders until 
the shares are cancelled, reissued or 
disposed of. Where such shares are 
subsequently sold or reissued any 
consideration received, net of any directly 
attributable incremental transactions 
costs and the related tax effects, is 
included in equity attributable to the 
Company’s equity holders.

Preference shares
Preference shares are accounted for as 
non-current liabilities, as they have the 
attributes of debt. Preference dividends 
are accounted for as finance charges 
within finance expenses. 

Financial instruments
Recognition, initial measurement 
and re-recognition
Financial assets and financial liabilities 
are recognised when the Company 
becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the financial instrument 
and are measured initially at fair value 
adjusted for transaction costs, except for 
those carried at fair value through profit 
and loss which are measured initially at 
fair value. Subsequent measurement of 
financial assets and financial liabilities is 
described below.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statementsfor the year ended 31 March 20211.General informationCaffyns plc is a company incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006. The address of the registered office is given on page 14. Its revenue is attributable to the sole activity of operating as a motor retailer in the south-east of the United Kingdom and comprises revenue from: 2021£’000Restated2020£’000Sale of goods154,269184,350Rendering of services10,81611,437Total revenue165,085195,787Sales of motor vehicles, parts and aftersales servicesThe Group’s full revenue recognition policy is set out in the section on Principal Accounting Policies under the heading Revenue Recognition. The Group generates revenue through the sale of new and used motor vehicles (together comprising Sale of Goods as shown above), and through the provision of aftersales services in the form of vehicle servicing, maintenance and repairs and introducing customers to finance companies (together comprising Rendering of Services as shown above).The Group recognises revenue from the sale of new and used motor vehicles when a customer takes possession of the vehicle, at which point they have an obligation to pay in full and as such control is considered to transfer at this point. The Group typically receives cash equal to the invoice amount for most direct retail sales to consumers at the time the consumer takes possession of the vehicle. When the consumer has taken out a finance agreement to purchase the vehicle the Group receives payment from the finance company at the time the consumer takes possession of the vehicle. Payment terms on sales to corporate customers typically range from seven to ten days. The Company acts as an agent in instances where it facilitates sales that have been arranged by the manufacturer.The Group recognises revenue from the provision of aftersales services when the service has been completed, at which point customers have an obligation to pay in full. The Group typically receives cash equal to the invoice amount for most direct retail sales to consumers at the time the service has been completed. Payment terms on sales to corporate customers typically range from 30 to 60 days.All revenue recognised in the Income Statement is from contracts with customers and no other revenue has been recognised. No impaired losses have been recognised on any receivables arising from a contract with a customer.Due to the nature of the Group’s contractual relationships with customers and the nature of the services provided there are no timing differences between revenue recognised in the Income Statement and trade receivables being recognised in the Statement of Financial Position.There have been no significant judgements regarding the timing of transactions or the associated transaction price.The transaction price is set out in individual contractual agreements and there is a range of prices based on the types of goods and services offered. There are no variable pricing considerations.Contract liabilities relating to aftersales service plansWhere the Group receives an amount of consideration in advance of completion of performance obligations under a contract with a customer, the value of the advance consideration is initially recognised as a contract liability within liabilities. Revenue is subsequently recognised as the performance obligations are completed over the period of the contract (i.e. as control is passed to the customer). Contract liabilities are presented within trade and other payables in the Statement of Financial Position and disclosed in note 19 Trade and Other Payables. Approximately one-third of the value of these liabilities would be anticipated to be recognised as revenue in each of the next three financial years.58Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   5830620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   5821/06/2021   13:00:3021/06/2021   13:00:30Stock code CFYN

Contract costs
The Group applies the practical expedient in paragraph 94 of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts and recognises the incremental 
costs of obtaining contracts as an expense when incurred if the amortisation period of the assets that the Group otherwise would 
have recognised is one year or less. The Group is satisfied that any incremental costs incurred in obtaining contracts that extend for 
more than one year is immaterial.

Transaction price allocation to remaining performance obligations
The Group applies the practical expedient in paragraph 121 if IFRS 15 and does not disclose information about remaining 
performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less.

Segmental reporting
Based upon the management information reported to the chief operating decision maker, the Chief Executive, in the opinion of the 
directors the Company has one reportable segment. The Company physically operates and is managed from individual dealership 
sites although strategic and investment decisions are made based on dealership groupings or market territories. The Company’s 
individual dealerships represent a range of manufacturers but are considered to have similar economic characteristics, such as 
margin structures, and offer similar products and services to a similar customer base. As such, the results of each dealership have 
been aggregated to form one reportable segment. There are no major customers amounting to 10% or more of revenue. All revenue 
and non-current assets derive from, or are based in, the United Kingdom.

2. Non-underlying items

Net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Other income, net

Within operating expenses:
Service cost on pension scheme

Redundancy and restructuring costs

VAT compliance provision movement

Liquidation distribution received

Property impairments

Non-underlying items within operating profit
Net finance expense on pension scheme

Non-underlying items within net finance expense

Total non-underlying items before taxation

Taxation credit on non-underlying items

Total non-underlying items after taxation

2021
£’000

(3)

(3)

(23)

(40)

– 

– 

(184)

(247)

(250)

(202)

(202)

(452)

86 

(366)

2020
£’000

(2)

(2)

(25)

– 

44 

22 

– 

41 

39 

(187)

(187)

(148)

28 

(120)

The following amounts have been presented as non-underlying items in these financial statements:

• 

• 

redundancy and restructuring costs of £40,000 were incurred in the year as a result of changes necessitated by the covid-19 
pandemic;

the carrying value of a freehold property was impaired by a total of £184,000 following advice from the Company’s independent 
valuer, CBRE Limited (see notes 12 and 13).

In the prior period, the following items were recorded as non-underlying items:

•  a periodic VAT inspection from HM Revenue & Customs carried out in a prior period identified certain items of non-compliance 

with relevant legislation. In the current period, a sum of £44,000 was credited to profit to release a surplus provision that was no 
longer deemed required;

•  a sum of £22,000 was received from the liquidators of MG Rover Group Limited.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 20213. Operating profitOperating profit has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):2021£’0002020£’000Employee benefit expense (see note 5)15,438 15,494 Coronavirus Job retention Scheme claims(2,413)– Depreciation of property, plant, equipment and investment property – owned assets1,667 1,537  – right-of-use assets315 256 Impairments of investment property184 – Net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment3 2 Short-term lease rentals payable – land and buildings106 83 Short-term lease rentals receivable – land and buildings(710)(708)The Company applies the exemption in IFRS 16 Leases not to recognise right-of-use assets and liabilities for leases with a duration of less than twelve months.Operating profit has been arrived at after charging:2021£’0002020£’000Auditor’s remunerationFees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts73 69 Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for other services:– pursuant to legislation being review of interim financial statements13 13 86 72 The Company’s Statutory Auditor is BDO LLP. Subsequent to the completion of the Company’s statutory audit for the prior year a fee variation of £4,000 was agreed for additional audit work required to be carried out as a result of the covid-19 pandemic. This fee has been disclosed as part of the current year fee in the table above.The statutory audit of the Caffyns plc Occupational Pension Scheme is performed by Grant Thornton UK LLP.A description of the work of the Audit and Risk Committee is set out in the Chairman’s Statement on Corporate Governance on pages 17 and 18 and includes an explanation of how auditor objectivity and independence is safeguarded when non-audit services are provided by the Statutory Auditor.The Company refers to underlying profit and underlying EBITDA as being key alternative performance measures when considering the results for the year. These performance metrics can be reconciled to the Company’s result for the year as follows:2021£’0002020£’000Profit/(loss) for the year1,410 (252)Tax charge (note 8)14 355 Profit before tax1,424 103 Net finance expense (notes 6 and 7)1,468 1,569 Non-underlying items within operating profit (note 2)250 (39)Depreciation charged on property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets and   investment properties (notes 11, 12 and 13)1,982 1,795 Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (“EBITDA”)5,124 3,428 60Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   6030620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   6021/06/2021   13:00:3121/06/2021   13:00:314. Other income

Rent receivable

Local Government covid-19 support grants

Liquidation distribution received

Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets

Other income

5. Employee benefit expense
The average number of people (full time equivalents) employed in the following areas was:

Group and Company

Sales

Aftersales

Administration

Average number of full time equivalents employees

Employee benefit expense, including directors, during the year amounted to:

Group and Company 

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Redundancy costs

Contributions to defined contribution plans

Other pension costs (see note 23)

Employee benefit expense

Directors’ emoluments were:

Salaries and short-term employee benefits

Details of the directors’ remuneration are provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 27 to 32.

Key management compensation:

Salaries and short-term employee benefits

Key management personnel includes the directors and other key operational employees.

6. Finance expense

Interest payable on bank borrowings

Interest payable on inventory stocking loans (see note 19)

Interest on lease liabilities

Finance costs amortised

Preference dividends (see note 10)

Finance expense

No interest was capitalised in the current or prior periods. 

www.caffyns.co.uk

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  21 June 2021 1:00 pm 

  Proof 5

Stock code CFYN

2021
£’000

710 

202 

– 

(3)

909 

2020
£’000

708 

– 

22 

(2)

728 

2021
Number

2020
Number

121

201

80

402

2021
£’000

13,614

1,325

40 

234 

225 

128

208

83

419

2020
£’000

13,670

1,320

–

292

212

15,438 

15,494

2021
£’000

591

2021
£’000

1,081

2021
£’000

367 

681 

21 

125 

72 

2020
£’000

657

2020
£’000

1,136

2020
£’000

440 

741 

24 

105 

72 

1,266 

1,382 

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 20217. Finance expense on pension scheme2021£’0002020£’000Defined benefit pension scheme net finance expense (see note 23)202 187 8. Tax2021£’0002020£’000Current taxUK corporation tax(401)– Adjustments recognised in the period for current tax of prior periods33 22 Total (charge)/credit(368)22 Deferred tax (see note 24)Origination and reversal of temporary differences381 (356)Adjustments recognised in the period for deferred tax of prior periods(27)(21)Total credit/(charge)354 (377)Tax charged in the Income Statement(14)(355)The tax (charge)/credit arises as follows:2021£’0002020£’000On normal trading(100)(383)On non-underlying items (see note 2)86 28 Tax charged in the Income Statement(14)(355)The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the Income Statement as follows:2021£’0002020£’000Profit before tax1,424 103 Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2020: 19%)(271)(20)Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit(133)(23)Other differences related primarily to the revaluation of the pension scheme and from property impairments(34)(134)Effect of change in corporation tax rate– (255)Movement in rolled over and held over gains117 76 Reversal of impairment of Advanced Corporation Tax asset301 – Adjustment to tax charge in respect of prior periods6 1 Tax charge for the year(14)(355)During the year an impairment provision against the carrying value of an Advanced Corporation Tax asset was reversed. This impairment was made in the year ended 31 March 2019 at which time management did not recognise an overall deferred tax asset due to the inherent uncertainty at that date. This approach remained unchanged at the previous year end, with 31 March 2020 being immediately after the start of the first covid-19 lockdown, and at the height of the accompanying economic uncertainty, but was altered at the half-year, at 30 September 2020. Management have prepared forecasts extending across the next five years, which reflect an improvement to the levels of profits. These forecasts have allowed the previously held view to be revised and the impairment has been reversed, given management’s judgement of a higher level of certainty that the available Advanced Corporation Tax and other deferred tax assets will be utilised in future years.62Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   6230620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   6221/06/2021   13:00:3121/06/2021   13:00:31The total tax (charge)/credit for the year is made up as follows:

Total current tax (charge)/credit

Deferred tax credit/(charge)

Credited/(charged) in the Income Statement

Credited against other comprehensive income

Total deferred tax credit/(charge)

Total tax credit for the year

Stock code CFYN

2021
£’000

(368)

354 

57 

411 

43 

2020
£’000

22 

(377)

376 

(1)

21 

Factors affecting the future tax charge
The Company has unrelieved advance corporation tax of £1.4 million (2020: £1.4 million), which is available to be utilised against 
future mainstream corporation tax liabilities and is accounted for in deferred tax (see note 24).

The tax charge is impacted by the effect of non-deductible expenses which included the impairment of property, plant and 
equipment and non-qualifying depreciation.

9. Earnings per ordinary share
The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the 
weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. Treasury shares are treated as cancelled for the purposes of 
this calculation.

The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the basic earnings per share, adjusted to allow for the issue of shares and the 
post-tax effect of dividends and/or interest on the assumed conversion of all dilutive options and other dilutive potential ordinary shares.

Reconciliations of earnings and weighted average number of shares used in the calculations are set out below:

Underlying

Basic

Profit before tax

Adjustments:

Non-underlying items (note 2)

Profit before tax

Tax (note 8)

Profit/(loss) after tax
Earnings/(deficit) per share (pence)

Diluted earnings/(deficit) per share (pence)

Underlying earnings/(deficit) after tax

Underlying earnings/(deficit) per share (pence)

Underlying diluted earnings/(deficit) per share (pence)

Non-underlying losses after tax

Losses per share (pence)

Diluted losses per share (pence)

Total earnings/(deficit)
Earnings/(deficit) per share (pence)

Diluted earnings/(deficit) per share (pence)

2021
£’000

1,424 

452 

1,876 

(100)

1,776 

66.0p

65.6p

2020
£’000

103 

148 

251 

(383)

(132)

(4.9)p

(4.9)p

2021
£’000

1,424 

– 

1,424 

(14)

1,410 

52.4p

52.1p

2021
£’000

1,776

66.0p

65.6p

(366)

(13.6)p

(13.5)p

1,410 

52.4p

52.1p

2020
£’000

103 

– 

103 

(355)

(252)

(9.4)p

(9.4)p

2020
£’000

(132)

(4.9)p

(4.9)p

(120)

(4.5)p

(4.5)p

(252)

(9.4)p

(9.4)p

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The number of fully paid ordinary shares in circulation at the year-end was 2,695,376 (2020: 2,694,790). The weighted average number 
of shares in issue for the purposes of the earnings per share calculation were 2,694,846 (2020: 2,694,790). The shares granted in the 
year under the Company’s SAYE scheme have been treated as dilutive. For the purposes of this calculation, the weighted average 
number of shares in issue for the purposes of the earnings per share calculation were 2,707,660 (2020: 2,694,790).

www.caffyns.co.uk

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 202110. Dividends2021£’0002020£’000Preference shares7% Cumulative First Preference1212 11% Cumulative Preference4848 6% Cumulative Second Preference1212 Included in finance expense (see note 6)7272 Ordinary sharesNo interim dividend paid in respect of the current year (2020: 7.5p)–202 No final dividend paid in respect of the March 2020 year end (2019: 15.0p)–404 –606 No final dividend was declared in respect of either the year ended 31 March 2021, or the year ended 31 March 2020.11. Right-of-use assetsGroup and Company£’000Deemed costAt 1 April 2019, on implementation947Additions234At 31 March 20201,181Deemed costAt 1 April 2020 and 31 March 20211,181 Accumulated depreciationAt 1 April 2019– Depreciation for the year256 At 31 March 2020256 Accumulated depreciationAt 1 April 2020256 Depreciation for the year315 At 31 March 2021571 Net book valueAt 31 March 2021610 At 31 March 2020925 The right-of-use assets above represent two long term property leases for premises from which the Company operates a Volkswagen dealership in Brighton and a Volvo dealership in Worthing.Depreciation charges of £315,000 (2020: £256,000) in respect of right-of-use assets has been recognised within administration expenses in the Income Statement.The interest expense on the associated lease liability of £21,000 (2020: £24,000) is disclosed is note 6.Payments made in the year on the above leases were £335,000 (2020: £261,000).Payments made in the year under other leases with contractual periods of 12 months or less, which have not been required to be capitalised, of £106,000 (2020: £83,000) are disclosed in note 3.64Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   6430620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   6421/06/2021   13:00:3121/06/2021   13:00:31Stock code CFYN

12.  Property, plant and equipment

Group and Company
Cost or deemed cost
At 1 April 2019
Additions at cost
Disposals
At 31 March 2020
Cost or deemed cost
At 1 April 2020
Additions at cost
Disposals
At 31 March 2021
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 April 2019
Depreciation charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 March 2020
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 April 2020
Depreciation charge bfor the year
Disposals
At 31 March 2021
Net book value
31 March 2021
31 March 2020
31 March 2019

Freehold
property
£’000

Leasehold
improvements
£’000

Fixtures &
fittings
£’000

Plant &
machinery
£’000

40,748 
4 
– 
40,752 

40,752 
– 
– 
40,752 

4,955 
575 
– 
5,530 

5,530 
583 
– 
6,113 

34,639 
35,222 
35,793 

690 
38 
–
728 

728 
– 
– 
728 

445 
62 
– 
507 

507 
74 
– 
581 

147 
221 
245 

4,804 
461 
(45)
5,220 

5,220 
160 
(30)
5,350 

3,168 
471 
(43)
3,596 

3,596 
522 
(27)
4,091 

1,259 
1,624 
1,636 

6,086 
477 
(46)
6,517 

6,517 
234 
(16)
6,735 

4,535 
312 
(46)
4,801 

4,801 
371 
(16)
5,156 

1,579 
1,716 
1,551 

Total
£’000

52,328 
980 
(91)
53,217 

53,217 
394 
(46)
53,565 

13,103 
1,420 
(89)
14,434 

14,434 
1,550 
(43)
15,941 

37,624 
38,783 
39,225 

Short-term leasehold property for both the Company and the Group comprises £147,000 at net book value in the Statement of 
Financial Position (2020: £221,000). 

Depreciation charges of £1,550,000 (2020: £1,420,000) in respect of property, plant and equipment has been recognised within 
administration expenses in the Income Statement.

The freehold properties were originally revalued externally on 31 March 1995 by Herring Baker Harris, Chartered Surveyors, at 
open market value for existing use (which is close to the then fair value). Freehold properties acquired since that date and the other 
assets listed above have been stated at cost in accordance with IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment. The Company valued its 
portfolio of freehold premises and investment properties as at 31 March 2021. The valuation was carried out by CBRE Limited, 
Chartered Surveyors, in accordance with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors valuation – global and professional standards 
requirements. The valuation is based on existing use value which has been calculated by applying various assumptions as to tenure, 
letting, town planning, and the condition and repair of buildings and sites including ground and groundwater contamination. The 
valuation report supplied by CBRE included a ‘material valuation uncertainty’ as set out in VPS 3 and VPGA 10 of the RICS Valuation 
– Global Standards as it was not possible for them to carry out physical attendance at three properties which were due for internal 
inspections in 2021. As a result, these three properties were valued remotely, relying on physical inspections carried out in previous 
periods. Consequently, CBRE noted that less certainty – and a higher degree of caution – should be attached to their valuation than 
would normally be the case. CBRE noted in their report, for the avoidance of doubt, that the inclusion of their ‘material valuation 
uncertainty’ declaration above did not mean that the valuation could not be relied upon. Rather, the declaration was included to ensure 
transparency of the fact that – in the current extraordinary circumstances – less certainty could be attached to the valuation than 
would otherwise be the case. CBRE noted that the material uncertainty clause was to serve as a precaution and did not invalidate the 
valuation. Other than in relation to the caveat noted above, management are satisfied that this valuation is materially accurate. The 
excess of the valuation over net book value as at 31 March 2021 of those sites was £12.3 million (2020: £11.8 million). In accordance 
with the Company’s accounting policies, this surplus has not been incorporated into these financial statements.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 202113. Investment propertiesGroup and Company2021£’0002020£’000CostAt 1 April 2020 and 31 March 20219,650 9,650Accumulated depreciationAt 1 April 20201,598 1,481Depreciation for the year117 117Impairments for the year184 –At 31 March 20211,899 1,598Net book valueAt 31 March 20217,751 8,052Depreciation and impairment charges of £301,000 (2020: £117,000) in respect of Investment properties have been recognised within administration expenses in the Income Statement.The Company owns a freehold property that is leased out to a third-party motor retail group, and accordingly accounts for the property as an investment property. In the year under review, based on an independent valuation of the property carried out by CBRE, an impairment charge of £184,000 was recognised in the Income Statement, as part of administration expenses. This investment property represents the only asset included in that CGU. In assessing this property for impairment, the directors based their assessment of the recoverable amount on fair value less selling costs.The fair value measurement of the CGU in its entirety was categorised as a Level 3 within the hierarchy set out in IFRS 13 Fair Measurement. The valuation technique that is used to measure the fair value less costs of disposal is consistent with that applied in respect of the Company’s property, plant and equipment, which is set out in note 12. The following are key assumptions on which the directors based their determination of fair value less costs of disposal in respect of that CGU:• Market value of buildings per square foot: £195• Market value of site per acre: £2,472,000• Initial and reversionary yields: 6.7% and 7.0% respectively• Costs of disposal: 1.5% of fair valueAs described in note 12, the total excess of the valuation of all of the Company’s freehold properties over net book value as at 31 March 2021 was £12.3 million (2020: £11.8 million). Investment properties accounted for £0.6 million (2020: £0.7 million) of this surplus.14. Net investment in leaseGroup and Company2021£’0002020£’000Due after more than one year557730Due within one year173178At 31 March 2021730908The premises shown above are sub-let to a third party under a lease which has the same terms and duration as the Company’s own lease.66Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   6630620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   6621/06/2021   13:00:3121/06/2021   13:00:3115. Goodwill

Group and Company

Cost

At 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021
Provision for impairment

At 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021
Carrying amounts allocated to CGUs

Volkswagen, Brighton

Audi, Eastbourne

At 31 March 2021

Stock code CFYN

2021
£’000

2020
£’000

481

195

200

86

286

481 

195

200

86

286

For the purposes of the annual impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to a CGU. Each CGU is allocated against the lowest level 
within the entity at which goodwill is monitored for management purposes. Consequently, the directors recognise CGUs to be those 
assets attributable to individual dealerships and the table above sets out the allocation of goodwill into the individual dealership 
CGUs. The carrying amount of goodwill allocated to the Volkswagen, Brighton CGU is the only amount considered significant in 
comparison with the Group’s total carrying amount of goodwill.

Goodwill impairment reviews are undertaken annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount may not be recoverable and a potential impairment may be required. Impairment reviews have been performed for 
all CGUs for the years ended 31 March 2021 and 2020.

Valuation basis
The recoverable amount of each CGU is based on the higher of its fair value less selling costs and value in use. The fair value 
less selling costs of each CGU is based initially upon the market value of any property contained within it and is determined by an 
independent valuer as described in note 12. Where the fair value less selling costs of a CGU indicates that an impairment may have 
occurred, a discounted cash flow calculation is prepared in order to assess the value in use of that CGU, involving the application of 
a pre-tax discount rate to the projected, risk-adjusted pre-tax cash inflows and terminal value.

Period of specific projected cash flows (Volkswagen, Brighton CGU)
The recoverable amount of the Volkswagen, Brighton CGU is based on value in use. Value in use is calculated using cash flow 
projections for a five-year period from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026. These projections are based on the most recent budget 
which has been approved by the board being the budget for the year ending 31 March 2022. The key assumptions in the most 
recent annual budget on which the cash flow projections are based relate to expectations of sales volumes and margins, and 
expectations around changes in the operating cost base. These assumptions are based on past experience, adjusted to expected 
changes, and on external sources of information. The cash flows include ongoing capital expenditure required to maintain the 
dealership but exclude any growth capital expenditure projects to which the Group was not committed at the reporting date.

Growth rates, ranging from -1% (2020: -25%) to 176% (2020: 131%) have been used to forecast cash flows for a further four years 
beyond the budget period, through to 31 March 2026. These growth rates reflect the products and markets in which the CGU 
operates. These growth rates do not give rise to an impairment. Growth rates are internal forecasts based on a combination of 
internal and external information. Based on these forecasts, the headroom available on the total future profits is £2.4 million before 
an impairment would be necessary.

Period of specific projected cash flows (Volvo, Worthing CGU)
The recoverable amount of the Volvo, Worthing CGU is based on value in use. Value in use is calculated using cash flow projections 
for a five-year period from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026. These projections are based on the most recent budget which has 
been approved by the board being the budget for the year ending 31 March 2022. The key assumptions in the most recent annual 
budget on which the cash flow projections are based relate to expectations of sales volumes and margins, and expectations around 
changes in the operating cost base. These assumptions are based on past experience, adjusted to expected changes, and on 
external sources of information. The cash flows include ongoing capital expenditure required to maintain the dealership but exclude 
any growth capital expenditure projects to which the Group was not committed at the reporting date.

Growth rates, ranging from -25% to 8% have been used to forecast cash flows for a further four years beyond the budget period, 
through to 31 March 2026. These growth rates reflect the products and markets in which the CGU operates. These growth rates do 
not give rise to an impairment. Growth rates are internal forecasts based on a combination of internal and external information. Based 
on these forecasts, the headroom available on the total future profits is £1.7 million before an impairment would be necessary.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 202115. Goodwill continuedDiscount rateThe cash flow projections have been discounted using a rate derived from the Group’s pre-tax weighted average cost of capital, adjusted for industry and market risk. The discount rate used was 12.4% (2020: 12.4%).Terminal growth rateThe cash flows subsequent to the forecast period are extrapolated into the future over the useful economic life of the CGU using a steady or declining growth rate that is consistent with that of the product and industry. These cash flows form the basis of what is referred to as the terminal value. The growth rate to perpetuity beyond the initial budgeted cash flows used in the value in use calculations to arrive at a terminal value is 0.5% (2020: 0.5%). Terminal growth rates are based on management’s estimate of future long-term average growth rates.ConclusionAt 31 March 2021, no impairment charge in respect of goodwill was identified (2020: no impairment charge).Sensitivity to changes in key assumptionsImpairment testing is dependent on estimates and judgements, particularly as they relate to the forecasting of future cash flows. The outcome of the impairment test is not sensitive to reasonably possible changes in respect of the projected cash flows, the discount rate applied, nor in respect of the terminal growth rate assumed.16. Investments in subsidiary undertakingsThe Company owns the whole of the issued ordinary share capital of Caffyns Wessex Limited, Caffyns Properties Limited and Fasthaven Limited, all of which are dormant. The amount at which the investments are stated is equivalent to the net assets of the subsidiaries. All subsidiary undertakings are registered in England and Wales.Company£’000CostAt 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021476 ProvisionAt 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021226Net book valueAt 31 March 2021250At 31 March 202025017. InventoriesGroup and Company2021£’000Restated2020£’000Vehicles19,74123,126Vehicles on consignment15,99517,408Oil, spare parts and materials821920Work in progress55At 31 March 202136,56241,459Group and Company:2021£’0002020£’000Inventories recognised as an expense during the year135,348162,929Inventories stated at fair value less costs to sell708810Carrying value of inventories subject to retention of title clauses23,94027,272All vehicle inventories held under consignment stocking arrangements are deemed to be assets of the Group and are included on the Statement of Financial Position from the date of consignment. The corresponding liabilities to the manufacturers are included within trade and other payables. Inventories can be held on consignment for a maximum consignment period set by the manufacturer, which is generally between 180 and 365 days. Interest is payable in certain cases for part of the consignment period, at various rates indirectly linked to the Bank of England base rate.During the year, £37,000 was recognised in respect of the write-down of inventories of spare parts due to general obsolescence (2020: £39,000).68Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   6830620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   6821/06/2021   13:00:3221/06/2021   13:00:3218. Trade and other receivables

Group and Company

Trade receivables

Allowance for doubtful debts

Other receivables

At 31 March 2021

All amounts are due within one year.

Stock code CFYN

2021
£’000

3,757 

(3)

3,754 

1,318 

5,072 

2020
£’000

3,004 

(7)

2,997 

1,321 

4,318 

The Group makes an impairment provision for all debts that are considered unlikely to be collected. At 31 March 2021 trade 
receivables were shown net of an allowance for impairment of £3,000 (2020: £7,000). The charge recognised during the year was 
£2,000 (2020: £5,000).

Trade receivables have been classified at amortised cost under IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.

Group and Company

Not impaired:

Neither past due nor impaired

Past due up to three months but not impaired

At 31 March 2021

Group and Company

The movement in the allowance for impairment during the year was:

At 1 April 2020

Impairment recognised in the Income Statement

Utilisation

At 31 March 2021

All amounts are due within one year.

2021
£’000

3,694

60

3,754

2021
£’000

7 

2 

(6)

3 

2020
£’000

2,957

40

2,997

2020
£’000

2 

5 

– 

7 

Credit risk
The Company’s principal financial assets are trade receivables, bank balances and cash that represent the Company’s maximum 
exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.

The Company’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables that are due on the earlier of the presentation of the invoice 
or the expiry of a credit term. The amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Position are net of allowances for doubtful 
receivables, estimated by the Company’s management based on prior experience and their assessment of the current economic 
environment. Consequently, the directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to their 
fair value.

Before granting any new customer credit terms the Company uses external credit rating agencies to assess the potential new 
customer’s credit quality and to define credit facility limits to be made available. These credit limits and creditworthiness are regularly 
reviewed. The concentration of credit risk is limited due to the customer base being large and unrelated. The Company has no 
customer that represents more than 5% of the total balance of trade receivables.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 202119. Trade and other payables2021£’000Restated2020£’000Trade payable14,74212,649Obligations relating to consignment stock15,99517,408Vehicle stocking loans5,1007,315Social security and other taxes1,173549Accruals1,4821,283Deferred income614592Other creditors232281Group total39,33840,077Amounts owed to Group undertakings250250Company total39,58840,327Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. The average credit period taken for these trade-related purchases was 33 days (2020: 25 days).The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximates to fair value.The Group finances the purchases of new car inventory through the use of consignment funding facilities provided by its manufacturer partners and which are shown above as Obligations relating to consignment stock. Vehicles are physically supplied by the manufacturers with payment deferred until the earlier of the registration of the vehicle or the end of the consignment period, generally 180 days. In certain circumstances consignment periods can be extended with the agreement of the manufacturer. The consignment funding facilities attract interest at a commercial rate.The Group utilises vehicle stocking loans to assist with the purchase of certain used car inventory. Facilities are available from both its manufacturer partners and a third-party finance provider and are generally available for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase. These vehicle stocking loans attract interest at a commercial rate.Interest charges on consignment stocking loans and vehicle stocking loans described above for the year ended 31 March 2021 were £681,000 (2020: £741,000).The obligations relating to consignment stock are all subject to retention of title clauses for the vehicles to which they relate. Obligations for used and demonstrator cars which have been funded are secured on the vehicles to which they relate and are shown above as vehicle stocking loans. From a risk perspective, the Company’s funding is split between manufacturers through their related finance arms and that funded by the Company through bank borrowings.The Company deferred payments of VAT of £440,000 under the covid-19 payment deferral scheme operated by HMRC. This VAT is to be settled by eleven equal monthly instalments, with payments having commenced in April 2021. At 31 March 2021, an outstanding balance of £400,000 has been included in within Social security and other taxes.The movements in deferred income in the year were as follows:2021£’0002020£’000At 1 April 2020592 590 Utilisation of deferred income in the year(1,136)(1,300)Income received and deferred in the year1,158 1,302 At 31 March 2021614 592 70Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   7030620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   7021/06/2021   13:00:3221/06/2021   13:00:3220. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Group and Company

Current liabilities:

Secured bank loans and overdrafts

Non-current liabilities:

Secured bank loans

At 31 March 2021

Stock code CFYN

2021
£’000

2020
£’000

3,875 

5,875 

12,187 

16,062 

11,844 

17,719 

Note 21 sets out the maturity profile of non-current liabilities. The directors estimate that there is no material difference between  
the fair value of the Company’s borrowings and their book value. The loan and overdraft facilities provided to the Company of  
£26.1 million (2020: £26.7 million) are secured by a general debenture and fixed charges over certain freehold properties.

21. Financial instruments
The Group utilises financial instruments such as bank loans and overdrafts and new and used vehicle stocking loans to finance its 
operations and to manage the interest rate and liquidity risks that arise from those operations and from its sources of finance. The 
disclosures below apply to the Group and the Company unless otherwise noted.

Group and Company

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities:
Primary financial instruments held or issued to 
finance operations

Classification

2021
carrying
value &
fair value
£’000

2020
carrying
value &
fair value
£’000

Long-term bank borrowings (note 20)

Financial liability measured at amortised cost

(12,187)

(11,844)

Bank overdraft (note 20)

Financial liability measured at amortised cost

Other short-term bank borrowings (note 20)

Financial liability measured at amortised cost

(3,000)

(875)

(5,000)

(875)

Trade and other payables (note 19)

Financial liability measured at amortised cost

(37,551)

(38,936)

Trade and other receivables (note 18)

Financial asset at amortised cost

Cash and cash equivalents

Financial asset at amortised cost

Preference share capital (note 25)

Financial liability measured at amortised cost

5,072 

5,735 

(812)

4,318 

1,478 

(812)

The amounted noted in the above table are the same for the Company apart from:

Trade and other payables (note 19)

Financial liability measured at amortised cost

(37,801)

(39,186)

Financial risk management
The Group is exposed to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:

a)  Funding and liquidity risk – the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its obligations as they fall due;

b)  Credit risk – the risk of financial loss to the Group on the failure of a customer or counterparty to meet their obligations as they 

fall due; and

c)  Market risk – the risk that changes in market prices, such as interest rates, have on the Group’s financial performance.

The Group manages credit and liquidity risk by particularly focusing on working capital management. The Group’s quantitative 
exposure to these risks is explained throughout these financial statements while the Group’s objectives and management of these 
risks is set out below.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 202121. Financial instruments continuedCapital managementThe Group views its financial capital resources as primarily comprising share capital, bank loans and overdrafts, vehicle stocking credit lines and operating cash flow.The board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base to facilitate market confidence and safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern while maximising the return on capital to the Group’s shareholders. The Group monitors its capital through closely scrutinising and reviewing its cash flows. The capital of the Group is £27.6 million and comprises share capital, share premium, retained earnings and other reserve accounts: the capital redemption reserve, the non-distributable reserve and the other reserve. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the level of dividends paid to the holders of ordinary shares, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt. The Group’s ratio of net bank loans and overdrafts to equity was 37% at 31 March 2021 (2020: 62%). Capital requirements imposed externally by HSBC are that borrowings should not exceed 70% of the current open-market value for existing use of the Group’s freehold properties which are subject to a fixed charge. The underlying pre-tax return as a proportion of equity for the year was 6.8% (2020: 1.0%).The Company has occasionally repurchased its own shares in the market and cancelled them to promote growth in earnings per share. There is no predetermined plan for doing this although the Company has permission from its shareholders to buy back up to 15% of its equity in any one financial year. The Company may also purchase its own shares to satisfy share incentives issued to employees and these shares are then held as treasury shares.Treasury policy and proceduresThe Company’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in interest rates. There are no fixed rate borrowings other than preference shares.Funding and liquidity risk managementThe Group finances its operations through a mixture of retained profits and borrowings from bank, vehicle stocking credit lines and operating cash flow. The Group’s policy is to maintain a balance between committed and uncommitted facilities and between term loans and overdrafts. Facilities are maintained at levels in excess of planned requirements and at 31 March 2021 the Group had undrawn floating rate borrowing facilities of £15.7 million (2020: £10.5 million) represented by overdrafts and revolving-credit facilities which would be repayable on demand, in respect of which all conditions precedent had been met. The Group is not directly exposed to foreign currency risk.Interest rate managementThe objective of the Group’s interest rate policy is to minimise interest costs while protecting the Group from adverse movements in interest rates. Borrowings at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk whereas borrowings at fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk. The Group does not currently hedge any interest rate risk.Interest rate risk sensitivity analysisAs all of the Group’s borrowings and vehicle stocking credit lines are floating rate instruments, they therefore have a sensitivity to changes in market rates of interest. The effect of a change of 100 basis points in interest rates for floating rate instruments outstanding at the period end, on the assumption that the instruments at the period end were outstanding for the entire period, would change interest charges by £154,000 (2020: £236,000) before tax relief.Credit risk managementThe Group’s receivables are all denominated in sterling. The Group is exposed to credit risk primarily in respect of its trade receivables and financial assets. Trade receivables are stated net of provision for estimated impairment losses. Exposure to credit risk in respect of trade receivables is mitigated by the Group’s policy of only granting credit to certain customers after an appropriate evaluation of their credit risk. Credit risk also arises in respect of amounts due from manufacturers in relation to bonuses and warranty receivables. This risk is mitigated by the range of manufacturers dealt with, the Group’s procedures in effecting timely collection of amounts due, and management’s belief that it does not expect any manufacturer to fail to meet its obligations. Finance assets comprise cash balances. The counterparties are major banks and management do not expect any counterparty to fail to meet its obligations. The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of the financial asset in the Statement of Financial Position.These objectives, policies and strategies are consistent with those applied in the previous year.72Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   7230620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   7221/06/2021   13:00:3221/06/2021   13:00:32Stock code CFYN

2021
carrying
value &
fair value
£’000

2020
carrying
value &
fair value
£’000

5,735

1,478 

Group and Company

Bank balances and cash equivalents

All borrowings are denominated in sterling. The effective interest rates for all borrowings are based on bank base rates. Information 
regarding classification of balances and interest and the range of interest rates applied in the year to 31 March 2021 are set out in 
the following table:

Current: within one year or on demand

Overdraft

Term loan

Term loan

Trade and other payables

Not repayable within one year

Term loan

Term loan

Revolving-credit facility

Preference share capital

Carrying value
& fair value

Classification

Interest
classification

Interest rate
range

3,000 

Amortised cost

500 

375 

Amortised cost

Amortised cost

37,551 

Amortised cost

Floating

Floating

Floating

– 

Base rate + 1.80%

VBBR* + 1.75%

LIBOR** + 1.75%

– 

Carrying value
& fair value

Classification

Interest
classification

Interest rate
range

1,000 

6,188 

5,000 

812 

Amortised cost

Amortised cost

Amortised cost

Amortised cost

Floating

Floating

Floating

Fixed

VBBR* + 1.75%

LIBOR** + 1.75%

LIBOR** + 1.80%

– 

* Volkswagen Bank Base Rate, a base rate calculated by Volkswagen Bank United Kingdom Branch.
** London Interbank Offered Rate.

The maturity of non-current borrowings is as follows:

Group and Company

Between one and two years

Between two and five years

Over five years

At 31 March 2021

2021
£’000

11,688 

500 

812 

2020
£’000

875 

10,969 

812 

13,000 

12,656 

Maturities include lease liabilities and amounts drawn under revolving-credit facilities. The maturities of lease liabilities represent the 
undiscounted future repayments on those leases. The Company’s revolving-credit facility can continue to be drawn in whole or part 
at any time under a facility which will continue until 2023. The maturities of the revolving-credit facility represent the final payment 
dates for those drawn facilities as at 31 March 2023. If the amounts drawn at the year-end were redrawn at the Group’s usual 
practice of three-monthly drawings, the total cash outflows, assuming interest rates remain at the same rates as at year-end, are 
estimated on an undiscounted basis as follows:

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Within six months

Six – twelve months

More than twelve months

Contractual cash flows

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2021
£’000

320 

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6,187 

6,827 

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£’000

308 

308 

5,659 

6,275 

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 202121. Financial instruments continuedThe Group has a term loan with HSBC, entered into in March 2018, originally of £7.5 million, at a rate of interest of 1.75% above LIBOR. The loan has a five-year term and is repayable over 20 years. To assist in partially mitigating the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, HSBC agreed to suspend capital repayments on the term loan for the first and second calendar quarters of 2020. Therefore, the balance outstanding on this term loan at 31 March 2021 was £6.6 million (2020: £6.8 million) with capital repayments in the year of £0.28 million, rather than the usual £0.38 million. HSBC also make available to the Group a revolving-credit facility of £7.5 million at a rate of interest of 1.8% above LIBOR. This facility has a five-year term and expires in March 2023. The balance drawn as at 31 March 2021 was £5.0 million (2020: £4.0 million). These facilities are subject to covenants which are tested half-yearly with respect to debt/freehold property values and interest cover and which were passed at 31 March 2021. The failure of a covenant test would render these facilities repayable on demand at the option of the lender.The Group also has a bank term loan from Volkswagen Bank United Kingdom Branch, which carries a rate of interest of 1.75% above VBBR. The loan is repayable over its ten-year term which expires in December 2024. Similarly to HSBC, Volkswagen Bank suspended capital repayments on the term loan for the months of April, May and June 2020.No reduction in term loan or revolving-credit facilities is expected to apply consequent to the trading results for the year ended 31 March 2021.The Group also had £10.5 million of combined annual overdraft facilities (2020: £10.5 million) from HSBC and Volkswagen Bank United Kingdom Branch and these facilities are next due for renewal in August 2021. The directors have every expectation that these facilities will be renewed based on the current discussions with the relevant banks. The two overdrafts carry an interest rate of 1.85% above bank base rate and 2.64% above VBBR, respectively.The Group has granted security to HSBC and Volkswagen Bank United Kingdom Branch by way of a general debenture over its assets and a fixed charge over certain freehold property. The total value of those assets at 31 March 2021 in the Statement of Financial Position was £69.3 million (2020: £66.9 million). The Group has also granted security to its defined-benefit pension scheme by way of fixed charge over certain freehold property. This charge ranks in priority behind those charges granted to HSBC and Volkswagen Bank United Kingdom Branch.The ongoing costs associated with the bank facilities are included in finance expense (see note 6).The preference shares in issue do not have a maturity date as they are non-redeemable.22. Lease liabilitiesGroup and Company2021£’0002020£’000Deemed liabilityAt 1 April 20201,853 2,038 Additions in the year– 234 Interest charge for the year29 24 Lease payments(604)(443)At 31 March 20211,278 1,853 Due in less than one year495 491 Due after more than one year783 1,362 At 31 March 2021 1,278 1,853 74Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   7430620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   7421/06/2021   13:00:3221/06/2021   13:00:32Stock code CFYN

23. Retirement benefit scheme
Group and Company
Description of scheme
The Company operates a pension scheme, the Caffyns Pensions Scheme (“CPS”), providing benefits based on final pensionable 
pay until 31 March 2006. With effect from 1 April 2006, the Scheme closed to new entrants and all members in the final salary 
section were transferred to the career average section for future service and certain benefits were reduced. Depending on the 
proportion of pensionable pay purchased, the Company contribution rates varied between 4% and 15%. With effect from 1 April 
2010 the Scheme closed to future accrual with all members transferred to a defined-contribution scheme for their future service. As 
part of the 2014 funding valuation it was agreed that the inflation measure used to set in-deferment and in-payment increases for 
pensions in excess of guaranteed minimum pensions would change from the Retail Prices Index to the Consumer Prices Index for 
members (or dependents of members) who were in service on or after 1 April 1991.

The Trustees are responsible for the operation and governance of the Scheme, including making decisions regarding the Scheme’s 
funding and investment strategy, in conjunction with the Company. The assets of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme, administered by 
Capita Employee Solutions, are held separately from those of the Company, being held in separate funds by the trustees of the 
Caffyns Pensions Scheme. The Scheme rules do not impose a restriction on the level of Scheme asset that may be reported under 
IAS 19. The Scheme has been registered with the Pensions Regulator and is subject to the scheme-specific funding requirements 
as outlined in UK legislation. The liabilities are determined by a qualified actuary based on triennial valuations using the projected 
unit method. The most recent completed valuation was at 31 March 2017 although, subsequent to the year-end, the next valuation 
,effective from 31 March 2020, has been completed.

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Description of expected cash flows to and from the Scheme
As part of the 31 March 2017 funding valuation the Trustees and the Company agreed a recovery plan with a view to eliminating  
the scheme-specific funding shortfall by 31 July 2028. Over the year to 31 March 2021 the Company contributed £527,000  
(2020: £523,000) to fund the existing deficit of which £502,000 (2020: £491,000) was in relation to deficit-reduction contributions. 

Since the year-end, a new recovery plan has been agreed with the trustees. Over the year to 31 March 2022 the Company expects 
to contribute £1,750,000 in relation to deficit-reduction contributions. This expected contribution includes a one-off contribution 
of £1,000,000. In addition, the Company will continue to make contributions towards risk benefits and to meet the administrative 
expenses of the Scheme and its Pension Protection Fund levies.

The liabilities of the Scheme are based on the current value of expected benefit payment cash flows to members of the Scheme 
over the next 70 to 80 years. The average duration of the liabilities is approximately 16 years. Expected benefit payments in the year 
to 31 March 2022 are £3,796,000.

Risks to the Scheme
The ultimate cost of the Scheme to the Company will depend upon actual future events rather than the assumptions made. Many 
of the assumptions made are unlikely to be borne out in practice and as such the cost of the Scheme may be higher, or lower, than 
disclosed. In general, the risk to the Company is that assumptions underlying the disclosures, or the calculation of contribution 
requirements, are not borne out in practice and the cost to the Company is higher than expected.

More specifically, the Scheme exposes the Company to actuarial risks such as:

• 

• 

Interest rate risk – the present value of the defined-benefit liability is calculated using a discount rate determined by reference 
to market yields of corporate bonds whereas the Scheme holds a mixture of investments. A decrease in market yield on high 
quality corporate bonds will increase the Company’s defined-benefit liability, although it is expected that this would be offset 
partially by an increase in the fair value of certain of the Scheme’s assets;

Investment risk – the Scheme’s assets at 31 March 2021 are invested by an appointed fiduciary management company, 
SEI Investments (Europe). The investment in various types of asset funds is intended to reduce risk while maintaining planned 
returns;

•  Longevity risk – the Company is required to provide benefits for life for the members of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme. 

Increases in life expectancy of the members will increase the defined-benefit liability;

• 

Inflation risk – a significant proportion of the defined-benefit liability is linked to inflation. An increase in the inflation rate will 
increase the Company’s liability. A portion of the Scheme’s assets are inflation-linked debt securities, which would mitigate some 
of the effect of inflation.

The Company has applied IAS 19 Employee Benefits (Revised) to this scheme and the following disclosures relate to this Standard. 
The Company recognises any remeasurement (actuarial gains and losses) in each period in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 202123. Retirement benefit scheme continuedResults of most recent actuarial valuationThe assumptions which have the most significant effect on the results of the valuation are those relating to rates of mortality, the discount rate used to reflect the present value of scheme liabilities, and the rate of inflation. As at the year-end, the last available actuarial valuation, as at 31 March 2017, showed that the market value of the assets of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme were  £90.4 million and that the actuarial value of those assets represented 87% of the value of the benefits that had accrued to employees at that date. The deficit arising at 31 March 2017 of £13.5 million compared to a deficit of £9.5 million under IAS 19 and was due to different assumptions being adopted for the triennial valuation. The payments agreed with the trustees of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme under the recovery plan were for deficit-reduction cash payments to be made in the year ended 31 March 2018 of £480,000 with payments increasing annually from 1 April 2019 by the greater of 2.25% or the percentage increase in annual shareholder dividends paid until 31 July 2028.Since the year-end the actuarial valuation, effective 31 March 2020, has been completed and full details of this valuation will be reported on in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report. The costs and liabilities of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme are based on actuarial valuations. At the year-end, the latest available full actuarial valuation, carried out at 31 March 2017, was updated to 31 March 2021 by Willis Towers Watson, independent qualified actuaries, for the requirements of IAS 19. Details of the actuarial assumptions are as follows:20212020Mortality tables used: females97% of SAPS series 297% of SAPS series 2Mortality tables used: males100% of SAPS series 2100% of SAPS series 2Future improvements in mortalityCMI2020 + 1.25%CMI2018 + 1.25%Discount rate1.95%2.20%Inflation (CPI)2.75%1.75%Pension increase for in-payment benefits (CPI max 5%)2.70%1.90%The discount rate adopted is based upon the yields of high-quality corporate bonds of appropriate duration.The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure scheme liabilities are set out below:AssumptionChange in assumptionImpact on scheme liabilitiesDiscount rateIncrease/decrease by 0.1%+/– £1.5 millionRate of inflationIncrease/decrease by 0.1%+/– £0.7 millionPension increasesIncrease/decrease by 0.1%+/– £1.0 millionMortalityIncrease/decrease by 0.1%+/– £4.8 millionThe fair value of assets of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme for each class of asset, all of which have a quoted market price in an active market, are as follows:Market value2021£’0002020£’000LDI fund16,89611,080Growth fund72,18169,500Equity instruments469501At 31 March 202189,54681,081A fiduciary manager, SEI Investments (Europe) operates with the objective of improving the performance of the assets of the Caffyns Pensions Scheme. Assets of the Scheme (excluding cash in the trustees’ administrative bank account) at 31 March 2021 were invested 19% (2020: 13%) in LDI funds, 80% (2020: 86%) in return enhancing growth funds and 1% (2020: 1%) in Caffyns plc shares.76Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   7630620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   7621/06/2021   13:00:3321/06/2021   13:00:33Stock code CFYN

In accordance with the requirements of IAS 19 Employee Benefits, the expected return on assets is based on the discount rate 
noted above of 2.70% and not the return on the underlying portfolio of investments. Consequently, the charge to the Income 
Statement for the year ending 31 March 2022 is expected to be approximately £202,000.

Equity instruments include shares in Caffyns plc, which are detailed in note 25.

The assumptions used by the actuary are the best estimates based on market conditions chosen from a range of possible actuarial 
assumptions which, due to the timescales covered, may not necessarily be borne out in practice. 

Life expectancy at age 65 (in years):

Member currently aged 65

Member currently aged 45

2021
Male

21.6

22.9

2021
Female

23.8

25.4

2020
Male

21.6

22.9

2020
Female

23.8

25.3

A liability for the defined-benefit pension scheme deficit is included in the Statement of Financial Position under the heading of non-
current liabilities.

Analysis of the movement in the net liability for defined-benefit obligations recognised in the Statement of Financial Position

At 1 April 2020

Expense recognised in the Income Statement

Contributions paid by the Company

Net remeasurement recognised in other comprehensive income

At 31 March 2021

Total expense recognised in the Income Statement

Interest cost

Interest income on Scheme assets

Interest – net (see note 7)

Current service cost

Changes in the present value of the defined-benefit pension obligation

At 1 April 2020

Service cost

Interest cost

Actuarial gains - experience

Actuarial (gains)/losses – demographic assumptions

Actuarial losses/(gains) – financial assumptions

Benefits paid

At 31 March 2021

2021
£’000

(9,434)

(225)

526 

(301)

(9,434)

2021
£’000

1,946 

(1,744)

202 

23 

225 

2020
£’000

(8,576)

(212)

523 

(1,169)

(9,434)

2020
£’000

2,100 

(1,913)

187 

25 

212 

2021
£’000

2020
£’000

90,515 

95,421 

23 

1,946 

(954)

(198)

11,811 

(4,163)

98,980 

25 

2,100 

(365)

377 

(2,887)

(4,156)

90,515 

In October 2018, the High Court issued a judgement which required pension schemes to equalise members’ benefits to address 
the unequal effect of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions between genders. In assessing the present value of the pension liabilities, an 
allowance for the liabilities to increase by 0.9% continue to be made for the estimated cost of this Guaranteed Minimum Pensions 
equalisation process.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 202123. Retirement benefit scheme continuedMovement in the fair value of scheme assets2021£’0002020£’000At 1 April 202081,081 86,845 Interest income1,745 1,913 Actuarial losses/(gains) – financial assumptions10,357 (4,044)Contributions paid by the Company526 523 Benefits paid(4,163)(4,156)At 31 March 202189,546 81,081 Reconciliation of the impact of the asset ceilingThe Company has reviewed the implications of the guidance provided in IFRIC 14 and has concluded that it is not necessary to make adjustments to the IAS 19 disclosures at 31 March 2021 as any scheme surplus would be available to the Company unconditionally by way of a refund, assuming the gradual settlement of scheme liabilities over time until all members had left the Caffyns Pensions Scheme.24. Deferred taxGroup and CompanyThe following are the major deferred tax assets and liabilities recognised and the movements thereon during the current and prior reporting period.Accelerated taxdepreciation£’000Unrealised capital gains£’000Retirement benefit obligations£’000Tax losses£’000Short-termtemporary differences£’000RecoverableACT£’000Total£’000At 1 April 2019(928)(1,357)1,458 – (8)835 – Change in tax rates and prior year adjustments117 (409)17 – (1)– (276)Timing differences(131)76 (59)28 (14)– (100)Recognised in other comprehensive income– – 376 – – – 376 At 31 March 2020(942)(1,690)1,792  28 (23)835 – At 1 April 2020(942)(1,690)1,792 28 (23)835 – Change in tax rates and prior year adjustments1 – – (28)– – (27)Timing differences16 118 (57)– 4 301 382 Recognised in other comprehensive income– – 57 – – – 57 At 31 March 2021(925)(1,572)1,792 – (19)1,136 412 In the Spring Budget 2021, the Government announced that from 1 April 2023 the corporation tax rate will increase to 25%. As the proposal to increase the rate to 25% had not been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, its effects are not included in these financial statements. However, it is likely that the overall effect of the change, had it been substantively enacted by the balance sheet date, would be to reduce the current deferred tax asset of £412,000 by £222,000 to £190,000.The Company carries a balance of surplus unrelieved advanced corporation tax (“ACT”) which can be utilised to reduce corporation tax payable subject to a restriction of 19% of taxable profits less shadow ACT calculated at 25% of shareholder ordinary dividends. Shadow ACT has no effect on the corporation tax payable itself but any surplus shadow ACT on dividends must be fully absorbed before surplus unrelieved ACT can be utilised. The value of surplus ACT is £1,136,000 (2020: £1,136,000) and shadow ACT is £376,000 (2020: £845,000).78Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   7830620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   7821/06/2021   13:00:3321/06/2021   13:00:33Stock code CFYN

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax 
liabilities and it is considered that this requirement is fulfilled. The offset amounts are as follows:

Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax assets

At 31 March 2021

2021
£’000

(2,516)

2,928 

412 

2020
£’000

(2,655)

2,655 

– 

The unrealised capital gains include deferred tax on gains recognised on revaluing the land and buildings in 1995 and where 
potentially taxable gains arising from the sale of properties have been rolled over into replacement assets. Such tax would become 
payable only if such properties were sold without it being possible to claim rollover relief.

There were no trading losses available for use in future periods (2020: £147,000).

25. Called up share capital

Authorised
500,000 7% Cumulative First Preference shares of £1 each

1,250,000 11% Cumulative Preference shares of £1 each

3,000,000 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares of 10 pence each

4,000,000 Ordinary shares of 50 pence each

At 31 March 2021

Allotted, called up and fully paid
170,732 7% Cumulative First Preference shares of £1 each

441,401 11% Cumulative Preference shares of £1 each

2,000,000 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares of 10 pence each

Total preference shares recognised as a financial liability (see note below)

2,879,298 Ordinary shares of 50 pence each

At 31 March 2021

2021
£’000

500

1,250

300

2,000

4,050

171

441

200

812

1,439

2,251

2020
£’000

500 

1,250 

300 

2,000 

4,050 

171 

441 

200 

812 

1,439 

2,251 

At 1 April 2020, the Company held 2,879,298 Ordinary shares with 184,508 shares held in treasury. During the year 586 of these 
shares were utilised for options exercised under the 2017 SAYE scheme. Shares held in treasury at 31 March 2021 were 183,922. 
No treasury shares were utilised in the prior year. The remaining treasury shares are held to fulfil the requirements of the current, and 
any future, Company Save As You Earn schemes for eligible employees. The market value of these shares at 31 March 2021 was 
£644,000 (2020: £517,000). Dividend income from, and voting rights on, the shares held in treasury have been waived.

The 7% Cumulative First Preference shares have rights to a fixed dividend and, in the event of a winding-up, a priority to the 
Ordinary shares for a capital repayment. The shares do not have voting rights.

The 11% Cumulative Preference shares have rights to a fixed dividend and, in the event of a winding-up, a priority to the Ordinary 
shares for a capital repayment. The shares do not have voting rights.

The 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares continue to have voting rights (one vote per Second Preference share) except in 
relation to matters which under the Listing Rules, as amended from time to time, are required to be voted on only by premium-listed 
securities, being the Ordinary shares.

Although the Articles of Association of the Company give the directors discretion to pay the preference dividend only if they consider 
there are adequate profits, such dividends are cumulative. For this reason, the directors consider that the preference shares have 
the characteristic of a financial liability rather than equity, and consequently the preference shares are included as a non-current 
liability. None of the preference shares have rights of conversion or rights to capital repayment.

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 202126. Share-based paymentsYear of grantExercisepriceExercisedateNumber at1 April2019IssuedCancelledNumber at31 March 20202017£3.99September 2020106,330– (20,958)85,372Year of grantExercisepriceExercisedateNumber at1 April2020IssuedLapsedNumber at31 March 20212017£3.99September 202085,372(586)(84,786)–2020£3.06February 2024–101,926 – 101,926All grants made under the Company’s Save As You Earn schemes are for periods of three years and vest in ordinary shares. The market value of the shares at the date of the grant of the 2017 Save As You Earn scheme options was £4.99 and at the date of the grant of the 2020 Save As You Earn scheme options was £3.85. The fair value of the grants made under the SAYE scheme is charged to the Income Statement over the vesting period based on the valuation derived from an adjusted Black-Scholes model. The volatility factor for movements in the Company’s share price used in the valuation model was estimated at 65%.At the exercise date of the 2017 grant the exercise price was above the current market price of the Company’s ordinary shares. As a result, only 586 options were exercised with the remaining options lapsing.The total expense included within operating profit relating to share-based payments for the year was £37,000 (2020: £56,000), with an associated tax credit to the Income Statement and Equity of £7,000 (2020: £11,000).27. Notes to the cash flow statementGroup and Company2021£’000Restated2020£’000Profit before tax for the year1,424103Adjustments for net finance expense1,4681,5692,8921,672Adjustments for:Depreciation of property, plant and equipment, investment properties and right-of-use assets1,9821,793Impairment against investment properties184–Cash payments into the defined-benefit pension scheme(526)(523)Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment32Share-based payments3756Operating cash flows before movements in working capital4,5723,000Decrease/(increase) in inventories3,484(309)(Increase)/decrease in receivables(754)4,479Increase/(decrease) in payables697(6,467)Cash generated by operations7,999703Tax paid, net of refunds(31)(147)Interest paid(1,244)(1,358)Net cash derived from/(absorbed) operating activities6,724(802)All interest payments are treated as operating cash movements as they arise from movements in working capital. 80Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   8030620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   8021/06/2021   13:00:3321/06/2021   13:00:33Stock code CFYN

Reconciliation of debt

Group and  Company:
At 1 April 2019

Cash movement

At 31 March 2020

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

At 31 March 2020

At 1 April 2020

Cash movement

At 31 March 2021
Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

At 31 March 2021

Bank
loans
£’000
9,500 

(781)

8,719 

875 

7,844 

8,719 

8,719 

(657)

8,062 
875 

7,187 

8,062 

Revolving
credit 
facilities
£’000
8,000 

1,000 

9,000 

5,000 

4,000 

9,000 

9,000 

(1,000)

8,000 
3,000 

5,000 

8,000 

Lease
liabilities
£’000
2,038 

Preference
shares
£’000
812 

Liabilities 
arising from
financing
activities
£’000
20,350 

Bank 
and cash 
balances
£’000
(3,908)

(185)

1,853 

491 

1,362 

1,853 

1,853 

(575)

1,278 
495 

783 

1,278

– 

812 

– 

812 

812 

812 

– 

812 
– 

812 

812 

34 

20,384 

6,366 

14,018 

20,384 

20,384 

(2,232)

18,152
4,370 

13,782

18,152

2,430 

(1,478)

(1,478)

– 

(1,478)

(1,478)

(4,257)

(5,735)
(5,735)

– 

(5,735)

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Net
debt
£’000

16,442 

2,464 

18,906 

4,888 

14,018 

18,906 

18,906 

(6,489)

12,417
(1,365)

13,782

12,417

28. Related parties
The remuneration of directors, who are key management personnel, is set out in note 5 for each of the categories specified in 
IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures. Further information about the remuneration of individual directors is provided in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 27 to 32.

The 2,000,000 6% Cumulative Second Preference shares have full voting rights along with the Ordinary shares, except in relation to 
matters which under the Listing Rules, as amended from time to time, are required to be voted on only by premium-listed securities, 
being the Ordinary shares. These Cumulative Second Preference shares are beneficially owned by Caffyn Family Holdings Limited 
(“Holdings”). Mr S G M Caffyn and Ms S J Caffyn are directors of Holdings. The whole of the issued share capital of Holdings is held 
by close relatives of those directors. Holdings controls directly 42.6% (2020: 42.6%) of the voting rights of Caffyns plc. The directors 
and shareholders of Holdings are also beneficial holders of 535,481 (2020: 535,481) Ordinary shares in Caffyns plc representing 
a further 11.4% (2020: 11.4%) of the voting rights. It is therefore considered that the Caffyn family is the ultimate controlling party. 
As required under the Stock Exchange Listing Rules, the Company entered into a Relationship Agreement with Holdings on 
6 November 2014 whereby Holdings undertakes to the Company that it shall exercise its voting rights and shall exercise all its 
powers to ensure, so far as it is properly able to do so, that its associates shall exercise their respective voting rights and exercise all 
their respective powers to ensure, to the extent that they are able by the exercise of such rights to procure, that:

a)  transactions and arrangements between any member of the Company and Holdings (and/or any of its associates) will be 

conducted at arm’s length and on normal commercial terms;

b)  neither holdings nor any of its associates will take any action that would have the effect of preventing the Company from 

complying with its obligations under the Listing Rules; and

c)  neither Holdings nor any of its associates will propose or procure the proposal of a shareholder resolution which is intended or 

appears to be intended to circumvent the proper application of the Listing Rules.

Directors of the Company and their immediate relatives control 14.0% (2020: 16.4%) of the issued Ordinary share capital of the 
Company. No dividends were paid to directors in the year (2020: £25,188).

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 202128. Related parties continuedCaffyns Pension SchemeDetails of contributions are disclosed in note 23.The Caffyns Pension Scheme held the following investments in the Company:Fair value2021£’0002020£’000Shares held:125,570 (2020: 125,570) Ordinary shares of 50 pence each43935212,862 (2020: 12,862) 11% Cumulative Preference shares of £1 each2020At 31 March 2021459372During the year to 31 March 2021, the Company paid management fees of £410,000 (2020: £249,000) on behalf of the Caffyns Pension Scheme. These costs comprised the Pension Protection Fund levy, actuarial advisory fees and external administration fees.29. Leases as a lessorThe Group’s interest in leasesAt 31 March 2021 the Company had an interest in a single lease. The total future minimum lease receipts payable are:Group and Company2021£’0002020£’000Within one year185185In two to three years185185In three to four years185185In four to five years185185Beyond five years782628181,002The finance income on the net investment in the lease was £7,000 (2020: £3,000).Group and Company2021£’0002020£’000Gross undiscounted cash flows818 1,002 Unearned finance income(88)(94)Net investment in lease730 908 The Group as lessor – operating leasesThe Company’s gross property rental income earned during the year from the direct lease of three (2020: three) investment properties owned by the Group was £710,000 (2020: £708,000). No contingent rents were recognised in income (2020: £nil).At 31 March 2021 there were contracts for land and buildings with tenants for the following lease rentals receivable:Group and Company2021£’0002020£’000Within one year311 516In two to three years237 224In three to four years237 224In four to five years209 198Beyond five years1,570 1,7052,564 2,86782Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   8230620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   8221/06/2021   13:00:3321/06/2021   13:00:33Stock code CFYN

30. Capital commitments
Neither the Group nor the Company had any capital commitments at 31 March 2021 (2020: £nil).

31. Legal contingent liability
In September 2015, Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft announced that certain diesel vehicles manufactured by Volkswagen, Skoda, 
SEAT and Audi, which contain 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0 litre EA 189 diesel engines, were fitted with software which is thought to have 
operated such that when the vehicles were experiencing test conditions, the characteristics of nitrogen oxides (“NOx”) were 
affected. The vehicles remain safe and roadworthy.

Technical measures have been approved by the German type approval authority, the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (the “KBA”) in respect of 
Volkswagen and Audi branded vehicles, by the UK type approval authority, the Vehicle Certification Agency (the “VCA”) in respect of 
Skoda branded vehicles, and by the Ministerio de Industria, Energía y Turismo (the “MDI”) in respect of SEAT branded vehicles. The 
KBA and VCA have confirmed for all affected vehicles that the implementation of all technical measures does not adversely impact 
fuel consumption figures, CO2 emissions figures, engine output, maximum torque and noise emissions. The MDI is also content that 
the technical measures be applied to those SEAT vehicles for which they are the relevant approval authority.

Notwithstanding the above, claims on behalf of multiple claimants, arising out of or in relation to their purchase or acquisition on 
finance of a Volkswagen Group vehicle affected by the NOx issue, have been brought against a number of Volkswagen entities and 
dealers, including Caffyns. Caffyns has been named as a Defendant on fourteen claim forms alleging fraudulent misrepresentation, 
breach of contract, breach of statutory duty, breach of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and a breach of the Consumer Protection 
from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. In total, there are 314 claims being jointly brought against Caffyns.

In December 2019, a hearing took place in the High Court of England and Wales on two preliminary issues: 

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(i)  “Is the High Court of England and Wales bound by the finding of the competent EU type approval authority that a vehicle 

contains a defeat device in circumstances where that finding could have been, but has not been, appealed by the manufacturer; 
and/or is it an abuse of process for the Defendants to seek collaterally to attack the KBA’s reasoning or conclusions by denying 
that the affected vehicles contain defeat devices ?”; and 

(ii)  “Where a vehicle’s engine control unit is capable of identifying the New European Driving Cycle test and operates in a different 
mode during the test by altering the rate of exhaust gas recirculation to reduce NOx emissions, does the vehicle contain a 
“defeat device” within the meaning of Article 3(10) of Regulation 715/2007/EC ?”

Judgement was received on 30 March 2020. On the first preliminary issue, the Court found that it was bound by the KBA’s 
ordinance that the software was a defeat device. The same was not true in relation to the VCA. On the second preliminary issue, the 
court found that the software was a prohibited defeat device. Permission to appeal this judgement has been denied by the Court of 
Appeal.

At a case management conference on 13 November 2020, the claimants amended their pleadings, in part to plead that the 
technical measures of affected vehicles contained a prohibited defeat device due to the presence of a “thermal window”. The 
claimants alleged that such a thermal window increases the level of damages recoverable in their claim. Volkswagen Group denies 
that the thermal windows in question constitute a prohibited defeat device in the affected vehicles and filed an amended pleading in 
response on 26 February 2021. 

At present, no timetable has been set for the remainder of the case; the relevant issues of liability, loss and causation are not 
yet decided. It is therefore too early to assess reliably the merit of any claim and so we cannot confirm that any future outflow of 
resources is probable. 

Volkswagen Group has agreed to indemnify the Company for the reasonable legal costs of defending the litigation and any damages 
and adverse legal costs that the Company may be liable to pay to the claimants as a result of the litigation and the conduct of the 
Volkswagen Group. The possibility, therefore, of an economic cost to the Company resulting from the defence of the litigation is 
remote.

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Accordingly, no provision for liability has been made in these financial statements.

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  21 June 2021 1:00 pm 

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Notes to the Financial Statements continuedfor the year ended 31 March 202132.  Critical accounting judgements and estimates when applying the Company’s accounting policiesJudgements and estimates are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.Certain critical accounting estimates in applying the Company’s accounting policies are listed below.Retirement benefit obligationThe Company has a defined-benefit pension scheme. The obligations under this scheme are recognised in the balance sheet and represent the present value of the obligation calculated by independent actuaries, with input from management. These actuarial valuations include assumptions such as discount rates, return on assets and mortality rates. These assumptions vary from time to time depending on prevailing economic conditions. Details of the assumptions used are provided in note 23. At 31 March 2021, the net liability included in the Statement of Financial Position was £9.4 million (2020: £9.4 million).ImpairmentThe carrying value of property, plant and equipment and goodwill are tested annually for impairment as described in notes 11, 12, 13 and 15. For the purposes of the annual impairment testing, the directors recognise Cash Generating Units (CGUs) to be those assets attributable to an individual dealership, which represents the smallest group of assets which generate cash inflows that are independent from other assets or CGUs. The recoverable amount of each CGU is based on the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. The fair value less costs to sell of each CGU is based upon the market value of any property contained within it and is determined by an independent valuer, and its value in use is determined through discounting future cash inflows  (as described in detail in note 15). As a result of this review the directors considered that a single impairment of £184,000 was required to the carrying value of one property asset (2020: no impairment charges) (see notes 11, 12, 13 and 15).Surplus ACT recoverableThe Company carries a balance of surplus unrelieved advanced corporation tax (“ACT”) which can be utilised to reduce corporation tax payable subject to a restriction to 19% of taxable profits less shadow ACT calculated at 25% of dividends. Shadow ACT has no effect on the corporation tax payable itself but any surplus ACT on dividends must be fully absorbed before surplus unrelieved ACT can be utilised. Uncertainty arises due to the estimation of future levels of profitability, levels of dividends payable and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities in respect of accelerated capital allowances and on unrealised capital gains. For example, a reduction in the Company’s profitability could result in a delay in the utilisation of surplus unrelieved ACT. However, based on the Company’s current projections, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the surplus ACT will be fully relieved against future corporation tax liabilities by 31 March 2026.Support arrangementsOn occasion, the Company can be assisted in the relocation, development and support of certain of its businesses. On receipt of these payments the Company forms a judgement whether the payment is capital in nature, in which case the payment is deducted from the capital cost of the development in question, or revenue in nature, in which case the payment is amortised over a two-year period from the date or relocation.In November 2018, the Company received a contribution of £255,000 from a brand partner towards the cost of developing its Angmering dealership. The contribution agreement was not specific as to whether the amount contributed was in respect of the capital expenditure incurred by the Company, or in respect of other operating activities (such as marketing) that the Company was required to undertake as part of the relocation. Consequently, the directors needed to apply judgement in determining the appropriate accounting treatment. Having considered all information available, including the contribution agreement and past correspondence with the brand partner, the directors determined it appropriate to account for the contribution as capital in nature, and deducted the amount received from the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment assets associated with the Angmering dealership.The directors considered an alternative treatment, including recognising the amount received over the rolling two-year term of the franchise agreement. This would have resulted in an increase in profit of £96,000 during the year ended 31 March 2019 and an increase in net assets of the same amount as at 31 March 2019, with the remaining £159,000 standing to be recognised over the remaining contractual period as follows: year ended 31 March 2020: £127,500, year ending 31 March 2021: £31,500.In December 2019, the Company separately received a contribution of £225,000 from a brand partner as support for establishing a new franchise business. In the judgement of the directors, and having considered all information available, the directors determined it appropriate to account for the contribution as revenue in nature, with the support to be allocated on a straight-line basis over the first 24 months of operation of the new business. The launch of the new business was delayed by the covid-19 pandemic with the business unable to commence trading until car showrooms were allowed to re-open in June 2020. As a result, £93,750 of the £225,000 support package has been recognised in the Income Statement for the current year. It is expected that a further £112,500 will be recognised in the Income Statement for the year ending 31 March 2022, with the remaining £18,750 to be recognised in the Income Statement for the year ending 31 March 2023.84Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   8430620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   8421/06/2021   13:00:3421/06/2021   13:00:34Five Year Review

(adjusted for discontinued operations)

Income Statement
Revenue

Underlying operating profit

Finance expense

Underlying profit before tax
Non-underlying items

Profit before tax from discontinued operations

Profit/(loss) before tax
Profit/(loss) after tax

Basic earnings/(deficit) per ordinary share

Underlying earnings/(deficit) per ordinary share

Dividend per ordinary share payable in respect of the year

Stock code CFYN

2017
£’000

Restated
2018
£’000

2019
£’000

Restated
2020
£’000

2021
£’000

212,581 

215,868 

209,246 

195,787 

165,085 

2,981 

(930)

2,051 

(392)

4,623 

6,282 

5,123 

186.3p

58.0p

22.50p

2,325 

(935)

1,390 

(225)

– 

1,165 

1,030 

38.2p

45.6p

22.50p

2,626 

(1,181)

1,445 

(1,873)

– 

(428)

(566)

(21.0)p

35.3p

22.50p

1,633 

(1,382)

251 

(148)

– 

103 

(252)

(9.4)p

(4.9)p

7.50p

These results are shown exclusive of the Land Rover business, which was sold in April 2016.

As at year-end
Shareholders’ funds

Property, plant and equipment*

Bank overdrafts and loans (net)

28,326 

42,609 

8,554 

27,913 

46,957 

14,000 

27,975 

47,394 

13,592 

26,380 

46,835 

16,241 

Bank overdrafts and loans/shareholders’ funds (gearing)

30%

50%

49%

62%

Retirement benefit liability

8,554 

9,497 

8,576 

9,434 

* Represents property, plant and equipment and investment properties

3,142 

(1,266)

1,876 

(452)

– 

1,424 

1,410 

52.4p

66.0p

0.00p

27,586 

45,375 

10,327 

37%

9,434 

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  21 June 2021 1:00 pm 

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30620  21 June 2021 1:00 pm  Proof 5Our dealershipsAUDI BRIGHTON:  EASTBOURNE:  WORTHING:  200 Dyke Road, Brighton, BN1 5AT (01273 553061) Edward Road, Eastbourne, BN23 8AS (01323 525700) Roundstone Lane, Worthing, BN16 4BD (01903 231111)MG ASHFORD:  Monument Way, Orbital Park, Ashford, TN24 0HB (01233 504620)LEVC EASTBOURNE:  Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne, BN23 6PJ (01323 418312)LOTUS ASHFORD:  Monument Way, Orbital Park, Ashford, TN24 0HB (01233 504630)SEAT TUNBRIDGE WELLS:  North Farm Industrial Estate, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3EL (01892 515700)SKODA ASHFORD:  TUNBRIDGE WELLS:  The Boulevard, Ashford, TN24 0GA (01233 504600) North Farm Industrial Estate, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3EL (01892 515700)VAUXHALL ASHFORD:  Monument Way, Orbital Park, Ashford, TN24 0HB (01233 504604)VOLKSWAGEN BRIGHTON:  EASTBOURNE:  HAYWARDS HEATH:  WORTHING: Victoria Road, Portslade, BN41 1YD (01273 425600) Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne, BN23 6PW (01323 647141) Market Place, Haywards Heath, RH16 1DN (01444 451511) Nightingale Avenue, Worthing, BN12 6FH (01903 837878)VOLVO EASTBOURNE:  WORTHING:  Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne, BN23 6PJ (01323 418300) Palatine Road, Worthing, BN12 6JH (01903 507124)MOTORSTORE ASHFORD:  Monument Way, Orbital Park, Ashford, TN24 0HB (01233 504624)HEAD OFFICE EASTBOURNE:  Meads Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7DR (01323 730201)86Caffyns plc Annual Report 202130620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   8630620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   8621/06/2021   13:00:3521/06/2021   13:00:35Stock code CFYN

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30620-Caffyns-AR2021.indd   3

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30620 

  21 June 2021 1:00 pm 

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Caffyns plc
Meads Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN20 7DR

www.caffyns.co.uk

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  21 June 2021 1:00 pm 

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21/06/2021   13:00:05

21/06/2021   13:00:05