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Camellia
Annual Report 2010

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FY2010 Annual Report · Camellia
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Camellia Plc

2010

123

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Camellia Plc

Report and accounts 2010 

Contents 

Directors and advisers 

Chairman’s statement 

Report of the directors 

Corporate governance 

Statement of directors’ responsibilities 

Remuneration report 

Consolidated income statement 

Statement of comprehensive income 

Consolidated balance sheet 

Company balance sheet 

Consolidated cash flow statement 

Company cash flow statement 

Statement of changes in equity 

Accounting policies 

Notes to the accounts 

Report of the independent auditors 

Five year record 

page

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76

1

 
 
 
 
Camellia Plc

Directors and advisers

Directors

M C Perkins, FCA
C J Relleen, FCA

C J Ames, MA FCA
M Dünki
P J Field
A K Mathur, FCA
D A Reeves, MSc
C P T Vaughan-Johnson, FCIB

Chairman (iii)
Deputy chairman, independent non-executive 
director and senior independent director (i) 
(ii) (iii)

Joint managing director
Non-executive director
Joint managing director
Finance director
Non-executive director (i)
Independent non-executive director (i) (ii) (iii)

(i) Member of audit committee
(ii) Member of remuneration committee
(iii) Member of nomination committee

Secretary

A K Mathur, FCA

Chairman
Finance
Joint managing director
Joint managing director
Bangladesh
Kenya, Malawi and South Africa
India

Executive committee

Registered office

Registrars

M C Perkins
A K Mathur
C J Ames
P J Field
I Ahmed
G A Mclean
A Singh

Linton Park
Linton
Near Maidstone
Kent ME17 4AB
Registered Number 29559

Capita Registrars
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent BR3 4TU

Independent auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
1 Embankment Place
London
WC2N 6RH

Website

www.camellia.plc.uk

2

Chairman’s statement

The profit before tax for the year to 31 December 2010 amounted to £73.14 million compared with £34.14 
million in the previous year. Please note however that the profit for 2010 includes a gain of £11.1 million (£2.7 
million in 2009) in respect of changes in the fair value of biological assets. This gain is unrealised and is dependent 
on the maintenance of the value of the economic entities subject to IAS 41. Shareholders are recommended to 
view this gain with considerable caution. Nonetheless the group enjoyed another successful year in 2010 and the 
trading profit increased from £35.36 million in 2009 to £48.38 million in 2010.

Dividend
The board is recommending a final dividend of 80p per share which, together with the increased interim dividend 
already paid of 30p per share, brings the total distribution for the year to 110p per share compared with 94p per 
share in 2009.

Agriculture and horticulture

Tea
In 2010 all of our tea operations continued to benefit from an increase in demand over supply resulting in high 
sales prices and improved profitability.

India
Our tea production in India amounted to 31.1 million kilos, the same as last year. Dry weather in the early part 
of the year again constrained production particularly in the Dooars and in Darjeeling. The investment in factory 
redevelopment is now nearing completion, and irrigation infrastructure is proving its worth with prices for quality 
teas showing a firmer trend throughout the year.

With the political situation in both Darjeeling and the Dooars region of West Bengal having deteriorated during 
the year, it is hoped that more normal conditions will emerge after the State elections in the Spring of 2011.

Bangladesh 
Tea production from our Bangladeshi operations at 11.7 million kilos was marginally below last year’s level. 
The crop was again affected by drought conditions at the beginning of the year. Tea prices however increased 
significantly reflecting the steady rise in demand within the country.

A programme of factory redevelopment is now under way and significant investment in irrigation is being 
undertaken.

Kenya
Exceptional weather conditions together with substantial smallholder throughput helped our production 
increase in Kenya during the year to a record 26.5 million kilos from 21.4 million kilos in 2009. The market 
remained strong throughout the year with Pakistan and Egypt continuing to be major buyers. The referendum 
on the proposed new constitution with major changes in the devolution of power was voted in with a two 
thirds majority. However little progress has yet been made in implementing the necessary legislative reforms. 
Ambiguities on land tenure continue to give cause for concern.

A further tranche of shares in the Siret Tea Company was sold by Kakuzi to the local community during the year 
and their interest now stands at 49.5%.

Malawi
Our production in Malawi at 19.3 million kilos was slightly below 19.5 million kilos in 2009. A programme of 
improvements to our factories commenced during the year with the first major upgrade expected to come into 
operation during 2011. The Malawi Kwacha remains unrealistically strong and did not weaken during the year. 
Foreign exchange shortages became more prevalent during the year.

3

Camellia Plc

Chairman’s statement

Edible nuts
2010 was an ‘on-year’ in the biennial bearing pattern of the pistachio orchards of Horizon Farms in California and 
high prices combined with good production resulted in excellent profits from this operation.

Macadamia production in Malawi improved in the year following recovery from the drought in the previous year, 
however our South African operation suffered from slightly reduced production. Prices remained stable during the 
year and for the current crop there have been recent signs of an uplift in the sale price which is encouraging. New 
areas of macadamia continued to be planted in the year at Kakuzi in Kenya and at Maclands in South Africa. 

Other horticulture
Kakuzi’s avocado production in Kenya increased appreciably but profitability decreased due to substantially lower 
sale prices caused by the small sizes of the fruit as a result of the very dry weather conditions during the growing 
season. Shipping problems resulted in a number of containers arriving late in Europe. The Mombasa port, piracy 
and other shipping difficulties continue to be a cause for concern particularly for this perishable crop.

Our rubber production in Bangladesh at 836 tonnes was higher than last year and the market price showed a very 
substantial increase particularly in the latter part of the year. It is also notable that an increasing proportion of 
production is now exported to neighbouring countries.

The results of CC Lawrie in Brazil reflect a significant turnaround to those of last year. Weather conditions were 
generally benign and prices for our main crops improved.

Citrus production at Horizon Farms in California increased significantly over last year as new plantings matured 
and profitability improved notwithstanding a small decrease in prices. 

Our production of wine grapes in South Africa reduced marginally. The quality of wine produced continues to 
improve and the considerable effort being deployed in marketing is beginning to show some positive results. 

Food storage and distribution
After two profitable years, Associated Cold Stores and Transport had a very difficult year as the effects of the 
financial crisis impacted our customers. Overcapacity in the marketplace combined with destocking by customers 
in order to conserve cash continues to impact both rental rates and utilisation levels. The company now has net 
cash and is well placed to take advantage of any opportunities that might arise in the future. At the moment 
however customers appear reluctant to move their business unless they are offered unrealistically low rates which 
can only be maintained at the cost of a vastly inferior service and then only for a short time.

Both our businesses in the Netherlands produced satisfactory profits.

Engineering
2010 was a difficult year for our UK based engineering companies. A small trading profit was achieved which was 
considered encouraging given the deep recession, the economic uncertainties prevailing throughout the year and 
the fire at the Abbey factory. AKD Engineering had a difficult year due to the low oil price at the beginning of the 
year and no major contracts passing through the facility as the result of a low level of investment in the North Sea. 
Our new company Loddon Engineering got off to a much slower start than we had hoped for. GU Cutting and 
Grinding Services, which may be considered to be towards the front end of the manufacturing chain and thus a 
barometer for the future fortunes of the UK engineering industry, had a good year.

A new factory has been purchased for Abbey to replace the premises destroyed by fire in April 2010. It is 
anticipated that the new factory will become fully operational sometime during the middle of 2011. The paint 
shop operations have continued on the old site in a part of the building that was not destroyed by the fire.

New premises were also purchased at the end of the year for GU Cutting and Grinding Services as they have 
insufficient space on their current site. A major facilities upgrade is being carried out at the AJT Altens site, which 
was previously rented out and will now be used as part of the AJT operations.

4

Chairman’s statement

Banking and financial services
Duncan Lawrie returned to profitability in 2010 but results were again adversely affected by payments to 
depositor and investor compensation schemes imposed on the industry during the year.

The investment management activity benefitted from improved stock market conditions and, whilst interest rates 
remained at historic lows throughout the year, the bank’s lending margin showed some improvement.

Pharmaceuticals
The sale of our shareholding in Siegfried Holding AG in April 2010 and the reasons therefore were disclosed in 
my statement last year. The effect of this transaction which is included in the results for 2010 is to show a modest 
profit of £248,000 after a transfer from reserves of £16,353,000 to reflect previous currency gains and other 
movements.

Other associated undertakings
In Bangladesh, United Insurance and United Leasing improved their profits compared to the previous year. As 
previously announced in September 2010, an agreement had been entered into for the sale of the group’s 
shareholdings in these two associated companies subject to various regulatory consents. A further announcement 
was made in October 2010 when we were made aware that, in a writ petition filed alleging breaches of Bangladesh 
securities regulations in connection with the sale, the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh 
had issued an interim stay order on the transaction proceeding. We have received legal advice confirming that 
there has been no such breach. The agreement, as amended, stated that the sale must be completed no later than 
30 November 2010. The writ petition has yet to be heard by the High Court but discussions with all interested 
parties continue in an attempt to resolve the matter.

Development
The group has continued to develop existing operations throughout the year. In particular, tea factory 
rehabilitation has continued in India and Bangladesh and a start has been made in Malawi. Also in India and 
Bangladesh, our operations suffer from very dry weather at the start of the season and considerable investment has 
been made in irrigation equipment. This programme will continue over the next few years. 

As noted above, we have invested in new facilities at our engineering operations and in particular at Abbey,  
GU Cutting and Grinding and AJT’s Altens site in Aberdeen.

The group is currently examining a number of other development opportunities and further details will be given 
in due course as appropriate.

Our philosophy
The year 2010 has been a year of great significance to the Camellia group. We have entered the second decade of 
the 21st century in a strong position and are thus able to contend with the present difficult economic conditions 
with some confidence.

Almost exactly 20 years ago Gordon Fox, the architect of the present structure of the group, eloquently set out 
in his chairman’s statement accompanying the 1990 annual accounts his view of Camellia’s philosophy. It is 
remarkable to re-read Gordon’s statement which is so relevant to today’s difficulties and shows that it is no 
coincidence that the group has survived and prospered by following that philosophy.

5

Camellia Plc

Chairman’s statement

I believe it may help shareholders to understand more fully why Camellia is often referred to as a ‘unique’ 
company if the key parts of Gordon’s 1991 statement are repeated here:

“Coinciding with this milestone in Camellia’s affairs has come the close of a decade of exceptional 
political change and financial irresponsibility. Many of the world’s leading financial institutions, 
including the majority of the venerable money centre banks which, over and above their responsibility to 
their shareholders, underpinned the economic stability of their nation and the livelihood of its peoples, 
inexplicably ignored historic lending principles and competed with each other in an orgy of short-sighted 
and profligate lending. Never before have so many outstanding enterprises fallen victim to the financial 
engineering of the leveraged buyout or to its threat. Never have so many sound pension funds been 
decimated, particularly in the USA. Certainly never before have so many young people with little if any 
experience of business, and even less of life, been engaged by prestigious institutions and paid unprecedently 
large sums of money by way of salaries and incentives ultimately only to undermine the very structures 
which upheld the institutions themselves. But the greatest tragedy of this get-rich-quick era was the human 
one – the many thousands of small and medium sized businesses that the banks no longer could or would 
support, and the many millions of conscientious and competent people who lost their employment through 
the corporate restructurings and bankruptcies.

It is against this background that I would like to inform our shareholders of Camellia’s philosophy 
regarding its responsibilities, its management and its raison d’etre. Let me say at the outset that nothing 
I have seen or experienced in 40 years of professional life has led me to alter my view that a business can 
be run with a “human face”, for the benefit not only of shareholders but equally for its employees, as well 
as the general benefit of the societies and environments in which it works. In our group we particularly 
concern ourselves with the welfare of our employees in the conviction that the loyalty of a secure and 
enthusiastic employee will in the long run prove to be an invaluable company asset. I stress the long-term 
advisedly, because our entire emphasis is towards the development of a worldwide group of businesses 
which by their very nature require their managements to take a long view. Many companies in the group 
are in excess of 100 years old. These enterprises have acquired particular skills, traditions and ethos, 
and we see ourselves more in the nature of custodians or trustees than as owners. That is we do not see 
these assets as objects or commodities or bits of paper that can be traded, but rather as living entities 
from which, if properly managed, we might earn an attractive return on our investment; but also, and 
indeed primarily, towards which as individual enterprises we have a responsibility of ensuring continuity, 
development and progressive growth. 

In summary then, our priority is not towards acquisitions but to the continuous refinement and 
improvement of the group’s existing assets using our internal expertise and financial strength. Above all 
we will never overreach ourselves so that our base becomes vulnerable to the changing circumstances of the 
banks. 

These then are the principles on which Camellia was built and I have every confidence that we will 
continue to go from strength to strength as long as we and those that follow us continue to abide by them.”

Staff
It is again my pleasure to thank all our staff for the very professional manner in which they have discharged their 
duties over the past year.

M C Perkins 
Chairman

28 April 2011

6

Report of the directors

The directors present their report together with the audited accounts for the year ended 31 December 2010.

Principal activities
The company is a holding company and its country of incorporation is England. The principal activities of its 
subsidiary and associated undertakings comprise:

Agriculture and horticulture – the production of tea, edible nuts, citrus, rubber, fruits, other horticultural produce 
and general farming 
Engineering – metal finishing, fabrication, precision engineering and heat treatment  
Food storage and distribution  
Insurance  
Private banking and financial services  
The holding of investments 

Further details of the group’s activities are included in the chairman’s statement on pages 3 to 6.

Results and dividends
The profit for the year amounted to £51,034,000 (2009: £22,441,000). The board has proposed a final dividend 
for the year of 80p per share payable on 6 July 2011 to holders of ordinary shares registered at the close of business 
on 10 June 2011. The total dividend for 2010 is therefore 110p per share (2009: 94p per share). Details are 
shown in note 10 on page 44.

Directors
The directors of the company are listed on page 2. The following directors had beneficial interests in the share 
capital of the company:

Camellia Plc ordinary shares of 10p each:
M C Perkins
C P T Vaughan-Johnson

31 December
2010

1 January
2010

1,573
1,000

1,573
1,000

There have been no changes in the interests of directors between 31 December 2010 and the date of this report.

Mr M Dünki was appointed to the board as a non-executive director on 1 April 2010. Dr B A Siegfried resigned 
from the board on 3 June 2010.

Under the company’s articles of association all the directors are required to retire annually. Accordingly, Mr M C 
Perkins, Mr C J Relleen, Mr C J Ames, Mr M Dünki, Mr P J Field, Mr A K Mathur, Mr D A Reeves, and Mr C 
P T Vaughan-Johnson retire and, being eligible, seek reelection. 

None of the directors or their families had a material interest in any contract of significance with the company or 
any subsidiary during and at the end of the financial year.

7

Camellia Plc

Report of the directors

Executive directors
Mr M C Perkins was appointed a director in 1999 and chairman in 2001 having joined Eastern Produce 
(Holdings) Limited (now Linton Park Plc) in 1972. He is a chartered accountant. Mr Perkins is also chairman of 
Duncan Lawrie Holdings Limited and chairman of the nomination committee.

Mr C J Ames, a chartered accountant, is a joint managing director of Camellia Plc, a non-executive director of 
Kakuzi Limited and a non-executive director of Duncan Lawrie Holdings Limited. He was previously Managing 
Director of Douglas Deakin Young Limited which was acquired by the Camellia group in 2005. Prior to that he 
was a partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers. 

Mr P J Field is a joint managing director of Camellia Plc, is chairman of Goodricke Group Limited and from 
30 April 2010 a non-executive director of Duncan Lawrie Holdings Limited. Before joining the group in 1987, 
Mr Field was with Grindlays Bank engaged primarily with their business in the Indian subcontinent. 

Mr A K Mathur, is a chartered accountant and joined the group in 1981. He was appointed finance director in 
1999 and is also a director of Goodricke Group Limited.

Non-executive directors
Mr C J Relleen was formerly a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was appointed an independent non-
executive director and deputy chairman in January 2006 having previously been a non-executive director of 
Linton Park Plc. Mr Relleen is also a non-executive director of Duncan Lawrie Holdings Limited. He is the senior 
independent director, chairman of the audit committee and a member of the nomination and remuneration 
committees.

Mr M Dünki was appointed a non-executive director on 1 April 2010. Mr M Dünki is a director of Rahn & 
Bodmer Co., a Zurich based private bank. He is also a director of The Camellia Private Trust Company Limited 
and a trustee of The Camellia Foundation and a director of Camellia Holding AG.

Mr D A Reeves was appointed a director in 2001. Following a long career with the Bank of England, Mr Reeves 
joined the group in 1998 and was managing director of Duncan Lawrie Limited. He became a non-executive 
director of the company in 2002 and is a member of the audit committee. Mr Reeves is a director of The 
Camellia Private Trust Company Limited and a trustee of The Camellia Foundation and a director of Camellia 
Holding AG.

Mr C P T Vaughan-Johnson, who was formerly president and chief executive officer of the Bank of Bermuda, 
was appointed a director in 1999. He is chairman of the remuneration committee and a member of the audit 
and nomination committees. Mr Vaughan-Johnson is also a non-executive director of Duncan Lawrie Holdings 
Limited.

Secretary
In March 2011, Mr M D Conway resigned as the company secretary and Mr A K Mathur was appointed in his 
place. 

Business review 
The company is required to set out in this report a fair review of the business of the group during the year ended 
31 December 2010 and a description of principal risks and uncertainties facing the group. A fair review of the 
business of the group is incorporated within the chairman’s statement on pages 3 to 6. The chairman’s statement 
together with information contained within the report of the directors highlight the key factors affecting the 
group’s development and performance. Other matters are dealt with below:

8

Report of the directors

Principal risks and uncertainties
There are a number of possible risks and uncertainties that could impact the group’s businesses. As the group’s 
businesses are widely spread both in terms of activity and location, it is unlikely that any one single factor could 
have a material impact on the group’s long-term performance. The following risks relating to the group’s principal  
operations have been identified:

Agriculture and horticulture
The group’s agricultural based businesses are located in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Bangladesh, India, Brazil 
and the USA. The success of these activities is greatly dependent on climatic conditions, the control of plant 
disease, the cost of labour and the market price for the produce. In addition, exports from these businesses are 
subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as products, particularly those from Africa, are normally priced in US 
dollars.

Developing countries such as Bangladesh, Kenya and Malawi tend to be politically less stable. In Kenya, Malawi 
and South Africa there are long-term issues concerning land ownership over which the group has little control but 
monitors closely. 

In India, separatist groups have for many years been involved in episodes of violence in Assam. Whilst this is a 
matter of major concern, the group’s operations in this region have generally been able to trade normally. Over 
the last three years, there has been an increase in activity by separatist groups in Darjeeling and the Dooars.

UK engineering
A number of the UK engineering companies are dependent for a significant part of their revenue on the aerospace 
and the oil and gas industries. A downturn in either of these sectors would have an impact on the level of activity 
in these businesses.

Some of the processes used by the companies involved in metal treatment require high standards of health 
and safety and environmental management. Failure to maintain these standards could give rise to accidents or 
environmental damage. 

Cold storage and transport
Cold storage and transport in the UK is a highly competitive industry and is largely dependent on the food 
industry for the utilisation of cold stores.

Cold stores are heavy users of electricity and any significant movement in energy costs can affect the operation’s 
profitability. Similarly, the transport division is affected by sharp movements in the cost of fuel.

The business is dependent upon a sophisticated computer system. The failure of this system could have significant 
consequences for the business although a disaster recovery plan is in place.

Banking and financial services
Duncan Lawrie Limited is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and has a well developed 
compliance process. The following risks have been identified:

– 

– 

compliance risk – the FSA has the power to stop trading activity should there be a serious breach of its 
regulations. Following the recent global banking crisis, there have been moves by the authorities to tighten 
regulatory standards and this may lead to a requirement for further capital to be invested in Duncan Lawrie 
Limited.

credit risk – the lending of money gives rise to a credit risk. The company lends money to customers and 
places money with other banks and holds interest bearing securities. This credit risk is managed by strict 
internal procedures. The company limits itself to lending no more than its share capital and reserves.

–  

liquidity, interest and foreign exchange rate risk – these risks are monitored closely and reported upon daily 
against conservative exposure limits.

Duncan Lawrie Limited has no exposure to the sub-prime mortgage market but in periods of low interest rates 
and low stock market values its income stream will inevitably be affected. Banks failures in the jurisdiction 
within which Duncan Lawrie operates can also impact its results as a consequence of industry wide compensation 
schemes to which it is required to contribute.

Further information on the group’s financial risks are disclosed in note 37 of the accounts.

9

Camellia Plc

Report of the directors

Investments 
The group owns a number of investments including listed investments. The value of these investments is therefore 
likely to fluctuate in line with global stock market movements.

Pension schemes
There are three final salary schemes in the UK. These are all closed to new entrants and one scheme has been 
closed to future accrual. A material proportion of the assets of each of these schemes is invested in equities and the 
value of these assets will fluctuate in line with global equity markets. Continuing improvements in mortality rates 
may also increase the liabilities of the schemes.

Credit Risk 
Credit control procedures are in place throughout the group but a risk remains that some customers may have 
difficulty making payments.

Social and environmental responsibility
Background
The group has a wide range of businesses operating around the world in diverse commercial, cultural and 
regulatory environments. These businesses encompass a correspondingly wide spectrum of employment and 
environmental issues and our main challenge is to ensure that these are consistently managed across the group. 

The group’s businesses have a duty to meet local regulatory requirements and will always strive to do so. In this 
respect, there is a distinction between our UK businesses and our agricultural and horticultural businesses based 
mostly in developing countries. Whilst the UK businesses are subject to well developed regulatory regimes in the 
areas of employment and environmental protection, this is not necessarily the case elsewhere. Our agricultural and 
horticultural businesses have however more than responded to the increasing amount of relevant local legislation 
and to the demands of the marketplace, as many of our major customers for agricultural products now expect us 
to meet their own social and environmental standards, or to achieve certification against recognised international 
standards such as ‘Fairtrade’ labelling. 

Particular challenges and opportunities for the group lie in the following areas:

Child labour: We have a clear policy not to use child labour and all of our businesses meet local legal requirements. 
The minimum legal working age varies around the world and in some countries it is both the cultural norm and 
permissible for parents to involve their children in the productive process. We do not subscribe to this approach 
and therefore translating our policy into unambiguous local rules and enforcing these rules requires vigilance.

Health and safety: Our UK and North-American businesses operate in a strong regulatory climate, and have a 
good health and safety culture and record. Achieving equivalent standards of health and safety management in our 
operations in some developing countries is a continuing challenge.

Medical care and education: In some countries, our workers and their children do not have access to good state 
provision of medical or educational services. However, the majority of tea estates in India and Bangladesh have a 
hospital and a qualified doctor and our operations in both these countries have central group hospitals to which 
more serious illnesses are referred. A number of our African businesses report a high incidence of HIV/AIDS. We 
provide, as a very minimum, basic medical services including where appropriate retroviral drugs, and give support 
to schools that are either run by our companies, or in the local neighbourhood.

Casual labour: Some of our agricultural businesses rely on seasonal labour, notably at harvest time. Our 
agricultural companies give casual and contract workers employment rights in accordance with local legislation.

Environmental management: Our UK-based engineering businesses have the greatest potential to create pollution 
and hazardous waste and need to meet tight legislative standards. Where appropriate, our UK businesses have 
formal environmental management systems in place and most are independently certified to the international 
standard ISO 14001. The enforcement of environmental legislation in many countries where we operate is 
poor and our businesses in these locations have to act on their own initiative to meet international standards of 
environmental protection.

10

Report of the directors

Our approach
We believe that good management of employment and environmental issues is essential in ensuring the long-term 
success of our businesses. We are therefore committed to devoting the resources necessary to continually improve 
our performance with the same vigour that we apply to other aspects of managing our business.

In 2009, the board adopted a new Corporate Social Responsibility Policy which is available on the company’s 
website. The adoption of this policy commenced across the group during 2010.

Performance
There are no current employment or environmental issues that prejudice the continuing development of the 
group. No group businesses were prosecuted for any breach of employment or environmental legislation during 
2010. 

The group had previously commissioned independent advisors to review the implementation of the business 
principles across our main trading companies. Based on their findings, the group has sought to ensure ongoing 
adherence to the business principles. In 2010, the executive committee established a process for ensuring that the 
new Corporate Social Responsibility Policy is adopted across the group.

–  Members of the executive committee must ensure that the businesses for which they are responsible adopt the 

business principles and have implementation plans in place.

–  A more formal structure for business reporting and data collection against the requirements of the business 

principles has been established.

–  A set of key non-financial performance indicators has been developed to enable better measurement of group 

performance.

Key financial performance indicators
Return on segmental assets
The nature of the group’s principal activities is such that the board takes a long-term view on its operations, 
particularly in agriculture. It is also concerned to improve the quality of the group’s assets over the long-term and 
monitors that by reference to return on segmental assets achieved in the main segments of the business which are 
then compared against budget. The return achieved in the current and prior year was as follows: 

Agriculture and
horticulture

Engineering

Food storage and 
distribution

Banking and 
financial services

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Segment net assets (£’000)

224,265 187,118

17,363

12,091

17,257

19,451

47,932 28,264

Segment trading profit/(loss) (£’000)

54,013

37,949

Return on segmental assets (%)

24.08

20.28

256

1.47

1,608

13.30

(670)

(3.88)

985

5.06

275

0.57

(925)

(3.27)

Segment net assets (segment assets less segment liabilities) and segment profit are as reported in the consolidated 
accounts.

Group borrowings ratio
The board’s objective is to ensure that gross borrowings as a percentage of tangible net assets do not exceed 50%. 
The ratio achieved was 2.0%. (2009: 5.6%).

Gross borrowings and tangible net assets (share capital and reserves less goodwill and intangible assets) are derived 
from the consolidated accounts.

11

Camellia Plc

Report of the directors

Key non-financial performance indicators
The following information has been compiled based on data provided by a majority of the group’s subsidiary 
undertakings. The board considers that this information demonstrates the level of compliance with important 
elements of the business principles. The board will regularly review which key non-financial performance 
indicators are most appropriate.

KPI definition

Agriculture 
and 
horticulture

Engineering

Food 
storage and 
distribution

Banking and 
financial 
services

1  Compliance

2010

 2009

 2008

2010

 2009

 2008

2010

 2009

 2008

2010

 2009

 2008

a)  Prosecutions The number of prosecutions 
brought in the financial year 
by the official regulatory bodies 
responsible for enforcing 
regulations in the areas of:

b) Formal
  warnings

Employment

Worker health and safety

Environmental protection

The number of written 
warnings during the financial 
year by the official regulatory 
bodies responsible for 
enforcing regulations in the 
areas of:

Employment

Worker health and safety

Environmental protection

2  Child Labour

a)  Minimum age The number of employees who 

b) Access to 
education

3  Accidents

a)  Injury

4  Health

a)  Sickness 
absence

b) Sickness 
claims

were less than 15 years old 
during the financial year

The number of employees 
who were younger than the 
age for completing compulsory 
education in their country 
during the financial year

The number of injuries 
received at work resulting in 
either:

Absence from work for more 
than three days, or the injured 
person being unable to do 
the full range of their normal 
duties for more than three days

The number of employee days 
absence as a result of sickness 
during the financial year

The number of claims for 
compensation arising from 
occupational health issues 
received during the financial 
year in respect of continuing 
operations

– 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2

–

–

–

–

–

–

 2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

685(ii)

128

78

1

1

4

11

–

–

180,438(i)165,520 (i)148,776 (i)

3,580

3,869

2,431

2,854

870

566

482(ii)

246

248

2

–

1

1

–

–

(i)   This excludes tea garden workers in India who have a contractual entitlement to fourteen days sickness absence. From 2009 the operations in Malawi are 
included whereas they were excluded in previous years. It should be noted however that in Malawi there is high level of sickness due to HIV/AIDS related 
conditions and malaria.

(ii) 

 Injury and sickness claim figures now include those from operations in Malawi which were unavailable in previous years.

12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report of the directors

Substantial shareholdings
As at 28 April 2011 the company had been advised of the following interests in the share capital of the company:

Camellia Private Trust Company Limited held through its subsidiary, Camellia Holding AG 1,427,000 ordinary 
shares (51.34 per cent. of total voting rights).

Taube Hodson Stonex & Partners Limited held through State Street Nominees Limited 227,176 ordinary shares  
(8.17 per cent. of total voting rights).

Alcatel Bell Pensioenfonds VZW held through HSBC Global Custody Nominees (UK) Limited 223,015 ordinary 
shares (8.023 per cent. of total voting rights).

Charitable contributions
During the year the group made charitable donations totalling £8,548 (2009: £10,268). Of this amount £8,098 
was paid to arts, sports and education related charities and £450 was paid to local hospitals and health related 
charities. 

Employees
It is group policy to keep employees informed, through internal publications and other communications, on the 
performance of the group and on matters affecting them as employees and arrangements to that end are made by 
the management of individual subsidiary undertakings.

It is also group policy that proper consideration is given to applications for employment received from disabled 
persons and to give employees who become disabled every opportunity to continue their employment.

Payment of creditors
It is group policy to agree payment terms with suppliers when negotiating business transactions and to pay 
suppliers in accordance with contractual or other legal obligations. The company has no trade creditors. Group 
trade creditors at 31 December 2010 represented 39 days (2009: 34 days) of annual purchases.

Share capital and purchase of own shares
The company’s share capital comprises one class of ordinary shares of 10 pence each which carry no restrictions 
on the transfer of shares or on voting rights (other than as set out in the company’s articles of association). There 
are no agreements known to the company between shareholders in the company which may result in restrictions 
on the transfer of shares or on voting rights in relation to the company. Details of the issued share capital are 
contained in note 31 to the accounts.

At the annual general meeting in 2010, shareholders gave authority for the company to purchase up to 277,950 of 
its own shares. This authority expires at the conclusion of this year’s annual general meeting on 9 June 2011.

Independent auditors 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has expressed its willingness to continue as auditors of the company and a resolution 
proposing PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP re-appointment will be put to the annual general meeting.

Each of the persons who were directors at the time when this directors’ report was approved has confirmed that:

a) 

so far as each director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditors are 
unaware; and

b)  each director has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a director, including making appropriate 
enquiries of fellow directors and of the company’s auditors for that purpose, in order to be aware of any 
information needed by the company’s auditors in connection with preparing their report and to establish that 
the company’s auditors are aware of that information.

13

Camellia Plc

Report of the directors

Going concern 
After reviewing the group’s budget for 2011 and other forecasts the directors have a reasonable expectation that 
the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Therefore they 
continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts. 

By order of the board

A K Mathur
Secretary

28 April 2011

14

Corporate governance

Statement of compliance 
This statement describes how the company applies the main principles of The Combined Code on Corporate 
Governance (“the Code”). In implementing the Code, the directors have taken account of the company’s size and 
structure and the fact that there is a controlling shareholder.

The company has complied with the relevant provisions set out in Section One of the 2008 Combined Code 
throughout the year with the exception of the following areas of the Code that have not been implemented: 

(i)  the audit committee includes one non-executive director who is not considered to be independent;

(ii)  formal evaluation procedures for the board, its committees and directors have not been established;

(iii) until April 2010, Mr Perkins continued to be both chairman and chief executive. In April 2010, Mr Ames 

and Mr Field were appointed as joint managing directors. Mr Perkins remains executive chairman.

The board 
The board currently comprises eight directors. Four are non-executive directors, of which two are considered 
independent. The remaining directors are executive directors, including the executive chairman. Mr Relleen, the 
deputy chairman, has been designated as the senior independent director. In April 2010, Mr Dünki was appointed 
to the board as a non-executive director. The names and brief biographical details of each director appears on 
page 8.

Mr Vaughan-Johnson was first appointed to the board in 1999. The board, having taken into consideration 
provision A.7.2 of the Code, considers it is in the best interest of the company for Mr Vaughan-Johnson to 
continue to act as an independent non-executive director. The board considers that Mr Vaughan-Johnson remains 
independent and that given the relative complexity and geographical spread of the group, Mr Vaughan-Johnson’s 
experience continues to be of considerable benefit. 

There is ongoing dialogue between the chairman and the majority shareholder whose views are reported to the 
board. The company is also in contact with other major shareholders.

In April 2010, Mr Ames and Mr Field were appointed joint managing directors of Camellia Plc and consequently 
they assumed responsibility for aspects of the day to day management of the group. In 2010, the board established 
a nomination committee chaired by Mr Perkins, the other members being Mr Relleen and Mr Vaughan-Johnson. 

The board has established a remuneration committee, audit committee and executive committee. Terms of 
reference of each of these committees can be viewed on the company’s website.

The board is responsible for managing the group’s business and has adopted a schedule of matters reserved for its 
approval. The schedule is reviewed annually and covers, inter alia, the following areas:

–  Strategy

–  Acquisitions and disposals

–  Financial reporting and control

– 

Internal controls

–  Approval of expenditure above specified limits

–  Approval of transactions and contracts above specified limits

–  Responsibilities for corporate governance

–  Board membership and committees

–  Approval of changes to capital structure

A full copy of the schedule is available on the company’s website. 

15

Camellia Plc

Corporate governance

A report summarising the group’s financial and operational performance including detailed information on each 
of its businesses is sent to directors each month. Each director is provided with sufficient information in advance 
of board meetings to enable the directors to make informed judgements on matters referred to the board. The 
board met nine times in 2010. 

Attendance by directors at board and committee meetings held during the year was as follows: 

M C Perkins
C J Relleen
C J Ames
M Dünki
P J Field
A K Mathur
D A Reeves
C P T Vaughan-Johnson

Board
9/9
9/9
9/9
5/9(i)
9/9
9/9
9/9
8/9

Audit Remuneration

2/2

2/2

2/2(ii)
2/2
2/2

2/2

(i)   Mr Dünki attended five out of seven board meetings held after he was appointed to the board on 1 April 2010.

(ii)   Mr Mathur attends meetings of the audit committee by invitation in his capacity as finance director.

(iii)  Dr B A Siegfried was a director until 3 June 2010 and he attended one board meeting in the year.

The board has not established formal performance evaluation procedures of itself, the directors or its committees. 
The board will continue to review whether implementation of such procedures is appropriate.

Executive committee
The board has delegated the day to day management of the group’s operations to the executive committee which 
is also responsible for implementing board policy. The members of the committee are:

M C Perkins
A K Mathur
C J Ames
P J Field
I Ahmed
G A Mclean
A Singh

Chairman
Finance
Joint managing director
Joint managing director
Bangladesh
Kenya, Malawi and South Africa
India

Audit committee
The audit committee is chaired by Mr Relleen. The other members of the committee are Mr Reeves and Mr 
Vaughan-Johnson. During 2010, the committee met on two occasions.

The principal responsibilities of the audit committee are:

– 

– 

– 

– 

to review and monitor the financial statements of the company and the audit of those statements

to monitor compliance with relevant financial reporting requirements and legislation

to monitor the effectiveness and independence of the external auditor

to review effectiveness of the group’s internal control system. The committee regularly reviews the 
effectiveness of internal audit activities carried out by the company’s group accounting function and senior 
management

– 

to review non-audit services provided by the external auditors

During the year the committee’s work included discharging these responsibilities and, in addition, it reviewed 
its terms of reference taking into account the Guidance on Audit Committees issued by the Financial Reporting 
Council.

16

Corporate governance

The Committee also considered the implications of the UK Bribery Act 2010 and the controls designed to 
prevent the group, and its associates, breaching the Act. The committee will further consider the guidance on the 
‘adequate procedures’ required to mitigate this risk.

The committee reviewed those non-audit services provided by the external auditor and satisfied itself that the scale 
and nature of those services were such that the auditors’ objectivity and independence was safeguarded.

Remuneration committee
The committee comprises the board’s two independent non-executive directors, being Mr Vaughan-Johnson who 
is chairman of the committee and Mr Relleen. 

The committee’s full terms of reference are available on the company’s website. The responsibilities of the 
committee include:

– 

– 

– 

– 

the review of the group’s policy relating to remuneration of the chairman, executive directors and members of 
the executive committee

to determine the terms of employment and remuneration of the chairman, executive directors and those 
members of the executive committee that are employed in the United Kingdom with a view to ensuring that 
those individuals are fairly but responsibly rewarded

to approve compensation packages or arrangements following the severance of any executive director’s service 
contract

at its discretion, the committee may make such enquiries as it sees fit concerning the packages of those 
members of the executive committee that are employed outside the United Kingdom

The committee met twice during 2010. The remuneration report appears on pages 19 to 21.

Insurance
The company purchases insurance to cover its directors in respect of legal actions against them in their capacity 
as directors of the company. The level of cover is currently £20 million. All directors have access to independent 
professional advice at the company’s expense. 

Internal Control 
The directors acknowledge that they are responsible for maintaining a sound system of internal control. During 
the year, the audit committee, on behalf of the board, reviewed the effectiveness of the framework of the group’s 
system of internal control, the principal features of which are described below.

Decentralisation is a key management philosophy with responsibility for efficient day to day operations delegated 
to local management. Accountability and delegation of authority are clearly defined with regular communication 
between group head office and local management. The performance of each company is continually monitored 
centrally including a critical review of annual budgets, revised forecasts and monthly sales, profits and cash reports. 
Financial results and key business statistics and variances from approved plans are carefully monitored. Senior 
management regularly visit and review the group’s operating units. However, any system of internal control can 
provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurances against material mis-statement or loss.

By order of the board

A K Mathur 
Secretary

28 April 2011

17

Camellia Plc

Statement of directors’ responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report, the directors’ remuneration report and the financial 
statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare group and parent company financial statements for each financial 
year. Under that law the directors have prepared the group and parent company financial statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by 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 of both the group and the parent company and of the profit or loss of the 
group and company for that period. 

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

– 

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

–  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

– 

state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European Union have been followed, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

–  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the 

company 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 the group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and the group and hence for 
taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the company’s website.

Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed on page 2 confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

– 

– 

the group financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, 
give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the group; and

the directors’ report contained on pages 7 to 14 includes a fair review of the development and performance of 
the business and the position of the group, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties 
that it faces.

By order of the board

M C Perkins 
Chairman

28 April 2011

18

Remuneration report

This report is drawn up in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the rules of the UK Listing Authority. 

Policy on directors’ remuneration
In determining remuneration policy and the remuneration of directors, full consideration has been given to the 
relevant provisions of the Combined Code. The board seeks to provide remuneration packages that will attract, 
retain and motivate the best possible person for each position. The board also wishes to align the interests of 
executives with shareholders. The group’s activities are based largely on agriculture and horticulture, which are 
highly dependent on factors outside management control (e.g. weather, market prices for our produce etc.), and 
is a significant consideration as to why the company does not operate profit related bonus, share option or share 
incentive schemes for directors. 

Service contracts
Messrs Perkins, Ames and Mathur are each employed by Linton Park Plc on rolling service contracts. Mr Field 
is employed by Duncan Lawrie Limited. Mr Perkins’s service contract is dated 25 April 2002, Mr Mathur’s 
service contract is dated 1 December 2003, Mr Ames’s service contract is dated 24 April 2009 and Mr Field’s 
service contract is dated 25 September 2002. The service contracts are terminable at any time by a one year 
period of notice from the company or the director. Following their initial appointment non-executive directors 
may seek re-election by shareholders at each subsequent annual general meeting. Non-executive directors do not 
have service agreements. There are no specific contractual provisions for compensation upon early termination 
of a non-executive director’s employment. The remuneration committee reviews salaries annually and will seek 
independent professional advice when appropriate. 

The following sections on directors’ remuneration and pensions have been audited.

Directors’ remuneration

Executive
M C Perkins
C J Ames
P J Field
A K Mathur

Non-executive
M Dünki (from 1 April 2010)
D A Reeves
C J Relleen
Dr B A Siegfried (up until 3 June 2010)
C P T Vaughan-Johnson

Basic
remuneration
2010
£

345,863
196,248
196,248
196,248

7,500
20,000
37,500
5,000
32,500

Benefits
in kind
2010
£

74,363
39,191
15,012
34,599

–
–
–
–
–

Total
2010
£

420,226
235,439
211,260
230,847

7,500
20,000
37,500
5,000
32,500

Total
2009
£

396,319
213,646
206,998
214,551

–
20,000
37,500
10,000
32,500

1,037,107

163,165

1,200,272

1,131,514

Benefits in kind include the value attributed to benefits such as medical insurance, accommodation, permanent 
health insurance, spouse/partner travel and cash alternatives to company cars. 

19

Camellia Plc

Remuneration report

Directors’ pensions
Most UK employees, including executive directors, are eligible to join pension schemes operated within the group. 
Mr Perkins was a member of The Linton Park Group Pension Scheme up until 28 February 2010. Mr Field and 
Mr Mathur are members of The Lawrie Group Pension Scheme. Members of The Lawrie Group Pension Scheme 
contribute 6 per cent. of their basic salary. Members of The Linton Park Group Pension Scheme contribute 8 per 
cent. of their basic salary. Pension accrues at the rate of 1/60th of basic final salary per year of service for Messrs 
Perkins, Field and Mathur. Under The Linton Park Group Pension Scheme the normal retirement age was 63 
up until 31 December 2003 in respect of service up until that date. With effect from 1 January 2004 the normal 
retirement age was increased to 65.

From 1 May 2007 the normal retirement age of members of The Lawrie Group Pension Scheme was increased 
to 65. Pension benefits accrued prior to that date can be paid at age 63 without actuarial reduction. In a few 
cases pensions can be paid from age 60 without actuarial reduction. Both schemes provide for a lump sum death 
in service benefit of four times basic salary and a spouse’s pension of half of the member’s pension, based on 
prospective service.

All benefits are subject to H M Revenue and Customs limits. Up until 6 April 2005, under The Linton Park 
Group Pension Scheme, post retirement pension increases were based on the annual increase in the retail price 
index, subject to a maximum of 5 per cent.. From 6 April 2005, the maximum increase reduced to 2.5 per cent. 
per annum in respect of pension accrued on or after that date. Also, under The Linton Park Group Pension 
Scheme there is a minimum increase of 3 per cent. per annum in respect of service before 1 January 2002. Under 
The Lawrie Group Pension Scheme for entrants prior to 1 January 1996, pension earned prior to April 2003 is 
subject to a 5 per cent. increase per annum. From 1 May 2007, the maximum increase reduced to 2.5 per cent. 
in respect of pension accrual on or after that date. In respect of service before 1 March 1999 Mr Perkins was a 
member of a group defined contribution pension scheme. A sum of £34,119 was paid to Mr Ames’s personal 
pension arrangement during the year. 

Further information on pension arrangements:

Defined benefit pension schemes

Pension 
accrued in 
year
£

Pension 
accrued in 
the year net 
of inflation
£

Pension 
accrued to  
31 Dec 
2010
£

Transfer 
value of 
pension 
accrued in 
the year net 
of inflation
£

Transfer 
value of 
pension 
accrued 
at 31 Dec 
2009
£

Transfer 
value of 
pension 
accrued 
at 31 Dec 
2010
£

Increase/ 
(decrease)  
in transfer 
value in the 
year net of 
directors’ 
contributions
£

878
2,700
2,700

878
(440)
(1,010)

57,978
68,500
80,410

10,702
1,007,179
(49,500) 1,413,100
(51,600) 1,985,300

1,062,651
1,907,100
2,088,400

51,255
484,300
94,300

Age

66
60
63

M C Perkins
P J Field
A K Mathur

The increase in transfer value and the transfer value of pension accrued in the year are stated net of directors’ 
contributions.

Notes:

1. 

The accrued pension is the amount that would be paid if the director left service at the relevant date. The pension in respect of service after 1 May 2007 
would be paid from age 65 based on the recent change in pension provision.

2.  Mr Perkins accrued pension of £57,978 represents his entitlement on reaching normal retirement date on 28 February 2010. His accrual therefore ceased at 

that date.

3. 

As Mr Field reached age 60 in 2010 a different calculation and methodology is used which results in a significant increase in transfer value at the end of the 
year.

4. 

The transfer values have been calculated in accordance with the guidance published by the Pensions Regulator, which came into effect from 1 October 2008.

20

Remuneration report

Performance review
The following graph shows the total return on an investment in the company’s shares over the 5 years ended 31 
December 2010 compared with the return achieved by the FTSE SmallCap index. This index has been selected as 
there is no specific index that is comparable to the activities of the company.

)
s
’
0
0
0

(

S
N
R
U
T
E
R
L
A
T
O
T

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

By order of the board

A K Mathur 
Secretary

28 April 2011

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

CAMELLIA
FTSE SMALL CAP

Source: Thomson Datastream

21

 
 
Camellia Plc

Consolidated income statement 
for the year ended 31 December 2010

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Other operating income
Distribution costs
Administrative expenses

Trading profit
Share of associates’ results
Profit on non-current assets
Profit on disposal of available-for-sale investments
Profit on disposal of an associate
Loss on disposal of a subsidiary
Profit on part disposal of a subsidiary
Gain arising from changes in fair value of biological assets

Profit from operations
Investment income
Finance income
Finance costs
Net exchange gain
Pension schemes’ net financing expense
Net finance income/(costs)

Profit before tax
Taxation

Profit for the year

Profit attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Notes

2

3
4
5

6

16

7
7
7
7
7

8

2010
£’000

251,181
(150,340)

100,841
2,416
(12,192)
(42,681)

48,384
3,814
4,144
182
248
–
–
11,111

67,883
957
1,431
(661)
4,054
(523)
4,301

73,141
(22,107)

51,034

41,984
9,050

51,034

2009
£’000

230,270
(148,506)

81,764
1,698
(9,061)
(39,041)

35,360
(2,966)
–
28
–
(674)
135
2,746

34,629
1,106
1,103
(1,726)
160
(1,129)
(1,592)

34,143
(11,702)

22,441

15,897
6,544

22,441

Earnings per share – basic and diluted

11

1,510.5p

571.9p

22

 
 
 
Statement of comprehensive income 
 for the year ended 31 December 2010

Group
Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(expense):
Foreign exchange translation differences
Release of exchange translation difference on disposal of associate
Release of other reserves movements on disposal of associate
Release of exchange translation difference on disposal of subsidiary
Actuarial movement on defined benefit pension schemes (note 29)
Available-for-sale investments:
  Valuation gains/(losses) taken to equity
Share of other comprehensive income of associates
Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive expense for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year

Total comprehensive income/(expense) attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Company
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income:
Available-for-sale investments:
     Valuation gains taken to equity
     Transferred to profit or loss on sale

Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year

2010
£’000

2009
£’000

51,034

22,441

8,448
(17,298)
945
–
5,457

385
8
889

(24,276)
–
–
(294)
(2,657)

(729)
3,075
(1,276)

(1,166)

(26,157)

49,868

 (3,716)

40,887
8,981

49,868

(7,879)
4,163

(3,716)

2,976

3,376

–
(7)

(7)

16
–

16

2,969

3,392

23

 
Camellia Plc

Consolidated balance sheet 
at 31 December 2010

Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Biological assets
Prepaid operating leases
Investments in associates
Deferred tax assets
Other investments
Retirement benefit surplus
Trade and other receivables

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Other investments
Current income tax assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Assets classified as held for sale

Total current assets

Current liabilities
Borrowings
Trade and other payables
Current income tax liabilities
Employee benefit obligations
Provisions

Total current liabilities

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Trade and other payables
Deferred tax liabilities
Employee benefit obligations
Other non-current liabilities
Provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium
Reserves

Total shareholders’ funds
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

24

Notes

14
15
16
17
19
28
20
29
22

21
22
20

23

24

26
25

29, 30
27

26
25
28
29, 30

27

31

2010
£’000

8,076
88,676
121,000
1,040
31,778
109
32,546
835
17,758

301,818

35,214
60,388
5,313
650
291,149

392,714
6,161

398,875

2009
£’000

8,584
80,491
106,067
1,074
97,364
103
30,153
3,054
19,646

346,536

28,279
55,197
12,420
763
229,574

326,233
–

326,233

(5,990)
(260,751)
(7,211)
(352)
(1,113)

(12,761)
(254,346)
(5,353)
(268)
(150)

(275,417)

(272,878)

123,458

425,276

53,355

399,891

(442)
(9,644)
(34,502)
(12,852)
(114)
(750)

(58,304)

(3,119)
(11,227)
(30,449)
(28,668)
(118)
–

(73,581)

366,972

326,310

284
15,298
313,911

329,493
37,479

366,972

284
15,298
278,272

293,854
32,456

326,310

 
 
Company balance sheet 
at 31 December 2010

Non-current assets
Investments in subsidiaries
Other investments

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Amounts due from group undertakings
Current income tax asset

Total current assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Amounts due to group undertakings

Total current liabilities

Net current liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium
Reserves

Total shareholders’ funds

The notes on pages 29 to 73 form part of the financial statements.

The financial statements were approved on 28 April 2011 by the board of 
directors and signed on their behalf by:

M C Perkins

Chairman

Registered Number 29559

Notes

18
20

25

28

31

2010
£’000

73,508
7,537

81,045

8,742
74

8,816

(17)
(24,177)

(24,194)

(15,378)

65,667

(313)

(313)

2009
£’000

73,683
7,512

81,195

5,702
74

5,776

(18)
(21,275)

(21,293)

(15,517)

65,678

(337)

(337)

65,354

65,341

284
15,298
49,772

65,354

284
15,298
49,759

65,341

25

 
Camellia Plc

Consolidated cash flow statement 
for the year ended 31 December 2010

Cash generated from operations
Cash flows from operating activities
Interest paid
Income taxes paid
Interest received
Dividends received from associates

Net cash flow from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of intangible assets
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Insurance proceeds for non-current assets
Proceeds from sale of non-current assets
Part disposal of a subsidiary
Disposal of a subsidiary
Purchase of non-controlling interests
Proceeds from sale of associate
Proceeds from sale of investments
Purchase of investments
Income from investments

Net cash flow from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Equity dividends paid
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
New loans
Repayment of debt

Net cash flow from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Exchange gains/(losses) on cash

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Notes

32

5

34

34

23

23

2010
£’000

27,995
(683)
(15,532)
1,291
1,220

14,291

(91)
(16,486)
5,490
553
507
–
(2,705)
48,754
12,785
(7,181)
957

42,583

(2,891)
(4,207)
59
(7,575)

(14,614)

42,260

28,631
4,382

75,273

2009
£’000

 48,038
(1,747)
(10,074)
1,189
 2,297

39,703

(192)
(10,111)
–
697
579
3,843
–
–
5,509
(12,683)
1,106 

(11,252)

(2,557)
(2,610)
788
(4,883) 

(9,262)

19,189

9,919
(477) 

28,631

For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents are included net of overdrafts repayable on demand. 
These overdrafts are excluded from the definition of cash and cash equivalents disclosed on the balance sheet.

26

 
 
 
Company cash flow statement 
for the year ended 31 December 2010

Cash generated from operations
Profit before tax
Adjustments for:
Gain on disposal of investments
Interest income
Dividends from group companies
Decrease in trade and other payables
Net movement in intra-group balances

Cash used in operations
Interest received

Net cash flow from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sale of investments
Purchase of investments
Dividends received

Net cash flow from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Equity dividends paid

Net cash flow from financing activities

Net movement in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning and at end of year

2010
£’000

2,952

(117)
(43)
(4,000)
(1)
(138)

(1,347)
43

(1,304)

586
(326)
4,000

4,260

(2,956)

(2,956)

–

–

2009
£’000

3,376

(17)
(62)
(4,000)
(2)
(579)

(1,284)
62

(1,222)

37
(200)
4,000

3,837

(2,615)

(2,615)

–

–

27

 
 
Camellia Plc

Statement of changes in equity 
for the year ended 31 December 2010

Share
capital
£’000

Share Treasury Retained
earnings
shares
£’000
£’000

premium
£’000

Other
reserves
£’000

Group
At 1 January 2009
Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the year
Dividends
Non-controlling interest subscription
Share of associate’s change in treasury shares
Share of associates’ other equity movements
Loss on dilution of interest in associate

At 31 December 2009
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year
Dividends
Non-controlling interest subscription
Acquisition of non-controlling interest
Share of associate’s other equity movements
Loss on dilution of interest in associate

At 31 December 2010

Company
At 1 January 2009
Total comprehensive income for the year
Dividends

At 31 December 2009
Total comprehensive income for the year
Dividends

At 31 December 2010

284
–
–
–
–
–
–

284
–
–
–
–
–
–

284

284
–
–

284
–
–

284

15,298
–
–
–
–
–
–

15,298
–
–
–
–
–
–

15,298

15,298
–
–

15,298
–
–

15,298

Non-
controlling
interests
£’000

30,401
4,163
(2,610)
502
–
–
–

32,456
8,981
(4,207)
497
(248)
–
–

Total
£’000

304,100
(7,879)
(2,557)
–
200
27
(37)

293,854
40,887
(2,891)
–
(2,457)
199
(99)

Total
equity
£’000

334,501
(3,716)
(5,167)
502
200
27
(37)

326,310
49,868
(7,098)
497
(2,705)
199
(99)

(400)
–
–
–
–
–
–

(400)
–
–
–
–
–
–

195,485
14,926
(2,557)
–
200
27
(37)

208,044
49,733
(2,891)
–
(2,457)
199
(99)

93,433
(22,805)
–
–
–
–
–

70,628
(8,846)
–
–
–
–
–

(400)

252,529

61,782

329,493

37,479

366,972

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

36,850
3,392
(2,615)

37,627
2,969
(2,956)

12,132
–
–

12,132
–
–

64,564
3,392
(2,615)

65,341
2,969
(2,956)

37,640

12,132

65,354

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

64,564
3,392
(2,615)

65,341
2,969
(2,956)

65,354

Other reserves of the group and company includes a £31,000 (2009: £31,000) capital redemption reserve and, in respect of the 
group, net exchange differences of £18,408,000 surplus (2009: £27,258,000 surplus).

Group retained earnings includes £115,730,000 (2009: £93,465,000) which would require exchange control permission for 
remittance as dividends.

28

 
 
Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have 
been consistently applied to all years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) as adopted by the EU, IFRIC interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under 
IFRS.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis as modified by the revaluation of land 
and buildings, biological assets, agricultural produce, available-for-sale investments, financial assets and financial liabilities 
held-for-trading.

Where necessary, comparative figures have been adjusted to conform with changes in presentation in the current year.

Going concern

The directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the company and the group 
have adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. They therefore continue to adopt the going concern 
basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Basis of consolidation
Subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the company and entities controlled by the 
company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 December each year.

On acquisition, the assets and liabilities of a subsidiary are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition. Any excess 
of the cost of acquisition over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recognised as goodwill. Any deficiency of 
the cost of acquisition below the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired (i.e. discount on acquisition) is credited to the 
income statement in the period of acquisition. The interest of minority shareholders is stated at the minority’s proportion of 
the fair values of the assets and liabilities recognised. 

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated income statement from the 
effective date of acquisition or 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.

Associates
An associate is an entity over which the group is in a position to exercise significant influence, but not control or joint control, 
through participation in the financial and operating policy decisions of that entity.

Investments in associates are accounted for by the equity method of accounting. Under this method the group’s share of the 
post-acquisition profits or losses of associates is recognised in the income statement and its share of post-acquisition movements 
in reserves is recognised in reserves. 

Foreign currency translation

Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the 
transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are 
retranslated at the rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Translation differences on non-monetary items carried at fair 
value are reported as part of the fair value gain or loss. Gains and losses arising on retranslation are included in the income 
statement, except for exchange differences arising on non-monetary items where the changes in fair value are recognised 
directly in equity.

29

Camellia Plc

Accounting policies

The consolidated financial statements are presented in sterling which is the company’s functional and presentation currency. 
On consolidation, income statements and cash flows of foreign entities are translated into pounds sterling at average exchange 
rates for the year and their balance sheets are translated at the exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange 
differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign entities and of borrowings designated as hedges of 
such investments, are taken to equity. When a foreign entity is sold such exchange differences arising since 1 January 2004 are 
recognised in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the 
foreign entity and translated at the exchange rate ruling on the date of acquisition. The group has elected to treat goodwill and 
fair value adjustments arising on acquisitions prior to 1 January 2004, the date of the group’s transition from UK GAAP to 
IFRS, as sterling denominated assets and liabilities.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods 
and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, value added tax and other sales related taxes and after 
eliminating intra-group sales. 

Interest income and expense arising through the group’s banking operations are recognised in the income statement for all 
instruments measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method and is stated net of interest paid.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset or a financial liability and 
of allocating the interest income or interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that 
exactly discounts estimated future cash payments or receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument or, when 
appropriate, a shorter period to the net carrying amount of the financial asset or financial liability. When calculating the 
effective interest rate, the group estimates cash flows considering all contractual terms of the financial instrument (for example, 
prepayment options) but does not consider future credit losses. The calculation includes all fees and points paid or received 
between parties to the contract that are an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and all other premiums or 
discounts. Once a financial asset or a group of similar financial assets has been written down as a result of an impairment loss, 
interest income is recognised using the rate of interest used to discount the future cash flows for the purpose of measuring the 
impairment loss.

Fees and commissions are for portfolio and other management advisory services and are recognised based on the applicable 
service contracts, usually on a time-apportioned basis. 

In respect of engineering services, revenue is recognised based upon the stage of completion and includes costs incurred to date, 
plus accrued profits.

Invoices are raised when goods are despatched or when the risks and rewards of ownership otherwise irrevocably pass to the 
customer.

Segmental reporting

The adoption of IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports used to assess performance 
and allocate resources by the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision maker has been identified as the 
Executive Committee led by the Chairman. Inter segment sales are not significant.

Exceptional items

Exceptional items are those significant items which are separately disclosed by virtue of their size or incidence to enable a full 
understanding of the group’s financial performance. Full disclosure of exceptional items are set out in notes 5 and 6.

Intangible assets

(i) Goodwill

Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the group’s interest in the fair value of 
the identifiable assets and liabilities of a subsidiary or associate at the date of acquisition.

Goodwill is recognised as an asset and reviewed for impairment at least annually. Any impairment is recognised immediately in 
the income statement and is not subsequently reversed.

30

Accounting policies

On disposal of a subsidiary or associate, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or 
loss on disposal.

(ii) Identifiable intangible assets 

Identifiable intangible assets include customer relationships and other intangible assets acquired on the acquisition of 
subsidiaries. Acquired intangible assets with finite lives are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, 
not exceeding 20 years. Intangible assets’ estimated lives are re-evaluated annually and an impairment test is carried out if 
certain indicators of impairment exist.

(iii) Computer software

Acquired computer software licences are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and bring to use the specific 
software. Computer software licences are held at cost and are amortised on a straight-line basis over 3 to 7 years.

Costs associated with developing or maintaining computer software programmes are recognised as an expense as incurred. 
Costs that are directly associated with identifiable and unique software products controlled by the group and which are 
expected to generate economic benefits exceeding costs beyond one year, are recognised as an intangible asset and amortised 
over their estimated useful lives.

Property, plant and equipment

Land and buildings comprises mainly factories and offices. All property, plant and equipment is shown at cost less subsequent 
depreciation and impairment, except for land, which is shown at cost less impairment. Cost includes expenditure that is 
directly attributable to the acquisition of these assets.

On transition to IFRS, the group followed the transitional provisions and elected that previous UK GAAP revaluations be 
treated as deemed cost. 

Subsequent costs are included in the assets’ carrying amount, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated 
with the item will flow to the group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. Repairs and maintenance are charged to 
the income statement during the financial period in which they are incurred.

No depreciation is provided on freehold land. Depreciation of other fixed assets is calculated to write off their cost less residual 
value over their expected useful lives.

The rates of depreciation used for the other assets are as follows:-

Freehold and long leasehold buildings 
Other short leasehold land and buildings 
Plant, machinery, fixtures, fittings and equipment 

nil to 10 per cent. per annum
unexpired term of the lease
4 to 33 per cent. per annum

Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets, or, where 
shorter, over the term of the relevant lease.

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date.

The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and 
the carrying amount of the asset and is included in the income statement.

Biological assets

Biological assets are measured on initial recognition and at each balance sheet date at fair value. Any changes in fair value are 
recognised in the income statement in the year in which they arise.

The fair value of livestock is based on market prices of livestock of similar age and sex. Where meaningful market-determined 
prices do not exist to assess the fair value of the group’s other biological assets, the fair value is determined based on the net 
present value of expected cash flows, discounted at appropriate current market-determined pre-tax rates.

31

 
 
 
 
 
Camellia Plc

Accounting policies

Impairment of assets

Assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment and whenever 
events or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Assets that are subject to 
amortisation are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not 
be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the assets’ carrying amount exceeds its recoverable 
amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an assets’ fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For the purposes 
of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-
generating units).

Investments

Investments are recognised and de-recognised on a trade date when a purchase or sale of an investment is under a contract 
whose terms require delivery of the investment within the timeframe established by the market concerned, and are initially 
measured at cost, including transaction costs.

Held-to-maturity investments are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities 
that the group’s management has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity. Were the group to sell other than an 
insignificant amount of held-to-maturity assets, the entire category would be tainted and reclassified as available-for-sale.

Available-for-sale financial assets include shares of listed and unlisted companies. Listed shares are measured at subsequent 
reporting dates at fair value. The fair values of listed shares are based on current bid values. Other investments such as shares of 
unlisted companies, documents, manuscripts and philately are measured at cost as fair value cannot be reliably measured.

Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognised directly in equity, until the investment is disposed of or is 
determined to be impaired, at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in equity is included in the net 
profit or loss for the period.

Investments in subsidiary companies are included at cost plus incidental expenses less any provision for impairment. 
Impairment reviews are performed by the directors when there has been an indication of potential impairment.

Leases

Leases of property, plant and equipment where the group has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified 
as finance leases. Finance leases are capitalised at the inception of the lease at the lower of fair value and the estimated present 
value of the underlying lease payments. Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance charges so as to 
achieve a constant rate of interest on the finance balance outstanding. The corresponding rental obligations, net of finance 
charges, are included in liabilities. The interest element of the finance cost is charged to the income statement over the lease 
period. Property, plant and equipment acquired under finance leases is depreciated over the shorter of the asset’s useful life and 
the lease term.

Leases where a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating 
leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the 
lease.

Inventories

Agricultural produce at the point of harvest is measured at fair value less estimated point-of-sale costs. Any changes arising on 
initial recognition of agricultural produce at fair value less estimated point-of-sale costs are recognised in the income statement 
in the year in which they arise.

Other inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, 
direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and 
condition. Cost is calculated using the weighted average method. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less 
all estimated costs of completion and selling expenses.

32

Accounting policies

Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables are carried at original invoice amount less provision made for impairment of these receivables. A provision 
for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the group will not be able to collect all 
amounts due according to the original terms. The amount of the provision is recognised in the income statement.

Amounts due from customers of banking subsidiaries consist of loans and receivables which are non-derivative financial assets 
with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They arise when the bank provides money, goods 
or services directly to a customer with no intention of trading the receivable and are carried at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments 
with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current 
liabilities on the balance sheet. In respect of the group’s banking operation, cash and cash equivalents include cash and non-
restricted balances with central banks, treasury bills and other eligible bills, loans and advances to banks, amounts due from 
other banks and short-term government securities.

Non-current assets held for sale

Non-current assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of the carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.

Non-current assets are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered through a sale transaction rather than 
through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the asset is available for 
immediate sale in its present condition. Management must be committed to the sale which should be expected to qualify for 
recognition as a completed sale within one year from the date of classification.

Trade payables

Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from 
suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are 
presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 
method.

Borrowings

Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are initially recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Finance 
charges, including premiums payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accrual basis 
to the income statement 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.

Taxation

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

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 group liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted 
or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amount 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 is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a 
transaction, other than in a business combination, that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable 
profit or loss. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the 
balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related tax asset is realised or the tax liability is settled.

33

Camellia Plc

Accounting policies

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the 
temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, except where the timing 
of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not 
reverse in the foreseeable future.

Employee benefits

(i) Pension obligations

Group companies operate various pension schemes. The schemes are funded through payments to insurance companies or 
trustee-administered funds. The group has both defined benefit and defined contribution plans.

A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that defines an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, 
usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and compensation. The pension cost for defined benefit 
schemes is assessed in accordance with the advice of qualified independent actuaries using the “projected unit” funding 
method.

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the group pays fixed contributions into a separate fund. The group 
has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions to the fund. Contributions are recognised as an expense in 
the income statement when they are due.

The liability recognised in the balance sheet in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined 
benefit obligation at the balance sheet date less the fair value of plan assets. Independent actuaries calculate the obligation 
annually using the “projected unit” funding method. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full in the period in which 
they occur, they are not recognised in the income statement and are presented in the statement of comprehensive income.

(ii) Other post-employment benefit obligations

Some group companies have unfunded obligations to pay terminal gratuities to employees. Provisions are made for the 
estimated liability for gratuities as a result of services tendered by employees up to the balance sheet date and any movement in 
the provision is recognised in the income statement.

The estimated monetary liability for employees’ accrued annual leave entitlement at the balance sheet date is recognised as an 
accrual.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is 
probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and the amount has been reliably estimated.

The provision for onerous lease commitments is based on the expected vacancy period.

Share capital

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

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

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Estimates and judgements 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.

34

Accounting policies

The group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting will, by definition, seldom equal 
the actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are set out below.

Impairment of assets

The group has significant investments in intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, biological assets, associated 
companies and other investments. These assets are tested for impairment when circumstances indicate there may be a potential 
impairment. Factors considered which could trigger an impairment review include the significant fall in market values, 
significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, a major change in market conditions or 
negative cash flows.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation and amortisation is based on management estimates of the future useful life of property, plant and equipment 
and intangible assets. Estimates may change due to technological developments, competition, changes in market conditions 
and other factors and may result in changes in the estimated useful life and in the depreciation and amortisation charges.

Biological assets

Biological assets are carried at fair value less estimated point-of-sale costs. Where meaningful market-determined prices do not 
exist to assess the fair value of biological assets, the fair value has been determined based on the net present value of expected 
future cash flows from those assets, discounted at appropriate pre-tax rates. In determining the fair value of biological assets 
where the discounting of expected future cash flows has been used, the directors have made certain assumptions about expected 
life-span of the plantings, yields, selling prices, costs and discount rates. 

Retirement benefit obligations

Pension accounting requires certain assumptions to be made in order to value obligations and to determine the impact on 
the income statement. These figures are particularly sensitive to assumptions for discount rates, mortality, inflation rates and 
expected long-term rates of return on assets. Details of assumptions made are given in note 29.

Taxation

The group is subject to taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Significant judgement is required in determining worldwide provisions 
for taxes. There are many transactions and calculations during the ordinary course of business for which the ultimate tax 
determination is uncertain.

Identifiable intangible assets – customer relationships

Customer relationships acquired are valued using discounted cash flow techniques and amortised over their estimated useful 
lives. In determining their value and their subsequent useful life, management are required to make assumptions in relation to 
expected cash flows, applicable discount factors, and client attrition rates. 

35

Camellia Plc

Accounting policies

Changes in accounting policy and disclosures

(i) New and amended standards adopted by the group

The group has adopted the following new and amended IFRSs as of 1 January 2010:

IFRIC 16 

Hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation – effective on or after 1 July 2009

 This interpretation states that, in a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, qualifying 
hedging instruments may be held by any entity or entities within the group, including 
the foreign operation itself, as long as the designation, documentation and effectiveness 
requirements of IAS 39 that relate to a net investment hedge are satisfied. In particular, the 
group should clearly document its hedging strategy because of the possibility of different 
designations at different levels of the group. 

IFRIC 17  

Distribution of non-cash assets to owners – effective on or after 1 July 2009

 The interpretation was published in November 2008. This interpretation provides guidance 
on accounting for arrangements whereby an entity distributes non-cash assets to shareholders 
either as a distribution of reserves or as dividends. IFRS 5 has also been amended to require that 
assets are classified as held for distribution only when they are available for distribution in their 
present condition and the distribution is highly probable.

IFRS 3 (revised) 

Business combinations – effective from 1 July 2009

 The revised standard continues to apply the acquisition method to business combinations but 
with some significant changes compared with IFRS 3. For example, all payments to purchase a 
business are recorded at fair value at the acquisition date, with contingent payments classified 
as debt subsequently re-measured through the statement of comprehensive income. There 
is a choice on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis to measure the non-controlling interest in 
the acquiree either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the 
acquiree’s net assets. All acquisition-related costs are expensed. IFRS 3 (revised) has had no 
impact on the current period, as there have been no acquisitions of controlling interests.

IAS 27 (revised) 

Consolidated and separate financial statements – effective from 1 July 2009

 Requires the effects of all transactions with non-controlling interests to be recorded in equity 
if there is no change in control and these transactions will no longer result in goodwill or gains 
and losses. The standard also specifies the accounting when control is lost. Any remaining 
interest in the entity is re-measured to fair value, and a gain or loss is recognised in profit or 
loss. 

IAS 27 (revised) has had the following impact on the current period:

 During the year the group disposed of 0.5 per cent. of its interest in Goodricke Group Limited 
to non-controlling interests, a charge of £18,000 has been recognised in equity. Also during 
the year the group purchased the remaining 49 per cent. holding in its subsidiary, Duncan 
Properties Limited from United Leasing Company Limited, an associate company, which 
resulted in a charge of £2,457,000 to reserves.

IAS 36 (amendment) 

Impairment of assets – effective from 1 January 2010

 The amendment clarifies that the largest cash-generating unit (or group of units) to which 
goodwill should be allocated for the purposes of impairment testing is an operating segment, 
as defined by paragraph 5 of IFRS 8, ‘Operating segments’ (that is, before the aggregation of 
segments with similar economic characteristics).

IAS 38 (amendment) 

Intangible assets – effective from 1 January 2010

 The amendment clarifies guidance in measuring the fair value of an intangible asset acquired 
in a business combination and permits the grouping of intangible assets as a single asset if each 
asset has similar useful economic lives.

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting policies

Changes in accounting policy and disclosures (continued)

IFRS 5 (amendment) 

Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations – effective from 1 January 2010

 The amendment clarifies that IFRS 5 specifies the disclosures required in respect of non-current 
assets (or disposal groups) classified as held for sale or discontinued operations. It also clarifies 
that the general requirement of IAS 1 still apply, in particular paragraph 15 (to achieve a fair 
presentation) and paragraph 125 (sources of estimation uncertainty) of IAS 1.

(ii)  Standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards that are not yet effective and have not been 

adopted early by the group

The following standards and amendments to existing standards have been published and are mandatory for the group’s 
accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2011 or later periods, but the group has not adopted them early:

IFRS 9 

Financial instruments – effective from 1 January 2013

 This standard is the first step in the process to replace IAS 39, ‘Financial instruments: 
recognition and measurement’. IFRS 9 introduces new requirements for classifying and 
measuring financial assets and is likely to affect the group’s accounting for its financial assets. 
The standard is not applicable until 1 January 2013 but is available for early adoption. 
However, the standard has not yet been endorsed by the EU.

IAS 24 (revised) 

Related party disclosures – effective from 1 January 2011

 It supersedes IAS 24, ‘Related party disclosures’, issued in 2003. IAS 24 (revised) is mandatory 
for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2011. Earlier application, in whole or in part, is 
permitted. However, the standard has not yet been endorsed by the EU. The revised standard 
clarifies and simplifies the definition of a related party and removes the requirement for 
government-related entities to disclose details of all transactions with the government and 
other government-related entities. The group will apply the revised standard from 1 January 
2011. When the revised standard is applied, the group and the parent will need to disclose any 
transactions between its subsidiaries and its associates. The group is currently putting systems in 
place to capture the necessary information. It is, therefore, not possible at this stage to disclose 
the impact, if any, of the revised standard on the related party disclosures.

IFRIC 14 (amendment)  Prepayments of a minimum funding requirement – effective from 1 January 2011

 The amendments correct an unintended consequence of IFRIC 14, ‘IAS 19 – The limit on 
a defined benefit asset, minimum funding requirements and their interaction’. Without the 
amendments, entities are not permitted to recognise as an asset some voluntary prepayments for 
minimum funding contributions. This was not intended when IFRIC 14 was issued, and the 
amendments correct this. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning 1 January 
2011. Earlier application is permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to the 
earliest comparative period presented. The group will apply these amendments for the financial 
reporting period commencing on 1 January 2011.

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

1  Business and geographical segments

The principal activities of the group are as follows:

Agriculture and horticulture 
Engineering 
Food storage and distribution 
Banking and financial services

For management reporting purposes these activities form the basis on which the group reports its primary divisions.

Segment information about these businesses is presented below:

Agriculture and 
horticulture

Engineering

Food storage  
and distribution

Banking and  
financial services

Other operations

Consolidated

2010
£’000

 2009
£’000

2010
£’000

 2009
£’000

2010
£’000

 2009
£’000

2010
£’000

 2009
£’000

2010
£’000

 2009
£’000

2010
£’000

 2009
£’000

186,714

156,974

19,887

24,028

32,000

37,434

12,084

11,347

496

 487

251,181  230,270

Revenue

External sales

Trading profit

Segment profit/(loss)

54,013

37,949

256

1,608

(670)

 985

275

(925)

199

181

54,073

39,798

Unallocated corporate expenses

Trading profit

Share of associates’ results

Profit on disposal of non- 
 current assets

Profit on disposal of available- 
 for-sale investments

Profit on disposal of an associate

Loss on disposal of a subsidiary

Profit on part disposal of a 
 subsidiary

Gain arising from changes in  
 fair value of biological assets

Investment income

Net finance income/(costs)

Profit before tax

Taxation

Profit after tax

Other information

Segment assets

Investments in associates

Assets classified as held for sale

Unallocated assets

Consolidated total assets

Segment liabilities

Unallocated liabilities

Consolidated total liabilities

3,712

3,805

102

 (6,771)

3,814

 (2,966)

(5,689)

(4,438)

48,384

35,360

4,144

182

248

–

–

–

28

 –

 (674)

135

11,111

957

 2,746

 1,106

4,301

 (1,592)

73,141

 34,143

(22,107)

 (11,702)

51,034

22,441

11,111

2,746

259,535  218,370

21,999

 15,455

22,807

 23,951

268,324

261,062

29,276

31,681

6,161

4,302

2,502

 3,987

576,967  522,825

65,683

31,778

97,364

6,161

–

85,787

 52,580

700,693  672,769

(35,270)

 (31,252)

(4,636)

 (3,364)

(5,550)

 (4,500) (220,392)  (232,798)

(119)

 (55) (265,967)  (271,969)

(67,754)

 (74,490)

(333,721)  (346,459)

Capital expenditure

9,704

 6,816

5,884

 1,739

540

1,359

Depreciation

Amortisation

Impairments

(4,526)

 (3,917)

(974)

 (937)

(2,309)

 (2,783)

 (43)

(9)

 (6)

(40)

(219)

313

(411)

(559)

 147

 (343)

(537)

45

 50

16,486

 10,111

(137)

 (119)

(8,357)

 (8,099)

(396)

(204)

(608)

(615)

 (586)

(204)

Segment assets consist primarily of intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, biological assets, prepaid operating 
leases, inventories, trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents. Receivables for tax have been excluded. 
Investments in associates, valued using the equity method, have been shown separately in the segment information. 
Segment liabilities are primarily those relating to the operating activities and generally exclude liabilities for taxes, short-
term loans, finance leases and non-current liabilities.

38

Notes to the accounts

1  Business and geographical segments  (continued)

Geographical segments

The group operations are based in nine main geographical areas. The United Kingdom is the home country of the parent. 
The principal geographical areas in which the group operates are as follows:

United Kingdom 
Continental Europe 
Bangladesh 
India 
Kenya 
Malawi 
North America and Bermuda 
South Africa 
South America

The following table provides an analysis of the group’s sales by geographical market, irrespective of the origin of the 
goods/services:

United Kingdom
Continental Europe
Bangladesh
India
Kenya
Malawi
North America and Bermuda
South Africa
South America
Other

2010
£’000

64,700
27,632
22,726
71,187
28,185
7,743
9,168
3,090
3,633
13,117

 2009
 £’000

 76,088
 24,100
16,530
62,258
 20,159
9,309
 4,627
3,908
4,878
8,413

251,181

230,270

The following is an analysis of the carrying amount of segment assets and additions to property, plant and equipment, 
analysed by the geographical area in which the assets are located:

United Kingdom
Continental Europe
Bangladesh
India
Kenya
Malawi
North America and Bermuda
South Africa
South America

 Carrying amount of 
 segment assets
2010
£’000

 2009
 £’000

308,317
5,871
44,954
77,171
62,961
42,172
8,496
13,723
13,302

296,088
5,244
38,173
61,835
56,179
37,072
6,297
 10,995
10,942

Additions to property, 
plant and equipment

2010
£’000

6,438
250
490
5,612
1,166
1,259
354
128
789

 2009
 £’000

3,096
 168
510
4,070
575
547
452
91
602

576,967

 522,825

16,486

10,111 

39

 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

 1  Business and geographical segments  (continued)

Results of banking subsidiaries 

Interest receivable third parties

group companies

Interest payable third parties

group companies

Net interest income
Fee and commission income
Fee and commission expense

Inter-segment net interest

Revenue

Other operating income

Operating expenses

Segment profit/(loss)

 2   Revenue

An analysis of the group’s revenue is as follows:

Sale of goods
Distribution and warehousing revenue
Engineering services revenue
Banking service revenue
Agency commission revenue
Property rental revenue

Total group revenue
Other operating income
Investment income
Interest income

Total group income

40

2010
£’000

2,992
–

2,992
(880)
(43)

2,069
10,485
(513)
43

12,084
113

12,197
(11,922)

 2009
 £’000

3,214
7

3,221
 (1,393)
 (61)

1,767
9,925
 (399)
54

 11,347
 148

 11,495
 (12,420)

275

(925)

2010
£’000

186,714
32,000
19,887
12,084
210
286

251,181
2,416
957
1,431

 2009
 £’000

 156,974
 37,434
 24,028
 11,347
 191
 296

230,270
1,698
 1,106
1,103

255,985

 234,177 

 
 
Notes to the accounts

3  Trading profit 

The following items have been included in arriving at trading profit:
Employment costs (note 12)
Inventories:
  Cost of inventories recognised as an expense (included in cost of sales)
  Cost of inventories provision recognised as an expense (included in cost of sales)
  Cost of inventories provision reversed (included in cost of sales)
Business interruption income received from insurance claim
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment:
  Owned assets
  Under finance leases
Amortisation of intangibles (included in administrative expenses)
Impairment of investments (included in administrative expenses)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment (included in administrative expenses)
Provision for claim (note 27)
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Operating leases – lease payments:
  Plant and machinery
  Property
Repairs and maintenance expenditure on property, plant and equipment

Currency exchange losses/(gains) charged/(credited) to income include:
  Revenue
  Cost of sales
  Distribution costs
  Administrative expenses
  Other operating income
  Finance income

Amounts paid to the group’s auditors comprised:
Audit services:
  Statutory audit
  Audit – related regulatory reporting
Tax services:
  Compliance services
  Advisory services

Other services not covered above

2010
£’000

 2009
 £’000

67,122

 65,518

116,389
179
–
1,314 

7,640
717
608
396
219
989
(518)

364
724
4,519

34
45
(173)
128
(12)
(4,054)

(4,032)

796
34

20
30
36

916

 99,224
311
 (11)
–

 7,195
904
586
204
–
–
(264)

471
707
4,112

79
56
11
146
 (6)
(160)

 126

 732
35

 17
33
36

853

Included in the above group audit fees and expenses is £785,000 (2009: £718,000) paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
and its associates for statutory audit services, £34,000 (2009: £35,000) for audit related regulatory reporting, £49,000 
(2009: £34,000) for taxation services and £32,000 (2009: £12,000) for other services.

41

 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

4 

Share of associates’ results

The group’s share of the results of associates is analysed below:

Operating profit
Net finance costs
Impairment

Profit/(loss) before tax
Taxation

Profit/(loss) after tax

2010
£’000

4,494
(93)
–

4,401
(587)

3,814

2009
£’000

 2,516
 (2,653)
 (3,103)

 (3,240)
274

 (2,966)

In 2009, the impairment charge of £3,103,000 relates to development projects of the Siegfried Group. On 15 April 2010, 
the group disposed of its entire shareholding in Siegfried Holding AG.

The results include the group’s share of the profits of United Insurance Company Limited and United Leasing Company 
Limited until 8 September 2010 when an agreement was entered into to sell the group’s shareholdings in these companies.

5  Profit on non-current assets

A profit of £4,144,000, net of expenses, has been realised in relation to the property, plant and equipment destroyed 
by fire at the Nuneaton premises of Abbey Metal Finishing Limited. The assets destroyed with a carrying value of 
£1,146,000 were subject to insurance claims and the total claims receivable amounts to £5,490,000.

 6  Profit on disposal of an associate

On 15 April 2010, the group disposed of its entire shareholding in Siegfried Holding AG, an associated undertaking. The 
net proceeds on disposal were £48,754,000 and a net profit of £248,000 was realised, after the transfer of £16,353,000 of 
exchange difference and other movements previously included in reserves.

7 

Finance income and costs

Interest payable on loans and bank overdrafts
Interest payable on obligations under finance leases

Finance costs
Finance income – interest income on short-term bank deposits
Net exchange gain on foreign currency cash balances
Pension schemes’ net financing expense (note 29)

Net finance income/(costs)

The above figures do not include any amounts relating to the banking subsidiaries.

2010
£’000

(568)
(93)

(661)
1,431
4,054
(523)

4,301

 2009
 £’000

 (1,586)
 (140)

 (1,726)
1,103
160
(1,129)

 (1,592)

42

Notes to the accounts

8  Taxation 

Analysis of charge in the year 

Current tax
UK corporation tax
UK corporation tax at 28.0 per cent. (2009: 28.0 per cent.)
Adjustment in respect of prior years
Double tax relief

Foreign tax
Corporation tax
Adjustment in respect of prior years

Total current tax
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
  United Kingdom
  Overseas

Total deferred tax

Tax on profit on ordinary activities

Factors affecting tax charge for the year
Profit on ordinary activities before tax
Share of associated undertakings profit/(loss)

Group profit on ordinary activities before tax

Tax on ordinary activities at the standard rate  
  of corporation tax in the UK of 28.0 per cent. (2009: 28.0 per cent.)
Effects of:
Adjustment to tax in respect of prior years
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Adjustment in respect of foreign tax rates
Additional tax arising on dividends from overseas companies
(Profit)/loss on disposal of non taxable assets
Other income not charged to tax
Increase in tax losses carried forward
Decrease in tax losses carried forward
Movement in unremitted earnings of overseas associates
Movement in other timing differences

Total tax charge for the year

 2010

£’000

£’000

 2009
 £’000

3,265
–
(3,265)

17,199
362

–
4,546

3,555
135
 (3,548)

142

11,648
204

11,852

11,994

 (1,782)
1,490

(292)

11,702

 34,143
 (2,966)

37,109

–

17,561

17,561

4,546

22,107

73,141
3,814

69,327

19,412

10,391

362
1,349
2,011
599
(53)
(929)
301
(28)
–
(917)

22,107

339
2,066
1,149
327
143
 (633)
359
 (14)
 (2,637)
212

11,702

43

 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

9  Profit for the year

The profit of the company was

2010
£’000

2,976

 2009
 £’000

 3,376

The company has taken the exemption under Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to disclose the company’s 
income statement.

10  Equity dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period:
Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2009 of
  74p (2008: 72p) per share
Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2010 of
  30p (2009: 20p) per share

2010
£’000

2,057

834

2,891

 2009
 £’000

 2,001

 556

 2,557

Dividends amounting to £65,000 (2009: £58,000) have not been included as group companies hold 62,500 issued shares 
in the company. These are classified as treasury shares.

Proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2010 of 
  80p (2009: 74p) per share

2,274

 2,103

The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by the shareholders at the annual general meeting and has not been 
included as a liability in these financial statements. 

11  Earnings per share (EPS)

2010
Weighted
average
number of
 shares
Number

Earnings
£’000

2009  
Weighted 
average
number of 
shares
Number

 EPS
 Pence

EPS
Pence

 Earnings
 £’000

Basic and diluted EPS
Attributable to ordinary 

shareholders

41,984

2,779,500

1,510.5

15,897

 2,779,500

571.9

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, excluding those held by the group as treasury 
shares (note 31).

44

 
Notes to the accounts

12  Employees

Average number of employees by activity:
  Agriculture and horticulture
  Engineering
  Food storage and distribution
  Banking and financial services
  Central management

Employment costs:
  Wages and salaries
  Social security costs
  Other pension costs (see note 29) – UK

 – Overseas

2010
Number

 2009
 Number

72,538
388
288
120
19

73,353

2010
£’000

59,488
2,346
1,321
3,967

67,122

72,313
367
370
129
21

 73,200

 2009
 £’000

 58,006
 2,588
 1,636
 3,288

 65,518

Total remuneration paid to key employees who are members of the executive committee, excluding directors of Camellia 
Plc, amounted to £623,000 (2009: £580,000).

13  Emoluments of the directors

2010
£’000

 2009
 £’000

Aggregate emoluments excluding pension contributions

1,200

1,132

Emoluments of the highest paid director excluding pension contributions were £420,000 (2009: £396,000).

Further details of directors’ emoluments are set out on pages 19 and 20.

45

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

14  Intangible assets

Group 
Cost 
At 1 January 2009 
Exchange differences 
Adjustment 
Additions 
Disposals 
Disposal of subsidiary 

At 1 January 2010 

Exchange differences 
Additions 
Disposals 

At 31 December 2010 
Amortisation 
At 1 January 2009 
Exchange differences 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Disposal of subsidiary 

At 1 January 2010 
Exchange differences 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 

At 31 December 2010 

 Goodwill
 £'000 

 Customer 
relationships 
 £'000 

 Licences,
patents 
 and trade
marks 
 £'000 

Computer
 software 
 £'000 

 3,944 
 – 
 34 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 3,978 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 4,814 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 4,814 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 3,978 

 4,814 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 630 
 – 
 240 
 – 
 – 

 870 
 – 
 241 
 – 

 1,111 

 3,703 

 3,944 

 277 
 25 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (235)

 67 

 – 
 – 
 (67)

 – 

 170 
 13 
 7 
 – 
 (123)

 67 
 – 
 – 
 (67)

 – 

 – 

 – 

Total
 £'000 

 10,657 
 12 
 34 
 192 
 (7)
 (248)

 10,640 

 16 
 91 
 (73)

 1,622 
 (13)
 – 
 192 
 (7)
 (13)

 1,781 

 16 
 91 
 (6)

 1,882 

 10,674 

 798 
 (4)
 339 
 (7)
 (7)

 1,119 
 7 
 367 
 (6)

 1,487 

 395 

 662 

 1,598 
 9 
 586 
 (7)
 (130)

 2,056 
 7 
 608 
 (73)

 2,598 

 8,076 

 8,584 

Net book value at 31 December 2010 

Net book value at 31 December 2009 

 3,978 

 3,978 

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. The carrying amount of the goodwill 
relates to the banking and financial services segment.

The group tests goodwill annually for impairment and is assessed through evaluating two components. The first 
component is evaluated on a fair value less costs of sale basis, by comparing the carrying value to the market valuations of 
similar businesses, further supported by any recent corporate transactions for similar businesses. The second component is 
evaluated on a value in use basis using an analysis of the future cash flows expected to be generated by the business based 
on the latest five year business plan extrapolated for future years to cover the expected life of the related asset assuming 
a zero growth rate. These cash flows have been discounted by applying a number of rates from 5% to 15% to test the 
sensitivity under a number of alternative scenarios.

46

Notes to the accounts

15  Property, plant and equipment

Group 
Deemed cost 
At 1 January 2009 
Exchange differences 
Additions 
Disposal of subsidiary 
Disposals 

At 1 January 2010 
Exchange differences 
Additions 
Disposals 

At 31 December 2010 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2009 
Exchange differences 
Charge for the year 
Disposal of subsidiary 
Disposals 

At 1 January 2010 
Exchange differences 
Impairment 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 

At 31 December 2010 

Net book value at 31 December 2010 

Net book value at 31 December 2009 

Land and buildings at net book value comprise:

 Freehold 
 Long leasehold 
 Short leasehold 

 Land and 
 buildings 
 £’000 

 Plant and 
 machinery 
 £’000 

 Fixtures, 
 fittings and 
 equipment 
 £’000 

 79,371 
 (2,794)
 2,930 
 (4,288)
 (122)

 75,097 
 1,190 
 6,956 
 (1,537)

 81,706 

 32,034 
 (1,215)
 1,987 
 (926)
 (71)

 31,809 
 397 
 – 
 2,530 
 (827)

 33,909 

 47,797 

 43,288 

 84,808 
 (2,129)
 6,334 
 (1,570)
 (3,111)

 84,332 
 2,139 
 8,519 
 (4,197)

 90,793 

 55,294 
 (1,485)
 4,996 
 (385)
 (2,722)

 55,698 
 1,315 
 219 
 4,810 
 (3,565)

 58,477 

 32,316 

 28,634 

 19,359 
 (422)
 847 
 (51)
 (321)

 19,412 
 113 
 1,011 
 (207)

 20,329 

 10,423 
 (344)
 1,116 
 (33)
 (319)

 10,843 
 74 
 – 
 1,017 
 (168)

 11,766 

 8,563 

 8,569 

2010
 £’000 

 27,369 
 19,120 
 1,308 

 47,797 

 Total 
 £’000 

 183,538 
 (5,345)
 10,111 
 (5,909)
 (3,554)

 178,841 
 3,442 
 16,486 
 (5,941)

 192,828 

 97,751 
 (3,044)
 8,099 
 (1,344)
 (3,112)

 98,350 
 1,786 
 219 
 8,357 
 (4,560)

 104,152 

 88,676 

 80,491 

 restated* 
2009
 £’000 

 23,549 
 18,345 
 1,394 

 43,288 

Plant and machinery includes assets held under finance leases. The depreciation charge for the year in respect of these 
assets was £462,000 (2009: £670,000) and their net book value was £1,359,000 (2009: £1,768,000). 

The amount of expenditure for property, plant and equipment in the course of construction amounted to £3,622,000 
(2009: £581,000). 

*Within the 2009 comparative amount, £9,361,000 has been reclassified from freehold to long leasehold.

47

 
 
 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

16  Biological assets

Group
At 1 January 2009
Exchange differences
Increases due to purchases
Gains/(losses) arising from changes in fair
  value less estimated point-of-sale costs
Decreases due to harvesting
Companies leaving the group

At 1 January 2010
Exchange differences
Increases due to purchases
Gains/(losses) arising from changes in fair
  value less estimated point-of-sale costs
Decreases due to harvesting

At 31 December 2010

Tea
 £'000 

 69,896 
 (6,958)
 1,528 

 100 
 – 
 – 

 64,566 
 1,146 
 1,777 

 6,953 
 – 

 74,442 

Edible 
nuts
 £'000 

 15,441 
 (983)
 2,763 

 1,472 
 (2,248)
 – 

 16,445 
 813 
 3,370 

 834 
 (2,639)

 18,823 

Avocados
 £'000 

 5,864 
 (482)
 104 

 (59)
 – 
 – 

 5,427 
 (168)
 192 

 (130)
 – 

 5,321 

Other 
 £'000 

 23,019 
 (995)
 4,668 

 1,233 
 (6,413)
 (1,883)

 19,629 
 279 
 3,664 

 3,454 
 (4,612)

Total
 £'000 

 114,220 
 (9,418)
 9,063 

 2,746 
 (8,661)
 (1,883)

 106,067 
 2,070 
 9,003 

 11,111 
 (7,251)

 22,414 

 121,000 

Other includes forestry, rubber, citrus, arable crops, livestock, grapes, and pineapples.

Biological assets are carried at fair value less estimated point-of-sale costs. Where meaningful market-determined prices do 
not exist to assess the fair value of biological assets, the fair value has been determined based on the net present value of 
expected future cash flows from those assets, discounted at appropriate pre-tax rates. At 31 December 2008 professional 
valuations were obtained on a significant proportion of assets which had previously been valued using the net present 
value of expected future cash flows. The valuations have been updated by professional valuers at 31 December 2010. 
In determining the fair value of biological assets where the discounting of expected future cash flows has been used, the 
directors have made certain assumptions about the expected life-span of the plantings, yields, selling prices and costs. The 
fair value of livestock is based on market prices of livestock of similar age and sex.

The discount rates used reflect the cost of capital, an assessment of country risk and the risks associated with individual 
crops. The range of discount rates used is:

Edible 
nuts
%

Avocados
%

Other 
%

12.0 – 13.5
12.0 – 13.5

17.5
17.5

5.0 – 17.5 
5.0 – 17.5 

Tea
%

13.5
13.5

2010
2009

48

Notes to the accounts

16  Biological assets (continued)

The areas planted to the various crop types at the end of the year were:

Tea
Macadamia
Wine grapes
Citrus
Avocados
Pineapples
Pistachios
Timber
Rubber
Arable crops

2010
Hectares

2009
Hectares

 35,028 
 2,669 
 84 
 178 
 409 
 42 
 130 
 6,054 
 1,827 
 3,297 

2010
Head

 34,841 
 2,560 
 84 
 178 
 377 
 48 
 136 
 6,002 
 1,847 
 3,407 

2009
Head

Livestock numbers on hand at the end of the year

 5,176 

 4,738 

Output of agricultural produce during the year was:

Tea
Macadamia
Wine grapes
Citrus
Avocados
Pineapples
Pistachios
Rubber
Arable crops

Timber

2010
Metric
tonnes

 74,628 
 1,122 
 534 
 4,532 
 7,748 
 1,571 
 783 
 836 
 16,227 

2010
Cubic
metres

2009
Metric
tonnes

 70,272 
 925 
 2,157 
 4,122 
 6,319 
 1,332 
 21 
 817 
 19,192 

2009
Cubic
metres

 44,375 

 71,419 

2010
£'000

2009
£'000

Fair value of agricultural output after deducting estimated point-of-sale costs

 139,183 

 114,368 

49

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

17  Prepaid operating leases

Group
Cost 
At 1 January 2009 
Exchange differences 

At 1 January 2010 
Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2010 

Amortisation 
At 1 January 2009 
Exchange differences 
Charge for the year 

At 1 January 2010 
Exchange differences 
Charge for the year 

At 31 December 2010 

Net book value at 31 December 2010 

Net book value at 31 December 2009 

18  Investments in subsidiaries

Company 
Cost 
At 1 January 
Transfer to group company 

At 31 December 

50

 £'000 

 1,190 
 (98)

 1,092 
 (33)

 1,059 

 19 
 (2)
 1 

 18 
– 
 1 

 19 

 1,040 

 1,074 

2010
£'000

2009
£'000

73,683
(175)

73,508

73,683
–

73,683

 
Notes to the accounts

19  Investments in associates

Group 
At 1 January
Exchange differences
Transfer to held for sale
Disposals
Share of profit/(loss) (note 4)
Dividends 
Other equity movements

At 31 December

2010
£’000

97,364
2,731
(6,161)
(64,958)
3,814
(1,220)
208

31,778

2009
£’000

109,883
(10,521)
–
(37)
(2,966)
(2,297)
3,302

97,364

On 15 April 2010, the group disposed of its entire shareholding in Siegfried Holding AG.

The transfer to held for sale relates to the group’s interests in United Insurance Company Limited and United Leasing 
Company Limited.

Details of the group’s associates are shown in note 38. 

The group’s share of the results of its principal associates and its share of the assets (including goodwill) and liabilities are 
as follows:

 Assets 
 £’000 

 Liabilities 
 £’000 

 Revenues 
 £’000 

 Profit/(loss) 
 £’000 

 Market value 
 £’000 

31 December 2010

 133,389 

 (101,611)

 39,170 

 3,814 

 20,076 

31 December 2009

 243,439 

 (146,075)

 91,955 

 (2,966)

 98,144 

The revenues and profits of United Insurance Company Limited and United Leasing Company Limited have been 
included upto 8 September 2010 when an agreement was entered into to sell the group's interests in these companies. 
The assets and liabilities at 31 December 2010 relate to BF&M Limited and West Hamilton Holdings Limited both of 
which are incorporated in Bermuda. The financial information at 31 December 2009 also includes the group's interest in 
Siegfried Holding AG which was disposed of in April 2010.

51

 
 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

20  Other investments

Group 
Cost or fair value 
At 1 January 
Exchange differences 
Fair value adjustment 
Additions 
Disposals 

At 31 December 
Provision for diminution in value 
At 1 January 
Exchange differences 
Provided during year 
Disposals 

At 31 December 

Net book value at 31 December 
Net book value comprises: 
Held-to-maturity investments: 
UK Treasury bills 
Bank and building society certificates of deposit 

Available-for-sale financial assets: 
Listed investments 
Unlisted investments  

Collections 

Current element 
Non-current element 

2010
 £’000 

2009
 £’000 

 43,315 
 732 
385
 7,181 
 (12,619)

 38,994 

 742 
 13 
 396 
 (16)

 1,135 

 37,859 

 – 
 5,313 
 5,313 

 25,010 
 174 
 25,184 
 7,362 

 37,859 

 5,313 
 32,546 

 37,859 

 39,690 
 (2,848)
 (729)
 12,683 
 (5,481)

 43,315 

 586 
 (48)
 204 
 – 

 742 

 42,573 

 4,988 
 7,432 
 12,420 

 22,613 
 223 
 22,836 
 7,317 

 42,573 

 12,420 
 30,153 

 42,573 

UK Treasury bills and bank and building society certificates of deposit are held by the group’s banking operation.

52

Notes to the accounts

20  Other investments (continued)

Company 
Cost or fair value 
At 1 January 
Fair value adjustment 
Additions 
Transfer to group company 
Disposals 

At 31 December 

Cost or fair value comprises: 
  Listed investments 
  Unlisted investments 
  Collections 

2010
 £’000 

2009
 £’000 

 7,512 
 – 
 326 
 (222)
 (79)

 7,537 

 – 
 170 
 7,367 

 7,537 

 7,316 
 16 
 200 
 – 
 (20)

 7,512 

 20 
 170 
 7,322 

 7,512 

Collections comprise the group’s and company’s investment in fine art, philately, documents and manuscripts. The 
market value of collections is expected to be in excess of book value.

21  Inventories 

Group 
Raw materials and consumables 
Work in progress 
Produce on hand 
Finished goods 

The year end inventories balance includes a provision of £102,000 (2009: £258,000). 

22  Trade and other receivables

Group 
Current: 
  Amounts due from customers of banking subsidiaries 
  Trade receivables 
  Amounts owed by associated undertakings 
  Other receivables 
  Prepayments and accrued income 

Non-current: 
  Amounts due from customers of banking subsidiaries 
  Other receivables 

2010
 £’000 

 8,723 
 1,362 
 17,091 
 8,038 

 35,214 

2009
 £’000 

 7,595 
 993 
 12,859 
 6,832 

 28,279 

2010
 £’000 

2009
 £’000 

 21,487 
 24,072 
 285 
 6,777 
 7,767 

 60,388 

 16,621 
 1,137 

 17,758 

 21,833 
 23,222 
 260 
 5,758 
 4,124 

 55,197 

 18,718 
 928 

 19,646 

53

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

22  Trade and other receivables (continued)

Included within trade receivables is a provision for doubtful debts of £387,000 (2009: £534,000).

Trade receivables include receivables of £3,739,000 (2009: £4,134,000) which are past due at the reporting date against 
which the group has not provided, as there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the amounts are still 
considered recoverable. Ageing of past due but not provided for receivables is as follows:

Up to 30 days
30-60 days
60-90 days
Over 90 days

23  Cash and cash equivalents

Group
Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term bank deposits
Short-term liquid investments

2010
£’000

2,127
656
262
694

3,739

2010
£’000

217,008
29,503
44,638

291,149

2009
£’000

2,637
952
252
293

4,134

2009
£’000

157,102
21,117
51,355

229,574

Included in the amounts above are cash and short-term funds, time deposits with banks and building societies, UK 
treasury bills and certificates of deposit amounting to £210,429,000 (2009: £193,434,000) which are held by the group’s 
banking subsidiaries and which are an integral part of the banking operations.

Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts include the following for the purposes of the cash flow statement:

Cash and cash equivalents (excluding banking operations)
Bank overdrafts (note 26)

Effective interest rate: 
  Short-term deposits
  Short-term liquid investments
Average maturity period:
  Short-term deposits
  Short-term liquid investments

54

2010
£’000

80,720
(5,447)

75,273

2010
%

2009
£’000

36,140
(7,509)

28,631

2009
%

0.20 – 10.80
0.09 – 0.99

0.20 – 10.50
0.40 – 2.30

72 days
34 days

57 days
35 days

 
Notes to the accounts

24  Assets classified as held for sale

Following the decision of the group’s management to enter into an agreement on 8 September 2010 to sell the group’s 
entire shareholdings in its Bangladeshi associated undertakings, United Insurance Company Limited (37.0 per cent. 
holding) and United Leasing Company Limited (38.4 per cent. holding), the equity value of these investments of 
£6,161,000 has been classified as held for sale, having previously been classified as investments in associates.

25  Trade and other payables

Current:
  Amounts due to customers of banking subsidiaries
  Trade payables
  Other taxation and social security
  Other payables
  Accruals

Group

2010
£’000

218,354
22,367
1,625
13,888
4,517

260,751

2009
£’000

219,909
18,005
1,256
10,580
4,596

254,346

Non-current:
  Amounts due to customers of banking subsidiaries

9,644

11,227

Company

2010
£’000

2009
£’000

–
–
–
17
–

17

–

–
–
–
18
–

18

–

55

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

26  Financial liabilities – borrowings

Group
Current
Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Finance leases

Current borrowings include the following amounts secured
  on biological assets and property, plant and equipment:
  Bank overdrafts
  Bank loans
  Finance leases

Non-current
Bank loans
Finance leases

Non-current borrowings include the following amounts
secured on biological assets and property, plant and equipment:
  Bank loans
  Finance leases

The repayment of bank loans and overdrafts fall due as follows:
  Within one year or on demand (included in current liabilities)
  Between 1 – 2 years
  Between 2 – 5 years
  After 5 years

Minimum finance lease payments fall due as follows:
  Within one year or on demand (included in current liabilities)
  Between 1 – 2 years
  Between 2 – 5 years

  Future finance charges on finance leases

  Present value of finance lease liabilities

56

2010
£’000

5,447
50
493

5,990

4,597
50
493

5,140

186
256

442

186
256

442

5,497
45
91
50

5,683

528
217
50

795
(46)

749

2009
£’000

7,509
4,526
726

12,761

6,296
706
726

7,728

2,444
675

3,119

2,444
675

3,119

12,035
616
858
970

14,479

805
516
214

1,535
(134)

1,401

Notes to the accounts

26  Financial liabilities – borrowings (continued)

The present value of finance lease liabilities fall due as follows:

Within one year or on demand (included in current liabilities)
Between 1 – 2 years
Between 2 – 5 years

The rates of interest payable by the group ranged between:

Overdrafts
Bank loans
Finance leases

27  Provisions 

Group
At 1 January 2009
Provided in the period
Utilised in the period

At 1 January 2010
Exchange differences
Provided in the period
Utilised in the period

At 31 December 2010

Current
At 31 December 2010

At 31 December 2009

Non-current
At 31 December 2010

At 31 December 2009

2010
£’000

493
207
49

749

2010
%

2009
£’000

726
473
202

1,401

2009
%

2.50 – 17.50
9.00 – 11.00
3.76 – 18.00

3.10 – 17.50
1.38 – 13.50
3.25 – 18.00

Onerous lease
£’000

Others
£’000

123
150
(123)

150
–
900
(150)

900

150

150

750

–

–
–
–

–
(26)
989
–

963

963

–

–

–

Total
£’000

123
150
(123)

150
(26)
1,889
(150)

1,863

1,113

150

750

–

The provision for onerous lease relates to six years lease commitments, which is the expected period of vacancy, for 
warehouse premises. The lease expires in 2016.

Included in others is a provision of £863,000, net of an exchange loss of £26,000, relating to a claim received by Kakuzi 
Limited, a group company based in Kenya. The claim made by Del Monte Kenya Limited relates to an adjustment in 
their calculation of the selling price of pineapples for their joint venture in the years 2007 and 2008.

57

Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

28  Deferred tax 

The net movement on the deferred tax account is set out below:

At 1 January
Exchange differences
Charged/(credited) to the income statement
(Credited)/charged to equity

At 31 December

Group

2010
£’000

30,346
385
4,546
(884)

34,393

2009
£’000

32,495
(3,133)
(292)
1,276

30,346

Company

2010
£’000

2009
£’000

337
–
(24)
–

313

337
–
–
–

337

The movement in deferred tax assets and liabilities is set out below:

Deferred tax liabilities

Accelerated
tax
depreciation
£’000

Unremitted
earnings of
overseas
associates
£’000

Pension
scheme
liability
£’000

35,350
(3,045)

1,522
–

33,827
567

3,624
–

38,018

2,637
–

(2,637)
–

–
–

–
–

–

988
(74)

(48)
69

935
54

122
(833)

278

Other
£’000

299
13

(240)
–

72
1

(74)
–

(1)

Total
£’000

39,274
(3,106)

(1,403)
69

34,834
622

3,672
(833)

38,295

(3,793)

34,502 

At 1 January 2009
Exchange differences
(Credited)/charged to the  

income statement

Charged to equity

At 1 January 2010
Exchange differences
Charged/(credited) to the income 

statement

Credited to equity

At 31 December 2010

Deferred tax assets offset

Net deferred tax liability after offset

58

 
 
Notes to the accounts

28  Deferred tax (continued)

Deferred tax assets

Decelerated
tax
depreciation
£’000

Tax losses
£’000

321
–

175
–

496
–

(496)
–

–

1,743
191

(107)
–

1,827
218

(249)
–

1,796

Pension
scheme
asset
£’000

3,455
(81)

(1,285)
(1,207)

882
42

69
(81)

912

Other
£’000

1,260
(83)

106
–

1,283
(23)

(198)
132

1,194

Total
£’000

6,779
27

(1,111)
(1,207)

4,488
237

(874)
51

3,902

(3,793)

109

At 1 January 2009
Exchange differences
(Charged)/credited to the income 

statement

Charged to equity

At 1 January 2010
Exchange differences
(Charged)/credited to the income  

statement

Credited/(charged) to equity

At 31 December 2010

Offset against deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax asset after offset

Included within deferred tax liabilities are £33,178,000 (2009: £28,944,000) of accelerated tax depreciation relating to 
biological assets.

Deferred tax liabilities of £9,226,000 (2009: £5,403,000) have not been recognised for the withholding tax and other 
taxes that would be payable on the unremitted earnings of certain subsidiaries. Such amounts are permanently reinvested.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for tax losses carried forward only to the extent that the realisation of the related tax 
benefit through future taxable profits is probable. The group has not recognised deferred tax assets of £5,818,000 (2009: 
£4,943,000) in respect of losses that can be carried forward against future taxable income.

29  Employee benefit obligations

(i) Pensions

Certain group subsidiaries operate defined contribution and funded defined benefit pension schemes. The most 
significant are the UK funded, final salary defined benefit schemes. The assets of these schemes are administered by 
trustees and are kept separate from those of the group. Valuations of the three UK defined benefit pension schemes are 
produced and updated annually to 31 December by qualified independent actuaries. The UK final salary defined benefit 
pension schemes are closed to new entrants and new employees are eligible to join a group personal pension plan. The 
Unochrome Group Pension Scheme is closed to future accruals and former active members participate in a defined 
contribution scheme. 

The overseas schemes are operated in group subsidiaries located in Bangladesh, India and The Netherlands. Actuarial 
valuations have been updated to 31 December 2010 by qualified actuaries for these schemes.

59

 
 
 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

29  Employee benefit obligations (continued)

Assumptions

The major assumptions used in the valuation to determine the present value of the schemes’ defined benefit obligations 
were as follows:

UK schemes
Rate of increase in salaries*
Rate of increase to LPI (Limited Price Indexation) pensions in payment
Discount rate applied to scheme liabilities
Inflation assumption (CPI/RPI)

2010
% per annum

2009
% per annum

3.10
2.50 – 5.00
5.40
3.00 / 3.60

3.70
2.50 – 5.00
5.70
3.60

Assumptions regarding future mortality experience are based on advice received from independent actuaries. The current 
mortality tables used are PCA00 and PNA00 with medium cohort improvement factors and subject to a minimum rate of 
improvement of 1% per annum, projected by year of birth and with an age rating of +1.5 years and +2 years.

*Increases in salaries based on CPI rather than RPI.

Overseas schemes 
Rate of increase in salaries
Rate of increase to LPI (Limited Price Indexation) pensions in payment
Discount rate applied to scheme liabilities
Inflation assumption

2.00 – 7.00
0.00 – 3.00
5.00 – 9.00
0.00 – 7.00

2.00 – 7.00
0.00 – 3.00
5.31 – 8.75
0.00 – 7.00

The major assumptions used to determine the expected future return on the schemes’ assets were as follows:

UK schemes
Equities and property
Bonds
Cash

Overseas schemes
Bonds
Cash
Other

7.80
4.70
0.50

7.40
5.00
0.50

7.35 – 9.00
7.35 – 9.00
5.00

7.06 – 12.50
7.06 – 12.50
5.31 – 5.36

(ii) Post-employment benefits

Certain group subsidiaries located in Kenya, India and Bangladesh have an obligation to pay terminal gratuities, based 
on years of service. These obligations are estimated annually using the projected unit method by qualified independent 
actuaries. Schemes operated in India are funded but the schemes operated in Kenya and Bangladesh are unfunded. 
Operations in India and Bangladesh also have an obligation to pay medical benefits upon retirement. These schemes are 
unfunded.

Assumptions

The major assumptions used in the valuation to determine the present value of the post-employment benefit obligations 
were as follows:

Rate of increase in salaries
Discount rate applied to scheme liabilities

7.00 – 9.50
8.00 – 9.00

5.00 – 7.00
8.00 – 8.75

60

 
 
 
Notes to the accounts

29  Employee benefit obligations (continued)

(iii) Actuarial valuations

Equities and property
Bonds
Cash
Other

Total fair value of plan assets
Present value of defined benefit 
  obligations

Total (deficit)/surplus in the schemes
Amount recognised as asset in the 
  balance sheet
Amount recognised as current liability 

in the balance sheet

Amount recognised as non-current
liability in the balance sheet

Related deferred tax asset (note 28)
Related deferred tax liability (note 28)

Net (deficit)/surplus

UK
£’000

90,929
32,929
2,181
–

126,039

2010
Overseas
£’000

369
14,711
2,531
2,241

19,852

Total
£’000

91,298
47,640
4,712
2,241

UK
£’000

76,981
25,999
1,550
–

145,891

104,530

2009
Overseas
£’000

312
13,388
1,907
1,926

17,533

Total
£’000

77,293
39,387
3,457
1,926

122,063

(133,805)

(24,455)

(158,260)

(128,720)

(17,334)

(146,054)

(7,766)

(4,603)

(12,369)

(24,190)

199

(23,991)

–

–

835

835

(352)

(352)

–

–

3,054

3,054

–

–

(7,766)

(7,766)
–
–

(7,766)

(5,086)

(4,603)
912
(278)

(3,969)

(12,852)

(24,190)

(2,855)

(27,045)

(12,369)
912
(278)

(24,190)
–
–

(11,735)

(24,190)

199
882
(935)

146

(23,991)
882
(935)

(24,044)

The revaluation in deferment of pensions in excess of Guaranteed Minimum Pension has now been based on CPI rather 
than RPI for the UK defined benefit pension schemes. The impact of this change, combined with salary increases now 
being based on CPI rather than RPI has been to reduce the present value of defined benefit obligations by approximately 
£2,500,000.

Movements in the fair value of scheme assets were as follows:

At 1 January
Expected return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Contributions paid by plan participants
Benefit payments
Actuarial gains
Exchange differences

UK
£’000

104,530
6,874
9,059
371
(5,875)
11,080
–

2010
Overseas
£’000

17,533
1,307
1,702
7
(1,991)
334
960

Total
£’000

UK
£’000

122,063
8,181
10,761
378
(7,866)
11,414
960

88,170
5,512
4,989
435
(5,953)
11,377
–

2009
Overseas
£’000

17,972
1,338
439
8
(960)
82
(1,346)

Total
£’000

106,142
6,850
5,428
443
(6,913)
11,459
(1,346)

At 31 December

126,039

19,852

145,891

104,530

17,533

122,063

61

 
 
 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

29  Employee benefit obligations (continued)

Movements in the present value of defined benefit obligations were as follows:

UK
£’000

2010
Overseas
£’000

Total
£’000

UK
£’000

At 1 January
Transfer from other employee benefits*
Current service cost
Past service cost
Contributions paid by plan participants
Interest cost
Benefit payments
Actuarial gains/(losses)
Exchange differences

(128,720)
–
(731)
–
(371)
(7,207)
5,875
(2,651)
–

(17,334)
(1,891)
(1,241)
(307)
(7)
(1,497)
1,991
(3,306)
(863)

(146,054)
(1,891)
(1,972)
(307)
(378)
(8,704)
7,866
(5,957)
(863)

(111,819)
–
(895)
–
(435)
(6,836)
5,953
(14,688)
–

2009
Overseas
£’000

(18,285)
–
(829)
–
(8)
(1,143)
960
572
1,399

Total
£’000

(130,104)
–
(1,724)
–
(443)
(7,979)
6,913
(14,116)
1,399

At 31 December

(133,805)

(24,455)

(158,260)

(128,720)

(17,334)

(146,054)

In 2008, the total fair value of plan assets was £106,142,000, present value of defined benefit obligations was 
£130,104,000 and the deficit was £23,962,000. In 2007, the total fair value of plan assets was £127,037,000, present 
value of defined benefit obligations was £131,879,000 and the deficit was £4,842,000 and in 2006, the total fair value 
of plan assets was £122,836,000, present value of defined benefit obligations was £137,032,000 and the deficit was 
£14,196,000.

 *Relates to gratuities schemes operated by group companies, previously included in other employee benefits. 

Income statement

The amounts recognised in the income statement are as follows:

UK
£’000

(731)
–

(731)

2010
Overseas
£’000

(1,241)
(307)

(1,548)

Total
£’000

(1,972)
(307)

(2,279)

UK
£’000

(895)
–

(895)

2009
Overseas
£’000

(829)
–

(829)

Amounts charged to operating profit:
Current service cost
Past service cost

Total operating charge
Amounts (charged)/credited to other 
finance costs:
Expected return on pension scheme 
  assets
Interest on pension scheme liabilities

Net financing (charge)/income (note 7)

Total charged to income statement

(1,064)

(1,738)

(2,802)

6,874
(7,207)

(333)

1,307
(1,497)

(190)

8,181
(8,704)

(523)

5,512
(6,836)

(1,324)

(2,219)

1,338
(1,143)

195

(634)

Employer contributions to defined contribution schemes are charged to profit when payable and the costs charged were 
£3,009,000 (2009: £3,027,000) .

62

Total
£’000

(1,724)
–

(1,724)

6,850
(7,979)

(1,129)

(2,853)

 
Notes to the accounts

29  Employee benefit obligations (continued)

Actuarial gains and losses recognised in the statement of comprehensive income

The amounts included in the statement of comprehensive income:

Actual return less expected return on  
  pension scheme assets
Experience gains/(losses) arising on 

scheme liabilities

Changes in assumptions underlying 
  present value of scheme liabilities

Actuarial gain/(loss)
Taxation on actuarial movement

Net actuarial gain/(loss)

UK
£’000

2010
Overseas
£’000

Total
£’000

UK
£’000

2009
Overseas
£’000

Total
£’000

11,080

334

11,414

11,377

82

11,459

186

(3,306)

(3,120)

2,654

572

3,226

(2,837)

8,429
–

8,429

–

(2,837)

(17,342)

–

(17,342)

(2,972)
–

(2,972)

5,457
–

5,457

(3,311)
(1,148)

(4,459)

654
(128)

526

(2,657)
(1,276)

(3,933)

Cumulative actuarial losses recognised in the statement of comprehensive income are £12,667,000 (2009: £18,124,000).

History of experience gains and losses 

Difference between expected and actual return on scheme assets:
Amount (£’000)
Percentage of scheme assets
Experience gains and losses on scheme liabilities:
Amount (£’000)
Percentage of present value of scheme liabilities
Effects to changes in assumptions underlying the present value
of the scheme liabilities:
Amount (£’000)
Percentage of present value of scheme liabilities
Total amount recognised:
Amount (£’000)
Percentage of present value of scheme liabilities

Difference between expected and actual return on scheme assets:
Amount (£’000)
Percentage of scheme assets
Experience gains and losses on scheme liabilities:
Amount (£’000)
Percentage of present value of scheme liabilities
Effects to changes in assumptions underlying the present value
of the scheme liabilities:
Amount (£’000)
Percentage of present value of scheme liabilities
Total amount recognised:
Amount (£’000)
Percentage of present value of scheme liabilities

2010
UK Overseas

Total

2009
UK Overseas

Total

2008
UK Overseas

Total

11,080
8.8%

334
1.7%

11,414

11,377
7.8% 10.9%

82
0.5%

11,459 (28,968)
9.4% (32.9%)

(94)
(0.5%)

(29,062)
(27.4%)

186

(3,306)
0.1% (13.5%)

(3,120)
(2.0%)

2,654
2.1%

572
3.3%

3,226
2.2%

194

(2,040)
0.2% (11.2%)

(1,846)
(1.4%)

(2,837)
(2.1%)

–
–

(2,837)
(1.8%)

(17,342)
(13.5%)

– (17,342)
(11.9%)
–

8,981
8.0%

–
–

8,981
6.9%

8,429
(2,972)
6.3% (12.2%)

5,457
(3,311)
3.4% (2.6%)

654

(2,657)
3.8% (1.8%)

(19,793)
(17.7%)

(2,134)
(11.7%)

(21,927)
(16.9%)

2007
UK Overseas

Total

2006
UK Overseas

(1,636)
(1.5%)

(511)
(3.5%)

(2,147)
(1.7%)

2,127
1.9%

65
0.5%

(1,114)
(0.9%)

(589)
(4.4%)

(1,703)
(1.3%)

1,790
1,416
1.1% 15.9%

Total

2,192
1.8%

3,206
2.3%

9,880
8.3%

–
–

9,880
(1,858)
7.5% (1.5%)

–
–

(1,858)
(1.4%)

7,130
(1,100)
6.0% (8.2%)

6,030
4.6%

1,685
1,855
1.3% 16.5%

3,540
2.6%

The current best estimate of employer contributions to be paid to UK defined benefit pension schemes for the year 
commencing 1 January 2011 is £751,000.

63

 
 
 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

30  Other employee benefit obligations

The movement in other employee benefit obligations is as follows:

Group
At 1 January
Transfer to employee benefits obligations*
Exchange differences
Charged to the income statement
Payments made

At 31 December

Current element
Non-current element

2010
£’000

1,891
(1,891)
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

 *Relates to gratuities schemes operated by group companies transferred to employee benefit obligations. 

31  Share capital

Authorised: 2,842,000 (2009: 2,842,000) ordinary shares of 10p each

Allotted, called up and fully paid: ordinary shares of 10p each:
At 1 January and 31 December – 2,842,000 (2009: 2,842,000) shares

Group companies hold 62,500 issued shares in the company. These are classified as treasury shares.

32  Reconciliation of profit from operations to cash flow

2010
£’000

284

284

Group
Profit from operations
Share of associates’ results
Depreciation and amortisation
Impairment of non-current assets
Gain arising from changes in fair value of biological assets
Profit on disposal of non-current assets
Profit on disposal of an associate
Loss on disposal of a subsidiary
Profit on part disposal of a subsidiary
Profit on disposal of investments
Increase in working capital
Net (increase)/decrease in funds of banking subsidiaries

64

2010
£’000

67,883
(3,814)
8,965
615
(11,111)
(4,662)
(248)
–
–
(182)
(11,760)
(17,691)

27,995

2009
£’000

2,299
–
(169)
228
(467)

1,891

268
1,623

1,891

2009
£’000

284

284

2009
£’000

34,629
2,966
8,685
204
(2,746)
(260)
–
674
(135)
(28)
(3,741)
7,790

48,038

Notes to the accounts

33  Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net cash/(debt)

Group
Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Net cash outflow from decrease in debt

Increase in net cash resulting from cash flows
New finance leases
Disposal of a subsidiary
Exchange rate movements

Increase in net cash in the year
Net cash/(debt) at beginning of year

Net cash at end of year

34  Disposal of businesses

Group

2010
£’000

42,260
7,516

49,776
–
–
4,252

54,028
20,260

74,288

2009
£’000

19,189
4,095

23,284
(65)
1,868
381

25,468
(5,208)

20,260

On 15 April 2010, the group disposed of its entire shareholding in Siegfried Holding AG, an associated undertaking. 

Details of net assets disposed are as follows:

Fair value of assets and liabilities:

Intangible assets

  Property, plant and equipment
  Biological assets
Inventories

  Trade and other receivables
  Cash and cash equivalents
  Borrowings – current – loans
  Trade and other payables
  Net effect of associate disposal

Satisfied by:
  Cash consideration

Net inflow/(outflow) of cash in respect of disposal of businesses:
  Cash consideration
  Loans repaid
  Costs of disposal
  Net cash and overdrafts of businesses

In 2009, the group disposed of its 100 per cent. owned Chilean subsidiary, Hacienda Chada S.A.

2010
£’000

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
48,506

48,506

2009
£’000

118
4,565
1,883
93
26
20
(1,848)
(26)
-

4,831

48,849

6,497

48,849
–
(95)
–

48,754

6,497
(1,848)
(786)
(20)

3,843

65

 
 
 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

35  Commitments

Capital commitments

Capital expenditure contracted for at the balance sheet date but not yet incurred is as follows:

Group
Property, plant and equipment

2010
£’000

1,761

2009
£’000

1,467

Operating leasing commitments – minimum lease payments

The group leases land and buildings, plant and machinery under non-cancellable operating lease arrangements, which 
have various terms and renewal rights.

The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Group 
Land and buildings: 
  Within 1 year
  Between 1 – 5 years
 After 5 years

Plant and machinery: 
  Within 1 year
  Between 1 -- 5 years

2010
£’000

2009
£’000

776
2,717
14,440

17,933

253
194

447

534
1,789
16,006

18,329

118
273

391

36  Contingent assets and liabilities

Assets

Business interruption insurance is receivable for a period of three years from April 2010 in relation to the fire at Abbey 
Metal Finishing Company Limited and will be dependant on the company’s trading performance.

Liabilities

The group operates in certain countries where its operations are potentially subject to a number of legal claims including 
taxation. When required, appropriate provisions are made for the expected cost of such claims. At 31 December 2010, the 
directors do not anticipate the outcome of any such claim to result in a material loss.

37  Financial instruments

Capital risk management

The group manages its capital to ensure that the group will be able to continue as a going concern, while maximising the 
return to stakeholders through the optimisation of its debt and equity balance. The capital structure of the group consists 
of debt, which includes the borrowings disclosed in note 26, cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity 
holders of the parent, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings.

The board reviews the capital structure, with an objective to ensure that gross borrowings as a percentage of tangible net 
assets does not exceed 50 per cent.. 

66

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts

37  Financial instruments (continued)

The ratio at the year end is as follows:

Borrowings

Tangible net assets

Ratio

2010
£’000

2009
£’000

6,432

15,880

321,417

285,270

2.0%

5.6%

Borrowings are defined as current and non-current borrowings, as detailed in note 26.

Tangible net assets includes all capital and reserves of the group attributable to equity holders of the parent less intangible 
assets. 

Categories of financial instruments

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents (excluding bank subsidiaries)
Loans and advances to banks by banking subsidiaries
Loans and advances to customers of banking subsidiaries
Trade and other receivables
Other investments

Financial liabilities
Amounts due to customers of banking subsidiaries
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Provisions
Other non-current liabilities

Carrying value

2010
£’000

80,720
210,429
38,108
32,271
30,028

391,556

227,998
40,772
6,432
1,863
114

277,179

2009
£’000

36,140
193,434
40,551
30,168
35,256

335,549

231,136
33,181
15,880
150
118

280,465 

Fair values

Financial assets and liabilities, are subject to market variations in respect of price, exchange and interest rates. The group 
assesses fair values based on available market data and does not make use of valuation techniques.

The fair value of the group’s financial assets and liabilities are not materially different to their carrying value.

Financial risk management objectives

The group finances its operations by a mixture of retained profits, bank borrowings, long-term loans and leases. The 
objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of borrowings with a 
range of maturities. To achieve this, the maturity profile of borrowings and facilities are regularly reviewed. The group 
also seeks to maintain sufficient undrawn committed borrowing facilities to provide flexibility in the management of the 
group’s liquidity.

67

 
 
 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

37  Financial instruments (continued)

Given the nature and diversity of the group’s operations, the board does not believe a highly complex use of financial 
instruments would be of significant benefit to the group. However, where appropriate, the board does authorise the use of 
certain financial instruments to mitigate financial risks that face the group, where it is effective to do so. 

Various financial instruments arise directly from the group’s operations, for example cash and cash equivalents, trade 
receivables and trade payables. In addition, the group uses financial instruments for two main reasons, namely:

–  To finance its operations (to mitigate liquidity risk);

– 

 To manage currency risks arising from its operations and arising from its sources of finance (to mitigate foreign 
exchange risk).

The group, including Duncan Lawrie, the group’s banking subsidiary, did not, in accordance with group policy, trade in 
financial instruments throughout the period under review.

(A) Market risk

(i) Foreign exchange risk

The group has no material exposure to foreign currency exchange risk on currencies other than the functional currencies 
of the operating entities, with the exception of a significant Swiss Franc cash at bank balance. A movement by 5 per cent. 
in the exchange rate of the Swiss Franc with Sterling would increase/decrease profit and net assets by £1,829,000 (2009: 
£175,000).

Currency risks are primarily managed through the use of natural hedging and regularly reviewing when cash should be 
exchanged into either sterling or another functional currency.

(ii) Price risk

The group is exposed to equity securities price risk because of investments held by the group and classified on the 
consolidated balance sheet as available-for-sale. To manage its price risk arising from investments in equity securities, the 
group diversifies its portfolio. 

The majority of the group’s equity investments are publicly traded and are quoted on the Bermudian, Swiss and Japanese 
stock exchanges. Should these equity indexes increase or decrease by 5 per cent. with all other variables held constant and 
all the group’s equity instruments move accordingly, the group’s equity balance would increase/decrease by £1,251,000 
(2009: £1,131,000).

The group’s exposure to commodity price risk is not significant.

(iii) Cash flow and interest rate risk

The group’s interest rate risk arises from interest-bearing assets and short and long-term borrowings. Borrowings issued at 
variable rates expose the group to cash flow interest rate risk. The group has no fixed rate exposure.

At 31 December 2010, if interest rates on non-sterling denominated interest-bearing assets and borrowings had been 50 
basis points higher/lower with all other variables held constant, post-tax profit for the year would have been £366,000 
(2009: £118,000) higher/lower. 

At 31 December 2010, if interest rates on sterling denominated interest-bearing assets and borrowings had been 50 basis 
points higher/lower with all other variables held constant, post-tax profit for the year would have been £135,000 (2009: 
£60,000) higher/lower. 

68

 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts

37  Financial instruments (continued)

The interest rate exposure of the group’s interest bearing assets and liabilities by currency, at 31 December was:

Assets

Liabilities

Sterling
US Dollar
Euro
Swiss Franc
Kenyan Shilling
Indian Rupee
Malawi Kwacha
Bangladesh Taka
Australian Dollar
South African Rand
Brazilian Real
Bermudian Dollar
Canadian Dollar
Japanese Yen
Danish Krone
Other

(B) Credit risk

2010
£’000
152,646
67,939
29,997
38,789
15,653
8,149
752
7,917
5,202
459
3,259
841
818
1,650
488
11

334,570

2009
£’000
151,076
55,414
36,636
5,213
10,465
4,862
60
5,775
4,272
246
3,028
1,777
1,606
1,305
517
293

282,545

2010
£’000
125,704
63,513
30,699
2,210
–
6
177
3,541
5,199
415
–
–
820
1,649
488
9

234,430

2009
£’000
139,076
50,637
36,749
4,694
–
1,226
627
5,879
4,275
362
–
–
1,611
1,302
516
62

247,016

The group has policies in place to limit its exposure to credit risk. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, 
deposits with banks and financial institutions, as well as credit exposures to customers, including outstanding receivables 
and committed transactions. If customers are independently rated, these ratings are used. Otherwise if there is no 
independent rating, management assesses the credit quality of the customer taking into account its financial position, past 
experience and other factors and if appropriate holding liens over stock and receiving payments in advance of services or 
goods as required. Management monitors the utilisation of credit limits regularly.

The group’s approach to customer lending through the group’s banking subsidiaries is risk averse with only 1.5 per cent. 
of the customer loan book being unsecured. Collateralised loans are normally secured against cash or property, with 
property loans being restricted to 70 per cent. of recent valuation although corporate or personal guarantees are also 
acceptable in some instances.

The group has a large number of trade receivables, with the largest five receivables at the year end only comprising 18 per 
cent. (2009: 19 per cent.) of total trade receivables.

(C) Liquidity risk

Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the board of directors. The group manages liquidity risk 
by maintaining adequate reserves and banking facilities by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and 
managing the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities. 

The two subsidiary companies which are engaged in banking activities, Duncan Lawrie Limited and Duncan Lawrie 
(IOM) Limited both have restrictions contained in their memorandum and articles of association which place a ceiling 
on their levels of customer lending. Such restrictions effectively limit the customer loan book to the value of the share 
capital and reserves of each banking subsidiary. This fact, in conjunction with the general matching of maturing customer 
deposits with market placements and the general use of liquid assets such as certificates of deposit, results in significantly 
reduced liquidity risk for Duncan Lawrie and the group.

69

 
 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

37  Financial instruments (continued)

At 31 December 2010, the group had undrawn committed facilities of £31,422,000 (2009: £28,630,000), all of which are 
due to be reviewed within one year.

The table below analyses the group’s financial assets and liabilities which will be settled on a net basis into relevant 
maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts 
disclosed are the contractual undiscounted cash flows.

Less than
1 year
£’000

Between 1
and 2 years
£’000

Between 2
and 5 years
£’000

Over
5years
£’000

Undated

Total

£’000

£’000

80,720

210,170

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

80,720

259

210,429

21,380

11,062

2,461

3,098

107

38,108

31,134
5,313

1,137
-

–
–

–
–

348,717

12,199

2,461

3,098

–
24,715

25,081

32,271
30,028

391,556

At 31 December 2010
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents (excluding
  bank subsidiaries)
Loans and advances to banks by banking

subsidiaries

Loans and advances to customers of
  banking subsidiaries
Trade and other receivables
Other investments

Liabilities
Deposits by banks at banking 

subsidiaries

At 31 December 2009
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents (excluding
  bank subsidiaries)
Loans and advances to banks by banking 

subsidiaries

Loans and advances to customers of 
banking subsidiaries
Trade and other receivables
Other investments

Liabilities
Deposits by banks at banking

subsidiaries

2,507

–

800

Customer accounts held at banking

215,742

6,263

1,666

subsidiaries

Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Provisions
Other non-current liabilities

40,772
5,991
1,113
-

–
251
150
-

–
140
600
-

–

915

–
50
-
114

–

3,307

105

224,691

–
–
–
–

40,772
6,432
1,863
114

266,125

6,664

3,206

1,079

105

277,179

36,140

193,225

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

36,140

209

193,434

21,651

3,807

10,939

3,972

182

40,551

29,240
12,420

292,676

928
–

–
–

–
–

4,735

10,939

3,972

–
22,836

23,227

30,168
35,256

335,549

589

–

–

Customer accounts held at banking

218,795

2,515

7,735

subsidiaries

Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Provisions
Other non-current liabilities

70

33,181
12,762
150
–

265,477

–
1,088
–
–

3,603

–
1,060
–
–

8,795

–

977

–
970
–
118

–

589

525

230,547

–
–
–
–

33,181
15,880
150
118

2,065

525

280,465

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts

37  Financial instruments (continued)

Included in loans and advances to banks by banking subsidiaries repayable in less than 1 year is £31,711,000 (2009: 
£37,963,000) repayable on demand and £178,459,000 (2009: £155,262,000) repayable within 3 months.

Included in loans and advances to customers of banking subsidiaries repayable in less than 1 year is £5,703,000 (2009: 
£2,773,000) repayable on demand, £4,237,000 (2009: £6,349,000) repayable within 3 months and £11,440,000 (2009: 
£12,529,000) repayable between 3 and 12 months.

Included in other investments repayable in less than 1 year is £5,313,000 (2009: £12,420,000) repayable between 3 and 
12 months.

Included in deposits by banks at banking subsidiaries repayable in less than 1 year is £nil (2009: £489,000) repayable on 
demand, £802,000 (2009: £100,000) repayable within 3 months and £1,705,000 (2009: £nil) repayable between 3 and 
12 months.

Included in customer accounts held at banking subsidiaries repayable in less than 1 year is £80,046,000 (2009: 
£65,600,000) repayable on demand, £129,240,000 (2009: £144,034,000) repayable within 3 months and £6,456,000 
(2009: £9,161,000) repayable between 3 and 12 months.

Included in borrowings in less than 1 year is £5,447,000 (2009: £7,509,000) repayable on demand.

38  Principal subsidiary and associated undertakings

Subsidiary undertakings
The principal operating subsidiary undertakings of the group at 31 December 2010, which are wholly owned and 
incorporated in Great Britain unless otherwise stated, were:

Agriculture and horticulture
Amgoorie India Limited (Incorporated in India – 99.8 per cent. holding)
C.C. Lawrie Comércio e Participacões Ltda. (Incorporated in Brazil)
Eastern Produce Cape (Pty) Limited (Incorporated in South Africa)
Eastern Produce Kenya Limited (Incorporated in Kenya – 70.0 per cent. holding)
Eastern Produce Malawi Limited (Incorporated in Malawi - 73.2 per cent. holding)
Eastern Produce South Africa (Pty) Limited (Incorporated in South Africa – 73.2 per cent. holding)
Goodricke Group Limited (Incorporated in India – 79.2 per cent. holding)
Horizon Farms (An United States of America general partnership – 80.0 per cent. holding)
Kakuzi Limited (Incorporated in Kenya – 50.7 per cent. holding)
Koomber Tea Company Limited (Incorporated in India)
Longbourne Holdings Limited
Siret Tea Company Limited (Incorporated in Kenya – 50.5 per cent. owned by Kakuzi Limited)
Stewart Holl (India) Limited (Incorporated in India – 92.0 per cent. holding)

Engineering
Abbey Metal Finishing Company Limited
AJT Engineering Limited
AKD Engineering Limited
British Metal Treatments Limited
GU Cutting and Grinding Services Limited
Loddon Engineering Limited

Food storage and distribution
Affish BV (Incorporated in The Netherlands)
Associated Cold Stores & Transport Limited
Wylax International BV (Incorporated in The Netherlands)

Trading and agency
Robertson Bois Dickson Anderson Limited

Principal country
of operation

India
Brazil
South Africa
Kenya
Malawi
South Africa
India
USA
Kenya
India
Bangladesh
Kenya
India

UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK

The Netherlands
UK
The Netherlands

UK

71

 
Camellia Plc

Notes to the accounts

38  Principal subsidiary and associated undertakings (continued)

Subsidiary undertakings (continued)

Banking and financial services
Duncan Lawrie Limited
Duncan Lawrie Asset Management Limited
Duncan Lawrie Holdings Limited
Duncan Lawrie (IOM) Limited (Incorporated in Isle of Man)

Investment holding
Affish Limited
Assam Dooars Investments Limited
Associated Fisheries Limited
Bordure Limited
John Ingham & Sons Limited
Lawrie (Bermuda) Limited (Incorporated in Bermuda)
Lawrie Group Plc
Lawrie International Limited (Incorporated in Bermuda)
Linton Park Plc
Unochrome Industries Limited
Western Dooars Investments Limited

Associated undertakings

The principal associated undertakings of the group at 31 December 2010 were:

Principal country
of operation

UK
UK
UK
Isle of Man

UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
Bermuda
UK
Bermuda
UK
UK
UK

Group
interest
in equity
capital
per cent.

Principal
country of
 operation

Accounting
date 2010

Insurance and leasing 
BF&M Limited (Incorporated in Bermuda – common stock) 

Bermuda 31 December

25.1

Property 
West Hamilton Holdings Limited (Incorporated in Bermuda – common stock)  Bermuda 31 December

28.2

72

 
 
Notes to the accounts

39  Control of Camellia Plc

Camellia Holding AG holds 1,427,000 ordinary shares of Camellia Plc (representing 51.34 per cent. of the total voting 
rights). Camellia Holding AG is owned by The Camellia Private Trust Company Limited, a private trust company 
incorporated under the laws of Bermuda as trustee of The Camellia Foundation (“the Foundation”). The Foundation is a 
Bermudian trust, the income of which is utilised for charitable, educational and humanitarian causes at the discretion of 
the trustees.

The activities of Camellia Plc and its group (the “Camellia Group”) are conducted independently of the Foundation 
and, other than Mr M Dünki and Mr D A Reeves who are directors of The Camellia Private Trust Company Limited 
and act as trustees of the Foundation, none of the directors of Camellia Plc are connected with The Camellia Private 
Trust Company Limited or the Foundation. While The Camellia Private Trust Company Limited as a Trustee of the 
Foundation maintains its rights as a shareholder, it has not participated in, and has confirmed to the board of Camellia 
Plc that it has no intention of participating in, the day to day running of the business of the Camellia Group. The 
Camellia Private Trust Company Limited has also confirmed its agreement that where any director of Camellia Plc is for 
the time being connected with the Foundation, he should not exercise any voting rights as a director of Camellia Plc in 
relation to any matter concerning the Camellia Group’s interest in any assets in which the Foundation also has a material 
interest otherwise than through Camellia Plc. 

40  Related party transactions

In June 2010, the group purchased the remaining 49 per cent. holding in its subsidiary, Duncan Properties Limited from 
United Leasing Company Limited, an associate company. Both companies are based in Bangladesh. The consideration 
paid was £2,705,000 which resulted in a charge of £2,457,000 to reserves.

There have been no other related party transactions that had a material effect on the financial position or performance of 
the group in the financial year.

73

 
Camellia Plc

Report of the independent auditors

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of Camellia Plc

We have audited the group and parent company financial statements (the “financial statements”) of Camellia Plc for the 
year ended 31 December 2010 which comprise the Consolidated income statement, the group and company statement of 
comprehensive income, the Consolidated and company balance sheets, the Consolidated and company cash flow statements, 
the group and company statement of changes in equity and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has 
been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by 
the European Union and, as regards the company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors 

As explained more fully in the Statement of directors’ responsibilities set out on page 18, the directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the group financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to 
audit and express an opinion on the group financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards 
on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for 
Auditors.

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company’s members as a body in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or 
assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may 
come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements

An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes 
an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the group’s and company’s circumstances and have been 
consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and 
the overall presentation of the financial statements.

Opinion on financial statements 

In our opinion:

– 

– 

– 

– 

 the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the company’s affairs as at 31 December 
2010 and of the group’s profit and group’s and parent company’s cash flows for the year then ended;

 the group’s financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union;

 the company’s financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union 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 lAS Regulation. 

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion:

 the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006; and

 the information given in the Report of the directors for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared 
is consistent with the financial statements. 

– 

– 

74

Report of the independent auditors

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following:

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

– 

– 

 adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 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.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review: 

 – 

– 

 the directors’ statement, set out on page 14, in relation to going concern; and

 the parts of the Corporate governance statement, set out on pages 15 to 17, relating to the company’s compliance with the 
nine provisions of the June 2008 Combined Code specified for our review.

John Waters (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
London

28 April 2011

75

Camellia Plc

Five year record

2010
£’000

2009
£’000

2008
£’000

2007
£’000

2006
£’000

Revenue – continuing operations

251,181

230,270

190,551

161,936

160,552

Profit before tax

Taxation

Profit from continuing operations

73,141

(22,107)

51,034

34,143

(11,702)

22,441

24,040

(7,547)

16,493

30,651

(3,205)

27,446

19,982

(4,808)

15,174

Profit attributable to equity shareholders

41,984

15,897

11,044

25,317

12,903

Equity dividends paid

2,891

2,557

2,557

2,502

2,474

Equity

Called up share capital

Reserves

Total shareholders’ funds

Earnings per share

Dividend paid per share

284

329,209

329,493

1,510.5p

104p

284

293,570

293,854

571.9p

92p

284

303,816

304,100

397.3p

92p

284

265,987

266,271

910.8p

90.p

284

235,677

235,961

464.2p

89p

76

C
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a

P
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c

A
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R
e
p
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t

2
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1
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Camellia Plc

2010

123